YM BioSciences Inc.
During the second quarter of Fiscal 2009, YM received clearance from Canadian regulatory authorities to initiate two Phase II, double-blind, randomized trials for nimotuzumab. These two trials will evaluate our EGFR-targeting antibody in combination with radiation-based treatments in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in patients with brain metastases from NSCLC. Enrolment for both trials is expected to be initiated in Canada in the first quarter of calendar 2009 and YM anticipates expanding the trials into other countries.
These two controlled studies are expected to contribute significantly to the already extensive late-stage clinical program being pursued by the global network of companies developing nimotuzumab. In addition to a third YM-sponsored trial in pediatric glioma ongoing in the USA, Canada and Israel, nimotuzumab is currently being advanced in several randomized Phase II and III trials in Japan, South East Asia, Europe and elsewhere.
Specific to our North American regulatory strategy, our two randomized trials form part of the registration program for nimotuzumab that is concentrating on cancers treated with radiation-containing regimens. This strategy is driven by data we and others have generated supporting nimotuzumab’s demonstrated efficacy within radiation-containing regimens. Consistent with the extensive literature on the effect of radiation on EGFR-expression, the combination has the prospect to maximize the benefits of radiotherapy and increase survival and quality of life. Nimotuzumab’s preferential safety profile is expected to permit its useful addition to radiation/chemotherapy combinations where the increased toxicity of the other antibodies would be intolerable. By conducting trials in these particularly challenging and neglected patient populations, we should be able to generate robust data relatively rapidly aimed at confirming these benefits.
Looking ahead, we and our partners expect to make significant progress in the coming quarters, maintaining the momentum for our lead drug. The prospect of bringing a potentially best-in-class cancer drug to patients globally is a powerful incentive that motivates us all. As we advance towards this goal, I look forward to updating you on our continued progress.
David G.P. Allan
YM BioSciences Inc.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For the three months and six months ended December 31, 2008
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements for the three months and six months ended December 31, 2008 and condensed notes thereto. This MD&A should also be read in conjunction with the MD&A and audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2008, 2007, 2006, and the notes thereto.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada (Canadian GAAP) for interim financial statements. These accounting principles differ in certain respects from United States GAAP. The differences, as they affect our consolidated financial statements, are set out in Note 17 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. All amounts presented are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. In this report, “the Company”, “YM”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to YM BioSciences Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. This document is current in all material respects as of February 12, 2009.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This MD&A contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated by reference and that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may or will occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. While any forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results may vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other suggestions of future performance herein. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements which are based upon our assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, including those discussed under "Risk and Uncertainties" in this MD&A, some of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements, to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in or implied by such statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, and such statements are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. See "Risk and Uncertainties".
OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS
YM BioSciences Inc. (the “Company”) is a company engaged in the licensing and commercialization of drug products and technologies from original research. The Company evaluates drug projects, technologies, and products and the prospective markets for them and obtains, as appropriate, a license for the further development and marketing of the products.
The Company expends money on the evaluation, licensing and further development of certain drug products and on providing licensing, marketing, clinical development and regulatory affairs skills, patent advice and funding to facilitate the introduction of the licensed products into the principal pharmaceutical markets. This involves taking the products researched and developed by others and taking them through the clinical and regulatory processes in Canada and elsewhere in order to achieve regulatory approval for their sale in the markets to which the Company has rights.
The Company will incur expenditures either directly or pursuant to agreements with certain licensees or partners. These expenditures will include: costs associated with the conduct of clinical trials; the collection and collation of data; the organizing of data and market information for each product; the development and production of non-confidential and confidential dossiers on each licensed product and the marketing of the information contained in the dossiers to prospective commercialization partners. The Company plans to generate its revenues from out-licensing the licensed products or from their direct commercialization of the products.
The Company does not have its own manufacturing facilities but it may participate in ownership of manufacturing facilities and the marketing of the products if appropriate opportunities are available.
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| | Three months ended December 31, | | | Six months ended December 31, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | Change | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | Change | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Out-licensing revenue | | $ | 1,832,224 | | | $ | 1,155,833 | | | $ | 676,391 | | | $ | 3,047,169 | | | $ | 2,282,766 | | | $ | 764,403 | |
Interest income | | | 365,067 | | | | 727,242 | | | | (362,175 | ) | | | 807,688 | | | | 1,417,634 | | | | (609,946 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
General and administrative | | | 1,193,209 | | | | 2,075,506 | | | | (882,297 | ) | | | 2,340,587 | | | | 4,109,516 | | | | (1,768,929 | ) |
Licensing and product development | | | 4,421,428 | | | | 4,220,627 | | | | 200,801 | | | | 8,266,612 | | | | 7,765,486 | | | | 501,126 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the period | | | (3,174,385 | ) | | | (4,479,888 | ) | | | 1,305,503 | | | | (6,330,597 | ) | | | (8,104,197 | ) | | | 1,773,600 | |
Deficit, beginning of period, | | | (136,338,697 | ) | | | (121,921,050 | ) | | | (14,417,647 | ) | | | (133,182,485 | ) | | | (118,296,741 | ) | | | (14,885,744 | ) |
Deficit, end of period | | $ | (139,513,082 | ) | | $ | (126,400,938 | ) | | $ | (13,112,144 | ) | | $ | (139,513,082 | ) | | $ | (126,400,938 | ) | | $ | (13,112,144 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted loss per common share | | $ | (0.06 | ) | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | (0.02 | ) | | $ | (0.11 | ) | | $ | (0.15 | ) | | $ | 0.04 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | $ | 54,853,553 | | | $ | 71,783,722 | | | $ | (16,930,169 | ) | | $ | 54,853,553 | | | $ | 71,783,722 | | | $ | (16,930,169 | ) |
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three months and six months ended December 31, 2007 compared to three months and six months ended December 31, 2008
Out-licensing Revenue
Revenue from out-licensing has increased by $676 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2007 and has increased by $764 thousand for the six months ended December 31, 2008. The increase in revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in the prior year is mainly attributable to a US$500 thousand milestone payment received from one of the Company’s licensees. The Company also began receiving royalty payments from a limited sales program in Europe in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The majority of YM’s out-licensing revenue comes from five out-licensing agreements with third party licensees. The licensing agreements include a non-refundable up-front payment from the licensees. The initial license fees have been recorded as deferred revenue and are being recognized over the estimated period of collaboration until the milestone associated with commercial approval of the first indication in the licensee’s territory has been satisfied and the relevant payment received.. The largest of these contracts was entered into at the end of July 2006 with Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (“Daiichi”), a subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. The agreement licensed the commercial rights for nimotuzumab for the Japanese market and included a non-refundable up-front payment from Daiichi to the Company of $16.227M. This initial license fee has been recorded as deferred revenue and is being recognized over the estimated period of collaboration of four years.
Interest Income
Interest income has decreased by $362 thousand and $610 thousand respectively in the three months and six months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same periods ended December 31, 2007. Interest income is decreasing as the Company draws on its cash balances to fund its operations and as interest rates decline.
Licensing and Product Development Expenses
Licensing and product development expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2008 increased by $201 thousand and for the six months ended December 31, 2008, increased by $501 thousand compared to the same periods last year. In addition to the changes described below, core expenses for licensing and product development decreased by $683 thousand for the three months and by $661 thousand for the six months ended December 31, 2008. This was mainly caused by decreases in salaries and travel expenses as a result of a reduction of staff in the U.S office.
Nimotuzumab
Costs associated with development activities for nimotuzumab increased by $1.157 million to $2.237 million and by $1.345 million to $3.269 million for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008 respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in expenses is related to a new toxicology study, and preparation for the two new clinical trials.
AeroLEF™
Costs associated with development activities for AeroLEF™ decreased by $184 thousand to $630 thousand for the three month period ended December 31, 2008 compared to $814 thousand for the same period in the prior year.
Last year, the Company incurred one time costs in transferring manufacturing to a contract manufacturer in the U.S.A. For the six month period ended December 31, 2008 costs are comparable to the same period in the prior year, as spending has only increased by $66 thousand to $1.143 million. This year’s costs are related to the new marketing and regulatory initiatives in Europe.
Tesmilifene
Costs related to development activities for tesmilifene for the three month period ended December 31, 2008 decreased by $89 thousand to $135 thousand compared to $224 thousand for the same three months in the prior year. Year-to-date costs have decreased by $249 thousand to $419 thousand compared to $668 thousand for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in spending for the current fiscal year is a result of the curtailment of development subsequent to the termination of the DEC study in January 2007.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses have decreased by $882 thousand to $1.193 million for the three month period ended December 31, 2008 and by $1.769 to $2.341 for the six months ended December 31, 2008, compared to the same periods in the prior year. This is mainly a result of stock option expense decreasing by $268 thousand from $457 thousand to $189 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2008, compared to the same period in the prior year. Similarly, for the year to date, the stock option expense has decreased by $1.124 million from $1.503 million to $380 thousand for the six months ended December 31, 2008, when compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition, there were also decreases in expenditures for consulting, legal fees, salaries, and investor relations, for both the three and six months ended December 31, 2008..
Other Income
Other income pertains to a refund of unclaimed property from the state of Pennsylvania, received in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
| | Revenue and interest Income | | | Net Loss (1) | | | Basic and diluted loss per common Share | |
December 31, 2008 | | $ | 2,197,291 | | | $ | (3,174,385 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) |
September 30, 2008 | | $ | 1,657,566 | | | $ | (3,156,212 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) |
June 30, 2008 | | $ | 1,964,901 | | | $ | (2,962,900 | ) | | $ | (0.05 | ) |
March 31, 2008 | | $ | 1,777,864 | | | $ | (3,818,647 | ) | | $ | (0.07 | ) |
December 31, 2007 | | $ | 1,883,075 | | | $ | (4,479,888 | ) | | $ | (0.08 | ) |
September 30, 2007 | | $ | 1,817,325 | | | $ | (3,624,309 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) |
June 30, 2007 | | $ | 1,909,514 | | | $ | (4,749,837 | ) | | $ | (0.08 | ) |
March 31, 2007 | | $ | 1,984,707 | | | $ | (8,929,074 | ) | | $ | (0.16 | ) |
Note:
(1) | Effective July 1, 2007, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Sections 1530, 3855, 3861, and 3865 relating to financial instruments retrospectively, without restatement and therefore the quarterly losses for fiscal 2007 above do not include any adjustment to reflect the adoption of these standards. There was no effect to the Company’s opening balances as a result of the change in accounting policy. |
In general, revenue had remained steady over the previous seven quarters. Revenue for this quarter increased by $540 thousand compared to last quarter. The increase resulted from the receipt of a US$500 thousand milestone payment from one of the Company’s licensees. The Company’s policy is to recognize nonrefundable up-front payments from out-licensing agreements over the estimated period of collaboration required until the milestone associated with commercial approval of the first indication in the licensee’s territory has been satisfied and the relevant payment received. There have been no new out-licensing agreements signed since Q2 fiscal 2007. The Company also received royalty revenue based on a limited sales program in Europe for the first time in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Interest earned from cash and short-term deposits peaked after the prospectus-based offering in February 2006, the acquisition of Eximias Pharmaceutical Corporation (Eximias) in May 2006, and the licensing payment from Daiichi pursuant to the agreement signed in July 2006. However, interest income is decreasing as the Company draws on its cash balances to fund its operations and interest rates decline.
It is inherent in the development of drug products that planned expenditures vary depending on results achieved. Our current plan calls for an increase in expenditures for nimotuzumab as we begin two new clinical trials in brain metastases and palliative non small cell lung cancer.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Since inception, the Company has financed the evaluation, licensing, and further development of its products principally through equity issuances. Since the Company does not have net earnings from its operations, the Company’s long-term liquidity depends on its ability to out-license its products or to access the capital markets, both of which will depend substantially on results of product development programs.
The Company’s cash requirements will be affected by the progress of its clinical trials, the development of its regulatory submissions, the achievement of commercialization agreements, the costs associated with obtaining and protecting the patents for licensed products, and the availability of funding for part of the process from investors and prospective commercialization partners.
The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis which assumes that the Company will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and accordingly, will be able to realize on its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of operations. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern has always been dependent on obtaining capital and, ultimately, the achievement of profitable operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in increasing revenue or raising additional capital to generate sufficient cash flows to continue as a going concern. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements do not reflect the adjustments that might be necessary to the carrying amount of reported assets, liabilities and revenue and expenses and the balance sheet classification used if the Company were unable to continue operation in accordance with this assumption.
On February 16, 2006, pursuant to a prospectus filed with the Ontario Securities Commission, the Company issued 9,436,471 shares at a price of $4.91 (US$4.25) for total gross proceeds of $46.305 million (US$40.105 million). Net proceeds after costs amounted to approximately $42.623 million. Under the terms of this offering the funds raised could not be used to fund activities related to nimotuzumab or any other products or technologies of Cuban origin. All those funds have now been spent and in full compliance with those restrictions. Thus, the Company’s remaining funds, totaling approximately $50.133 million (cash and short-term deposits) as at December 31, 2008, are available to fund all the company’s activities.
On May 9, 2006, with the acquisition of Eximias, the Company obtained approximately $34.5 million in cash and an experienced workforce in exchange for approximately 5.6 million common shares. Of the total purchase price paid, $3.3 million was comprised of 474,657 common shares valued at $3.0 million and $300 thousand in cash was held in escrow for one year, until May 9, 2007, to satisfy any claims arising out of the representations and warranties made by Eximias in the transaction. On January 30, 2007 the Company recorded an impairment for the unamortized portion of the workforce intangible asset that was acquired in the Eximias acquisition on May 9, 2006. After the termination of the Phase III DEC trial in metastatic breast cancer, management re-evaluated the workforce intangible and concluded that there was no longer a foreseeable future benefit.
As at December 31, 2008 the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term deposits totalling $50.133 million and payables and accrued liabilities totalling $2.066 million compared to $58.101 million and $2.023 million respectively at June 30, 2008. The Company’s short-term deposits are bankers’ acceptances issued by Canadian Schedule A banks, maturing in less than one year. These financial instruments have been classified as held-for-trading and all gains and losses are included in loss for the period in which they arise.
Management believes that the cash and short-term deposits at December 31, 2008 are sufficient to support the Company’s activities beyond the next twelve months.
COMMITMENTS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company fully consolidates a joint venture (CIMYM BioSciences Inc.) in which it is considered the primary beneficiary; and as such, the Company has recognized 100% of the cost of operations and cash flows of this entity.
In addition, the Company is party to certain licensing agreements that require the Company to pay a proportion of any fees that the Company may receive from sublicensees in the future. As of December 31, 2008 no amounts were owing and the amount of future fees, if any, is not determinable.
In November 2007 the Company entered into a contract for contract research (“CRO”) services relating to a pediatric pontine glioma clinical trial for nimotuzumab in the U.S. at a cost of approximately $1.642 million (U.S. $1.348 million) of which approximately $851 thousand has been paid as at December 31, 2008 and the obligation to pay the remaining $790 thousand has not been incurred. The Company may cancel the contract with 30 days’ notice and is obligated for services rendered by the CRO through to the effective date of termination and for any closeout services furnished by the CRO after the termination of the agreement. As at September 30, 2008 the Company continues to open clinical sites and is in the process of recruiting patients.
In addition to the above contract, the Company has entered into many additional contracts for pre-clinical and other studies, none of which individually exceed $1 million, totaling approximately $4.459 million of which $2.218 million has been paid as at December 31, 2008 and the obligation to pay the remaining $2.241 million has not been incurred. Any early termination penalties can not exceed the amount of the contract committed.
The Company plans to expend funds to continue the development of nimotuzumab and AeroLEF™. There are also ongoing activities directed at out-licensing commercial rights for these products and in evaluating new products to in-license.
TREND INFORMATION
It is important to note that historical patterns of expenditures cannot be taken as an indication of future expenditures. The amount and timing of expenditures and therefore liquidity and capital resources vary substantially from period to period depending on the pre-clinical and clinical studies being undertaken at any one time and the availability of funding from investors and prospective commercial partners.
Other than as discussed above, the Company is not aware of any material trends related to the Company’s business of product development, patents and licensing.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Prospective investors should give careful consideration to the risk factors contained under “Risk Factors” in the Form 20-F filed as the Annual Information Form dated September 22, 2008 in respect of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. These risk factors include: (i) the Company dealing with drugs that are in the early stages of development; (ii) the Company’s lack of revenue and history of losses; (iii) risks of pre-clinical and clinical testing; (iv) the inability of the Company to obtain, protect and use patents and other proprietary rights; (v) the Company’s dependence on collaborative partners; (vi) the uncertain ability of the Company to keep abreast of rapid technological change; (vii) the inability of the Company to succeed against competition; (viii) the Company’s lack of manufacturing experience; (ix) the Company’s reliance on key personnel; (x) product liability and the Company’s ability to maintain insurance; (xi) the Company’s possible inability to maintain licenses; (xii) the Company’s reliance on licensors; (xiii) governmental regulation including risks associated with obtaining regulatory approval for drug products; (xiv) risks associated with doing business in certain countries; (xv) the need for future capital and the uncertainty of additional funding; (xvi) risks associated with the uncertainty of capital markets and volatility of the share price; and (xvii) international taxation.
OUTLOOK
The business of YM is the identification, licensing, and further development of products it believes to have the prospect for utility in human health. The Company is continually evaluating the economic and prospective viability of its various products. YM’s majority-owned subsidiary, CIMYM BioSciences Inc., is the licensee for nimotuzumab for Europe, North America, and Japan as well as Australia, New Zealand and certain Asian and African countries and YM owns AeroLEF®, its other principal product in development, outright.
A Phase II, second-line trial in children with progressive diffuse, intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is ongoing at multiple sites in the US, Canada, and Israel. Randomized, Phase II, double-blind trials in brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in NSCLC patients ineligible for radical chemotherapy, have been cleared by the Canadian Health Regulatory Authority and for which recruitment is expected to commence in calendar Q1 2009.
Completion of recruitment in a single-arm, Phase III trial of nimotuzumab as first-line therapy for DIPG was reported by Oncoscience AG (OSAG), CIMYM’s licensee for Europe, in August 2007 and preliminary data from this trial was released at ASCO in 2008. OSAG reports that it continues to recruit in a Phase III trial in adult glioma patients and a Phase II/III trial in pancreatic cancer patients.
Innogene Kalbiotech PTE Ltd. (IGK), a CIMYM licensee, reports marketing approval in the Philippines and Indonesia bringing to 12 the number of countries having approved the drug for sale in specific indications. In January 2009 the National Cancer Centre of Singapore announced that it was launching a worldwide Phase III, 710-patient trial of nimotuzumab in the adjuvant setting in head and neck cancer in cooperation with IGK. This trial is in addition to the ongoing investigator-initiated Phase II trial in locally advanced head and neck cancer.
Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., CIMYM’s licensee for nimotuzumab in Japan, reported completion of its Phase I clinical trial of nimotuzumab for the treatment of solid tumours in December 2007, informed YM of its intention to proceed into later-stage randomized trials, and announced first patients enrolled in a randomized trial of nimotuzumab in patients with gastric cancer in September 2008.
In July, YM announced the engagement of Dr. Ali Raza and Elizabeth Jenkins as President of the AeroLEF® division and as principal regulatory advisor, respectively. Dr. Raza and Ms. Jenkins most recently led a team that succeeded in clearance of a Phase III trial of a fentanyl product through the EMEA (European Medicines Agency). YM is discussing the readiness of AeroLEF® for late-stage trials with regulatory bodies in Europe and Canada to establish its best options for aggressive development and partnering this unique approach to the use of opioids.
While expenditures would increase with additional clinical activity we believe we have the resources to permit the completion of the program designed to support marketing authorization for nimotuzumab.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant accounting policies and methods used in preparation of the financial statements are described in note 2 to the Consolidated Annual Financial Statements. Significant estimates affect: revenue recognition; intangible assets; research and development costs; the consolidation of variable interest entities; stock-based compensation; and the income tax valuation allowance.
Revenue recognition
Revenue from licensing agreements is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the amount is determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Contingent revenue attributable to the achievement of milestones is recognized only on the achievement of the milestone. Non-refundable up-front fees for access to the Company’s proprietary technology are deferred and recognized on a systematic basis over the estimated remaining period of collaboration required until the milestone associated with commercial approval of the first indication in the licensee’s territory has been satisfied and the relevant payment received. Currently we have license agreements that specify that certain royalties are earned by the Company on sales of licensed products in the licensed territories. Licensees report sales and royalty information in the 90 days after the end of the quarter in which the activity takes place and typically do not provide us with forward estimates or current-quarter information. Because we are not able to reasonably estimate the amount of royalties earned during the period in which these licensees actually ship products, we do not recognize royalty revenue until the royalties are reported to us and the collection of these royalties is reasonably assured.
Intangible asset
The Company’s identifiable intangible assets consist of patents and in-process research and development technologies acquired on the acquisition of DELEX in May 2005. The intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated time to market of seven years for technologies acquired. The estimated useful life of the intangible asset is considered each reporting period and the carrying value is reviewed on the occurrence of a triggering event, to determine if there has been impairment in their value.
Research and development costs
The Company does not engage in basic scientific research but does incur significant product development costs. Only development costs that meet strict criteria related to technical, marketing and financial feasibility would be capitalized under Canadian GAAP. To date, no costs have met such criteria and, accordingly, all development costs have been expensed as they have been incurred.
Variable interest entity
The Company has a majority interest in a joint venture that is funded entirely by the Company. This joint venture is classified as a variable interest entity since the Company maintains a controlling financial interest. The Company has recorded 100% of the results of operations and cash flows of this entity since its inception.
Stock-based compensation
The Company expenses all stock based payments using the fair value method and uses the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model in estimating the fair value. Under the fair value method and the option pricing model used to determine fair value, estimates are made as to the volatility of the Company’s shares and the expected life of the options. Such estimates affect the fair value determined by the option pricing model.
Income tax valuation allowance
The Company and its joint venture have a net tax benefit resulting from non-capital losses carried forward, pools of scientific research and experimental development expenditures, investment tax credit, and withholding taxes paid. In view of the history of net losses incurred, management is of the opinion that it is not more likely than not that these tax assets will be realized in the foreseeable future and hence, a full valuation allowance has been recorded against
these future tax assets. Accordingly, no future tax assets are recorded on the balance sheet.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following new accounting pronouncements have been adopted during fiscal 2009:
General standards on financial statement presentation
On July 1, 2008 the Company adopted the amendments of CICA Handbook Section 1400 which includes requirements to assess and disclose an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The adoption of these changes did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The following new accounting pronouncements have been issued but not yet adopted:
International financial reporting standards
The CICA plans to converge Canadian GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) over a transition period expected to end in 2011. The impact of the transition to IFRS on the Company’s consolidated financial statements has not yet been determined and management is working on a plan towards conversion to IFRS in accordance with the timelines required.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s "disclosure controls and procedures" (as defined in Multilateral Instrument 52-109-Certification of Disclosure in Issuer's Annual and Interim Filings) as of June 30, 2008 (the "Evaluation Date") have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under Canadian securities laws is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by those rules, and that material information relating to our Company and any consolidated subsidiaries is made known to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, particularly during the period when our periodic reports are being prepared to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In connection with the evaluation referred to in the foregoing paragraph, we have identified no change in our disclosure controls and procedures that occurred during the six months ended December 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our disclosure controls over financial reporting.
INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management has assessed the design and effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting as at June 30, 2008, and based on that assessment determined that internal controls over financial reporting were designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. No changes were made to the design of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the six months ended December 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the design of our internal controls over financial reporting.
INHERENT LIMITATIONS ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROLS
The Company’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Internal control over financial reporting can also be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
OTHER MD&A REQUIREMENTS
Share Data as at December 31, 2008: | Outstanding | Number |
| Common shares | $172,921,153 | 55,835,356 |
| Warrants | $54,775 | 17,500 |
| | | |
| Note 1: If all warrants were to be exercised, 17,500 shares would be issued for an aggregate consideration of $77,350 (weighted average exercise price of $4.42 per warrant). |
| Note 2: In addition to the 55,835,356 shares outstanding, 2,380,953 shares are held in escrow to be released contingent upon the completion of certain milestones. They are valued and accounted for when they are released from escrow. |
Additional information relating to the Company, including the Company’s Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.