ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Research and Development
We are a pharmaceutical company currently engaged in the research and development of innovative pharmaceutical solutions, including an oral insulin capsule to be used for the treatment of individuals with diabetes, and the use of orally ingestible capsules or pills for delivery of other polypeptides.
Oral insulin: We are seeking to revolutionize the treatment of diabetes through our proprietary flagship product, an orally ingestible insulin capsule (ORMD-0801). We completed a Phase IIb clinical trial on 180 type 2 diabetic patients that was conducted in 33 sites in the United States. This double-blind, randomized, 28-day clinical trial was conducted under an Investigational New Drug application, or IND, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. The clinical trial, designed to assess the safety and efficacy of ORMD-0801, investigated ORMD-0801 over a longer treatment period and had statistical power to give us greater insight into the drug’s efficacy. The trial was initiated in June 2015, was completed during April 2016 and successfully met its primary, secondary and exploratory endpoints. Prior to that trial, we completed Phase IIa clinical trials in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We also conducted a glucose clamp study of our oral insulin capsule on type 1 diabetic volunteers. The glucose clamp is a method for quantifying insulin absorption in order to measure a patient’s insulin sensitivity and how well a patient metabolizes glucose. The in-life phase was completed in October 2016, and we anticipate receiving the results during the first quarter of calendar year 2017. In October 2016, we initiated an additional Phase IIa dose finding clinical trial on approximately 30 adults type 2 diabetic patients. This trial is being conducted in order to define the optimal dosing of ORMD-0801 moving forward. Our technology allows insulin to travel from the gastrointestinal tract via the portal vein to the bloodstream, revolutionizing the manner in which insulin is delivered. It enables its passage in a more physiological manner than current delivery methods of insulin. Our technology is a platform that has the potential to deliver medications and vaccines orally that today can only be delivered via injection.
Oral Glucagon-like peptide-1: Glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, is an incretin hormone, which is a type of gastrointestinal hormone that stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. The incretin concept was hypothesized when it was noted that glucose ingested by mouth (oral) stimulated two to three times more insulin release than the same amount of glucose administered intravenously. In addition to stimulating insulin release, GLP-1 was found to suppress glucagon release (hormone involved in regulation of glucose) from the pancreas, slow gastric emptying to reduce the rate of absorption of nutrients into the blood stream, and increase satiety. Other important beneficial attributes of GLP-1 are its effects of increasing the number of beta cells (cells that manufacture and release insulin) in the pancreas and, possibly, protection of the heart. In addition to our flagship product, the insulin capsule, we are using our technology for an orally ingestible GLP-1 capsule (ORMD-0901). In August 2015, we began a non-FDA approved clinical trial for our oral exenatide capsule on type 2 diabetic patients. All follow-up visits of this study were completed during the second quarter of calendar year 2016, and we anticipate the results analysis to be completed during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2016. In June 2016, we also began a pre-clinical toxicology study.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that causes sugar to be absorbed into cells, where the sugar is converted into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is attributed both to genetics (type 1 diabetes) and, most often, to environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise (type 2 diabetes). According to the International Diabetes Federation, or IDF, an estimated 415 million adults worldwide suffered from diabetes in 2015 and the IDF projects this number will increase to 642 million by 2040. Also, according to the IDF, in 2015, an estimated 5.3 million people died from diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, or ADA, in the United States there were approximately 29.1 million people with diabetes, or 9.3% of the United States population in 2015. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and amputation.
Intellectual property: We own a portfolio of patents and patent applications covering our technologies, and we are aggressively protecting these technology developments on a worldwide basis.
Management: We are led by a highly-experienced management team knowledgeable in the treatment of diabetes. Our Chief Medical and Technology Officer, Miriam Kidron, PhD, is a world-recognized pharmacologist and a biochemist and the innovator primarily responsible for our oral insulin technology development and know-how.
Scientific Advisory Board: Our management team has access to our internationally recognized Scientific Advisory Board whose members are thought-leaders in their respective areas. The Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of Dr. Roy Eldor, Professor Ele Ferrannini, Professor Avram Hershko and Dr. Harold Jacob.
Strategy
Short Term Business Strategy
We plan to conduct further research and development on the technology covered by the patent application “Methods and Composition for Oral Administration of Proteins,” which we acquired from Hadasit Medical Research Services and Development Ltd. in 2006, and which is pending in various foreign jurisdictions, as well as the other patents we have filed in various foreign jurisdictions since then, as discussed below under “-Patents and Licenses” and below under “Item 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the following information about these risks, together with the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K before making an investment decision. Our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected as a result of any of the following risks. The value of our securities could decline as a result of any of these risks. You could lose all or part of your investment in our securities. Some of the statements in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” are forward-looking statements. The following risk factors are not the only risk factors facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Business
We continue and expect to incur losses in the future.
Successful completion of our development programs and our transition to normal operations are dependent upon obtaining necessary regulatory approvals from the FDA prior to selling our products within the United States, and foreign regulatory approvals must be obtained to sell our products internationally. There can be no assurance that we will receive regulatory approval of any of our product candidates, and a substantial amount of time may pass before we achieve a level of revenues adequate to support our operations. We also expect to incur substantial expenditures in connection with the regulatory approval process for each of our product candidates during their respective developmental periods. Obtaining marketing approval will be directly dependent on our ability to implement the necessary regulatory steps required to obtain marketing approval in the United States and in other countries. We cannot predict the outcome of these activities.
Based on our current cash resources and commitments, we believe we will be able to maintain our current planned development activities and the corresponding level of expenditures for at least the next 12 months and beyond, although no assurance can be given that we will not need additional funds prior to such time. If there are unexpected increases in our operating expenses, we may need to seek additional financing during the next 12 months.
We will need substantial additional capital in order to satisfy our business objectives.
To date, we have financed our operations principally through offerings of securities exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. We believe that our available resources and cash flow will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital needs for at least the next 12 months from the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We will require substantial additional financing at various intervals in order to continue our research and development programs, including significant requirements for operating expenses including intellectual property protection and enforcement, for pursuit of regulatory approvals, and for commercialization of our products. We can provide no assurance that additional funding will be available on a timely basis, on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In the event that we are unable to obtain such financing, we will not be able to fully develop and commercialize our technology. Our future capital requirements will depend upon many factors, including:
●Continued scientific progress in our research and development programs,
●Costs and timing of conducting clinical trials and seeking regulatory approvals and patent prosecutions,
●Competing technological and market developments,
●Our ability to establish additional collaborative relationships, and
●Effects of commercialization activities and facility expansions if and as required.
If we cannot secure adequate financing when needed, we may be required to delay, scale back or eliminate one or more of our research and development programs or to enter into license or other arrangements with third parties to commercialize products or technologies that we would otherwise seek to develop ourselves and commercialize ourselves. In such event, our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected as we may be required to scale-back, eliminate, or delay development efforts or product introductions or enter into royalty, sales or other agreements with third parties in order to commercialize our products.
We have a history of losses and can provide no assurance as to our future operating results.
We do not have sufficient revenues from our research and development activities to fully support our operations. Consequently, we have incurred net losses and negative cash flows since inception. We currently have only licensing revenues and no product revenues, and may not succeed in developing or commercializing any products which could generate product revenues. We do not expect to have any products on the market for several years. In addition, development of our product candidates requires a process of pre-clinical and clinical testing, during which our products could fail. We may not be able to enter into agreements with one or more companies experienced in the manufacturing and marketing of therapeutic drugs and, to the extent that we are unable to do so, we will not be able to market our product candidates. Eventual profitability will depend on our success in developing, manufacturing, and marketing our product candidates. As of August 31, 2016, August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, we had working capital of $27,609,000, $15,883,000 and $20,805,000, respectively, and stockholders’ equity of $26,190,000, $24,828,000 and $20,793,000, respectively. During the 12 month period ended August 31, 2016, we generated revenues of $641,000. No revenues were generated in prior periods. For the period from our inception on April 12, 2002 through August 31, 2016, the year ended August 31, 2016, the year ended August 31, 2015 and the year ended August 31, 2014, we incurred net losses of $46,016,000, $10,964,000, $7,232,000 and $5,696,000, respectively. We may never achieve profitability and expect to incur net losses in the foreseeable future. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
We rely upon patents to protect our technology.
The patent position of biopharmaceutical and biotechnology firms is generally uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions. We do not know whether any of our current or future patent applications will result in the issuance of any patents. Even issued patents may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. Patents may not provide a competitive advantage or afford protection against competitors with similar technology. Competitors or potential competitors may have filed applications for, or may have received patents and may obtain additional and proprietary rights to compounds or processes used by or competitive with ours. In addition, laws of certain foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
Patent litigation is becoming widespread in the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and we cannot predict how this will affect our efforts to form strategic alliances, conduct clinical testing or manufacture and market any products under development. If challenged, our patents may not be held valid. We could also become involved in interference proceedings in connection with one or more of our patents or patent applications to determine priority of invention. If we become involved in any litigation, interference or other administrative proceedings, we will likely incur substantial expenses and the efforts of our technical and management personnel will be significantly diverted. In addition, an adverse determination could subject us to significant liabilities or require us to seek licenses that may not be available on favorable terms, if at all. We may be restricted or prevented from manufacturing and selling our products in the event of an adverse determination in a judicial or administrative proceeding or if we fail to obtain necessary licenses.
We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights and we may be liable for infringing the intellectual property rights of others.
Our ability to compete effectively will depend on our ability to maintain the proprietary nature of our technologies. We currently hold several pending patent applications in the United States for our technologies covering oral administration of insulin and other proteins and oral administration of exenatide and proteins, corresponding patent applications filed in Canada, Europe, Japan, China, Brazil, Hong Kong and India, 30 patents issued by the United States, Australian, Canadian, Chinese, Israeli, Japanese, New Zealand, South African, Russian, Hong Kong, Swiss, German, Spanish, French, United Kingdom, Italy, Indian and the Netherlands (for our technologies covering oral administration of insulin and other proteins) and New Zealand, South African, Australian, Russian and Israeli (for our technologies covering oral administration of insulin and other proteins and oral administration of exenatides) patent offices. Further, we intend to rely on a combination of trade secrets and non-disclosure and other contractual agreements and technical measures to protect our rights in our technology. We intend to depend upon confidentiality agreements with our officers, directors, employees, consultants, and subcontractors, as well as collaborative partners, to maintain the proprietary nature of our technology. These measures may not afford us sufficient or complete protection, and others may independently develop technology similar to ours, otherwise avoid our confidentiality agreements, or produce patents that would materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations. We believe that our technology is not subject to any infringement actions based upon the patents of any third parties; however, our technology may in the future be found to infringe upon the rights of others. Others may assert infringement claims against us, and if we should be found to infringe upon their patents, or otherwise impermissibly utilize their intellectual property, our ability to continue to use our technology could be materially restricted or prohibited. If this event occurs, we may be required to obtain licenses from the holders of this intellectual property, enter into royalty agreements, or redesign our products so as not to utilize this intellectual property, each of which may prove to be uneconomical or otherwise impossible. Licenses or royalty agreements required in order for us to use this technology may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. These claims could result in litigation, which could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our commercial success will also depend significantly on our ability to operate without infringing the patents and other proprietary rights of third parties. Patent applications are, in many cases, maintained in secrecy until patents are issued. The publication of discoveries in the scientific or patent literature frequently occurs substantially later than the date on which the underlying discoveries were made and patent applications are filed. In the event of infringement or violation of another party’s patent, we may be prevented from pursuing product development or commercialization. See “Item 1. Business-Description of Business-Patents and Licenses.”
At present, our success depends primarily on the successful commercialization of our oral insulin capsule.
The successful commercialization of oral insulin capsule is crucial for our success. At present, our principal product is the oral insulin capsule. Our oral insulin capsule is in a clinical development stage and faces a variety of risks and uncertainties. Principally, these risks include the following:
● Future clinical trial results may show that the oral insulin capsule is not well tolerated by recipients at its effective doses or is not efficacious as compared to placebo,
● Future clinical trial results may be inconsistent with previous preliminary testing results and data from our earlier studies may be inconsistent with clinical data,
● Even if our oral insulin capsule is shown to be safe and effective for its intended purposes, we may face significant or unforeseen difficulties in obtaining or manufacturing sufficient quantities or at reasonable prices,
● Our ability to complete the development and commercialization of the oral insulin capsule for our intended use is significantly dependent upon our ability to obtain and maintain experienced and committed partners to assist us with obtaining clinical and regulatory approvals for, and the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of, the oral insulin capsule on a worldwide basis,
● Even if our oral insulin capsule is successfully developed, commercially produced and receives all necessary regulatory approvals, there is no guarantee that there will be market acceptance of our product, and
● Our competitors may develop therapeutics or other treatments which are superior or less costly than our own with the result that our products, even if they are successfully developed, manufactured and approved, may not generate significant revenues.
If we are unsuccessful in dealing with any of these risks, or if we are unable to successfully commercialize our oral insulin capsule for some other reason, it would likely seriously harm our business.
We have limited experience in conducting clinical trials.
Clinical trials must meet FDA and foreign regulatory requirements. We have limited experience in designing, conducting and managing the preclinical studies and clinical trials necessary to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates in any country. We have entered into agreements with Integrium LLC to assist us in designing, conducting and managing our various clinical trials in the United States. Any failure of Integrium or any other consultant to fulfill their obligations could result in significant additional costs as well as delays in designing, consulting and completing clinical trials on our products.
Our clinical trials may encounter delays, suspensions or other problems.
We may encounter problems in clinical trials that may cause us or the FDA or foreign regulatory agencies to delay, suspend or terminate our clinical trials at any phase. These problems could include the possibility that we may not be able to conduct clinical trials at our preferred sites, enroll a sufficient number of patients for our clinical trials at one or more sites or begin or successfully complete clinical trials in a timely fashion, if at all. Furthermore, we, the FDA or foreign regulatory agencies may suspend clinical trials at any time if we or they believe the subjects participating in the trials are being exposed to unacceptable health risks or if we or they find deficiencies in the clinical trial process or conduct of the investigation. If clinical trials of any of the product candidates fail, we will not be able to market the product candidate which is the subject of the failed clinical trials. The FDA and foreign regulatory agencies could also require additional clinical trials, which would result in increased costs and significant development delays. Our failure to adequately demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of a pharmaceutical product candidate under development could delay or prevent regulatory approval of the product candidate and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.
We can provide no assurance that our products will obtain regulatory approval or that the results of clinical studies will be favorable.
The testing, marketing and manufacturing of any of our products will require the approval of the FDA or regulatory agencies of other countries. We have completed certain non-FDA clinical trials and pre-clinical trials for our products. In addition, we have completed a Phase IIb clinical trial in patients with type 2 diabetes under an IND with the FDA and we have completed Phase IIa clinical trials of ORMD-0801 in patients with type 1 diabetes under an IND with the FDA. However, success in pre-clinical testing and early clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will be successful. For example, a number of companies in the pharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials.
We cannot predict with any certainty the amount of time necessary to obtain regulatory approvals, including from the FDA or other foreign regulatory authorities, and whether any such approvals will ultimately be granted. In any event, review and approval by the regulatory bodies is anticipated to take a number of years. Preclinical and clinical trials may reveal that one or more of our products are ineffective or unsafe, in which event further development of such products could be seriously delayed or terminated. Moreover, obtaining approval for certain products may require the testing on human subjects of substances whose effects on humans are not fully understood or documented. Delays in obtaining necessary regulatory approvals of any proposed product and failure to receive such approvals would have an adverse effect on the product’s potential commercial success and on our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, it is possible that a product may be found to be ineffective or unsafe due to conditions or facts which arise after development has been completed and regulatory approvals have been obtained. In this event we may be required to withdraw such product from the market. See “Item 1. Business-Description of Business-Government Regulation.”
We are dependent upon third party suppliers of our raw materials.
We are dependent on outside vendors for our entire supply of the oral insulin and GLP-1 capsules and do not currently have any long-term agreements in place for the supply of oral insulin or GLP-1 capsules. While we believe that there are numerous sources of supply available, if the third party suppliers were to cease production or otherwise fail to supply us with quality raw materials in sufficient quantities on a timely basis and we were unable to contract on acceptable terms for these services with alternative suppliers, our ability to produce our products and to conduct testing and clinical trials would be materially adversely affected.
Our future revenues from HTIT are dependent upon third party suppliers and Chinese regulatory approvals.
Our future revenues from HTIT are dependent upon the achievement of certain milestones and conditions, and the success of HTIT to implement our technology and to manufacture the oral insulin capsule. Our future revenues from HTIT are also dependent upon the ability of third parties to scale-up one of our oral capsule ingredients and to scale-up the manufacturing process of our capsules. Our future revenues from royalties from HTIT are further dependent upon the granting of regulatory approvals in the Territory. Accordingly, if any of the foregoing does not occur, we may not be successful in receiving future revenues from HTIT and may not succeed with our business plans in China.
We are highly dependent upon our ability to enter into agreements with collaborative partners to develop, commercialize, and market our products.
Our long-term strategy is to ultimately seek a strategic commercial partner, or partners, such as large pharmaceutical companies, with extensive experience in the development, commercialization, and marketing of insulin applications and/or other orally digestible drugs. We anticipate such partner or partners would be responsible for, or substantially support, late stage clinical trials (Phase III) and sales and marketing of our oral insulin capsule and other products. Such planned strategic partnership, or partnerships, may provide a marketing and sales infrastructure for our products as well as financial and operational support for global clinical trials, post marketing studies, label expansions and other regulatory requirements concerning future clinical development in the United States and elsewhere.
While our strategy is to partner with an appropriate party, no assurance can be given that any third party would be interested in partnering with us. We currently lack the resources to manufacture any of our product candidates on a large scale and we have no sales, marketing or distribution capabilities. In the event we are not able to enter into a collaborative agreement with a partner or partners, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, we may be unable to commercialize our products, which would have a material adverse effect upon our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.
The biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries are characterized by rapid technological developments and a high degree of competition. We may be unable to compete with more substantial enterprises.
The biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries are characterized by rapid technological developments and a high degree of competition. As a result, our products could become obsolete before we recoup any portion of our related research and development and commercialization expenses. These industries are highly competitive, and this competition comes both from biotechnology firms and from major pharmaceutical and chemical companies. Many of these companies have substantially greater financial, marketing, and human resources than we do (including, in some cases, substantially greater experience in clinical testing, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceutical products). We also experience competition in the development of our products from universities and other research institutions and compete with others in acquiring technology from such universities and institutions. In addition, certain of our products may be subject to competition from products developed using other technologies. See “Item 1. Business-Description of Business-Competition.”
We have limited senior management resources and may be required to obtain more resources to manage our growth.
We expect the expansion of our business to place a significant strain on our limited managerial, operational, and financial resources. We will be required to expand our operational and financial systems significantly and to expand, train, and manage our work force in order to manage the expansion of our operations. Our failure to fully integrate our new employees into our operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations. Our ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel is critical to our operations and expansion. We face competition for these types of personnel from other technology companies and more established organizations, many of which have significantly larger operations and greater financial, technical, human, and other resources than we have. We may not be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel on a timely basis, on competitive terms, or at all. If we are not successful in attracting and retaining these personnel, our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations will be materially adversely affected. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Item 1. Business-Description of Business-Strategy” and “-Employees.”
We depend upon our senior management and skilled personnel and their loss or unavailability could put us at a competitive disadvantage.
We currently depend upon the efforts and abilities of our senior executives, as well as the services of several key consultants and other key personnel, including Dr. Miriam Kidron, our Chief Medical and Technology Officer. The loss or unavailability of the services of any of these individuals for any significant period of time could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations. We do not maintain “key man” life insurance policies for any of our senior executives. In addition, recruiting and retaining qualified scientific personnel to perform future research and development work will be critical to our success. There is currently a shortage of employees with expertise in developing, manufacturing and commercialization of products and related clinical and regulatory affairs, and this shortage is likely to continue. Competition for skilled personnel is intense and turnover rates are high. Our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel may be limited. Our inability to attract and retain qualified skilled personnel would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.
Healthcare policy changes, including pending legislation recently adopted and further proposals still pending to reform the U.S. healthcare system, may harm our future business.
Healthcare costs have risen significantly over the past decade. There have been and continue to be proposals by legislators, regulators and third-party payors to keep these costs down. Certain proposals, if passed, would impose limitations on the prices we will be able to charge for the products that we are developing, or the amounts of reimbursement available for these products from governmental agencies or third-party payors. These limitations could in turn reduce the amount of revenues that we will be able to generate in the future from sales of our products and licenses of our technology.
In March 2010, the U.S. Congress enacted and President Obama signed into law healthcare reform legislation that has significantly impacted the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to requiring most individuals to have health insurance and establishing new regulations on health plans, this legislation requires discounts under the Medicare drug benefit program and increased rebates on drugs covered by Medicaid. In addition, the legislation imposes an annual fee, which has increased annually, on sales by branded pharmaceutical manufacturers. There can be no assurance that our business will not be materially adversely affected by these increased rebates, fees and other provisions. In addition, it appears likely that these and other ongoing initiatives in the United States will continue the pressure on drug pricing, especially under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and may also increase regulatory burdens and operating costs. The announcement or adoption of any such initiative could have an adverse effect on potential revenues from any product that we may successfully develop.
Various healthcare reform proposals have also emerged at the state level. We cannot predict what healthcare initiatives, if any, will be implemented at the federal or state level, or the effect any future legislation or regulation will have on us. However, an expansion in government’s role in the U.S. healthcare industry may lower the future revenues for the products we are developing and adversely affect our future business, possibly materially.
We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
A considerable amount of our expenses are generated in dollars or in dollar-linked currencies, but a significant portion of our expenses such as some clinical studies and payroll costs are generated in other currencies such as NIS, Euro and British pounds. Most of the time, our non-dollar assets are not totally offset by non-dollar liabilities. Due to the foregoing and to the fact that our financial results are measured in dollars, our results could be adversely affected as a result of a strengthening or weakening of the dollar compared to these other currencies. During fiscal 2013 and 2014, the dollar depreciated in relation to the NIS, which raised the dollar cost of our Israeli based operations and adversely affected our financial results, while during fiscal 2012, 2015 and 2016 the dollar increased in relation to the NIS, which reduced the dollar cost of our Israeli based operations costs. In addition, our results could also be adversely affected if we are unable to guard against currency fluctuations in the future. Although we may in the future decide to undertake foreign exchange hedging transactions to cover a portion of our foreign currency exchange exposure, we currently do not hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange risks. These transactions, however, may not adequately protect us from future currency fluctuations and, even if they do protect us, may involve operational or financing costs we would not otherwise incur.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
As the market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, this may make it difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock when you want or at prices you find attractive.
The price of our common stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, and constantly changes. In recent years, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. We expect that the market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate. These fluctuations may result from a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include:
●Clinical trial results and the timing of the release of such results,
●The amount of cash resources and our ability to obtain additional funding,
●Announcements of research activities, business developments, technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors,
●Entering into or terminating strategic relationships,
●Changes in government regulation,
●Departure of key personnel,
●Disputes concerning patents or proprietary rights,
●Changes in expense level,
●Future sales of our equity or equity-related securities,
●Public concern regarding the safety, efficacy or other aspects of the products or methodologies being developed,
●Activities of various interest groups or organizations,
●Media coverage, and
●Status of the investment markets.
Future sales of common stock or the issuance of securities senior to our common stock or convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, our common stock could materially adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, and our ability to raise funds in new equity offerings.
Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock or other equity-related securities in the public market or privately, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing trading prices of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future offerings of equity or other equity-related securities. We anticipate that we will need to raise capital through offerings of equity and equity related securities. We can make no prediction as to the effect, if any, that future sales of shares of our common stock or equity-related securities, or the availability of shares of common stock for future sale, will have on the trading price of our common stock.
Our stockholders may experience significant dilution as a result of any additional financing using our equity securities.
To the extent that we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience significant dilution.
Our management will have significant flexibility in using the net proceeds of any offering of securities.
We intend generally to use the net proceeds from any offerings of our securities for expenses related to our clinical trials, research and product development activities, and for general corporate purposes, including general working capital purposes. Our management will have significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds of any such offering. The actual amounts and timing of expenditures will vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including the amount of cash used in our operations and our research and development efforts. Management’s failure to use these funds effectively would have an adverse effect on the value of our common stock and could make it more difficult and costly to raise funds in the future.
Future sales of our common stock by our existing stockholders could adversely affect our stock price.
The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of our common stock in the market, or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate. As of November 22, 2016, we had outstanding 13,264,189 shares of common stock, a large majority of which are freely tradable. Giving effect to the exercise in full of all of our outstanding warrants, options and restricted stock units, or RSUs, including those currently unexercisable or unvested, we would have outstanding 15,744,280 shares of common stock.
Our issuance of warrants, options and RSUs to investors, employees and consultants may have a negative effect on the trading prices of our common stock as well as a dilutive effect.
We have issued and may continue to issue warrants, options, RSUs and convertible notes at, above or below the current market price. As of November 22, 2016, we had outstanding warrants and options exercisable for 2,196,626 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $7.65. We also had outstanding RSUs exercisable for 165,964 shares of common stock at no cost. In addition to the dilutive effect of a large number of shares of common stock and a low exercise price for the warrants and options, there is a potential that a large number of underlying shares of common stock may be sold in the open market at any given time, which could place downward pressure on the trading of our common stock.
Delaware law could discourage a change in control, or an acquisition of us by a third party, even if the acquisition would be favorable to you, and thereby adversely affect existing stockholders.
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains provisions that may have the effect of making more difficult or delaying attempts by others to obtain control of our Company, even when these attempts may be in the best interests of stockholders. Delaware law imposes conditions on certain business combination transactions with “interested stockholders.” These provisions and others that could be adopted in the future could deter unsolicited takeovers or delay or prevent changes in our control or management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares of common stock over then current market prices. These provisions may also limit the ability of stockholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interests.
Because we will not pay cash dividends, investors may have to sell shares of our common stock in order to realize their investment.
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, for reinvestment in the development and expansion of our business. Any credit agreements which we may enter into with institutional lenders or otherwise may restrict our ability to pay dividends. Whether we pay cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, and any other factors that our Board decides is relevant. See “Item 5. Market Price for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.”
Because certain of our stockholders control a significant number of shares of our common stock, they may have effective control over actions requiring stockholder approval.
As of November 22, 2016, our directors, executive officers and principal affiliated stockholders beneficially own approximately 29.2% of our outstanding shares of common stock, excluding shares issuable upon the exercise of options, warrants and RSUs. As a result, these stockholders, should they act together, may have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, these stockholders, should they act together, may have the ability to control our management and affairs. Accordingly, this concentration of ownership might harm the market price of our common stock by:
●Delaying, deferring or preventing a change in corporate control,
●Impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us, or
●Discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.
Risks Related to Conducting Business in Israel
We are affected by the political, economic, and military risks of locating our principal operations in Israel.
Our operations are located in the State of Israel, and we are directly affected by political, economic, and security conditions in that country. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its Arab neighbors and a state of hostility, varying in degree and intensity, has led to security and economic problems for Israel. In addition, acts of terrorism, armed conflicts or political instability in the region could negatively affect local business conditions and harm our results of operations. We cannot predict the effect on the region of any diplomatic initiatives or political developments involving Israel or the Palestinians or other countries and territories in the Middle East. Recent political events, including political uprisings, social unrest and regime change, in various countries in the Middle East and North Africa have weakened the stability of those countries and territories, which could result in extremists coming to power. In addition, Iran has threatened to attack Israel and is widely believed to be developing nuclear weapons. Iran is also believed to have a strong influence among extremist groups in the region, such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. This situation has escalated in the past and may potentially escalate in the future to violent events which may affect Israel and us. Our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected if major hostilities involving Israel should occur or if trade between Israel and its current trading partners is interrupted or curtailed.
All adult male permanent residents of Israel, unless exempt, may be required to perform military reserve duty annually. Additionally, all such residents are subject to being called to active duty at any time under emergency circumstances. Some of our officers, directors, and employees currently are obligated to perform annual military reserve duty. We can provide no assurance that such requirements will not have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations in the future, particularly if emergency circumstances occur.
Because we received grants from the Israel Innovation Authority we are subject to ongoing restrictions.
We received royalty-bearing grants from the Israel Innovation Authority, or IIA (previously the Office of the Chief Scientist) of the Israeli Ministry of Economy & Industry, Trade and Labor, for research and development programs that meet specified criteria. We did not recognize any grants in the year ended August 31, 2016, and recognized grants in the amounts of $49,000 and $428,000 in the years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We do not expect to receive further grants from the IIA in the future. The terms of the IIA grants limit our ability to transfer know-how developed under an approved research and development program outside of Israel, regardless of whether the royalties were fully paid.
It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us or our officers and directors and to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel.
Almost all of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States. As a result, service of process upon us, our Israeli subsidiary and our directors and officers, may be difficult to obtain within the United States. Furthermore, because the majority of our assets and investments, and most of our directors and officers are located outside the United States, it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or any such officers or directors. Additionally, it may be difficult to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws because Israel is not the most appropriate forum in which to bring such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to such claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law.
Subject to specified time limitations and legal procedures, under the rules of private international law currently prevailing in Israel, Israeli courts may enforce a U.S. judgment in a civil matter, including a judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws, as well as a monetary or compensatory judgment in a non-civil matter, provided that the following key conditions are met:
●subject to limited exceptions, the judgment is final and non-appealable;
●the judgment was given by a court competent under the laws of the state in which the court is located and is otherwise enforceable in such state;
●the judgment was rendered by a court competent under the rules of private international law applicable in Israel;
●the laws of the state in which the judgment was given provides for the enforcement of judgments of Israeli courts;
●adequate service of process has been effected and the defendant has had a reasonable opportunity to present his arguments and evidence;
●the judgment and its enforcement are not contrary to the law, public policy, security or sovereignty of the State of Israel;
●the judgment was not obtained by fraud and does not conflict with any other valid judgment in the same matter between the same parties; and
●an action between the same parties in the same matter was not pending in any Israeli court at the time the lawsuit was instituted in the U.S. court.
If any of these conditions are not met, Israeli courts will likely not enforce the applicable U.S. judgment.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Our principal executive offices are comprised of approximately 168 square meters of leased office space in Givat-Ram, Jerusalem, Israel. The current lease term expired on September 30, 2016, and we are in the process of renewing this lease for an additional five years. The aggregate annual base rent for this space is currently $23,000, linked to the increase in the Israeli consumer price index, and is expected to be increased to $34,000. We believe that our existing facilities are suitable and adequate to meet our current business requirements. In the event that we should require additional or alternative facilities, we believe that such facilities can be obtained on short notice at competitive rates.
As security for our obligations under the lease agreement, we have provided a bank guarantee in an amount equal to three monthly lease payments, valid until November 30, 2016.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time to time we may become subject to litigation incidental to our business. We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market Price for our Common Stock
Our common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “ORMP.” The quarterly high and low sales price on Nasdaq for the periods indicated are as follows:
The last reported sale price per share of common stock as quoted on Nasdaq was $6.09 on November 22, 2016.
Holders
As of November 22, 2016, there were 13,264,189 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding held of record by approximately 50 registered stockholders. We believe that a significant number of stockholders hold their shares of our common stock in brokerage accounts and registered in the name of stock depositories and are therefore not included in the number of stockholders of record.
Dividend Policy
We have never paid any cash dividends on our capital stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings to fund ongoing operations and future capital requirements of our business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our Board and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as our Board deems relevant.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On August 1, 2016, we issued 2,500 shares of our common stock, valued at $20,000, in the aggregate, to Corporate Profile, LLC, or Corporate Profile, in payment of a portion of the consulting fee for investor relations services owed to Corporate Profile pursuant to a Letter Agreements, dated May 18, 2016, between us and Corporate Profile.
These issuances and sales were exempt under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
Comparative Stock Performance Graph
The following graph shows how an initial investment of $100 in our common stock would have compared to an equal investment in the Nasdaq Composite Index and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index during the period from September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2016. The performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The selected data presented below under the captions “Statements of Comprehensive Loss Data” and “Balance Sheet Data” for, and as of the end of, each of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended August 31, 2016, are derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, our audited consolidated financial statements.
The selected information contained in this table should also be read in conjunction with “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of August 31, 2016 and 2015, are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The statement of operations data for the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 and the balance sheet data as of August 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are derived from audited financial statements not included in this Annual Report. The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of future results.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere herein and in our consolidated financial statements.
In addition to our consolidated financial statements, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Overview of Operations
We are a pharmaceutical company currently engaged in the research and development of innovative pharmaceutical solutions, including an orally ingestible insulin capsule to be used for the treatment of individuals with diabetes, and the use of orally ingestible capsules or pills for delivery of other polypeptides.
Oral Insulin: We are seeking to revolutionize the treatment of diabetes through our proprietary flagship product, an orally ingestible insulin capsule (ORMD-0801). We completed a Phase IIb clinical trials in patients with type 2 diabetes under an IND with the FDA following completion of Phase IIa clinical trials in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We initiated in October 2016 a further Phase IIa, dose finding clinical trial on approximately 30 adult type 2 diabetic patients.
GLP-1 Analog: Our second pipeline product (ORMD-0901) is an orally ingestible exenatide (GLP-1 analog) capsule, which aids in the balance of blood-sugar levels and decreases appetite. In January 2013, we began a clinical trial for our oral exenatide capsule on healthy volunteers and type 2 diabetic patients. Based on this study, we decided to make slight adjustments in the manufacturing of these capsules and have begun pre-clinical studies on the new capsules. In September 2013, we submitted a pre-IND, package to the FDA for ORMD-0901, our oral exenatide capsule, for a Phase II clinical trial on healthy volunteers and type 2 diabetic patients. We began a non-U.S. based Phase Ib trial study in August 2015. All follow-up visits of this study were completed during the second quarter of calendar year 2016 and we anticipate the results analysis to be completed during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2016.
Combination of Oral Insulin and GLP-1 Analog: Our third pipeline product is a combination of our two primary products, oral insulin and oral exenatide. In February 2013, we commenced a first human clinical trial on type 2 diabetic volunteers with our oral insulin capsule delivered in combination with our oral exenatide capsule. In the near term, we are focusing our efforts on the development of the Company’s flagship products, oral insulin and oral exenatide. Once these two products have progressed further in clinical trials, we intend on running further studies with the oral combination therapy.
Results of Operations
Critical accounting policies
Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our accompanying consolidated financial statements. We believe that the accounting policies below are critical for one to fully understand and evaluate our financial condition and results of operations.
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which we prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate such estimates and judgments. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Valuation of options and warrants: We grant options to purchase shares of our common stock to employees and consultants and issue warrants in connection with some of our financings and to certain other consultants.
We account for share-based payments to employees in accordance with the guidance that requires awards classified as equity awards be accounted for using the grant-date fair value method. The fair value of share-based payment transactions is based on the Black Scholes option-pricing model and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period.
We elected to recognize compensation cost for an award with only service conditions that has a graded vesting schedule using the accelerated method based on the multiple-option award approach.
When stock options are granted as consideration for services provided by consultants and other non-employees, the transaction is accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the stock options issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The fair value of the options granted is measured on each reporting date, and the gains (losses) are recorded to earnings over the related service period using the straight-line method.
Revenue recognition: Revenue is recognized when delivery has occurred, evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risks and rewards for the products are transferred to the customer, collection is reasonably assured and product returns can be reliably estimated.
Given our continuing involvement through the expected product submission (June 2023), revenue from the License Agreement is recognized over the periods from which the Company is entitled to the respective payments (including milestones), and through the expected product submission date.
Comparison of Fiscal 2016 to Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2015 to Fiscal 2014
The following table summarizes certain statements of operations data for us for the twelve month periods ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
Revenues
Revenues consist of proceeds related to the License Agreement that are recognized over the term of the License Agreement through June 2023.
Revenues for the year ended August 31, 2016 totaled $641,000, following the meeting of the License Agreement's closing conditions during December 2015. No revenues were recorded for the years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014.
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues consists of royalties related to the License Agreement with HTIT that will be paid over the term of the License Agreement in accordance with the revenue recognition and the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 1984, as amended, or the R&D Law.
Cost of revenues for the year ended August 31, 2016 totaled $490,000. No cost of revenues was recorded for the years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses include costs directly attributable to the conduct of research and development programs, including the cost of salaries, employee benefits, costs of materials, supplies, the cost of services provided by outside contractors, including services related to our clinical trials, clinical trial expenses, the full cost of manufacturing drug for use in research and preclinical development. All costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.
Clinical trial costs are a significant component of research and development expenses and include costs associated with third-party contractors. We outsource a substantial portion of our clinical trial activities, utilizing external entities such as CROs, independent clinical investigators, and other third-party service providers to assist us with the execution of our clinical studies.
Clinical activities which relate principally to clinical sites and other administrative functions to manage our clinical trials are performed primarily by CROs. CROs typically perform most of the start-up activities for our trials, including document preparation, site identification, screening and preparation, pre-study visits, training, and program management.
Clinical trial and pre-clinical trial expenses include regulatory and scientific consultants’ compensation and fees, research expenses, purchase of materials, cost of manufacturing of the oral insulin and exenatide capsules, payments for patient recruitment and treatment, as well as salaries and related expenses of research and development staff.
In August 2009, Oramed Ltd. was awarded a government grant amounting to a total net amount of NIS 3.1 million (approximately $813,000), from the IIA. This grant was used for research and development expenses for the period of February 2009 to June 2010. The funds were used by us to support further research and development and clinical study of our oral insulin capsule and oral GLP-1 analog. In December 2010, Oramed Ltd. was awarded a second grant, or the Second Grant, amounting to a total net amount of NIS 2.9 million (approximately $720,000) from the IIA, which was designated for research and development expenses for the period of July 2010 to November 2011. As a result of a delay in the research and development plan, as of November 30, 2011, Oramed Ltd. had used only NIS 1,473,000 (approximately $365,000) of the Second Grant. In May 2012, Oramed Ltd. was awarded an extension of nine months to use the funds of the Second Grant until August 2012. In addition, in May 2012, Oramed Ltd. was granted a third grant amounting to a total net amount of NIS 595,000 (approximately $148,000) from the IIA, which was designated for research and development expenses for the period of September 2012 to December 2012. In May 2013, Oramed Ltd. was awarded a fourth grant amounting to a total net amount of NIS 975,000 (approximately $265,000) from the IIA, which was designated for research and development expenses for the period of January 2013 to December 2013. In March 2014, the IIA accepted Oramed Ltd.’s application to shorten that period to ten months, due to the rapid utilization of the grant, ending October 31, 2013. In March 2014, Oramed Ltd. was also granted a fifth grant amounting to a total amount of NIS 1,206,990 (approximately $345,000) from the IIA, which was designated for research and development expenses for the period of November 2013 to October 2014. In September 2014, this period was extended by two months until December 2014. We used the funds to support further research and development and clinical studies of our oral insulin capsule and oral GLP-1 analog. The five grants are subject to repayment according to the terms determined by the IIA and applicable law. See “-Government grants” below.
Research and development expenses for the year ended August 31, 2016 increased by 61% to $7,709,000 from $4,781,000 for the year ended August 31, 2015. The increase is attributed to expenses related to clinical trials and mainly our Phase IIb clinical trial. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in stock based compensation costs. During the year ended August 31, 2016, stock based compensation costs totaled $304,000, as compared to $616,000 during the year ended August 31, 2015.
Research and development expenses for the year ended August 31, 2015 increased by 46% to $4,781,000 from $3,277,000 for the year ended August 31, 2014. The increase is attributed to expenses related to clinical trials, as well as to the decrease in IIA grants in the year ended August 31, 2015. During the year ended August 31, 2015, stock based compensation costs totaled $616,000, as compared to $905,000 during the year ended August 31, 2014.
Government grants
The Government of Israel encourages research and development projects through the IIA, pursuant to the R&D Law. Under the R&D Law, a research and development plan that meets specified criteria is eligible for a grant of up to 50% of certain approved research and development expenditures. Each plan must be approved by the IIA.
In the year ended August 31, 2016, we did not recognize any research and development grants and in the years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized research and development grants in an amount of $49,000 and $428,000, respectively. As of August 31, 2016, we incurred a liability to pay royalties to the IIA of $466,000.
Under the terms of the grants we received from the IIA, we are obligated to pay royalties of 3.5% on all revenues derived from the sale of the products developed pursuant to the funded plans, including revenues from licensed ancillary services. Royalties are generally payable up to a maximum amount equaling 100% of the grants received (dollar linked) with the addition of interest at an annual rate based on the LIBOR rate.
The R&D Law generally requires that a product developed under a program be manufactured in Israel. However, when applying for a grant, the applicant may declare that part of the manufacturing will be performed outside of Israel or by non-Israeli residents and if the IIA is convinced that performing some of the manufacturing abroad is essential for the execution of the program, it may still approve the grant. This declaration will be a significant factor in the determination of the IIA as to whether to approve a program and the amount and other terms of the benefits to be granted. If a company wants to increase the volume of manufacturing outside of Israel after the grant has been approved, it may transfer up to 10% of the company’s approved Israeli manufacturing volume, measured on an aggregate basis, outside of Israel after first notifying the IIA thereof (provided that the IIA does not object to such transfer within 30 days). In addition, upon the approval of the IIA, a portion greater than 10% of the manufacturing volume may be performed outside of Israel. In any case of transfer of manufacturing out of Israel, the grant recipient is required to pay royalties at an increased rate, which may be substantial, and the aggregate repayment amount is increased up to 120%, 150% or 300% of the grant, depending on the portion of the total manufacturing volume that is performed outside of Israel. The R&D Law further permits the IIA, among other things, to approve the transfer of manufacturing rights outside of Israel in exchange for the import of different manufacturing into Israel as a substitute, in lieu of the increased royalties.
The R&D Law also provides that know-how developed under an approved research and development program may not be transferred to third parties in Israel without the approval of the research committee. Such approval is not required for the sale or export of any products resulting from such research or development. The R&D Law further provides that the know-how developed under an approved research and development program may not be transferred to any third parties outside Israel absent IIA approval which may be granted in certain circumstances as follows: (a) the grant recipient pays to the IIA a portion of the sale price paid in consideration for such IIA -funded know-how or the price paid in consideration for the sale of the grant recipient itself, as the case may be, in accordance with certain formulas included in the R&D Law; (b) the grant recipient receives know-how from a third party in exchange for its IIA -funded know-how; or (c) such transfer of IIA -funded know-how is made in the context of IIA approved research and development cooperation projects or consortia.
The R&D Law imposes reporting requirements with respect to certain changes in the ownership of a grant recipient. The R&D Law requires the grant recipient to notify the IIA of any change in control of the recipient or a change in the holdings of the means of control of the recipient that results in a non-Israeli entity becoming an interested party in the recipient, and requires the new non-Israeli interested party to undertake to the IIA to comply with the R&D Law. In addition, the rules of the IIA may require the provision of additional information or representations in respect of certain such events. For this purpose, “control” is defined as the ability to direct the activities of a company other than any ability arising solely from serving as an officer or director of the company. A person is presumed to have control if such person holds 50% or more of the means of control of a company. “Means of control” refers to voting rights or the right to appoint directors or the chief executive officer. An “interested party” of a company includes a holder of 5% or more of its outstanding share capital or voting rights, its chief executive officer and directors, someone who has the right to appoint its chief executive officer or at least one director, and a company with respect to which any of the foregoing interested parties holds 25% or more of the outstanding share capital or voting rights or has the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors.
Failure to meet the R&D Law’s requirements may subject us to mandatory repayment of grants received by us (together with interest and penalties), as well as expose us to criminal proceedings. In addition, the Israeli government may from time to time audit sales of products which it claims incorporate technology funded through IIA programs which may lead to additional royalties being payable on additional products.
Amendment Number 7 to the R&D Law, or the Amendment, came into force on January 1, 2016. Under the Amendment, various regulations and many sections of the R&D Law, including those sections governing such matters as transfer of know-how or manufacturing out of Israel, have been deleted and replaced with general guidelines. Specific rules will be addressed by the terms of field-specific tracks that the IIA will establish. The Amendment includes transitional provisions and provides that the provisions of the R&D Law as they were in place prior to the enactment of the Amendment, as well as the various regulations, will continue to apply to pre-existing tracks for a limited transitional period. We are still in this transitional period and cannot at this stage foresee the potential impact on us, if any, of the provisions of the field-specific tracks that the IIA is required to establish under the Amendment.
Grants from Bio-Jerusalem
The Bio-Jerusalem fund was founded by the Jerusalem Development Authority in order to support the biomed industry in Jerusalem. We are committed to pay royalties to the Bio-Jerusalem fund on proceeds from future sales at a rate of 4% and up to 100% of the amount of the grants received by the Company (Israeli CPI linked) in the total aggregate amount of $65,000 as of August 31, 2016. For the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, there were no grants received from the Bio-Jerusalem fund. As of August 31, 2016, we incurred a liability to pay royalties to the Bio-Jerusalem fund of $18,000.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses include the salaries and related expenses of our management, consulting costs, legal and professional fees, traveling, business development costs, insurance expenses and other general costs.
General and administrative expenses decreased by 5.8% from $2,602,000 for the year ended August 31, 2015 to $2,452,000 for the year ended August 31, 2016. The decrease in costs incurred related to general and administrative activities during the year ended August 31, 2016, reflects a decrease in stock-based compensation costs that was partially offset by an increase in salaries and consulting expenses resulting from cash bonuses to employees and consultants paid in 2016. During the year ended August 31, 2016, as part of our general and administrative expenses, we incurred $329,000 related to stock-based compensation costs, as compared to $731,000 during the year ended August 31, 2015.
General and administrative expenses decreased by 1% from $2,629,000 for the year ended August 31, 2014 to $2,602,000 for the year ended August 31, 2015. The decrease in costs incurred related to general and administrative activities during the year ended August 31, 2015, reflects a decrease in salaries and consulting expenses resulting from cash bonuses to employees and consultants paid in 2014, and from a decrease in professional expenses, that were partially offset by an increase in stock-based compensation. During the year ended August 31, 2015, as part of our general and administrative expenses, we incurred $731,000 related to stock-based compensation costs, as compared to $563,000 during the year ended August 31, 2014.
Financial income/expense, net
Net financial income was $381,000 for the year ended August 31, 2016 as compared to net financial income of $150,000 for the year ended August 31, 2015. The increase is mainly due to an increase in income from bank deposits and held to maturity bonds as a result of the increase in cash and investment balances.
Net financial income was $150,000 for the year ended August 31, 2015 as compared to net financial income of $214,000 for the year ended August 31, 2014. This was mainly due to the gain on sale of marketable securities of $80,000 in the year ended August 31, 2014 as compared to no gain on sale of marketable securities in the year ended August 31, 2015, as the Company did not sell any of its D.N.A ordinary shares during that year.
Taxes on income / Tax benefit
We had taxes on income of $1,335,000 for the year ended August 31, 2016 as compared to a tax benefit of $1,000 for the year ended August 31, 2015. The increase is due to withholding tax of $1,350,000 deducted from revenues received from the License Agreement, since according to the Company’s estimations, the withholding tax is not expected to be utilized in the next five years. This deduction is partially offset by a decrease in the accrual for an uncertain tax position in fiscal 2016.
We had a tax benefit of $1,000 for the year ended August 31, 2015 as compared to taxes on income of $4,000 for the year ended August 31, 2014, as a result of a decrease in the accrual for an uncertain tax position in fiscal 2015.
Other comprehensive income
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities for the year ended August 31, 2016 of $452,000 resulted from the decrease in fair value of our D.N.A ordinary shares.
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities for the year ended August 31, 2015 of $106,000 resulted from the increase in fair value of our D.N.A ordinary shares.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
From inception through August 31, 2016, we have incurred losses in an aggregate amount of $46,016,000. During that period we have financed our operations through several private placements of our common stock, as well as public offerings of our common stock, raising a total of $56,054,000, net of transaction costs. During that period we also received cash consideration of $3,319,000 from the exercise of warrants and options. We will seek to obtain additional financing through similar sources in the future as needed. As of August 31, 2016, we had $3,907,000 of available cash, $35,297,000 of short term and long term deposits and investment and $3,385,000 of marketable securities. We anticipate that we will require approximately $16 million to finance our activities during the 12 months following August 31, 2016.
On November 30, 2015, we entered into the SPA with HTIT, pursuant to which HTIT agreed to buy and we agreed to sell 1,155,367 shares of our common stock at a price of approximately $10.39 per share, for the aggregate amount of $12 million. The transaction closed on December 28, 2015.
Management continues to evaluate various financing alternatives for funding future research and development activities and general and administrative expenses through fundraising in the public or private equity markets. Although there is no assurance that we will be successful with those initiatives, management believes that it will be able to secure the necessary financing as a result of future third party investments. Based on our current cash resources, including the recent investment by HTIT, and commitments, we believe we will be able to maintain our current planned development activities and the corresponding level of expenditures for at least the next 12 months and beyond.
As of August 31, 2016, our total current assets were $31,230,000 and our total current liabilities were $3,621,000. On August 31, 2016, we had a working capital surplus of $27,609,000 and an accumulated loss of $46,016,000. As of August 31, 2015, our total current assets were $17,372,000 and our total current liabilities were $1,489,000. On August 31, 2015, we had a working capital surplus of $15,883,000 and an accumulated loss of $35,052,000. The increase in working capital surplus from August 31, 2015 to August 31, 2016 was primarily due to the proceeds from our private placement to HTIT completed in December 2015.
During the year ended August 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents increased to $3,907,000 from the $3,213,000 reported as of August 31, 2015, which is due to the reasons described below.
Operating activities provided cash of $4,655,000 in the year ended August 31, 2016 compared to $4,946,000 used in the year ended August 31, 2015. Cash provided by operating activities in the year ended August 31, 2016 primarily consisted of changes in deferred revenues due to the License Agreement partially offset by net loss resulting from research and development and general and administrative expenses, while cash used for operating activities in the year ended August 31, 2015 primarily consisted of net loss resulting from research and development and general and administrative expenses, partially offset by stock-based compensation expenses.
During the year ended August 31, 2016, we received no grants from the IIA. During the year ended August 31, 2015, we received $126,000 in IIA grants towards our research and development expenses, while we recognized the amount of $49,000 during such period. The amounts that were received but not recognized during the year ended August 31, 2015, were recognized during fiscal year 2014. The IIA supported our activity until December 2014.
Investing activities used cash of $16,010,000 in the year ended August 31, 2016, as compared to $3,312,000 used in the year ended August 31, 2015. Cash used for investing activities in the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015 consisted primarily of the purchase of short-term and long-term bank deposits as well as the purchase of marketable securities.
Financing activities provided cash of $12,043,000 in the year ended August 31, 2016 and $9,721,000 in the year ended August 31, 2015. Cash provided by financing activities during both periods consisted of proceeds from our issuance of common stock and proceeds from exercise of warrants and options. Our primary financing activities in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 were as follows:
● During fiscal 2016, 331,054 warrants were exercised for cash and resulted in the issuance of 331,054 shares of common stock and 18,718 options were exercised for cash and resulted in the issuance of 18,718 shares of common stock. The cash consideration received for exercise of warrants was $1,337,000 and the cash consideration received for exercise of options was $112,000. During fiscal 2015, 1,370 options were exercised for cash and resulted in the issuance of 1,370 shares of common stock. The cash consideration received for exercise of the options was $8,000. During fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, we issued a total of 28,750 shares of common stock to a third party vendor for services rendered. The aggregate value of those shares was approximately $194,000.
● In December 2015, we completed a private placement of 1,155,367 shares of our common stock to HTIT for total consideration of $12 million.
● In June 2015, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to sell, in a registered direct offering, or the June 2015 Offering: (1) an aggregate of 714,286 shares of our common stock at a price of $7.50 per share to six investors and (2) at the option of each investor, or the Overallotment Right, additional shares of our common stock, or the Overallotment Shares, up to the number equal to the number of shares purchased by such Purchaser and at a price of $10.00 per Overallotment Share. The closing of the sale of the 714,286 shares of our common stock occurred on June 10, 2015. The Overallotment Right is exercisable beginning December 10, 2015, and shall remain exercisable until December 10, 2016. Pursuant to an engagement letter, a placement agent received, for its services in the June 2015 Offering, a fee equal to 7% of the gross proceeds raised in the June 2015 Offering and an expense allowance of 1% of the gross proceeds raised in the June 2015 Offering, and affiliates of the placement agent received warrants to purchase 28,571 shares of our common stock, exercisable for a period of three years and with an exercise price of $10.00 per share. Our net proceeds from the June 2015 Offering were approximately $4,880,000 after deducting the placement agent’s expenses and our other offering expenses. In November 2015 and February, May and August 2016, we issued a total of 13,750 shares of our common stock, valued at $101,000, in the aggregate, to a certain service provider as remuneration for services rendered.
● In November 2014, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement with an investor, we issued an aggregate of 696,378 shares of common stock, at a price of $7.18 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,000,000. Our net proceeds from the offering were approximately $4,833,000 after deducting a finder's fee of $150,000 and our other offering expenses.
● On April 2, 2015, we entered into an at the market issuance sales agreement, or the Sales Agreement, pursuant to which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $25,000,000 from time to time, at our option, through a sales agent, subject to certain terms and conditions. Any shares sold will be sold pursuant to our effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. We will pay the sales agent a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds of the sale of any shares sold through the sales agent. To date, no shares have been sold under the Sales Agreement.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments at August 31, 2016, and the effects such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (in thousands):
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of August 31, 2016, we had no off balance sheet arrangements that have had or that we expect would be reasonably likely to have a future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Planned Expenditures
We invest heavily in research and development, and we expect that in the upcoming years our research and development expenses, net, will continue to be our major operating expense.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We are exposed to a variety of risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the value of our marketable securities and inflation.
As of August 31, 2016, we had $3.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, $35.3 million in short and long term bank deposits and restricted deposits and $3.4 million in marketable securities.
We aim to preserve our financial assets, maintain adequate liquidity and maximize return while minimizing exposure to market risks. Such policy further provides that we should hold most of our current assets in bank deposits. As of today, the currency of our financial assets is mainly in U.S. dollars.
Marketable securities
We own 10,208,144 common shares of D.N.A, which are presented in our financial statements as marketable securities. Marketable securities are presented at fair value and their realization is subject to certain limitations if sold through the market, and we are therefore exposed to market risk. There is no assurance that at the time of sale of the marketable securities the price per share will be the same or higher, nor that we will be able to sell all of the securities at once given the volume of securities we hold. The shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the shares' price is denominated in NIS. We are also exposed to changes in the market price of D.N.A shares, as well as to exchange rates fluctuations in the NIS currency compared to the U.S. dollar.
Interest Rate Risk
We invest a major portion of our cash surplus in bank deposits in banks in Israel. Since the bank deposits typically carry fixed interest rates, financial income over the holding period is not sensitive to changes in interest rates, but only the fair value of these instruments. However, our interest gains from future deposits may decline in the future as a result of changes in the financial markets. In any event, given the historic low levels of the interest rate, we estimate that a further decline in the interest rate we are receiving will not result in a material adverse effect to our business.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk and Inflation
A significant portion of our expenditures, including salaries, clinical research expenses, consultants' fees and office expenses relate to our operations in Israel. The cost of those Israeli operations, as expressed in U.S. dollars, is influenced by the extent to which any increase in the rate of inflation in Israel is not offset (or is offset on a lagging basis) by a devaluation of the NIS in relation to the U.S. dollar. If the U.S. dollar declines in value in relation to the NIS, it will become more expensive for us to fund our operations in Israel. In addition, as of August 31, 2016, we own net balances in NIS of approximately $1,447,000. Assuming a 10% appreciation of the NIS against the U.S. dollar, we would experience exchange rate gain of approximately $132,000, while assuming a 10% devaluation of the NIS against the U.S. dollars, we would experience an exchange rate loss of approximately $161,000.
The exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to the NIS, based on exchange rates published by the Bank of Israel, was as follows:
We do not use any currency hedging transactions of options or forwards to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the NIS.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
See Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of August 31, 2016. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:
● pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and asset dispositions;
● provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of our financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
● provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2016 based on the current framework for Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) set forth by The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of August 31, 2016 at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended August 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Set forth below is certain information with respect to the individuals who are our directors and executive officers.
Dr. Miriam Kidron is Mr. Nadav Kidron’s mother. There are no other directors or officers of our Company who are related by blood or marriage.
Business Experience
The following is a brief account of the education and business experience during at least the past five years of each director and our only executive officer who is not a director, indicating the principal occupation during that period, and the name and principal business of the organization in which such occupation and employment were carried out.
Mr. Nadav Kidron was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and became a director in March 2006. He is also a director of Israel Advanced Technology Industries organization, and until 2016 was a director of Entera. In 2009, he was a fellow at the Merage Foundation for U.S.-Israel Trade Programs for executives in the life sciences field. From 2003 to 2006, he was the managing director of the Institute of Advanced Jewish Studies at Bar Ilan University. From 2001 to 2003, he was a legal intern at Wine, Mishaiker & Ernstoff Law Offices in Jerusalem, Israel. Mr. Kidron holds an LL.B. and an International MBA from Bar Ilan University, Israel, and is a member of the Israel Bar Association.
We believe that Mr. Kidron’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his familiarity with the Company as its founder, his experience in capital markets, as well as his knowledge and familiarity with corporate management.
Ms. Yifat Zommer was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary in April 2009. From 2007 to 2008, Ms. Zommer served as Chief Financial Officer of Witech Communications Ltd., a subsidiary of IIS Intelligence Information Systems Ltd., a company operating in the field of video transmission using wireless communications. From April 2006 to April 2007, Ms. Zommer acted as Chief Financial Officer for CTWARE Ltd., a telecommunication company. Prior to that she was an audit manager in Kesselman & Kesselman, a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, where she served for five years. Ms. Zommer holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Economics degree from the Hebrew University, a Business Administration degree (MBA) from Tel-Aviv University and a Masters degree in Law (LL.M.) from Bar-Ilan University, Israel. Ms. Zommer is a certified public accountant in Israel.
Dr. Miriam Kidron was appointed Chief Medical and Technology Officer and became a director in March 2006. Dr. Kidron is a pharmacologist and a biochemist with a Ph.D. in biochemistry. From 1990 to 2007, Dr. Kidron was a senior researcher in the Diabetes Unit at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel. During 2003 and 2004, Dr. Kidron served as a consultant to Emisphere Technologies Inc., a company that specializes in developing broad-based proprietary drug delivery platforms. Dr. Kidron was formerly a visiting professor at the Medical School at the University of Toronto (Canada), and is a member of the American, European and Israeli Diabetes Associations. Dr. Kidron is a recipient of the Bern Schlanger Award.
We believe that Dr. Kidron’s qualifications to serve on our Board include her expertise in the Company’s technology, as it is based on her research, as well as her experience and relevant education in the fields of pharmacology and diabetes.
Mr. Joshua Hexter was appointed Chief Operating Officer and VP Business Development in April 2013. From 2007 to 2013, Mr. Hexter was a Director or Executive Director in BioLineRx Ltd., or BioLineRx, a TASE-listed biopharmaceutical development company dedicated to identifying, in-licensing and developing innovative therapeutic candidates. Prior to his employment with BioLineRx, Mr. Hexter was a member of the Board of Directors and CEO of Biosensor Systems Design, Inc., a company developing market-driven biosensors. Mr. Hexter holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in management from Boston University.
Mr. Aviad Friedman became a director in August 2016. Mr. Friedman is an international businessman. Since 2007, he has been Chief Executive Officer of Most Properties 1998 Ltd. and the Chairman of the Israel Association of Community Centers since 2013. Mr. Friedman was the first Director General of Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and served as personal advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon from 1996 to 1999. Mr. Friedman served as Chief Operating Officer of one of Israel’s premier newspapers, Ma'ariv from 2003 to 2007, and has more than 14 years of experience serving on boards of public and private companies including Maayan Ventures, Capital Point and Rosetta Green Ltd. Mr. Friedman additionally served as an investor and consultant at Rhythmia Medical Inc. from 2007, and was actively involved in the sale of the company to Boston Scientific in 2012. Mr. Friedman holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree with honors in Public Administration from Bar-Ilan University.
We believe that Mr. Friedman’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his experience in serving as a director of public and private companies as well as his knowledge and familiarity with corporate finance.
Ms. Xiaopeng Li became a director in January 2016. Ms. Li currently serves on the Board of Directors in the Chairman’s Office in Hefei Tianmai Biotechnology Development Co. Ltd, or HTBT, where she has served as the head of financing and investment activities since 2013. Ms. Li also has served as Chief Financial Officer of Hi-Tech Brain Investment Company Limited, an affiliated company of HTBT, since 2015. Prior to that, she was a senior auditor in the Shanghai Branch of Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, where she served for four years. Ms. Li holds a Bachelor’s degree from the College of Economics, Anhui University, a Master of Accounting degree from Monash University, Australia, and a Master of Management degree from Central Queensland University, Australia.
We believe that Ms. Li’s qualifications to serve on our Board include her experience and relevant education in the fields of finance, economics, capital markets and management, as well as her familiarity with the Eastern market.
Mr. Kevin Rakin became a director in August 2016. Mr. Rakin is a co-founder and partner at HighCape Partners, a growth equity life sciences fund where he has served since 2013. From June 2011 to November 2012, Mr. Rakin was the President of Regenerative Medicine at Shire plc, a leading specialty biopharmaceutical company. Prior to joining Shire, Mr. Rakin served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced BioHealing, Inc. from 2007 until its acquisition by Shire for $750 million in June 2011. Mr. Rakin currently serves on the board of Histogenics Corporation. Mr. Rakin holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University and received his graduate and undergraduate degrees in Commerce from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
We believe that Mr. Rakin’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his extensive experience as an executive in the biotechnology industry, as well as his service in positions in various companies as a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and President and his involvement in public and private financings and mergers and acquisitions in the biotechnology industry.
Mr. Leonard Sank became a director in October 2007. Mr. Sank is a South African entrepreneur and businessman, whose interests lie in entrepreneurial endeavors and initiatives, with over 20 years' experience of playing significant leadership roles in developing businesses. For the past seventeen years, Mr. Sank has served as a director of Macsteel Service Centres SA (Pty) Ltd, South Africa’s largest private company. Since 2010, Mr. Sank has served as a Director of Bradbury Finance Pty Ltd, and also serves on the boards of small businesses and local non-profit charity organizations in Cape Town, where he resides.
We believe that Mr. Sank’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his years of experience in development stage businesses, as well as his experience serving as a director of many entities.
Mr. David Slager became a director in August 2016. Mr. Slager is the founder and Chairman of Regals Capital, a New York based private investment firm, and the Portfolio Manager of the fund. Prior to founding Regals Capital in 2012, Mr. Slager was the Chairman and the Portfolio Manager of Attara Capital. In 2009, Mr. Slager was the Vice Chairman of Atticus Capital LP, a global investment management firm he joined in 1998. Mr. Slager’s previous professional experience also includes having been in the Proprietary Equity Arbitrage Group at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in London and a financial analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York and London. Mr. Slager holds a master’s degree in Legal Philosophy (Jurisprudence) from Oxford University.
We believe that Mr. Slager’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his years of experience in the capital markets as well as his management skills, his knowledge and familiarity with corporate finance and his familiarity with the Company history as a leading shareholder in the Company.
Board of Directors
There are no agreements with respect to the election of directors. Each director is elected for a period of one year at our annual meeting of stockholders and serves until the next such meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. The Board may also appoint additional directors. A director so chosen or appointed will hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. The Board has determined that Leonard Sank, David Slager, Kevin Rakin, Aviad Friedman and Xiaopeng Li are independent as defined under the rules promulgated by NASDAQ. Other than Mr. Slager, Ms. Li and Mr. Friedman, none of the independent directors has any relationship with us besides serving on our Board. In connection with a private placement of our common stock in 2013, we have entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Slager pursuant to which we agreed not to issue stock options with an exercise price below $6.00 per share and not to grant more than 125,000 stock options in any calendar year without the consent of certain stockholders. Ms. Li was appointed to serve on our Board pursuant to the terms of the SPA dated November 30, 2015, but does not otherwise have any relationship with us except for her serving as a director. We have entered into a consulting agreement with Shikma A.M.R. Ltd., or Shikma, of which Mr. Friedman is the sole owner, pursuant to which Shikma was granted an option exercisable into shares of common stock of the Company as compensation for certain consulting services provided by Shikma to the Company. This consulting agreement was terminated in August 2016. The Board considered these relationships and determined that they would not interfere with Mr. Slager’s, Ms. Li’s or Mr. Friedman’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
We have determined that each of the directors is qualified to serve as a director of the Company based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each director. In reaching this determination, we have considered a variety of criteria, including, among other things: character and integrity; ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided, to exercise effective business judgment and to interact effectively with the other directors; and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a director.
Board Meeting Attendance
During the year ended August 31, 2016, our Board held seven meetings and took actions by written consent on four occasions. Dr. Miriam Kidron and Ms. Xiaopeng Li attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of: (i) the total number of meetings of the Board (during the period for which such director served as a director); and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such director served (during the period for which such director served on such committees). Board members are encouraged to attend our annual meetings of stockholders.
Committees
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
The members of our Audit Committee are Aviad Friedman, David Slager and Kevin Rakin. Our Board has determined that Aviad Friedman is an “audit committee financial expert” as set forth in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K and that all members of the Audit Committee are “independent” as defined by the rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter that is posted on the “Investors” section of our website, www.oramed.com. The primary responsibilities of our Audit Committee include:
●Overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of the financial statements of the Company;
● Appointing, compensating and retaining our independent registered public accounting firm;
● Overseeing the work performed by any independent registered public accounting firm;
●Assisting the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities by reviewing: (i) the financial reports provided by us to the SEC, our stockholders or to the general public, and (ii) our internal financial and accounting controls; and
●Recommending, establishing and monitoring procedures designed to improve the quality and reliability of the disclosure of our financial condition and results of operations.
Compensation Committee
The members of our Compensation Committee are Leonard Sank, Kevin Rakin and Aviad Friedman. The Board has determined that all of the members of the Compensation Committee are “independent” as defined by the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter that is posted on the “Investors” section of our website, www.oramed.com. The primary responsibilities of our Compensation Committee include:
●Reviewing, negotiating and approving, or recommending for approval by our Board of the salaries and incentive compensation of our executive officers;
●Administering our equity based plans and making recommendations to our Board with respect to our incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans; and
●Periodically reviewing, negotiating and approving, or making recommendations to our Board with respect to director compensation.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5, and amendments thereto, furnished to us during fiscal 2016, we believe that during fiscal 2016, our executive officers, directors and all persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements, except that Dr. Miriam Kidron, our Chief Medical and Technology Officer and a director, failed to timely file a Form 4 reporting her December 28, 2015 disposal of 11,000 shares of our common stock, due to an error by the filing agent not caused by the Company or Dr. Kidron. Dr. Kidron filed a Form 4 reporting this transaction on December 31, 2015.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for our senior officers, directors and employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is located at our website at www.oramed.com.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This section explains the policies and decisions that shape our executive compensation program, including its specific objectives and elements, as it relates to our “named executive officers,” or NEOs. Our NEOs for fiscal 2016 are those four individuals listed in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. The Compensation Committee believes that our executive compensation is appropriately designed to incentivize our named executive officers to work for our long-term prosperity, is reasonable in comparison with the levels of compensation provided by comparable companies, and reflects a reasonable cost. We believe our named executive officers are critical to the achievement of our corporate goals, through which we can drive stockholder value.
The Compensation Committee of our Board is comprised solely of independent directors as defined by NASDAQ and non-employee directors as defined by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Compensation Committee has the authority and responsibility to review and approve the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and other executive officers. Other information concerning the structure, roles and responsibilities of our Compensation Committee is set forth in "Board Meetings and Committees-Compensation Committee" section.
Our executive compensation program and our NEOs’ compensation packages are designed around the following objectives:
● attract, hire, and retain talented and experienced executives;
● motivate, reward and retain executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success;
● ensure fairness among the executive management team via the recognition of the contributions of each executive to our success;
● focus executive behavior on achievement of our corporate objectives and strategy; and
● align the interests of management and stockholders by providing management with longer-term incentives through equity ownership.
The Compensation Committee reviews the allocation of compensation components regularly to ensure alignment with strategic and operating goals, competitive market practices and legislative changes. The Compensation Committee does not apply a specific formula to determine the allocation between cash and non-cash forms of compensation. Certain compensation components, such as base salaries, benefits and perquisites, are intended primarily to attract, hire, and retain well-qualified executives. Other compensation elements, such as long-term incentive opportunities, are designed to motivate and reward performance. Long-term incentives are intended to reward NEOs for our long-term performance and executing our business strategy, and to strongly align NEOs' interests with those of stockholders.
With respect to equity compensation, the Compensation Committee makes awards to executives under our Second Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, or 2008 Plan. Executive compensation is paid or granted based on such matters as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, including our financial and operating performance and the alignment of the interests of the executive officers and our stockholders.
Elements of Compensation
Our executive officer compensation program is comprised of: (i) base salary or monthly compensation; (ii) discretionary bonus; (iii) long-term equity incentive compensation in the form of stock option and RSU grants; and (iv) benefits and perquisites.
In establishing overall executive compensation levels and making specific compensation decisions for our NEOs in fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee considered a number of criteria, including the executive's position, scope of responsibilities, prior base salary and annual incentive awards and expected contribution.
Generally, our Compensation Committee reviews and, as appropriate, approves compensation arrangements for the NEOs from time to time but not less than once a year. The Compensation Committee also takes into consideration the CEO's recommendations for executive compensation of the other three NEOs. The CEO generally presents these recommendations at the time of our Compensation Committee's review of executive compensation arrangements.
Base Salary
The Compensation Committee performs a review of base salaries and monthly compensation for our NEOs from time to time as appropriate. In determining salaries, the Compensation Committee members also take into consideration the scope of the NEOs' responsibilities and independent third party market data, such as compensation surveys to industry, individual experience and performance and contribution to our clinical, regulatory, commercial and operational performance. None of the factors above has a dominant weight in determining the compensation of our named executive officers, and our Compensation Committee considers the factors as a whole when considering such compensation. In addition, our Compensation Committee uses comparative data regarding compensation paid by peer companies in order to obtain a general understanding of current trends in compensation practices and ranges of amounts being awarded by other public companies, and not as part of an analysis or a formula.
In fiscal 2014, for example, we conducted an analysis of salaries and monthly compensation received by our NEOs’ respective counterparts in companies in the biotechnology industry and other comparable companies in Israel and outside of Israel. During fiscal 2014, the Compensation Committee received consulting services from Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co., a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited with regard to management compensation. The Compensation Committee engaged the consultant solely to collect and analyze data regarding management compensation at other companies comparable to the Company. The consultant collected data from companies in the biomed sector that are publicly traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market, in the biomed sector and having similar (within 50%) market cap, total assets, total revenue, net income, and/or location of operations (in Israel) to the Company. The comparable companies that were chosen by the consultants were Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.; Columbia Laboratories Inc.; Enxo Biochem, Inc.; Navidea Biopharmaceuticals Inc.; Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.; Rexhan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.; Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.; and Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. The Committee looked at the fixed and variable compensation of each of the comparable NEOs and for directors. The Compensation Committee did not receive any executive compensation consulting services in fiscal 2016 and 2015.
We believe that a competitive base salary and monthly compensation is a necessary element of any compensation program that is designed to attract and retain talented and experienced executives. We also believe that attractive base salaries can motivate and reward executives for their overall performance. Base salary and monthly compensation are established in part based on the individual experience, skills and expected contributions to our performance, as well as such executive’s performance during the prior year. Generally, we believe that executives' base salaries should be targeted near the median of the range of salaries for executives in similar positions with similar responsibilities, experience and performance at comparable companies. Compensation adjustments are made occasionally based on changes in an executive's level of responsibility, company progress or on changed local and specific executive employment market conditions.
In fiscal 2016, our Compensation Committee decided to increase the base salary of some of our NEOs by ten to twenty percent, and in fiscal 2015, following two years in which the base salaries of our NEOs were not changed, our Compensation Committee decided to increase our NEOs’ base salaries by six percent, as the members of our Compensation Committee deemed this to be a reasonable rate in the pharmaceuticals industry based on their experience.
Performance Based Bonus
Our NEOs are eligible to receive discretionary annual bonuses based upon performance. The amount of annual bonus to our NEOs is based on various factors, including, among others, the achievement of scientific and business goals and our financial and operational performance. The Compensation Committee takes into account the overall performance of the individuals, as well as the overall performance of the Company over the period being reviewed and the recommendation of management. For any given year, the compensation objectives vary, but relate generally to strategic factors such as developments in our clinical path, the execution of a license agreement for the commercialization of product candidates, the establishment of key strategic collaborations, the build-up of our pipeline and financial factors such as capital raising. Bonuses are awarded generally based on corporate performance, with adjustments made within a range for individual performance, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee determines, on a discretionary basis, the size of the entire bonus pool and the amount of the actual award to each NEO. The overall payment is also based on historic compensation of the NEOs.
We believe that annual bonuses payable based on the achievement of short-term corporate goals incentivize our NEOs to create stockholder value and attain short-term performance objectives.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation
Long-term incentive compensation allows the NEOs to share in any appreciation in the value of our common stock. The Compensation Committee believes that stock participation aligns executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders. Equity incentive awards are generally made at the commencement of employment and following a significant change in job responsibilities, or to meet other special retention or performance objectives. The amounts of the awards are designed to reward past performance and create incentives to meet long-term objectives. Awards are made at a level expected to be competitive within the biotechnology industry, as well as with Israeli-based companies. Awards are made on a discretionary basis and not pursuant to specific criteria set out in advance. In determining the amount of each grant, the Compensation Committee also takes into account the number of shares held by the executive prior to the grant. The vesting schedule for NEOs is based on monthly installments for periods of no longer than three years. The Compensation Committee believes that time-based vesting encourages recipients to build stockholder value over a long period of time.
RSU awards provide our NEOs with the right to purchase shares of our common stock at a par value of $0.012, subject to continued employment with our company. In November 2014, the Compensation Committee awarded RSUs for the first time and again awarded RSUs in February 2015. We choose to grant RSU awards and not options because RSU awards, once vested, always have an immediate financial value to the holder thereof, unlike options where the exercise price might be above the current market price of the shares and therefore not have any intrinsic value to the holder thereof. In addition, because vested RSU awards always have financial value, as opposed to options, we were able to limit the number of securities issued to our NEOs and other employees, directors and consultants. RSUs generally vest over a period of no longer than two years. The Compensation Committee believes that time-based vesting encourages recipients to build stockholder value over a long period of time.
Benefits and Perquisites
Generally, benefits available to NEOs are available to all employees on similar terms and include welfare benefits, paid time-off, life and disability insurance and other customary or mandatory social benefits in Israel. We provide our NEOs with a phone and a company car which are customary benefits in Israel to managers and officers.
We do not believe that the benefits and perquisites described above deviate materially from the customary practice for compensation of executive officers by other companies similar in size and stage of development in Israel. These benefits represent a relatively small portion of the executive officers' total compensation.
Say-on-Pay Vote
Our stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, our executive compensation program at our 2016 Annual Meeting. We did not seek or receive any specific feedback from our stockholders concerning our executive compensation program during the past fiscal year. The Compensation Committee did not specifically rely on the results of the prior vote in making any compensation-related decisions during fiscal 2016.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with our management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our proxy statement relating to our next annual meeting of stockholders.
Compensation Committee Members:
Aviad Friedman
Kevin Rakin
Leonard Sank
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table shows the particulars of compensation paid to our NEOs, for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
(1)The information is provided for each fiscal year, which begins on September 1 and ends on August 31.
(2)Amounts paid for Salary, Bonus and All Other Compensation were originally denominated in NIS and were translated into U.S. Dollars at the then current exchange rate for each payment.
(3)Bonuses were granted at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
(4)For RSU awards, the amounts reflect the grant date fair value, as calculated pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used to determine the fair value of the RSU awards are set forth in Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our NEOs will not realize the value of these awards in cash unless and until the awards vest and the underlying shares are issued and subsequently sold.
(5)The amounts reflect the grant date fair value, as calculated pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718, of these option awards. The assumptions used to determine the fair value of the option awards are set forth in Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our NEOs will not realize the value of these awards in cash unless and until these awards are exercised and the underlying shares subsequently sold.
(6)See “All Other Compensation Table” below.
(7)Mr. Kidron receives compensation from Oramed Ltd. through KNRY, Ltd., an Israeli entity owned by Mr. Kidron, or KNRY. See “-Employment and Consulting Agreements” below.
(8)Dr. Kidron receives compensation from Oramed Ltd. through KNRY. See “-Employment and Consulting Agreements” below.
(9)Reduced salary due to maternity leave.
All Other Compensation Table
The “All Other Compensation” amounts set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above consist of the following:
* Manager’s insurance and education funds are customary benefits provided to employees based in Israel. Manager’s insurance is a combination of severance savings (in accordance with Israeli law), defined contribution tax-qualified pension savings and disability insurance premiums. An education fund is a savings fund of pre-tax contributions to be used after a specified period of time for educational or other permitted purposes.
**Business travel represents additional compensation of approximately $5,000 per month in fiscal 2014, for the period during which Mr. Kidron was in the United States. This payment was in addition to per diem payments for that business travel. The Compensation Committee determined that this amount reflects the difference in the cost of living between Israel and the United States.
Employment and Consulting Agreements
On July 1, 2008, Oramed Ltd. entered into a consulting agreement with KNRY, whereby Mr. Nadav Kidron, through KNRY, provides services as President and Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and Oramed Ltd., or the Nadav Kidron Consulting Agreement. Additionally, on July 1, 2008, Oramed Ltd. entered into a consulting agreement with KNRY whereby Dr. Miriam Kidron, through KNRY, provides services as Chief Medical and Technology Officer of both the Company and Oramed Ltd., or the Miriam Kidron Consulting Agreement. We refer to the Miriam Kidron Consulting Agreement and Nadav Kidron Consulting Agreement collectively as the Consulting Agreements.
The Consulting Agreements are both terminable by either party upon 60 days prior written notice. The Consulting Agreements, as amended, provide that KNRY will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with performance of the Consulting Agreements and that Nadav Kidron receives a monthly consulting fee of NIS 95,460 and Miriam Kidron receives a monthly consulting fee of NIS 69,960. Pursuant to the Consulting Agreements, KNRY, Nadav Kidron and Miriam Kidron each agree that during the term of the Consulting Agreements and for a 12 month period thereafter, none of them will compete with Oramed Ltd. nor solicit employees of Oramed Ltd.
We, through Oramed Ltd., have entered into an employment agreement with Yifat Zommer as of April 19, 2009, pursuant to which Ms. Zommer was appointed as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company and Oramed Ltd. In accordance with the employment agreement, as amended, Ms. Zommer’s current gross monthly salary is NIS 33,347. In addition, Ms. Zommer is provided with a cellular phone and a company car pursuant to the terms of her agreement.
We, through Oramed Ltd., have entered into an employment agreement with Joshua Hexter as of April 14, 2013, pursuant to which Mr. Hexter was appointed as Chief Operating Officer and VP Business Development of the Company and Oramed Ltd. In accordance with the employment agreement, as amended, Mr. Hexter’s current gross monthly salary is NIS 44,891. In addition, Mr. Hexter is provided with a cellular phone and a company car pursuant to the terms of his agreement.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers pursuant to which we agreed to indemnify each director and officer for any liability he or she may incur by reason of the fact that he or she serves as our director or officer, to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control
We have no plans or arrangements in respect of remuneration received or that may be received by our named executive officers to compensate such officers in the event of termination of employment (as a result of resignation, retirement, change-in- control) or a change of responsibilities following a change-in-control.
Pension, Retirement or Similar Benefit Plans
We have no arrangements or plans under which we provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for directors or executive officers. Our directors and executive officers may receive stock options, RSUs or restricted shares at the discretion of our Compensation Committee in the future.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
There were no grants of plan-based equity awards made to our NEOs during fiscal 2016.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table sets forth information concerning stock options and stock awards held by the NEOs as of August 31, 2016.
(1)On May 7, 2008, 72,000 options were granted to each of Nadav Kidron and Miriam Kidron under the 2008 Plan at an exercise price of $6.48 per share; 12,000 of such options vested immediately on the date of grant and the remainder vested in twenty equal monthly installments, commencing on June 30, 2008. The options have an expiration date of May 7, 2018.
(2)On April 21, 2010, 72,000 options were granted to each of Nadav Kidron and Miriam Kidron under the 2008 Plan at an exercise price of $5.88 per share; 9,000 of such options vested immediately on the date of grant and the remainder vested in twenty-one equal monthly installments, commencing on May 31, 2010. The options have an expiration date of April 20, 2020.
(3)On August 8, 2012, 72,000 options were granted to each of Nadav Kidron and Miriam Kidron under the 2008 Plan at an exercise price of $4.08 per share; 21,000 of such options vested immediately on the date of grant and the remainder vested in seventeen equal monthly installments, commencing on August 31, 2012. The options have an expiration date of August 8, 2022.
(4)On April 9, 2014, 47,134 options were granted to each of Nadav Kidron and Miriam Kidron under the 2008 Plan at an exercise price of $12.45 per share; 15,710 of such options vested on April 30, 2014 and the remainder vested in eight equal monthly installments, commencing on May 31, 2014. The options have an expiration date of April 9, 2024.
(5)On June 3, 2009, 33,334 options were granted to Yifat Zommer under the 2008 Plan at an exercise price of $5.64 per share; the options vested in three equal annual installments, commencing October 19, 2010, and expire on October 19, 2019.
(6)On August 8, 2012, 50,750 options were granted to Yifat Zommer under the 2008 Plan at an exercise price of $4.08 per share; the options vested in twenty-nine equal monthly installments, commencing on August 31, 2012, and expire on August 8, 2022.
(7)On April 14, 2013, 100,800 options were granted to Joshua Hexter under the 2008 Plan at an exercise price of $7.88 per share; the options vested in 35 consecutive equal installments during a 3-year period commencing on May 31, 2013, and two installments of 1,400 each, that were vested on April 30, 2013 and April 14, 2016, and expire on April 14, 2023.
(8)On November 13, 2014, 9,788 RSUs, representing a right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock, were granted to each of Nadav Kidron and Miriam Kidron. The RSUs vested in two equal installments, each of 4,894 shares, on November 30 and December 31, 2014. The shares of common stock underlying the RSUs will be issued upon request of the grantee.
(9)On February 23, 2015, 79,848 RSUs, representing a right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock, were granted to each of Nadav Kidron and Miriam Kidron. The RSUs vest in 23 installments consisting of one installment of 6,654 shares on February 28, 2015 and 22 equal monthly installments of 3,327 shares each, commencing March 31, 2015. The shares of common stock underlying the RSUs will be issued upon request of the grantee.
(10)On February 23, 2015, 46,560 RSUs, representing a right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock, were granted to Yifat Zommer. The RSUs vest in 23 installments, consisting of one installment of 3,880 shares on February 28, 2015 and 22 equal monthly installments of 1,940 shares each, commencing March 31, 2015.
OPTIONS EXERCISED AND STOCK VESTED
The following table sets forth information with respect to the NEOs concerning the vesting of RSUs during fiscal 2016. No options were exercised by the NEOs in fiscal 2016.
(1)Represents shares of common stock not yet issued underlying RSUs that have vested. Such shares will be issued upon request of the grantee.
(2)Represents the value of shares of common stock not yet issued underlying RSUs that have vested. Such shares will be issued upon request of the grantee.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During fiscal 2016, Dr. Michael Berelowitz, Mr. Gerald Ostrov and Mr. Leonard Sank served as the members of our Compensation Committee. None of the members of our Compensation Committee is, or has been, an officer or employee of ours.
During the last year, none of our NEOs served as: (1) a member of the compensation committee (or other committee of the Board performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the compensation committee; (2) a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the compensation committee; or (3) a member of the compensation committee (or other committee of the board of directors performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director on our Board.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table provides information regarding compensation earned by, awarded or paid to each person for serving as a director who is not an executive officer during fiscal 2016:
(1) The terms of office of Michael Berelowitz, Harold Jacob and Gerald Ostrov ended on August 30, 2016. On such date, Aviad Friedman, Kevin Rakin and David Slager were elected to our Board.
(2) Please refer to the Summary Compensation Table for executive compensation with respect to the named individual.
(3) The amounts reflect the grant date fair value, as calculated pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718, of these RSU awards. The assumptions used to determine the fair value of the RSU awards for fiscal 2015 are set forth in Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our directors will not realize the value of these awards in cash unless and until the underlying shares are sold.
(4) As of August 31, 2016, our non-employee directors then in office held options and unvested RSUs to purchase shares of our common stock as follows:
(5) Michael Berelowitz served as the Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board until July 2016. In this role, Dr. Berelowitz was actively involved in our scientific decisions, clinical strategy, and partnership negotiations. Dr. Berelowitz was paid a fee of $3,333 per month as compensation for serving in this position.
(6) Shikma, of which Mr. Friedman is the sole owner, was granted an option exercisable into shares of common stock of the Company as compensation for certain consulting services provided by Shikma to the Company. This consulting agreement was terminated in August 2016.
Our directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board. Each independent director is entitled to receive as remuneration for his or her service as a member of the Board a sum equal to $20,000 per annum, to be paid quarterly and shortly after the close of each quarter. Our executive officers did not receive additional compensation for service as directors. The Board may award special remuneration to any director undertaking any special services on behalf of us other than services ordinarily required of a director.
Other than as described above, we have no present formal plan for compensating our directors for their service in their capacity as directors. Other than indicated above, no director received and/or accrued any compensation for his services as a director, including committee participation and/or special assignments during fiscal 2016.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Stock Option Plans
Our Board adopted the 2008 Plan in order to attract and retain quality personnel. The 2008 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, RSUs, and stock appreciation rights, collectively referred to as “awards.” Stock options granted under the 2008 Plan may be either incentive stock options under the provisions of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or non-qualified stock options. Under the 2008 Plan, as amended, 2,400,000 shares were reserved for the grant of awards, which may be issued at the discretion of our Board from time to time. The 2008 Plan permits awards to be based on performance-based criteria that will allow us to maximize its ability to pay deductible compensation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As of August 31, 2016, options with respect to 1,406,199 shares have been granted, of which 98,464 have been forfeited, 335,438 have been exercised and 318,509 have expired. As of August 31, 2016, 347,704 RSUs have been granted, of which 134,947 have vested and the shares of common stock underlying RSUs were issued, 152,656 have vested and the shares of common stock underlying those RSUs will be issued upon request of the grantee and 11,088 have been forfeited.
The following table sets forth additional information with respect to our equity compensation plans (consisting solely of the 2008 Plan) as of August 31, 2016:
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of November 22, 2016 by: (1) each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock; (2) each director; (3) each of our named executive officers listed above under “Summary Compensation Table”; and (4) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. On such date, we had 13,264,189 shares of common stock outstanding.
As used in the table below and elsewhere in this form, the term “beneficial ownership” with respect to a security consists of sole or shared voting power, including the power to vote or direct the vote, and/or sole or shared investment power, including the power to dispose or direct the disposition, with respect to the security through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, including a right to acquire such power(s) during the next 60 days following November 22, 2016. Inclusion of shares in the table does not, however, constitute an admission that the named stockholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares. Unless otherwise indicated, (1) each person or entity named in the table has sole voting power and investment power (or shares that power with that person’s spouse) with respect to all shares of common stock listed as owned by that person or entity and (2) the address of each of the individuals named below is: c/o Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc., Hi-Tech Park 2/4 Givat Ram, PO Box 39098, Jerusalem 91390, Israel.
* Less than 1%
#Director
+ Named Executive Officer
(1)Includes warrants to purchase 266,815 shares of common stock. Regals Capital Management LP, or Regals Management, is the investment manager of Regals Fund LP, the owner of record of these shares of common stock. Mr. David Slager is the managing member of the general partner of Regals Management. All investment decisions are made by Mr. Slager, and thus the power to vote or direct the votes of these shares of common stock, as well as the power to dispose or direct the disposition of such shares of common stock is held by Mr. Slager through Regals Management.
(2)Based solely on a Schedule 13D filed by HTIT on January 6, 2016. On November 30, 2015, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with HTIT pursuant to which, among other things, Nadav Kidron will serve as proxy and attorney in fact of HTIT, with full power of substitution, to cast on behalf of HTIT all votes that HTIT is entitled to cast with respect to 1,155,367 shares of common stock, or the Purchased Shares, at any and all meetings of our shareholders, to consent or dissent to any action taken without a meeting and to vote all the Purchased Shares held by HTIT in any manner Mr. Kidron deems appropriate except for matters related to our activities in the People’s Republic of China, on which Mr. Kidron will consult with HTIT before taking any action as proxy.
(3)Includes 263,134 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, 6,654 shares of common stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs and 82,982 shares of common stock not yet issued underlying RSUs that have vested. Also includes 1,155,367 shares of common stock held by HTIT, as further described in footnote (2) above, and 63,900 shares of common stock held by Xiaopeng Li, as further discussed in footnote (8) below.
(4)Includes 263,134 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, 6,654 shares of common stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs and 82,982 shares of common stock not yet issued underlying RSUs that have vested.
(5)Includes 84,084 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and 3,880 shares of common stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs.
(6)Includes 100,800 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and 3,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs.
(7)Includes 9,691 shares of common stock owned by Shikma, of which Mr. Friedman is the sole owner and chief executive officer. All investment decisions are made by Mr. Friedman, and thus the power to vote or direct the votes of these shares of common stock, as well as the power to dispose or direct the disposition of such shares of common stock is held by Mr. Friedman through Shikma.
(8)The voting of these shares is subject to a revocable proxy granted to Nadav Kidron. On November 21, 2016, following her purchase of such shares, Ms. Li appointed Nadav Kidron as proxy and attorney in fact of Ms. Li, with full power of substitution, to cast on behalf of Ms. Li all votes that Ms. Li is entitled to cast with respect to the shares purchased at any and all meeting of the shareholders of the Company, to consent or dissent to any action taken without a meeting and to vote all the shares held by Ms. Li in any manner Mr. Kidron deems appropriate except for matters related to the Company’s activities in the Territory and when obvious that specific votes violate Ms. Li’s right and interest, on which Mr. Kidron and Ms. Li will consult with each other in advance of the vote, and subsequently Mr. Kidron will vote according to Ms. Li’s instructions. The proxy will also apply to shares of the Company purchased by Ms. Li through open market transactions. Ms. Li may revoke the proxy in writing at any time.
(9)Includes: (a) 259,807 shares of common stock, warrants to purchase 23,265 shares of common stock and 11,089 shares of common stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs held by Mr. Sank; (b) 78,125 shares of common stock held by Mr. Sank’s wife; (c) 58,094 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Sank upon the exercise of outstanding stock options; and (d) 138,889 shares of common stock owned by a company wholly owned by a trust of which Mr. Sank is a trustee. Mr. Sank disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities referenced in (b) and (d) above.
(10)See footnote (1) above.
(11)Includes 1,059,326 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options and warrants beneficially owned by the referenced persons, 165,964 shares of common stock not yet issued underlying RSUs that have vested and 31,277 shares of common stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
During fiscal 2016 and 2015, we did not participate in any transaction, and we are not currently participating in any proposed transaction, or series of transactions, in which the amount involved exceeded the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year end, and in which, to our knowledge, any of our directors, officers, five percent beneficial security holders, or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons had, or will have, a direct or indirect material interest.
Our policy is to enter into transactions with related persons on terms that, on the whole, are no less favorable than those available from unaffiliated third parties. Based on our experience in the business sectors in which we operate and the terms of our transactions with unaffiliated third parties, we believe that all of the transactions described below met this policy standard at the time they occurred. All related person transactions are approved by our Board.
See “Item 11. Executive Compensation-Director Compensation” above for information as to one of our directors during Fiscal 2016 and the former Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board, Michael Berelowitz.
The Board has determined that Leonard Sank, David Slager, Kevin Rakin, Aviad Friedman and Xiaopeng Li are independent as defined under the rules promulgated by Nasdaq.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
The aggregate fees billed by Kesselman & Kesselman, independent registered public accounting firm, and member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, for services rendered to us during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015:
(1)Amount represents fees paid for professional services for the audit of our consolidated annual financial statements, review of our interim condensed consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports, review of our responses to SEC comments in 2015 and services that are normally provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2)Represents fees paid for tax consulting services.
SEC rules require that before the independent registered public accounting firm are engaged by us to render any auditing or permitted non-audit related service, the engagement be: (1) pre-approved by our Audit Committee; or (2) entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the Audit Committee is informed of each service, and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management.
The Audit Committee pre-approves all services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. All of the above services and fees were reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee before the services were rendered.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15.	EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a)Index to Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its subsidiary as of August 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its subsidiary as of August 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Tel Aviv, Israel
/s/ Kesselman & Kesselman
November 24, 2016
Kesselman & Kesselman
Certified Public Accountants (Isr.)
A member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers
International Limited
Kesselman & Kesselman, Trade Tower, 25 Hamered Street, Tel-Aviv 6812508, Israel,
P.O Box 50005 Tel-Aviv 6150001 Telephone: +972 -3- 7954555, Fax:+972 -3- 7954556, www.pwc.com/il
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share data)
* Represents an amount of less than $1.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
U.S. Dollars in thousands
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
a.General
1)Incorporation and operations
Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (collectively with its subsidiary, the “Company”, unless the context indicates otherwise) was incorporated on April 12, 2002, under the laws of the State of Nevada. From incorporation until March 3, 2006, the Company was an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. On February 17, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Hadasit Medical Services and Development Ltd. (“Hadasit”) to acquire the provisional patent related to orally ingestible insulin capsule to be used for the treatment of individuals with diabetes.
On May 14, 2007, the Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in Israel, Oramed Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), which is engaged in research and development.
On March 11, 2011, the Company was reincorporated from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware.
On November 30, 2015, the Company entered into a Technology License Agreement with Hefei Tianhui Incubation of Technologies Co. Ltd. (“HTIT”) and on December 21, 2015, the parties entered into an Amended and Restated Technology License Agreement, that was further amended by the parties on June 3, 2016 and July 24, 2016 (the “License Agreement”). According to the License Agreement, the Company granted HTIT an exclusive commercialization license in the territory of the Peoples Republic of China, Macau and Hong Kong (the “Territory”), related to the Company’s oral insulin capsule, ORMD-0801. Pursuant to the License Agreement, HTIT will conduct, at its own expense, certain pre-commercialization and regulatory activities with respect to the Subsidiary’s technology and ORMD-0801 capsule, and will pay to the Subsidiary (i) royalties of 10% on net sales of the related commercialized products to be sold by HTIT in the Territory (“Royalties”), and (ii) an aggregate of $37,500, of which $3,000 is payable immediately, $8,000 will be paid subject to the Company entering into certain agreements with certain third parties, and $26,500 will be payable upon achievement of certain milestones and conditions. In the event that the Company does not meet certain conditions, the Royalties rate may be reduced to a minimum of 8%. Following the expiration of the Company's patents covering the technology in the Territory (the “Patents”), the Royalties rate may be reduced, under certain circumstances, to 5%. The Royalties term will commence upon the commercialization of the product and will end upon the later of the expiration of the Patents or fifteen years after the first commercialization of the product in the Territory.
Among others, the Company's involvement through the product submission date will include consultancy for the pre-commercialization activities in the Territory, as well as provide advice to HTIT on an ongoing basis.
The closing of the License Agreement was conditioned upon the approval of the Israel Innovation Authority (previously the Office of the Chief Scientist) of the Israeli Ministry of Economy & Industry (“IIA”), which was received on December 21, 2015.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
The initial payment of $3,000 was received in January 2016 and the second payment of $6,500 was received in July 2016 following achievement of certain milestones. Since the Company entered into the required agreements with certain third parties, as detailed in notes 6h and 6i, it was entitled to $8,000 as of August 31, 2016, of which $4,000 was received in July 2016 and $4,000 was received in October 2016.
In addition, on November 30, 2015, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with HTIT (the “SPA”). According to the SPA, the Company issued 1,155,367 shares of common stock to HTIT for $12,000. The transaction closed on December 28, 2015.
The License Agreement and the SPA were considered a single arrangement with multiple deliverables. The Company allocated the total consideration of $49,500 between the License Agreement and the SPA according to their fair value, as follows: $10,617 was allocated to the issuance of common stock (less issuance expenses of $23), based on the quoted price of the Company's shares on the closing date of the SPA on December 28, 2015, and $38,883 to the License Agreement. Given the Company's continuing involvement through the expected product submission (June 2023), amounts received relating to the License Agreement are recognized over the period from which the Company is entitled to the respective payment, and the expected product submission date using a time-based model approach over the periods that the fees are earned.
In July 2015, according to the letter of intent signed between the parties or their affiliates, HTIT's affiliate paid the Subsidiary a non-refundable amount of $500 as a no-shop fee. The no-shop fee was deferred and the related revenue is recognized over the estimated term of the License Agreement.
Amounts that were allocated to the License Agreement and milestone payments that the Company was entitled to receive as of August 2016, aggregated $19,383, all of which were received through October 2016. Through August 31, 2016, the Company recognized revenue in the amount of $641, and deferred the remaining amount of $14,766.
2) Development and liquidity risks
The Company is engaged in research and development in the biotechnology field for innovative pharmaceutical solutions, including an orally ingestible insulin capsule to be used for the treatment of individuals with diabetes, and the use of orally ingestible capsules for delivery of other polypeptides, and has not generated significant revenues from its operations. Continued operation of the Company is contingent upon obtaining sufficient funding until it becomes profitable.
Successful completion of the Company’s development programs and its transition to normal operations is dependent upon obtaining necessary regulatory approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to selling its products within the United States, and foreign regulatory approvals to sell its products internationally, or entering into licensing agreements with third parties. There can be no assurance that the Company will receive regulatory approval of any of its product candidates, and a substantial amount of time may pass before the Company achieves a level of revenues adequate to support its operations, if at all. The Company also expects to incur substantial expenditures in connection with the regulatory approval process for each of its product candidates during their respective developmental periods. Obtaining marketing approval will be directly dependent on the Company’s ability to implement the necessary regulatory steps required to obtain marketing approval in the United States and in other countries. The Company cannot predict the outcome of these activities.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
b.Basis of presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
c.Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the financial statements date and the reported expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
As applicable to these consolidated financial statements, the most significant estimates and assumptions relate to stock-based compensation and to the expected product submission date for revenue recognition purposes.
d.Functional currency
The currency of the primary economic environment in which the operations of the Company and its Subsidiary are conducted is the U.S. dollar (“$” or “dollar”). Therefore, the functional currency of the Company and its Subsidiary is the dollar.
Transactions and balances originally denominated in dollars are presented at their original amounts. Balances in foreign currencies are translated into dollars using historical and current exchange rates for non-monetary and monetary balances, respectively. For foreign transactions and other items reflected in the statements of operations, the following exchange rates are used: (1) for transactions - exchange rates at transaction dates or average rates and (2) for other items (derived from non-monetary balance sheet items such as depreciation) - historical exchange rates. The resulting transaction gains or losses are carried to financial income or expenses, as appropriate.
e.Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its Subsidiary. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
f.Cash equivalents
The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments, which include short-term deposits with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase that are not restricted as to withdrawal or use and are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, to be cash equivalents.
g.Fair value measurement:
The Company measures fair value and discloses fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In order to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, the guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
As of August 31, 2016, the assets or liabilities measured at fair value are comprised of available for sale equity securities (level 1).
In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible.
As of August 31, 2016, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
As of August 31, 2016, the carrying amount of long-term deposits approximates their fair values due to the stated interest rates which approximate market rates.
The fair value of held to maturity bonds as presented in note 3 was based on a level 1 measurement.
The amounts funded in respect of employee rights are stated at cash surrender value which approximates its fair value.
h.Marketable securities
1) Available-for-sale securities
Available-for-sale equity securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income loss (income) in equity until realized. Unrealized losses that are considered to be other-than-temporary are charged to statement of operations as an impairment charge and are included in the consolidated statement of operations under impairment of available-for-sale securities.
The Company considers available evidence in evaluating potential impairments of its investments, including the duration and extent to which fair value is less than cost, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment. Realized gains and losses on sales of the securities are included in the consolidated statement of operations as financial income or expenses.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
2) Held to maturity securities
All debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity because the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. On a continuous basis, management assesses whether there are any indicators that the value of the Company’s marketable securities may be impaired, which includes reviewing the underlying cause of any decline in value and the estimated recovery period, as well as the severity and duration of the decline. In the Company’s evaluation, the Company considers its ability and intent to hold these investments for a reasonable period of time sufficient for the Company to recover its cost basis. A marketable security is impaired if the fair value of the security is less than the carrying value of the security and such difference is deemed to be other-than temporary. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss shall be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the security over the estimated fair value in the security.
i.Concentration of credit risks
Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term deposits and marketable securities which are deposited in major financial institutions. The Company is of the opinion that the credit risk in respect of these balances is remote.
As of the date of issuing these financial statements, all amounts due from HTIT have been received, as described in note 1 above.
j. Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Annual rates of depreciation are as follows:
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease which is shorter than the estimated useful life of the improvements.
k.Income taxes
1. Deferred taxes
Deferred taxes are determined utilizing the asset and liability method based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial accounting and tax bases of assets and liabilities under the applicable tax laws. Deferred tax balances are computed using the tax rates expected to be in effect when those differences reverse. A valuation allowance in respect of deferred tax assets is provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has provided a full valuation allowance with respect to its deferred tax assets. See note 10.
Regarding the Subsidiary, the recognition is prohibited for deferred tax liabilities or assets that arise from differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities that are measured from the local currency into dollars using historical exchange rates, and that result from changes in exchange rates or indexing for tax purposes.
Consequently, the abovementioned differences were not reflected in the computation of deferred tax assets and liabilities.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
Taxes that would apply in the event of disposal of investments in the Subsidiary have not been taken into account in computing deferred taxes, as it is the Company’s intention to hold this investment, not to realize it.
2. Uncertainty in income tax
The Company follows a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Such liabilities are classified as long-term, unless the liability is expected to be resolved within twelve months from the balance sheet date. The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expenses.
l.Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized when delivery has occurred, evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risks and rewards for the products are transferred to the customer, collection is reasonably assured and product returns can be reliably estimated.
Given the Company's continuing involvement through the expected product submission (June 2023), revenue from the License Agreement is recognized over the periods from which the Company is entitled to the respective payments (including milestones), and through the expected product submission date.
m.Research and development, net
Research and development expenses include costs directly attributable to the conduct of research and development programs, including the cost of salaries, employee benefits, the cost of supplies, the cost of services provided by outside contractors, including services related to the Company’s clinical trials, clinical trial expenses and the full cost of manufacturing drug for use in research and preclinical development. All costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.
Clinical trial costs are a significant component of research and development expenses and include costs associated with third-party contractors. The Company outsources a substantial portion of its clinical trial activities, utilizing external entities such as Contract Research Organizations, independent clinical investigators, and other third-party service providers to assist the Company with the execution of its clinical studies. For each clinical trial that the Company conducts, clinical trial costs are expensed immediately.
Grants received from the IIA and from the Bio-Jerusalem fund (“Bio-Jerusalem”) are recognized as grant income when the grants become receivable, provided there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attached to the grant and there is reasonable assurance the grant will be received. The grants are deducted from the related research and development expenses as the costs are incurred and are presented in R&D expenses, net. See also notes 6(j) and 6(k).
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
n.Stock-based compensation
Equity awards granted to employees are accounted for using the grant date fair value method. The fair value of share based payment transactions is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period. The expected service period is estimated using the simplified method due to insufficient specific historical information of employees' exercise behavior. The Company elected to recognize compensation cost for an award with only service conditions that has a graded vesting schedule using the accelerated method based on the multiple-option award approach. When stock options are granted as consideration for services provided by consultants and other non-employees, the transaction is accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the stock options issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The fair value of the options granted is measured on a final basis at the end of the related service period and is recognized over the related service period using the straight-line method.
o.Loss per common share
Basic and diluted net loss per common share are computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for each period. Outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted stock units have been excluded from the calculation of the diluted loss per share because all such securities are anti-dilutive for all periods presented. The total number of common stock options, warrants and restricted stock units excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss was 2,676,573, 2,249,164 and 2,159,046 for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
p. Newly issued and recently adopted Accounting Pronouncements
1)In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers that will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue upon the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of the time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017 (early adoption is permitted for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016). The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
2)In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance on recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities (Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01) that will supersede most current guidance. Changes to the U.S. GAAP model primarily affect the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
The accounting for other financial instruments, such as loans, investments in debt securities, and financial liabilities, is largely unchanged. The classification and measurement guidance will be effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years (early adoption of the provision to record fair value changes for financial liabilities under the fair value option resulting from instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income is permitted). The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
3)In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" (“ASU 2016-02”), which supersedes the existing guidance for lease accounting, "Leases (Topic 840)". ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize leases on their balance sheets, and leaves lessor accounting largely unchanged. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted for all entities. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to elect to use certain transition relief. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
4)In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)" ("ASU 2016-09") which simplifies certain aspects of the accounting for share-based payments, including accounting for income taxes, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, classification on the statement of cash flows as well as allowing an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures as they occur. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any annual or interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued, and all amendments in the ASU that apply must be adopted in the same period. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and the implementation of this standard did not have material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
5)In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)” ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The income statement reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected credit losses during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses is based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a direct write-down to the security. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
6)In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flow - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230)” ("ASU 2016-15"), which addresses a few specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new pronouncement on its consolidated statements of cash flows.
NOTE 2 - SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS:
Composition:
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 3 - MARKETABLE SECURITIES:
a.Composition:
The Company's marketable securities include investments in equity securities of D.N.A Biomedical Solutions Ltd (“D.N.A”) and in held to maturity bonds.
Composition:
b.D.N.A
The D.N.A ordinary shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and have a quoted price. The fair value of those securities is measured at the quoted prices of the securities on the measurement date. D.N.A consummated a reverse stock split at a ratio of one-for-two, effective October 4, 2015, and unless otherwise indicated, share amounts of D.N.A included in these financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the effects of the reverse stock split.
During the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not sell any of the D.N.A ordinary shares. During the year ended August 31, 2014, the Subsidiary sold in aggregate 1,312,995 of the D.N.A ordinary shares for a total of $138.
As of August 31, 2016, the Company owns approximately 8.7% of D.N.A’s outstanding ordinary shares.
The cost of the securities as of August 31, 2016 and 2015 is $595.
The cost of the securities sold and the amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into financial income (amounting to $80 during the year ended August 31, 2014), were determined by specific identification.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 3 - MARKETABLE SECURITIES (continued):
c.Held to maturity bonds
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of held-to-maturity securities at August 31, 2016, are as follows:
As of August 31, 2016, the contractual maturities of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity are as follows: after one year through two years, $530 and the yield to maturity rates vary between 0.96% to 1.8%.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of held-to-maturity securities at August 31, 2015, are as follows:
As of August 31, 2015, the contractual maturities of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity are as follows: after one year through two years, $940, and the yield to maturity rates vary between 0.57% to 1.31%.
NOTE 4 - LONG-TERM DEPOSITS:
(1)Represents U.S. dollar bank deposits which carry fixed annual interest rates between 1.84% to 2.01%, with maturities of more than one year from balance sheet date. The latest maturity date is during the year ending August 31, 2018.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 5 - WARRANTS
As part of the Company’s private placements in 2011 and 2012, three warrants to purchase in aggregate 311,797 shares were granted to one of the Company’s existing investors (the "Prior Investor") (collectively, the “Warrants”). The Warrants were granted for five years at an initial exercise price of $6.00 per share. The Prior Investor was granted the right to maintain its percentage of the shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding by purchasing more shares whenever the Company proposes to issue certain additional shares to other investors. Such right only exists so long as the Prior Investor holds at least 5% of the Company's outstanding common stock. In addition, the Prior Investor's Warrants included a full ratchet anti-dilution protection from the second year anniversary date after issuing the warrant, subject to certain limitations. In the event the Company was to issue or sell any common stock for a consideration per share lower than the exercise price then in effect, or was to issue or sell any options, warrants or other rights for the purchase or acquisition of such shares at a consideration per share of less than the exercise price then in effect, the warrants were to be amended to (a) reduce the exercise price to an amount equal to the per share consideration payable to the company in such sale or issuance, and (b) the quantity of warrants were to be updated.
As a result of a private placement in August 2012, and an agreement with D.N.A from October 2012, the warrant that was issued in 2011 was twice amended in such that its exercise price was reduced to $3.7656 per share and the number of shares issuable upon its exercise was increased to 290,459.
On November 29, 2012, the Company and the Prior Investor entered into a letter agreement (the “Agreement”) in connection with the Warrants, pursuant to the which, the Company and the Prior Investor agreed to amend the Warrants to remove the anti-dilution protection in its entirety. Following the removal of the anti-dilution protection, the Warrants were no longer classified as liabilities and were recorded as stockholders' equity. In addition, as to the Warrants issued in August and November 2012, the exercise price was reduced to $3.7656 per share. On that day, the Company also issued to the Prior Investor an additional warrant to purchase up to 137,311 shares of the Company over a period of four years at an exercise price of $7.20 per share. The fair value of the new warrant at the date of grant was $145, based on the Monte Carlo type model.
In addition to the new warrant, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and director (the “CEO”), in his personal capacity as a shareholder of the Company, undertook and agreed that following the execution and delivery of the Agreement, in the event that an adjustment pursuant to the anti-dilution protection of any of the Warrants, as amended, would have been triggered and the number of shares of common stock of the Company that the Prior Investor would have been able to purchase under the Warrants would have increased by an aggregate number in excess of 137,311 shares, then the Prior Investor shall have the right to purchase from the CEO such number of shares of common stock of the Company owned by the CEO equal to such excess, up to a maximum of 112,690 shares of common stock of the Company (the “CEO Option”). The foregoing right shall survive until the expiration date of such Warrants.
The fair value of the CEO Option on the date of grant was $168, based on the Monte Carlo type model and was recognized as an expense against the stockholders' equity. On January 4, 2016, the CEO and the Prior Investor terminated the CEO Option.
There were no Level 3 items for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
See note 7f with respect to outstanding warrants.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 6 - COMMITMENTS:
a.In March 2011, the Subsidiary sold shares of its investee company, Entera Bio Ltd (“Entera”) to D.N.A, retaining a 3% interest as of March 2011, which is accounted for as a cost method investment (amounting to $1). In consideration for the shares sold to D.N.A, the Company received, among other payments, 4,202,334 ordinary shares of D.N.A (see also note 3).
As part of this agreement, the Subsidiary entered into a patent transfer agreement according to which the Subsidiary assigned to Entera all of its right, title and interest in and to the patent application that it has licensed to Entera since August 2010. Under this agreement, the Subsidiary is entitled to receive from Entera royalties of 3% of Entera’s net revenues (as defined in the agreement) and a license back of that patent application for use in respect of diabetes and influenza. As of August 31, 2016, Entera had not yet realized any revenues and had not paid any royalties to the Subsidiary.
In addition, as part of a consulting agreement with a third party, dated February 15, 2011, the Subsidiary is obliged to pay this third party royalties of 8% of the net royalties received in respect of the patent that was sold to Entera in March 2011.
b.On April 28, 2013, the Subsidiary entered into a lease agreement for its office facilities in Israel. The lease agreement was for a period of 35 months commencing November 1, 2013.
The annual lease payment was New Israeli Shekel 89 thousands ($23) from 2014 through 2016, and was linked to the increase in the Israeli consumer price index (“CPI”) (as of August 31, 2016, the future lease payments until the expiration of the lease agreement were $2, based on the exchange rate as of August 31, 2016).
The lease expenses for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $23, $23 and $27, respectively.
As security for its obligation under this lease agreement the Company provided a bank guarantee in an amount equal to three monthly lease payments.
c.The Subsidiary has entered into operating lease agreements for vehicles used by its employees for a period of 3 years.
The future lease payments under the lease agreement are $18 and $16 for the years ending August 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
The lease expenses for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $17, $16 and $28, respectively.
As security for its obligation under the lease agreements the Subsidiary deposited $4, which are classified as long-term deposits.
d.On May 31, 2016, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with a third party advisor for a period of one year, pursuant to which such advisor will provide investor relations services and will be entitled to receive a monthly cash fee and 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that will be issued in four equal quarterly installments commencing August 1, 2016. As of August 31, 2016, the Company had issued to such advisor 2,500 shares. The fair value of the shares at the grant date was $20.
e.On July 22, 2014, the Subsidiary entered into a Clinical Research Organization Service Agreement (“CRO Service Agreement”) and on February 29, 2016 into an amendment to the CRO Service Agreement with a third party, to retain it as a Clinical Research Organization (“CRO”), for its Phase 2b clinical trial for an oral insulin capsule for type 2 diabetes patients, which began in the second quarter of calendar year 2015 and was completed in the second quarter of calendar year 2016. As consideration for its services, the Subsidiary will pay the CRO a total amount of approximately $3,841 during the term of the engagement and based on achievement of certain milestones, $3,660 of which were recognized through August 31, 2016.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 6 - COMMITMENTS (continued):
f.On March 3, 2016, the Subsidiary entered into an agreement with a vendor for process development and production of its capsules in an amount of up to CHF 960 thousand ($976), none of which was recognized through August 31, 2016.
g.On May 11, 2016, the Subsidiary entered into a Master Service Agreement with a vendor to retain its services for a pre-clinical toxicology trial for an oral GLP-1 analog capsule for type 2 diabetes patients. As consideration for its services, the Subsidiary will pay the vendor a total amount of $1,200 during the term of the engagement and based on achievement of certain milestones, of which $333 was recognized through August 31, 2016.
h.On June 13, 2016, the Subsidiary entered into a four-year service agreement with a third party. This agreement is part of the requirements of the License Agreement as described in note 1. This agreement will support the Company’s research and development. The Subsidiary is obligated to pay the third party a total amount of up to €2,360 thousand ($2,630), out of which €800 thousand ($892) is a non-refundable fee to be paid within 12 months from the effective date, €300 thousand ($336) of which were recognized in research and development through August 31, 2016. The remaining fee will be paid over the term of the engagement and will be based on achievement of certain milestones.
i.On March 3, 2014, the Subsidiary entered into a Master Service Agreement with a vendor for the process development and production of one of its oral capsule ingredients in the amount of $311, $40 of which was recognized through August 31, 2016, and bonus payments of up to $600 that will be paid upon achieving certain milestones, as described in the agreement, none of which was recognized through August 31, 2016.
On July 24, 2016, the Subsidiary entered into a General Technical Agreement with the same vendor, for the scale-up process development and production of the same capsule ingredients in the amount of $4,300 that will be paid over the term of the engagement and based on the achievement of certain development milestones, $1,225 of which were recognized in research and development through August 31, 2016. This agreement is part of the requirements of the License Agreement as described in note 1.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 6 - COMMITMENTS (continued):
j.Grants from Bio-Jerusalem
The Subsidiary is committed to pay royalties to Bio-Jerusalem on proceeds from future sales at a rate of 4% and up to 100% of the amount of the grant received (Israeli CPI linked) at the total amount of $65.
During the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company received no grants from Bio-Jerusalem.
Royalty expenses for the year ended August 31, 2016 of $18 are included in cost of revenues.
As of August 31, 2016, the Subsidiary had realized revenues from its project in the amount of $444.
k.Grants from the IIA
Under the terms of the Company’s funding from the IIA, royalties of 3.5% are payable on sales of products developed from a project so funded, up to a maximum amount equaling 100%-150% of the grants received (dollar linked) with the addition of interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR.
At the time the grants were received, successful development of the related projects was not assured. In case of failure of a project that was partly financed as above, the Company is not obligated to pay any such royalties.
The total amount that was received through August 31, 2016 was $2,194.
Royalty expenses for the year ended August 31, 2016 of $472 are included in cost of revenues and will be paid over the term of the License Agreement in accordance with the revenue recognized from the related project. As of August 31, 2016, the Subsidiary had realized revenues from its project in the amount of $444.
l.For the years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, the research and development expenses are presented net of IIA grants in the total amount of $49 and $428, respectively. For the year ended August 31 2016, no grants were recognized.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 7 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
The following are the significant capital stock transactions that took place during the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
a.On December 24, 2013, the Company entered into a Placement Agency Agreement with Aegis Capital Corp. as representative of the several placement agents (the “Placement Agents”), pursuant to which the Placement Agent agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for the sale of up to 1,580,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. In connection therewith, on December 24, 2013, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell an aggregate of 1,580,000 shares of common stock, at a price of $10.00 per share, to two institutional investors in a registered direct offering (the "Offering"). The net proceeds to the Company from the Offering were approximately $14,887, after deducting Placement Agent's commissions of $816 and other offering expenses of the Company.
b.On November 3, 2014, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Guangxi Wuzhou Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., pursuant to which the Company issued to such investor an aggregate of 696,378 shares of common stock, at a price of $7.18 per share, which was equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 31, 2014, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $5,000. The net proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately $4,833, after deducting a finder's fee of $150 and other offering expenses of the Company. The offering closed on November 28, 2014.
c.On April 2, 2015, the Company entered into an at the market issuance sales agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with MLV & Co. LLC (“MLV”) pursuant to which the Company may issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $25,000 from time to time, at its option, through MLV as its sales agent, subject to certain terms and conditions. Any shares sold will be sold pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The Company will pay MLV a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds of the sale of any shares sold through MLV. To date, no shares have been sold under the Sales Agreement.
d.On June 4, 2015, the Company entered into a letter of agreement (the “Engagement Letter”) with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“HCW”), pursuant to which HCW agreed to serve as exclusive agent, advisor or underwriter in any offering of the Company occurring between June 4, 2015 and July 4, 2015. On June 5, 2015, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell, in a registered direct offering (the “June 2015 Offering”): (1) an aggregate of 714,286 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock at a price of $7.50 per Share to six investors (the “Purchasers”) and (2) at the option of each Purchaser (the “Overallotment Right”), additional shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Overallotment Shares”) up to the number equal to the number of the Shares purchased by such Purchaser and at a price of $10.00 per Overallotment Share. The closing of the sale of the Shares occurred on June 10, 2015. The Overallotment Right shall be exercisable beginning December 10, 2015, and shall remain exercisable until December 10, 2016. Pursuant to the Engagement Letter, HCW received, for its services in the June 2015 Offering, a fee equal to 7% of the gross proceeds raised in the June 2015 Offering and an expense allowance of 1% of the gross proceeds raised in the June 2015 Offering, and affiliates of HCW received warrants to purchase 28,571 shares of common stock of the Company, exercisable immediately and expires after a period of three years and with an exercise price of $10.00 per share. The net proceeds to the Company from the June 2015 Offering were approximately $4,880, after deducting HCW’s expenses and other offering expenses of the Company totaling $478.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 7 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued):
e.On December 28, 2015, the Company completed a private placement of 1,155,367 shares of the Company's common stock to HTIT. See also note 1.
f.As of August 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding warrants exercisable for 615,338 shares of common stock at exercise prices ranging from $3.7656 to $10.00 per share and expiring at various dates between November 29, 2016 and June 10, 2018.
The following table presents the warrant activity for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 8 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:
As of August 31, 2016, the Company has one stock option plan, the Second Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, under which, the Company had reserved a pool of 2,400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which may be issued at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors from time to time. Under this Plan, each option is exercisable into one share of common stock of the Company.
The options may be exercised after vesting and in accordance with vesting schedules which will be determined by the Board of Directors for each grant. The maximum term of the options is 10 years.
The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated at the date of grant using a Black Scholes option pricing model. The volatility is based on a historical volatility, by statistical analysis of the weekly share price for past periods. The expected term is the length of time until the expected dates of exercising the options, and is estimated with respect to awards granted to employees using the simplified method due to insufficient specific historical information of employees' exercise behavior.
The following are the significant stock options transactions with employees, board members and non-employees made during the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
a. On April 9, 2014, options to purchase an aggregate of 94,268 shares of the Company were granted to the CEO and to the Chief Technology Officer (the "CTO"), both related parties, at an exercise price of $12.45 per share (equivalent to the traded market price on the date of grant). The options vested with respect to 31,420 shares of common stock on April 30, 2014, and the remaining shares of common stock vested in eight equal monthly installments of 7,586 each. These options expire on April 9, 2024. The fair value of these options on the date of grant was $781, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and was based on the following assumptions: dividend yield of 0% for all years; expected volatility of 82.06%; risk-free interest rates of 1.65%; and expected term of 5.21 years.
b. On April 9, 2014, options to purchase an aggregate of 52,376 shares of the Company were granted to four members of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Directors”) at an exercise price of $12.45 per share (equivalent to the traded market price on the date of grant). The options vested in two equal installments, on July 1, 2014 and January 1, 2015, and expire on April 9, 2024. The fair value of these options on the date of grant was $435, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and was based on the following assumptions: dividend yield of 0% for all years; expected volatility of 82.06%; risk-free interest rates of 1.65%; and expected term of 5.21 years. On August 29, 2016, the service period of three Directors was ended and the expiration period of their options was amended to November 29, 2016.
c. On November 13, 2014, the Company granted a total of 19,576 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) representing a right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock to the CEO, and the Company’s CTO, both related parties. The RSUs vested in two equal installments, each of 9,788 shares, on November 30 and December 31, 2014. The total fair value of these RSUs on the date of grant was $135, using the quoted closing market share price of $6.90 on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of grant. The shares of common stock underlying the RSUs will be issued upon request of the grantee. As of August 31, 2016, a total of 19,576 RSUs were vested and outstanding.
d. On November 13, 2014, the Company granted a total of 10,872 RSUs representing a right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock to four members of the Company's Board of Directors. The RSUs vested on January 1, 2015. The total fair value of these RSUs on the date of grant was $75, using the quoted closing market share price of $6.90 on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of grant.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 8 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued):
e. On February 23, 2015, the Company granted a total of 159,696 RSUs representing a right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock to the Company’s CEO and the CTO, both related parties. The RSUs vest in 23 installments consisting of one installment of 13,308 shares on February 28, 2015 and 22 equal monthly installments of 6,654 shares each, commencing March 31, 2015. The total fair value of these RSUs on the date of grant was $728, using the quoted closing market share price of $4.56 on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of grant. The shares of common stock underlying the RSUs will be issued upon request of the grantee. As of August 31, 2016, a total of 133,080 RSUs were vested and outstanding.
f. On February 23, 2015, the Company granted a total of 88,712 RSUs representing a right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock to four members of the Company's Board of Directors (22,178 RSUs to each director). The RSUs vest in two equal installments, each of 44,356 shares, on December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016. The total fair value of these RSUs on the date of grant was $405, using the quoted closing market share price of $4.56 on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of grant.
On August 24, 2016 the Company determined, with respect to three of these members of the Company's Board of Directors, to accelerate the second installment of their RSUs, such that 22,179 RSUs were vested on August 29, 2016 and their remaining 11,088 RSUs were forfeited.
g. On February 23, 2015, the Company granted a total of 63,216 RSUs to three employees of the Subsidiary. The RSUs vest in 23 installments, consisting of one installment of 5,268 shares on February 28, 2015 and 22 equal monthly installments of 2,634 shares each, commencing March 31, 2015. The total fair value of these RSUs on the date of grant was $288, using the quoted closing market share price of $4.56 on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of grant.
h. On November 19, 2015, options to purchase an aggregate of 22,000 of the Company’s shares of common stock were granted to two consultants at an exercise price of $7.36 per share (equivalent to the traded market price on the date of grant) and expiration date of November 19, 2025. 10,000 of the options vested in one installment on December 1, 2015, and the remaining 12,000 options vest in twelve equal quarterly installments, commencing January 1, 2016.
On August 3, 2016 the consulting agreement with one of these consultants, to whom 12,000 options were granted, was terminated. As a result, as of August 31, 2016 only 3,000 options were vested, and the remaining 9,000 unvested options were forfeited. In addition, the expiration date of the 3,000 vested options was updated to November 3, 2016 (3 months following the termination date of the agreement).
As of August 31, 2016, the Company recorded stock based compensation expenses of $93 related to these awards.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 8 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued):
i. Options to employees, directors and non-employees
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
No options were granted in fiscal 2015.
A summary of the status of the stock options granted to employees and directors as of August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and changes during the years ended on those dates, is presented below:
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 8 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued):
Costs incurred in respect of stock-based compensation for employees and directors, for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $14, $278 and $1,422, respectively.
The total intrinsic value of employees' options exercised during the year ended August 31, 2014 was $2,847. The options exercised during the year ended August 31, 2015, were at a price equal to the market price at the exercise date. None of the options were exercised by employees during the year ended August 31, 2016.
The following table presents summary information concerning the options granted to employees and directors outstanding as of August 31, 2016:
All options granted to employees and directors that were outstanding as of August 31, 2016, were also exercisable as of August 31, 2016.
As of August 31, 2016, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested options previously granted to employees and directors.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 8 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued):
A summary of the status of the stock options granted to non-employees outstanding as of August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and changes during the years ended on this date, is presented below:
The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $102, $3 and $46 during the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to non-employees' awards.
The total intrinsic value of non-employees' options exercised during the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2014, was $37 and $187, respectively. None of the options were exercised by non-employees during the year ended August 31, 2015.
The following table presents summary information concerning the options granted to non-employees outstanding as of August 31, 2016:
All options granted to non-employees and directors that were outstanding as of August 31, 2016, were also exercisable as of August 31, 2016.
As of August 31, 2016, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested non-employee options.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 8 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued):
k. Restricted stock units
The following table summarizes the activities for unvested RSUs granted to employees and directors for the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015:
The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $518 and $1,066, during the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to RSU awards.
As of August 31, 2016, there were $29 of unrecognized compensation costs related to RSUs, to be recorded over the next 12 months.
NOTE 9 - FINANCIAL INCOME AND EXPENSES
a. Financial income
b. Financial expenses
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 10 - TAXES ON INCOME:
Taxes on income included in the consolidated statements of operations represent current taxes due to taxable income of the Company and its Subsidiary.
a. Corporate taxation in the U.S.
The applicable corporate tax rate for the Company is 35%.
As of August 31, 2016, the Company has an accumulated tax loss carryforward of approximately $8,370 (as of August 31, 2015, approximately $7,678). Under U.S. tax laws, subject to certain limitations, carryforward tax losses expire 20 years after the year in which incurred. In the case of the Company, subject to potential limitations in accordance with the relevant law, the net loss carryforward will expire in the years 2025 through 2035.
b. Corporate taxation in Israel:
The Subsidiary is taxed in accordance with Israeli tax laws. The corporate tax rate applicable to 2015 and 2014 is 26.5%.
In January 2016, the Law for the Amendment of the Income Tax Ordinance (No.216) was published, enacting a reduction of corporate tax rate beginning in 2016 and thereafter, from 26.5% to 25%. There is no impact on the financial statements of the Company as a result of the changes in the Israeli corporate tax rate as the Subsidiary is in a loss position for tax purposes.
As of August 31, 2016, the Subsidiary has an accumulated tax loss carryforward of approximately $25,160 (as of August 31, 2015, approximately $14,245). Under the Israeli tax laws, carryforward tax losses have no expiration date.
Deferred income taxes:
Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon sufficient future taxable income during the period that deductible temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be available to reduce taxable income. As the achievement of required future taxable income is uncertain, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance.
c. Loss before taxes on income and income taxes included in the income statements of operations:
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 10 - TAXES ON INCOME (continued):
Taxes on income of $1,350 is derived from withholding tax deducted from HTIT milestones payments, which were received during the year ended August 31, 2016, according to the License Agreement. As of August 31, 2016, the Company did not expect to reach taxable income in the 5 years following the balance sheet date, and therefore recognized this amount as taxes on income.
d. Reconciliation of the statutory tax benefit to effective tax expense
Following is a reconciliation of the theoretical tax expense, assuming all income is taxed at the regular tax rates applicable to companies in the United States, and the actual tax expense:
e. Uncertainty in Income Taxes
Accounting Standards Codification No.740 “Income Taxes” requires significant judgment in determining what constitutes an individual tax position as well as assessing the outcome of each tax position. Changes in judgment as to recognition or measurement of tax positions can materially affect the estimate of the effective tax rate and consequently, affect the operating results of the Company. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to its tax contingencies as income tax expense. For the three years ended August 31, 2016, the Company did not record any amount for penalties related to tax contingencies.
The following table summarizes the activity of the Company unrecognized tax benefits:
The Company does not expect unrecognized tax expenses to change significantly over the next 12 months.
The Company is subject to U.S. Federal income tax examinations for the tax years of 2011 through 2016.
The Subsidiary is subject to Israeli income tax examinations for the tax years of 2012 through 2016.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
NOTE 10 - TAXES ON INCOME (continued):
f. Valuation Allowance Rollforward
NOTE 11 - RELATED PARTIES - TRANSACTIONS:
a. During each of the fiscal years of 2016, 2015 and 2014 the Company paid to directors $92, $47 and $40, respectively, as directors' fees.
b. On July 1, 2008, the Subsidiary entered into two consulting agreements with KNRY Ltd. (“KNRY”), an Israeli company owned by the CEO, whereby the CEO and the CTO, through KNRY, provide services to the Company (the “Consulting Agreements”). The Consulting Agreements are both terminable by either party upon 60 days prior written notice. The Consulting Agreements provide that KNRY (i) will be paid a gross amount of NIS 50,400 ($14) per month for each of the CEO and CTO and (ii) will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with performance of the Consulting Agreements.
The Consulting Agreements have been amended several times. According to the latest amendments on June 6, 2016, the CEO's and CTO's monthly payment was set at NIS 95,460 and NIS 69,960, respectively.
c. Balances with related parties:
d. Expenses to related parties:
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under the related instructions, or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
(b)Exhibits
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
+ Management contract or compensation plan.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
/s/ NADAV KIDRON
Nadav Kidron,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 24, 2016
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ NADAV KIDRON
November 24, 2016
Nadav Kidron,
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
(principal executive officer)
/s/ YIFAT ZOMMER
November 24, 2016
Yifat Zommer,
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
/s/ AVIAD FRIEDMAN
November 24, 2016
Aviad Friedman,
Director
/s/ MIRIAM KIDRON
November 24, 2016
Miriam Kidron,
Director
Xiaopeng Li,
Director
/s/ KEVIN RAKIN
November 24, 2016
Kevin Rakin,
Director
/s/ LEONARD SANK
November 24, 2016
Leonard Sank,
Director
David Slager,
Director