
Neovasc Inc. Management’s Discussion and Analysis FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 AND 2021 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars) |
Q3
2022
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") covers the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements of Neovasc Inc. (the "Company", "Neovasc", "we", "us", or "our") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (included as part of Neovasc's quarterly filing), as well as the MD&A and audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (included as part of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F). The Company has prepared this MD&A with reference to National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The names Neovasc ReducerTM ("Reducer") and TiaraTM ("Tiara"), are our trademarks; other trademarks, product names and company names appearing herein are the property of their respective owners. All financial information is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The Company presents its consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars. Additional information about the Company, including the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and Annual Report on Form 20-F, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS
This MD&A contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. The words "expect", "anticipate", "plan", "may", "will", "estimate", "continue", "intend", "believe", "target", "potential", "seek", "explore" and other similar words or expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe are appropriate. Forward-looking statements in this MD&A include, but are not limited to, statements relating to:
• our ability to continue as a going concern;
• our need for significant additional financing and our estimates regarding our capital requirements and future revenues, expenses and profitability;
• our intended use of the net proceeds from the February 2021 offering (the "February 2021 Offering") of units comprised of one Common Share and one-half of one common share purchase warrants (the "February 2021 Units");
• our anticipation that the proceeds from the February 2021 Offering could be sufficient to extend operations of the Company until the first quarter of 2024 at the current anticipated burn rate, our anticipation that we will likely initiate programs that will require additional significant expenditures and that the cash needs of the Company will likely increase, shortening the time the proceeds will meet the requirements of the Company;
• our estimates regarding our fully diluted share capital and future dilution to shareholders;
• our intention to monitor the Company's share price on the Nasdaq and our expectation that the Common Shares will continue to be listed and traded on the Nasdaq;
• our intention to expand the indications for, and markets in which we may market the Reducer (which has CE Mark approval under MDD for sale in the European Union);
• our ability to obtain a new CE Mark for the Reducer in Europe under the new MDR regulations on the projected timeline, or at all;
• our clinical development of our products, including the results of current and future clinical trials and studies;
• our anticipation that the Tiara TA and Tiara TF (if and when activity is restarted) will receive CE Mark approval in Europe under the Medical Device Regulation ("MDR");
• the ongoing follow up of patients enrolled in the TIARA-II trial or under compassionate use;
• our plans to develop and commercialize the Reducer, and the timing and cost of these development programs;
• our plans to indefinitely pause the development and commercialization of the Tiara transfemoral trans-septal system and the Tiara transapical system, until the Company is in a financial position to restart the development, if at all;
• our ability to grow revenues from the Reducer in a timely manner;
• whether we will receive, and the timing and costs of obtaining, regulatory approvals;
• our belief that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") approval for the Reducer in the United States will not happen in the near future following the 'not approvable' letter for the Reducer received on January 15, 2021 and that a new application to obtain FDA Premarket Approval ("PMA") for the Reducer will be filed with data from the Investigational Device Exemption ("IDE") study which may take three years or more to complete;
• our belief to file results of the COSIRA II clinical trial with FDA as part of the new PMA and to obtain FDA approval for the Reducer based on the new COSIRA II Clinical trial data;
• our anticipation or belief that the COSIRA II clinical study will provide sufficient evidence and together with all other PMA filing materials will lead to an FDA approval of the Reducer in the U.S.;
• the cost of post-market regulation and commercialization if we receive necessary regulatory approvals and if we decide to commercialize;
• our ability to enroll patients in our clinical trials and studies in the United States, Canada, Europe, Israel and other markets;
• our ability to enroll patients, advance and complete a COSIRA-II IDE pivotal clinical trial;
• our ability to execute the COSIRA-II IDE pivotal clinical trial on the projected timeline;
• our expectation that the expenses for the COSIRA-II clinical study for Reducer will escalate as enrollment in the study begins;
• our belief that the full PMA application pathway, while costly and likely to take years, brings the best chance of success for the Reducer in the U.S.;
• our belief that the full PMA application pathway, while costly and likely to take many years, brings the best chance of success for Tiara (if and when activity is restarted) in the U.S. and that this pathway is currently indefinitely paused;
• our belief that the TIARA-I Early Feasibility study demonstrates the safety of the Neovasc transcatheter mitral valve replacement ("TMVR") system;
• our belief that the pause of all product development on the Tiara TA device will not affect ongoing business;
• our belief that we are able to continue to monito Tiara-II clinic patients;
• our belief that clinical evidence already available or that may or may not be developed in the future will be sufficient to support the availability and CE-Mark approval of Tiara (if and when activity is restarted) for the treatment of patients in Europe;
• our intention to continue directing a significant portion of our resources into sales expansion;
• our belief that as the commercial use of the Reducer continues to expand, additional third-party studies, investigations and presentations will be undertaken;
• our estimates of the size of the potential markets for our products, including the anticipated market opportunities for the Reducer and the Tiara (if and when activity is restarted);
• our ability to get our products approved for use;
• the benefits and risks of our products as compared to others;
• our ability to find strategic alternatives for adoption of the Reducer, including potential alliances in order to broaden and deepen therapy penetration and potentially advance the COSIRA-II study;
• our potential relationships with distributors and collaborators with acceptable development, regulatory and commercialization expertise and the benefits to be derived from such collaborative efforts;
• sources of revenues and anticipated revenues, including contributions from distributors and other third parties, product sales, license agreements and other collaborative efforts for the development and commercialization of products;
• our ability to meet our financial and organizational restructuring goals to establish a lean and accountable organization with stable capitalization;
• our ability to meet our cash expenditure covenants;
• our creation of an effective direct sales and marketing infrastructure for approved products we elect to market and sell directly;
• the rate and degree of market acceptance of our products;
• the timing and amount of reimbursement for our products;
• the composition and compensation of our management team and board of directors;
• the composition and compensation of our board of directors and senior management team in the future; and
• the impact of foreign currency exchange rates.
Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
• risks around our ability to continue as a going concern;
• risks around our history of losses and significant accumulated deficit;
• risks related to the recent COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak or other health epidemics, which could significantly impact our operations, sales or ability to raise capital or enroll patients in clinical trials;
• risks relating to the pause of product development on all Tiara activities;
• risks relating to the negative inferences on the Company surrounding the pause of all product development on the Tiara
• TA device during clinical trials;
• risks relating to our need for significant additional future capital and our ability to raise additional funding;
• risks relating to the sale of a significant number of Common Shares;
• risks relating to the possibility that our Common Shares may be delisted from the Nasdaq or the TSX, which could affect their market price and liquidity;
• risks relating to our Common Share price being volatile;
• risks relating to our significant indebtedness, and its effect on our financial condition;
• risks relating to the influence of significant shareholders of the Company over our business operations and share price;
• risks relating to lawsuits that we are subject to, which could divert our resources and result in the payment of significant damages and other remedies;
• risks relating to claims by third parties alleging infringement of their intellectual property rights;
• risks relating to our ability to establish, maintain and defend intellectual property rights in our products;
• risks relating to results from clinical trials of our products, which may be unfavorable or perceived as unfavorable;
• risks associated with product liability claims, insurance and recalls;
• risks related to US FDA regulatory and European MDR regulations;
• risks relating to use of our products in unapproved circumstances, which could expose us to liabilities;
• risks relating to competition in the medical device industry, including the risk that one or more competitors may develop more effective or more affordable products;
• risks relating to our ability to achieve or maintain expected levels of market acceptance for our products, as well as our ability to successfully build our in-house sales capabilities or secure third-party marketing or distribution partners;
• risks relating to our ability to convince public payors and hospitals to include our products on their approved products lists;
• risks relating to new legislation, new regulatory requirements and the efforts of governmental and third-party payors to contain or reduce the costs of healthcare;
• risks relating to increased regulation, enforcement and inspections of participants in the medical device industry, including frequent government investigations into marketing and other business practices;
• risks relating to the extensive regulation of our products and trials by governmental authorities, as well as the cost and time delays associated therewith;
• risks relating to post-market regulation of our products;
• risks relating to health and safety concerns associated with our products and our industry;
• risks relating to our manufacturing operations, including the regulation of our manufacturing processes by governmental authorities and the availability of two critical components of the Reducer;
• risks relating to the possibility of animal disease associated with the use of our products;
• risks relating to the manufacturing capacity of third-party manufacturers for our products, including risks of supply interruptions impacting the Company's ability to manufacture its own products;
• risks relating to our dependence on limited products for substantially all of our current revenues;
• risks relating to our exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates;
• risks relating to the possibility that we could lose our foreign private issuer status under U.S. federal securities laws;
• risks relating to the possibility that we could be treated as a "passive foreign investment company" ("PFIC");
• risks relating to breaches of anti-bribery laws by our employees or agents;
• risks relating to future changes in financial accounting standards and new accounting pronouncements;
• risks relating to our dependence upon key personnel to achieve our business objectives;
• risks relating to our ability to maintain strong relationships with physicians;
• risks relating to the sufficiency of our management systems and resources in periods of significant growth;
• risks relating to consolidation in the health care industry, including the downward pressure on product pricing and the growing need to be selected by larger customers in order to make sales to their members or participants;
• risks relating to our ability to successfully identify and complete corporate transactions on favorable terms or achieve anticipated synergies relating to any acquisitions or alliances;
• risks relating to conflicts of interests among the Company's officers and directors as a result of their involvement with other issuers;
• risks relating to the broad discretion in our use of proceeds from an offering of our securities;
• risks relating to our intention to not pay dividends in the foreseeable future;
• risks relating to future issuances of equity securities by us, or sales of Common Shares or conversions of convertible notes, and exercise of warrants, options and restricted stock units by our existing security holders, causing the price of our securities to fall; and
• risks relating to anti-takeover provisions in our constating documents which could discourage a third-party from making a takeover bid beneficial to our shareholders.
Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies, many of which, with respect to future events, are subject to change. The material factors and assumptions used by us to develop such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
• our ability to continue as a going concern;
• our regulatory and clinical strategies will be successful;
• our current interactions with regulatory agencies will continue;
• our recruitment to clinical trials and studies will continue, specifically once COVID-19 is properly managed;
• our estimates of the time required to enroll, analyze and report the results of our clinical studies will be consistent with projected timelines;
• our current and future clinical trials and studies will generate the supporting clinical data necessary to achieve approval of marketing authorization applications;
• our current regulatory requirements for approval of marketing authorization applications will be maintained;
• our current good relationships with our suppliers and service providers will be maintained;
• our estimates of market size and reports reviewed by us are accurate;
• our efforts to develop markets and generate revenue from the Reducer will be successful;
• our expectation that genericization of markets for the Reducer will develop over time;
• our ability to raise additional capital on terms that are favorable to us;
• our ability to retain and attract key personnel, including members of our board of directors and senior management team; and
• our estimates and assumptions about the impact that the COVID-19 crisis will have on the Company.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, events or developments, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. In evaluating these statements, prospective purchasers should specifically consider various factors, including the risks outlined herein, under "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and as filed with the SEC at www.sec.gov. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties or a risk that is not currently known to us materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this MD&A and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to their inherent uncertainty. The Company advises that these cautionary remarks expressly qualify in their entirety all forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf.
Date: November 10, 2022
OVERVIEW
Description of the Business
Neovasc is a specialty medical device company that develops, manufactures, and markets products for the rapidly growing cardiovascular marketplace. Its products include Neovasc Reducer™, for the treatment of refractory angina, which is under clinical investigation in the United States and has been commercially available in Europe since 2015, and Tiara™, a product under clinical investigation for the transcatheter treatment of mitral valve disease. The company remains committed to the ongoing follow-up of patients in Tiara clinical trials and has paused all other Tiara activities. For more information, visit: www.neovasc.com.
Neovasc's business operations started in March 2002, with the acquisition of Neovasc Medical Inc. ("NMI") (formerly PM Devices Inc.). NMI manufactured a line of collagen-based surgical patch products made from chemically treated pericardial tissue. In 2012, the Company sold the rights to the surgical patch products to LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. ("LeMaitre"), but retained rights to the underlying tissue technology for all other uses.
In May 2003, Neovasc acquired Angiometrx Inc. ("ANG"). ANG developed a technology called the Metricath, a catheter-based device that allowed clinicians to measure artery and stent size and confirm deployment during interventional treatment of coronary and peripheral artery disease. In 2009, Neovasc ceased all activities related to Metricath and on January 1, 2015 ANG was amalgamated into NMI.
In July 2008, Neovasc acquired two pre-commercial vascular device companies based in Israel: Neovasc Medical Ltd. ("NML") and B-Balloon Ltd. ("BBL"). NML developed and owned intellectual property related to the Reducer. In 2009, Neovasc ceased all activities related to BBL's technologies and is in the process of voluntarily liquidating BBL.
In late 2009, Neovasc started initial activities to develop novel technologies for the catheter-based treatment of mitral valve disease. Based on the positive results of these activities, the Company launched a program to develop the Tiara transcatheter mitral valve.
Throughout the years 2014 to 2019, the Company announced a number of developments pertaining to litigation, all as more fully discussed under the headings "Trends, Risks and Uncertainties" and "Contractual Obligations and Contingencies" herein.
Between June 2016 and November 2017, Neovasc was engaged in litigation with Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC ("CardiAQ") formerly known as CardiAQ Valve Technologies Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (the "Court") and, upon appeal, in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the "Appeals Court"). This litigation concerned intellectual property rights ownership, unfair trade practices and breach of contract relating to Neovasc's transcatheter mitral valve technology, including the Tiara. Following a trial in Boston, Massachusetts, a jury found in favor of CardiAQ and awarded $70 million on the trade secret claim for relief, and no damages on the contractual claims for relief. The Court later awarded CardiAQ $21 million in enhanced damages on the trade secret claim for relief and $20,675,154 in pre-judgment interest and $2,354 per day in post judgment interest from November 21, 2016. Neovasc and CardiAQ each appealed on various grounds, and on September 1, 2017, the Appeals Court affirmed the trial court judgment against Neovasc, and denied CardiAQ's cross appeal. On November 13, 2017, the final mandate was issued by the Appeals Court and approximately $70 million was released from escrow to CardiAQ to partially settle approximately $112 million damages and interest awards. Upon closing of the 2017 Financings (as defined below) on November 17, 2017, the Company used approximately $42 million from the $65 million net proceeds of the 2017 Financings to settle the remaining damages and interest awards.
In late 2016, Neovasc sold its tissue-processing technology and facility for $67,909,800 to Boston Scientific Corporation ("Boston Scientific"), and concurrently, Boston Scientific invested an additional $7,090,200 in Neovasc for a 15% equity interest. Boston Scientific no longer holds a material equity interest in the Company. Under the terms of the equity investment, Boston Scientific purchased 11,817 Common Shares of Neovasc at a price of $600 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of $7,090,200. Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement, Neovasc has been granted a license to the purchased assets and access to the sold facilities to allow it to continue its tissue and valve assembly activities for its remaining customers and continue its own tissue-related programs, including advancing the Tiara through its clinical and regulatory pathways. $70 million of the proceeds were placed in escrow to fund the damages and interest awards in its litigation with CardiAQ discussed above.
In November 2017, Neovasc completed the 2017 underwritten public offering (the "2017 Public Offering") and a private placement (the "2017 Private Placement" and, collectively with the 2017 Public Offering, the "2017 Financings") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $65 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2017 Financings to fully fund the approximately $42 million balance of the damages and interest awards in its litigation with CardiAQ (after subtracting the approximately $70 million that the Company had paid into escrow from the proceeds of the sale of the tissue processing technology to Boston Scientific).
On February 28, 2019, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 1,111,111 Common Shares, at a price of $4.50 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of approximately $5 million before deducting the underwriting commission and offering expenses payable by the Company ("February 2019 Financing").
On March 15, 2019, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 1,111,111 Common Shares, at a price of $4.50 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of approximately $5 million before deducting the underwriting commission and offering expenses payable by the Company ("March 2019 Financing").
On May 16, 2019, the Company completed an offering of (i) 15% original issue discount convertible notes ("2019 Notes") with a face value of $11.5 million, for gross proceeds to the Company of $9,775,000, and (ii) 334,951 Common Shares at a price of $5.15 per Common Share, for gross proceeds to the Company of $1,725,000.
On June 4, 2019, Dr. William O'Neill resigned from the board of Directors and Fred Colen was elected in his place, and on September 16, 2019, Jane Hsiao resigned from the board of Directors and Norman Radow was appointed in her place.
On January 6, 2020, the Company completed a registered direct offering ("January 2020 Offering") of an aggregate of 1,185,000 series A units ("Series A Units") and 1,241,490 series B units ("Series B Units") at a price of $4.1351 per Series A Unit and $4.1351 per Series B Unit for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $10 million, before deducting placement agent's fees and estimated expenses of the offering payable by the Company. Each Series A Unit consisted of one Common Share and one warrant ("January 2020 Warrant") to purchase one Common Share. Each January 2020 Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Company at a price of $4.1351 at any time prior to the date which is four years following the date of issuance. Each Series B Unit consists of one pre-funded warrant of the Company (each, a "January 2020 Pre-Funded Warrant") and one January 2020 Warrant. Each January 2020 Pre-Funded Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Company at a price of $0.0001 at any time until the exercise in full of each Pre-Funded Warrant.
On May 26 2020, the Company made a final payment of $2,897,000 to holders of the 2017 Notes and $1,016,000 in 2017 Notes was converted for the issuance of 500,014 Common Shares. The Company and certain holders of the 2017 Notes have also agreed to a mutual release (the "Settlement") in return for the issuance by the Company, in the aggregate, of 500,000 settlement warrants (the "Settlement Warrants") to such holders.
On May 28, 2020, the Company completed an offering of secured convertible notes (the "2020 Notes") with a principal amount of $5 million, convertible at $2.815 per Common Share for 1,776,041 Common Shares and 2,573,959 warrants ("May 2020 Warrants") exercisable at $2.634 per May 2020 Warrant share with a 4-year term. The May Offering was completed in two tranches comprised of an initial closing of $4 million aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes and 2,573,959 May 2020 Warrants and an additional closing of $1 million aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes.
On June 16, 2020, the Company completed the registered direct offering ("June 2020 Offering") of an aggregate 3,883,036 units ("June 2020 Units") at a price of $2.973 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $11,500,000 before deducting placement agent's fee and estimated expenses of the June 2020 Offering payable by the Company. Each June 2020 Unit consisted of one Common Share and one warrant ("June 2020 Warrant") to purchase one Common Share. Each June 2020 Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Company at a price of $2.88 at any time prior to the date which is five years following the date of issuance.
On July 23, 2020 Strul Medical Group LLC ("SMG") exercised 1,424,049 of the 2,573,959 May 2020 Warrants at an exercise price of $2.634 per May 2020 Warrant for aggregate exercise proceeds to the Company of $3,750,945 (the "Exercise Proceeds"). Using the Exercise Proceeds, the Company has prepaid a portion of the 2019 Notes. The total aggregate amount of the Exercise Proceeds has been applied to the prepayment of the 2019 Note whereby $3,613,341 has been applied to the $11,500,000 principal of the 2019 Note, $72,267 has been paid as a prepayment penalty pursuant to the terms of the 2019 Note and $65,337 has been paid in accrued interest. In connection with the prepayment of the 2019 Note, the Company also issued to SMG 481,778 common share purchase warrants (the "Repayment Warrants") at an exercise price of $7.50 per Repayment Warrant in accordance with the terms of the 2019 Note.
On August 12, 2020 the Company completed the registered direct offering ("August 2020 Offering") of 4,532,772 units (the "August 2020 Units") at a price of $2.775 per August 2020 Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company for approximately $12,600,000 before deducting placement agent's fee and estimated expenses of the August 2020 Offering payable by the Company. Each August 2020 Unit consisted of one Common Share and three quarters of one warrant ("August 2020 Warrant") to purchase one Common Share. Each August 2020 Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Company at a price of $2.29 at any time prior to the date which is five years following the date of issuance.
On August 17, 2020 SMG exercised 501,000 of the remaining 1,149,910 May 2020 Warrants at an exercise price of $2.634 per May 2020 Warrant for aggregate exercise proceeds to the Company of $1,319,634. Using the Exercise Proceeds, the Company has prepaid a portion of the 2019 Notes. The total aggregate amount of the Exercise Proceeds has been applied to the prepayment of the 2019 Note whereby $1,263,885 has been applied to the remaining $7,886,659 principal of the 2019 Note, $25,278 has been paid as a prepayment penalty pursuant to the terms of the 2019 Note and $30,472 has been paid in accrued interest. In connection with the prepayment of the 2019 Note, the Company also issued to SMG 168,518 Repayment Warrants at an exercise price of $7.50 per Repayment Warrant in accordance with the terms of the 2019 Note.
On December 10, 2020 the Company completed the registered direct offering (the "December 2020 Offering") of an aggregate 6,230,803 units (the "December 2020 Units") at a price of $0.9801 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $6,100,000 before deducting placement agent's fee and estimated expenses of the December 2020 Offering payable by the Company. Each December 2020 Unit consisted of one Common Share and one warrant ("December 2020 Warrant") to purchase one Common Share. Each December 2020 Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Company at a price of $2.29 at any time prior to the date which is five years following the date of issuance.
On January 15, 2021, the Company received a "not approvable" letter from the FDA regarding its PMA submission for the Reducer. The FDA reviewed Reducer for treatment of patients with refractory angina pectoris despite guideline directed medical therapy, who are unsuitable for revascularization by coronary artery bypass grafting or by percutaneous coronary intervention.
On February 12, 2021, the Company completed the registered direct offering (the "February 2021 Offering") of 36,000,000 units ("February 2021 Units") at a price of $2.00 per February 2021 Unit for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company for approximately $72,000,000 before deducting placement agent's fee and estimated expenses of the February 2021 Offering payable by the Company. Each February 2021 Unit consisted of one Common Share and one-half of one warrant ("February 2021 Warrant") to purchase one Common Share. Each February 2021 Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Company at a price of $2.30 at any time prior to the date which is five years following the date of issuance.
On December 10, 2020 and December 14, 2020, the Company received additional Notification Letters from the Nasdaq notifying that the Company is not currently in compliance with the Nasdaq's continued listing requirements which require that an issuer's listed securities maintain a total market value of $35 million (the "Market Value Requirements") and a minimum bid price of at least $1.00 per share (the "Minimum Bid Price Requirements"), respectively. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company was given until June 8, 2021 to regain compliance with the Market Value Requirements and until June 14, 2021 to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirements. On February 9, 2021, the Company announced that it had received written notification from the Nasdaq notifying the Company that it had regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810 for continued listing on the Nasdaq. On February 25, 2021, the Company announced that it had received written notification from the Nasdaq notifying the Company that it had regained compliance with the minimum market value requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810 for continued listing on the Nasdaq.
On May 25, 2021, the Company received written notification from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department notifying the Company that it was not in compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement set forth in the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company was provided 180 calendar days, or until November 22, 2021, to regain compliance. n accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A)(i), the Company requested and was granted a second 180-calendar day period, or until May 23, 2022, within which to evidence compliance with the $1.00 bid price requirement. On May 16,2022, the Company announced that it has received written notification from the Nasdaq informing the Company that it has regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810 for continued listing on the Nasdaq.
On June 10, 2021, the Company announced that it had indefinitely paused all product development activities on the Tiara TF device. Concurrent with this decision, the Company terminated 40% of its staff and took a provision for obsolete leasehold improvements and equipment related to these activities.
On July 13, 2021, the Company announced that it appointed Lisa Becker as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Global Angina Therapies and Sarah Gallagher as Vice President, Clinical Affairs. The Company believes Ms. Becker and Ms. Gallagher bring significant experience and organizational capability. The two new leaders are responsible for the ongoing regulatory and clinical efforts at the Company.
On September 16, 2021, the Company received FDA approval for the IDE regarding the COSIRA-II IDE Clinical Trial. Following multiple discussions with FDA, the approved protocol for the COSIRA-II study is designed to answer key questions arising from the October 2020 Circulatory Systems Devices Panel Meeting regarding the Reducer. On January 5, 2022, the Company announced enrollment of the first patient in the COSIRA-II clinical trial.
On March 24, 2022, the Company announced that, pursuant to a Restated Securities Purchase Agreement with SMG, on a private placement basis (the "Private Placement"), it issued an amended and restated convertible note (the "2022 Notes"). The 2022 Notes was issued in an aggregate principal amount of $13,000,000 and consolidates the amount owed by the Company under certain convertible notes the Company issued to SMG in 2019 and 2020.
On April 12, 2022, the Company's shareholders approved and authorized an amendment to the Company's articles to effect a consolidation of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company on the basis of up to 25 existing Common Shares for one new Common Share. On April 29, 2022, the share consolidation of one post-Consolidation Common Share for every 25 pre-Consolidation Common Shares became effective and reduced the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding from 68,228,061 Common Shares to 2,729,107 Common Shares.
On May 13, 2022, Neovasc received notification from the Nasdaq stating that since the closing bid price of the Company's common shares had been greater than US$1.00 per share for the last 10 consecutive business days, from April 29, 2022 to May 12, 2022, Neovasc regained compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).
On July 21, 2022, the Company announced FDA approval of the addition of two imaging sub-studies and a company requested single-arm registry to the COSIRA-II trial. The sub-studies are intended to provide further, easily visible insight to mechanism of action of the Reducer and to complement the existing long-term safety of the device. The addition of the single arm to the study allows for specific patients who will not otherwise qualify for the randomized arm of the trial to be included in the COSIRA-II trial.
On September 20, 2022, the Company announced that it had indefinitely paused all product development on the Tiara TA device. There were no staff terminated and no material write downs related to this decision. The Company will cease all expenses related to Tiara activities, except for the required follow up of patients already enrolled in our clinical studies and will accelerate expenditures on the Reducer. Overall there will be a minimal net effect on our expenses and is best seen as a reallocation of resources between different development projects.
On November 8, 2022, the Company announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") has assigned the Reducer implant procedure a new outpatient reimbursement code payment status indicator, enabling U.S. hospitals to be reimbursed for the device and implant procedure.
The Company and its subsidiaries now operate as follows: Neovasc Inc. is the Canadian public Company and 100% owner of each of the subsidiary entities. NMI and Neovasc (US) Inc. ("NUS") are the operating companies for the group. They hold the majority of the tangible assets and NMI holds the Peripatch tissue license from Boston Scientific. NMI and NUS employ the majority of the employees of the Company. Neovasc Tiara Inc. ("NTI") in Canada holds all the intangible assets related to the Tiara, and NML in Israel holds all the intangible assets related to the Reducer program. NMI charges both NTI and NML for the development services performed by its employees to develop the Tiara and the Reducer, respectively. NML receives a royalty based on the Reducer revenues generated by NMI and pays royalties to the Office of the Chief Scientist ("OCS") in Israel to repay certain research grants funded by the OCS prior to the acquisition of NML in July 2008. NUS charges NMI for development services performed by its employees to develop the Tiara and the Reducer, respectively, and these are then passed on through NMI to NTI and NML, respectively. Neovasc GmbH and Neovasc (UK) Ltd. conducts sales and marketing activities on behalf of NMI as part of the license agreement between NML and NMI for NMI to manufacture, distribute and sell the Reducer on behalf of NML. Neovasc Management Inc. provides executive management services to Neovasc Inc.
Neovasc's Strategy
The Company's core strategy is to i) expand revenue and global reimbursement for Reducer and conduct a U.S. IDE Study for symptomatic obstructive coronary artery disease patients with reversible ischemia and no revascularization options and ii) obtain further U. S. IDE clinical evidence for Reducer treatment of patients with angina with non-obstructive coronary artery disease ("ANOCA"). The Company is focused on providing the Reducer to both cardiovascular markets that the Company believes are both growing and under-served by current treatment solutions.
Key elements of this strategy include:
- Reducer revenue and reimbursement growth: continuing therapy development of the Reducer and supplementing the successful COSIRA clinical trial with additional clinical experience through the Company's targeted commercial launch of the Reducer in Europe and elsewhere, and continued enrollment in the REDUCER-I real world post-market observational clinical study. Improving revenue growth in Europe by leveraging the renewed NUB 1 status in Germany and by further reimbursement successes in other markets, such as the United Kingdom and France.
- Reducer clinical and regulatory development: activating clinical sites and enrolling and randomizing patients in the COSIRA-II U.S. IDE study.
- New Market Development: Continue to sponsor third party clinical studies to obtain further evidence of the effectiveness of the Reducer in the ANOCA patient population and to design and plan a U.S. IDE study for this same population
Neovasc's Products
Tiara
In 2009, Neovasc started initial activities to develop novel technologies for catheter-based treatment of mitral valve disease. In the second quarter of 2011, the Company formally initiated a new project to develop the Tiara, a product for treating mitral valve disease. The transapically delivered Tiara is in the clinical trial follow-up phase. There are millions of patients worldwide who suffer from severe Mitral Regurgitation, the majority of them with functional Mitral Regurgitation. Mitral Regurgitation is often severe and can lead to heart failure and death. Currently, a significant percentage of patients with severe Mitral Regurgitation are not good candidates for conventional surgical repair or replacement due to frailty or comorbidities. Many of these patients are treated today via minimally invasive mitral valve repair procedures; however, these procedures are also complex, can take a long period of time to complete, and the clinical outcomes may not be optimal. Currently there is no transcatheter mitral valve replacement device approved for use in the U.S and only one (tethered) mitral valve replacement device approved in Europe.
As of August 10, 2022, 83 patients were treated with Tiara in either the TIARA-I Early Feasibility Clinical Study, compassionate use cases or in our TIARA-II CE Mark Clinical Study. The 30-day survival rate at the time of data cut-off August 10, 2022, for the 83 patients treated with the Tiara is 89% with one patient now more than 8 years post implant. The Tiara successfully treated both functional and degenerative Mitral Regurgitation patients, as well as patients with pre-existing prosthetic aortic valves and mitral surgical annuloplasty rings. On November 15, 2019, TIARA-I study enrollment was closed with 27 patients treated. This decision was not due to any safety concerns. The objective of the TIARA-I Early Feasibility study was to demonstrate the safety of the Neovasc TMVR system, while gathering preliminary information on device performance and clinical outcomes. The patients in follow-up will continue their follow-up assessments, adverse event reporting requirements, etc., as per protocol through their 5-year visits. On June 27, 2022, Tiara-II study enrollment was closed with 34 patients treated. This decision was not due to any safety concerns. Follow-up visits will continue for patients at the 14 active sites across Germany, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK. The results from our clinical experience to-date continue to demonstrate the potential benefit for patients who otherwise have no treatment options.
Regulatory Status
The Company filed for CE Mark under the Medical Device Directive ("MDD"); but was unable to complete the regulatory review process before the expiration of the MDD on May 26, 2021. Therefore, the Company was unable to receive CE Mark under MDD in 2021.
The Company is committed to the follow up of all patients in both Tiara clinical studies, but has indefinitely paused all other activity associated with Tiara. There can be no assurance that the Company will restart activity with Tiara or that it will maintain the activity pause.
Reducer
The Reducer is a treatment for patients with refractory angina, a painful and debilitating condition that occurs when the coronary vasculature delivers an inadequate supply of blood to the heart muscle, despite treatment with standard revascularization or cardiac drug therapies.
Worldwide, coronary artery disease ("CAD") is the leading cause of death. It is the largest contributor to the global burden of disease as reflected in disability-adjusted life years, a measure which combines premature mortality and the prevalence and severity of ill-health. On this measure, the impact of CAD increased by 29% in the period from 1990 to 2010. This reflects the worldwide shift to those chronic diseases associated with an aging global population. The most frequent (and often the first) manifestation of stable CAD is chronic stable angina. As a result, angina is a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide. There is a clear association between more frequent angina and greater utilization of healthcare resources.
Refractory angina, resulting in continued symptoms despite maximal medical therapy without revascularization options, is estimated to affect 600,000 to 1.8 million Americans, with 50,000 to 100,000 new cases per year. A publication in the Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine journal by Benck and Henry suggests that the prevalence of No-Option Refractory Disabling Angina (NORDA) in the U.S. population is between 26,000 and 52,000. Another publication in the European Heart Journal by Crea et al., stated persistence of angina caused by incomplete coronary revascularization may occur in up to 30% in the current era, although definitions of incomplete revascularization are heterogeneous. It further stated that persistent angina is associated with a significant economic burden with healthcare costs almost being two-fold higher among patients with persistent angina post-percutaneous coronary intervention versus those who become symptom-free. Additionally, there is emerging interest in treating patients that have refractory angina despite patent coronary arteries. Angina with non-obstructive coronary artery disease may affect as many as 39% of patients with chest pain according to a study from Patel et Al, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Furthermore, a publication in Circulation by Lee et. al, suggests upwards of 20% of patients with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease have evidence of microvascular dysfunction. Increasing interest in diagnosis and treatment of angina and microvascular dysfunction as evidenced by the 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes provides growing support for Reducer treatment.
The pain and shortness of breath associated with refractory angina can make it difficult for patients to engage in routine activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. Clinical studies demonstrate that the Reducer can provide significant relief of chest pain, shortness of breath and other debilitating symptoms in refractory angina patients. A significant proportion of the refractory angina patients in the United States and in Europe are potential candidates for the current Reducer therapy, either because they cannot be revascularized or because they are otherwise poorly managed using conventional medical therapies. These patients represent a substantial potential market opportunity for the Reducer.
The diagnostic management of angina patients has traditionally focused on the detection of obstructive CAD in the epicardial vasculature. However, the majority of patients referred for assessment of angina have no obstructive CAD on angiography. These patients have been termed 'ANOCA' patients, presenting with Angina but Non-Obstructive CAD. It has also been recently noted that ANOCA is more prevalent in women compared to men. Functional and/or structural abnormalities of the coronary microcirculation, or more broadly coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), has been shown to be a lone or adjunctive mechanism of myocardial ischemia in a majority of ANOCA patients. Recent studies have found correlation of angina and normal coronary arteries, or diffuse non-obstructive CAD are at a greater risk for all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study 5-year annualized risk for MACE was 16.0% in women with non-obstructive CAD, 7.9% in women with normal coronary arteries, and 2.4% in an asymptomatic control group. In the WISE Study, at 10 years, cardiovascular death or MI had occurred in 6.7% of women with no obstructive CAD versus 12.8% of those with nonobstructive CAD. Symptom-driven care in women results in an increased rate of repeat catheterizations, angina-related hospitalizations and drug treatment, and is a significant driver of health care costs. With the availability of invasive diagnostic tools to measure coronary flow reserve, diagnosis of ANOCA with microvascular dysfunction is becoming more widespread.
There continues to be interest from the medical community to explore the use of Reducer for other indications. Further clinical trials will need to be conducted to explore this possibility.
The Reducer is targeting a patient population that has failed to gain relief of their symptoms, despite other medical treatment options. A refractory patient, by definition, is resistant to other existing interventional cardiology therapies and is not receiving adequate relief from available drug regimens to manage their chest pain, shortness of breath and other debilitating symptoms. Neovasc believes that further studies may demonstrate that additional patient populations may benefit from treatment with Reducer and thus could further increase its market potential.
The Reducer is an hourglass-shaped, balloon-expandable, stainless steel, bare metal device, which is implanted in the coronary sinus, creating a restriction in venous outflow from the myocardium (the muscular layer of the heart wall). It is implanted using conventional percutaneous, or needle puncture, techniques. The Reducer is provided sterile and pre-loaded on a balloon catheter compatible with a 9 French delivery sheath and operates over a 0.035-inch guidewire. The implant procedure requires minimal training for experienced interventionalists.
Using a catheter-based procedure, the Reducer is implanted in the coronary sinus (the main vein draining blood from the heart muscle). Following implantation, the Reducer (all but the mid-section) becomes covered with endothelial tissue after about 4-6 weeks. This tissue coverage creates a permanent (but reversible, if necessary) narrowing in the coronary sinus. The coronary sinus is narrowed from a typical diameter of 10-12mm to approximately 3mm at the site of implantation. This focal narrowing provides a backwards pressure elevation in the coronary sinus which is intended to improve blood perfusion to ischemic territories of the heart muscle by redistributing blood from the less ischemic areas to the more ischemic areas. This can result in improved perfusion of the endocardium, which helps relieve ischemia and chest pain, shortness of breath and other debilitating symptoms.
The clinical utility of this approach was demonstrated by a number of analogous approaches used in the past that achieved positive clinical outcomes for angina patients by constricting or intermittently blocking the coronary sinus to improve perfusion to the heart muscle. However, these approaches required either the use of highly invasive surgery or leaving a catheter in the heart for a prolonged period, making them impractical or clinically unacceptable for use in modern medical practice. The Reducer was developed to deliver this coronary sinus reduction therapy in a safe, simple and effective manner via a minimally invasive catheter that is consistent with contemporary medical practice.
The Reducer's first demonstration of excellent results was in multiple animal studies and a first-in-human clinical trial in which 15 patients suffering from chronic refractory angina were followed out to six months, and then again at three years post-implantation. The six-month results from this clinical trial were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and three-year follow-up data were presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Cardiology in March 2010. In this clinical trial, implantation of the Reducer resulted in significant clinical improvements in stress test and perfusion measurements, as well as in overall quality of life in the majority of the patients at six months and these same results were noted at the three-year follow up. During this period, the Reducer remained patent with no evidence of migration, and symptom relief was maintained in these patients.
The Company executed the COSIRA trial, a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Reducer device in 2013. The COSIRA trial's primary endpoint was a two-class improvement in angina symptoms six months after implantation based on the patients' ratings on the Canadian Cardiovascular Society "CCS" angina grading scale; a four-class functional classification that is widely used to characterize the severity of angina symptoms and disability. Only patients with severe angina, CCS Class III or IV, were enrolled in the COSIRA trial. The trial analysis showed that the study met the primary endpoint, with patients receiving the Reducer achieving a statistically significant improvement in CCS scores (two classes or better) compared to patients receiving a sham control (18 of 52 [34.6%] of the Reducer patients improved ≥ 2 CCS classes compared to 8 of 52 [15.4%] of the control patients [p-value = 0.024]). The analysis also showed that patients treated with the Reducer showed a statistically significant improvement of one or more CCS classes compared to the sham-control patients (37 of 52 [71.2%] of the Reducer patients showed this improvement compared to 22 of 52 [42.3%] of the control patients [p-value = 0.003]). The COSIRA trial results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in February 2015.
In 2016, Neovasc initiated the REDUCER-I post-market observational study as a multi-center, multi-country, three-arm study collecting long-term data from European patients implanted with the Reducer. The study is expected to enroll up to 400 patients. Currently, 358 patients have been enrolled across 24 centers that are active in Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain and Switzerland. The enrollment rate has been hindered by COVID-19.
In 2018 an article by Parikh, et al., was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) titled, "First-in-Human Use of Coronary Sinus Reducer in Patients with Refractory Angina". This article describes the long-term structural, anatomic, and clinical durability of the Reducer. Reducers were patent 12 years following implantation, with no signs of strut fractures, dislocation, thrombosis, or migration, and the sustained improvement in angina class seen at six months and three years, was also maintained at the 12-year follow-up.
Hundreds of patients have been enrolled in clinical studies conducted by third parties across Europe and Israel relating to the Reducer. These studies continue to show a strong safety profile and positive clinical results that trend closely to the COSIRA randomized study. Many of these studies have been published and presented in medical forums. It is anticipated that as the commercial use of the Reducer continues to expand, additional third-party studies, investigations and presentations will be undertaken. If the results from such third-party activities continue to show positive results from the device, they may provide additional data to support expanded adoption of the Reducer for the intended patient population. As a result of the clinical evidence from these studies and publications, the Reducer Therapy has now been recognized in the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines as a treatment option for refractory angina.
Included in the numerous publications of clinical results since the COSIRA study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2015, a publication in the European Heart Journal by Gallone, et al., on the "Cost-effectiveness of the coronary sinus Reducer and its impact on the healthcare burden of refractory angina" indicated that the Reducer was consistently cost-effective according to a range of cost-effectiveness thresholds after just one year of implant.
Following the positive data from the COSIRA trial, the Company initiated a pilot launch of the Reducer in select European markets in early 2015. The Company has signed distribution agreements in multiple jurisdictions across Europe. Direct sales are underway in select centers in Germany.
Based on achieving NUB 1 status in Germany and a general positive reception in the European market, with positive experiences by many physicians from the treatment of their own patients with the Reducer, we are seeing an increase in adoption of the Reducer therapy in Europe. COVID-19 had a marked impact on Reducer revenues, and we anticipate that the negative impact will be felt again in 2022. It is unclear how long the negative impact of COVID-19 will persist.
We are seeing a growing level of enthusiasm in Europe for the Reducer therapy, and we believe that the therapy has significant potential. In order to further accelerate the penetration of the therapy, we are open to considering strategic alternatives for the Reducer, including potential alliances in Europe, and the rest of the world.
On September 3, 2019, the Company announced that the European Society of Cardiology included Neovasc Reducer in the European Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Coronary Syndromes. The Reducer entered as a Class 2 B recommendation, which means the Reducer device may be considered to ameliorate symptoms of debilitating angina refractory to optimal medical and revascularization strategies.
On November 1, 2019, the Company announced it had advised the FDA of its decision to submit a PMA application, and on December 31, 2019, the Company announced the submission of a PMA to the FDA for the Reducer.
On July 9, 2020, the Company announced it had received notification of an FDA Circulatory Systems Devices Panel Meeting scheduled for October 27, 2020.
On October 28, 2020, the Company announced results from the FDA Circulatory Systems Devices Panel Meeting at which the Panel voted 14 to 4 "in favor" that the Reducer is safe when used as intended and voted 1 to 17 "against" on the issue of a reasonable assurance of effectiveness. The third vote was 13 to 3 "against" (2 abstained) on whether the relative benefits outweighed the relative risks. As a result, on January 15, 2021, the Company announced that it had received a not-approvable letter from FDA regarding its PMA submission for the Neovasc Reducer.
On September 16, 2021, the Company received FDA approval for the IDE regarding the COSIRA-II IDE Clinical Trial. Following multiple discussions with FDA, the approved protocol for the COSIRA-II study is designed to answer key questions arising from the October 2020 Circulatory Systems Devices Panel Meeting regarding the Reducer. On January 5, 2022, the Company announced enrollment of the first patient in the COSIRA-II clinical trial. As of September 30, 2022, 13 sites have been activated, 43 patients have been enrolled in the trial and, of those, 22 patients have been randomized into either the treatment or control arm of the trial. The COSIRA-II study is expected to randomize approximately 380 patients into either the treatment or control arm of the trial.
On January 5, 2022, the Company announced first patient enrollment in the COSIRA-II trial. The Company is focused on activating centers and enrolling in the study.
On July 21, 2022, the Company announced FDA approval of the addition of two imaging sub-studies and a single-arm registry to the COSIRA-II trial. While the sub-studies are intended to provide further insight on mechanism of action and provide additional data for long-term safety, the single-arm registry will allow enrollment of select patients who otherwise would not qualify for the randomized arm of the trial.
On September 21, 2022, the Company received Investigational Testing Authorization to conduct the COSIRA-II trial in a limited number of sites in Canada. The Company is focused on activating centers to begin enrollment in Canada.
On November 8, 2022, the Company announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") has assigned the Reducer implant procedure a new outpatient reimbursement code payment status indicator, enabling U.S. hospitals to be reimbursed for the device and implant procedure.
Regulatory Status
The Reducer received CE Mark designation November 2011. On November 3, 2017, Neovasc received FDA approval for a U.S. IDE clinical trial, COSIRA-II (a trial design similar to the COSIRA study). While the principal investigator and co-principal investigator for this study were already appointed, the Company did not initiate the U.S. clinical trial at that time, funding being the largest impediment. The cost of this U.S. clinical trial is expected to be approximately $35 million. The Company expects significant future expenses associated with the clinical studies, and regulatory submissions, for the Reducer. The September 16, 2021 IDE Supplement approval provided FDA approval for an updated protocol for the COSIRA-II Study, which has begun enrollment in the United States.
On October 10, 2018, the Company announced that the FDA had granted "Breakthrough Device Designation" for the Reducer. The FDA grants this designation in order to expedite the development and review of a device that demonstrates compelling potential to provide a more effective treatment or diagnosis for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases.
On December 20, 2018, Neovasc filed a comprehensive Q-Sub submission to the FDA with all available Reducer Clinical evidence, requesting a Sprint FDA discussion meeting. The Neovasc team, together with two top U.S. Cardiologists, met with the FDA proposing moving forward with a PMA submission using the available Neovasc clinical evidence including the prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham controlled study assessing the safety and efficacy of the Reducer in 104 patients in the European Union and Canada (COSIRA), a multi-center, multi-country, three-arm observational post-market study (REDUCER-I), and supportive safety and efficacy data from peer-reviewed journals.
On February 20, 2019, the Company announced that the FDA had informed Neovasc that, despite "Breakthrough Device Designation", the FDA review team recommended collection of further pre-market blinded data prior to PMA submission.
On June 26, 2019, the Company and two top U.S. Cardiologists met with the FDA to further discuss available clinical evidence for the Reducer, to try to reach agreement on potential options to enter the U.S. Market.
Following the Sprint discussion held with the FDA on October 9, 2019 and weighing all available options a decision was made by the Company to pursue a PMA application for this Breakthrough medical device.
On October 27, 2020, the FDA Circulatory Systems Devices Panel Meeting was held. The Panel voted 14 to 4 "in favor" that the Neovasc Reducer™ is safe when used as intended and voted 1 to 17 "against" on the issue of a reasonable assurance of effectiveness. The third vote was 13 to 3 "against" (2 abstained) on whether the relative benefits outweighed the relative risks.
On January 15, 2021, the Company announced that it had received a not-approvable letter from FDA regarding its PMA submission for the Reducer.
On September 16, 2021, the Company received FDA approval for the IDE regarding the COSIRA-II IDE Clinical Trial. Following multiple discussions with FDA, the approved protocol for the COSIRA-II study is designed to answer key questions arising from the October 2020 Circulatory Systems Devices Panel Meeting regarding the Reducer. On January 5, 2022, the Company announced enrollment of the first patient in the COSIRA-II clinical trial. As of September 30, 2022, 13 sites have been activated, 43 patients have been enrolled in the trial and, of those, 22 patients have been randomized into either the treatment or control arm of the trial. The COSIRA-II study is expected to randomize approximately 380 patients into either the treatment or control arm of the trial.
On August 12, 2022, the company filed for a new Reducer CE-Mark under the new European MDR regulations with its European Notified Body. The filing is currently under review.
On July 21, 2022, the Company announced FDA approval of the addition of two imaging sub-studies and a company requested single-arm registry to the COSIRA-II trial. The sub-studies are intended to provide further, easily visible insight to mechanism of action of the Reducer and to complement the existing long-term safety of the device. The addition of the single arm to the study allows for specific patients who will not otherwise qualify for the randomized arm of the trial to be included in the COSIRA-II trial.
The Company expects to complete enrollment in the COSIRA-II study in the first half of 2024 and to have the first readout from the trial in the second half of 2024 which would potentially put us on track for an FDA decision in the second half of 2025.
New Products/Components/Cycles
Tiara
The Company is committed to the follow up of patients in the TIARA-I and -II clinical studies, but has indefinitely paused all other activity associated with Tiara. There can be no assurance that the Company will restart activity with Tiara, or that it will maintain the activity pause.
Reducer
The Reducer is a commercial-stage product with European CE Mark approval (under MDD). The Company initiated a pilot launch of the Reducer in select European markets in 2015. The Company has also initiated Reducer sales in other non-US markets with distribution agreements in several countries.
A well-known and well-established medical device contract manufacturer is manufacturing the Reducer for the Company and we are in the process of transitioning manufacture of the device to another similar contract manufacturer. The majority of the components that make up the Reducer are readily available; however, two critical components of the device are not. The balloon portion of the delivery system is technically challenging to manufacture, and the implantable portion of the Reducer device, while a basic technology, is manufactured in Israel due to restrictions on the transfer of intellectual property and manufacturing out of Israel stemming from certain research grants received by NML prior to the acquisition in July 2008.
Peripatch Technology used in our Tiara Mitral Valve
The basic Peripatch technology licensed from Boston Scientific was established over 25 years ago, when the material was used to fashion the leaflets and other components in surgical heart valves. Neovasc sources its bovine tissue from abattoirs in New Zealand for the manufacture of Tiara devices. Our use of the Peripatch Technology is indefinitely paused while the Tiara activities are indefinitely paused.
TRENDS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Losses and Additional Funding Requirements
Neovasc has a limited operating history, which makes it difficult to predict how its business will develop or what its future operating results will be. The Company has a history of operating losses since its inception and will need to generate significantly greater revenues than it has to date to achieve and maintain profitability. There is no certainty of future profitability, and results of operations in future periods cannot be predicted based on results of operations in past periods. The securities of the Company should be considered a highly speculative investment.
The Company has incurred operating losses and comprehensive losses of $6,740,490 and $21,572,013, and $8,226,695 and $27,580,641 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively (2021: $6,724,676 and $25,989,792, and $6,915,962 and $19,102,028, respectively) and has a deficit of $449,352,135 as at September 30, 2022 compared to a deficit of $420,116,274 as at December 31, 2021. As at September 30, 2022 the Company had $31,254,368 in cash and cash equivalents (December 31, 2021: $51,537,367).
On February 12, 2021, the Company raised $72 million in a registered direct offering with estimated net proceeds of $65 million to the Company. The proceeds from the February 2021 Financing could be sufficient to extend the operations of the Company until the first quarter of 2024 at the current anticipated burn rate. However, given the FDA's decision to approve the IDE for the COSIRA-II clinical study, and the Company's plans to investigate the use of Reducer into the ANOCA patient population it is likely that the Company will initiate programs that will require additional significant expenditures and that the increasing cash needs of the Company will likely shorten the time the proceeds will meet the requirements of the Company.
The Company will need to raise additional capital to fund its long-term objectives for the Reducer prior to the successful commercialization of the Reducer in the longer term. There is no certainty that the Company will be able to raise additional capital through debt or equity or other means on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. There is also no certainty that the programs will be successfully commercialized, or any required funds will be available to the Company at the time needed or on terms acceptable to the Company. The terms of the required financing may also make it more difficult to obtain additional debt or equity financing in the future.
Given the current nature of the Company's capital structure, the Company can give no assurance that it will be able to obtain additional funds needed in the future, on terms agreeable to the Company, or at all. These circumstances indicate the existence of material uncertainty and cast substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern at September 30, 2022. The Company will re-evaluate the going concern risk at each reporting period and will remove the going concern and uncertainty note if, and when, the Company can depend on the profitable commercialization of the Reducer or is confident of obtaining additional debt, equity or other financing to fund ongoing operations until profitability is achieved. For a description of the risks relating to the Company's need for additional financing see our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and as filed with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not reflect adjustments that would be necessary if the going concern assumption were not appropriate. Material adjustments may be necessary to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements should these circumstances impair the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Litigation Matters
The ongoing shareholder litigation matter is more fully described in "Contractual Obligations and Contingencies" below.
Operating Risks
The Company may need to raise additional capital prior to the successful commercialization of its products. There is no certainty that the Company's programs will be successfully commercialized or that any required funds will be available to the Company at the time needed or on terms acceptable to the Company.
Neovasc is subject to risks and uncertainties associated with operating in the life sciences industry and as a Company engaged in significant development, regulatory, production and commercialization activity. Neovasc cannot anticipate or prevent all of the potential risks to its success, nor predict the impact of any such risk.
Operating risks include but are not limited to: market acceptance of the Company's technologies and products; litigation risk associated with the Company's intellectual property and the Company's defense and protection thereof; securities litigation risk and the Company's defense thereof; the Company's ability to obtain and enforce timely patent protection of its technologies and products; the clinical success of the Reducer and Tiara (if and when activity is restarted); the Company's decision to indefinitely pause the development and commercialization of products, such as the Tiara, until the Company is in a financial position to restart the development, if at all; the Company's ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize its products cost-effectively and according to the regulatory standards of numerous governments; the competitive environment and impact of technological change and/or product obsolescence; the Company's ability to conduct and complete successful clinical trials; the Company's ability to garner regulatory approvals for its products in a timely fashion; the Company's ability to attract and retain key personnel, effectively manage growth and smoothly integrate newly acquired businesses or technologies; limitations on third-party reimbursement; instances of product or third-party liability; dependence on a single supplier for some products; supply chain challenges in general, animal disease or other factors affecting the quality and availability of raw materials; conflicts of interest among the Company's directors, officers, promoters and members of management; fluctuations in the values of relative foreign currencies; volatility of the Company's share price; fluctuations in quarterly financial results; unanticipated expenses; changes in business strategy; impact of any negative publicity; general political and economic conditions; and acts of god and other unforeseeable events, natural or human-caused.
Risks Relating to Potential Global Pandemics
A global pandemic could cause temporary closure of businesses in regions that are significantly impacted by the health crises, or cause governments to take preventative measures such as the closure of points of entry, including ports and borders. These restrictive measures along with market uncertainty could cause a decrease in the demand or sales for our products. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a negative impact on our operating environment and governmental actions to contain the outbreak may impact our ability to transport or market our products, enroll patients in our clinical studies or adversely affect our ability to raise capital.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
The majority of the Company's revenues are derived from product sales in Europe, primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros and British Pounds, while the majority of the Company's costs are denominated in Canadian and U.S. dollars. A decrease in the value of the Euro and/or the British Pound in relation to the U.S. dollar will have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, with lower-than-expected revenue amounts and gross margins being reported in the Company's U.S. dollar financial statements. In addition, any decrease in the value of the Euro and/or the British Pound occurring in between the time a sale is consummated, and the time payment is received by Neovasc will lead to a foreign exchange loss being recognized on the foreign currency-denominated trade account receivable. The fluctuation of foreign exchange may impose an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and cash flows in the future. The Company does not conduct any hedging activities to mitigate these foreign exchange risks. Additionally, Neovasc may be materially and adversely affected by increases in duty rates, exchange or price controls, repatriation restrictions, or other restrictions on foreign currencies. The Company's international operations are subject to certain other risks common to international operations, including, without limitation: government regulations, import restrictions and, in certain jurisdictions, reduced protection for the Company's intellectual property rights.
Foreign currency translation gains and losses arising from normal business operations are credited to or charged to operations in the period incurred. To date, Neovasc has not entered into any foreign exchange forward contracts.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
DISCUSSION OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
Results for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 follow:
Losses
The operating loss and comprehensive loss for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $6,740,490 and $8,226,695, respectively, or $3.00 basic and diluted loss per share, as compared with $6,724,676 operating loss and $6,915,962 comprehensive loss, or $2.79 basic and diluted loss per share, for the same period in 2021. The increase of $15,814 in operating loss can be explained by a $180,518 increase in operating expenses offset by a $164,704 increase in gross profit.
The $1,310,733 increase in the comprehensive loss incurred for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 can be substantially explained by a $402,363 decrease in other income primarily relating to the Canadian Emergency Wage subsidy received in September 2021, a $393,656 increase in interest expense primarily relating to the accounting treatment of the 2022 Notes and a $400,746 increase in other loss and other comprehensive loss relating to the accounting treatment of the 2019 Notes, 2020 Notes and the derivative liability warrants.
Revenues
Revenues increased by 31% to $923,311 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to revenues of $703,420 for the same period in 2021. A restriction on elective procedures, which included Reducer implants was implemented by the hospitals, health authorities or governments of a substantial portion of all our major markets due to COVID-19, which caused Reducer implantations to significantly slow beginning in March 2020. Since March 2020, these restrictions have been increased or decreased on a country-by-country basis depending on the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in each at the time. The lingering impact of COVID-19 is still prevalent in Germany, mainly apparent in hospital staffing shortages. In addition, our revenues in France and Germany are denominated in Euros and our revenues in the UK in British Pounds. During the quarter, the Euro and British Pound fell against the US Dollar. We continue to work on our reimbursement activities in several countries to further streamline payment of the ongoing implantations. The Company recognizes that future revenues may be unstable before the Reducer becomes widely adopted. The continued success of the commercialization of the Reducer will be dependent on the amount of internal resources allocated to the product, obtaining appropriate reimbursement in various territories and continuing our market development efforts.
Cost of Goods Sold
The cost of goods sold for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $220,030 compared to $164,843 for the same period in 2021. The overall gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was 76%, compared to 77% gross margin for the same period in 2021. The Company will focus on Germany, France and the United Kingdom where the Company sells the Reducer directly to customers for higher margins.
Expenses
Total expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $7,443,771 compared to $7,263,253 for the same period in 2021, representing an increase of $180,518 or 2%. The increase in total expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 2021 can be substantially explained by an $844,052 increase in employee expenses primarily related to the accrual of bonuses that were not accrued in the prior period and a $624,386 increase in other operating expenses related to the COSIRA-II study, offset by an $862,075 decrease in non-cash share-based payments as the expected life of the share appreciation plan was adjusted from one year to four years, a $241,061 decrease in director and officer insurance and a $189,715 decrease in litigation expenses.
Selling expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $1,062,454, compared to $786,366 for the same period in 2021, representing an increase of $276,088 or 35%. The increase in selling expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 2021 can be substantially explained by a $148,200 increase in employee expenses due to an increase in headcount in Germany, France and the UK and a $221,463 increase in other expenses incurred for commercialization activities related to the Reducer as the Company increased its selling activities and expanded its markets, offset by a $93,575 decrease in non-cash share-based payments as the expected life of the share appreciation plan was adjusted from one year to four years.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $2,336,874, compared to $2,999,003 for the same period in 2021, representing a decrease of $662,129 or 22%. The decrease in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 2021 can be substantially explained by a $677,365 decrease in non-cash share-based payments as the expected life of the share appreciation plan was adjusted from one year to four years, a $241,061 decrease in director and officer insurance premiums as premiums begin to normalize in 2022 and a $189,715 decrease in litigation expenses related to a decrease in defense costs for the class action litigation, offset by a $251,344 increase in employee expenses due to the accrual of bonuses that were not accrued in the prior period and a $195,863 increase in other expenses.
Product development and clinical trial expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $4,044,443 compared to $3,477,884 for the same period in 2021, representing an increase of $566,559 or 16%. The increase in product development and clinical trial expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 can be substantially explained by a $444,508 increase in employee expenses due to the accrual of bonuses that were not accrued in the prior period and a $207,060 increase in other product development and clinical trial expenses, offset by a $91,135 decrease in non-cash share-based payments as the expected life of the share appreciation plan was adjusted from one year to four years. The product development and clinical trial expenses have transitioned from the development of the Tiara TF and TA programs, which were indefinitely paused at the end of June 2021 and September 2022, respectively, to the COSIRA-II clinical study.
The Company's expenses are subject to inflation and cost increases. The Company has not seen a material increase in the price of any of the components used in the manufacture of its products and services.
Other Loss
The other loss for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $1,486,205 compared to $810,921 for the same period in 2021, an increase of $675,284. The increase in other loss can be substantially explained by a $402,363 decrease in other income primarily relating to the Canadian Emergency Wage subsidy received in September 2021 and a $393,656 increase in interest expense primarily relating to the 2022 Notes offset by a $218,889 decrease in other loss related to the accounting treatment of the 2019 Notes, 2020 Notes and the derivative liability warrants.
Tax Expense
The tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $nil. Neovasc (US) Inc. was established in 2015 to provide clinical trial services to Neovasc Medical Inc. The cross border intercompany charges from Neovasc (US) Inc. to Neovasc Medical Inc. created a taxable profit in Neovasc (US) Inc. and U.S. federal and state taxes were incurred.
Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 follow:
Losses
The operating loss and comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $21,572,013 and $27,580,641, respectively, or $10.03 basic and diluted loss per share, as compared with $25,989,792 operating loss and $19,102,028 comprehensive loss, or $7.63 basic and diluted loss per share, for the same period in 2021. The decrease of $4,417,779 in operating loss can be substantially explained by a $4,021,850 decrease in department expenses and a $395,929 increase in gross profit.
The $8,478,613 increase in the comprehensive loss incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 can be substantially explained by an $11,595,684 change in income related to the accounting treatment of the 2019 Notes, 2020 Notes and the derivative liability warrants, an $814,358 increase in interest expense primarily relating to accounting treatment of the 2022 Notes and a $382,498 decrease in other income primarily relating to the Canadian Emergency Wage subsidy received in September 2021, offset by a $4,417,779 decrease in operating losses.
Revenues
Revenues increased by 32% to $2,352,118 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to revenues of $1,788,282 for the same period in 2021. A restriction on elective procedures, which included Reducer implants was implemented by the hospitals, health authorities or governments of a substantial portion of all our major markets due to COVID-19, which caused Reducer implantations to significantly slow beginning in March 2020. Since March 2020, these restrictions have been increased or decreased on a country-by-country basis depending on the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in each at the time. The lingering impact of COVID-19 is still prevalent in Germany. In addition, our revenues in France and Germany are denominated in Euros and our revenues in the UK in British Pounds. During the quarter, the Euro and British Pound fell against the US Dollar. We continue to work on our reimbursement activities in several countries to further streamline payment of the ongoing implantations. The Company recognizes that future revenues may be unstable before the Reducer becomes widely adopted. The continued success of the commercialization of the Reducer will be dependent on the amount of internal resources allocated to the product, obtaining appropriate reimbursement in various territories and continuing our market development efforts.
Cost of Goods Sold
The cost of goods sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $514,249 compared to $346,342 for the same period in 2021. The overall gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 78%, compared to 81% gross margin for the same period in 2021. The Company will focus on Germany, France and the United Kingdom where the Company sells the Reducer direct for higher margins.
Expenses
Total expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $23,409,882 compared to $27,431,732 for the same period in 2021, representing a decrease of $4,021,850 or 15%. The decrease in total expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 2021 can be substantially explained by (i) a $3,654,821 decrease in non-cash share-based payments as the expected life of the share appreciation plan was adjusted from one year to four years and certain employees voluntarily forfeited certain incentive options, (ii) a $1,481,421 decrease in expense for legal and underwriting fees related to the February 2021 financing, (iii) a $593,622 decrease in impairment charge due to fixed assets obsolescence, (iv) a $359,619 decrease in other product development and clinical trial expenses, (v) a $232,416 decrease in employee termination expenses, (vi) a $213,981 decrease in depreciation expense, the latter four related to the decision to pause the development of the Tiara TF device in June 2021, and (vii) a $464,887 decrease in litigation expenses. These decreases were offset by (i) a $1,354,042 increase in employee expenses primarily related to the accrual of bonuses that were not accrued in the prior period, (ii) an $889,305 increase in other selling expenses incurred for commercialization activities related to the Reducer as the Company increased its selling activities and expanded its markets, (iii) a one-time $301,075 distributor transition fee incurred in June 2022 as the Company established direct sales in the United Kingdom, (iv) a $303,054 increase in other general and administrative expenses and (v) a $194,841 increase in Directors and Officers Insurance.
Selling expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $3,276,625, compared to $2,257,157 for the same period in 2021, representing an increase of $1,019,468 or 45%. The increase in selling expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 2021 can be substantially explained by an an $889,305 increase in other selling expenses incurred for commercialization activities related to the Reducer as the Company increased its selling activities and expanded its markets, a one-time $301,075 distributor transition fee incurred in June 2022 as the Company established direct sales in the United Kingdom and a $260,287 increase in employee expenses due to an increase in headcount in Germany, France and the UK, offset by a $431,199 decrease in non-cash share-based payments as the expected life of the share appreciation plan was adjusted from one year to four years and certain employees voluntarily forfeited certain incentive options.
General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $8,477,598, compared to $13,334,376 for the same period in 2021, representing a decrease of $4,856,778 or 36%. The decrease in general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 2021 can be substantially explained by (i) a $2,893,120 decrease in non-cash share-based payments as the expected life of the share appreciation plan was adjusted from one year to four years and certain employees voluntarily forfeited certain incentive options, (ii) a $1,481,421 decrease in expense for legal and underwriting fees related to the February 2021 financing, (iii) a $593,622 decrease in impairment charge due to fixed assets obsolescence, (iv) a $232,416 decrease in employee termination expenses, (v) $133,634 decrease in depreciation, the latter three related to the decision to pause the development of the Tiara TF device in June 2021, and (vi) a $464,887 decrease in litigation expenses related to a decrease in defense costs for the class action litigation. These decreases were offset by a $507,827 increase in employee expenses due to the accrual of bonuses that were not accrued in the prior period, a $303,054 increase in other expenses and a $194,841 increase in Directors and Officers Insurance.
Product development and clinical trial expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $11,655,659 compared to $11,840,199 for the same period in 2021, representing a decrease of $184,540 or 2%. The decrease in product development and clinical trial expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 can be substantially explained by a $359,619 decrease in other product development and clinical trial expenses as the Company indefinitely paused all activities related to the Tiara TF transfemoral mitral valve replacement program in June 2021 and a $330,502 decrease in non-cash share-based payments as the expected life of the share appreciation plan was adjusted from one year to four years and certain employees voluntarily forfeited certain incentive options, offset by a $585,928 increase in employee expenses due to the accrual of bonuses that were not accrued in the prior period. The product development and clinical trial expenses have transitioned from the development of the Tiara TF and TA programs, which were indefinitely paused at the end of June 2021 and September 2022, respectively, to the COSIRA-II clinical study.
The Company's expenses are subject to inflation and cost increases. The Company has not seen a material increase in the price of any of the components used in the manufacture of its products and services.
Other Loss
The other loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $5,791,690 compared to other income of $7,237,638 for the same period in 2021, a change of $13,029,328. The change in the other income can be substantially explained by an $11,595,684 change in income related to the accounting treatment of the 2019 Notes, 2020 Notes and the derivative liability warrants, an $814,358 increase in interest expense primarily relating to the 2022 Notes and a $382,498 decrease in other income primarily relating to the Canadian Emergency Wage subsidy received in September 2021.
Tax Recovery
The tax recovery for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $nil compared to $16,128 in 2021. Neovasc (US) Inc. was established in 2015 to provide clinical trial services to Neovasc Medical Inc. The cross border intercompany charges from Neovasc (US) Inc. to Neovasc Medical Inc. created a taxable profit in Neovasc (US) Inc. and U.S. federal and state taxes were incurred.
QUARTERLY INFORMATION
The following is a summary of selected unaudited financial information for the eight fiscal quarters to September 30, 2022:
| | September 30, 2022 | | | June 30, 2022 | | | March 31, 2022 | | | December 31, 2021 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REVENUE | $ | 923,311 | | $ | 818,060 | | $ | 610,747 | | $ | 759,124 | |
COST OF GOODS SOLD | | 220,030 | | | 157,927 | | | 136,292 | | | 209,355 | |
GROSS PROFIT | | 703,281 | | | 660,133 | | | 474,455 | | | 549,769 | |
EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling expenses | | 1,062,454 | | | 1,395,275 | | | 818,896 | | | 739,135 | |
General and administrative expenses | | 2,336,874 | | | 3,137,194 | | | 3,003,530 | | | 1,321,581 | |
Product development and clinical trials expenses | | 4,044,443 | | | 4,341,666 | | | 3,269,550 | | | 3,608,802 | |
| | 7,443,771 | | | 8,874,135 | | | 7,091,976 | | | 5,669,518 | |
OPERATING LOSS | | (6,740,490 | ) | | (8,214,002 | ) | | (6,617,521 | ) | | (5,119,749 | ) |
Other (expense)/income | | (1,486,205 | ) | | (763,596 | ) | | (3,541,889 | ) | | (930,474 | ) |
Tax (expense)/income | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (102,820 | ) |
LOSS FOR THE PERIOD | $ | (8,226,695 | ) | $ | (8,977,598 | ) | $ | (10,159,410 | ) | $ | (6,153,043 | ) |
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE | $ | (3.00 | ) | $ | (3.29 | ) | $ | (3.75 | ) | $ | (2.28 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | September 30, 2021 | | | June 30, 2021 | | | March 31, 2021 | | | December 31, 2020 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
REVENUE | $ | 703,420 | | $ | 633,068 | | $ | 451,794 | | $ | 514,002 | |
COST OF GOODS SOLD | | 164,843 | | | 109,106 | | | 72,393 | | | 96,504 | |
GROSS PROFIT | | 538,577 | | | 523,962 | | | 379,401 | | | 417,498 | |
EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling expenses | | 786,366 | | | 832,812 | | | 637,979 | | | 692,089 | |
General and administrative expenses | | 2,999,003 | | | 5,042,804 | | | 5,292,569 | | | 3,125,162 | |
Product development and clinical trials expenses | | 3,477,884 | | | 3,740,887 | | | 4,621,428 | | | 5,785,748 | |
| | 7,263,253 | | | 9,616,503 | | | 10,551,976 | | | 9,602,999 | |
OPERATING LOSS | | (6,724,676 | ) | | (9,092,541 | ) | | (10,172,575 | ) | | (9,185,501 | ) |
Other income/(expense) | | (810,921 | ) | | 44,131 | | | 8,004,428 | | | 4,231,989 | |
Tax income/(expense) | | - | | | 15,396 | | | 732 | | | 530,054 | |
LOSS FOR THE PERIOD | $ | (7,535,597 | ) | $ | (9,033,014 | ) | $ | (2,167,415 | ) | $ | (4,423,458 | ) |
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE | $ | (2.79 | ) | $ | (3.35 | ) | $ | (1.11 | ) | $ | (4.57 | ) |
Selling expenses are expected to generally increase as the Company continues its focused commercialization of the Reducer in select countries in Europe. General and administrative expenses reached a new peak in the first quarter of 2021 due to the increase in legal expenses and underwriters fees related to the February 2021 financings in that period. While we aim to increase product development and clinical trial activities quarter over quarter, with quarterly fluctuations depending on the activities conducted in that quarter to develop the Reducer, the Company has been resource-constrained since the litigation loss in the second quarter of 2016 as we have been forced to defer or cancel certain otherwise desirable projects we would like to have undertaken.
USE OF PROCEEDS
| PROPOSED USE OF NET PROCEEDS | ACTUAL USE OF NET PROCEEDS |
| February 2021 $72M Equity Financing | Use of Proceeds | Remaining to be Spent |
Advancement of Reducer | $35,000,000 | $13,878,938 | $21,121,062 |
Advancement of Tiara | $15,000,000 | $5,101,827 | $9,898,173 |
General corporate and working capital | $15,322,100 | $15,086,966 | $235,134 |
NET PROCEEDS | $65,322,100 | $34,067,731 | $31,254,369 |
The Company has cash on hand of $31,254,368 as at September 30, 2022.
DISCUSSION OF LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 follow:
Neovasc finances its operations and capital expenditures with cash generated from operations and through equity and debt financings. As at September 30 2022 the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $31,254,368 compared to cash and cash equivalents of $51,537,367 as at December 31, 2021. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company raised $72 million in a registered direct offering that closed on February 12, 2021 with net proceeds of $65,322,100 to the Company.
The Company is in a positive working capital position of $30,498,506 with current assets of $34,597,993 and current liabilities of $4,099,487. The Company may require additional working capital in order to continue to operate its business and there can be no assurance that such additional working capital will be available on favorable terms, or at all. The proceeds from the February 2021 Financing could be sufficient to extend the operations of the Company until the first quarter of 2024 at the current anticipated burn rate. However, it is likely that the Company will initiate programs that were on hold given cash constraints and that the cash needs of the Company will increase, shortening the time the proceeds will meet the requirements of the Company.
Net cash applied to operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $19,540,787, compared to $22,727,061 for the same period in 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, cash operating expenses were $18,945,614, compared to $16,570,301 for the same period in 2021, an increase of $2,375,313, primarily related to (i) a $1,354,042 increase in employee expenses primarily related to the accrual of bonuses that were not accrued in the prior period, (ii) an $889,305 increase in expenses incurred for commercialization activities related to the Reducer as the Company increased its selling activities and expanded its markets and (iii) a one-time distributor transition charge as we move to a direct sales force in the UK. These increases were offset by (i) a $1,481,421 decrease in expense for legal and underwriting fees related to the February 2021 financing, (ii) a $593,622 decrease in impairment charge due to fixed assets obsolescence, (iii) a $232,416 decrease in employee termination expenses, the latter two related to the decision to pause the development of the Tiara TF device in June 2021. The Company continues to manage its cash flows while still advancing the commercialization and development of its products. Net cash applied to the net change in non-cash working capital items for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $703,192, compared to net cash applied of $6,213,556 in the same period in 2021, a decrease of $5,510,364, as the Company substantially completed reducing its accounts payable and accrued liabilities (including $1,250,000 final settlement payments to third parties).
Net cash applied to investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $52,467 compared to $146,058 for the same period in 2021, primarily due to a decrease in expenditure of property and equipment.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company, as part of the process to settle the 2019 Note and 2020 Note and issue the new $13 million 2022 Note, paid accrued interest of $290,961 to SMG. Additionally, in June 2022, the Company paid $141,319 interest on the 2022 Note. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company received net proceeds of $65,322,100 from the February 2021 Financing and $1,078,623 from the exercise of 2020 Warrants.
The majority of the revenue and expenses of the Company are incurred in the parent and in three of its subsidiaries, NMI, which is located in Canada; Neovasc (US) Inc., which is located in the United States; and Neovasc GmbH, which is located in Germany. There were no significant restrictions on the transfer of funds between these entities during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, and the Company had no complications in transferring funds to and from its subsidiaries in Israel and the United States.
As at September 30, 2022, the Company is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations on $2,040,337 of its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash held in Canadian dollars and Euros.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated events subsequent to September 30, 2022 through the date of this filing to assess the need for potential recognition or disclosure. Based upon this evaluation, it was determined that no subsequent events occurred that require recognition or disclosure in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA
As of November 8, 2022, subsequent to the effect of the share consolidations, the Company had 2,746,625 Common Shares issued and outstanding. The following securities are convertible into Common Shares:
- 719,998 February 2021 Warrants with an exercise price of $57.50, 176,090 December 2020 Warrants with an exercise price of $21.40, 130,977 August 2020 Warrants with an exercise price of $67.25, 116,489 June 2020 Warrants with an exercise price of $72, 25,956 May 2020 Warrants with an exercise price of $65.85 and 10,000 January 2020 Warrants with an exercise price of $103.38. In addition, the Company had 26,011 Repayment Warrants with an exercise price of $237.50 and 19,996 Settlement Warrants with an exercise price of $45.55
- 6,307 January 2020 broker warrants with an exercise price of $129.22, 10,094 June 2020 compensation warrants with an exercise price of $92.93, 11,783 August 2020 compensation warrants with an exercise price of $86.74, 16,199 December 2020 compensation warrants with an exercise price of $30.63 and 93,600 February 2021 compensation warrants with an exercise price of $62.50
- $13,475,509 principal amount of 2022 Notes and additional accrued interest which could convert into 539,020 Common Shares at $25 per share.
- 108,817 restricted share units and 355,375 incentive options
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, 5,777 Broker warrants expired unexercised. Our fully diluted share capital as of the same date is 5,113,337, including any payment in kind interest that may be due and convertible into common shares on the outstanding notes.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND CONTINGENCIES
Contractual Obligations
As at September 30, 2022, the Company's contractual and other obligations are as follows:
Contractual Obligations | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | Total |
Debt | $ 545,641 | $ 17,166,938 | $ 17,712,579 |
Operating Leases | 284,437 | 215,113 | 499,550 |
Other Obligations | 3,089,323 | 650,106 | 3,739,429 |
Total Contractual Obligations | $ 3,919,401 | $ 18,032,157 | $ 21,951,558 |
Contingencies
Litigation
Litigation resulting from third-party claims has been, and may be, costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of management and key personnel from our business operations. Although we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against any pending claims, and future claims that may occur, we cannot assure that we will succeed in appealing and defending any of these claims and that judgments will not be upheld against us. If we are unsuccessful in our appeal and defense of these claims or unable to settle the claims in a manner satisfactory to us, we may be faced with significant loss of intellectual property rights that could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its financial condition.
Claims by CardiAQ in Germany
On June 23, 2014, Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC ("CardiAQ") filed a complaint against Neovasc in Munich, Germany (the "German Court") requesting that Neovasc assign its right to one of its European patent applications to CardiAQ. After a hearing held on December 14, 2016, the German Court rendered its decision on June 16, 2017, granting co-ownership of the European patent application to CardiAQ but denying their claim for full entitlement. On July 14, 2017, Neovasc filed a notice of appeal against the German Court's decision with the Appeals Court of Munich (the "German Appeals Court"). On July 20, 2017, CardiAQ filed a notice of appeal with the same court. The decision of the German Appeals Court was rendered on March 21, 2019, wherein it amended the decision of the German Court and dismissed the complaint of CardiAQ in full. On March 30, 2020, the German Supreme Court granted CardiAQ leave to appeal the German Appeals Court decision and at a hearing held on August 4, 2020 the German Supreme Court set aside the prior decision of the German Appeals Court and remanded the matter back to the German Appeals Court for a new hearing and decision. The hearing at the German Appeals Court was held on February 25, 2021.
On May 20, 2021, the German Appeals Court upheld the first instance judgment of the German Court of June 16, 2017, in which the court had found that CardiAQ had contributed in part to the invention of the Tiara and awarded to CardiAQ co-entitlement rights to the disputed Tiara European patent application. There are no monetary awards associated with these matters (except for a decision on the statutory costs of the proceedings) and no damages award was recognized. Regarding the statutory costs of the proceedings, each party bears 50% of the costs of the appeal proceedings before the German Appeals Court. Neovasc bears the costs of the second appeal proceedings before the German Supreme Court and 50% of the court fees of the first instance proceedings. Neovasc has not appealed this decision to preserve capital and move forward with our new strategic activities. The decision is now final.
Other Matters
On August 3, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with Penn Medicine and the Gorman Cardiovascular Research Group at the University of Pennsylvania (collectively, "UPenn"), which resolved certain potential claims against the Company that had been previously disclosed. The collaboration and licensing agreement with UPenn contemplates certain fees being paid by Neovasc to UPenn, including fees in installments totaling $2.65 million over the three years following the agreement's execution. In addition, Neovasc agreed to pay UPenn a royalty of 1.0-1.5% on the annual net sales of the Tiara following the first commercial sale of the Tiara. Also contained in the collaboration and licensing agreement are buy-out clauses that allow Neovasc, or an acquirer of Neovasc or the Tiara assets, to buy out these royalty obligations. As part of the collaboration and licensing agreement, certain potential claims against the Neovasc defendants were resolved.
On September 7, 2018, Endovalve Inc. and Micro Interventional Devices, Inc. (collectively, "Endovalve") filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Neovasc Defendants, alleging claims for trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, and unfair competition. Endovalve alleged that it was a former customer of Neovasc Inc., and that the Neovasc Defendants improperly used trade secrets in the development of Tiara. The complaint sought injunctive relief, money damages, and attorneys' fees. On February 20, 2019, the Company announced that it had entered into a settlement agreement with Endovalve. The settlement agreement with Endovalve contemplates certain fees being paid by Neovasc to Endovalve, including settlement fees in installments totaling $3 million over the two and a half years following the agreement's execution. In addition, Neovasc agreed to pay Endovalve a royalty of 1.3% on the annual net sales of the Tiara following the first commercial sale of the Tiara. Also contained in the settlement agreement are buy-out clauses that allow Neovasc, or an acquirer of Neovasc or the Tiara assets, to buy out these royalty obligations. As part of the settlement agreement, the claims against the Neovasc Defendants were dismissed with prejudice.
When the Company assesses that it is more likely that a present obligation exists at the end of the reporting period and that the possibility of an outflow of economic resources embodying economic benefits is probable, a provision is recognized and contingent liability disclosure is required. The Company has not accrued for any future royalty payments in the settlement agreement with UPenn or Endovalve as the amounts are undeterminable at this time.
Shareholder Litigation
On November 5, 2020, a putative shareholder class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Neovasc, Fred Colen, Neovasc's CEO, and Christopher Clark, Neovasc's CFO: Gonzalez v. Neovasc Inc., et al., Case No. 7:20-cv-09313 (S.D.N.Y.) (the "Gonzalez Action"). The complaint in the Gonzalez Action purported to bring suit on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Neovasc securities between November 1, 2019 and October 27, 2020, inclusive. On November 25, 2020, a second putative shareholder class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Neovasc and Messrs. Colen and Clark: Siple v. Neovasc Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-09948 (S.D.N.Y.) (the "Siple Action"). The complaint in the Siple Action purported to bring suit on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Neovasc securities between October 10, 2018 and October 27, 2020, inclusive.
The complaints in both the Gonzalez Action and the Siple Action contained similar allegations that the defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about Neovasc's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, the complaints' allegations relate to the premarket approval process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Neovasc's Reducer medical device for the treatment of refractory angina. Both complaints asserted the same two causes of action: (i) a violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against all defendants; and (ii) a violation of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against Messrs. Colen and Clark.
On January 26, 2021, the court issued an order consolidating the Gonzalez Action and the Siple Action under a new case style: In re Neovasc Inc. Securities Litigation, Case No. 7:20-cv-09313 (S.D.N.Y.) (the "Consolidated Action"). The order also appointed Pratap Golla as the lead plaintiff (the "Lead Plaintiff") and the law firms of Pomerantz LLP and Holzer & Holzer LLC as Co-Lead Counsel for the class in the Consolidated Action. The order further directed the Lead Plaintiff to file a Consolidated Amended Complaint in the Consolidated Action. On March 19, 2021, the Lead Plaintiff filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint.
The Consolidated Amended Complaint named Neovasc, Messrs. Colen and Clark, Bill Little, Neovasc's COO, and Shmuel Banai, Neovasc's Medical Director, as defendants (the "Defendants"). The Consolidated Amended Complaint purported to bring suit on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Neovasc securities between October 10, 2018 and January 15, 2021, inclusive. The Consolidated Amended Complaint contained allegations similar to the complaints in the Gonzalez Action and the Siple Action and asserted the same two causes of action: (i) a violation of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against all defendants; and (ii) a violation of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against Messrs. Colen, Clark, Little, and Banai.
Defendants' motion to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Complaint was served on June 14, 2021. On February 1, 2022, after the conclusion of oral argument on Defendants' motion to dismiss, the Consolidated Amended Complaint was dismissed in its entirety with prejudice and without leave to amend. On February 22, 2022, the Lead Plaintiff filed an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the "Court of Appeals"). On May 13, 2022, The Lead Plaintiff filed their initial appellate brief. On August 10, 2022, the Defendants filed their response appellate brief. On August 31, 2022, the Lead Plaintiff filed their reply brief. The Company anticipates that oral arguments will be heard sometime in early 2023.
OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no ongoing contractual commitments and transactions with related parties during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 other than those as described elsewhere herein and those compensation-based payments disclosed in Note 22 Related Party Transactions of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
RISK FACTORS
A comprehensive list of the risks and uncertainties affecting us can be found in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and as filed with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Investors are urged to consult and carefully consider these risk factors as an investment in the securities of the Company should be considered a highly speculative investment.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND MANAGEMENT JUDGMENT
The preparation of unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting year. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the year in which the estimates are revised and in any future years affected.
Significant areas requiring the use of estimates are described in our consolidated financial statements. The following accounting estimates involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity:
Share-based payments
The Company measures the cost of equity-settled transactions by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determining the most appropriate valuation model, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determining the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option, risk-free interest rate, volatility and forfeiture rates and making assumptions about them.
As a measure of sensitivity, a 10% change in the share-based payments relating to stock options and restricted share units will impact net income in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 by approximately $243,944 (September 30, 2021: $415,216).
Accounting for financing and determination of fair value of derivative liabilities
The determination of the accounting treatment for the financing transactions, most notably for those completed in May 2019, May 2020, and March 2022, is an area of significant management judgment. In particular, this involved the determination of whether the warrants issued and the conversion feature associated with the convertible note should be classified as equity or as derivative liabilities. Any loss arising in the difference between the transaction amount and the fair value of the instruments issued in connection with the financing has been deferred as the fair values were not determined using only observable market inputs. The manner in which the deferred loss will be recognized within income involves management judgment.
The 2019 Notes, 2020 Notes and derivative liability warrants are measured at fair value through profit and loss at each quarter-end. The Company elected to measure the 2022 Notes initially at fair value and subsequently at amortized cost. The calculations of the fair value of these instruments involves the use of a number of estimates and a complex valuation model. The carrying amounts of these liabilities may change significantly as a result of changes to these estimates. Details of the estimates used as at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are disclosed in Note 16 of the consolidated financial statements.
As a measure of sensitivity, a 10% change in the amortization of the 2020 Notes and the derivative liability warrants will impact net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 by approximately $327,132 (nine months ended September 30, 2021: $781,794), and a similar change in the gain/loss on the 2019 Notes, 2020 Notes and the derivative liability warrants will impact net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 by approximately $141,281 (nine months ended September 30, 2021: 1,487,856).
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments include its cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable, derivative warrant liability from financing, convertible notes, and accrued liabilities.
a) Fair value estimation
The fair value hierarchy establishes three levels to classify fair value measurements based upon the observability of significant inputs used in the valuation techniques. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1 | Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 | Inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices)
Level 3 | Inputs for the assets or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs)
The following table sets forth the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. As required by IFRS 13, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Presentation of the fair values of the 2020 Convertible notes, warrants and derivative warrant liabilities and 2021 Derivative warrant liabilities are gross of the deferred loss. The deferred loss on the 2020 Convertible notes, warrants and derivative warrant liabilities as at September 30, 2022 is $1,598,357 (December 31, 2021: $4,300,484). The deferred loss on the 2021 Derivative warrant liabilities as at September 30, 2022 is $7,428,944 (December 31, 2021: $9,898,475).
As at September 30, 2022: | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2020 Warrants and derivative warrant liabilities | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 126,355 | | $ | 126,355 | |
2021 Derivative warrant liabilities | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 57,609 | | $ | 57,609 | |
As at December 31, 2021: | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2019 Convertible Notes | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 6,587,429 | | $ | 6,587,429 | |
2020 Convertible notes, warrants and derivative warrant liabilities | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 6,129,315 | | $ | 6,129,315 | |
2021 Derivative warrant liabilities | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 405,508 | | $ | 405,508 | |
The carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in each category are as follows:
| Note | | September 30, 2022 | | | December 31, 2021 | |
Assets at amortized cost | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 6 | $ | 31,254,368 | | $ | 51,537,367 | |
Accounts receivable | 7 | | 1,689,596 | | | 1,369,455 | |
Restricted cash | 11 | | 436,498 | | | 469,808 | |
| | $ | 33,380,462 | | $ | 53,376,630 | |
| | | | | | | |
Financial liabilities at amortized cost | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 14 | $ | 3,739,429 | | $ | 4,629,163 | |
2022 Convertible notes | 16(c) | | 12,165,168 | | | - | |
| | | | | | | |
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss | | | | | | | |
2019 Convertible Notes | 16(a) | | - | | | 6,587,429 | |
2020 Convertible notes | 16(b) | | - | | | 5,577,136 | |
2020 Warrants and derivative warrant liabilities | 16(d) | | 126,355 | | | 552,179 | |
2021 Derivative warrant liabilities | 16(d) | | 57,609 | | | 405,508 | |
| | $ | 16,088,561 | | $ | 17,751,415 | |
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash and accounts payable and accrued liabilities are considered a reasonable approximation of fair value due to their short-term nature. The estimated fair value of the 2022 convertible notes as at September 30, 2022 is $10,887,448.
(b) Foreign exchange risk
A portion of the Company's revenues are derived from product sales in Europe and the United Kingdom, denominated in Euros and British Pounds, respectively. Management has considered the stability of the foreign currency and the impact a change in the exchange rate may have on future earnings during the forecasting process.
The Euro represents approximately 39% of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, (nine months ended September 30, 2021: 47%). A 10% change in the foreign exchange rates for the Euro for foreign currency-denominated accounts receivable will impact net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 by approximately $34,550 (nine months ended September 30, 2021: $14,113). The British Pound represents approximately 10% of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, (nine months ended September 30, 2021: nil%). A 10% change in the foreign exchange rates for the British Pound for foreign currency-denominated accounts receivable will impact net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 by approximately $22,882 (nine months ended September 30, 2021: $nil).
A similar change in foreign currency-denominated accounts payable, which are denominated in Canadian dollars and Euros will impact net income by approximately $7,829 and $29,604 respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 (nine months ended September 30, 2021: $27,858 and $68,951, respectively). A similar change in foreign currency-denominated cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, which are denominated in Canadian dollars and Euros will impact net income by approximately $128,689 and $75,345, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 (nine months ended September 30, 2021: $152,604 and $70,983, respectively). The Company does not hedge its foreign exchange risk.
(c) Interest rate risk
The Company is not exposed to material cash flow interest rate risk on fixed-rate cash balances and short-term accounts
receivable, accounts payable and the 2019, 2020 and 2022 Convertible notes that have fixed interest terms.
(d) Liquidity risk
As at September 30, 2022, the Company had $31,254,368 in cash and cash equivalents as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $51,537,367 as at December 31, 2021. The Company monitors its cash flow on a monthly basis and compares actual performance to the budget for the period. The Company may obtain additional debt or equity financing in future periods. Further into the future the Company is dependent on the profitable commercialization of its products or obtaining additional debt or equity financing to fund ongoing operations until profitability is achieved.
On February 12, 2021, the Company received aggregate gross proceeds of $72 million from the February 2021 Financing (see Note 17). The proceeds from the February 2021 Financing could be sufficient to extend the operations of the Company until the first quarter of 2024 at the current anticipated burn rate. However, it is possible that the Company will initiate programs that were on hold given past cash constraints or will explore additional industries for its products and that the cash needs of the Company will increase, shortening the time the proceeds will meet the requirements of the Company.
Trade payables were aged as follows as at September 30, 2022 and do not include accrued liabilities. All trade payables are current liabilities:
| | Total | |
Current | $ | 673,578 | |
31-60 days | | 107,154 | |
Over 60 days | | 11,063 | |
| $ | 791,795 | |
(e) Credit risk
Credit risk arises from the possibility that the entities to which the Company sells products may experience financial difficulty and be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. This risk is mitigated by proactive credit management policies that include regular monitoring of the debtor's payment history and performance. The Company does not require collateral from its customers as security for trade accounts receivable but may require certain customers to pay in advance of any work being performed or product being shipped.
The maximum exposure, if all the Company's customers were to default at the same time is the full carrying value of the trade accounts receivable. As at September 30, 2022, the trade accounts receivable is $1,046,057 (as at December 31, 2021: $720,332). As at September 30, 2022, the Company had $395,560 (as at December 31, 2021: $153,673) of trade accounts receivable that were overdue according to the customers' credit terms. All of the Company's trade and other receivables have been reviewed for impairment. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company wrote down $nil of accounts receivable owed by customers (three and nine months ended September 30, 2021: $nil).
The Company may also have credit risk related to its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, with a maximum exposure of $31,690,866 as at September 30, 2022 (as at December 31, 2021: $52,007,175). The Company minimizes its risk to cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash by maintaining the majority of its balances with Canadian Chartered Banks.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company's management, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), has designed disclosure controls and procedures ("DC&P"). DC&P are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") as those controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the annual filings and interim filings and other reports filed or submitted by the Company under the Exchange Act is duly recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in rules and forms of the SEC.
DC&P are designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Company is made known to the CEO and CFO during the reporting period and the information required to be disclosed by the Company is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely and appropriate manner. Due to the inherent limitations associated with any such controls and procedures, management recognizes that, no matter how well designed and operated, they may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.
The Company's management, under the supervision of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated both the design and operating effectiveness of its DC&P and concluded that they are effective in DC&P as at September 30, 2022.
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Company's management, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), has designed controls and procedures for internal control over financial reporting, based on the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). ICFR is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with international financial reporting standards. Due to the inherent limitations associated with any such controls and procedures, management recognizes that, no matter how well designed and operated, they may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.
The Company's management, under the supervision of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated both the design and operating effectiveness of its DC&P and ICFR and concluded that both were effective as of September 30, 2022.
Management's Report on ICFR
Management believes that there are no material inaccuracies or omissions of material fact and, to the best its knowledge, believes that the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 fairly present in all material respects and the financial condition and results of operations for the Company in conformity with IFRS.
Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2022. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by COSO in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management determined that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2022.
Auditor attestation on ICFR
Non-accelerated filers are exempt from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which generally requires public companies to provide an independent auditor attestation of management's assessment of the effectiveness of their internal control over financial reporting. The Company qualifies as a non-accelerated filer and therefore has not included an independent auditor attestation of management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, or in its audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information about the Company, including the Company's Financial Statements and Annual Report on Form 20-F, are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov.