UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F/A
Amendment No. 1
[ X ]
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[ ]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended ______________________
OR
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________ to __________
OR
[ ]
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
British Columbia, Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
332 E. Scott Street, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Shares, without par value
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Companys classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. 41,611,832 Common Shares
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ___ No _X_
If this report is an annual or a transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes __ No ___
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 12 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety days.
Yes ___ No _X_
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer __ Accelerated filer __ Non-accelerated filer X
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP [ ]
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued
Other [ X]
by the International Accounting Standards Board [ ]
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17 _X_ Item 18 ___
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ___ No _X_ N/A __
Page 2 of 150
Index to Exhibits on Page 89
Stellar Biotechnologies Inc.
Form 20-F/A Registration Statement
Table of Contents
| PART I | Page |
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Item 1. | Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors | 5 |
Item 2. | Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | 6 |
Item 3. | Key Information | 6 |
Item 4. | Information on the Company | 14 |
Item 5. | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | 27 |
Item 6. | Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 49 |
Item 7. | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 60 |
Item 8. | Financial Information | 61 |
Item 9. | The Offer and Listing | 62 |
Item 10. | Additional Information | 64 |
Item 11. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 88 |
Item 12. | Description of Other Securities Other Than Equity Securities | 88 |
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| PART II |
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Item 13. | Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies | 88 |
Item 14. | Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds | 88 |
Item 15. | Controls and Procedures | 88 |
Item 16. | Reserved | 88 |
Item 16A. | Audit Committee Financial Expert | 88 |
Item 16B. | Code of Ethics | 88 |
Item 16C. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 88 |
Item 16D. | Exemptions from Listing Standards for Audit Committees | 88 |
Item 16E. | Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers | 88 |
Item 16F. | Change in Registrants Certifying Accountant | 89 |
Item 16G. | Corporate Governance | 89 |
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| PART III |
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Item 17. | Financial Statements | 89 |
Item 18. | Financial Statements | 89 |
Item 19. | Exhibits | 89 |
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INTRODUCTION
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (or the Company) was incorporated on June 12, 2007 in Canada under the Canada Business Corporations Act under the name China Growth Capital Inc. The Company was originally classified as a Capital Pool Corporation ("CPC") and changed its name to CAG Capital Inc. ("CAG") on April 15, 2008. On November 25, 2009, the Company was continued into British Columbia under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act. On April 7, 2010, the Company changed its name to Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. and subsequently completed its qualifying transaction through a reverse merger transaction with Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. ("Stellar CA"), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of California on September 9, 1999.
BUSINESS OF STELLAR BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC.
Stellar Biotechnologies is a biotechnology research and production company involved in the production and marketing of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ("KLH") as well as the development of new technology related to the culture and production of KLH and subunit KLH ("suKLH"), a more refined product from KLH primarily used in human vaccines. Stellar extracts the KLH from limpets raised in its own aquaculture facilities and manufactures and sells the pharmaceutical grade KLH and suKLH to third parties for use in the development of vaccines and diagnostic products.
KLH is a potently immunogenic (i.e., a substance that induces an immune response) high-molecular-weight protein produced from California giant keyhole limpets (Megathura crenulata), a large saltwater mollusk from the California coast and the only species of its type. KLH operates as a carrier molecule for vaccine antigens (substances that promote the generation of antibodies) against cancers and infectious agents. The combination of an antigen against specific tumor cell-types, conjugated to the Immunogenic ("IMG") KLH molecule, is the basis for a proven strategy for a new class of drugs known as therapeutic vaccines. Potent yet proven safe in humans, KLH is a critical component of several important therapeutic vaccines including vaccines for lymphoma, bladder, breast, colon, and other cancers.
Stellar currently has only limited revenue from commercial sales of its KLH products. Commercial sales are highly dependent upon the rate of development and clinical trials of vaccines and other therapeutic drugs that utilize the Company's products by third-party customers. The advancement of these vaccines is dependent upon many factors, including available capital, trial recruitment, and regulatory review, and revenue from these customers is highly variable.
FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
In this Registration Statement, unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States Dollars.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this document constitute forward-looking statements. Some, but not all, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect, and intend, statements that an action or event may, might, could, should, or will be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Registrant, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the risks associated with outstanding litigation, if any, risks associated with product development; the need for additional financing; uncertainties and risks related to carrying on business in foreign countries; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters of the Registrant with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; competition; dilution; the volatility of the Registrants common share price and volume; and tax consequences to U.S. Shareholders. We are obligated to keep our information current and revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.
Part I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
Table No. 1
Company Officers and Directors
Name | Position | Business Address |
Frank R. Oakes | President, CEO and Director | 332 East Scott Street Port Hueneme, CA 93041 |
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Scott Davis | Chief Financial Officer | #510 - 580 Hornby Street Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3B6 |
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Darrell H. Brookstein | Executive VP - Corporate Development and Finance, and Director | 332 East Scott Street Port Hueneme, CA 93041 |
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Daniel E. Morse, Ph.D. | Director | 128 Via Alicia Santa Barbara, CA 93108 |
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Malcolm Gefter, Ph.D. | Director | 46 Baker Bridge Road Lincoln, MA 01773 |
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David L. Hill, Ph.D. | Director | 332 East Scott Street Port Hueneme, CA 93041 |
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The Companys auditor for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is D+H Group LLP, Chartered Accountants, 10th Floor, 1333 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6H 4C1.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not Applicable
Item 3. Key Information
As used within this Annual Report, the terms Stellar, the Company, Issuer, and Registrant refer collectively to Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc., its predecessors, subsidiaries and affiliates.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected financial data of the Company for the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were derived from the financial statements of the Company which have been audited by D+H Group LLP, Chartered Accountants, as indicated in its audit reports which are included elsewhere in this Registration Statement. The financial data for the years ended August 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007 have been derived from the financial statements of the Company as audited by Glenn, Burdette, Phillips & Bryson, Certified Public Accountants, which are not included herein.
The selected financial data for the three-month periods ended November 30, 2011 and 2010 have been derived from the unaudited financial statements of the Company are prepared by management and are included herein.
The Company has not declared any dividends on its common shares since incorporation and does not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. The present policy of the Company is to retain future earnings, if any, for use in its operations and the expansion of its business.
Table No. 2 is derived from the financial statements of the Company, which have been prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the application of which, in the case of the Company, conforms in all material respects for the years presented with US GAAP, except as disclosed in Note 16 to the financial statements. The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the three month periods ended November 30, 2011 and 2010. Under the merger agreement between Stellar and Stellar CA, Stellar CA is the purchaser and parent company for accounting purposes. Therefore, the financial information for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 are taken from the financial statements of Stellar CA which are presented under US GAAP.
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Table No. 2
Selected Financial Data
(US$ in 000, except per share data)
| Three Months Ended 11/30/11 | Three Months Ended 11/30/10 | Year Ended 8/31/11 | Year Ended 8/31/10 | Year Ended 8/31/09 | Year Ended 8/31/08 | Year Ended 8/31/07 |
| IFRS | IFRS | CDN GAAP | CDN GAAP | CDN GAAP | US GAAP | US GAAP |
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Revenue | $135 | $70 | $697 | $855 | $910 | $1,180 | $1,013 |
Interest and Other Income | $799 | ($5,341) | $15 | $386 | $0 | $0 | $17 |
Comprehensive Net Income (Loss) | ($678) | ($6,145) | ($7,086) | ($590) | $6 | ($106) | $0.3 |
Comprehensive Net Income (Loss) Per Share | ($0.02) | ($0.20) | ($0.19) | ($0.04) | $0.01 | ($0.20) | $0.00 |
Dividends Per Share | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Wtd. Avg. Shares (000) | 43,065 | 30,749 | 38,088 | 15,600 | 530 | 530 | 530 |
Working Capital | $3,796 | N/A | $4,062 | $2,174 | N/A | $110 | $201 |
Long-Term Debt | $0 | N/A | $0 | $0 | N/A | $266 | $266 |
Shareholders Equity (deficit) | $3,691 | N/A | $4,592 | $2,472 | N/A | ($119) | ($14) |
Total Assets | $4,830 | N/A | $4,751 | $2,893 | N/A | $175 | $262 |
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US GAAP Net Loss | N/A | N/A | ($5,997) | ($859) | $6 | N/A | N/A |
US GAAP Loss Per Share | N/A | N/A | ($0.16) | ($0.06) | $0.01 | N/A | N/A |
US GAAP Wtd. Avg. Shares | N/A | N/A | 38,088 | 15,600 | 530 | N/A | N/A |
US GAAP Equity | N/A | N/A | $3,066 | $1,673 | ($113) | N/A | N/A |
US GAAP Total Assets | N/A | N/A | $4,751 | $2,893 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
In this Annual Report, unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States Dollars ($).
Statement of Capitalization and Indebtedness
Table No. 3
Capitalization and Indebtedness
November 30, 2011 |
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Current liabilities | $ 516,211 |
Warrant liability | 623,014 |
Long-term indebtedness | None |
Capital Leases | None |
Guaranteed Debt | None |
Secured Debt | None |
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February 28, 2012 |
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Common shares, unlimited number authorized, no par value |
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43,930,432 common shares issued and outstanding | $ 10,290,573 |
Contributed surplus | 1,012,242 |
Retained earnings (deficit) | (7,612,306) |
Total shareholders' equity | 3,690,509 |
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Common share options - 8,785,000 authorized | 4,264,600 outstanding |
Common share purchase warrants | 8,268,600 outstanding |
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Risk Factors
An investment in the Common Shares of the Company must be considered speculative due to the nature of the Companys business and the present stage of research and development. In particular, the following risk factors apply:
Risks Relating to the Operations of the Company
Research and Development of drugs and medical products can be costly and require years of research and development activities.
The Company is expending substantial resources on research and development of its products and aquaculture technology. Much of the products and technology is at the development stage, and may never be commercially successful. The Companys future success will be in part dependent upon the Companys ability to successfully develop its products, the ability to obtain the required regulatory approvals, the protection of its processes and products, and commercial acceptance of its products.
The Company may not achieve its projected development goals in the timeframes it announces and expects.
The Company has established certain developmental goals, and made public statements regarding the anticipated timing of meeting its objectives. The timing of these events may be affected by various factors, including financial limitations, progress and timing of third-party developmental activities, delays or failures of regulatory approvals and clinical trials, and delays and failures in increasing KLH aquaculture and production. Any inability to meet its projected goals could have a negative effect on the Companys operations and financial position.
The Company may be unable to achieve certain milestones associated with external partnerships.
Certain of the Companys agreements with third-parties include certain milestones the Company must meet in order to obtain payments and continue the partnership agreements. If the Company is unable to achieve these milestones, it would have a negative effect on the Companys operations and financial condition. Additionally, it would likely curtail future development programs which would also have a negative effect on the Companys operations.
The Company depends on third-parties for its manufacturing operations.
The Company is currently dependent upon a small number of contractors and locations for its manufacturing capacity. The Company does not currently have backup manufacturing capacity for some of its key products. If the Company is unable to retain its current contractors, or is unable to obtain new contractors to provide manufacturing services, it will have a negative effect on the Companys operations. These contract manufacturers provide services to many biotechnology and research companies, and may not provide the quality, quantity, or costs required by the Company. In addition, they may not be able to provide the services required on a schedule acceptable to the Company. These issues may result in the Company being unable to manufacture its products in the required quantities or at an acceptable cost, which would have a negative effect on the Companys financial condition.
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Rapid technological change could make the Companys products obsolete.
New developments in products, methods or technology may negatively affect the development and sale of some or all of the products utilizing the Companys products and technology, and may render them obsolete. New product development and/or modification is costly, requires significant research and development time and expense, and may not necessarily result in the successful commercialization of any new product. If the Company is unable to enhance and improve its products, or to develop and introduce new products that incorporate new technologies that achieve market acceptance, it may have a negative effect on the Companys operations and financial position.
Protection of Patents and Proprietary Rights is limited:
The Companys success will depend in part on its ability to protect its proprietary rights and technologies. The Company relies upon a combination of contractual arrangements, licenses, patents, trade secrets and know-how to protect its proprietary technology and rights. These measures may not apply or may afford only limited protection. The Company may not have adequate remedies for any infringement or funds to take action against those infringing, or that its trade secrets will not otherwise become known or independently developed by competitors. There can be no assurance that any current or future patents licensed by or applied for by the Company will be upheld, if challenged, or that the protections afforded will not be circumvented by others. If the Company enters litigation in regards to its business or to protect or enforce its patents, it may involve substantial expenditures and require significant management attention, even if the Company ultimately prevails. If the Company is unable to protect its intellectual property rights, it may result in the loss of valuable technologies and undermine its competitive position which would have a negative effect on the Companys operations and financial position.
The Company competes with other companies in KLH production and manufacturing
The Company competes with other companies in the production and sale of KLH and suKLH for pharmaceutical use. The KLH and suKLH produced by the Company are not unique as ingredients for pharmaceutical use from that produced by other companies. Many of these other companies, both public and private, have greater financial and personnel resources than the company, and have greater sales and marketing experience in the industry than the Company. If they are able to produce and sell KLH and suKLH for less than the Company, it will have a negative effect on the Company's ability to operate successfully and will have a negative effect on the Company's operations and financial position.
The Company is subject to substantial government regulation.
The Company is subject to various laws, regulations, regulatory actions and court decisions at the local, State and Federal level in the United States and other countries. Failure to obtain regulatory approvals or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals by the Company, its collaborators, customers, vendors or service providers will adversely affect the development or marketing of its products and services. Changes in the regulatory environment could adversely affect the ability of the Company to attain its corporate objectives and obligations. Any new government regulation that affects biotechnology companies or relate specifically to the Companys processes and products may increase the Companys costs and price of its systems. These regulations may have a negative effect on the Companys operations and financial condition.
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The Company's customers face uncertainties related to regulatory approval.
A primary market for the Company's KLH products is for the use in the commercial manufacture and sale of vaccines. The therapeutic drug industry is subject to significant government regulation, and many of the products developed by the Company's customers that utilize Stellar's KLH are not yet approved for commercial sale. Before regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any products is granted, a drug must be demonstrated through preclinical testing and clinical trials to be safe and effective for their intended use in humans. The process to determine safety and efficacy, including clinical trials, is expensive and prolonged. The time necessary to complete these processes and trials and submit applications for the regulatory approvals is difficult to predict and is subject to numerous factors, and these trials may not be successful. Larger or later stage clinical trials may not produce the same results as earlier trials. Successful results in clinical trials may not result in regulatory approval, due to certain factors including unacceptable side effects or safety issues. Even if regulatory approval is granted for any drug or product which utilizes the Company's products, it will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements, which include registration, manufacturing, labeling, advertising and promotion, packaging, distribution, record keeping and reporting, and storage. Manufacturing facilities are subject to continual review and inspection, and failure to meet these regulatory requirements can interrupt delay, or shut down these facilities. Previously unknown problems may result in regulatory restrictions on such products, including withdrawal from the marketplace. Delays in obtaining regulatory approvals for products from third party customers which use the Company's products, or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approvals altogether, would have a negative effect on market demand for the Company's products, and have a negative effect on the Company's operations and financial condition.
Even if the Company obtains marketing approval, its products will be subject to ongoing regulatory review.
If the Company or its partners receive regulatory approval to market any product, they will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements, which include registration, manufacturing, labeling, advertising and promotion, packaging, distribution, record keeping and reporting, and storage. Manufacturing facilities, both those operated by the Company and its vendors, are subject to continual review and inspection, and failure to meet these regulatory requirements can interrupt delay, or shut down these facilities. Previously unknown problems with the Company's products, or products produced by others which utilize the Company's products, may result in regulatory restrictions on such products, including withdrawal from the marketplace. These factors could have a negative effect on the Company's operations and financial condition.
The Company may not be able to manufacture its products in commercial quantities, which would prevent it from marketing its products.
Currently, the production of KLH by the Company is limited, and it has not been determined if it is economic to manufacture KLH and related products on a large scale. The Company contracts with third-party vendors for the manufacture of its products, and may be unable to establish and maintain relationships with qualified manufacturers in order to produce sufficient supplies of its finished products. If the Company is unable to produce economic quantities of its products, it would have a negative effect on the Company's operations and financial condition.
The Company may not be able to meet demand for KLH from either wild or internally raised sources
The Company is dependent upon a supply of California giant keyhole limpets (Megathura crenulata) for KLH production. The range of keyhole limpets in the wild is limited, and due to the lack of a regulated harvest, the wild stocks of M. crenulata are believed to be declining. If the wild stocks are depleted, and the Company's hatchery and aquaculture operations are unable to produce sufficient supplies of captive M. crenulata to meet demand, it would have a negative effect on the Company's operations and financial condition.
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The Company has limited marketing, sales and distribution experience.
The Company and its personnel have limited experience in the marketing, sales and distribution of diagnostic products. The Company may not be able to establish its marketing, sales and distribution capabilities itself, or establish agreements with its collaborators, licensees or third parties to successfully perform these tasks. If the Company contracts or makes arrangements with third parties for the sales and marketing of its products, Company revenues will be dependent on the efforts of these third parties, whose efforts may not be successful. If the Company markets any of its products directly, it must either internally develop or acquire a marketing and sales force, which would require substantial resources and management attention.
The Companys products, if approved, may fail to achieve market acceptance.
If the Company is successful in developing its products and receives the required approvals from the applicable regulatory authorities, its products may not achieve market acceptance. The Companys intended products will compete with a number of drugs and other products currently available in the marketplace, as well as other products currently under development from other pharmaceutical companies. The market acceptance of any of the Companys products will depend on a number of factors, including the demonstration and establishment of the efficacy and safety, as well as their advantages over other alternative products.
The Company is subject to the risk of product liability claims, for which it may not have, or be able to obtain, adequate insurance coverage.
The Drug industry is subject to product liability claims in the event of adverse effects, even in respect to products that have received regulatory approval for commercial sale. Such claims might be made directly by consumers, healthcare providers or by pharmaceutical companies, or others selling or utilizing the Company's products. Although the Company currently maintains liability insurance of up to $2 million for its products, it may not be able to obtain or maintain sufficient and affordable insurance coverage for all claims that may occur. Any product liability claims would require management attention and related costs, and would have a negative effect on the Company's operations and financial condition.
Risks Relating to the Financing of the Company
The Company has a history of net losses and limited cash flow to sustain operations.
The Company currently has limited revenue from product sales, and anticipates its planned research and development expenditures, as well as its general and administrative expenses, will be greater than its revenues for the foreseeable future. The Company has incurred net losses of ($7,086,123) in fiscal 2011 and ($589,971) in fiscal 2010, and has an accumulated deficit of ($8,094,753) since inception as of August 31, 2011. The Company has paid no dividends on its shares since incorporation and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. The Company has historically relied upon the sale of common shares to help fund its operations and meet its obligations. Any future additional equity financing would cause dilution to current stockholders. If the Company does not have sufficient capital for its operations, management would be forced to reduce or discontinue its activities which would have a negative effect on the Companys operations and financial condition.
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The Company will require additional financing which could result in substantial dilution to existing shareholders
The Company anticipates that it has sufficient funds to meet its anticipated obligations for fiscal 2012, but will need to sell additional common shares in order to raise funds required to meet its budgeted expenditures and obligations for future periods. Management currently estimates that the Company's operations, including research and development, capital expenditures and general and administrative expenses, will require approximately $3 million per year. The Companys ongoing research and development activities are dependent upon the Companys ability to obtain the required funds, which is expected to include the sale of common shares, as well as possible debt financings, joint-ventures, or other means. Such sources of financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Failure to obtain such financing may result in delay or indefinite postponement of research and development of the Companys current and any future products. Any transaction involving the issuance of previously authorized but unissued shares of common stock, or securities convertible into common stock, could result in dilution, possibly substantial, to present and prospective holders of common stock. These financings may be on terms less favorable to the Company than those obtained previously.
Risks Relating to an Investment in the Securities of the Company
The Company has a dependence upon key management employees, the loss or absence of which could have a negative effect on the Companys operations
The Company strongly depends on the business and technical expertise of its management and key personnel, including President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Oakes, Chief Financial Officer Scott Davis, and Executive Vice-President Darrell Brookstein. There is little possibility that this dependence will decrease in the near term. The Company only has "at-will" employment agreements with its key management employees and they are free to leave their employment with the Company at any time. As the Companys operations expand, additional general management resources will be required. The Company may not be able to attract and retain additional qualified personnel and this would have a negative effect on the Companys operations.
The market for the Companys common stock has been subject to volume and price volatility which could negatively affect a shareholders ability to buy or sell the Companys shares
The market for the common shares of the Company may be highly volatile for reasons both related to the performance of the Company or events pertaining to the biopharmaceutical industry, as well as factors unrelated to the Company or its industry. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the price of our common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange ranged from a low of $0.31 to a high of $1.50. The Companys common shares can be expected to be subject to volatility in both price and volume arising from market expectations, announcements and press releases regarding the Companys business, and changes in estimates and evaluations by securities analysts or other events or factors. In recent years the securities markets in the United States and Canada have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly small-capitalization companies such as the Company, have experienced wide fluctuations that have not necessarily been related to the operations, performances, underlying asset values, or prospects of such companies. For these reasons, the price of the Companys common shares can also be expected to be subject to volatility resulting from purely market forces over which the Company will have no control. Further, despite the existence of a market for trading the Companys common shares in Canada, stockholders of the Company may be unable to sell significant quantities of common shares in the public trading markets without a significant reduction in the price of the stock.
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The Company could be deemed a passive foreign investment company which could have negative consequences for U.S. investors
The Company could be classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) under the United States tax code. If the Company is declared a PFIC, then owners of the Companys Common Stock who are U.S. taxpayers generally will be required to treat any so-called "excess distribution" received on its common shares, or any gain realized upon a disposition of common shares, as ordinary income and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such distribution or gain, unless the taxpayer makes a qualified electing fund ("QEF") election or a mark-to-market election with respect to the Companys shares. A U.S. taxpayer who makes a QEF election generally must report on a current basis its share of the Companys net capital gain and ordinary earnings for any year in which the Company is classified as a PFIC, whether or not the Company distributes any amounts to its shareholders.
Broker-Dealers may be discouraged from effecting transactions in our common shares because they are considered "Penny Stocks" and are subject to the Penny Stock Rules
Rules 15g-1 through 15g-9 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, impose sales practice and disclosure requirements on FINRA broker-dealers who make a market in "a penny stock". A penny stock generally includes any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share that is not registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system. The additional sales practice and disclosure requirements imposed upon broker-dealers may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our shares, which could severely limit the market liquidity of the shares and impede the sale of our shares in the secondary market.
Under the penny stock regulations, a broker-dealer selling penny stock to anyone other than an established customer or "accredited investor" (generally, an individual with net worth in excess of US$1,000,000 or an annual income exceeding US$200,000 in each of the last two years, or US$300,000 together with his or her spouse) must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and must receive the purchaser's written consent to the transaction prior to sale, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt.
In addition, the penny stock regulations require the broker-dealer to deliver, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prepared by the US Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the penny stock market, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. A broker-dealer is also required to disclose commissions payable to the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, a broker-dealer is required to send monthly statements disclosing recent price information with respect to the penny stock held in a customer's account and information with respect to the limited market in penny stocks.
As a Foreign Private Issuer, the Company is exempt from the Section 14 Proxy Rules and Section 16 of the 1934 Securities Act
The submission of proxy and annual meeting of shareholder information (prepared to Canadian standards) on Form 6-K may result in shareholders having less complete and timely data. In addition, the Company's officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the short-swing insider disclosure and profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The exemption from Section 16 rules regarding sales of common shares by insiders may result in shareholders having less data.
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Item 4. Information on the Company
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Introduction
Stellar's operations and executive office is located at:
332 East Scott Street
Port Hueneme, CA 93041
Telephone: (805) 488-2147
Facsimile: (805) 488-1278
E-Mail: foakes@stellarbiotech.com or dbrookstein@stellarbiotech.com
Website: www.stellarbiotechnologies.com/
The Contact person in Port Hueneme is Frank Oakes, President and CEO, or Darrell Brookstein, Executive Vice-President, Development & Finance.
The Company also maintains a Canadian Regulatory Address located at:
1868 King George Blvd.
South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
V4A 5A1
Telephone: (604) 306-8854
Facsimile: (604) 535-4454
The Company currently leases its executive offices in Port Hueneme for a term expiring in June 2014, with an option to extend for a further two years. The Company also leases three buildings in the Port Hueneme Aquaculture Business Park from the Port Hueneme Surplus Property Authority under sublease agreements which expire in September 2015 with an option to extend the lease for an additional five years.
The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "KLH".
The authorized share capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number common shares. As of August 31, 2011, the end of the most recent fiscal year, there were 41,611,832 common shares issued and outstanding. As of February 28, 2012, there were 43,930,432 common shares issued and outstanding.
Corporate Background
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (or the Company) was incorporated on June 12, 2007 in Canada under the Canada Business Corporations Act under the name China Growth Capital Inc. The Company was originally classified as a Capital Pool Corporation ("CPC") and changed its name to CAG Capital Inc. ("CAG") on April 15, 2008. On November 25, 2009, the Company was continued into British Columbia under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act. On April 7, 2010, the Company changed its name to Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. and subsequently completed its qualifying transaction through a reverse merger transaction with Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. ("Stellar CA"), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of California on September 9, 1999.
The Company presently has one wholly owned subsidiary, Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. ("Stellar CA"), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of California on September 9, 1999.
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Currently, the Company operates as a biotechnology research and production company involved in the production and marketing of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ("KLH") as well as the development of new technology related to the culture and production of KLH and subunit KLH ("suKLH") formulations.
History and Development of the Business
The Company was originally incorporated as a Capital Pool Company (CPC) under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V"), and began trading on the TSX-V on August 29, 2008 under the symbol "CAG".
Under the TSX Venture Exchanges Policy 2.4, a company with only minimal working capital is allowed to list on the Exchange for the purposes of negotiating an acquisition of, or the participation in, assets or businesses. Such companies are classified as a Capital Pool Company, or CPC and are governed by a specific set of rules and regulations. The sole purpose of a CPC is to identify and evaluate existing businesses or assets for possible acquisition which, if acquired, would provide the company with a full listing on the TSX-V. The only business a CPC is allowed to conduct prior to its Initial Public Offering and listing on the TSX-V is to prepare for its offering. This typically consists of raising a limited amount of seed capital, establishing a management team and board of directors, as well as hiring professionals to assist in the offering, including an auditor, legal counsel, and an agent for the Offering. Once the IPO is completed, the company will use the net proceeds to seek and finance a business in order to complete its Qualifying Transaction (QT). Once a suitable asset or business has been identified, the CPC will attempt to negotiate an acquisition or participation in the asset or business. The management of the CPC will negotiate with the targeted acquisition regarding acquisition terms. The Board of Directors of the CPC will examine proposed acquisitions on the basis of business fundamentals before approving any proposed transaction.
From the date of listing on the TSX-V, the CPC has 24 months to complete its QT. If the CPC had not completed its QT in that timeframe, the CPCs shares would be suspended from trading, and possibly face delisting, until such time as a QT has been approved and completed. The CPC may use cash, secured or unsecured debt, the issuance of securities, or a combination thereof, in order to finance its acquisition as its QT. Any QT is subject to approval by the majority of the minority shareholders of the CPC, approval from the TSX-V, and sponsorship of a TSX-V member firm. Trading in the CPC stock will initially be halted from trading before the announcement of a pending QT. The stock will remain halted until the Exchange has completed any preliminary background investigations into the proposed transaction and a sponsor firm has been retained.
All securities which will be held by Principals of the proposed post-QT issuer are required to be held in escrow. Shares will be released from escrow subject to a formula prescribed in the CPC Escrow Agreement which is subject to approval by the TSX-V. Once the QT is complete, the company will resume trading on the TSX-V under its new name and symbol.
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On April 12, 2010, the Company completed its qualifying transaction through the reverse merger with Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. ("Stellar CA"), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of California on September 9, 1999. Prior to its merger with Stellar CA, the Company had no operations except its search for a suitable business for its QT. Stellar CA was a private California-based biotechnology research and production company specializing in production of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin protein products for biomedical applications. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company issued 10,000,000 payment shares, at a deemed price of $0.28 per share, to the Stellar CA shareholders for a 100% interest in Stellar CA. There was a dissenting shareholder of Stellar CA who did not exchange his shares for 1,661,241 shares of the Company. Therefore, the Company purchased those shares for $125,025, or approximately $0.075 per share, in order to cancel and return them to treasury.
In addition to the 10,000,000 payment shares issued pursuant to the reverse merger with Stellar CA, a further 10,000,000 performance shares were allotted for issuance to key individuals upon achievement of certain milestones in the development of the business. The purpose of the Plan was to encourage the development of the Company's products and business by distributing shares to key management, employees, and consultants upon the meeting of certain milestones. These milestones are:
1.
Completion of method development for commercial-scale manufacture of IMG KLH with applicable good GMP as a pharmaceutical intermediate, evidenced by completion of three GMP lots meeting all quality and product release specifications required for stability studies and process validation;
2.
Compilation and regulatory submittal of all required CMC data compiled in CTD format and evidenced by filing as a DMF with the USFDA; and
3.
Completion of preclinical toxicity and immunogenicity testing of IMG KLH and Subunit KLH in rodent and non-rodent species as evidenced by acceptance by study protocols and completion reports available to support customer United States FDA and EMEA filings.
As each milestone is met as determined by the Company's Board of Directors, one-third of the Performance Shares will be released to the Plan members. In January 2011, it was determined that the successful completion of preclinical toxicity and immunogenicity testing of Stellar KLH/IMG and Subunit KLH in rodent and non-rodent species completed the milestone number 3 above. Therefore, the first one-third of the Performance Shares totaling 3,333,335 common shares were issued to the Plan members on January 31, 2011.
The transaction with Stellar CA has been treated for accounting purposes as a recapitalization, with Stellar CA as the purchaser and parent company.
Stellar CA was incorporated under the laws of California in September 1999 for the production and commercialization of KLH. Frank Oakes, president of Stellar CA, invented the process for non-lethal hemolymph extraction from Keyhole Limpets, and filed for a US patent (PCT/US2002.012121) on April 18, 2002. Additional patents for the process have been issued in Canada (CA2,444,809), Europe (EP1389123) and the United States (US 6,852,338). The US and all related international patents were assigned to the Company by Mr. Oakes under an agreement dated August 6, 2002.
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On September 9, 2010, the Company announced that it had filed for patent protection for its inventions related to its native immunogenic ("IMG") KLH technology platform and immune status monitoring product portfolio. Patent claims include pharmaceutical grade compositions of matter, processes for manufacture and methods of use in a wide range of therapies.
On September 13, 2010, the Company announced an important milestone with the Company's collaboration with Bayer Innovation GmbH ("BIG") had been reached. The development of Bayer's personalized idiotype vaccine for the treatment of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, for which the Company supplies KLH, had entered Phase I clinical trials. Stellar received a milestone payment from BIG, and the parties expanded their development agreement. In December 2010, Stellar acquired an exclusive, irrevocable worldwide sub-licensable and royalty-free license to the technology developed through the collaborative agreement between the Company and BIG. The license included a carve-out by BIG to use the technology in the non-Hodgkin Lymphoma vaccine under development, but Stellar may exclusively commercialize the technology in other fields.
On September 30, 2010, the Company announced that it had received payment of $288,000 for a filled order of KLH/SUBUNIT from French biotechnology company Neovacs SA for its Phase IIa human trials of its KLH-based vaccine for rheumatoid arthritis, and its upcoming Phase I trial for Lupus.
In November 2010, the Company was awarded two grants under the Therapeutic Discovery Project Program administered by the United States Internal Revenue Service for a total grant award of $488,985. The grants provide supplemental funding for the company's diagnostic development of KLH/IMG platforms.
In January 2011, preclinical toxicity and immunogenicity testing of KLH/IMG and Subunit KLH were completed on non-rodent species. These early tests support new product ideas established by the Company, including possible development of new products for the Company's products, such as standardized, preclinical immunotoxicity diagnostic products.
In August 2011, the Company entered into a marketing and sales agreement with SAFC, a unit of Sigma Aldrich. Under the agreement, Stellar will produce KLH commercial intermediate and SAFC will sell, distribute and market high molecular weight keyhole limpet hemocyanin ("HMW KLH") for applications in therapeutic vaccines. The lead purchase order under the agreement was received in September 2011.
In August 2011, the National Science Foundation ("NSF") granted Stellar a Phase IIB SBIR award as a two-year extension to the Company's current SBIR Grant. The new award totals $498,560, and will allow full implementation of commercial scale aquaculture systems for KLH production, and development and deployment of a validated KLH-based immunogenicity assay.
In October 2011, the Company and Life Diagnostics, Inc. entered into an exclusive manufacturing and supply agreement. Stellar will supply Life Diagnostics KLH for the development and manufacturing of Stellar-brand KLH test kits for the detection of anti-KLH antibodies for use in the immunotoxicity and immunology research markets.
In December 2011, the Company announced the completion of a major expansion of its keyhole limpet hatchery factory in Port Hueneme. The new facility has a spawning capacity of 2 million larvae and is designed to produce 50,000 juvenile limpets per year for Stellar to support the increased demand for KLH products.
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The Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (the "Rights Plan") on December 13, 2011. The Rights Plan has been approved by the TSX Venture Exchange and by was ratified by the shareholders at the Annual General and Special Meeting held on January 17, 2012.
Revenues in the last fiscal year came from the sale of 760 mg of KLH plus payments due under a supply agreement. The Companys plans to expand KLH production capacity are based on the Companys customers forecasts for KLH requirements during vaccine commercialization and the Companys commitment to meet its customers future forecasted KLH requirements.
The aquaculture production cycle to raise mature limpets for KLH production from fertilized eggs is approximately 5 years. The plan to incrementally increase KLH production to meet anticipated multi-kilogram customer requirements during vaccine commercialization requires a five year plan in which hatchery production of juvenile limpets is initiated years ahead of anticipated market demand. The initial phase of the plan is to produce a sufficient quantity of juvenile limpets to meet an anticipated 20 kg market demand for KLH 5-7 years in the future.
Capital Expenditures
The Company's capital expenditures, which primarily consist of scientific, manufacturing, and aquaculture equipment, for the previous three fiscal years is as follows:
Fiscal Year | Capital Expenditures | Assets Acquired |
|
|
|
2011 | $309,782 | Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
2010 | $88,877 | Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
2009 | None | N/A |
An expansion of the Company's keyhole limpet hatchery facility in Port Hueneme has been completed. The expansion incorporates recent advances in aquaculture technology developed by the Company with grant support from the NSF. The expansion is designed to produce up to two million larvae, which based on the expected attrition rate of marine gastropod mollusks in land-based aquaculture systems, is expected to produce 50,000 mature adult limpets per year. The Company's aquaculture system incorporates a modular design that can accommodate incremental increases in capacity as KLH demand increases. Currently, the Company's production capacity is 2,000 grams per year. The Company currently has live M. crenulata inventory sufficient to increase KLH production volume by 3,000 grams per year. Based on the current hatchery production, aquaculture infrastructure in place, and space available in the Company's facilities, the Company has future production capacity of in excess of 20,000 grams of KLH annually, which will require an increase in limpet husbandry facilities, KLH extraction equipment, and staffing. The Company anticipates scaling up its production through the addition of the required equipment and personal as demand warrants. The Company has budgeted a total of $65,500 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2012, with a large portion of the funds for the aquaculture expansion provided by the NSF Phase IIB SBIR award of $498,560 and the remainder provided by the Company's working capital.
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Business Overview
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. was formed through a reverse merger transaction with Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. ("Stellar CA"), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of California on September 9, 1999. Stellar is a biotechnology research and production company involved in the production and marketing of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ("KLH") as well as the development of new technology related to the culture and production of KLH and subunit KLH ("suKLH") formulations. Stellar is the only company dedicated solely to developing and commercializing KLH.
KLH formulations vary in selling price based on the level of purification, regulatory requirements met and final packaging configuration. For crude bulk KLH formulations the Company sells cGMP-grade KLH at >80% purity for further processing under supply agreement commitments at $5,000/gram. For KLH at >95% purity produced under cGMP for vaccine conjugation in bulk quantities the Companys supply agreement pricing is $40,000-$50,000/gram quantity dependant. For KLH at >95% purity produced under cGMP vialed in final single-dose form the Companys retail pricing ranges above $200/milligram ($200,000+/gram).
KLH is a potently immunogenic (i.e., a substance that induces an immune response) high-molecular-weight protein. It operates as a carrier molecule for vaccine antigens (substances that promote the generation of antibodies) against cancers and infectious agents. The combination of an antigen against specific tumor cell-types, conjugated to the Immunogenic ("IMG") KLH molecule, is the basis for a proven strategy for a new class of drugs known as therapeutic vaccines. Potent yet proven safe in humans, demand for KLH has driven by the development of KLH-based therapeutic vaccines for a wide variety of serious chronic diseases which are currently being developed and in clinical trials by over a dozen biopharmaceutical companies.
The Companys goals and objectives are to execute its business strategy which includes:
1.
Produce, maintain and develop keyhole limpets through key intellectual property (IP).
2.
Continuously advance key IP to extract, purify and formulate KLH profitably, while increasing the number and maintaining the good health of the essential source animals.
3.
Market and sell the Companys formulations of KLH and use consistent efforts to expand markets, promote the use of KLH within the academic, research, pharmaceutical, biotech and medical diagnostic markets.
4.
Alone and in partnership with others, develop and sell as many proprietary KLH-based products as possible for the medical diagnostic and therapeutic markets.
KLH has historically been produced from California giant keyhole limpets (Megathura crenulata) harvested from the rare wild populations in the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean from central California to the northern Baja Peninsula, Mexico. Stellar has developed a dedicated aquaculture technology and captive hatchery-reared populations of M. crenulata for sustainable vaccine-grade KLH production. Through its leased facilities in Port Hueneme, California, the Company operates aquaculture, laboratory and production facilities to raise M. crenulata, and extract and purify the KLH proteins utilizing sophisticated and proprietary aquaculture methods and a patented non-lethal hemolymph extraction process. The Company contracts with specialized contract manufacturing organizations ("CMO's") and contract research organizations ("CRO's) for certain steps of cGMP processing and quality control testing.
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Stellar has supply agreements in place to provide vaccine-grade KLH with two vaccine developers and is currently negotiating with several potential customers. In May 2011, the Company entered into a marketing and sales agreement with SAFC, a business unit of Sigma-Aldrich. Stellar will produce and provide KLH commercial intermediate to SAFC who will sell, distribute and market cGMP-grade HMW (high molecular weight keyhole limpet hemocyanin) KLH for use in therapeutic vaccines. In October 2011, the Company and Life Diagnostics, Inc. entered into an exclusive manufacturing and supply agreement. Stellar will supply Life Diagnostics KLH for the development and manufacturing of Stellar-brand KLH test kits for the detection of anti-KLH antibodies for use in the immunotoxicity and immunology research markets.
Keyhole Limpet and KLH Background
The Giant Keyhole Limpet is a large saltwater mollusk which lives in a limited range of the coastal areas of the eastern Pacific Ocean from central California to the northern Baja Peninsula, Mexico. Its shell can be up to 5 inches in length, but the body of mature limpets will often extend beyond the shell. Its diet is primarily seaweed and other vegetation. The Giant Keyhole Limpet is the only species of its type. Although never harvested by humans for food, it has been harvested in order to extract Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ("KLH"), a high-molecular weight protein in high demand from the biopharmaceutical industry. There is currently no regulated fishery of wild limpets to protect the limited population, and wild stocks are being depleted.
KLH is a potent immunogenic high-molecular-weight protein, which is a substance that naturally induces an immune response. It is derived from the limpet's hemolymph, a fluid in the mollusk circulatory system. Hemolymph contains hemocyanin, a copper-based protein which serves as the animal's oxygen transport molecule to its cells. Unlike iron-based hemoglobin, which serves as the oxygen transport molecule in humans and other vertebrates and turns red when oxygenated, hemocyanin turns blue when oxygenated. Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin is an ideal carrier molecule for vaccine antigens (substances that promote the generation of antibody and cell-mediated immune responses) against cancers and infectious agents. The combination of an antigen against specific tumor cell-types, conjugated to the immunogenic KLH molecule, is the basis for a proven strategy for a new class of drugs known as therapeutic vaccines. KLH is potent yet safe in humans. Due to its exceptional size and unusual construction, KLH cannot be easily synthesized, and is more efficiently and cost-effectively prepared by purification from the hemolymph of the limpet.
Current Operations
Stellar specializes in the production of KLH protein purified from the hemolymph of the California giant keyhole limpet. Stellar produces its own supply of keyhole limpets through its own aquaculture operations and extracts the KLH protein using its own patented, non-harmful methods. The KLH is then purified utilizing the Company's proprietary methods. Currently, the Company's commercial operations are conducted at its own aquaculture production facility and hatchery, a controlled clean room environment aquaculture laboratory, and a manufacturing facility. Stellar currently produces KLH from limpets raised in the Company's own hatchery or harvested wild from the fishery under California Department of Fish and Game license. In the future, as a sustainable supply of limpets grown to maturity in the Company's aquaculture facility come on line for production, wild sources will be less necessary to meet demand. The Company currently offers several KLH products to the pharmaceutical and research industries, and is also developing new uses for its KLH, including diagnostic test kits.
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The Company's operations are centered in several buildings and 37,000 square foot oceanfront leasehold facility within the Port Hueneme Aquaculture Business Park. The facility includes Stellar's corporate offices, as well as its aquaculture, laboratory and manufacturing operations.
Aquaculture
The Company's aquaculture operations are located on the Pacific Ocean within the Port Hueneme Harbor District, and were specially developed in the 1990's, with advice from Stellar CA's founders, for production and research on gastropod mollusks. The facility has been in near continuous operation since that time. The specialized aquaculture systems were designed and built to specifically support scalable commercial production of California giant keyhole limpets for pharmaceutical KLH uses with a fully permitted seawater supply system, recirculating seawater supply systems, environmental controls and regulated seawater return to the ocean. The site also contains a fabrication shop for production of specialized equipment and culture apparatus.
At present, the limpets used by the Company are derived from either its own aquaculture production facility or are harvested from the wild fishery under license from the State of California Department of Fish and Game. The culture cycle for commercially useful limpets is 4 to 5 years from the fertilized egg to the adult animal, with multiple complex larval and juvenile stages. Mature limpets can be extracted for KLH several times per year and, if properly maintained, the average extracted quantity of KLH per year per limpet is predictable and useful to create production targets that optimize the use of the physical plant.
Stellar's aquaculture operations are believed to be the world's only dedicated hatchery and captive reared giant keyhole limpet facility for KLH production. It utilizes proprietary methods for the reliable control of spawning, larval development, metamorphosis and grow-out of the limpets. All proprietary technologies for aquaculture production were developed by the Company and are protected as trade secrets. The production process includes feeding regimens and the recirculation of seawater optimized for limpet health and growth. Each closed recirculating system is equipped with temperature controlled seawater distribution, filtration and treatment equipment. The facility currently has 18 production tanks after a recent major expansion which incorporated significant advances in technology developed by the Company with support from monetary grants from the National Science Foundation. These advancements include methods for the control of the limpet reproductive cycle and systems for intensive propagation of the complex larval stages.
Current limpet inventory in the Company's aquaculture facilities is approximately 1,000 limpets for production, with a further 3,000 limpets held in reserve to accommodate increases in demand and natural attrition. The natural attrition rate in its production inventory is estimated at approximately 15% per year, and process related attrition is estimated at 5% a year. To support its current mature limpet inventory, the Company requires approximately 200 mature limpets per year, obtained either through the Company's hatchery operations or through the wild fishery. The actual life expectancy of a mature limpet has yet to be determined experimentally, and no natural history data is available. From internal data the Company estimates the productive life of a commercial limpet to be approximately 10 years.
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In addition to the expansion of the Stellar's Port Hueneme aquaculture facility, the Company has negotiated a term sheet with a regional aquaculture producer for additional culture capacity to both increase hatchery production and to geographically diversify some of its keyhole limpet population. Studies required by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to certify the Port Hueneme hatchery facility for transport and stocking of limpets throughout California are now underway. The contracted expansion will allow for additional limpet production sooner than at the Port Hueneme facility alone.
KLH Uses
Mature limpets can be extracted for KLH several times per year as the hemolymph is extracted in a sterile, non-harmful manner utilizing the Company's patented methods. Once extracted, the hemolymph is processed through the Company's proprietary methods which are protected as trade secrets. The Company contracts with specialized contract manufacturing organizations and contract research organizations for certain steps of current good manufacturing practice ("cGMP") and quality control testing.
KLH is a highly potent T-cell dependent immunostimulatory protein and adjuvant. The molecule has an extensive history of safe and effective use in humans for vaccine development and immunological research. As an essential carrier protein for synthetic conjugate vaccines, KLH has proven to be superior at conferring antigenicity to a wide variety of molecular conjugates and has enabled a broad array of new vaccines and active immunotherapies. The benefits of KLH include:
·
Potent immune system stimulant. KLH generates potent immune responses, from both the humoral (antibody) and cellular arms of the immune system, to virtually any molecule conjugated to it, and it recruits vigorous T-cell help for poorly immunogenic antigens such as polysaccharides.
·
Anti-tumor immune responses. KLH can break the immune systems tolerance to self antigens, thus allowing the body to mount an effective immune response against its own tumors. This ability to break immune tolerance may be extended to virtually any molecule in the body, enabling the development of vaccines with the potential to treat the growing list of diseases for which specific therapeutic targets have been identified.
·
Ease of conjugation. A variety of conjugation chemistries can be used to couple virtually any carbohydrate, protein, or lipid molecule to KLH to produce an immunogenic conjugate.
·
High conjugation densities. KLHs large molecular weight and its many available conjugation sites allow the molecule to carry high densities of single or multivalent vaccine antigens. High-density KLH conjugates are effective at cross-linking antigen receptors on B-cells, thus inducing B-cell activation and antibody production.
·
Clinical efficacy and safety. KLH has an outstanding safety record in humans, documented by thousands of clinical trial immunizations. No significant adverse side effects have been reported for KLH in human trials.
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KLH also has diagnostic uses. It is widely used by pharmaceutical companies and researchers as a safe, immune-stimulating antigen in drug screening, drug toxicology and assessment of immune status. The benefits of KLH in diagnostic applications include:
·
Antibody Generation - KLH is an effective carrier protein for poorly antigenic molecules in most species.
·
Immune Response Testing - KLH is widely used as a neoantigen to assess functional primary immune response and immunocompetence in clinical settings involving immunosuppression such as transplantation and HIV infection. KLH is also used to monitor immune responses in patients receiving therapeutic cancer vaccines and other immunotherapies.
·
Immunotoxicology - KLH immunization and ELISA testing of antibody response for immunotoxicity testing of new drugs. KLH's advantages include ease of use, greater reliability, and better standardization relative to SRBC assays.
Company Products and Development
The Company currently offers three KLH products:
·
partially purified bulk KLH, sold as a pharmaceutical intermediate (ASP KLH);
·
purified cGMP-grade subunit KLH (suKLH), sold for vaccine conjugation; and
·
non-GMP grade suKLH, sold as a research regent.
The cGMP suKLH formulation is supported by an FDA Drug Master File ("DMF"), which is an FDA regulatory file available for reference by the Company's pharmaceutical customers. The DMF is not required by law or FDA regulation and is submitted solely at the discretion of the holder. A DMF is used to provide confidential detailed information about facilities, processes, and/or articles used in the manufacture, processing, packaging and storage of products. The purpose of creating the DMF is to allow another party to reference important material about the product.
To date, the Company has supply contracts with two pharmaceutical companies to supply KLH for use in vaccines.
·
Bayer Innovation GmbH ("BIG") has been using Stellar's KLH for BIG's development of vaccines for treatment of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
·
Neovacs SA of Paris, France has been using Stellar's KLH as the critical carrier in several vaccine trials, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and Lupus.
In August 2011, the Company entered into a marketing and sales agreement with SAFC, a unit of Sigma Aldrich. Under the agreement, Stellar will produce KLH commercial intermediate and SAFC will sell, distribute and market high molecular weight keyhole limpet hemocyanin ("HMW KLH") for applications in therapeutic vaccines. Stellar will supply all aquaculture-derived KLH intermediate, and KLH will manufacture HMW KLH under cGMP conditions. SAFC will also provide cGMP clinical and commercial manufacturing of bioconjugation services to support the development and manufacture of conjugate vaccines. The lead purchase order under the agreement was received in September 2011.
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The Company currently maintains a production inventory of qualified M. crenulata sufficient for an annual minimum crude KLH production capacity of 1,000 grams/yr with a projected maximum of 2,000 g/yr with double shift labor schedules. This capacity is considered sufficient to meet the Companys obligations under supply agreements with current customers, under which the Company has agreed to maintain capacity to meet customers non-binding rolling forecasts, with surplus capacity to support business development activities. The Company also maintains a M. crenulata live animal inventory sufficient to increase KLH production volume by an additional 3,000 grams/yr through an increase in aquaculture tank capacity and production scheduling or manufacturing capacity..
The quantity of crude KLH produced in the last fiscal year was approximately 340 grams for commercial sales, contract obligations, product development and research. The Company sold 0.76 grams of KLH in various formulations in the last fiscal year. In the first quarter of the current fiscal year the Company produced 20 grams for direct commercial sale and approximately 60 grams of crude KLH for preparation of final purified KLH formulations.
The hold-time assigned to crude KLH starting material produced by the Company is 90 days, based on the in-process hold established in the Master Batch Record for the product. Crude KLH starting material is normally produced just in time to fill customer orders or to meet the Companys requirements for production of fully purified KLH formulations. Stability studies on the Companys purified suKLH (KLH 20MV) support a shelf life of 36 months and stability studies are currently on-going for the Companys HMW KLH (KLH 01NV).
It is anticipated that the Company could produce and hold in inventory sufficient quantities of KLH to meet future demand for KLH, once shelf life is established for each KLH formulation.
Development
Stellar is continuing development of new products for its KLH formulations, including new proprietary KLH-based products as possible for the medical diagnostic and therapeutic markets. This work is being conducted both by the Company alone and in conjunction with development partners.
Stellar has been providing Bayer Innovation GmbH ("BIG") with KLH for BIG's development of vaccines for treatment of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. In December 2010, Stellar acquired an exclusive, irrevocable worldwide sub-licensable and royalty-free license to the technology developed through the collaborative agreement between the Company and BIG. The license included a carve-out by BIG to use the technology in the non-Hodgkin Lymphoma vaccine under development, but Stellar may exclusively commercialize the technology in other fields. Stellar paid BIG $200,000 for the licensing rights, which will be jointed owned by both Stellar and BIG.
The Company has also been performing preclinical trials of Immunogenic KLH ("IMG/KLH") for human use. In May 2011, the Company completed a pre-investigational Device Exemption (pre-IDE) meeting with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety, Center for Devices and Radiological Health to discuss the Company's proposed anti-KLH assay currently in development. The FDA assisted Stellar in identifying and defining its strategy to complete the clinical development and regulatory pathway for the anti-KLH in vitro diagnostic device. The FDA encouraged Stellar to consider additional clinical investigation plans that may distinguish the clinical correlation of the assay results with measures of patient immune response.
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In November 2010, the Company began developing a standardized immunotoxicity diagnostic test for the pre-clinical market. The product is intended to be an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ("ELISA") test kit for biochemistry assays using Stellar IMG/KLH. These diagnostic tests comprise two levels of test suites. Pre-clinical tests are designed in use in animals, including mice, rats and non-human primates, and are commonly used in the testing of drugs prior to the clinical testing of drugs in humans. These products do not require regulatory approval. Diagnostic products for use in human testing can be segregated into products for use as in-vitro diagnostics, which are for use in the testing of serum outside the human body, and in-vivo diagnostics, which are testing inside the body. The Company has substantially developed in-vitro diagnostic products, which do not require regulatory approval. In October 2011, the Company and Life Diagnostics, Inc. entered into an exclusive manufacturing and supply agreement for these diagnostic kits. Stellar will supply Life Diagnostics KLH for the development and manufacturing of Stellar-brand ELISA KLH test kits for the detection of anti-KLH antibodies for use in the immunotoxicity and immunology research markets. The kits are expected to be available to the research and clinical markets in early 2012. In-vivo diagnostic kits do require FDA and regulatory approval, but the Company has not yet begun development of any in-vivo products.
Royalties and License Agreements
In August 2002, the Company entered into a royalty agreement with Frank Oakes, current Stellar President and CEO. Under the agreement, Mr. Oakes agreed to assign certain patent rights to the Company in exchange for 5% of gross receipts in excess of $500,000 annually from products using this invention. The Company's current operations utilize this invention. To date, the Company had paid no royalties under the agreement.
Under a license agreement with Bayer Innovation GmbH ("BIG"), Stellar acquired an exclusive, irrevocable worldwide sub-licensable and royalty-free license to the technology developed through the collaborative agreement between the Company and BIG. The license included a carve-out by BIG to use the technology in the non-Hodgkin Lymphoma vaccine under development, but Stellar may exclusively commercialize the technology in other fields. Stellar paid BIG $200,000 for the licensing rights, which will be jointed owned by both Stellar and BIG.
Patents
The Company currently holds 3 patents, all related to its non-lethal hemocyanin extraction methods. These patents, including their country and expiry date, are:
US6,852,338
United States
April 17, 2021
CA2,444,809
Canada
April 17, 2021
EP1389123
Europe (UK, Germany, France)
April 17, 2021
The United State's patent covers a two-step method for obtaining hemolymph from a live gastropod mollusk. It was originally granted to Frank Oakes, the Company's CEO, who assigned the patent to the Company under an agreement dated August 14, 2002. The foreign patents received in Canada and Europe are relatives of the original United States patent.
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The Company has also filed two Provisional Patent Applications in the United States. Under United States patent law, a Provisional Application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office is a means to establish an early effective filing date for a later filed patent application. It also allows the term "Patent Pending" to be applied in connection with the description of the invention. A provisional application has a pendency lasting 12 months from the date the provisional application is filed. This 12-month period cannot be extended. Therefore, an applicant that files a provisional application must file a corresponding non-provisional application for a patent in order to benefit from the earlier filing of the provisional application. Provisional applications are only valid in the United States.
The company filed a provisional application on August 24, 2010 for native KLH technology for compositions containing native KLH, production methods for making native KLH, and methods and kits for testing immune status using native KLH. This provisional application was allowed to expire on August 24, 2011 and a new, updated provisional application was filed on the same day. The current provisional application will expire on August 24, 2012.
On March 8, 2012, the Company filed a provisional application for Clostridium difficile ("C. difficile") technology. The application covers vaccine compositions for C. difficile, production methods for making C. difficile vaccines, and methods for vaccinating patients to induce immunity to C. difficile. The provisional application is scheduled to expire on March 8, 2013.
Certain of the Company's proprietary operational methods are protected as trade secrets.
Government Regulations
The Companys operations are subject to regulation at the local, State and Federal levels. These regulations include the Companys aquaculture and harvesting activities, as well as drug research, development and sales.
New drug development
The research, development, marketing and sale of drugs is highly regulated and designed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products. These regulations are administered primarily on the national level in the United States, Canada and internationally, and vary by jurisdiction. These regulatory requirements are a significant factor in determining if a drug can be developed and sold successfully and economically.
In order to receive approval for a new drug or vaccine, a Company must demonstrate to the applicable regulatory authority that the drug is safe and effective. This process requires successful pre-clinical laboratory testing, and then animal and human clinical trials, before application for approval is made to the regulatory authorities. In addition, the Company must submit details of each phase of testing to the appropriate regulatory authorities in order to receive approval to continue to the next phase.
After the successful completion of the laboratory testing and animal studies, human testing is conducted in three phases. Phase I is conducted on a small number of human subjects and is designed to test the safety of the drug, as well as access the drug's effects on the body. Phase II uses human subjects with the targeted disease or condition in order to establish efficacy and optimal dosages, as well as related safety information. Phase III trials have similar goals to Phase II trials, but are typically conducted on a much larger number of subjects and are also intended to compare the drug against current treatments.
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After completion of the Phase III trials, application for marketing approval is submitted to the regulatory authorities. The application will include the results of all the testing and human trials, as well as information regarding processing, manufacturing and packaging. If approved, the drug is then authorized for sale.
Currently, the Company has no products, either those currently for sale or in development, that are subject to approval as a drug by any regulatory authority. However, many of the Company's current customers are utilizing the Company's product in the development of pharmaceuticals that are subject to the regulatory process, and will require regulatory approval before they can be sold commercially. The approval process is typically long and expensive. Clinical trials may not be successful and such products may not receive regulatory approval. Delays or the inability to obtain regulatory approvals for products from third party customers which use the Company's products will have a direct effect on the demand for the Company's products.
The Companys aquaculture operations are subject to laws and regulations covering clean water and waste discharge, as well as licenses for the harvesting of wild keyhole limpets for its operations. Currently, the Company is conducting certain studies required by the California Department of Fish and Game to certify the Port Hueneme facility for transport and stocking of limpets throughout the state of California, which the Company will use to geographically diversify its hatchery operations to additional facilities.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Overview
The Company's financial statements are stated in United States Dollars and are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, the application of which, in the case of the Company, conforms in all material respects for the years presented with US GAAP, except as disclosed in Note 16 to the audited annual financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2011 and 2010. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") for the periods ended November 30, 2011 and 2010.
The Company has since inception primarily financed its activities through the issuance of equity as well as through government grant programs and limited commercial sales of its products. The Company anticipates having to raise additional funds by equity issuance in the next several years as current revenue is not sufficient to meet the Company's anticipated research, capital and administrative expenditures. The timing of such offerings is dependent upon the success of the Companys exploration programs as well as the general economic climate.
Grants
Stellar has historically financed a portion of its operations through the receipt of monetary grants made available through programs funded and administered by various United States Government departments. The grants offer non-dilutive funding for research and development for projects that align directly with the Company's strategic goals.
These grants are intended to foster and promote research and innovation in important scientific and technological projects. The awards have various program funding periods. Phase I funding is typically for a period of six months, after which companies may apply for Phase II funding for an additional 24 months.
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In the most recent three fiscal years, the Company has received the following grant funding:
·
National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research ("SBIR") grant through the Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships ("TECR") program. The initial $99,000 award was granted in December 2010, and was supplemented with a Phase IIB award of $499,000 awarded in August 2011 for an additional 24 months. The project is entitled "Megathura Crenulata Post Larval Culture - Bottleneck for a Valuable Medical Resource". The purpose of the project is to allow for the full implementation of the commercial scale aquaculture systems for KLH production and development of a validated KLH-based immunogenicity assay.
·
2 grants under the Therapeutic Discovery Project Program administered by Internal Revenue Service awarded in November 2010. The grants are entitled "Diagnostic Immune Status Monitoring in Patients with Immunodeficiency" and "Enabling ICH-S8 Immunotoxicity Testing with Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin". The grants together totaled $488,985 and will be used to provide supplemental funding for the Company's diagnostic development and Stellar KLH/IMG platforms.
·
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute SBIR Program. Grant entitled "Technology for Culture of Megathura Crenulata for KLH" awarded August 19, 2004 for $2,999,998, with a supplemental award on June 11, 2008 for $533,000.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended November 30, 2011 vs. Three Months Ended November 30, 2010
During the period, the Company announced it had received it first purchase order from Sigma-Aldrich under their marketing agreement and entered into an agreement with Life Diagnostics for the manufacture of Stellar brand KLH ELISA test kits for the detection of anti-KLH antibodies. Stellar was also awarded a Phase IIB SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation totaling $498,560 over two years which will allow full implementation of commercial scale aquaculture systems for KLH production and development and deployment of a validated KLH-based immunogenicity assay.
The period ended November 30, 2011 is also the first reporting period for the Company under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").
The net loss for the period was ($678,252), or ($0.02) per share, compared to the net loss of ($6,144,561), or ($0.20) per share, for the period ended November 30, 2010. The lower net loss in the current period was primarily due to changes in fair value of warrant liability.
Revenue for the period totaled $135,367 compared to revenue of $69,896 in the year-ago period. Revenue included commercial sales of $100,350, which rose from $5,638, due to a large sale of KLH during the period. Grant revenue declined to $20,017 from $49,258 due to the timing of certain grants. Costs of production, aquaculture and grants increased to $231,037 from $154,845 due to the production costs of new KLH product not yet ready for sale and costs related to the expansion of limpet colonies.
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Expenses for the period increased to $1,381,371 from $713,584. Large changes in expenses occurred in salaries, wages and benefits, which rose to $234,984 from $101,717 as there was a higher number of employees in the current period as well as salary increases granted by the Board of Directors; Research and development increased to $567,615 from $271,327 due to an increase in R&D activities; Share-based payments rose to $277,718 from $113,861 due to the granting of additional stock options in the current period as well as the vesting of previously granted options; and general and administration rose to $180,167 from $135,002 due to the higher levels of business activities.
Other income includes loss recovery of $105,000 from a shipment of KLH damaged by a vendor; foreign exchange loss of ($22,065), which declined from the loss of ($84,542) in the prior year's period due to more favorable exchange rates; and change in fair value of warrant liability, which was $713,935 in the period ended November 30, 2011 compared to a loss of ($5,258,448). These amounts are due to fluctuations in the fair value of warrants based on Black-Scholes pricing models. There were greater differences between the common share price and the exercise price of the outstanding warrants on November 30, 2010 than on November 30, 2011, and certain of the warrants were exercised or expired as of November 30, 2011.
Year Ended August 31, 2011 vs. Year Ended August 31, 2010
During the year, the Company received payment for a filled order of KLH from Neovacs SA for its vaccines for use in human trials for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and received a milestone payment from BIG for the vaccine for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Stellar also acquired an exclusive license to the technology developed in the collaborative agreement with BIG. The Company also received a two-year extension to the Company's SBIR Grant totaling $498,560, an additional NSF Grant for $99,000, and two grants under the IRS Therapeutic Discovery Project Program for a total grant award of $488,985.
The net loss for the year was ($7,086,123), or ($0.19) per share, compared to the net loss of ($589,971), or ($0.04), in the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010. The higher net loss in the current year was primarily due to higher expenses related to the Company's increase in business activities, as well as higher stock-based compensation.
Revenue for the year totaled $697,187, including contract income of $60,000 from one customer for maintaining dedicated inventory. The Company has dedicated 50 limpets in its current inventory for production of KLH for this specific customer at a fee of $15,000 per quarter. Revenue also included commercial sales of $18,988 and grant revenue of $618,199. Commercial sales declined from the $299,700 recorded in fiscal 2010 as sales are highly dependent upon the rate of development of the Company's customer's vaccines in clinical trials, and the timing of such sales can be highly variable. Grant revenue increased by $373,062 over the prior year due to the award of the Internal Revenue Service therapeutic discovery grant. Cost of sales rose to $1,009,083 from $386,088, including grant costs of $595,686 and costs of biological assets of $311,411. There were no biological asset costs in the prior year, as the fiscal 2011 costs were due to production costs of a new subunit KLH product that is not yet saleable and allocated portion of limpet colony costs.
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Expenses increased to $6,788,057 from $1,442,665 in the prior fiscal year. The increase in the Company's level of activity, including the hiring of additional personnel, resulted in higher expenses in several areas, including salaries, wages and benefits, which rose to $797,263 from $333,710; Research and development, which increased to $906,518 from $352,780; and general and administration, which rose to $747,883 from $276,111. Stock-based compensation expense totaled $4,007,116 compared to $340,122 in fiscal 2010. The difference was largely due to the issuance of 3,333,335 common shares to the individuals named in the Performance Share Plan for reaching the first performance share milestone. Allocation of costs to grant costs totaled $41,170 as a percentage of the Company's expenses related to work performed under the terms of federal grants are assigned against grant revenue.
Other income totaled $14,630 compared to $385,545 in the prior fiscal year. The largest component of the decline was one-time income for retirement of convertible debt of $230,964 in the prior year. Foreign exchange gain declined to $3,333 from $151,779 due to less favorable exchange rates, and interest income rose to $11,297 from $2,802 due to higher cash balances during fiscal 2011.
Year Ended August 31, 2010 vs. Year Ended August 31, 2009
During the year ended August 31, 2010, the Company completed the merger transaction with Stellar CA, which is considered the purchaser and parent company for accounting purposes.
The net loss for the year was ($589,371), or ($0.04) per share, compared to net income of $5,703, or $0.01 per share, in the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009. The net loss in the current year was primarily due to higher expenses related to the Company's increase in business activities as operations were expanded upon the closing of the merger agreement.
Revenue for the year totaled $854,837, including contract income of $60,000 from a customer for maintaining dedicated inventory and $250,000 from a customer under a research collaboration agreement, commercial sales of $299,700 and grant revenue of $245,137. Grant revenue decreased by $214,084 over the prior year due to timing of the award of grants. Cost of sales declined to $386,088 from $639,754, as grant costs fell to $243,233 from $532,317 as the Company had less grant activity in the current year.
Expenses increased to $1,442,665 from $263,493 in the prior fiscal year. The increase in the Company's level of activity, including the hiring of additional personnel and new research and development programs resulted in higher expenses in several areas, including salaries, wages and benefits, which rose to $333,710 from $175,028; research and development, which increased to $352,780 from $96,543; and general and administration, which rose to $276,111 from 105,914. Legal and professional services increased to $218,141 from $42,132 due to expenses related to the merger agreement. Stock-based compensation expense totaled $340,122 compared to $nil in fiscal 2009, as 2010 represented Stellar's first year as a public company and the first stock options were issued. The Company also recorded interest expense of $3,734 in fiscal 2010 related to a loan agreement, the proceeds from which were used to retire outstanding convertible debt. Allocation of costs to grant costs totaled $95,206 as a percentage of the Company's expenses related to work performed under the terms of federal grants are assigned against grant revenue.
Other income totaled $385,545 compared to $Nil in the prior fiscal year. The largest component of the increase was one-time income for retirement of convertible debt of $230,964 which represents the differences between the loan balances and the termination payment. Foreign exchange gain was $151,779 due to favorable exchange rates, and interest income totaled $2,802 from interest on cash balances.
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Year Ended August 31, 2009 vs. Year Ended August 31, 2008
During the year ended August 31, 2009, the Company continued its research and development in KLH and KLH formulations as well as advancing its aquaculture operations.
The net income for the year ended August 31, 2009 was $5,703, or $0.01 per share, compared to a net loss of ($105,648), or ($0.20) per share, in the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008. The net income in the current year was due to lower cost of sales, primarily from lower grant costs, which declined to $532,317 from $1,043,915.
Revenue for the year totaled $909,750, including contract income of $310,000, commercial sales of $140,529 and grant revenue of $459,221. Grant revenue declined by $497,500 over the prior year due to timing of grant activities. Cost of sales was $639,754 compared to $1,128,935, with the decrease primarily due to the lower grant costs.
Expenses net of costs allocated to grants increased to $263,493 from $156,094 in the prior fiscal year. The increase was due to higher business activity as reflected in several areas, including salaries, wages and benefits, which rose to $175,028 from $103,620; and research and development, which increased to $96,543 from $80,050; reduced by general and administration, which decreased to $105,914 from $205,123. Allocation of costs to grant costs totaled $170,685 as a percentage of the Company's expenses related to work performed under the terms of federal grants are assigned against grant revenue. This compares to $278,939 in the prior year due to timing of grant activities.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Companys working capital position at November 30, 2011 was $3,795,582, including cash of $4,075,483. Management believes the current working capital, as well as anticipated revenue, is sufficient to meet the Company's contractual obligations and anticipated research and development expenditures in Fiscal 2012. However, additional funds will be required for future periods. The Company anticipates future public or private sales of its common stock. The timing of such offerings is dependent upon several factors, including the success of the Companys operational plans as well as the general economic climate and market conditions.
The Company has historically financed its operations through revenue, including grant income, as well as through the issuance of common shares. The following sales and issuances of common stock have been completed in the last 5 fiscal years.
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Table No. 4
Common Share Issuances
Fiscal Year Ended August 31 | Type of Share Issuance | Number of Common Shares Issued | Price | Gross Proceeds or Deemed Value |
|
|
|
|
|
2012 to date | Exercise of Warrants | 2,318,600 | Various | US$830,715 |
|
|
|
|
|
2011 | Private Placement | 3,000,000 | CDN$0.35 | US$1,002,497 |
| Private Placement | 6,213,000 | CDN$0.60 | US$3,695,784 |
| Issuance of Performance Shares | 3,333,335 | US$1.02 | US$3,400,000 |
| Exercise of Warrants | 2,148,805 | Various | US$784,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
2010 | Merger Agreement | 10,000,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Private Placement | 11,502,732 | CDN$0.28 | US$3,209,262 |
| Exercise of Warrants | 16,745 | Various | US$12,875 |
| Exercise of Agent Warrants | 295,200 | Various | US$28,133 |
|
|
|
|
|
2009 | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
2008 | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
2007 | None | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Quarter Ended November 30, 2011
As of November 30, 2011, the Company's working capital position was $3,795,582, including cash of $4,075,483. During the quarter, operating activities used cash of $890,878. Items not affecting cash included amortization and depreciation of $27,065; Share-based payments related to the grant and vesting of stock options of $277,718; Foreign exchange loss of $22,377; and change in fair value of warrant liability related to the difference between the exercise price of warrants and the common stock price of ($713,935). Changes in non-working capital items include an increase in accounts receivable of ($211,276); a decrease of prepaid expenses of $28,526; an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $280,026; and increase in deferred revenue of $77,048.
Financing activities provided cash of $829,715, which included proceeds from the exercise of warrants of $830,715, and payment of deposits of ($1,000). Investing activities used cash of ($8,534) for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.
During the quarter, 2,318,600 common shares were issued for the exercise of warrants.
The Company's cash as of November 30, 2011 totaled $4,075,483 compared to cash of $4,145,492 as of August 31, 2011, a decrease of ($70,009) during the quarter.
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Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2011
As of August 31, 2011, the Company's working capital position was $4,061,980 compared to working capital of $2,174,121 as of August 31, 2010. During the year, operating activities used cash of $2,617,414. Items not affecting cash included stock-based compensation of $4,007,116 related to the issuance of stock options and performance shares; amortization of $87,325; and foreign exchange gain of $4,205. Changes in non-cash working capital items include decrease in accounts receivable of $532,807, increase in prepaid expenses of $13,664, and decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $140,670.
Financing activities provided cash of $5,068,520. Proceeds from the exercise of warrants provided cash of $784,858, share subscription proceeds provided cash of $4,729,524, while share issuance costs used cash of $312,103. The repurchase of dissenting shareholder shares used cash of $125,025 as the Company repurchased 1,661,241 common shares from a shareholder of Stellar CA in order to cancel them and return them to treasury. Payment of deposits used cash of $8,734.
Investing Activities used cash of $309,782, with the entire amount used for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.
During the year, a total of 14,695,140 common shares were issued:
·
In September 2010, the Company completed the private placement of 3,000,000 units at a price of CDN$0.35 for gross proceeds of $1,002,497 (CDN$1,050,000). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable into one common share at a price of CDN$0.50 on or before March 28, 2012. In addition, agent's options to acquire 210,000 units were issued on the same terms of the private placement and are exercisable at a price of CDN$0.35 on or before March 28, 2012. Share issuance costs of $96,958 were paid in relation to the placement.
·
In November 2010, the Company completed the private placement of 6,213,000 units at a price of CDN$0.60 per unit for gross proceeds of $3,695,784 (CDN$3,727,800). Each unit consists of one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of CDN$0.90 on or before November 14, 2011, and at CDN$1.15 per share if exercised from November 15, 2011 until on or before November 14, 2012. In addition, agent's options to acquire 345,600 units were issued under the same terms as the private placement and are exercisable at CDN$0.60 on or before November 14, 2012. Share issuance costs of $215,145 were paid in relation to the placement.
·
3,333,335 common shares were issued to officers, directors and employees pursuant to the Company's Performance Share Plan.
·
2,148,805 common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $784,858.
The Company's cash totaled $4,145,492 at August 31, 2011 compared to cash of $2,003,296 as of August 31, 2010, an increase of $2,142,196 during the year.
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Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2010
As of August 31, 2010, the Company's' working capital position was $2,174,121 compared to working capital of $129,224 as of August 31, 2009. During the year, operating activities used cash of $759,535. Items not affecting cash include amortization of $13,273; stock based compensation of $340,122 related to the issuance of stock options to officers and directors; foreign exchange gain of $151,923; and retirement of convertible debt of $230,964 as the Company terminated a series of agreements with a customer and retired the related convertible debt obligation. Changes in non-working capital items included increase in accounts receivable of $158,362, increase in prepaid expenses of $21,497, and increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $39,787.
Financing activities provided cash of $2,759,105. Proceeds from the exercise of warrants provided cash of $41,008 and share subscription proceeds provided cash of $3,209,262, while share issuance costs used cash of $340,665. Repayment of related party advances used cash of $15,000, and payment of deferred salaries used cash of $100,500. During fiscal 2009, certain officers of the Company deferred salary until after the completion of the merger transaction. Repayment of convertible debt used cash of $35,000.
Investing Activities used cash of ($4,865), including acquisition of property, plant and equipment of ($88,877) and cash assumed on recapitalization of $84,012.
During the year, a net total of 21,814,677 common shares were issued:
·
10,000,000 common shares were issued under the merger agreement between Stellar and Stellar CA.
·
In April 2010, the Company completed the private placement of 11,502,732 units at a price of CDN$0.28 per unit for gross proceeds of $3,209,262 (CDN$3,220,764). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of a common share warrant, with each warrant exercisable into a common share at a price of CDN$0.40 on or before October 9, 2011. In addition, 35,000 units were issued to an agent under the same terms as the private placement. The Company also granted 1,208,165 agent warrants exercisable on or before October 9, 2011 at a price of CDN$0.28 and paid cash finder's fees of CDN$208,174.
·
16,745 common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $12,875.
·
295,200 common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of agent's warrants for proceeds of $28,133.
In addition to the share issuances above:
·
1,661,241 common shares were repurchased from a dissident shareholder of Stellar CA for an accrued payment of $120,803. These shares were cancelled and returned to treasury when settled during fiscal year August 31, 2011.
The Company's cash totaled $2,003,296 as of August 31, 2010 compared to cash of $8,447 as of August 31, 2009, an increase of $1,994,849 during the year.
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Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2009
As of August 31, 2009, the Company's working capital position was $129,224 compared to working capital of $109,892 as of August 31, 2008. During the year, Operating activities used cash of $237,855, including net income of $5,703. Item not affecting cash was amortization of $14,561. Changes in non-cash working capital items included an increase in accounts receivable of $259,570, increase in prepaid expenses of $23,165, and increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $24,616.
Financing activities provided cash of $136,208. Related party advances provided cash of $36,070 and deferral of salaries provided cash of $100,500, as certain officers deferred a portion of their salaries and advanced funds to the Company until after the completion of the merger transaction. Payment of deposits used cash of $362.
There were no investing activities during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.
No common shares were issued during the year.
The Company's cash totaled $8,447 as of August 31, 2009 compared to cash of $110,094 as of August 31, 2008, a decrease of $101,647 during the year.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management is required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On a regular basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions. The estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form that basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The Company's financial statements for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. The financial statements for the periods ended November 30, 2011 and 2010 are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The Company's critical accounting policies and estimates for each accounting standard are given below.
Policies under Canadian GAAP
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, and accordingly include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Stellar CA. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation.
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Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian 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 dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The Company has made estimates for allowance of doubtful accounts, amortization and impairment of property, plant and equipment and licensing rights, stock-based compensation, the provision for future income tax recoveries and composition of future income tax assets and future income tax liabilities, and accrued liabilities for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
The Company uses the treasury stock method to compute the dilutive effect of options, warrants and similar instruments. Under this method the dilutive effect on earnings (loss) per common share is recognized from the use of the proceeds that could be obtained upon exercise of options, warrants and similar instruments. It assumes that the proceeds would be used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is accounted for at fair value as determined by the Black-Scholes option pricing model using inputs that are believed to approximate the volatility of the trading price of the Companys stock, the expected lives of awards of stock-compensation, the fair value of the Companys stock and the risk-free interest rate.
For directors and employees, the fair value of options is measured at the date of grant while for non-employees the fair value of options is measured at the earlier of the date at which the counterparty performance is completed or the date the performance commitment is reached or the date of grant if the options are fully vested and non-forfeitable. The fair value of the options at the measurement date is accrued and charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with the offsetting credit to contributed surplus. If and when the stock options are ultimately exercised, the applicable amounts of contributed surplus are transferred to share capital.
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Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is recorded on the straight-line method based on the following rates which approximate the useful life of the assets:
| Aquaculture system | 10-20% |
| Tools and equipment | 20% |
| Leasehold improvements | 10-14% |
| Laboratory | 10-20% |
| Computer and office equipment | 20% |
| Vehicles | 20% |
Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of demand deposits with financial institutions, money market accounts, and highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into cash with maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Future Income Taxes
Future income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method whereby future income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and losses carried forward. Future tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply when the asset is realized or the liability settled.
The effect on future tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of substantive enactment. To the extent that the Company does not consider it to be more likely than not that a future tax asset will be realized, it provides a valuation allowance against the excess.
Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement
Financial assets and financial liabilities, including derivatives, are recognized on the balance sheet when the Company becomes a party to contractual provisions of the financial instrument or a derivative contract. All financial instruments should be measured at fair value on initial recognition except for certain related party transactions. Measurement in subsequent periods depends on whether the financial instrument has been classified as held-for-trading, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, loans and receivables or other liabilities.
Financial assets and financial liabilities classified as held-for-trading are measured at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in the Companys income (loss) for the period. Financial assets classified as held-to-maturity, loans and receivables and other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method of amortization. Available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses including changes in foreign exchange rates being recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI) upon adoption.
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The Company has designated each of its significant categories of financial instruments as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents
Held-for-trading
Accounts receivable
Loans and receivables
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Other liabilities
The fair value of the Companys financial instruments is believed to equal the carrying amounts due to the short terms to maturity.
Fair value measurement disclosures include classification of financial instrument fair values in a fair value hierarchy comprising three levels reflecting the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements, described as follows:
Level 1:
Valuations based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2:
Valuations based on directly or indirectly observable inputs in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, other than Level 1 prices such as quoted interest or currency exchange rates; and
Level 3:
Valuations based on significant inputs that are not derived from observable market data, such as discounted cash flow methodologies based on internal cash flow forecasts.
The Companys fair value of cash and cash equivalents under the fair value hierarchy is measured using Level 1 inputs.
Long-lived Asset Impairment
Long-lived assets are reviewed when changes in events and circumstances suggest their carrying value has become impaired. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is impaired when the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted net cash flow from use and fair value. In any event, the amount by which the carrying value of an impaired long-lived asset exceeds its fair value is charged to earnings.
Biological Assets
Biological assets include an allocation of aquaculture and production costs for both limpet colonies and KLH products in process. The cost of such biological assets is recorded as a period expense until such time as it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the assets will flow to the Company. These costs are recorded as cost of sales and contracts or grant costs to the extent they relate to KLH sales, establishment and maintenance of dedicated limpet colonies under contract or KLH produced under grant programs. The remaining amounts are expensed as costs of biological assets.
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Research and Development
The Company is involved in research and development. Research costs, including materials and salaries of employees directly involved in research efforts, are expensed as incurred. Development costs are expensed in the period incurred, unless they meet criteria to technical, market and financial feasibility, in which case they are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of related products. Research and development expenses are shown as a separate line item on the consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), and deficit. As at August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company had no deferred development costs.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Companys primary currency of measurement and reporting is the US dollar, its functional currency. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the US dollar (foreign currencies) are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the transaction date. Revenues and expenses, denominated in foreign currencies are translated in US dollars at transaction date rates with the exception of amortization which is translated at historical rates. Gains and losses arising from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are included in the results of operations.
Commercial Sales Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes commercial sales revenue when KLH product is delivered assuming there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. In limited circumstance, the Company retains ownership until the product is received and inspected by the customer; revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of these conditions. The Company documents arrangements with customers with purchase orders and sales agreements.
Commercial sales revenue includes sales made under supply agreements with customers for a fixed price per gram of KLH products based on quantities ordered, including those produced from the customers dedicated limpet colonies. The supply agreements are on a non-exclusive basis except within that customers field of use.
Grant Revenue Recognition
The Company has taken the income approach to recognizing grant revenue. The Company recognizes grant revenue when there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attached, the benefits have been earned and it is reasonably assured of collection. An appropriate amount in respect to earned revenue will be recognized as revenue in the period that the Company is assured of fulfilling the grant requirements. Grant advances received prior to revenue recognition are recorded as deferred revenue.
Contract Revenue Recognition
Contract revenue is recognized when reasonable assurance exists regarding measurement and collectability. An appropriate amount in respect to earned revenue will be recognized as revenue in the period that the Company is assured of fulfilling the contract requirements.
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Contract revenue is earned on both the initial set up fee for establishment of limpet colonies dedicated to meet the needs of the customer and monthly fees to maintain those dedicated limpet colonies. The Company also has the right to use raw material produced from dedicated limpet colonies at no cost with prior written consent.
Contract revenue is earned from research collaboration agreements whereby revenue is earned through sharing access to the Companys KLH manufacturing methods and analytical data as well as when certain project milestones are met. The customer and the Company will jointly own the rights to practice the resulting intellectual properties within specified fields of use.
Intangible Asset
An intangible asset is an asset, other than a financial asset, that lacks physical substance. The Company records intangible assets at its historical cost. The Company amortizes intangible assets over their useful life to the Company, unless the life is determined to be indefinite in which case no amortization is recorded until such time as the asset is no longer indefinite.
Policies under IFRS
Basis of Presentation
The condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial instruments classified as financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss, which are stated at their fair value. In addition, the financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting except for cash flow information.
Principles of Consolidation
The condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS for the periods ended November 30, 2011 and 2010 and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (Stellar CA). Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS 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 dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The Company has made estimates for allowance of doubtful accounts, amortization and depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and licensing rights, share-based payments, research and development costs, biological assets, the provision for deferred income tax recoveries and composition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and accrued liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
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Significant assumptions about the future and other sources of estimated uncertainty that management has made at the financial position reporting date, that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, in the event that actual results differ from assumptions made, relate to, but are not limited to the following:
1)
the inputs used in the accounting for share-based payment expense included in profit or loss.
2)
the inputs used in accounting for biological assets included in statements of financial position and profit or loss.
3)
the determination of the useful life of the licensing rights.
4)
the inputs used in the accounting for the warrant liability.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
The computation of diluted loss per share assumes the conversion, exercise or contingent issuance of securities only when such conversion, exercise or issuance would have a dilutive effect on loss per share. The dilutive effect of convertible securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the if converted method. The dilutive effect of outstanding options and warrants and their equivalents is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.
Share-Based Payments
The Company grants share options to buy common shares of the Company to directors, officers, employees and consultants. An individual is classified as an employee when the individual is an employee for legal or tax purposes, or provides services similar to those performed by an employee.
For employees, the fair value of share options is measured on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and is recognized over the vesting period using graded vesting. Consideration paid for the shares on the exercise of share options is credited to share capital and the related share-based compensation is reclassified from the share-based payment reserve to share capital . When vested options are forfeited or are not exercised at the expiry date the amount previously recognized in share-based payment reserve is transferred to accumulated losses (deficit).
In situations where equity instruments are issued to non-employees and some or all of the goods or services received by the entity as consideration cannot be specifically identified, they are measured at fair value of the share-based payment. Otherwise, share-based payments are measured at the fair value of goods and services rendered.
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Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on the straight-line method based on the following rates which approximate the useful life of the assets:
| Aquaculture system | 10-20% |
| Tools and equipment | 20% |
| Leasehold improvements | 10-14% |
| Laboratory | 10-20% |
| Computer and office equipment | 20% |
| Vehicles | 20% |
Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of demand deposits with financial institutions, money market accounts, and highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into cash with maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity. Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at period end, adjusted for amendments to tax payable with regards to previous years.
Deferred tax is recorded using the liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Temporary differences are not provided for relating to goodwill not deductible for tax purposes, the initial recognition of assets and liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable loss, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will be probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.
A deferred tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized. To the extent that the Company does not consider it probable that a deferred tax asset will be recovered, it provides a valuation allowance against that excess.
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Financial Instruments
Financial assets are classified into one of the following categories based on the purpose for which the asset was acquired. All transactions related to financial instruments are recorded on a trade date basis. The Companys accounting policy for each category is as follows:
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
A financial asset is classified at fair value through profit or loss if it is classified as held for trading or is designated as such upon initial recognition. Financial assets are designated as at FVTPL if the Company manages such investments and makes purchase and sale decisions based on their fair value in accordance with the Companys risk management strategy. Attributable transaction costs are recognized in profit or loss when incurred. FVTPL are measured at fair value, and changes are recognized in profit or loss.
Held-to-maturity (HTM)
These assets are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities that the Companys management has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. These assets are measured at amortized costs using the effective interest method. If there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired, determined by reference to external credit ratings and other relevant indicators, the financial asset is measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows. Any changes to the carrying amount of the investment, including impairment losses, are recognized in profit or loss.
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted on an active market. Such assets are initially recognized at fair value plus any direct attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment loss.
Available for sale (AFS)
Non-derivative financial assets not included in the above categories are classified as available-for-sale. They are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized directly in equity. Where a decline in the fair value of an available-for-sale financial asset constitutes objective evidence of impairment, the amount of the loss is removed from equity and recognized in profit or loss.
The Company has classified its financial assets as follows:
·
Cash and cash equivalents are classified as FVTPL.
·
Accounts receivable are classified as loans and receivables.
Financial liabilities
All financial liabilities are initially recorded at fair value. Financial liabilities are classified into one of the following two categories:
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Fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
This category comprises derivatives, or liabilities, acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the near term. They are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss.
Warrants which do not meet the criteria to be classified as an equity instrument are classified as fair value through profit or loss financial liabilities.
Other financial liabilities
Financial liabilities classified as other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost.
The Company has classified its financial liabilities as follows:
·
Accounts payable is classified as other financial liabilities.
·
Warrant liability is classified as FVTPL.
Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets, other than those at FVTPL, are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are impaired when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial assets, the estimated future cash flows of the assets have been impacted.
For all financial assets objective evidence of impairment could include:
·
significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; or
·
default or delinquency in interest or principal payments; or
·
it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial re-organization.
Impairment of Tangible and Intangible Assets
At the end of each reporting period, the Companys assets are reviewed to determine whether there is any indication that those assets may be impaired. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment, if any. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Fair value is determined as the amount that would be obtained from the sale of the asset in an arms length transaction between knowledgeable and willing parties. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and the impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss for the period. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash flows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs.
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Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but to an amount that does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.
Biological Assets
Biological assets are keyhole limpets which are bearer assets to produce KLH. They are measured at fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is based on market prices of mature keyhole limpets which are harvested from the ocean. The Company expenses the costs of aquaculture. Fair value gains and losses are determined upon remeasurement at each reporting period. Biological assets include production limpets and dedicated limpet colonies under contract.
Research and Development
The Company is involved in research and development. Research costs, including materials and salaries of employees directly involved in research efforts, are expensed as incurred. Development costs are expensed in the period incurred, unless they meet criteria for technical, market and financial feasibility, in which case they are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of related products. Research and development expenses are shown as a separate line item on the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. As at November 30, 2011, the Company had no deferred development costs.
Foreign Exchange
Items included in the financial statements of the Companys subsidiary are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the functional currency). The functional currency of the parent and its subsidiary is the US dollar.
Transactions in currencies other than the US dollar are recorded at exchange rates prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the period end exchange rate while non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the exchange rates approximating those in effect on the date of the transactions. Exchange gains and losses arising on translation are included in comprehensive loss.
Commercial Sales Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes commercial sales revenue when KLH product is delivered assuming there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. In limited circumstance, the Company retains ownership until the product is received and inspected by the customer; revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of these conditions. The Company documents arrangements with customers with purchase orders and sales agreements.
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Commercial sales revenue includes sales made under supply agreements with customers for a fixed price per gram of KLH products based on quantities ordered, including those produced from the customers dedicated limpet colonies. The supply agreements are on a non-exclusive basis except within that customers field of use.
Grant Revenue Recognition
The Company has taken the income approach to recognizing grant revenue. The Company recognizes grant revenue when there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attached, the benefits have been earned and it is reasonably assured of collection. An appropriate amount in respect to earned revenue will be recognized as revenue in the period that the Company is assured of fulfilling the grant requirements. Grant advances received prior to revenue recognition are recorded as deferred revenue.
Contract Income Recognition
Contract income is recognized when reasonable assurance exists regarding measurement and collectability. An appropriate amount in respect to earned revenue will be recognized as revenue in the period that the Company is assured of fulfilling the contract requirements.
Contract income is earned on both the initial set up fee for establishment of limpet colonies dedicated to meet the needs of the customer and monthly fees to maintain those dedicated limpet colonies. The Company also has the right to use raw material produced from dedicated limpet colonies at no cost with prior written consent.
Contract income is earned from research collaboration agreements whereby revenue is earned through sharing access to the Companys KLH manufacturing methods and analytical data as well as when certain project milestones are met. The customer and the Company will jointly own the rights to practice the resulting intellectual properties within specified fields of use.
Recent and future accounting pronouncements
Beginning with the quarter ended November 30, 2011, the company prepares it financial statements using accounting policies consistent with the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) and in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, Interim Financial Reporting.
The Company has reviewed new and revised IFRS accounting pronouncements that have been issued but are not yet effective. The Company has not early adopted any of these standards and is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that these standards might have on its financial statements.
Accounting Standards Issued and Effective January 1, 2012
IAS 12 Income Taxes (Amended) (IAS 12), introduces an exception to the general measurement requirements of IAS 12 in respect of investment properties measured at fair value.
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IFRS 7 Financial instruments: Disclosures (Amended) requires additional disclosures on transferred financial assets.
Accounting Standards Issued and Effective January 1, 2013
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments replaces the current standard IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, replacing the current classification and measurement criteria for financial assets and liabilities with only two classification categories: amortized cost and fair value.
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements establishes principles for the presentation and preparation of consolidated financial statements when an entity controls one or more other entities. IFRS 10 supersedes IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements establishes the core principle that a party to a joint arrangement determines the type of joint arrangement in which it is involved by assessing its rights and obligations and accounts for those rights and obligations in accordance with that type of joint arrangement.
IFRS 12 Disclosure of Involvement with Other Entities requires the disclosure of information that enables users of financial statements to evaluate the nature of, and risks associated with, its interests in other entities and the effects of those interests on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows.
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement defines fair value, sets out in a single IFRS framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. IFRS 13 applies when another IFRS requires or permits fair value measurements or disclosures about fair value measurements (and measurements, such as fair value less costs to sell, based on fair value or disclosures about those measurements), except for: share-based payment transactions within the scope of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment; leasing transactions within the scope of IAS 17 Leases; measurements that have some similarities to fair value but that are not fair value, such as net realizable value in IAS 2 Inventories or value in use in IAS 36 Impairment of Assets.
IAS 27 Separate Financial Statement (Amended) has the objective of setting standards to be applied in accounting for investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associates when an entity elects, or is required by local regulations, to present separate (non-consolidated) financial statements.
IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (Amended) prescribes the accounting for investments in associates and sets out the requirements for the application of the equity method when accounting for investments in associates and joint ventures. IAS 28 applies to all entities that are investors with joint control of, or significant influence over, an investee (associate or joint venture).
US GAAP Reconciliation with Canadian GAAP for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Derivative Liability
US GAAP requires that share purchase warrants with an exercise price in a currency other than the Companys functional currency requires them to be classified as long-term liabilities and measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of loss.
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Research and Development Costs
Under Canadian GAAP, research and development costs are charged as an expense in the period incurred except in circumstances where the market and feasibility of the product have been established, and recovery of development costs can reasonably be regarded as assured, in which case such costs are capitalized. US GAAP requires that these expenditures be expensed in the year incurred. The Company has not capitalized any development costs during the years ended August 31, 2011 and 2010.
Investment Tax Credits
Canadian GAAP requires that investment tax credits relating to development costs be accounted for as a reduction of development costs. US GAAP requires such amounts to be accounted for as a reduction of income tax expense. There is no impact on the US GAAP loss for the year as a result of this GAAP difference.
Capital Expenditures
The Company has budgeted $65,500 for capital expenditures for fiscal 2012
Research and Development
The Company's core business is developing and commercializing Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ("KLH") for use in medical and research products. The Company currently conducts research and development activities related to the aquaculture of keyhole limpets as well as the extraction and purification of KLH.
Research costs, including materials and salaries of employees directly involved in research efforts, are expensed as incurred. Development costs are expensed in the period incurred, unless they meet criteria to technical, market and financial feasibility, in which case they are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of related products. Research and development expenses are shown as a separate line item on the consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), and deficit. As at August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company had no deferred development costs.
The following table includes the Company's research and development costs for each of the most recent three fiscal years:
Fiscal Year | Research and Development Expense |
2011 | $ 906,518 |
2010 | $ 352,780 |
2009 | $ 96,543 |
Trend Information
The Company knows of no trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Companys operations or financial condition.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
The Company leases three buildings and facilities in Port Hueneme, California under sublease agreements with the Port Hueneme Surplus Property Authority. On September 1, 2010, the Company exercised its option to extend the three buildings and facilities sublease agreement. The monthly base rents total $7,071 for a term of 5 years with rents adjusted by the Consumer Price Index every November 1st. The Company also leases office facilities through June 30, 2014. Rent is $5,126 per month with 3% cost of living increases per year.
The Company also has purchase order commitments for contract manufacturing organizations.
Table No. 5
Contractual Obligations
As of August 31, 2011
| Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Lease Commitments | $ 533,529 | $ 146,676 | $ 287,859 | $ 98,994 | Nil |
Purchase Order Commitments | $ 184,000 | $ 184,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Table No. 6 lists as of February 28, 2012, the names of the Directors of the Company. The Directors have served in their respective capacities since their election and/or appointment and will serve until the next Annual General Meeting or until a successor is duly elected, unless the office is vacated in accordance with the Articles/By-Laws of the Company. All Directors are residents and citizens of the United States. Each director was reelected at the annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on January 17, 2012, and their term will expire at the next annual general meeting of shareholders expected to be held in or around January 2013.
Table No. 6
Directors
Name | Age | Date First Elected/Appointed |
Frank Oakes (1) | 61 | April 9, 2010 |
Darrell Brookstein | 60 | April 10, 2010 |
Daniel Morse, Ph.D (1) | 70 | April 9, 2010 |
Malcolm Gefter, Ph.D | 69 | July 12, 2010 |
David Hill (1) | 60 | May 17, 2011 |
(1)
Member of Audit Committee.
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Members of the audit committee meet periodically to approve and discuss the annual financial statements and each quarterly report before filing and mailing. The committee operates under a written charter as included in the Company's Management Information Circular dated December 17, 2011. Details of the charter are contained in Item 6, Board Practices below, and a copy of the Management Information Circular which contains the charter has been filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement.
Table No. 7 lists, as of February 28, 2012, the names of the Executive Officers of the Company. The Executive Officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. All Executive Officers are residents and citizens of the United States except Scott Davis, who is a resident and citizen of Canada.
Table No. 7
Executive Officers
Name | Position | Age | Date of Appointment |
Frank Oakes | President and CEO | 61 | April 9, 2010 |
Scott Davis | Chief Financial Officer | 34 | March 21, 2011 |
Darrell Brookstein | Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development and Finance | 60 | April 9, 2010 |
Frank R. Oakes is President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director. Mr. Oakes has 30 years of management experience in aquaculture including a decade as CEO of The Abalone Farm, Inc., during which he led that company through the R&D, capitalization, and commercialization phases of development to become the largest abalone producer in the United States. He is the inventor of the companys patented method for non-lethal extraction of hemolymph from the keyhole limpet. He is the Principal Investigator (PI) on the companys current Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation and was PI on the companys Phase I and II SBIR grants from the NIHs Center for Research Resources, and a California Technology Investment Partnership (CalTIP) grant from the Department of Commerce. He has consulted and lectured for the aquaculture industry around the world. Frank received his Bachelor of Science degree from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo and is a graduate of the Los Angeles Regional Technology Alliance (LARTA) Universitys management-training program. Mr. Oakes devotes 100% of his time to the Company's affairs.
Scott Davis is Chief Financial Officer, and is a partner of Cross Davis & Company LLP Certified General Accountants, a firm focused on providing accounting and management services for publicly-listed companies. His experience includes CFO positions of several companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, and his past experience consists of senior management positions, including three years at Appleby as an Assistant Financial Controller. Prior to that, he spent two years at Davidson & Company LLP Chartered Accountants as an Auditor, five years with Pacific Opportunity Capital Ltd. as an Accounting Manager, and two years at Jacobson Soda and Hosak, Chartered Accountants. Mr. Davis devotes approximately 10% of his time to the Company's affairs.
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Daniel E. Morse, Ph.D. is currently a Director and served as Executive Vice-President, Science & Technology until December 31, 2011. He is also a member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. He is Professor of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Director of the UCSB-MIT- Caltech Institute of Collaborative Biotechnologies. Dr. Morse is an internationally recognized expert in protein chemistry, molecular biology, molluscan reproductive biology, and aquaculture. Dr Morses laboratory at the University of California, Santa Barbara is currently working under a seed grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to begin investigations into the fundamental disassociation & assembly dynamics of the companys subunit KLH product. Dr. Morse devotes approximately 30% of his time to the Company's affairs.
Darrell Brookstein is Executive VP, Corporate Development & Finance, and a Director. He was Managing Director of The Nanotech Company, LLC and a director of CAG Capital, Inc. He has founded and been CEO of multiple investment firms in diverse fields and has published books and newsletters on investing in cutting-edge technology and natural resource finance. He is a graduate of Duke University. Mr. Brookstein currently devotes 100% of his time to the Company's affairs.
Malcolm Gefter, Ph.D. is a Director and a member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Gefter graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.Sc. in Chemistry in 1963 and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1967. He founded Praecis Pharmaceuticals Incorporated in 1989 and held the positions of Chairman of the Board (since 1994), Chief Executive Officer (since 1996) and President (since 1998) until his retirement in 2007. Praecis Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel compounds to address unmet medical needs or improve existing therapies focused on drug discovery technology, Dr. Gefter has been a professor of biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is now professor emeritus. He has authored more than 200 original scientific papers. Dr. Gefter was also a founder of ImmuLogic Pharmaceutical Corporation, and from 1987 to March 1997, served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at ImmuLogic. Dr. Gefter devotes approximately 10% of his time to the Company's affairs.
David L. Hill, Ph.D. is a Director and chairman of the Company's audit committee. He currently serves as Scientific Director for the ART Reproductive Center, Beverly Hills, California and is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and a Research Assistant IV at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. Dr. Hill received his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the Department of Pathology, School of Life Sciences, University of Connecticut and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through an appointment by the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Hill currently devotes approximately 10% of his time to the Company's affairs.
No Director and/or Executive Officer has been the subject of any order, judgment, or decree of any governmental agency or administrator or of any court or competent jurisdiction, revoking or suspending for cause any license, permit or other authority of such person or of any corporation of which he or she is a Director and/or Executive Officer, to engage in the securities business or in the sale of a particular security or temporarily or permanently restraining or enjoining any such person or any corporation of which he or she is an officer or director from engaging in or continuing any conduct, practice, or employment in connection with the purchase or sale of securities, or convicting such person of any felony or misdemeanor involving a security or any aspect of the securities business or of theft or of any felony.
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There are no arrangements or understandings between any two or more Directors or Executive Officers, pursuant to which he or she was selected as a Director or Executive Officer. No members of the Board of Directors are related.
Scientific Advisory Board
The Company has a Scientific Advisory Board ("SAB"). Each member has extensive industry experience, and provides consulting services to the Company as needed. The SAB currently consists of four members. In addition to Dr. Malcolm Gefter Ph.D. and Dr. Daniel Morse, Ph.D., who also serve as members of the Company's Board of Directors, the Company currently has two other members of the SAB as described below.
Andrew Saxon, M.D. is Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Saxon received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Diagnostic/Laboratory Immunology. He has published over 180 peer reviewed research publications primarily dealing the control and assessment of the human immune response. Dr. Saxon and colleagues at UCLA were the first to recognize AIDS in 1980, brought this new disease to the attention of the CDC in 1981. As part of his work, Dr. Saxon has had extensive experience with the KLH in its various molecular forms. Dr. Saxon is also the Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Immunology. Dr. Saxon advises the Company on diagnostic and laboratory immunology, and meets with the Company's executives and senior staff on a regular basis.
Daniel C. Adelman, M.D. is Adjunct Professor at UC-San Francisco. He is Sr. VP, Development and Chief Medical Officer at Alvine Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Adelman was Sr. VP, Development and Chief Medical Officer at Sunesis Pharmaceuticals. He served at Pharmacyclics as VP, Clinical Operations and Biometrics and was a Clinical Scientist at Genentech. Dr. Adelman has been involved in all stages of pharmaceutical drug development and shared responsibility for the early development of Xolair and Avastin. He holds a BA in Biology from the University of California and an M.D. degree from the UC-Davis. He did post-doctoral training in Clinical Immunology and Allergy at UCLA. Dr. Adelman advises the Company on biometrics and clinical medicine, and meets with Company's executives and senior staff on a regular basis.
COMPENSATION
The Company has adopted a Compensation Policy for its Directors. Board members receive $6,000 annually, plus an additional $1,000 for each Board of Director's meeting attended in person, or $350 for each meeting attended by telephone. The Chairman of the Board of Directors receives an additional $4,000 annually. The Audit Committee Chairman receives an additional $5,000 annually, and Chairman of other Committees receives an additional $2,500 annually. Members of Committees receive an additional $1,000 annually, and will receive $350 for each committee meeting attended. Non-executive Directors will receive 25,000 to 50,000 stock options each year. Compensation may also be set for each director individually.
There are no directors service contracts providing for benefits upon termination of employment.
To assist the Company in compensating, attracting, retaining and motivating personnel, the Company grants incentive stock options under a formal Share Option Plan which was first approved by shareholders at the Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders held on October 13, 2009 and subsequently amended as of December 13, 2011.
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Table No. 8 sets forth the compensation paid to the Companys executive officers and members of its administrative body during the last three fiscal years.
Table No. 8
Summary Compensation Table
All Figures in US Dollars unless otherwise noted
Name | Fiscal Year | Salary | Options Granted | Other Compensation |
Frank Oakes President, CEO and Director (1) | 2011 2010 2009 | $ 268,750 106,250 64,500 | 425,600 1,075,000 Nil | $ 19,494 Nil Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
Scott Davis, Chief Financial Officer (2) | 2011 | N/A | Nil | $ 26,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
Darrell Brookstein, Executive Vice-President and Director (3) | 2011 2010 | $ 208,250 39,375 | 376,000 620,000 | $ 18,567 40,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel Morse, Director and former Chief Technology Officer, and Corporate Secretary (4) | 2011 2010 2009 | $ 50,000 18,750 1,300 | 120,500 290,000 Nil | $ 54,750 26,028 Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
Malcolm Gefter, Director (5) | 2011 2010 | N/A N/A | 70,000 70,000 | $ 16,999 4,121 |
David Hill, Director (6) | 2011 | N/A | 25,000 | $ 6,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Harvey Wright, Former director (7) | 2011 2010 | N/A N./A | Nil 50,000 | $ 350 Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Catalano, Former Director (8) | 2011 2010 | N/A N/A | Nil 100,000 | $ 2,000 Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
Kerry Beamish, Former Chief Financial Officer (9) | 2011 2010 | N/A N/A | Nil Nil | $ 10,620 6,841 |
(1)
In fiscal 2011, salary for Frank Oakes included base annual salary of $140,000 through December 31, 2010 and $250,000 thereafter, and a bonus of $60,000. Other Compensation includes $1,000 for Directors' fees and $18,494 for health insurance and contributions to a 401(k) Plan.
(2)
"Other Compensation" for Scott Davis is for consulting fees paid for his service as Chief Financial Officer.
(3)
In fiscal 2011, salary for Darrell Brookstein included base annual salary of $135,000 through December 31, 2010 and $185,000 thereafter, and a bonus of $42,000. "Other Compensation" includes $1,000 for Directors' fees and $17,567 for health insurance and contributions to a 401(k) Plan. Fiscal 2010 payments total $40,500 in consultant fees.
(4)
"Other Compensation" for Daniel Morse in fiscal 2011 includes $1,000 for Directors' fees and $53,750 for consultant fees. Fiscal 2010 payments total $26,028 in consultant fees.
(5)
"Other Compensation" for Malcolm Gefter in fiscal 2011 includes $1,000 for Directors' fees and $15,999 for consultant fees. Fiscal 2010 payments total $4,121 in consultant fees.
(6)
"Other Compensation" for David Hill in fiscal 2011 includes $1,000 for Directors' fees and $5,000 for consultant fees.
(7)
"Other Compensation" for Harvey Wright in fiscal 2011 totals $350 for Directors' fees. Mr. Wright served as a director until his death in February 2012.
(8)
"Other Compensation" for Ben Catalano in fiscal 2011 totals $2,000 for consultant fees.
(9)
"Other Compensation" for Kerry Beamish is for consulting fees paid for his service as Chief Financial Officer.
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The Company has established a formal 401(k) Plan to provide retirement benefits to eligible officers and employees. Employees may enter the Plan after they have been employed by the Company for 3 consecutive months. Stellar contributes a flat 3% of eligible compensation for each Plan participant at the end of the Plan Year.
Other than the funds contributed under the Company's 401(k) Plan, no other funds were set aside or accrued by the Company during Fiscal 2011 to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for Directors or Executive Officers.
PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN
Under the merger agreement between Stellar and Stellar CA, the Company allotted 10,000,000 common shares under a Performance Share Plan. The purpose of the Plan was to encourage the development of the Company's products and business by distributing shares to key management, employees, and consultants upon the meeting of certain milestones. These milestones are as follows:
1.
Completion of method development for commercial-scale manufacture of IMG KLH with applicable good GMP as a pharmaceutical intermediate, evidenced by completion of three GMP lots meeting all quality and product release specifications required for stability studies and process validation;
2.
Compilation and regulatory submittal of all required CMC data compiled in CTD format and evidenced by filing as a DMF with the USFDA; and
3.
Completion of preclinical toxicity and immunogenicity testing of IMG KLH and Subunit KLH in rodent and non-rodent species as evidenced by acceptance by study protocols and completion reports available to support customer United States FDA and EMEA filings.
As each milestone is met as determined by the Company's Board of Directors, one-third of the Performance Shares will be released to the Plan members. In January 2011, it was determined that the successful completion of preclinical toxicity and immunogenicity testing of Stellar KLH/IMG and Subunit KLH in rodent and non-rodent species completed the milestone number 3 above. Therefore, the first one-third of the Performance Shares totaling 3,333,335 common shares were issued to the Plan members on January 31, 2011. The name of the Plan members, the number of shares issued, and the balance of shares remaining under the Performance Plan are given below:
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Table No. 9
Performance Shares
Plan Member | Total Performance Shares Reserved for Issuance (1) | Shares Issued January 31, 2011 (First Milestone) | Balance Reserved for Future Issuance |
|
|
|
|
Frank R. Oakes | 3,583,333 | 1,250,000 | 2,333,333 |
Darrell Brookstein | 2,166,667 | 666,667 | 1,500,000 |
Daniel E. Morse, Ph.D. | 2,000,000 | 666,667 | 1,333,333 |
Andrew Saxon | 500,000 | 166,667 | 333,333 |
Rodrick Conde (2) | 100,000 | 33,333 | 66,667 |
Brandon Lincicum | 100,000 | 33,333 | 66,667 |
Malcolm Gefter | 200,000 | 66,667 | 133,333 |
John Sundsmo, Ph.D. | 500,000 | 166,667 | 33,333 |
Catherine Brisson, Ph.D. | 200,000 | 66,667 | 133,333 |
Herbert S. Chow, Ph.D. | 500,000 | 166,667 | 333,333 |
Jan Haynes | 150,000 | 50,000 | 100,000 |
|
|
|
|
Total | 10,000,000 | 3,333,335 | 6,666,665 |
(1)
Subsequent to the initial performance share allocations, 166,667 performance shares initially allocated to Frank R. Oakes for future distribution were reassigned to Darrell Brookstein.
(2)
Rodrick Conde is no longer an employee of the Company and the 66,667 balance reserved for future issuance will be returned to the Plan and be eligible for reissuance.
Board Practices
The Board of Directors mandate is to manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company and to act with a view to the best interests of the Company.
The Companys corporate governance practices are the responsibility of the Board, the members of which are elected by and are accountable to the shareholders, and takes into account the role of the individual members of management who are appointed by the Board and who are charged with the day to day management of the Company. The Board and senior management consider good corporate governance to be central to the effective and efficient operation of the Company.
The Board is specifically responsible for approving long-term strategic plans and annual operating plans and budgets recommended by management. Board consideration and approval is also required for all material contracts, business transactions and all debt and equity financing proposals. The Board also takes responsibility for identifying the principal risks of the Companys business and for ensuring these risks are effectively monitored and mitigated to the extent reasonably practicable. In keeping with its overall responsibility for the stewardship of the Company, the Board is also responsible for the integrity of the Companys internal control and management information systems and for the Companys policies respecting corporate disclosure and communications.
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The Board delegates to management, through the Chief Executive Officer and President, responsibility for meeting defined corporate objectives, implementing approved strategic and operating plans, carrying on the Companys business in the ordinary course, managing the Companys cash flow, evaluating new business opportunities, recruiting staff and complying with applicable regulatory requirements. The Board also looks to management to furnish recommendations respecting corporate objectives, long-term strategic plans and annual operating plans. The Board monitors the adequacy of information given to directors, communication between the Board and management and the strategic direction and processes of the Board and committees.
The Board considers its size each year when it considers the number of directors to recommend to the shareholders for election at the annual meeting of shareholders, taking into account the number required to carry out the Boards duties effectively and to maintain a diversity of views and experience. When new directors are appointed, they receive orientation, commensurate with their previous experience, on the Companys business and on director responsibilities. Board members are encouraged to communicate with management, auditors and technical consultants; to keep themselves current with industry trends and developments and changes in legislation with managements assistance, and to attend related industry seminars and visit the Companys operations.
The Board as a whole has the responsibility of determining the compensation for the CEO and CFO and of determining compensation for directors and senior management. The CEO is prohibited from being present while compensation of the CEO is being determined.
To determine compensation payable, the directors review compensation paid to directors, CEOs and CFOs of companies of similar size and stage of development in similar industries and determine an appropriate compensation reflecting the need to provide incentive and compensation for the time and effort expended by the directors, CEO and CFO while taking into account the financial and other resources of the Company. In setting the compensation, the directors annually review the performance of the CEO and CFO in light of the Companys objectives and consider other factors that may have impacted the success of the Company in achieving its objectives.
The Board is currently composed of five directors: Frank R. Oakes, Darrell Brookstein, Daniel E. Morse, Malcolm Gefter, and David L. Hill. Of the current directors, Frank R. Oakes and Darrell Brookstein are officers, and Daniel E. Morse is a former officer, therefore are not considered independent. Malcolm Gefter and David L. Hill are deemed to be not independent due to their receipt of consultant fees from the Company.
The Board does not currently have an independent Chair and, at this stage of the Companys development, the Board does not feel it is necessary to have one to ensure that the Board can function independently of management, as sufficient guidance is found in the applicable corporate and securities legislation and regulatory policies. The non-management directors exercise their responsibilities for independent oversight of management, and are provided with leadership through their position on the Board and ability to meet independently of management whenever deemed necessary. In addition, each member of the Board understands that he is entitled to seek the advice of an independent expert if he reasonably considers it warranted under the circumstances.
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Audit Committee
The Company's Audit Committee operates under a written charter which is reviewed by the Board of Directors on an annual basis. A copy of the current Audit Committee Charter has been filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement.
The audit committee will assist the board of directors (the Board) in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities. The audit committee will review and consider in consultation with the auditors the financial reporting process, the system of internal control and the audit process. In performing its duties, the audit committee will maintain effective working relationships with the Board, management, and the external auditors. To effectively perform his or her role, each audit committee member must obtain an understanding of the principal responsibilities of audit committee membership as well and the Companys business, operations and risks.
Composition
The Board will appoint from among their membership an audit committee after each annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company. The audit committee will consist of a minimum of three directors.
A majority of the members of the audit committee must not be officers, employees or control persons of the Company. Each member of the audit committee must be financially literate or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the committee. At least one member of the audit committee must have accounting or related financial management expertise. The Board shall interpret the qualifications of financial literacy and financial management expertise in its business judgment and shall conclude whether a director meets these qualifications
Meetings
The audit committee shall meet in accordance with a schedule established each year by the Board, and at other times that the audit committee may determine. The audit committee shall meet at least annually with the Companys Chief Financial Officer and external auditors in separate executive sessions.
Responsibilities
The audit committee has the following responsibilities:
External Audit
The audit committee shall be directly responsible for overseeing the work of the external auditors in preparing or issuing the auditors report, including the resolution of disagreements between management and the external auditors regarding financial reporting and audit scope or procedures.
Internal Control
The audit committee shall consider whether adequate controls are in place over annual and interim financial reporting as well as controls over assets, transactions and the creation of obligations, commitments and liabilities of the Company.
Financial Reporting
The audit committee shall review the financial statements and financial information prior to its release to the public.
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Release of Financial Information
Where reasonably possible, the audit committee will review and approve all public disclosure, including news releases, containing financial information, prior to its release to the public.
Non-Audit Services
All non-audit services (being services other than services rendered for the audit and review of the financial statements or services that are normally provided by the external auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements) which are proposed to be provided by the external auditors to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall be subject to the prior approval of the audit committee.
Other Responsibilities
The audit committee shall:
(a)
establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters;
(b)
establish procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;
(c)
ensure that significant findings and recommendations made by management and external auditor are received and discussed on a timely basis;
(d)
review the policies and procedures in effect for considering officers expenses and perquisites;
(e)
perform other oversight functions as requested by the Board; and
(f)
review and update this Charter and receive approval of changes to this Charter from the Board.
Reporting Responsibilities
The audit committee shall have the resources and the authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities,
including the authority to
(a)
engage independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties;
(b)
set and pay the compensation for any advisors employed by the audit committee; and
(c)
communicate directly with the internal and external auditors.
The audit committee shall regularly update the Board about audit committee activities and make appropriate
recommendations.
The current Audit Committee members are David Hill (Committee Chair), Frank Oakes and Daniel Morse. Harvey Wright served on the Committee until his death in February 2012 and Mr. Morse was subsequently named to the Committee.
Staffing
The Company currently has 16 employees and 4 executive officers. All employees are located at the Company's facilities in Port Hueneme, California. The employees are located in aquaculture, research, production, and office duties. In fiscal 2010, the Company had 12 employees.
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Share Ownership
The Registrant is a publicly owned Canadian corporation, the shares of which are owned by U.S. residents, Canadian residents and other foreign residents. The Registrant is not controlled by another corporation as described below.
Table No. 10 lists, as of February 28, 2012, Directors and Executive Officers who beneficially own the Registrant's voting securities and the amount of the Registrant's voting securities owned by the Directors and Executive Officers as a group.
Table No. 10
Shareholdings of Directors and Executive Officers
Title of Class | Name of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percent of Class |
|
|
|
|
Common | Frank R. Oakes (1) | 5,219,684 | 11.56% |
Common | Scott Davis | Nil | - |
Common | Darrell Brookstein (2) | 3,081,142 | 6.89% |
Common | Daniel E. Morse (3) | 1,285,260 | 2.90% |
Common | Malcolm L. Gefter (4) | 136,666 | 0.31% |
Common | David L. Hill (5) | 8,333 | 0.02% |
|
|
|
|
| Total Directors/Officers | 9,711,085 | 20.94% |
(1)
Of this amount, 585,171 are common shares owned by Dorothy Oakes, Mr. Oakes' spouse, of which 263,327 are currently in escrow to be released over time. 1,226,867 represent currently exercisable share purchase options. Of these common shares, 1,240,191 are currently in escrow.
(2)
Of this amount, 1,352,000 are common shares and 60,000 are common share purchase warrants held by the Brookstein Family Trust, for which Darrell Brookstein serves as co-trustee. 745,333 represent currently exercisable stock options. Of these common shares, 179,164 are currently in escrow to be released over time.
(3)
Of this amount, 330,166 represent currently exercisable stock options. Of these common shares, 264,792 are currently in escrow to be released over time.
(4)
Of this amount, 69,999 represent currently exercisable stock options.
(5)
Of this amount, 8,333 represent currently exercisable stock options.
Based upon 43,930,432 common shares outstanding as of February 28, 2012, share purchase warrants and stock options held by each beneficial holder exercisable within sixty days as detailed in Table No. 13, Stock Options Outstanding below.
- 59 -
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
The Registrant is a publicly owned Canadian corporation, the shares of which are owned by U.S. residents, Canadian residents and other foreign residents. The Registrant is not controlled by another corporation as described below. The Company's common shares are issued in registered form and the following information is taken from the records of Computershare Investor Services, 510 Burrard Street, 2nd Floor
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3B9.
On February 28, 2012, the shareholders' list for the Company's common shares showed 48 registered shareholders, including depositories, and 43,930,432 common shares issued and outstanding. Of the total registered shareholders, 5 are resident in Canada holding 31,395,022 common shares, or 71.5% of the total issued and outstanding; 41 shareholders are resident in the United States holding 12,435,409 of the common shares, or 28.3% of the issued and outstanding, and there are two registered shareholders resident in other nations holding 100,000 common shares, or 0.2% of the issued and outstanding common shares.
The Company is aware of three persons/companies who beneficially own 5% or more of the Registrant's voting securities. Table No. 11 lists as of February 28, 2012, persons and/or companies holding 5% or more beneficial interest in the Companys outstanding common stock.
Table No. 11
5% or Greater Shareholders
Title of Class | Name of Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percent of Class |
|
|
|
|
Common | Ernesto Echavarria (1) | 7,504,166 | 16.31% |
Common | Frank R. Oakes (2) | 5,219,684 | 11.56% |
Common | Darrell Brookstein (3) | 3,081,142 | 6.89% |
(1)
Of this total, 2,083,333 represent common stock purchase warrants.
(2)
Of this amount, 585,171 are common shares owned by Dorothy Oakes, Mr. Oakes' spouse, of which 263,327 are currently in escrow to be released over time.. 1,226,867 represent currently exercisable share purchase options. Of these common shares, 1,240,191 are currently in escrow.
(3)
Of this amount, 1,352,000 are common shares and 60,000 are common shares purchase warrants held by the Brookstein Family Trust, for which Darrell Brookstein serves as co-trustee. 745,333 represent currently exercisable stock options.
Based upon 43,930,432 common shares outstanding as of February 28, 2012, share purchase warrants and stock options held by each beneficial holder exercisable within sixty days as detailed in Table No. 13, Stock Options Outstanding below.
No shareholders of the Company have different voting rights from any other shareholder.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During fiscal 2011, the Company paid $Nil (2010 - $40,500; 2009 - $Nil) to Darrell Brookstein, an officer and director, in consulting fees.
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During fiscal 2011, the Company paid $26,398 (2010 - $Nil; 2009 - $Nil) in professional fees to Cross Davis & Company, an accounting firm for which Scott Davis, Chief Financial Officer, is a partner.
During fiscal 2011, the Company paid $10,620 (2010 - $6,841; 2009 - $Nil) in professional fees to K. Beamish & Associates Inc., an accounting firm controlled by Kerry Beamish, a former officer.
During fiscal 2011, the Company paid $53,750 (2010 - $26,028; 2009 - $Nil) to Daniel Morse, an officer and director, in consulting fees.
During fiscal 2011, the Company paid $15,999 (2010 - $4,121; 2009 - $Nil) to Malcolm Gefter, a director, in consulting fees.
During fiscal 2011, the Company paid $5,000 (2010 - $Nil; 2009 - $Nil) to David Hill, a director, in consulting fees.
During fiscal 2011, the Company paid $2,000 (2010 - $Nil; 2009 - $Nil) to Ben Catalano, a former director, in consulting fees.
During fiscal 2009, Frank Oakes, an officer and director, provided a loan of $15,000 to the Company in order to retire convertible notes payable. The Company repaid the loan during fiscal 2010.
During fiscal 2002, the Company entered into a royalty agreement with Frank Oakes, an officer and director. Under the agreement, Mr. Oakes assigned certain patent rights to the Company in exchange for 5% of gross receipts in excess of $500,000 annual from products using this invention. The Company's current operations utilize this invention. The royalties for the year ended August 31, 2011 were $Nil (2010 - $Nil; 2009 - $Nil).
As of August 31, 2011, the Company owed $26,034 (2010 - $15,750) to officers and directors for consulting fees and expense reimbursements.
Item 8. Financial Information
The financial statements as required under ITEM #18 are attached hereto and found immediately following the text of this Registration Statement. The audit report of D+H Group LLP, Chartered Accountants, is included herein immediately preceding the financial statements and schedules.
Change to International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")
In February 2008, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants ("CICA") announced that Canadian GAAP for publicly accountable enterprises will be replaced by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Companies are required to provide IFRS comparative information for the previous fiscal year. The first period reported under IFRS by the Company was the three month period ended November 30, 2011, and the Company's first fiscal year end date under IFRS will be the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012. Under the rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, registrants are allowed to file their financial statements prepared under IFRS.
- 61 -
Current Legal Proceedings
On August 27, 2008, the Company was notified by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board ("CRWQCB") through a Notice of Violations that it could be subject to minimum statutory penalties up to $69,000, for violations to its NPDES waste discharge permit dating from 2001. The Company contested this claim that it violated the terms of its waste discharge permit by written protest on the basis that the alleged violations were as a result of elevated constituent levels in the source water used in the Company's operations from a third party and not from Stellar's operations. The Company filed its written response in 2008 and requested that penalties, if any, be waived. The CRWQCB issued a revised NPDES Waste Discharge Permit to the Company in 2009 which includes "intake credits" for the elevated constituent levels. The Company has not received any additional response from the Agency and no penalties have been assessed.
Other than the CRWQCB issue discussed above, the Company knows of no material, active or pending, legal proceedings against them; nor is the Company involved as a plaintiff in any other material proceeding or pending litigation. The Company knows of no active or pending proceedings against anyone that might materially adversely affect an interest of the Company.
Dividends
The Company has not declared any dividends on its common shares since inceptions and does not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. The present policy of the Company is to retain future earnings, if any, for use in its operations and the expansion of its business.
Significant Changes to Financial Condition
Since August 31, 2011, the end of the most recent fiscal year, 2,318,600 common stock purchase warrants were exercised for gross proceeds of $830,715. There have been no other significant changes to the Company's financial position.
Item 9. Offer and Listing of Securities
As of August 31, 2011, the end of the Company's most recent fiscal year, the authorized capital of the Company consisted of an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value. There were 41,611,832 Common Shares outstanding as of August 31, 2011 and 43,930,432 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of February 28, 2012.
NATURE OF TRADING MARKET
The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada under the stock symbol is KLH and, as of February 28, 2012, on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol RBT.F. The CUSIP number is 85855A 10 4. The Company's common shares are not registered to trade in the United States in the form of American Depository Receipts (ADR's) or similar certificates.
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Table No. 12 lists the volume of trading and high, low and closing sale prices on the TSX Venture Exchange for the Company's common shares for:
·
each of the last six months ending February 29, 2012;
·
each of the last nine fiscal quarters ending the three months ended February 29, 2012; and
·
each of the last four fiscal years since the initiation of trading ending August 31, 2011.
The Company commenced trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the name CAG Capital Inc. on Aug. 29, 2008. From June 18, 2009 until April 19, 2010, the Companys shares were suspended from trading by the TSX Venture Exchange for review, approval and completion of the Companys Qualifying Transaction as per exchange Capital Pool Company regulations.
Table No. 12
TSX Venture Exchange
Common Shares Trading Activity
| - Sales- | ||
| Canadian Dollars | ||
Period | High | Low | Close |
|
|
|
|
February 2012 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.40 | $ 0.47 |
January 2012 | $ 0.51 | $ 0.405 | $ 0.46 |
December 2011 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.40 | $ 0.43 |
November 2011 | $ 0.69 | $ 0.365 | $ 0.48 |
October 2011 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.29 | $ 0.405 |
September 2011 | $ 0.60 | $ 0.35 | $ 0.38 |
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended 2/29/12 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.40 | $ 0.47 |
Three Months Ended 11/30/11 | $ 0.69 | $ 0.29 | $ 0.48 |
Three Months Ended 8/31/11 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.465 | $ 0.55 |
Three Months Ended 5/31/11 | $ 1.09 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.67 |
Three Months Ended 2/28/11 | $ 1.50 | $ 0.98 | $ 1.00 |
Three Months Ended 11/30/10 | $ 1.19 | $ 0.31 | $ 1.10 |
Three Months Ended 8/31/10 | $ 0.35 | $ 0.20 | $ 0.32 |
Three Months Ended 5/31/10 | $ 0.40 | $ 0.19 | $ 0.245 |
Three Months Ended 2/28/10 | Suspended from Trading | ||
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended 8/31/11 | $ 1.50 | $ 0.31 | $ 0.55 |
Fiscal Year Ended 8/31/10 | $ 1.19 | $ 0.19 | $ 0.32 |
Fiscal Year Ended 8/31/09 | $ 0.24 | $ 0.055 | $ 0.11 |
Fiscal Year Ended 8/31/08 | No Trades |
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Current Canadian Trading Market
The Company's common stock is currently listed and trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V).
The TSX-V was created through the acquisition of the Canadian Venture Exchange by the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Canadian Venture Exchange was a result of the merger between the Vancouver Stock Exchange and the Alberta Stock Exchange which took place on November 29, 1999. On August 1, 2001, the Toronto Stock Exchange completed its purchase of the Canadian Venture Exchange from its member firms and renamed the Exchange the TSX Venture Exchange. The TSX-V currently operates as a complementary but independent exchange from its parent.
The initial roster of the TSX-V was made up of venture companies previously listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange or the Alberta Stock Exchange and later incorporated junior listings from the Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg Stock Exchanges. The TSX-V is a venture market as compared to the TSX Exchange which is Canadas senior market and the Montreal Exchange which is Canadas market for derivatives products.
The TSX-V is a self-regulating organization owned and operated by the TSX Group. It is governed by representatives of its member firms and the public.
The TSX Group acts as a business link between TSX Venture Exchange members, listed companies and investors. TSX-V policies and procedures are designed to accommodate companies still in their formative stages and recognize those that are more established. Listings are predominately small and medium sized companies.
Regulation of the TSX Venture Exchange, its member firms and its listed companies is the responsibility of Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada ("IIROC"). IIROC is a not-for-profit, independent Canadian self-regulatory organization that, among other things, oversees trading in exchanges and marketplaces.
IIROC administers, oversees and enforces the Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR). To ensure compliance with UMIR, IIROC monitors real-time trading operations and market-related activities of marketplaces and participants, and also enforces compliance with UMIR by investigating alleged rule violations and administering any settlements and hearings that may arise in respect of such violations.
Investors in Canada are protected by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). The CIPF is a private trust fund established to protect customers in the event of the insolvency of a member of any of the following Self-Regulatory Organizations: the TSX Venture Exchange, the Montreal Exchange, the TSX, the Toronto Futures Exchange and the IIROC.
Item 10. Additional Information
Share Capital
The Company has financed its operations through the issuance of common shares through private placements, the exercise of warrants issued in the private placements, and the exercise of stock options. The changes in the Companys share capital during the last 3 fiscal years are as follows:
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No common shares were issued in the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, 21,814,677 common shares were issued:
·
10,000,000 common shares were issued under the merger agreement between Stellar and Stellar CA.
·
In April 2010, the Company completed the private placement of 11,502,732 units at a price of CDN$0.28 per unit for gross proceeds of $3,209,262 (CDN$3,220,764). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of a common share warrant, with each warrant exercisable into a common share at a price of CDN$0.40 on or before October 9, 2011. In addition, 35,000 units were issued to an agent under the same terms as the private placement. The Company also granted 1,208,165 agent warrants exercisable on or before October 9, 2011 at a price of CDN$0.28 and paid cash finder's fees of CDN$208,174.
·
16,745 common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $12,875.
·
295,200 common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of agent's warrants for proceeds of $28,133.
In addition to the share issuances above:
·
1,661,241 common shares were repurchased from a dissident shareholder of Stellar CA for an accrued payment of $120,803. These shares were cancelled and returned to treasury when settled during fiscal year August 31, 2011.
During the year ended August 31, 2011, a total of 14,695,140 common shares were issued:
·
In September 2010, the Company completed the private placement of 3,000,000 units at a price of CDN$0.35 for gross proceeds of $1,002,497 (CDN$1,050,000). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable into one common share at a price of CDN$0.50 on or before March 28, 2012. In addition, agent's options to acquire 210,000 units were issued on the same terms of the private placement and are exercisable at a price of CDN$0.35 on or before March 28, 2012. Share issuance costs of $96,958 were paid in relation to the placement.
·
In November 2010, the Company completed the private placement of 6,213,000 units at a price of CDN$0.60 per unit for gross proceeds of $3,695,784 (CDN$3,727,800). Each unit consists of one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of CDN$0.90 on or before November 14, 2011, and at CDN$1.15 per share if exercised from November 15, 2011 until on or before November 14, 2012. In addition, agent's options to acquire 345,600 units were issued under the same terms as the private placement and are exercisable at CDN$0.60 on or before November 14, 2012. Share issuance costs of $215,145 were paid in relation to the placement.
·
3,333,335 common shares were issued to officers, directors and employees pursuant to the Company's Performance Share Plan.
·
2,148,805 common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $784,858.
During fiscal 2012 through February 28, 2012, 2,318,600 common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of common stock purchase warrants for proceeds of $830,715.
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Shares Issued for Assets Other Than Cash
During fiscal 2010, 10,000,000 common shares were issued under the merger agreement between Stellar and Stellar CA.
During fiscal 2011, a total of 3,333,335 common shares were issued to certain officers, employees, and consultants under the Company's Performance Share Plan.
Other than the common shares listed above, no common shares were issued for assets other than cash in the most recent three fiscal years.
ESCROW SHARES
Certain of the Company's common shares are subject to escrow agreements as follows:
Capital Pool Company (CPC) Escrow Agreement
Under an agreement between the Company and Computershare Investor Services as Escrow Agent dated April 29, 2011, 2,500,000 common shares held by insiders were held in escrow pursuant to the Company's original CPC listing agreement pursuant to the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange. Upon Exchange acceptance of the CPC Qualifying Transaction, the common shares are to be released under the following schedule:
Release Dates | Percentage of Total Escrowed Shares to be Released | Total Number of Escrowed Shares to be Released |
Date of Final Exchange Bulletin | 10% | 250,000 |
6 months following Bulletin | 1/6 of remaining escrow shares | 375,000 |
12 months following Bulletin | 1/5 of remaining escrow shares | 375,000 |
18 months following Bulletin | 1/4 of remaining escrow shares | 375,000 |
24 months following Bulletin | 1/3 of remaining escrow shares | 375,000 |
30 months following Bulletin | 1/2 of remaining escrow shares | 375,000 |
36 months following Bulletin | all of remaining escrow shares | 375,000 |
The final Exchange Bulletin was issued on April 16, 2010. As of December 15, 2011, 1,125,000 common shares remained in escrow under this agreement. Darrell Brookstein, current officer and director, had 625,000 common shares originally subject to the CPC escrow agreement. As of December 15, 2011, Mr. Brookstein had 93,750 remaining in escrow under the CPC Escrow Agreement.
Merger Escrow Agreement
Under a separate escrow agreement dated April 7, 2010 between the Company and Computershare Investor Services as Escrow Agent related to the merger agreement, 4,119,386 common shares owned by insiders (of the 10,000,000 issued to all shareholders of Stellar CA pursuant to the merger agreement) were held in escrow. Upon closing of the merger agreement, 10% of the common shares were released from escrow, with 15% released on every 6 month anniversary thereafter.
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The insiders with common shares subject to the merger escrow agreement are as follows:
Name of Insider | Original Number of Shares Subject to Escrow | Current Number of Shares Remaining as of December 15, 2011 |
|
|
|
Frank R. Oakes | 2,755,979 | 1,240,191 |
Daniel E. Morse | 588,427 | 264,792 |
Dorothy Oakes | 585,171 | 263,327 |
Darrell Brookstein | 189,809 | 85,414 |
Total | 4,119,386 | 1,853,724 |
Shares Held By Company
-No Disclosure Necessary-
Stock Options
Stock Options to purchase securities from Registrant can be granted to Officers, Directors, Employees and other Service Providers of the Company on terms and conditions acceptable to the regulatory authorities in Canada, notably the TSX Venture Exchange.
The Company has a Fixed Share Option Plan (the "Plan") which was approved by the Board of Directors on September 4, 2009, and as amended December 13, 2011. The amended Plan was ratified by shareholders at the Company's Annual General and Special Meeting held on January 17, 2012. Under the Plan, stock options may be issued to qualified Officers, Directors, Employees and Consultants. The number of common shares reserved for issuance under the Plan is 8,785,000.
The exercise price of an option will be set by the Board at the time such option is allocated under the Plan, and cannot be less than the Discounted Market Price as assigned by the policies on the TSX Venture Exchange. Where the exercise price of the stock option is based on a discounted market price, a four month hold period will apply to all shares issued under each option, commencing from the date of grant.
An option granted under the Plan can be exercisable for a maximum of 10 years from the Effective Date. The exercise price of an option may be amended only if at least six months have elapsed since the later of the date of commencement of the term of the option, the date the common shares commenced trading on the TSX-V, and the date of the last amendment to the exercise price. An option must be outstanding for at least one year before the Company may extend its term. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, an option will terminate 365 days after an optionee ceases to be a director, officer, employee, or consultant of the Company or ceases to be employed to provide Investor Relations Activities to the Company. In the event of the death of an optionee, the option will only be exercisable within 12 months of such death but in any event no longer than the term of such option. All options are exercisable only by the Optionee to whom they are granted and will not be assignable or transferrable.
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The Board of Directors has the discretion to set the vesting schedule for options granted. Currently, options granted under the Plan are subject to the following vesting schedule:
(a)
One-third shall vest immediately;
(b)
One-third shall vest 12 months from the Effective Date; and
(c)
One-third shall vest 18 months from the Effective Date.
A copy of the Plan as amended dated December 13, 2011 has been filed as an exhibit to this 20-F Registration Statement.
The names and titles of the Directors/Executive Officers of the Registrant to whom outstanding stock options have been granted and the numbers of common shares subject to such options are set forth in Table No. 13 as of February 28, 2012, as well as the number of options granted to Directors and all employees as a group.
Table No. 13
Stock Options Outstanding
Name | Number of Options | Number of Options Currently Vested | CDN$ Exercise Price | Expiration Date |
|
|
|
|
|
Frank R. Oakes President and CEO | 1,075,000 425,600 | 1,075,000 141,866 | $0.28 0.65 | April 9, 2017 August 8, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
Darrell H. Brookstein Executive Vice-President | 620,000 376,000 | 620,000 125,333 | $0.28 0.65 | April 9, 2017 August 8, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel Morse, Ph.D. Director | 290,000 120,500 | 290,000 40,166 | $0.28 0.65 | April 9, 2017 August 8, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
Malcolm Gefter, Ph.D. Director | 70,000 70,000 | 46,666 23,333 | $0.28 0.65 | July 13, 2017 August 8, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
David L. Hill, Ph.D. Director | 25,000 | 8,333 | $0.65 | August 8, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
Harvey Wright Former Director (1) | 50,000 | 50,000 | $0.28 | February 13, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
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Employees/Consultants | 430,000 75,000 70,000 20,000 70,000 85,000 70,000 312,500 5,000 80,000 5,000 | 430,000 75,000 70,000 20,000 46,666 56,666 23,333 104,166 1,666 26,666 1,666 | $0.28 0.25 0.28 0.28 0.64 1.00 1.00 0.65 0.50 0.40 0.42 | April 9, 2017 May 17, 2017 June 17, 2017 June 28, 2017 October 25, 2017 February 10, 2018 March 8, 2018 August 8, 2018 September 26, 2018 December 22, 2018 February 16, 2019 |
Total Officers and Directors | 3,122,100 | 2,420,697 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Employees/ Consultants |
1,222,500 | 855,829 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Officers/Directors/ Employees and Consultants | 4,344,600 | 3,276,526 |
|
|
(1) Mr. Wright served as a director until his death in February 2012. As provided in the Company's Share Option Plan, any vested Option held by any optionee at the date of death will become exercisable by the Optionee's lawful personal representatives, heirs or executors until the earlier of one year after the date of death of such Optionee and the date of expiration of the term otherwise applicable to such Option.
Common Stock Warrants
Table No. 12 lists, as of February 28, 2012, share purchase warrants outstanding, the exercise price, and the expiration date of the share purchase warrants.
Table No. 14
Share Purchase Warrants Outstanding
Number of Share Purchase Warrants Outstanding | Exercise Price/share | Expiration Date |
|
|
|
1,500,000 | CDN$0.50 | March 28, 2013 * |
210,000 | CDN$0.35 | March 28, 2012 |
6,213,000 | CDN$1.15 | November 14, 2012 |
345,600 | CDN$0.60 | November 14, 2012 |
TOTAL 8,268,600 |
|
|
*
Effective March 16, 2012, the Company extended the expiration date of these warrants from March 28, 2012 to March 28, 2013.
American Depository Receipts. Not applicable.
Other Securities to be Registered. Not applicable
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Resolutions/Authorization/Approvals
-No Disclosure Necessary-
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. was incorporated on June 12, 2007 in Canada under the Canada Business Corporations Act under the name China Growth Capital Inc. The Company was originally classified as a Capital Pool Corporation ("CPC") and changed its name to CAG Capital Inc. ("CAG") on April 15, 2008. On November 25, 2009, the Company was continued into British Columbia under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act (the "Act"). On April 7, 2010, the Company changed its name to Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. and completed its qualifying transaction through a reverse merger transaction with Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. ("Stellar CA"), a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of California on September 9, 1999.
There are no restrictions on the business the company may carry on in the Articles of Incorporation.
Under the Companys articles any director or senior officer that has a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is liable to account to the Company for any profits that accrue to the director or senior officer under or as a result of the contract or transaction only if and to the extent provided in the Act. A director is not allowed to vote on any transaction or contract with the Company in which he has a disclosable interest unless all directors have a disclosable interest in that contract or transaction, in which case any or all of those directors may vote on such resolution. A director or senior officer who holds any office or possesses any property, right or interest that could result, directly or indirectly, in the creation of a duty or interest that materially conflicts with that individual's duty or interest as a director or senior officer, must disclose the nature and extent of the conflict as required by the Act.
Part 16 of the Companys articles address the duties of the directors, while Part 8 discusses the Borrowing Powers. The Company may, if authorized by the directors:
a)
borrow money in the manner and amount, on the security, from the sources and on the terms and conditions that they consider appropriate;
b)
issue bonds, debentures, and other debt obligations either outright or as security for any liability or obligation of the Company or any other person and at such discounts or premiums and on such other terms as the directors consider appropriate;
c)
guarantee the repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any obligation of any other person;
d)
mortgage, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, grant a security interest in, or give other security on, the whole or any part of the present and future assets and undertaking of the Company.
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There are no age limit requirements pertaining to the retirement or non-retirement of directors and a director need not be a shareholder of the Company. At every annual general meeting and in every unanimous resolution contemplated by Part 10.2 of the Articles:
a)
the shareholders entitled to vote at the annual general meeting for the election of directors must elect, or in the unanimous resolution appoint, a board of directors consisting of the number of directors for the time being set under these Articles; and
b)
all the directors cease to hold office immediately before the election or appointment of directors, but are eligible for re-election or re-appointment.
The directors are entitled to the remuneration for acting as directors, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine. If the directors so decide, the remuneration of the directors, if any, will be determined by shareholders. The Company must reimburse each director for the reasonable expenses that he or she may incur in and about the business of the Company.
No director or intended director is disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Company either with regard to the holding of any office or place of profit the director holds with the Company or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, and no contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which a director is in any way interested is liable to be voided for that reason. If the director performs any processional or other service for the Company that is in the opinion of the directors are outside the ordinary duties of a director, he or she may be paid remuneration fixed by the directors, or at the option of the directors, fixed by ordinary resolution, and such remuneration will be in addition to any other remuneration that he or she may be entitled to receive.
Part 21 deals with indemnification and payment of expenses of eligible parties, which are defined as:
a)
is or was a director, alternate director or officer in the Company;
b)
is or was a director, alternate director or officer of another corporation
(i)
at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company; or
(ii)
at the request of the Company; or
c)
at the request of the Company, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director, alternate director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity; and includes, except in the definition of "eligible proceeding" and under the Act, the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual.
Subject to the Act, the Company must indemnify each eligible party and the heirs and legal personal representatives of each eligible party against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Subject to any restrictions in the Act, the Company may agree to indemnify and may indemnify any person (including an eligible party) against all eligible penalties and pay expenses incurred in connection with the performance of services by that person for the Company. Subject to the Act, the failure of any eligible party of the Company to comply with the Act or the Company Articles or, if applicable, any former Companies Act or former Articles does not, of itself, invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under this Part 21.
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The majority required for the passage of a special resolution or a special separate resolution shall be 2/3 of the votes cast on the resolution.
The rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to each class of the Companys shares are as follows:
The authorized share structure of the Company consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be acted upon by the shareholders. Directors may from time to time declare and authorize payment of such dividends, if any, as they deem advisable and need not give notice of such declaration to any shareholder.
Subject to the Act, the Company may by ordinary resolution (or a resolution of the directors in the case of Part 9.1(c) or 9.1(f):
(a)
create one or more classes or series of shares or, if none of the shares of a class or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of shares;
(b)
increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or establish a maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is established;
(c)
subdivide or consolidate all or any of its unissued, or full paid issued, shares;
(d)
if the Company is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par value:
(i)
decrease the par value of those shares; or
(ii)
if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued, increase the par value of those shares;
(e)
change all or any of the unissued, or fully paid issued, shares with par value into shares without par value or any of its unissued without par value into shares with par value;
(f)
alter the identifying name of any of its shares; or
(g)
otherwise alter its shares or authorized share structure when required or permitted to do so by the Act where it does not specify by a special resolution;
and, if applicable, alter its Notice of Articles and Articles accordingly.
The Company may by resolution of the directors authorize an alteration to its Notice of Articles in order to change its name or change any translation of that name.
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The Company may at any time pay a reasonable commission or allow a reasonable discount to any person in consideration of that persons purchase or agreement to purchase shares of the Company from the Company or any other persons procurement or agreement to procure purchasers for shares of the Company. The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for or in connection with the sale or placement of its securities.
An annual general meeting shall be held once every calendar year at such time (not being more than 15 months after the annual reference date for the preceding calendar year) at such time and place as may be determined by the Directors. The Directors may, at any time, call a meeting of shareholders.
There are no limitations upon the rights to own securities.
There are no provisions that would have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of the Company.
There is no special ownership threshold above which an ownership position must be disclosed.
A copy of the Companys Articles has been filed as an exhibit to this 20-F Registration Statement.
Shareholder Rights Plan
The Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (the "Rights Plan") on December 13, 2011. The Plan was approved by the TSX Venture Exchange and shareholders at the Annual General and Special Meeting held on January 17, 2012.
The Rights Plan is intended to provide for the fair treatment of Shareholders in connection with any take-over bid for the Company and is designed to provide the Board and the Shareholders with more time to fully consider any unsolicited take-over bid for the Company without undue pressure. Furthermore, the Rights Plan will allow the Board to pursue, if appropriate, other alternatives to maximize shareholder value and to allow additional time for competing bids to emerge.
Purpose of the Plan
The objectives of the Rights Plan are to ensure, to the extent possible, that all Shareholders are treated equally and fairly in connection with any take-over bid for the Company. Take-over bids may be structured to be coercive or may be initiated at a time when the Board will have a difficult time preparing an adequate response to the offer. Accordingly, such offers do not always result in Shareholders receiving equal or fair treatment or full or maximum value for their investment. Under current Canadian securities legislation, a take-over bid is required to remain open for 35 days, a period of time which may be insufficient for the directors to:
(i)
evaluate a take-over bid (particularly if it includes share or trust unit consideration);
(ii)
explore, develop and pursue alternatives which are superior to the take-over bid and which could maximize Shareholder value; and
(iii)
make reasoned recommendations to the Shareholders.
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The Rights Plan discourages discriminatory, coercive or unfair take-overs of the Company and gives the Board time if, under the circumstances, the Board determines it is appropriate to take such time, to pursue alternatives to maximize Shareholder value in the event an unsolicited take-over bid is made for all or a portion of the outstanding Common Shares. As set forth below, the Rights Plan discourages coercive hostile take-over bids by creating the potential that any Common Shares which may be acquired or held by such a bidder will be significantly diluted. The potential for significant dilution to the holdings of such a bidder can occur as the Rights Plan provides that all holders of Common Shares who are not related to the bidder will be entitled to exercise rights issued to them under the Rights Plan and to acquire Common Shares at a substantial discount to prevailing market prices. The bidder or the persons related to the bidder will not be entitled to exercise any Rights (defined below) under the Rights Plan. Accordingly, the Rights Plan will encourage potential bidders to make take-over bids by means of a Permitted Bid (as defined below) or to approach the Board to negotiate a mutually acceptable transaction. The Permitted Bid provisions of the Rights Plan are designed to ensure that in any take-over bid for outstanding Common Shares of the Shareholders, all Shareholders are treated equally and are given adequate time to properly assess such take-over bid on a fully informed basis.
The Rights Plan is not being proposed to prevent a take-over of the Company, to secure the continuance of management or the directors of the Company in their respective offices or to deter fair offers for the Common Shares.
Term
The Rights Plan (unless terminated earlier) will remain in effect until the close of business on the day immediately following the date of the Companys annual meeting of Shareholders in 2014 unless the term of the Rights Plan is extended beyond such date by resolution of Shareholders at such meeting.
Issuance of Rights
The Rights Plan provides that one right (a Right) will be issued by the Company pursuant to the Rights Plan in respect of each Voting Share outstanding as of the close of business (Vancouver time) (the Record Time) on the Effective Date. Voting Shares include the Common Shares and any other shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of all directors. One Right will also be issued for each additional Voting Share issued after the Record Time and prior to the earlier of the Separation Time and the Expiration Time, subject to the earlier termination or expiration of the Rights as set out in the Rights Plan. As of the Effective Date, the only Voting Shares outstanding will be the Common Shares. The issuance of the Rights is not dilutive and will not affect reported earnings or cash flow per Common Share until the Rights separate from the underlying Common Shares and become exercisable or until the exercise of the Rights. The issuance of the Rights will not change the manner in which Shareholders trade their Common Shares.
Certificates and Transferability
Prior to the Separation Time, the Rights will be evidenced by a legend imprinted on certificates for Common Shares issued after the Record Time. Rights are also attached to Common Shares outstanding on the Effective Date, although share certificates issued prior to the Effective Date will not bear such a legend. Shareholders are not required to return their certificates in order to have the benefit of the Rights. Prior to the Separation Time, Rights will trade together with the Common Shares and will not be exercisable or transferable separately from the Common Shares. From and after the Separation Time, the Rights will become exercisable, will be evidenced by Rights Certificates and will be transferable separately from the Common Shares.
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Separation of Rights
The Rights will become exercisable and begin to trade separately from the associated Common Shares at the Separation Time which is generally (subject to the ability of the Board to defer the Separation Time) the close of business on the tenth trading day after the earliest to occur of:
1.
the first date of public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons or persons acting jointly or in concert has become an Acquiring Person, meaning that such person or group has a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid (as defined below); (i) acquisitions of Voting Shares in respect of which the Board has waived the application of the Rights Plan; or (ii) other specified exempt acquisitions and pro rata acquisitions in which shareholders participate on a pro rata basis;
2.
the date of commencement of, or the first public announcement of an intention of any person (other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries) to commence a take-over bid (other than a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid) where the Voting Shares subject to the bid owned by that person (including affiliates, associates and others acting jointly or in concert therewith) would constitute 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares; and
3.
the date upon which a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid ceases to qualify as such.
Promptly following the Separation Time, separate certificates evidencing rights (Rights Certificates) will be mailed to the holders of record of the Voting Shares as of the Separation Time and the Rights Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
Rights Exercise Privilege
After the Separation Time, each Right entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an initial Exercise Price equal to three times the Market Price at the Separation Time. The Market Price is defined as the average of the daily closing prices per share of such securities on each of the 20 consecutive trading days through and including the trading day immediately preceding the Separation Time. Following a transaction which results in a person become an Acquiring Person (a Flip-In Event), the Rights entitle the holder thereof to receive, upon exercise, such number of Common Shares which have an aggregate Market Price (as of the date of the Flip-In Event) equal to twice the then Exercise Price of the Rights for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price. In such event, however, any Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person (including affiliates, associates and other acting jointly or in concert therewith), or a transferee of any such person, will be null and void. A Flip-In Event does not include acquisitions approved by the Board or acquisitions pursuant to a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid.
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Permitted Bid Requirements
A bidder can make a take-over bid and acquire Voting Shares without triggering a Flip-In Event under the Rights Plan if the take-over bid qualifies as a Permitted Bid.
The requirements of a Permitted Bid include the following:
•
the take-over bid must be made by means of a take-over bid circular;
•
the take-over bid is made to all holders of Voting Shares on the books of the Company, other than the offeror;
•
no Voting Shares are taken up or paid for pursuant to the take-over bid unless more than 50% of the Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders: (i) shall have been deposited or tendered pursuant to the take-over bid and not withdrawn; and (ii) have previously been or are taken up at the same time;
•
no Voting Shares are taken up or paid for pursuant to the take-over bid prior to the close of business on the date that is no earlier than the later of: (i) 35 days after the date of the take-over bid (the minimum period required under securities law); and (ii) 60 days following the date of the take-over bid;
•
Voting Shares may be deposited pursuant to such take-over bid at any time during the period of time between the date of the take-over bid and the date on which Voting Shares may be taken up and paid for and any Voting Shares deposited pursuant to the take-over bid may be withdrawn until taken up and paid for; and
if on the date on which Voting Shares may be taken up and paid for under the take-over bid, more than 50% of the Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders have been deposited or tendered pursuant to the take-over bid and not withdrawn, the offeror makes a public announcement of that fact and the take-over bid is extended to remain open for deposits and tenders of Voting Shares for not less than 10 business days from the date of such public announcement.
The Rights Plan also allows for a Competing Permitted Bid (a Competing Permitted Bid) to be made while a Permitted Bid is in existence. A Competing Permitted Bid must satisfy all of the requirements of a Permitted Bid except that it may expire on the same date as the Permitted Bid, subject to the requirement that it be outstanding for a minimum period of 35 days (the minimum period required under Canadian securities laws).
Permitted Lock-Up Agreements
A person will not become an Acquiring Person by virtue of having entered into an agreement (a Permitted Lock-Up Agreement) with a Shareholder whereby the Shareholder agrees to deposit or tender Voting Shares to a take-over bid (the Lock-Up Bid) made by such person, provided that the agreement meets certain requirements including:
1.
the terms of the agreement are publicly disclosed and a copy of the agreement is publicly available not later than the date of the Lock-Up Bid or, if the Lock-Up Bid has not been made prior to the date on which such agreement is entered into, not later than the date of such agreement;
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2.
the Shareholder who has agreed to tender Voting Shares to the Lock-Up Bid made by the other party to the agreement is permitted to terminate its obligation under the agreement, and to terminate any obligation with respect to the voting of such Voting Shares, in order to tender Voting Shares to another take-over bid or transaction where: (i) the offer price or value of the consideration payable under the other take-over bid or transaction is greater than the price or value of the consideration per unit at which the Shareholder has agreed to deposit or tender Voting Shares to the Lock-Up Bid, or is greater than a specified minimum which is not more than 7% higher than the price or value of the consideration per unit at which the Shareholder has agreed to deposit or tender Voting Shares under the Lock-Up Bid; and (ii) if the number of Voting Shares offered to be purchased under the Lock-Up Bid is less than all of the Voting Shares held by Shareholders (excluding Voting Shares held by the offeror), the other take-over bid or transaction would, if successful, result in all of the Shareholders Voting Shares being purchased under the other take-over bid or transaction;
3.
no break-up fees, top-up fees, or other penalties that exceed in the aggregate the greater of 2.5% of the price or value of the consideration payable under the Lock-Up Bid and 50% of the increase in consideration resulting from another take-over bid or transaction shall be payable by the Shareholder if the Shareholder fails to deposit or tender Voting Shares to the Lock-Up Bid; and
4.
any right to match a period of delay to give the person who made the Lock-up Bid an opportunity to match a higher price contained in another take-over bid or transaction, or other similar limitation on a Shareholders right to withdraw Voting Shares from the agreement, must not preclude the Shareholder from withdrawing Voting Shares from the Lock-up Bid in order to tender Voting Shares to another take-over bid or to support another transaction that in either case will provide greater value to the Shareholder than the Lock-up Bid or which would result in all of the Shareholders Voting Shares being purchased.
Waiver and Redemption
If a potential offeror does not desire to make a Permitted Bid, it can negotiate with, and obtain the prior approval of, the Board to make a take-over bid by way of a take-over bid circular sent to all holders of Voting Shares on terms which the Board considers fair to all Shareholders. In such circumstances, the Board may waive the application of the Rights Plan thereby allowing such bid to proceed without dilution to the offeror. Any waiver of the application of the Rights Plan in respect of a particular take-over bid shall also constitute a waiver of any other take-over bid which is made by means of a take-over bid circular to all holders of Voting Shares while the initial take-over bid is outstanding. The Board may also waive the application of the Rights Plan in respect of a particular Flip-in Event that has occurred through inadvertence. With the prior consent of the holders of Voting Shares, the Board may, prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event that would occur by reason of an acquisition of Voting Shares otherwise than pursuant to the foregoing, waive the application of the Rights Plan to such Flip-in Event.
The Board may, with the prior consent of the holders of Voting Shares, at any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, elect to redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.0001 per Right. Rights are deemed to be redeemed following completion of a Permitted Bid, a Competing Permitted Bid or a take-over bid in respect of which the Board has waived the application of the Rights Plan.
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Protection against Dilution
The Exercise Price, the number and nature of securities which may be purchased upon the exercise of Rights and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution in the event of dividends, subdivisions, consolidations, reclassifications or other changes in the outstanding Shares, pro rata distributions to holders of Shares and other circumstances where adjustments are required to appropriately protect the interests of the holders of Rights.
Exemptions for Investment Managers
Investment managers (for client accounts), trust companies (acting in their capacity as trustees or administrators), statutory bodies whose business includes the management of funds (for employee benefit plans, pension plans, or insurance plans of various public bodies) and administrators or trustees of registered pension plans or funds acquiring greater than 20% of the Voting Shares are exempted from triggering a Flip-in Event, provided they are not making, either alone or jointly or in concert with any other person, a take-over bid.
Duties of the Board
The adoption of the Rights Plan will not in any way lessen or affect the duty of the Board to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company. The Board, when a take-over bid or similar offer is made, will continue to have the duty and power to take such actions and make such recommendations to Shareholders as are considered appropriate.
Amendment
The Company may make amendments to the Rights Plan at any time to correct any clerical or typographical error and may make amendments which are required to maintain the validity of the Rights Plan due to changes in any applicable legislation, regulations or rules. The Company may, with the prior approval of Shareholders (or the holders of Rights if the Separation Time has occurred), supplement, amend, vary, rescind or delete any of the provisions of the Rights Plan.
Voting Requirements
The approval of the Rights Plan must be confirmed by a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders in person or by proxy at the Meeting. The Company is not aware of any Shareholder who will be ineligible to vote on the approval of the Rights Plan at the Meeting.
A copy of this Rights Plan has been filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement.
Material Contracts
1.
Under an agreement dated August 14, 2002 between the Company and Frank Oakes, Mr. Oakes agreed to assign certain patent rights to the Company in exchange for 5% of gross receipts in excess of $500,000 annually from products using this invention. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
2.
Pursuant to an employment agreement dated October 21, 2009 between the Company and Frank Oakes, Frank Oakes was retained to act as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stellar, effective January 1, 2010, at an annual salary of $100,000. Benefits also include two weeks vacation and optional coverage under the Companys group health plan. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
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3.
Pursuant to a consulting agreement dated August 15, 2004 between the Company and Daniel E. Morse, Daniel Morse agreed to provide consulting services to the Company from time to time as specified by Stellar. Stellar agrees to pay Dr. Morse $3,945.42 per month for his services, and the agreement shall remain in full force and effect until notice of intent to terminate is given by either party, which many be given by either party at any time. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
4.
Pursuant to an employment agreement dated October 21, 2009 between the Company and Daniel E. Morse, Daniel Morse was retained to act as Executive Vice President, Science and Technology of Stellar, effective January 1, 2010 at an annual salary of $100,000. Benefits also include two weeks vacation and optional coverage under the Companys group health plan. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
5.
Pursuant to a service agreement dated January 1, 2012 between the Company and Daniel E. Morse, Daniel Morse agreed to act as a member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. In consideration for his services he is to be paid an annual fee of $4,000 per year of service, payable quarterly. In addition, Dr. Morse is to receive stock options to purchase 50,000 common shares effective immediately, with additional stock options to purchase 50,000 common shares at the anniversary of each successive term of service, for two subsequent years. All stock options are subject to the Companys Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement. The Service Agreement is for a term of one year, renewable automatically for one year periods for up to three years, with a right to termination by either party without cause upon thirty days written notice. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
6.
Pursuant to an employment agreement dated January 8, 2010 between the Company and Darrell Brookstein, Darrell Brookstein was retained to act as Executive Vice President, Financial and Business Development at an annual salary of $135,000. Benefits also include two weeks vacation and optional coverage under the Companys group health plan. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
7.
Pursuant to a consulting agreement dated July 10, 2009 between the Company and Darrell Brookstein, Darrell Brookstein is to be paid a fee of US$7,000 for each one month period of service until September 10, 2009, increasing to US$10,000 per month thereafter. The consulting agreement is for an initial term of six months, renewable at the mutual agreement of both parties. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
8.
Pursuant to a service agreement between the Company and Malcolm Gefter dated June 15, 2010, Mr. Gefter, a Director of the Company, was appointed as a member of the Advisory Board to assist the Company in evaluation of its research and development and business activities. In consideration for his services Mr. Gefter is to be paid an annual fee of $4,000 per year of service, payable quarterly. In addition, Mr. Gefter is to receive stock options to purchase 50,000 common shares effective immediately, with additional stock options to purchase 50,000 common shares at the anniversary of each successive term of service, for two subsequent years. All stock options are subject to the Companys Fixed Share Option Plan and the policies of the TSXV. The Service Agreement is for a term of one year, renewable automatically for one year periods for up to three years, with a right to termination by either party without cause upon thirty days written notice. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
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9.
Pursuant to a consulting agreement between the Company and Malcolm Gefter dated June 15, 2010, Mr. Gefter will receive an annual retainer of US $12,000 per year of service, payable in twelve monthly installments, plus an hourly fee of US$300 for services in excess of his role as Advisory Board Member. Pursuant to the terms of the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Gefter will also receive stock options to purchase 20,000 common shares effective immediately, with subsequent grants of 20,000 stock options at the anniversary date of each successive term. The Consulting Agreement is for a term of one year, renewable automatically for additional one year periods for up to three years, with a right to termination by either party without cause upon thirty days written notice. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
10.
Under two sublease agreements between the Company and the Port Hueneme Surplus Property Authority and a lease agreement between the Company and Beachport Center., the Company leases three buildings and facilities in Port Hueneme, California. The combined monthly base rents total $7,071 effective November 1, 2010, for a term of 5 years with rents adjusted by the CPI index every November 1st. The Company has an option to extend the lease for an additional five years. Copies of these lease agreements have been filed as exhibits to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
11.
Under a promissory note agreement between the Company and Frank Oakes dated September 9, 2009, Mr. Oakes agreed to loan the Company the sum of $15,000. A copy of this agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Form 20-F Registration Statement.
12.
Under a supply agreement between the Company and Neovacs S.A. effective January 1, 2008, the Company agreed to provide Neovacs with subunit KLH for use in vaccines. The Company has requested confidential treatment of this exhibit and a copy of this document has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to this request.
13.
Under a second supply agreement between the Company and Neovacs S.A. effective January 1, 2008, the Company agreed to provide Neovacs with KLH raw material for use in vaccines. The Company has requested confidential treatment of this exhibit and a copy of this document has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to this request.
14.
Under an agreement dated August 27, 2009 between the Company and Bayer Innovation GmbH ("Bayer"), the Companies entered into a research collaboration agreement which included two non-recurring payments of $250,000 from Bayer to access the Company's information on suKLH, including manufacturing methods and analytical data, in order to demonstrate the feasibility of improving process yields. The agreement also includes a payment of $200,000 from the Company to Bayer for a license fee on the improved suKLH production method. The Company has requested confidential treatment of this exhibit and a copy of this document has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to this request.
15.
Under an agreement dated May 17, 2011 between the Company and SAFC, a division of Sigma-Aldrich, SAFC will purchase certain KLH products from the Company for processing and resale by SAFC to its customers. The Company has requested confidential treatment of this exhibit and a copy of this document has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to this request.
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16.
Under an agreement between the Company and Life Diagnostics effective October 18, 2011 the Company engaged Life Diagnostics to manufacture Stellar-brand KLH test kits. The Company has requested confidential treatment of this exhibit and a copy of this document has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to this request.
EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AFFECTING SECURITY HOLDERS
Canada has no system of exchange controls. There are no Canadian restrictions on the repatriation of capital or earnings of a Canadian public company to non-resident investors. There are no laws in Canada or exchange restrictions affecting the remittance of dividends, profits, interest, royalties and other payments to non-resident holders of the Company's securities, except as discussed in ITEM 10, Taxation" below.
Restrictions on Share Ownership by Non-Canadians: There are no limitations under the laws of Canada or in the organizing documents of Stellar on the right of foreigners to hold or vote securities of Stellar, except that the Investment Canada Act may require review and approval by the Minister of Industry (Canada) of certain acquisitions of "control" of the Company by a "non-Canadian". The threshold for acquisitions of control is generally defined as being one-third or more of the voting shares of the Company. "Non-Canadian" generally means an individual who is not a Canadian citizen, or a corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is ultimately controlled by non-Canadians.
TAXATION
The following summary of the material Canadian federal income tax consequences are stated in general terms and are not intended to be advice to any particular shareholder. Each prospective investor is urged to consult his or her own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of his or her purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of Common Stock. The tax consequences to any particular holder of common stock will vary according to the status of that holder as an individual, trust, corporation or member of a partnership, the jurisdiction in which that holder is subject to taxation, the place where that holder is resident and, generally, according to that holders particular circumstances.
This summary is applicable only to holders who are resident in the United States, have never been resident in Canada, deal at arms length with the Company, hold their common stock as capital property and who will not use or hold the common stock in carrying on business in Canada. Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a United States holder that is an issuer that carries on business in Canada and elsewhere.
This summary is based upon the provisions of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the regulations thereunder (collectively, the "Tax Act" or ITA)and the Canada-United States Tax Convention (the Tax Convention) as at the date of the Annual Report and the current administrative practices of Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. This summary does not take into account provincial income tax consequences.
Management urges each holder to consult his own tax advisor with respect to the income tax consequences applicable to him in his own particular circumstances.
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CANADIAN INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Disposition of Common Stock
The summary below is restricted to the case of a holder (a Holder) of one or more common shares (Common Shares) who for the purposes of the Tax Act is a non-resident of Canada, holds his Common Shares as capital property and deals at arms length with the Company.
Dividends
A Holder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax (Part XIII Tax) equal to 25%, or such lower rates as may be available under an applicable tax treaty, of the gross amount of any dividend paid or deemed to be paid on his Common Shares. Under the Tax Convention, the rate of Part XIII Tax applicable to a dividend on Common Shares paid to a Holder who is a resident of the United States is, if the Holder is a company that beneficially owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the Company, 5% and, in any other case, 15% of the gross amount of the dividend. The Company will be required to withhold the applicable amount of Part XIII Tax from each dividend so paid and remit the withheld amount directly to the Receiver General for Canada for the account of the Holder.
Disposition of Common Shares
A Holder who disposes of Common Shares, including by deemed disposition on death, will not be subject to Canadian tax on any capital gain thereby realized unless the common Share constituted taxable Canadian property as defined by the Tax Act. Generally, a common share of a public corporation will not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Holder unless he held the common share as capital property used by him carrying on a business in Canada, or he or persons with whom he did not deal at arms length alone or together held or held options to acquire, at any time within the 60 months preceding the disposition, 25% or more of the issued shares of any class of the capital stock of the Company.
A Holder who is a resident of the United States and realizes a capital gain on disposition of Common Shares that was taxable Canadian property will nevertheless, by virtue of the Treaty, generally be exempt from Canadian tax thereon unless (a) more than 50% of the value of the Common Shares is derived from, or from an interest in, Canadian real estate, including Canadian mineral resources properties, (b) the Common Shares formed part of the business property of a permanent establishment that the Holder has or had in Canada within the 12 months preceding disposition, or (c) the Holder (i) was a resident of Canada at any time within the ten years immediately preceding the disposition, and for a total of 120 months during any period of 20 consecutive years, preceding the disposition, and (ii) owned the Common Shares when he ceased to be resident in Canada.
A Holder who is subject to Canadian tax in respect of a capital gain realized on disposition of Common Shares must include one half of the capital gain (taxable capital gain) in computing his taxable income earned in Canada. The Holder may, subject to certain limitations, deduct one half of any capital loss (allowable capital loss) arising on disposition of taxable Canadian property from taxable capital gains realized in the year of disposition in respect to taxable Canadian property and, to the extent not so deductible, from such taxable capital gains of any of the three preceding years or any subsequent year.
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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a discussion of material United States Federal income tax consequences, under the law, generally applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) of common shares of the Company. This discussion does not cover any state, local or foreign tax consequences.
The following discussion is based upon the sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that are currently applicable, any or all of which could be materially and adversely changed, possible on a retroactive basis, at any time. In addition, the discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial, or recently proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time. The discussion is for general information only and it is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any holder or prospective holder of common shares of the Company. Each holder and prospective holder of common shares of the Company is advised to consult their own tax advisors about the federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares of the Company applicable to their own particular circumstances.
U.S. Holders
As used herein, a (U.S. Holder) includes a holder of common shares of the Company who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, an estate whose income is taxable in the United States irrespective of source or a trust subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and control of a United States fiduciary as described in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. This summary does not address the tax consequences to, and U.S. Holder does not include, persons subject to special provisions of Federal income tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, broker-dealers, non-resident alien individuals, persons or entities that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, shareholders who hold common shares as part of a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction, and shareholders who acquired their common shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services.
This summary is limited to U.S. Holders who own common shares as capital assets. This summary does not address the consequences to a person or entity holding an interest in a shareholder or the consequences to a person of the ownership, exercise or disposition of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire common shares.
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Distribution on Common Shares of the Company
U.S. Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with respect to common shares of the Company are required to include in gross income for United States Federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions equal to the U.S. dollar value of such distributions on the date of receipt (based on the exchange rate on such date), to the extent that the Company has current or accumulated earnings and profits, without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions. Such Canadian tax withheld may be credited, subject to certain limitations, against the U.S. Holders United States Federal Income tax liability or, alternatively, individuals may be deducted in computing the U.S. Holders United States Federal taxable income by those individuals who itemize deductions. (See more detailed discussion at Foreign Tax Credit below). To the extent that distributions exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company, they will be treated first as a return of capital up to the U.S. Holders adjusted basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of the common shares. Dividend income will be taxed at marginal tax rates applicable to ordinary income while preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains are applicable to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, estate or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains for a U.S. Holder which is a corporation.
In the case of foreign currency received as a dividend that is not converted by the recipient into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Generally any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale of other disposition of the foreign currency, including the exchange for U.S. dollars, will be ordinary income or loss.
Dividends paid on the common shares of the Company will not generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction provided to corporations receiving dividends from certain United States corporations. A U.S. Holder which is a corporation may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to a 70% deduction of the United States source portion of dividends received from the Company (unless the Company qualifies as a foreign personal holding company or a passive foreign investment company, as defined below) if such U.S. Holder owns shares representing at least 10% of the voting power and value of the Company. The availability of this deduction is subject to several complex limitations which are beyond the scope of this discussion.
Under current Treasury Regulations, dividends paid on the Companys common shares, if any, generally will not be subject to information reporting and generally will not be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax. However, dividends and the proceeds from a sale of the Companys common shares paid in the U.S. through a U.S. or U.S. related paying agent (including a broker) will be subject to U.S. information reporting requirements and may also be subject to the 31% U.S. backup withholding tax, unless the paying agent is furnished with a duly completed and signed Form W-9. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Tax Credit
For individuals whose entire income from sources outside the United States consists of qualified passive income, the total amount of creditable foreign taxes paid or accrued during the taxable year does not exceed $300 ($600 in the case of a joint return) and an election is made under section 904(j), the limitation on credit does not apply.
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A U.S. Holder who pays (or has withheld from distributions) Canadian income tax with respect to the ownership of common shares of the Company may be entitled, at the option of the U.S. Holder, to either a deduction or a tax credit for such foreign tax paid or withheld. Generally, it will be more advantageous to claim a credit because a credit reduces United States Federal income taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while a deduction merely reduces the taxpayers income subject to tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign income taxes (or taxes in lieu of income tax) paid by (or withheld from) the U.S. Holder during the year. There are significant and complex limitations which apply to the credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of the U.S. Holders United States income tax liability that the U.S. Holders foreign source income bears to his/her or its worldwide taxable income in the determination of the application of this limitation. The various items of income and deduction must be classified into foreign and domestic sources. Complex rules govern this classification process. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income such as passive income, high withholding tax interest, financial services income, shipping income, and certain other classifications of income. Dividends distributed by the Company will generally constitute passive income or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, financial services income for these purposes. The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations on the credit are fact specific and management urges holders and prospective holders of common shares of the Company to consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances.
Disposition of Common Shares of the Company
A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss upon the sale of common shares of the Company equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received, and (ii) the shareholders tax basis in the common shares of the Company. Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of U.S. Holders, which are individuals, estates or trusts. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the common shares are capital assets in the hands of the U.S. Holder, which will be a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending upon the holding period of the U.S. Holder. Gains and losses are netted and combined according to special rules in arriving at the overall capital gain or loss for a particular tax year. Deductions for net capital losses are subject to significant limitations. For U.S. Holders, which are not corporations, any unused portion of such net capital loss may be carried over to be used in later tax years until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted, but individuals may not carry back capital losses. For U.S. Holders, which are corporations (other than corporations subject to Subchapter S of the Code), an unused net capital loss may be carried back three years from the loss year and carried forward five years from the loss year to be offset against capital gains until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted.
Other Considerations
In the following circumstances, the above sections of the discussion may not describe the United States Federal income tax consequences resulting from the holding and disposition of common shares of the Company.
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Foreign Personal Holding Company
If at any time during a taxable year more than 50% of the total combined voting power or the total value of the Companys outstanding shares is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals who are citizens or residents of the United States and 60% (50% after the first tax year) or more of the Companys gross income for such year was derived from certain passive sources (e.g. from interest income received from its subsidiaries), the Company would be treated as a foreign personal holding company. In that event, U.S. Holders that hold common shares of the Company would be required to include in gross income for such year their allocable portions of such passive income to the extent the Company does not actually distribute such income.
The Company does not believe that it currently has the status of a foreign personal holding company. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be considered a foreign personal holding company for the current or any future taxable year.
Foreign Investment Company
If 50% or more of the combined voting power or total value of the Companys outstanding shares are held, actually or constructively, by citizens or residents of the United States, United States domestic partnerships or corporations, or estates or trusts other than foreign estates or trusts (as defined by the Code Section 7701(a)(31), and the Company is found to be engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, commodities, or any interest therein, it is possible that the Company might be treated as a foreign investment company as defined in Section 1246 of the Code, causing all or part of any gain realized by a U.S. Holder selling or exchanging common shares of the Company to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
As a foreign corporation with U.S. Holders, the Company could potentially be treated as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC), as defined in Section 1297 of the Code, depending upon the percentage of the Companys income which is passive, or the percentage of the Companys assets which is held for the purpose of producing passive income.
Certain United States income tax legislation contains rules governing PFICs, which can have significant tax effects on U.S. shareholders of foreign corporations. These rules do not apply to non-U.S. shareholders. Section 1297 (a) of the Code defines a PFIC as a corporation that is not formed in the United States and, for any taxable year, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income is passive income, which includes interest, dividends and certain rents and royalties or (ii) the average percentage, by fair market value (or, if the company is a controlled foreign corporation or makes an election, by adjusted tax basis), of its assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income is 50% or more. The taxation of a US shareholder who owns stock in a PFIC is extremely complex and is therefore beyond the scope of this discussion. Management urges US persons to consult with their own tax advisors with regards to the impact of these rules.
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Controlled Foreign Corporation
A Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) is a foreign corporation more than 50% of whose stock by vote or value is, on any day in the corporations tax year, owned (directly or indirectly) by U.S. Shareholders. If more than 50% of the voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote is owned, actually or constructively, by citizens or residents of the United States, United States domestic partnerships and corporations or estates or trusts other than foreign estates or trusts, each of whom own actually or constructively 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company could be treated as a controlled foreign corporation under Subpart F of the Code. This classification would affect many complex results, one of which is the inclusion of certain income of a CFC, which is subject to current U.S. tax. The United States generally taxes United States Shareholders of a CFC currently on their pro rata shares of the Subpart F income of the CFC. Such United States Shareholders are generally treated as having received a current distribution out of the CFCs Subpart F income and are also subject to current U.S. tax on their pro rata shares of the CFCs earnings invested in U.S. property. The foreign tax credit described above may reduce the U.S. tax on these amounts.
In addition, under Section 1248 of the Code, gain from the sale or exchange of shares by a U.S. Holder of common shares of the Corporation which is or was a United States Shareholder at any time during the five-year period ending with the sale or exchange is treated as ordinary income to the extent of earnings and profits of the Company (accumulated in corporate tax years beginning after 1962, but only while the shares were held and while the Company was controlled) attributable to the shares sold or exchanged. If a foreign corporation is both a PFIC and a CFC, the foreign corporation generally will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to the United States Shareholders of the CFC. This rule generally will be effective for taxable years of United States Shareholders beginning after 1997 and for taxable years of foreign corporations ending with or within such taxable years of United States Shareholders. The PFIC provisions continue to apply in the case of PFIC that is also a CFC with respect to the U.S. Holders that are less than 10% shareholders. Because of the complexity of Subpart F, a more detailed review of these rules is outside of the scope of this discussion.
The amount of any backup withholding will not constitute additional tax and will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holders federal income tax liability.
Filing of Information Returns. Under a number of circumstances, United States Investor acquiring shares of the Company may be required to file an information return with the Internal Revenue Service Center where they are required to file their tax returns with a duplicate copy to the Internal Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, PA 19255. In particular, any United States Investor who becomes the owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the shares of the Company will be required to file such a return. Other filing requirements may apply, and management urges United States Investors to consult their own tax advisors concerning these requirements.
Statement by Experts
The Companys auditors for its financial statements as at August 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was D+H Group LLP, Chartered Accountants. Their audit report is included with the related financial statements and their consent has been filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement.
Documents on Display
All documents incorporated in this 20-F Registration Statement may be viewed at the Companys United States offices located at 332 E. Scott Street, Port Hueneme, California, 93041.
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Item 11. Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company conducts a portion of its business with companies located outside the United States, and may be subject to foreign currency fluctuations. The Company does not currently conduct any hedging or other active strategies to reduce or mitigate these risks, as management has determined there is limited sensitivity to foreign exchange rates and pose limited risks to the Company's operations and overall financial condition.
Item 12. Description of Other Securities
Not Applicable
Part II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not Applicable
Item 14. Modifications of Rights of Securities Holders and Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
Not Applicable
Item 16. Reserved
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Not Applicable
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
Not Applicable
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Not Applicable
Item 16D. Exemptions from Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not Applicable
Item 16E. Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Not Applicable
- 88 -
Item 16F. Change in Registrants Certifying Accountant
Not Applicable
Item 16G. Corporate Governance
Not Applicable
Part III
Item 17. Financial Statements
The Company's financial statements are stated in United States Dollars ($) and are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009,, the application of which, in the case of the Company, conforms in all material respects for the years presented with US GAAP, except as disclosed in Note 16 to the financial statements. The financial statements of the Company for the three month periods ended November 30, 2011 and 2010 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
The financial statements as required under ITEM #17 are attached hereto and found immediately following the text of this Annual Report. The audit report of D+H Group LLP, Chartered Accountant, is included herein immediately preceding the financial statements.
Item 18. Financial Statements
The Company has elected to provide financial statements pursuant to ITEM #17.
Item 19. Exhibits
(A1) The financial statements thereto as required under ITEM #17 are attached hereto and found immediately following the text of this Annual Report. The audit report of D+H Group LLP, Chartered Accountants, for the audited financial statements is included herein immediately preceding the audited financial statements.
Audited Financial Statements
Independent Auditors Report of D+H Group LLP, dated November 30, 2011.
Balance Sheets at August 31, 2011 and 2010.
Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009.
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009.
Notes to Financial Statements
- 89 -
Unaudited Financial Statements
Balance Sheets at November 30, 2011, August 31 2011, and August 31, 2010.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the quarters ended November 30, 2011 and 2010.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarters ended November 30, 2011 and 2010.
Notes to Financial Statements
(B) Index to Exhibits:
1.
Certificate of Incorporation, Certificates of Name Change, Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Amalgamation and By-Laws:
a)
Certificate of Incorporation dated June 12, 2007
b)
Certificate of Amendment dated April 15, 2008.
c)
Certificate of Continuation (British Columbia) dated November 5, 2009.
d)
Certificate and Articles of Incorporation of Stellar CA dated September 13, 1999.
e)
Certificate of Amendment for Stellar CA dated October 1, 2001.
f)
Certificate of Name Change dated April 7, 2010.
g)
Notice of Articles dated April 7, 2009.
h)
Articles effective November 20, 2009.
2.
Instruments defining the rights of holders of the securities being registered
***See Exhibit Number 1***
3.
Voting Trust Agreements - N/A
4.
Material Contracts
1)*
Patent Assignment Agreement between the Company and Frank Oakes dated August 14, 2002.
2)*
Employment Agreement between the Company and Frank Oakes dated October 21, 2009.
3)*
Consulting Agreement between the Company and Daniel E. Morse dated August 15, 2004.
4)*
Employment Agreement between the Company and Daniel E. Morse dated October 21, 2009.
5)*
Service Agreement between the Company and Daniel E. Morse dated January 1, 2012.
6)*
Employment Agreement between the Company and Darrell Brookstein dated January 8, 2010.
7)*
Consulting Agreement between the Company and Darrell Brookstein dated July 10, 2009.
8)*
Service Agreement between the Company and Malcolm Gefter dated June 15, 2010.
9)*
Consulting Agreement between the Company and Malcolm Gefter dated June 15, 2010.
10)*
Sublease Agreement between the Company and the Port Hueneme Surplus Property Authority dated October 2, 2000.
11)*
Sublease Agreement between the Company and the Port Hueneme Surplus Property Authority dated March 21, 2005.
12)*
Lease Agreement between the Company and Beachport Center dated March 29, 2011.
13)*
Promissory Note between the Company and Frank Oakes dated September 9, 2009.
- 90 -
14)#
Supply agreement between the Company and Neovacs S.A. for subunit KLH effective January 1, 2008.
15)#
Supply agreement between the Company and Neovacs S.A. for KLH raw material effective January 1, 2008.
16)#
Research collaboration agreement between the Company and Bayer Innovation GmbH dated August 28, 2009.
17)#
Agreement for marketing and sale of chemicals between SAFC and the Company dated May 17, 2011.
18)#
Agreement between the Company and Life Diagnostics effective October 18, 2011 for the manufacture of Stellar-brand KLH test kits.
*
Filed with the Company's 20-F Registration Statement on February 3, 2012.
#
Filed with the Commission separately pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.
5.
List of Foreign Patents - N/A
6.
Calculation of earnings per share - N/A
7.
Explanation of calculation of ratios - N/A
8.
List of Subsidiaries
·
Stellar Biotechnologies Inc. ("Stellar CA") incorporated in California on September 9, 1999.
9.
Statement pursuant to the instructions to Item 8.A.4, regarding the financial statements filed in registration statements for initial public offerings of securities N/A
10.
Other Documents
a)
Consent of D+H Group LLP, Chartered Accountants, dated April 25, 2012
b)
Copy of Share Option Plan as Amended December 13, 2011
c)
Shareholder's Rights Plan dated December 13, 2011.
d)
Performance Share Plan dated April 9, 2010
e)
CPC Escrow Agreement dated April 29, 2008.
f)
Escrow Agreement dated April 7, 2010.
g)
Notice of Annual General Meeting scheduled for January 17, 2012
h)
Copy of Management Information Circular for the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders dated December 17, 2011
i)
Form of Proxy for the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on January 17, 2012.
- 91 -
Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(In US Dollars)
- 92 -
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the Shareholders of
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc., which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as at August 31, 2011 and 2010, the consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), and deficit and consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.
Management's Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. as at August 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
Vancouver, B.C.
"D&H Group LLP"
November 30, 2011
Chartered Accountants
- 93 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in US Dollars)
| August 31, 2011 | August 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 4,145,492 | $ 2,003,296 |
Accounts receivable | 39,021 | 568,495 |
Prepaid expenses | 36,604 | 22,940 |
| 4,221,117 | 2,594,731 |
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment (Note 6) | 338,224 | 89,577 |
Licensing rights (Note 7) | 173,810 | 200,000 |
Deposits | 17,500 | 8,766 |
| $ 4,750,651 | $ 2,893,074 |
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ 159,137 | $ 420,610 |
|
|
|
Shareholders Equity: |
|
|
Share capital (Note 10) | 9,213,640 | 2,610,682 |
Contributed surplus (Note 10) | 3,472,627 | 870,412 |
Deficit | (8,094,753) | (1,008,630) |
| 4,591,514 | 2,472,464 |
| $ 4,750,651 | $ 2,893,074 |
Nature of Operations (Note 1)
Commitments (Note 8)
Subsequent Events (Note 14)
| On behalf of the Board: |
|
|
|
|
| Director | Signed: Frank Oakes |
|
|
|
| Director | Signed: Daniel Morse |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
- 94 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss), Comprehensive Income (Loss), and Deficit
(in US Dollars)
| Years Ended August 31, | ||
| 2011 | 2010 Note 3c & 15 | 2009 Note 3c & 15 |
|
|
|
|
Revenues: |
|
|
|
Contract income | $ 60,000 | $ 310,000 | $ 310,000 |
Commercial sales | 18,988 | 299,700 | 140,529 |
Grant revenue | 618,199 | 245,137 | 459,221 |
| 697,187 | 854,837 | 909,750 |
|
|
|
|
Cost of Sales, Contracts and Grants: |
|
|
|
Cost of sales and contracts | 101,986 | 142,855 | 107,437 |
Costs of biological assets (Note 2j) | 311,411 | - | - |
Grant costs | 595,686 | 243,233 | 532,317 |
| 1,009,083 | 386,088 | 639,754 |
Gross Margin (Loss) | (311,896) | 468,749 | 269,996 |
|
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits | 797,263 | 333,710 | 175,028 |
Research and development | 906,518 | 352,780 | 96,543 |
Legal and professional services | 283,122 | 218,141 | 42,132 |
Stock-based compensation (Note 10e) | 4,007,116 | 340,122 | - |
General and administration | 747,883 | 276,111 | 105,914 |
Amortization | 87,325 | 13,273 | 14,561 |
Interest | - | 3,734 | - |
Allocation of costs to grant costs | (41,170) | (95,206) | (170,685) |
| 6,788,057 | 1,442,665 | 263,493 |
|
|
|
|
Other Income: |
|
|
|
Retirement of convertible debt (Note 11) | - | 230,964 | - |
Foreign exchange gain | 3,333 | 151,779 | - |
Interest income | 11,297 | 2,802 | - |
| 14,630 | 385,545 | - |
|
|
|
|
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax | (7,085,323) | (588,371) | 6,503 |
Income tax expense (Note 12) | 800 | 1,600 | 800 |
Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Year | (7,086,123) | (589,971) | 5,703 |
|
|
|
|
Deficit, beginning of year | (1,008,630) | (418,659) | (424,362) |
Deficit, end of year | $ (8,094,753) | $ (1,008,630) | $ (418,659) |
|
|
|
|
Earnings (Loss) per share basic and diluted | $ (0.19) | $ (0.04) | $ 0.01 |
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 38,087,574 | 15,600,359 | 530,100 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
- 95 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
(in US Dollars)
| Years Ended August 31, | ||
| 2011 | 2010 Note 3c & 15 | 2009 Note 3c & 15 |
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From (Used In) Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
Net Income (Loss) for the year | $ (7,086,123) | $ (589,971) | $ 5,703 |
|
|
|
|
Items not affecting cash: |
|
|
|
Amortization | 87,325 | 13,273 | 14,561 |
Stock-based compensation | 4,007,116 | 340,122 | - |
Foreign exchange gain | (4,205) | (151,923) | - |
Retirement of convertible debt | - | (230,964) | - |
|
|
|
|
Changes in non-cash working capital items: |
|
|
|
Accounts receivable | 532,807 | (158,362) | (259,570) |
Prepaid expenses | (13,664) | (21,497) | (23,165) |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (140,670) | 39,787 | 24,616 |
Cash used in operating activities | (2,617,414) | (759,535) | (237,855) |
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From (Used In) Financing Activities: |
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 784,858 | 41,008 | - |
Share subscription proceeds | 4,729,524 | 3,209,262 | - |
Share issuance costs | (312,103) | (340,665) | - |
Repurchase dissenting shareholder shares | (125,025) | - | - |
Related party advances (repayments) | - | (15,000) | 36,070 |
Payment of deposits | (8,734) | - | (362) |
Deferral (payment) of deferred salaries | - | (100,500) | 100,500 |
Repayment of convertible debt | - | (35,000) | - |
Cash provided by financing activities | 5,068,520 | 2,759,105 | 136,208 |
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From (Used In) Investing Activities: |
|
|
|
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment | (309,782) | (88,877) | - |
Cash assumed on recapitalization | - | 84,012 | - |
Cash used in investing activities | (309,782) | (4,865) | - |
|
|
|
|
Effect on exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 872 | 144 | - |
|
|
|
|
Change in cash and cash equivalents during the year | 2,142,196 | 1,994,849 | (101,647) |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year | 2,003,296 | 8,447 | 110,094 |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents end of year | $ 4,145,492 | $ 2,003,296 | $ 8,447 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions (Note 13) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash | $ 3,226,553 | $ 2,003,296 | $ 8,447 |
Cash equivalents | 918,939 | - | - |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 4,145,492 | $ 2,003,296 | $ 8,447 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
- 96 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
1.
Nature of Operations
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (the Company, formerly CAG Capital Inc.) is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange) as a Tier 2 issuer under the trading symbol KLH since April 19, 2010 (formerly under CAG.P).
On April 12, 2010, the Company completed a reverse merger transaction as described in Note 3.
·
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (Stellar CA) was incorporated under the laws of the State of California, USA on September 9, 1999 and commenced operations on December 15, 1999 when it acquired the assets of Agua Dulce Partners, Inc., East Pacific Pearl Company, L.P. and Channel Islands Ocean Farms, L.P. Stellar CAs office is located in Port Hueneme, California, USA.
·
The Company was incorporated as China Growth Capital Inc. pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act on June 12, 2007 and was classified as a Capital Pool Company as defined in Policy 2.4 of the Exchange. On January 17, 2008, the Company amended its articles to remove the private company restrictions and the restrictions against the transfer of its shares respectively. On April 15, 2008, the Company changed its name to CAG Capital Inc. (CAG). On November 25, 2009, the Company was continued under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act and removed from acting under the Canada Business Corporations Act. On April 7, 2010, the Company changed its name to Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.
The Companys business is to commercially produce and market Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) as well as to develop new technology related to culture and production of KLH and subunit KLH (suKLH) formulations. The Company markets KLH and suKLH formulations to customers in the United States and Europe.
The Company has received grants for the development of new technology from the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF) including grants under its Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships ("TECP") program, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) qualifying therapeutic discover project grants.
These consolidated financial statements are in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (Canadian GAAP) prepared on a going concern basis. The going concern basis contemplates that the Company will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. Should the Company be required to realize the value of its assets in other than the ordinary course of business, the net realizable value of its assets may be materially less than the amounts shown in the consolidated financial statements. For the year ended August 31, 2011, the Company reported a loss of $7,086,123 (2010 - $589,971, 2009 - income $5,703), an accumulated deficit of $8,094,753 (2010 - $1,008,630, 2009 - $418,659) and working capital of $4,061,980 (2010 - $2,174,121). As at August 31, 2011, the Company has remaining revenues available under the NSF grants, including the Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships (TECP) program of approximately $540,000. The Company also anticipates ongoing contract income and commercial sales.
- 97-
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies
a)
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Stellar CA. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation.
b)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian 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 dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The Company has made estimates for allowance of doubtful accounts, amortization and impairment of property, plant and equipment and licensing rights, stock-based compensation, the provision for future income tax recoveries and composition of future income tax assets and future income tax liabilities, and accrued liabilities for the years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
c)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
The Company uses the treasury stock method to compute the dilutive effect of options, warrants and similar instruments. Under this method the dilutive effect on earnings (loss) per common share is recognized from the use of the proceeds that could be obtained upon exercise of options, warrants and similar instruments. It assumes that the proceeds would be used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period.
d)
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is accounted for at fair value as determined by the Black-Scholes option pricing model using inputs that are believed to approximate the volatility of the trading price of the Companys stock, the expected lives of awards of stock-compensation, the fair value of the Companys stock and the risk-free interest rate.
For directors and employees, the fair value of options is measured at the date of grant while for non-employees the fair value of options is measured at the earlier of the date at which the counterparty performance is completed or the date the performance commitment is reached or the date of grant if the options are fully vested and non-forfeitable. The fair value of the options at the measurement date is accrued and charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with the offsetting credit to contributed surplus. If and when the stock options are ultimately exercised, the applicable amounts of contributed surplus are transferred to share capital.
- 98 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
e)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is recorded on the straight-line method based on the following rates which approximate the useful life of the assets:
| Aquaculture system | 10-20% |
| Tools and equipment | 20% |
| Leasehold improvements | 10-14% |
| Laboratory | 10-20% |
| Computer and office equipment | 20% |
| Vehicles | 20% |
Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
f)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of demand deposits with financial institutions, money market accounts, and highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into cash with maturities of three months or less when purchased.
g)
Future Income Taxes
Future income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method whereby future income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and losses carried forward. Future tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply when the asset is realized or the liability settled.
The effect on future tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of substantive enactment. To the extent that the Company does not consider it to be more likely than not that a future tax asset will be realized, it provides a valuation allowance against the excess.
h)
Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement
Financial assets and financial liabilities, including derivatives, are recognized on the balance sheet when the Company becomes a party to contractual provisions of the financial instrument or a derivative contract. All financial instruments should be measured at fair value on initial recognition except for certain related party transactions. Measurement in subsequent periods depends on whether the financial instrument has been classified as held-for-trading, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, loans and receivables or other liabilities.
Financial assets and financial liabilities classified as held-for-trading are measured at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in the Companys income (loss) for the period. Financial assets classified as held-to-maturity, loans and receivables and other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method of amortization. Available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses including changes in foreign exchange rates being recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI) upon adoption.
- 99 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
h)
Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement (continued)
The Company has designated each of its significant categories of financial instruments as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents
Held-for-trading
Accounts receivable
Loans and receivables
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Other liabilities
The fair value of the Companys financial instruments is believed to equal the carrying amounts due to the short terms to maturity.
Fair value measurement disclosures include classification of financial instrument fair values in a fair value hierarchy comprising three levels reflecting the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements, described as follows:
Level 1:
Valuations based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2:
Valuations based on directly or indirectly observable inputs in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, other than Level 1 prices such as quoted interest or currency exchange rates; and
Level 3:
Valuations based on significant inputs that are not derived from observable market data, such as discounted cash flow methodologies based on internal cash flow forecasts.
The Companys fair value of cash and cash equivalents under the fair value hierarchy is measured using Level 1 inputs.
i)
Long-lived Asset Impairment
Long-lived assets are reviewed when changes in events and circumstances suggest their carrying value has become impaired. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is impaired when the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted net cash flow from use and fair value. In any event, the amount by which the carrying value of an impaired long-lived asset exceeds its fair value is charged to earnings.
j)
Biological Assets
Biological assets include an allocation of aquaculture and production costs for both limpet colonies and KLH products in process. The cost of such biological assets is recorded as a period expense until such time as it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the assets will flow to the Company. These costs are recorded as cost of sales and contracts or grant costs to the extent they relate to KLH sales, establishment and maintenance of dedicated limpet colonies under contract or KLH produced under grant programs. The remaining amounts are expensed as costs of biological assets.
- 100 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
k)
Research and Development
The Company is involved in research and development. Research costs, including materials and salaries of employees directly involved in research efforts, are expensed as incurred. Development costs are expensed in the period incurred, unless they meet criteria to technical, market and financial feasibility, in which case they are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of related products. Research and development expenses are shown as a separate line item on the consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), and deficit. As at August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company had no deferred development costs.
l)
Foreign Currency Translation
The Companys primary currency of measurement and reporting is the US dollar, its functional currency. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the US dollar (foreign currencies) are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the transaction date. Revenues and expenses, denominated in foreign currencies are translated in US dollars at transaction date rates with the exception of amortization which is translated at historical rates. Gains and losses arising from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are included in the results of operations.
m)
Commercial Sales Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes commercial sales revenue when KLH product is delivered assuming there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. In limited circumstance, the Company retains ownership until the product is received and inspected by the customer; revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of these conditions. The Company documents arrangements with customers with purchase orders and sales agreements.
Commercial sales revenue includes sales made under supply agreements with customers for a fixed price per gram of KLH products based on quantities ordered, including those produced from the customers dedicated limpet colonies. The supply agreements are on a non-exclusive basis except within that customers field of use.
n)
Grant Revenue Recognition
The Company has taken the income approach to recognizing grant revenue. The Company recognizes grant revenue when there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attached, the benefits have been earned and it is reasonably assured of collection. An appropriate amount in respect to earned revenue will be recognized as revenue in the period that the Company is assured of fulfilling the grant requirements. Grant advances received prior to revenue recognition are recorded as deferred revenue.
o)
Contract Revenue Recognition
Contract revenue is recognized when reasonable assurance exists regarding measurement and collectability. An appropriate amount in respect to earned revenue will be recognized as revenue in the period that the Company is assured of fulfilling the contract requirements.
- 101 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
2.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Contract revenue is earned on both the initial set up fee for establishment of limpet colonies dedicated to meet the needs of the customer and monthly fees to maintain those dedicated limpet colonies. The Company also has the right to use raw material produced from dedicated limpet colonies at no cost with prior written consent.
Contract revenue is earned from research collaboration agreements whereby revenue is earned through sharing access to the Companys KLH manufacturing methods and analytical data as well as when certain project milestones are met. The customer and the Company will jointly own the rights to practice the resulting intellectual properties within specified fields of use.
p)
Intangible Asset
An intangible asset is an asset, other than a financial asset, that lacks physical substance. The Company records intangible assets at its historical cost. The Company amortizes intangible assets over their useful life to the Company, unless the life is determined to be indefinite in which case no amortization is recorded until such time as the asset is no longer indefinite.
q)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
i)
Business Combinations, Consolidated Financial Statements and Non-Controlling Interests
In January 2009, the CICA issued Handbook Sections 1582 Business Combinations; 1601 Consolidated Financial Statements; and 1602 Non-Controlling Interests. These sections replace the former CICA Handbook Sections 1581 Business Combinations and 1600 Consolidated Financial Statements and establish a new section for accounting for a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary. These sections are the Canadian GAAP equivalent to IFRS 3 Business Combinations and IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements.
Section 1582 is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Section 1601 and Section 1692 apply to interim and annual consolidated financial statements relating to years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Management is in the process of evaluating the impact of these standards on the Companys financial statements.
3.
Merger Transaction
On April 12, 2010, CAG issued 10,000,000 shares to Stellar CA shareholders completing the reverse takeover of the Company which resulted in Stellar CA acquiring control of CAG. As a result of the reverse takeover, the Company changed its name from CAG Capital Inc. to Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. There was a dissenting shareholder of Stellar CA who did not exchange his shares for 1,661,241 shares of the Company. As a result, the company purchased those shares in order to cancel and return them to treasury. The Company paid $125,025, (approximately $0.075 per share) and the shares were returned to treasury on September 29, 2010.
Some of these shares are subject to escrow restrictions described in Note 11. There are also 10,000,000 performance shares set aside as described in Note 10(e).
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Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
3.
Merger Transaction (continued)
The acquisition has been treated for accounting purposes as a recapitalization, in accounting for this transaction:
a)
Stellar CA is the purchaser and parent company for accounting purposes. Accordingly, its net assets are included in the consolidated balance sheets at its historical book value.
b)
Control of the net assets and business of CAG Capital, Inc. was acquired on April 12, 2010. As at the date of recapitalization, CAG Capital, Inc. was a non-operating company and only had monetary assets and liabilities. The transaction has been accounted for as a purchase of the assets and liabilities of CAG Capital, Inc. which have been recorded at their carrying amounts, as follows:
| Cash | $ 84,012 |
| Receivables and prepaids | 125,432 |
| Accrued liability | (152,596) |
|
|
|
| Net assets assumed | $ 56,848 |
c)
The consolidated statements of loss, comprehensive loss and deficit and cash flows include the results of operations and cash flows of Stellar CA from inception and of the Company from April 13, 2010.
4.
Capital Management
The Companys objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Companys ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue the development of its KLH technologies and to maintain a flexible capital structure for its projects for the benefit of its stakeholders. Further information relating to liquidity risk is disclosed in Note 5.
In the management of capital, the Company includes the components of shareholders equity as well as cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivables.
The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may attempt to issue new shares, enter into joint venture arrangements, acquire or dispose of assets or adjust the amount of cash and cash equivalents.
In order to facilitate the management of its capital requirements, the Company prepares annual expenditure budgets that are updated as necessary depending on various factors, including successful capital deployment and general industry conditions. The annual and updated budgets are approved by the Board of Directors.
There were no changes in the Companys approach to capital management during the year ended August 31, 2011.
The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements during the years ended August 31, 2011 and 2010. The Company was in compliance with the externally imposed capital requirements in 2009.
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Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
5.
Management of Financial Risk
The Companys financial instruments are exposed to certain financial risks. The risk exposures and the impact on the Company's financial instruments are summarized below.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows from a financial instrument will fluctuate as a result in market interest rates. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk to the extent that the cash maintained at the financial institutions included in the Companys cash and cash equivalents are subject to a floating rate of interest.
The interest rate risks on cash are not considered significant.
Foreign Exchange Risk
The Company incurs operating expenses and capital expenditures mostly in US dollars, with some operating expenses incurred in Canadian dollars which are subject to foreign currency fluctuations. The fluctuation of the US dollar in relation to Canadian dollars will have an impact upon the profitability of the Company and may also affect the value of the Companys assets and the amount of shareholders equity. The Company has not entered into any agreements or purchased any instruments to hedge possible currently risks. At August 31, 2011, the US dollar was equal to 1.0223 Canadian dollars.
Balances at August 31, 2011 are as follows:
| Canadian Dollar | US Dollar Equivalent |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 397,253 | $ 406,112 |
Account receivable | 2,380 | 2,433 |
Prepaid expenses | 12,905 | 13,193 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (72,585) | (74,204) |
|
|
|
| $ 339,953 | $ 347,534 |
Based on the net exposures as at August 31, 2011 and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 10% fluctuation on the US dollar against the Canadian dollar would result in the Companys net loss being approximately $35,000 higher (or lower).
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Managements assessment of the Companys credit risk for cash and cash equivalents is low as cash and cash equivalents are held in financial institutions believed to be credit worthy. The Company limits its exposure to credit loss by placing its cash with major financial institutions and invests only in short-term obligations.
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Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
5.
Management of Financial Risk (continued)
Approximately 88% of the Companys commercial sales and contract income during the year ended August 31, 2011 were from one customer (2010 - 92% from two customers, 2009 - 77% from two customers). Approximately 79% of the grant revenue during the year ended August 31, 2011 was received from IRS grants with the remaining 21% from NSF (2010 - 100% from NSF, 2009 - 56% from NSF and 44% from NIH).
Approximately 25% of the Companys accounts receivables at August 31, 2011 were from two customers (2010 - 84% from two customers), and 75% were from the NSF grants (2010 - 16%).
While the Company is exposed to credit losses due to the non-performance of its counterparties, the Company considers the risk of this remote. The Company estimates its maximum credit risk for accounts receivable at the amount recorded on the balance sheet.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company attempts to manage liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalent balances. Liquidity requirements are managed based on expected cash flows to ensure that there is sufficient capital in order to meet short term obligations. As at August 31, 2011, the Company had a cash and cash equivalents balance of $4,145,492 (2010 - $2,003,296, 2009 - $8,447) to settle current liabilities of $159,137 (2010 - $420,610, 2009 - $165,367).
6.
Property, Plant and Equipment
| Cost | Accumulated Amortization | August 31, 2011 Net Book Value |
|
|
|
|
Aquaculture system | $ 47,770 | $ 43,543 | $ 4,227 |
Laboratory | 62,033 | 62,033 | - |
Computer and office equipment | 33,195 | 6,684 | 26,511 |
Tools and equipment | 340,286 | 72,295 | 267,991 |
Vehicles | 10,997 | 1,100 | 9,897 |
Leasehold improvements | 59,107 | 29,509 | 29,598 |
|
|
|
|
| $ 553,388 | $ 215,164 | $ 338,224 |
| Cost | Accumulated Amortization | August 31, 2010 Net Book Value |
|
|
|
|
Aquaculture system | $ 43,241 | $ 43,241 | $ - |
Laboratory | 62,033 | 62,033 | - |
Computer and office equipment | 16,628 | 1,826 | 14,802 |
Tools and equipment | 93,689 | 18,914 | 74,775 |
Leasehold improvements | 28,015 | 28,015 | - |
|
|
|
|
| $ 243,606 | $ 154,029 | $ 89,577 |
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Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
7.
Licensing Rights
The Company received two non-recurring payments of $250,000 each in fiscal years August 31, 2009 and 2010 under a research collaboration agreement which were recorded as contract income. During 2010 the Company paid a $200,000 license fee for intellectual property arising under this agreement to a customer for licensing rights outside the customers field of use. The customer and the Company will jointly own the rights to practice the resulting intellectual properties within specified fields of use. The license rights are amortized over the useful life of seven years and $26,190 amortization was recorded for the year ended August 31, 2011.
8.
Commitments
The Company leases three buildings and facilities under sublease agreements with the Port Hueneme Surplus Property Authority. On September 1, 2010, the Company exercised its option to extend the three buildings and facilities sublease agreements. The monthly base rents total $7,071 effective November 1, 2010, for a term of 5 years with rents adjusted by the CPI index every November 1st. The Company has an option to extend the lease for another five years.
The Company also leases office facilities effective July 1, 2011 for a term of three years with the option to extend for an additional two years. Rent is $5,126 per month with 3% cost of living increases each year during the initial three-year term and the Company must pay a portion of the common area maintenance.
Future minimum lease payments are as follows:
|
| August 31, 2011 | August 31, 2010 |
| For The Year Ending August 31, |
|
|
| 2011 | $ - | $ 7,458 |
| 2012 | 146,676 | - |
| 2013 | 148,531 | - |
| 2014 | 139,328 | - |
| 2015 | 84,852 | - |
| 2016 | 14,142 |
|
| Thereafter | - | - |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ 533,529 | $ 7,458 |
Rent expense on these lease agreements for the year ended August 31, 2011 was $99,894 (2010 - $89,491, 2009 - $89,129).
The Company has purchase order commitments totalling approximately $184,000 at August 31, 2011, for contract manufacturing organizations (2010 - $117,000, 2009 - $Nil).
The Company has commitments under certain supply agreements with customers for fixed prices per gram on a non-exclusive basis except within that customers field of use.
- 106 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
9.
Related Party Transactions
These transactions were in the normal course of operations and were measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
For the year ended August 31, 2011, the Company had the following transactions with related parties:
a)
Paid or accrued salaries expense of $565,061 (2010 - $164,375, 2009 - $65,800) to directors and officers of the Company;
b)
Paid or accrued consulting fees of $78,099 (2010 - $66,528, 2009 - $Nil) to directors and officers of the Company;
c)
Paid or accrued consulting fees of $2,000 (2010 - $Nil, 2009 - $Nil) to a former director of the Company;
d)
Paid or accrued professional fees of $26,398 (2010 - $Nil, 2009 - $Nil) to an officer of the Company;
e)
Paid or accrued professional fees of $10,620 (2010 - $6,841, 2009 - $Nil) to a former officer of the Company.
As at August 31, 2011, the Company owed $26,034 (2010 - $15,750) to directors and officers of the Company for consulting fees and expense reimbursements which are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company received $35,000 loans bearing interest of 6% annually during the year ended August 31, 2010, and proceeds were used to retire convertible notes payable. The loan was repaid by August 31, 2010.
On August 14, 2002, the Company entered into an agreement to pay royalties to an officer in exchange for assignment of patent rights to the Company. The royalty is 5% of gross receipts in excess of $500,000 annually from products using this invention. The Companys current operations utilize this invention. The royalties for the year ending August 31, 2011 were $Nil (2010 - $Nil, 2009 - $Nil).
- 107 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital
Authorized: unlimited common shares without par value.
| Number of Shares | Amount | Contributed Surplus |
Balance, as at August 31, 2009 | 6,763,256 | $ 305,128 | $ 100 |
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 16,745 | 12,875 | - |
Shares issued on recapitalization | 10,000,000 | - | - |
Accrued settlement of dissenting shareholder | (1,661,241) | (120,803) | - |
Fair value of net assets of parent at time of reverse takeover | - | 56,848 | - |
Private Placement, net proceeds (c) | 11,502,732 | 2,328,501 | 530,190 |
Proceeds from exercise of agent warrants | 295,200 | 28,133 | - |
Stock-based compensation | - | - | 340,122 |
Balance, as at August 31, 2010 | 26,916,692 | $ 2,610,682 | $ 870,412 |
|
|
|
|
Private Placement, net proceeds (a) | 3,000,000 | 853,191 | 75,806 |
Warrant valuation (a) | - | (226,716) | 226,716 |
Private Placement, net proceeds (b) | 6,213,000 | 3,109,409 | 379,015 |
Warrant valuation (b) | - | (1,571,185) | 1,571,185 |
Issuance of performance shares (e) | 3,333,335 | 3,400,000 | - |
Stock-based compensation (e) | - | - | 607,116 |
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 2,148,805 | 784,858 | - |
Transfer to share capital on exercise of warrants |
| 257,623 | (257,623) |
Final settlement of dissenting shareholder | - | (4,222) | - |
|
|
|
|
Balance, as at August 31, 2011 | 41,611,832 | $ 9,213,640 | $ 3,472,627 |
Private Placements Issued During the Year Ended August 31, 2011
(a)
In September 2010, the Company issued 3,000,000 units at a price of CDN$0.35 per unit for gross proceeds of $1,002,497 (CDN$1,050,000). Each unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one half share purchase warrant. Each full warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of CDN$0.50 exercisable on or before March 28, 2012. The warrants were valued at $226,716. Agents options were issued to acquire 210,000 units of the Company (valued at $75,806) under the same terms of the private placement and are exercisable at CDN$0.35 on or before March 28, 2012. The company paid $96,958 of share issuance costs in relation to the private placement.
(b)
In November 2010, the Company issued 6,213,000 units at a price of CDN$0.60 per unit for gross proceeds of $3,695,784 (CDN$3,727,800). Each unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a purchase price of CDN$0.90 per share on or before November 14, 2011, and CDN$1.15 per share if exercisable from November 15, 2011, and on or before November 14, 2012. The warrants were valued at $1,571,185. Agents options were issued to acquire 345,600 units of the Company (valued at $379,015) under the same terms of the private placement and are exercisable at CDN$0.60 on or before November 14, 2012. The common shares are subject to the Exchange four month hold policy which ended on March 16, 2011. The Company paid $215,145 of share issuance costs in relation to the private placement.
- 108 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital (continued)
Private Placements Issued During the Year Ended August 31, 2010
(c)
In April 2010, the Company issued 11,502,732 units at a price of CDN$0.28 per unit for gross proceeds of $3,209,262 (CDN$3,220,764). Each unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one half share purchase warrant. Each full warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of the Company at a price of CDN$0.40 exercisable on or before October 9, 2011. Included in the private placement was a corporate finance fee of 35,000 units issued to an agent under the same terms of the private placement. The Company granted 1,208,165 agent warrants exercisable on or before October 9, 2011 at a price of CDN$0.28 and paid cash finders fees of CDN$208,174. The warrants were valued at $530,190.
Escrow Shares
(d)
An aggregate of 2,500,000 common shares were held in escrow pursuant to an Escrow Agreement dated April 29, 2008. Of these shares, as at August 31, 2011, 1,500,000 shares remain in escrow.
Of the 10,000,000 common shares issued pursuant to the reverse takeover, an aggregate of 4,119,386 common shares were held in escrow pursuant to an Escrow Agreement dated April 7, 2010. The shares are subject to release provisions, with 10% being released upon closing of the reverse takeover and the balance as to 15% every six months. Of these shares, as at August 31, 2011, 2,471,632 remain in escrow. The remaining 5,880,614 common shares are subject to resale restrictions over a period of three years, with 10% being free-trading, and the remaining shares subject to resale restrictions, as to 15% becoming free-trading every six months.
Performance Shares
(e)
There are 10,000,000 performance shares set aside for officers, directors and employees of Stellar CA based on meeting milestones related to completion of method development for commercial-scale manufacture of KLH, compilation and regulatory submittal of all required chemistry, manufacturing and control data and completion of preclinical toxicity and immunogenicity testing of products. During the year ended August 31, 2011, the Company reached the first performance share milestone and issued 3,333,335 shares (issued at a value of $3,400,000) of the Company to the individuals named in the Performance Share Plan. The issuance of performance shares was recorded as stock-based compensation.
- 109 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital (continued)
A summary of Stellar CAs warrants is as follows:
Warrants
A summary of the Companys outstanding warrants is as follows:
| Number of Warrants | Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
| CDN $ |
Balance, as at August 31, 2009 | - | $ - |
|
|
|
Assumed - RTO of CAG | 7,259,531 | $ 0.38 |
Exercised | (295,200) | $ 0.10 |
Expired | (4,800) | $ 0.10 |
|
|
|
Balance, as at August 31, 2010 | 6,959,531 | $ 0.37 |
|
|
|
Granted | 8,268,600 | $ 0.80 |
Exercised | (2,148,805) | $ 0.37 |
|
|
|
Balance, as at August 31, 2011 | 13,079,326 | $ 0.65 |
A summary of Stellar CA's warrants is as follows:
| Number of Warrants | Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
| US $ |
Balance, as at August 31, 2009 | 400,000 | $ 0.34 |
|
|
|
Granted | 100,000 | $ 0.01 |
Exercised | (222,500) | $ 0.06 |
Expired | (277,500) | $ 0.45 |
|
|
|
Balance, as at August 31, 2011 and 2010 | - | $ - |
- 110 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital (continued)
The following table summarizes information about the warrants outstanding as at August 31, 2011:
| CDN Exercise Price | Number of Warrants | Expiry Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CDN $ |
|
|
|
| $0.40 | 4,189,616 | October 9, 2011 | (Note 15) |
| $0.28 | 621,110 | October 9, 2011 | (Note 15) |
| $0.50 | 1,500,000 | March 28, 2012 |
|
| $0.35 | 210,000 | March 28, 2012 |
|
| $0.90/$1.15 | 6,213,000 | November 14, 2011/ November 14, 2012 |
|
| $0.60 | 345,600 | November 14, 2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 13,079,326 |
|
|
Options
The Company has a stock option plan (the Plan) to be administered by the Board of Directors, which has the discretion to grant options for up to a maximum of 20% of the issued and outstanding share capital amount and subject to a maximum of 5,900,000 shares. The exercise price of an option is subject to a minimum of $0.10 per share, not less than the closing price (less applicable discount) on the Exchange on the last trading day preceding the grant date. However, all of the stock options which have been granted are subject to the following vesting schedule:
(a)
One-third shall vest immediately;
(b)
One-third shall vest 12 months from the Effective Date; and
(c)
One-third shall vest 18 months from the Effective Date.
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Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital (continued)
Options (continued)
Options have been issued under the Plan allowing the holders to purchase common shares of the Company as follows:
| Number of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
| CDN $ |
Balance, as at August 31, 2009 | - | $ - |
|
|
|
Assumed - RTO Stellar | 2,465,000 | $ 0.28 |
Granted | 235,000 | $ 0.27 |
|
|
|
Balance, as at August 31, 2010 | 2,700,000 | $ 0.28 |
|
|
|
Granted | 1,554,600 | $ 0.68 |
|
|
|
Balance, as at August 31, 2011 | 4,254,600 | $ 0.43 |
The following table summarizes information about the options under the Plan outstanding and exercisable as at August 31, 2011:
| CDN Exercise Price | Number of Options | Exercisable at August 31, 2011 | Expiry Date |
|
|
|
|
|
| $0.28 | 2,465,000 | 1,643,333 | April 9, 2017 |
| $0.25 | 75,000 | 50,000 | May 17, 2017 |
| $0.28 | 70,000 | 46,667 | June 17, 2017 |
| $0.28 | 20,000 | 13,334 | June 28, 2017 |
| $0.28 | 70,000 | 46,667 | July 13, 2017 |
| $0.64 | 70,000 | 23,333 | October 25, 2017 |
| $1.00 | 85,000 | 28,333 | February 10, 2018 |
| $1.00 | 70,000 | 23,333 | March 8, 2018 |
| $0.65 | 1,329,600 | 443,200 | August 8, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4,254,600 | 2,318,200 |
|
- 112 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital (continued)
Options (continued)
Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and therefore the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the Companys stock options. The estimated fair value of the stock options granted during the prior year was determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
| 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
Expected dividend yield | 0% | 0% | - |
Expected stock price volatility | 110% | 105% | - |
Risk free rate | 1.94-3.08% | 2.66-3.24% | - |
Expected life of options | 7 years | 7 years | - |
The average fair value of stock options awarded during 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $0.51, $0.23 and $Nil respectively.
11.
Retirement of Convertible Debt
The Company was party to a series of agreements with a customer including loan agreements, a KLH supply agreement, and a shareholder agreement providing a call option to purchase all of the Company stock, collectively called the Intercompany Agreements. On October 2, 2009, all of the Intercompany Agreements were terminated upon payment of $35,000. This resulted in income upon retirement of convertible debt for the difference between the loan balances and the termination payment.
12.
Income Taxes
The income tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of future income tax assets and liabilities as of August 31, 2011 and 2010, are as follows:
| August 31, 2011 | August 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
Future tax assets: |
|
|
Non-capital loss carry-forwards | $ 1,742,800 | $ 243,600 |
Research and development tax credits | 166,600 | 23,900 |
Nontaxable grant recapture | - | 166,300 |
Share issuance costs | 94,000 | 60,200 |
Property, plant and equipment | - | 33,400 |
Future tax liabilities: |
|
|
Federal benefit of state taxes | (125,100) | (27,100) |
Property, plant and equipment | (14,500) | - |
Less: valuation allowance | (1,863,800) | (500,300) |
|
|
|
Net future income tax asset (liability) | $ - | $ - |
- 113 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
12.
Income Taxes (continued)
The income taxes shown in the statement of loss, comprehensive loss and deficit differ from the amounts obtained by applying statutory rates to the loss before income taxes due to the following:
| August 31, 2011 | August 31, 2010 | August 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
Combined federal and provincial tax rates | 28.5% | 29.5% | 30.0% |
|
|
|
|
Expected income tax (recovery)/expense | $ (2,019,300) | $ (173,600) | $ 1,900 |
|
|
|
|
Non-deductible stock-based compensation | 1,141,000 | 100,300 | - |
Effect of income tax rate differences | (284,200) | 400 | - |
Foreign rate differences | (107,500) | (23,100) | 700 |
Other | (115,500) | (11,500) | (1,800) |
Unrecognized benefit of loss carry forwards | 1,386,300 | 109,100 | - |
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense | $ 800 | $ 1,600 | $ 800 |
As at August 31, 2011, the Company had accumulated Canadian non-capital losses of approximately CDN$1,662,200 and U.S. net operating losses of approximately $3,158,300 which can be carried forward and charged against future taxable income. A valuation has been provided for these future income tax assets as there is no reasonable assurance the potential benefit of these losses will be realized. These losses expire principally in 2027 through 2031 as follows:
| Year | Consolidated |
|
|
|
| 2027 | $ 21,500 |
| 2028 | 55,800 |
| 2029 | 274,800 |
| 2030 | 417,800 |
| 2031 | 4,050,600 |
|
|
|
|
| $ 4,820,500 |
- 114 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
13.
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Transactions
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities include the following:
| August 31, 2011 | August 31, 2010 | August 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
|
Share issuance costs agents options | $ 454,821 | $ 166,402 | $ - |
Warrant valuations on private placements | 1,797,901 | 528,502 | - |
Transfer to share capital on exercise of warrants | 257,623 | - | - |
Cash paid during the period for taxes | 800 | 1,600 | 800 |
Cash paid during the period for interest | - | 3,734 | - |
14.
Subsequent Events
Subsequent to August 31, 2011, the Company:
a)
Granted incentive stock options to an employee to purchase 5,000 common shares, exercisable at a price of CDN$0.50 per share for a period of seven years.
b)
Issued 2,318,600 common shares upon the exercise of warrants for gross proceeds of $830,715.
15.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
- 115 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
16.
Differences Between Canadian and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (Canadian GAAP). Material variations in the accounting principles, practices and methods used in preparing these financial statements from principles, practices and methods accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"), and that impact financial statement line items, are described below.
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | Note reference | 2011 | 2010 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivative liability - Canadian GAAP |
| $ - | $ - |
| Fair value and related adjustments | (a) | 1,525,061 | 799,321 |
| Derivative liability - US GAAP |
| 1,525,061 | 799,321 |
|
|
| ||
Share capital - Canadian GAAP |
| 9,213,640 | 2,610,682 | |
| Adjust warrants valued under CDN GAAP | (a) | 167,086 | - |
| Exercised warrants under CDN GAAP | (a) | (257,623) | - |
| Exercised warrants under US GAAP | (a) | 270,295 | - |
| Share capital - US GAAP |
| 9,393,398 | 2,610,682 |
|
|
|
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | Note reference | 2011 | 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Contributed surplus - Canadian GAAP |
| $ 3,472,627 | $ 870,412 |
| Exercised warrants under CDN GAAP | (a) | 257,623 | - |
| Fair value and related adjustments | (a) | (2,782,912) | (530,190) |
| Contributed surplus US GAAP |
| 947,338 | 340,222 |
|
|
| ||
| Deficit - Canadian GAAP |
| 8,094,753 | 1,008,630 |
| Net historical adjustments US GAAP |
| 269,131 | - |
| Current year adjustments - US GAAP | (a) | (1,089,601) | 269,131 |
| Deficit - US GAAP |
| 7,274,283 | 1,277,761 |
|
|
|
- 116 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
16.
Differences Between Canadian and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)
(a)
Derivative Liability
US GAAP requires that share purchase warrants with an exercise price in a currency other than the Companys functional currency requires them to be classified as long-term liabilities and measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of loss.
(b)
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders Equity
US GAAP requires the inclusion of a consolidated statement of changes in shareholders equity for each year a statement of loss and comprehensive loss is presented. Shareholders equity under US GAAP is as follows:
|
| Common Shares |
|
|
| |
|
| Number of shares | Amount | Contributed surplus | Deficit | Total Shareholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Balance at August 31, 2008 | $ 6,763,256 | $ 305,128 | $ 100 | $ (424,362) | $ (119,134) |
|
|
|
| |||
| Net income for the year | - | - | - | 5,703 | 5,703 |
| Balance at August 31, 2009 | 6,763,256 | 305,128 | 100 | (418,659) | (113,431) |
|
|
|
| |||
| Issued on exercise of warrants | 16,745 | 12,875 | - | - | 12,875 |
| Shares issued on recapitalization | 10,000,000 | - | - | - | - |
| Fair value of net assets of parent | - | 56,848 | - | - | 56,848 |
| Settlement of dissenting shareholder | (1,661,241) | (120,803) | - | - | (120,803) |
| Issued pursuant to private placement | 11,502,732 | 2,328,501 | - | - | 2,328,501 |
| Proceeds from exercise of agent warrants | 295,200 | 28,133 | - | - | 28,133 |
| Stock-based compensation | - | - | 340,122 | - | 340,122 |
| Loss for the year | - | - | - | (859,102) | (859,102) |
| Balance at August 31, 2010 | 26,916,692 | 2,610,682 | 340,222 | (1,277,761) | 1,673,143 |
|
|
|
| |||
| Issued pursuant to private placements | 9,213,000 | 4,129,686 | - | - | 4,129,686 |
| Warrant valuation | - | (1,797,901) | - | - | (1,797,901) |
| Issuance of performance shares | 3,333,335 | 3,400,000 | - | - | 3,400,000 |
| Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 2,148,805 | 784,858 | - | - | 784,858 |
| Transfer to share capital from derivative liability on exercise of warrants | - | 270,295 | - | - | 270,295 |
| Final settlement of dissenting shareholder | - | (4,222) | - | - | (4,222) |
| Stock-based compensation | - | - | 607,116 | - | 607,116 |
| Loss for the year | - | - | - | (5,996,522) | (5,996,522) |
| Balance at August 31, 2011 | 41,611,832 | 9,393,398 | 947,338 | (7,274,283) |
- 117 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
(in US Dollars)
16.
Differences Between Canadian and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (continued)
(c)
Research and Development Costs
Under Canadian GAAP, research and development costs are charged as an expense in the period incurred except in circumstances where the market and feasibility of the product have been established, and recovery of development costs can reasonably be regarded as assured, in which case such costs are capitalized. US GAAP requires that these expenditures be expensed in the year incurred. The Company has not capitalized any development costs during the years ended August 31, 2011 and 2010.
(d)
Investment Tax Credits
Canadian GAAP requires that investment tax credits relating to development costs be accounted for as a reduction of development costs. US GAAP requires such amounts to be accounted for as a reduction of income tax expense. There is no impact on the US GAAP loss for the year as a result of this GAAP difference.
- 118 -
Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(In US Dollars)
Unaudited - Prepared by Management
- 119 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
(in US Dollars)
| November 30, 2011 | August 31, 2011 | August 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 4,075,483 | $ 4,145,492 | $ 2,003,296 |
Accounts receivable (Note 4) | 228,232 | 39,021 | 568,495 |
Prepaid expenses | 8,078 | 36,604 | 22,940 |
|
|
|
|
Total current assets | 4,311,793 | 4,221,117 | 2,594,731 |
|
|
|
|
Noncurrent assets: |
|
|
|
Biological assets (Note 11) | 5,938 | 5,763 | 3,173 |
Property, plant and equipment (Note 6) | 326,836 | 338,224 | 89,577 |
Licensing rights (Note 7) | 166,667 | 173,810 | 200,000 |
Deposits | 18,500 | 17,500 | 8,766 |
|
|
|
|
Total noncurrent assets | 517,941 | 535,297 | 301,516 |
|
|
|
|
Total Assets | $ 4,829,734 | $ 4,756,414 | $ 2,896,247 |
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ 439,163 | $ 159,137 | $ 420,610 |
Deferred revenue | 77,048 | - | - |
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities | 516,211 | 159,137 | 420,610 |
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities: |
|
|
|
Warrant liability (Note 10) | 623,014 | 1,527,374 | 797,310 |
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities | 1,139,225 | 1,686,511 | 1,217,920 |
|
|
|
|
Shareholders Equity: |
|
|
|
Share capital (Note 10) | 10,290,573 | 9,269,433 | 2,364,254 |
Share-based payment reserve (Note 10) | 1,012,242 | 734,524 | 369,438 |
Deficit | (7,612,306) | (6,934,054) | (1,055,365) |
Total shareholders equity | 3,690,509 | 3,069,903 | 1,678,327 |
Total Liabilities and Shareholders Equity | $ 4,829,734 | $ 4,756,414 | $ 2,896,247 |
Nature and Continuance of Operations (Note 1)
Commitments (Note 8)
Events after the Reporting Period (Note 13)
These condensed interim consolidated financial statements were approved for
Issuance by the Board of Directors on February 28, 2012 and are signed on its behalf by:
Director
Signed: Frank Oakes
Director
Signed: Daniel Morse
- 120 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
(in US Dollars)
| Three Months Ended | |
| November 30, 2011 | November 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
Revenues: |
|
|
Contract income | $ 15.000 | $ 15,000 |
Commercial sales | 100,350 | 5,638 |
Grant revenue | 20,017 | 49,258 |
| 135,367 | 69,896 |
|
|
|
Cost of Production, Aquaculture and Grants: |
|
|
Costs of production and aquaculture (Note 11) | 208,171 | 125,571 |
Grant costs | 22,866 | 29,274 |
| 231,037 | 154,845 |
Gross Margin (Loss) | (95,670) | (84,949) |
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits | 234,984 | 101,717 |
Research and development | 567,615 | 271,327 |
Legal and professional services | 104,581 | 91,041 |
Stock-based compensation (Note 10) | 277,718 | 113,861 |
General and administration | 180,167 | 135,002 |
Amortization and depreciation | 27,065 | 13,130 |
Allocation of expenses to grant costs | (10,759) | (12,494) |
| 1,381,371 | 713,584 |
|
|
|
Other Income: |
|
|
Loss recovery (Note 16) | 105,000 | - |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | (22,065) | (84,542) |
Change in fair value of warrant liability (Note 10) | 713,935 | (5,258,448) |
Interest income | 1,919 | 1,962 |
| 798,789 | (5,341,028) |
|
|
|
Loss Before Income Tax | (678,252) | (6,139,561) |
Income tax expense | - | 5,000 |
Loss and Comprehensive Loss for the Period | (678,252) | (6,144,561) |
|
|
|
Loss per share basic and diluted | $ (0.02) | $ (0.20) |
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 43,064,936 | 30,749,390 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements
- 121 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
(in US Dollars)
| Three Months Ended | |
| November 30, 2011 | November 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
Cash Flows From (Used In) Operating Activities: |
|
|
Loss for the period | $ (678,252) | $ (6,144,561) |
|
|
|
Items not affecting cash: |
|
|
Amortization and depreciation | 27,065 | 13,130 |
Share-based payments | 277,718 | 113,861 |
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | 22,377 | 85,053 |
Change in fair value of warrant liability | (713,935) | 5,258,448 |
Remeasurement of biological assets | (175) | (3,081) |
|
|
|
Changes in non-cash working capital items: |
|
|
Accounts receivable | (211,276) | 417,164 |
Prepaid expenses | 28,526 | 15,452 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 280,026 | 165,118 |
Deferred revenue | 77,048 | - |
Net cash used in operating activities | (890,878) | (79,416) |
|
|
|
Cash Flows From (Used In) Financing Activities: |
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 830,715 | 434,369 |
Share subscription proceeds | - | 4,729,524 |
Share issuance costs | - | (312,103) |
Repurchase dissenting shareholder shares | - | (125,025) |
Payment of deposits | (1,000) | (1,500) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | 829,715 | 4,725,265 |
|
|
|
Cash Flows From (Used In) Investing Activities: |
|
|
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment | (8,534) | (197,652) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (8,534) | (197,652) |
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (312) | (511) |
|
|
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (70,009) | 4,447,686 |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period | 4,145,492 | 2,003,296 |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents end of period | $ 4,075,483 | $ 6,450,982 |
|
|
|
Cash | $ 1,407,480 | $ 6,450,982 |
Cash equivalents | 2,668,003 | - |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 4,075,483 | $ 6,450,982 |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions (Note 12)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements
- 122 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes to Equity
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
(in US Dollars)
| Number of Shares | Share Capital | Share-based Payment Reserve | Deficit | Total |
Balance - September 1, 2010 | 26,916,692 | $ 2,364,254 | $ 369,438 | $ (1,055,365) | $ 1,678,327 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private placements, net of issuance costs | 9,213,000 | 1,137,103 |
|
| 1,137,103 |
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 1,278,555 | 434,369 |
|
| 434,369 |
Transfer to share capital on exercise of warrants |
| 643,177 |
|
| 643,177 |
Final settlement of dissenting shareholder |
| (4,222) |
|
| (4,222) |
Share-based payments |
|
| 113,861 |
| 113,861 |
Loss for the period |
|
|
| (6,144,561) | (6,144,561) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance November 30, 2010 | 37,408,247 | $ 4,574,681 | $ 483,299 | $ (7,199,926) | $ (2,141,946) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance August 31, 2011 | 41,611,832 | $ 9,269,433 | $ 734,524 | $ (6,934,054) | $ 3,069,903 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 2,318,600 | 830,715 |
|
| 830,715 |
Transfer to share capital on exercise of warrants |
| 190,425 |
|
| 190,425 |
Share-based payments |
|
| 277,718 |
| 277,718 |
Loss for the period |
|
|
| (678,252) | (678,252) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance November 30, 2011 | 43,930,432 | $ 10,290,573 | $ 1,012,242 | $ (7,612,306) | $ 3,690,509 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements
- 123 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
1.
Nature and Continuance of Operations
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (the Company, formerly CAG Capital Inc.) is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange) as a Tier 2 issuer under the trading symbol KLH since April 19, 2010 (formerly under CAG.P).
On April 7, 2010, the Company changed its name to Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. On April 12, 2010, the Company completed a reverse merger transaction with Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (Stellar CA) which is incorporated under the laws of the State of California, USA . The Companys head office is 332 E. Scott Street, Port Hueneme, California, 93041, USA, and the registered office is 1868 King George Boulevard, South Surrey, BC, V4A 5A1, Canada.
The Companys business is to commercially produce and market Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) as well as to develop new technology related to culture and production of KLH and subunit KLH (suKLH) formulations. The Company markets KLH and suKLH formulations to customers in the United States and Europe.
The Company has received grants for the development of new technology from the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF) including grants under its Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships (TECP) program, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) qualifying therapeutic discovery project grants.
These condensed interim consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. The going concern basis contemplates that the Company will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. Should the Company be required to realize the value of its assets in other than the ordinary course of business, the net realizable value of its assets may be materially less than the amounts shown in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements. For the quarter ended November 30, 2011, the Company reported a loss of $678,252 (2010 - $6,144,561), an accumulated deficit of $7,612,306 (August 31, 2011 - $6,934,054; September 1, 2010 - $1,055,365) and working capital of $3,795,582 (August 31, 2011 - $4,061,980: September 1, 2010 - $2,174,121). As at November 30, 2011, the Company has remaining revenues available under the NSF grants, including the Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships (TECP) program of approximately $520,000. The Company also anticipates ongoing contract income and commercial sales.
The financial statements of the Company are presented in US dollars, unless otherwise stated, which is the presentation currency.
2.
Basis of Presentation and Adoption of IFRS
Statement of Compliance and Conversion to International Financial Reporting Standards
These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements, including comparatives have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) and in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, Interim Financial Reporting.
The preparation of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements resulted in changes to the accounting policies as compared with the most recent annual financial statements prepared under Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Canadian GAAP). The accounting policies set out below have
- 124 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
2.
Basis of Presentation and Adoption of IFRS (continued)
been applied consistently to all periods presented in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements. They have also been applied in preparing an opening IFRS balance sheet as at September 1, 2010 for the purposes of the transition to IFRS, as required by IFRS 1, First Time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS 1). The impact of the transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS is explained in Note 15.
As these are the Companys first condensed interim consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, the Companys disclosures exceed the minimum requirements under IAS 34. The Company has elected to exceed the minimum requirements in order to present the Companys accounting policies in accordance with IFRS and the additional disclosures required under IFRS, which also highlight the changes from the Companys August 31, 2011 annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. In fiscal year August 31, 2013 and beyond, the Company may not provide the same amount of disclosure in the Companys condensed interim consolidated financial statements under IFRS as the reader will be able to refer to the August 31, 2012 annual consolidated financial statements which will be prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Basis of Presentation
The condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial instruments classified as financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss, which are stated at their fair value. In addition, these financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting except for cash flow information.
The preparation of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
These condensed interim consolidated financial statements include estimates which, by their nature, are uncertain. The impacts of such estimates are pervasive throughout the condensed interim consolidated financial statements, and may require accounting adjustments based on future occurrences. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. These estimates are based on historical experience, current and future economic conditions and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
3.
Significant Accounting Policies
The accounting policies set out below are expected to be adopted for the year-ending August 31, 2012 and have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements and in preparing the opening IFRS statement of financial position at September 1, 2010 for the purposes of the transition to IFRS, unless otherwise indicated.
a)
Principles of Consolidation
The condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (Stellar CA). Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation.
- 125 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
b)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS 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 dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The Company has made estimates for allowance of doubtful accounts, amortization and depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and licensing rights, share-based payments, research and development costs, biological assets, the provision for deferred income tax recoveries and composition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and accrued liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Significant assumptions about the future and other sources of estimated uncertainty that management has made at the financial position reporting date, that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, in the event that actual results differ from assumptions made, relate to, but are not limited to the following:
1)
the inputs used in the accounting for share-based payment expense included in profit or loss.
2)
the inputs used in accounting for biological assets included in statements of financial position and profit or loss.
3)
the determination of the useful life of the licensing rights.
4)
the inputs used in the accounting for the warrant liability.
c)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
The computation of diluted loss per share assumes the conversion, exercise or contingent issuance of securities only when such conversion, exercise or issuance would have a dilutive effect on loss per share. The dilutive effect of convertible securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the if converted method. The dilutive effect of outstanding options and warrants and their equivalents is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.
d)
Share-Based Payments
The Company grants share options to buy common shares of the Company to directors, officers, employees and consultants. An individual is classified as an employee when the individual is an employee for legal or tax purposes, or provides services similar to those performed by an employee.
For employees, the fair value of share options is measured on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and is recognized over the vesting period using graded vesting. Consideration paid for the shares on the exercise of share options is credited to share capital and the related share-based compensation is reclassified from the share-based payment reserve to share capital. When vested options are forfeited or are not exercised at the expiry date the amount previously recognized in share-based payment reserve is transferred to accumulated losses (deficit).
In situations where equity instruments are issued to non-employees and some or all of the goods or services received by the entity as consideration cannot be specifically identified, they are measured at fair value of
- 126 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
the share-based payment. Otherwise, share-based payments are measured at the fair value of goods and services rendered.
e)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on the straight-line method based on the following rates which approximate the useful life of the assets:
| Aquaculture system | 10-20% |
| Tools and equipment | 20% |
| Leasehold improvements | 10-14% |
| Laboratory | 10-20% |
| Computer and office equipment | 20% |
| Vehicles | 20% |
Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
f)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of demand deposits with financial institutions, money market accounts, and highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into cash with maturities of three months or less when purchased.
g)
Income Taxes
Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity. Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at period end, adjusted for amendments to tax payable with regards to previous years.
Deferred tax is recorded using the liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Temporary differences are not provided for relating to goodwill not deductible for tax purposes, the initial recognition of assets and liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable loss, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will be probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.
A deferred tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized. To the extent that the Company does not consider it probable that a deferred tax asset will be recovered, it provides a valuation allowance against that excess.
h)
Financial Instruments
Financial assets are classified into one of the following categories based on the purpose for which the asset was acquired. All transactions related to financial instruments are recorded on a trade date basis. The Companys accounting policy for each category is as follows:
- 127 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
A financial asset is classified at fair value through profit or loss if it is classified as held for trading or is designated as such upon initial recognition. Financial assets are designated as at FVTPL if the Company manages such investments and makes purchase and sale decisions based on their fair value in accordance with the Companys risk management strategy. Attributable transaction costs are recognized in profit or loss when incurred. FVTPL are measured at fair value, and changes are recognized in profit or loss.
Held-to-maturity (HTM)
These assets are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities that the Companys management has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. These assets are measured at amortized costs using the effective interest method. If there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired, determined by reference to external credit ratings and other relevant indicators, the financial asset is measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows. Any changes to the carrying amount of the investment, including impairment losses, are recognized in profit or loss.
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted on an active market. Such assets are initially recognized at fair value plus any direct attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment loss.
Available for sale (AFS)
Non-derivative financial assets not included in the above categories are classified as available-for-sale. They are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized directly in equity. Where a decline in the fair value of an available-for-sale financial asset constitutes objective evidence of impairment, the amount of the loss is removed from equity and recognized in profit or loss.
The Company has classified its financial assets as follows:
·
Cash and cash equivalents are classified as FVTPL.
·
Accounts receivable are classified as loans and receivables.
Financial liabilities
All financial liabilities are initially recorded at fair value. Financial liabilities are classified into one of the following two categories:
Fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
This category comprises derivatives, or liabilities, acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the near term. They are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss.
Warrants which do not meet the criteria to be classified as an equity instrument are classified as fair value through profit or loss financial liabilities.
- 128 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Other financial liabilities
Financial liabilities classified as other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost.
The Company has classified its financial liabilities as follows:
·
Accounts payable is classified as other financial liabilities.
·
Warrant liability is classified as FVTPL.
Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets, other than those at FVTPL, are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are impaired when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial assets, the estimated future cash flows of the assets have been impacted.
For all financial assets objective evidence of impairment could include:
·
significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; or
·
default or delinquency in interest or principal payments; or
·
it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial re-organization.
i)
Impairment of Tangible and Intangible Assets
At the end of each reporting period, the Companys assets are reviewed to determine whether there is any indication that those assets may be impaired. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment, if any. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Fair value is determined as the amount that would be obtained from the sale of the asset in an arms length transaction between knowledgeable and willing parties. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and the impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss for the period. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash flows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but to an amount that does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.
j)
Biological Assets
Biological assets are keyhole limpets which are bearer assets to produce KLH. They are measured at fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is based on market prices of mature keyhole limpets which are harvested from the ocean. The Company expenses the costs of aquaculture. Fair value gains and losses are determined upon remeasurement at each reporting period. Biological assets include production limpets and dedicated limpet colonies under contract.
- 129 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
k)
Research and Development
The Company is involved in research and development. Research costs, including materials and salaries of employees directly involved in research efforts, are expensed as incurred. Development costs are expensed in the period incurred, unless they meet criteria for technical, market and financial feasibility, in which case they are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of related products. Research and development expenses are shown as a separate line item on the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. As at November 30, 2011, the Company had no deferred development costs.
l)
Foreign Exchange
Items included in the financial statements of the Companys subsidiary are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the functional currency). The functional currency of the parent and its subsidiary is the US dollar.
Transactions in currencies other than the US dollar are recorded at exchange rates prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the period end exchange rate while non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the exchange rates approximating those in effect on the date of the transactions. Exchange gains and losses arising on translation are included in comprehensive loss.
m)
Commercial Sales Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes commercial sales revenue when KLH product is delivered assuming there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. In limited circumstance, the Company retains ownership until the product is received and inspected by the customer; revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of these conditions. The Company documents arrangements with customers with purchase orders and sales agreements.
Commercial sales revenue includes sales made under supply agreements with customers for a fixed price per gram of KLH products based on quantities ordered, including those produced from the customers dedicated limpet colonies. The supply agreements are on a non-exclusive basis except within that customers field of use.
n)
Grant Revenue Recognition
The Company has taken the income approach to recognizing grant revenue. The Company recognizes grant revenue when there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attached, the benefits have been earned and it is reasonably assured of collection. An appropriate amount in respect to earned revenue will be recognized as revenue in the period that the Company is assured of fulfilling the grant requirements. Grant advances received prior to revenue recognition are recorded as deferred revenue.
- 130 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
o)
Contract Income Recognition
Contract income is recognized when reasonable assurance exists regarding measurement and collectability. An appropriate amount in respect to earned revenue will be recognized as revenue in the period that the Company is assured of fulfilling the contract requirements.
Contract income is earned on both the initial set up fee for establishment of limpet colonies dedicated to meet the needs of the customer and monthly fees to maintain those dedicated limpet colonies. The Company also has the right to use raw material produced from dedicated limpet colonies at no cost with prior written consent.
Contract income is earned from research collaboration agreements whereby revenue is earned through sharing access to the Companys KLH manufacturing methods and analytical data as well as when certain project milestones are met. The customer and the Company will jointly own the rights to practice the resulting intellectual properties within specified fields of use.
p)
Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Applied
The Company has reviewed new and revised accounting pronouncements that have been issued but are not yet effective. The Company has not early adopted any of these standards and is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that these standards might have on its financial statements.
Accounting Standards Issued and Effective January 1, 2012
IAS 12 Income Taxes (Amended) (IAS 12), introduces an exception to the general measurement requirements of IAS 12 in respect of investment properties measured at fair value.
IFRS 7 Financial instruments: Disclosures (Amended) requires additional disclosures on transferred financial assets.
Accounting Standards Issued and Effective January 1, 2013
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments replaces the current standard IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, replacing the current classification and measurement criteria for financial assets and liabilities with only two classification categories: amortized cost and fair value.
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements establishes principles for the presentation and preparation of consolidated financial statements when an entity controls one or more other entities. IFRS 10 supersedes IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements establishes the core principle that a party to a joint arrangement determines the type of joint arrangement in which it is involved by assessing its rights and obligations and accounts for those rights and obligations in accordance with that type of joint arrangement.
IFRS 12 Disclosure of Involvement with Other Entities requires the disclosure of information that enables users of financial statements to evaluate the nature of, and risks associated with, its interests in other entities and the effects of those interests on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows.
- 131 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement defines fair value, sets out in a single IFRS framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. IFRS 13 applies when another IFRS requires or permits fair value measurements or disclosures about fair value measurements (and measurements, such as fair value less costs to sell, based on fair value or disclosures about those measurements), except for: share-based payment transactions within the scope of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment; leasing transactions within the scope of IAS 17 Leases; measurements that have some similarities to fair value but that are not fair value, such as net realizable value in IAS 2 Inventories or value in use in IAS 36 Impairment of Assets.
IAS 27 Separate Financial Statement (Amended) has the objective of setting standards to be applied in accounting for investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associates when an entity elects, or is required by local regulations, to present separate (non-consolidated) financial statements.
IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (Amended) prescribes the accounting for investments in associates and sets out the requirements for the application of the equity method when accounting for investments in associates and joint ventures. IAS 28 applies to all entities that are investors with joint control of, or significant influence over, an investee (associate or joint venture).
4.
Accounts Receivable
|
| November 30, 2011 | August 31, 2011 | September 1, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Accounts receivable | $ 118,232 | $ 6,446 | $ 223,283 |
| Contract receivable | 5,000 | 5,000 | 255,000 |
| Grants receivable |
| 27,575 | 90,212 |
| Loss recovery receivable | 105,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $ 228,232 | $ 39,021 | $ 568,495 |
5.
Financial Instruments
The Company is exposed to various financial instrument risks and assesses the impact and likelihood of this exposure. These risks include liquidity risk, credit risk, currency risk and interest rate risk. Where material, these risks are reviewed and monitored by the Board of Directors.
Capital Management
The Company manages its capital to safeguard the Companys ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide adequate returns to shareholders and benefits to other stakeholders, and to have sufficient funds on hand for business opportunities as they arise.
The Company considers the items included in share capital as capital. The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in the light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may issue new shares through short-term prospectuses, private placements, sell assets, incur debt, or return capital to shareholders. As at November 30, 2011, the Company does not have any debt and is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.
- 132 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
5.
Financial Instruments (continued)
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows from a financial instrument will fluctuate as a result in market interest rates. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk to the extent that the cash maintained at the financial institutions included in the Companys cash and cash equivalents are subject to a floating rate of interest.
The interest rate risks on cash are not considered significant.
Foreign Exchange Risk
The Company incurs operating expenses and capital expenditures mostly in US dollars, with some operating expenses incurred in Canadian dollars which are subject to foreign currency fluctuations. The fluctuation of the US dollar in relation to Canadian dollars will have an impact upon the profitability of the Company and may also affect the value of the Companys assets and the amount of shareholders equity. The Company has not entered into any agreements or purchased any instruments to hedge possible currency risks. At November 30, 2011, the US dollar was equal to 1.03199 Canadian dollars. The currency risk is considered to be insignificant.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Managements assessment of the Companys credit risk for cash and cash equivalents is low as cash and cash equivalents are held in financial institutions believed to be credit worthy. The Company limits its exposure to credit loss by placing its cash with major financial institutions and invests only in short-term obligations.
Approximately 87% of the Companys commercial sales and contract income during the three months ended November 30, 2011 were from one customer (2010 - 73% from one customer,). All of the grant revenue during the three months ended November 30, 2011 was received from NSF (2010 - 100% from NSF).
Approximately 47% of the Companys accounts receivables at November 30, 2011, were from one customer and 46% from loss recovery receivable (August 31, 2011 - 25% from two customers, September 1, 2010 - 84% from two customers), and $Nil were from the NSF grants (August 31, 2011 - 75%, September 1, 2010 - 16%).
While the Company is exposed to credit losses due to the non-performance of its counterparties, the Company considers the risk of this remote. The Company estimates its maximum credit risk for accounts receivable at the amount recorded on the balance sheet.
- 133 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
5.
Financial Instruments (continued)
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company attempts to manage liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalent balances. Liquidity requirements are managed based on expected cash flows to ensure that there is sufficient capital in order to meet short term obligations. As at November 30, 2011, the Company had a cash and cash equivalents balance of $4,075,483 (August 31, 2011 - $4,145,492, September 1, 2010 - $2,003,296) to settle current liabilities of $516,211 (August 31, 2011 - $159,137, September 1, 2010 - $420,610).
Fair Value
The fair value of the Companys financial instruments is believed to equal the carrying amounts due to the short terms to maturity.
Fair value measurement disclosures include classification of financial instrument fair values in a fair value hierarchy comprising three levels reflecting the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements, described as follows:
Level 1:
Valuations based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2:
Valuations based on directly or indirectly observable inputs in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, other than Level 1 prices such as quoted interest or currency exchange rates; and
Level 3:
Valuations based on significant inputs that are not derived from observable market data, such as discounted cash flow methodologies based on internal cash flow forecasts.
The Companys fair value of cash and cash equivalents under the fair value hierarchy is measured using Level 1 inputs and fair value of the warrant liability is measured using Level 2 inputs.
- 134 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
6.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Cost: | Aquaculture System | Laboratory | Computer and Office Equipment | Tools and Equipment | Vehicles | Leasehold Improvements | Total PP&E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance September 1, 2010 | $ 43,241 | $ 62,033 | $ 16,628 | $ 93,689 | $ - | $ 28,015 | $ 243,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions | 4,529 |
| 16,567 | 246,597 | 10,997 | 31,092 | 309,782 |
Balance August 31, 2011 | $ 47,770 | $ 62,033 | $ 33,195 | $ 340,286 | $ 10,997 | $ 59,107 | $ 553,388 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions |
|
| 3,002 | 5,532 |
|
| 8,534 |
Balance November 30, 2011 | $ 47,700 | $ 62,033 | $ 36,197 | $ 345,818 | $ 10,997 | $ 59,107 | $ 561,922 |
Accumulated depreciation: | Aquaculture System | Laboratory | Computer and Office Equipment | Tools and Equipment | Vehicles | Leasehold Improvements | Total PP&E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance September 1, 2010 | $ (43,241) | $ (62,033) | $ (1,826) | $ (18,914) | $ - | $ (28,015) | $ (154,029) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions | (302) |
| (4,858) | (53,381) | (1,100) | (1,494) | (61,135) |
Balance August 31, 2011 | $ (43,543) | $ (62,033) | $ (6,684) | $ (72,295) | $ (1,100) | $ (29,509) | $ (215,164) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions | (227) |
| (1,794) | (16,067) | (550) | (1,284) | (19,922) |
Balance November 30, 2011 | $ (43,770) | $ (62,033) | $ (8,478) | $ (88,362) | $ (1,650) | $ (30,793) | $ (235,086) |
Carrying Value: | Aquaculture System | Laboratory | Computer and Office Equipment | Tools and Equipment | Vehicles | Leasehold Improvements | Total PP&E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance September 1, 2010 | $ - | $ - | $ 14,802 | $ 74,775 | $ - | $ - | $ 89,577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance August 31, 2011 | $ 4,227 | $ - | $ 26,511 | $ 267,991 | $ 9,897 | $ 29,598 | $ 338,224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance November 30, 2011 | $ 4,000 | $ - | $ 27,719 | $ 257,456 | $ 9,347 | $ 28,314 | $ 326,836 |
7.
Licensing Rights
During 2010 the Company paid a $200,000 license fee for intellectual property arising under a research collaboration agreement to a customer for licensing rights outside the customers field of use. The customer and the Company will jointly own the rights to practice the resulting intellectual properties within specified fields of use. The license rights are amortized over the useful life of seven years.
- 135 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
7.
Licensing Rights (continued)
| Licensing Rights | Accumulated Amortization | Carrying Amount |
Balance September 1, 2010 | $ 200,000 | $ - | $ 200,000 |
|
|
|
|
Balance November 30, 2010 | 200,000 | - | 200,000 |
|
|
|
|
Amortization expense |
| (26,190) | (26,190) |
Balance at August 31, 2011 | 200,000 | (26,190) | 173,810 |
|
|
|
|
Amortization expense |
| (7,143) | (7,143) |
Balance at November 30, 2011 | $ 200,000 | $ (33,333) | $ 166,667 |
8.
Commitments
The Company leases three buildings and facilities under sublease agreements with the Port Hueneme Surplus Property Authority. On September 1, 2010, the Company exercised its option to extend the three buildings and facilities sublease agreements. The monthly base rents total $7,071 effective November 1, 2010, for a term of 5 years with rents adjusted by the CPI index every November 1st. The Company has an option to extend the lease for another five years.
The Company also leases office facilities effective July 1, 2011 for a term of three years with the option to extend for an additional two years. Rent is $5,126 per month with 3% cost of living increases each year during the initial three-year term and the Company must pay a portion of the common area maintenance.
Future minimum lease payments are as follows:
|
| November 30, 2011 | August 31, 2011 |
| For The Year Ending August 31, |
|
|
| 2012 | $ 110,084 | $ 146,676 |
| 2013 | 148,531 | 148,531 |
| 2014 | 139,328 | 139,328 |
| 2015 | 84,852 | 84,852 |
| 2016 | 14,142 | 14,142 |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ 496,937 | $ 533,529 |
Rent expense on these lease agreements for the three months ended November 30, 2011 was $42,616 (2010 - $23,586).
The Company has purchase order commitments totaling approximately $322,000 at November 30, 2011, for contract manufacturing organizations and consultants (August 31, 2011 - $184,000, September 1, 2010 - $117,000).
The Company has commitments under certain supply agreements with customers for fixed prices per gram on a non-exclusive basis except within that customers field of use.
- 136 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
9.
Related Party Transactions
For the period ended November 30, 2011, the Company had the following transactions with related parties:
a)
Paid or accrued salaries and benefits expense of $150,064 (2010 - $101,778) to directors and officers of the Company and their family members;
b)
Paid or accrued director fees of $7,850 (2010 - $Nil) to directors of the Company;
b)
Paid or accrued consulting fees of $17,250 (2010 - $23,083) to directors and officers of the Company;
c)
Paid or accrued professional fees of $13,309 (2010 - $Nil) to an officer of the Company;
d)
Paid or accrued professional fees of $Nil (2010 - $5,141) to a former officer of the Company.
e)
The share-based payments to directors, family members of directors and officers of the Company during the three months ended November 30, 2011 was $76,904 (2010 - $72,668). Share-based payments are the fair value of the options granted.
As at November 30, 2011, the Company owed $18,600 (2010 - $19,083) to directors and officers of the Company for consulting fees and expense reimbursements which are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
On August 14, 2002, the Company entered into an agreement to pay royalties to a director and officer in exchange for assignment of patent rights to the Company. The royalty is 5% of gross receipts in excess of $500,000 annually from products using this invention. The Companys current operations utilize this invention. The royalties for the three months ended November 30, 2011 were $Nil (2010 - $Nil).
10.
Share Capital
Authorized: unlimited common shares without par value.
Private Placements Issued During the Year Ended August 31, 2011
(a)
In September 2010, the Company issued 3,000,000 units at a price of CDN$0.35 per unit for gross proceeds of $1,002,497 (CDN$1,050,000). Each unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one half share purchase warrant. Each full warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of CDN$0.50 exercisable on or before March 28, 2012. The warrants were valued at $291,949. Agents options were issued to acquire 210,000 units of the Company (valued at $49,861) under the same terms of the private placement and are exercisable at CDN$0.35 on or before March 28, 2012. The common shares are subject to the Exchange four month hold policy which ended on January 30, 2011. The company paid $96,958 of share issuance costs in relation to the private placement.
(b)
In November 2010, the Company issued 6,213,000 units at a price of CDN$0.60 per unit for gross proceeds of $3,695,784 (CDN$3,727,800). Each unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company ata purchase price of CDN$0.90 per share on or before November 14, 2011, and CDN$1.15 per share if exercisable from November 15, 2011, and on or before November 14, 2012. The warrants were valued at $2,711,921. Agents options were issued to acquire 345,600 units of the Company (valued at $226,587) under the same terms of the private placement and are exercisable at CDN$0.60 on or before November 14, 2012. The common shares are subject to the Exchange four month hold policy which ended on March 16, 2011. The Company paid $215,145 of share issuance costs in relation to the private placement.
- 137 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital (continued)
Escrow Shares
An aggregate of 2,500,000 common shares were held in escrow pursuant to an Escrow Agreement dated April 29, 2008. Of these shares, as at November 30, 2011, 1,125,000 shares remain in escrow.
Of the 10,000,000 common shares issued pursuant to the reverse takeover, an aggregate of 4,119,386 common shares were held in escrow pursuant to an Escrow Agreement dated April 7, 2010. The shares are subject to release provisions, with 10% being released upon closing of the reverse takeover and the balance as to 15% every six months. Of these shares, as at November 30, 2011, 1,853,724 remain in escrow. The remaining 5,880,614 common shares are subject to resale restrictions over a period of three years, with 10% being free-trading, and the remaining shares subject to resale restrictions, as to 15% becoming free-trading every six months.
Performance Shares
There are 10,000,000 performance shares set aside for officers, directors and employees of Stellar CA based on meeting milestones related to completion of method development for commercial-scale manufacture of KLH, compilation and regulatory submittal of all required chemistry, manufacturing and control data and completion of preclinical toxicity and immunogenicity testing of products. During the year ended August 31, 2011, the Company reached the first performance share milestone and issued 3,333,335 shares (issued at a value of $3,400,000) of the Company to the individuals named in the Performance Share Plan. The issuance of performance shares was recorded as share-based payments.
Warrants
A summary of the Companys outstanding warrants is as follows:
| Number of Warrants | Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
| CDN $ |
Balance, as at August 31, 2010 | 6,959,531 | $ 0.37 |
|
|
|
Granted | 8,268,600 | $ 0.80 |
Exercised | (2,148,805) | $ 0.37 |
|
|
|
Balance, as at August 31, 2011 | 13,079,326 | $ 0.65 |
|
|
|
Granted | (2,318,600) | $ 0.37 |
Expired | (2,492,126) | $ 0.40 |
|
|
|
Balance, as at November 30, 2011 | 8,268,600 | $ 0.82 |
- 138 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital (continued)
The following table summarizes information about the warrants outstanding as at November 30, 2011:
| CDN Exercise Price | Number of Warrants | Expiry Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CDN $ |
|
|
|
| $0.50 | 1,500,000 | March 28, 2012 | Subsequently extended to March 28, 2013 |
| $0.35 | 210,000 | March 28, 2012 |
|
| $1.15 | 6,213,000 | November 14, 2012 |
|
| $0.60 | 345,600 | November 14, 2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8,268,600 |
|
|
Warrant Liability Warrants Issued With Canadian Dollar Exercise Prices
Equity offerings were completed in previous periods whereby warrants were issued with exercise prices denominated in Canadian dollars. The Companys functional currency is in US dollars. As a result of having exercise prices denominated in other than the Companys functional currency, these warrants meet the definition of derivatives and are therefore classified as derivative liabilities measured at fair value with adjustments to fair value recognized through the Statements of Consolidated Loss. The fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model at the end of each reporting period. Upon exercise of the warrants, the fair value of warrants included in derivative liabilities was reclassified to equity.
The fair value of warrants exercised during the period ended November 30, 2011 was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, using the following assumptions:
|
| 2011 | 2010 |
| Risk free interest rate | 2.49% | 3.07% |
| Expected life (years) | 0.11 | 0.86 |
| Expected share price volatility | 110% | 101.48% |
The fair value of warrants granted was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, using the following weighted average assumptions at the end of each reporting period:
|
| 2011 | 2010 |
| Risk free interest rate | N/A | 1.36%-1.67% |
| Expected life (years) | N/A | 1.0-1.5 |
| Expected share price volatility | N/A | 101-109% |
| Expected dividend yield | N/A | 0% |
Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions regarding volatility. The Company has used historical volatility to estimate the volatility of the share price.
Options
The Company has a stock option plan (the Plan) to be administered by the Board of Directors, which has the discretion to grant options for up to a maximum of 20% of the issued and outstanding share capital amount and subject to a maximum of 8,785,000 shares. The exercise price of an option is subject to a minimum of $0.10
- 139 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital (continued)
Options (continued)
per share, not less than the closing price (less applicable discount) on the Exchange on the last trading day preceding the grant date. However, all of the stock options which have been granted are subject to the following vesting schedule:
(a)
One-third shall vest immediately;
(b)
One-third shall vest 12 months from the Effective Date; and
(c)
One-third shall vest 18 months from the Effective Date.
Options have been issued under the Plan allowing the holders to purchase common shares of the Company as follows:
| Number of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
| CDN $ |
Balance, as at August 31, 2010 | 2,700,000 | $ 0.28 |
|
|
|
Granted | 1,554,600 | $ 0.68 |
|
|
|
Balance, as at August 31, 2011 | 4,254,600 | $ 0.43 |
|
|
|
Granted | 5,000 | $ 0.50 |
|
|
|
Balance, as at November 30, 2011 | 4,259,600 | $ 0.43 |
The following table summarizes information about the options under the Plan outstanding and exercisable as at November 30, 2011:
| CDN Exercise Price | Number of Options | Exercisable at November 30, 2011 | Expiry Date |
|
|
|
|
|
| $0.28 | 2,465,000 | 2,465,00 | April 9, 2017 |
| $0.25 | 75,000 | 75,000 | May 17, 2017 |
| $0.28 | 70,000 | 46,667 | June 17, 2017 |
| $0.28 | 20,000 | 13,334 | June 28, 2017 |
| $0.28 | 70,000 | 46,667 | July 13, 2017 |
| $0.64 | 70,000 | 46,667 | October 25, 2017 |
| $1.00 | 85,000 | 28,333 | February 10, 2018 |
| $1.00 | 70,000 | 23,333 | March 8, 2018 |
| $0.65 | 1,329,600 | 443,200 | August 8, 2018 |
| $0.50 | 5,000 | 1,667 | September 26, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4,259,600 | 3,189,868 |
|
- 140 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
10.
Share Capital (continued)
Options (continued)
Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and therefore the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the Companys stock options. The estimated fair value of the stock options granted during the period was determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
|
| 2011 | 2010 |
| Risk free interest rate | 1.71% | 2.66-3.24% |
| Expected life (years) | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Expected share price volatility | 112% | 105% |
| Expected dividend yield | 0% | 0% |
The average fair value of stock options awarded during the period was $0.50 and $0.70 respectively.
11.
Biological Assets
Changes in biological assets are as follows:
|
| November 30, 2011 | November 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
| Carrying amount at beginning of period | $ 5,763 | $ 3,173 |
| Increases in fair value due to purchases | - | 3,457 |
| Changes in fair value due to quantity and price changes | 175 | (376) |
|
|
|
|
| Carrying amount at end of period | $ 5,938 | $ 6,254 |
12.
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Transactions
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities include the following:
| November 30, 2011 | November 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
Share issuance costs agents options | $ - | $ 276,448 |
Warrant valuations on private placements | - | 3,003,870 |
Transfer to share capital on exercise of warrants | 190,425 | 643,177 |
Cash paid during the period for taxes | - | 5,000 |
Cash paid during the period for interest | - | 3,734 |
- 141 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
13.
Events After the Reporting Period
Subsequent to November 30, 2011, the Company:
a)
Granted incentive stock options to officers and employees to purchase 80,000 common shares, exercisable at a price of $CDN $0.40 per share, and 5,000 common shares, exercisable at a price of $CDN $0.42 per share for a period of seven years.
14.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
15.
First Time Adoption of IFRS
As stated in Note 2, these consolidated financial statements are the Companys first condensed interim consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The accounting policies in Note 3 have been applied in preparing the condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended November 30, 2011 and 2010, the financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2011, and the opening IFRS statement of financial position on the Transition Date, September 1, 2010.
In preparing the opening IFRS statement of financial position and the financial statements for the interim period ended November 30, 2010 and annual period ended August 31, 2011, the Company has adjusted amounts reported previously in financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. An explanation of how the transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS has effected the Companys financial position and financial performance is set out in the following tables.
The guidance for first time adoption of IFRS is set out in IFRS 1. IFRS 1 provides for certain mandatory exceptions and optional exemptions for first time adopters of IFRS. The Company has elected to take the following IFRS 1 optional exemptions:
(a)
Optional exemptions
Share-based payments
IFRS 2, Share-based Payments, encourages application of its provisions to equity instruments granted on or before November 7, 2002, but permits the application only to equity instruments granted after November 7, 2002 that were not vested by the Transition Date. The Company elected to take the exemption available under IFRS 1 and applied IFRS 2 for all equity instruments granted after November 7, 2002 that had not vested by the Transition Date.
Financial Instruments: Presentation
IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation requires an entity to split a compound financial instrument at inception into separate liability and equity components. If the liability component is no longer outstanding, retrospective application of IAS 32 involves separating two portions of equity. The first portion is in retained earnings and represents the cumulative interest accreted on the liability component. The other portion represents the original equity component. However, in accordance with this IFRS, a first-time adopter need not separate these two portions if the liability component is no longer outstanding at the date of transition to IFRS.
- 142 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
15.
First Time Adoption of IFRS (continued)
(b)
Mandatory exceptions
Reconciliation of Canadian GAAP and comprehensive loss to IFRS
IFRS requires an entity to reconcile equity, comprehensive loss and cash flows for prior periods. The changes made to the statement of financial position and statements of comprehensive loss as shown below have resulted in reclassifications of various amounts on the statements of cash flows, however as there have been no material adjustments to the net cash flows, no reconciliation of the statement of cash flows has been prepared.
The September 1, 2010 Canadian GAAP balance sheet has been reconciled to IFRS as follows:
|
| September 1, 2010 | ||
| Note | Canadian GAAP | Effect of transition to IFRS | IFRS |
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ 2,003,296 | $ - | $ 2,003,296 |
Accounts receivable |
| 568,495 |
| 568,495 |
Prepaid expenses |
| 22,940 |
| 22,940 |
|
| 2,594,731 | - | 2,594,731 |
|
|
|
|
|
Noncurrent assets: |
|
|
|
|
Biological assets | ii | - | 3,173 | 3,173 |
Property, plant and equipment |
| 89,577 |
| 89,577 |
Licensing rights |
| 200,000 |
| 200,000 |
Deposits |
| 8,766 |
| 8,766 |
|
| $ 2,893,074 | $ 3,173 | $ 2,896,247 |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| $ 420,610 | $ - | $ 420,610 |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Warrant liability | iii | - | 797,310 | 797,310 |
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
Share capital | i & iii | 2,610,682 | (246,428) | 2,364,254 |
Share-based payment reserve | i & iii | 870,412 | (500,974) | 369,438 |
Deficit |
| (1,008,630) | (46,735) | (1,055,365) |
|
| 2,472,464 | (794,137) | 1,678,327 |
|
| $ 2,893,074 | $ 3,173 | $ 2,896,247 |
- 143 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
15.
First Time Adoption of IFRS (continued)
The November 30, 2010 Canadian GAAP interim balance sheet has been reconciled to IFRS as follows:
|
| November 30, 2010 | ||
| Note | Canadian GAAP | Effect of transition to IFRS | IFRS |
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ 6,450,982 | $ - | $ 6,450,982 |
Accounts receivable |
| 66,789 |
| 66,789 |
Prepaid expenses |
| 7,488 |
| 7,488 |
|
| 6,525,259 | - | 6,525,259 |
|
|
|
|
|
Noncurrent assets: |
|
|
|
|
Biological assets | ii | - | 6,254 | 6,254 |
Property, plant and equipment |
| 274,099 |
| 274,099 |
Licensing rights |
| 200,000 |
| 200,000 |
Deposits |
| 10,266 |
| 10,266 |
|
| $ 7,009,624 | $ 6,254 | $ 7,015,878 |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| $ 464,925 | $ - | $ 464,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Warrant liability | iii | - | 8,692,899 | 8,692,899 |
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
Share capital | i & iii | 5,205,528 | (630,847) | 4,574,681 |
Share-based payment reserve | i & iii | 3,211,085 | (2,727,786) | 483,299 |
Deficit |
| (1,871,914) | (5,328,012) | (7,199,926) |
|
| 6,544,699 | (8,686,645) | (2,141,946) |
|
| $ 7,009,624 | $ 6,254 | $ 7,015,878 |
- 144 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
15.
First Time Adoption of IFRS (continued)
The August 31, 2011 Canadian GAAP balance sheet has been reconciled to IFRS as follows:
|
| August 31, 2011 | ||
| Note | Canadian GAAP | Effect of transition to IFRS | IFRS |
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ 4,145,492 | $ - | $ 4,145,492 |
Accounts receivable |
| 39,021 |
| 39,021 |
Prepaid expenses |
| 36,604 |
| 36,604 |
|
| 4,221,117 | - | 4,221,117 |
|
|
|
|
|
Noncurrent assets: |
|
|
|
|
Biological assets | ii | - | 5,763 | 5,763 |
Property, plant and equipment |
| 338,224 |
| 338,224 |
Licensing rights |
| 173,810 |
| 173,810 |
Deposits |
| 17,500 |
| 17,500 |
|
| $ 4,750,651 | $ 5,763 | $ 4,756,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| $ 159,137 | $ - | $ 159,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Warrant liability | iii | - | 1,527,374 | 1,527,374 |
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
Share capital | i & iii | 9,213,640 | 55,793 | 9,269,433 |
Share-based payment reserve | i & iii | 3,472,627 | (2,738,103) | 734,524 |
Deficit |
| (8,094,753) | 1,160,699 | (6,934,054) |
|
| 4,591,514 | (1,521,611) | 3,069,903 |
|
| $ 4,750,651 | $ 5,763 | $ 4,756,414 |
- 145 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
15.
First Time Adoption of IFRS (continued)
The Canadian GAAP statement of interim comprehensive loss for the three month period ended November 30, 2010 has been reconciled to IFRS as follows:
|
| November 30, 2010 | ||
| Note | Canadian GAAP | Effect of transition to IFRS | IFRS |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
Contract income |
| $ 15,000 | $ - | $ 15,000 |
Commercial sales |
| 5,638 |
| 5,638 |
Grant revenue |
| 49,258 |
| 49,258 |
|
| 69,896 | - | 69,896 |
|
|
|
|
|
Costs of Production, Aquaculture and Grants: |
|
|
|
|
Cost of production and aquaculture | ii | 128,652 | (3,081) | 125,571 |
Grant costs |
| 29,274 |
| 29,274 |
|
| 157,926 | (3,081) | 154,845 |
Gross Margin (Loss) |
| (88,030) | 3,081 | (84,949) |
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits |
| 101,717 |
| 101,717 |
Research and development |
| 271,327 |
| 271,327 |
Legal and professional services |
| 91,041 |
| 91,041 |
Share-based payments | i | 87,951 | 25,910 | 113,861 |
General and administration |
| 135,002 |
| 135,002 |
Amortization and depreciation |
| 13,130 |
| 13,130 |
Allocation of expenses to grant costs |
| (12,494) |
| (12,494) |
|
| 687,674 | 25,910 | 713,584 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income: |
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value of warrant liability | iii | - | (5,258,448) | (5,258,448) |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
| (84,542) |
| (84,542) |
Interest income |
| 1,962 |
| 1,962 |
|
| (82,580) | (5,258,448) | (5,341,028) |
|
|
|
|
|
Loss Before Income Tax |
| (858,284) | (5,281,277) | (6,139,561) |
Income tax expense |
| 5,000 |
| 5,000 |
Loss and Comprehensive Loss for the Period |
| $ (863,284) | $ (5,281,277) | $ (6,144,561) |
- 146 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
15.
First Time Adoption of IFRS (continued)
The Canadian GAAP statement of comprehensive loss for the year ended August 31, 2011 has been reconciled to IFRS as follows:
|
| August 31, 2011 | ||
| Note | Canadian GAAP | Effect of transition to IFRS | IFRS |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
Contract income |
| $ 60,000 | $ - | $ 60,000 |
Commercial sales |
| 18,988 |
| 18,988 |
Grant revenue |
| 618,199 |
| 618,199 |
|
| 697,187 | - | 697,187 |
|
|
|
|
|
Costs of Production, Aquaculture and Grants: |
|
|
|
|
Cost of production and aquaculture | ii | 413,397 | (2,590) | 410,807 |
Grant costs |
| 595,686 |
| 595,686 |
|
| 1,009,083 | (2,590) | 1,006,493 |
Gross Margin (Loss) |
| (311,896) | 2,590 | (309,306) |
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits |
| 797,263 |
| 797,263 |
Research and development |
| 906,518 |
| 906,518 |
Legal and professional services |
| 283,122 |
| 283,122 |
Share-based payments | i | 4,007,116 | 15,593 | 4,022,709 |
General and administration |
| 747,883 |
| 747,883 |
Amortization and depreciation |
| 87,325 |
| 87,325 |
Allocation of expenses to grant costs |
| (41,170) |
| (41,170) |
|
| 6,788,057 | 15,593 | 6,803,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income: |
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
| 3,333 |
| 3,333 |
Change in fair value of warrant liability | iii | - | 1,220,437 | 1,220,437 |
Interest income |
| 11,297 |
| 11,297 |
|
| 14,630 | 1,220,437 | 1,235,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
Loss Before Income Tax |
| (7,085,323) | 1,207,434 | (5,877,889) |
Income tax expense |
| 800 |
| 800 |
Loss and Comprehensive Loss for the Period |
| $ (7,086,123) | $ 1,207,434 | $ (5,878,689) |
- 147 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
15.
First Time Adoption of IFRS (continued)
Explanations for the adjustments are as follows:
(i)
Share-based payments
IFRS 2 is effective for the Company as at September 1, 2010 and is applicable to:
·
New grants for share-based payments subsequent to September 1, 2010
·
Equity-settle share-based compensation awards granted subsequent to November 7, 2002 and that vest after September 1, 2010; and
·
Awards that are modified on or after September 1, 2010, even if the original grant of the award was not accounted for in accordance with IFRS 2.
Canadian GAAP allows the Company to calculate the fair value of the share-based compensation on all awards granted and recognizes the expense from the date of grant over the vesting period using the straight-line methodology. The Company determines the fair value of share options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
IFRS 2 requires each tranche in an award with graded vesting features to be treated as a separate grant with a different vesting date and fair value. Each grant is accounted for on that basis.
As a result, share-based payment reserves was increased by $29,216 at September 1, 2010 (November 30, 2010 - $55,127; August 31, 2011 - $44,809) and deficit has been increased by $29,216 at September 1, 2010 (November 30, 2010 - $55,127; August 31, 2011 - $44,809). The impact on loss and comprehensive loss for the three months ended November 30, 2010 was an increase of share-based payments of $25,910 (year ended August 31, 2011 - $15,593).
(ii)
Biological assets
IFRS 41 is effective for the Company as at September 1, 2010. Biological assets are living plants or animals including those which can provide agricultural produce. The Companys keyhole limpet colonies are bearer assets from which KLH is harvested.
Under IFRS, the biological assets are recorded at fair value less costs to sell, measured upon initial recognition and at the end of each reporting period. Accordingly, biological assets increased by $3,173 at September 1, 2010 (November 30, 2010 - $6,254; August 31, 2011 - $5,763). The impact on loss and comprehensive loss for the three months ended November 30, 2010 was $3,081 (year ended August 31, 2011 - $2,590).
(iii)
Warrant Liability
Under IFRS, the warrants issued by the Company with an exercise price denominated in a currency other than its functional currency must be classified as liabilities (as they do not meet the definition if an equity instrument) and are recognized at fair value with changes in fair value being recognized as a profit or loss. There is no such requirement under Canadian GAAP as warrants issued by the Company meet the definition of an equity instrument. The Companys outstanding warrants are denominated in Canadian dollars and the functional currency is the US dollar therefore the Company will recognize the warrants as a liability with changes to the fair value of the liability being recognized in the Statements of Consolidated Loss.
- 148 -
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited Prepared by Management)
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2011
(in US Dollars)
15.
First Time Adoption of IFRS (continued)
(iii)
Warrant Liability (continued)
As a result, warrant liability increased by $797,310 at September 1, 2010 (November 30, 2010 - $8,692,899; August 31, 2011 - $1,527,374). The impact on loss and comprehensive loss for the three months ended November 30, 2010 was a gain of $5,258,488 (year ended August 31, 2011 - $1,220,437).
16.
Loss Recovery
A shipment of KLH was damaged by a vendor. The vendor agreed to reimburse the Company for the value of the KLH. In accordance with IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, the loss recovery was recorded during the period ended November 30, 2011 when the realization of income was virtually certain.
- 149 -
Signature Page
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this amended Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Stellar Biotechnologies Inc.
Registrant
Dated: April 26, 2012 | Signed: /s/ "Frank Oakes" |
| Frank Oakes, President and CEO |
- 150 -
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER CONSULTING AGREEMENT (Agreement) is made as of January 1, 2012, by and between Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc., a California corporation (the Company), and Daniel E Morse, Ph. D.(Consultant).
R E C I T A L S :
A.
Company has formed an Advisory Board to assist it in evaluation of its research and development and business activities.
B.
Company wishes to engage the services of Consultant, as a member of its Advisory Board, to provide the services set forth below, and Consultant wishes to provide such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants hereinafter stated, the parties agree as follows:
1.
Consulting Services. Consultant shall provide general consulting services to Company (the Services) as a member of its Advisory Board, to include:
a.
Attending and participating an annual Advisory Board meeting (the meeting to last approximately two (2) days including travel; date, time and other details to be mutually agreed upon by the parties);
b.
Attending (in person or telephonically) one (1) meetings each month with the Companys executives and/or senior staff (each meeting to last approximately ½ day; date, time and location to be mutually agreed upon by the parties);
c.
Participating in conference calls with the Companys executives and/or senior staff on an on-call basis during normal business hours; and
d.
Responding promptly to any phone calls or emails sent by the Companys executives and/or senior staff.
2.
SAB Consulting Compensation; In consideration for entering into this Agreement and the Services rendered to the Company, the Company shall grant to Consultant the option to purchase Twenty Thousand (20,000) shares of Common granted with concurrently herewith and an additional Twenty Thousand (20,000) to be granted subject to approval by the Board of Directors of the Company at the beginning of each successive year of service, if the appointment to the SAB is continued, for two subsequent years. The options vest pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.
b.
In consideration for services provided during attendance at meetings of the Scientific Advisory board the Company shall pay consultant a an annual retainer of Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000.00) per year of service, payable in twelve (12) monthly installments, for the time prescribed in Section 1, plus an hourly fee of Three Hundred Dollars ($300) per hour for services considered to be beyond the scope of consultants role as Advisory Board Member.
c.
In consideration for services provided specifically toward assisting the Company in the attainment of certain business development milestones identified in the Companys performance share agreement approved by the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company has also designated consultant as a recipient of 200,000 Performance Shares to be issued one-third upon the achievement of each of the three milestones. The terms regarding the issuance of the Performance Shares were disclosed in the Companys Filing Statement dated December 22, 2009and filed with the Exchange.
d.
The Company shall also reimburse Consultant for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by Consultant in performance of the Services; provided, however, that the expenses shall be first approved by Company. Consultant shall present to Company supporting documentation and a detailed explanation of expenses incurred.
3.
Proprietary Rights.
a.
Proprietary Rights Created Outside of Performance of Services. Any and all inventions, discoveries, processes, ideas, methods, designs and know-how, whether or not patentable, which Consultant may conceive or make either alone or in conjunction with others, prior to the term of this Agreement or during the term of this Agreement that were not developed in connection with the Services performed hereunder, shall remain the exclusive property throughout the world of Consultant.
b.
Proprietary Rights Created in Performance of Services. All work arising from the Services performed hereunder and all materials and products developed or prepared for Company by Consultant in connection with the Services performed hereunder are the exclusive property throughout the world of Company, and all right, title and interest therein shall vest in Company. All documentation and other copyrightable materials developed or prepared by Consultant in connection with the Services performed hereunder shall be deemed to be works made for hire in the course of the Services rendered hereunder. To the extent that title to any works arising from the performance of the Services hereunder may not, by operation of law, vest in Company, or such works may not be considered works made for hire, all right, title and interest therein, including, without limitation, all copyrights, are hereby irrevocably assigned to Company. Any and all inventions, discoveries, processes, ideas, methods, designs and know-how, whether or not patentable, which Consultant may conceive or make either alone or in conjunction with others, during the term of this Agreement, which in any way pertain to or are connected with the Services, shall be the sole and exclusive property throughout the world of Company; and Consultant, whenever requested to do so by Company or any subsidiary and/or affiliate thereof, at Companys expense, and without further compensation or consideration, shall promptly execute any and all applications, assignments and other instruments and perform such acts which Company shall deem necessary or advisable in order to apply for and obtain copyrights, letters, patent and other applicable statutory protection throughout the world for said inventions, ideas and discoveries, and in order to assign and convey to Company the sole and exclusive right, title and interest throughout the world in and to said inventions, discoveries, processes, ideas, methods, designs and know-how, or any applications, copyrights or patents thereof.
4.
Confidentiality. All inventions, ideas and discoveries which shall become Companys property pursuant to Paragraph 3 hereof shall be held secret and confidential by Consultant. Further, during and after the performance by Consultant of the Services and the term of this Agreement, Consultant will not use or disclose or allow anyone else to use or disclose to any third party any Confidential Information (as defined below) relating to Company, its products, its research and development, its supplies or customers and the Services to be provided hereunder except as may be necessary in the performance of the Services or as may be authorized in writing in advance by an appropriate officer of Company. Consultant acknowledges that the foregoing limitation expressly prohibits any use or disclosure of any Confidential Information by Consultant pursuant to lectures or scientific or technical papers or publications. Confidential Information includes any trade secrets, confidential information, knowledge, data or other information of Company relating to products, processes, know-how, designs, formulas, test data, customer lists, business plans, marketing plans and strategies, pricing strategies or other subject matter pertaining to any business of Company or any clients, customers, consultants, licensees or affiliates. Confidential Information shall not include any information which is publicly available at the time of disclosure or subsequently becomes publicly available through no fault of Consultant. All written information, drawings, documents and other materials prepared by Consultant in the performance of the Services hereunder shall be Companys sole and exclusive property, and will be delivered to Company upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, together with all Confidential Information, if any, that may have been furnished to Consultant hereunder.
5.
Other Agreements. Consultant hereby represents that Consultant is not a party to any other agreements or commitments that would hinder Consultants performance of the Services, other than those disclosed to Company in advance of the execution of this Agreement.
6.
Term and Termination. This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and, unless earlier terminated as provided below, shall continue until one (1) year from the date hereof and shall automatically renew for additional one (1) year periods for up to three (3) subsequent years unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement without cause upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other party. The provisions of Paragraphs 3 and 4 shall survive and continue after expiration or termination of this Agreement.
7.
Independent Contractor. Consultant is an independent contractor. Consultant shall not be deemed for any purpose to be an employee or agent of Company, and neither party shall have the power or authority to bind the other party to any contract or obligation. Company shall not be responsible to Consultant or any governing body for any payroll-related taxes or insurance related to the performance of the terms of this Agreement.
8.
Disclosure. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that Company may publicly disclose that Consultant is a member of Companys Advisory Board.
9.
Assignment. Consultant may not assign any of his obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Company, which may be withheld in its sole discretion.
10.
Notices. All notification and communications hereunder shall be in writing. All notifications made to Company under this Agreement shall be made to the following address:
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.
332 East Scott Street
Port Hueneme, CA 93041
Attn: Frank Oakes
All notifications made to Consultant shall be made to Consultant at the address set forth opposite Consultants name on the signature page hereof.
11.
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
12.
Modifications. No modification, amendment, supplement to or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto unless made in writing and duly signed by both parties.
13.
Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement is held to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, the enforceability of the remaining provisions shall be unimpaired.
14.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties, and supersedes any and all prior and contemporaneous oral and written agreements.
15.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts and shall become effective when the separate counterparts have been exchanged between the parties.
[Signatures appear on the following page.]
Exhibit A
Non Qualified Stock Option Agreement
SCHEDULE A
STELLAR BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC. (the "Company")
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
1.
Mandate
The audit committee will assist the board of directors (the "Board") in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities. The audit committee will review and consider in consultation with the auditors the financial reporting process, the system of internal control and the audit process. In performing its duties, the audit committee will maintain effective working relationships with the Board, management, and the external auditors. To effectively perform his or her role, each audit committee member must obtain an understanding of the principal responsibilities of audit committee membership as well and the Company's business, operations and risks.
2.
Composition
The Board will appoint from among their membership an audit committee after each annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company. The audit committee will consist of a minimum of three directors.
2.1
Independence
A majority of the members of the audit committee must not be officers, employees or control persons of the Company.
2.2
Expertise of Committee Members
Each member of the audit committee must be financially literate or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the committee. At least one member of the audit committee must have accounting or related financial management expertise. The Board shall interpret the qualifications of financial literacy and financial management expertise in its business judgment and shall conclude whether a director meets these qualifications.
3.
Meetings
The audit committee shall meet in accordance with a schedule established each year by the Board, and at other times that the audit committee may determine. The audit committee shall meet at least annually with the Company's Chief Financial Officer and external auditors in separate executive sessions.
4.
Roles and Responsibilities
The audit committee shall fulfill the following roles and discharge the following responsibilities:
4.1
External Audit
The audit committee shall be directly responsible for overseeing the work of the external auditors in preparing or issuing the auditor's report, including the resolution of disagreements between management and the external auditors regarding financial reporting and audit scope or procedures. In carrying out this duty, the audit committee shall:
(a)
recommend to the Board the external auditor to be nominated by the shareholders for the purpose of preparing or issuing an auditor's report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company;
(b)
review (by discussion and enquiry) the external auditors' proposed audit scope and approach;
c)
review the performance of the external auditors and recommend to the Board the appointment or discharge of the external auditors
(d)
review and recommend to the Board the compensation to be paid to the external auditors; and
(e)
review and confirm the independence of the external auditors by reviewing the non-audit services provided and the external auditors' assertion of their independence in accordance with professional standards.
4.2
Internal Control
The audit committee shall consider whether adequate controls are in place over annual and interim financial reporting as well as controls over assets, transactions and the creation of obligations, commitments and liabilities of the Company. In carrying out this duty, the audit committee shall:
(a)
evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of management's system of internal controls over the accounting and financial reporting system within the Company; and
(b)
ensure that the external auditors discuss with the audit committee any event or matter which suggests the possibility of fraud, illegal acts or deficiencies in internal controls.
4.3
Financial Reporting
The audit committee shall review the financial statements and financial information prior to its release to the public. In carrying out this duty, the audit committee shall:
General
(a)
review significant accounting and financial reporting issues, especially complex, unusual and related party transactions; and
(b)
review and ensure that the accounting principles selected by management in preparing financial statements are appropriate.
Annual Financial Statements
(a)
review the draft annual financial statements and provide a recommendation to the Board with respect to the approval of the financial statements;
(b)
meet with management and the external auditors to review the financial statements and the results of the audit, including any difficulties encountered; and
(c)
review management's discussion & analysis respecting the annual reporting period prior to its release to the public.
Interim Financial Statements
(a)
review and approve the interim financial statements prior to their release to the public; and
(b)
review management's discussion & analysis respecting the interim reporting period prior to its release to the public.
Release of Financial Information
(a)
where reasonably possible, review and approve all public disclosure, including news releases, containing financial information, prior to its release to the public.
4.4
Non -Audit Services
All non-audit services (being services other than services rendered for the audit and review of the financial statements or services that are normally provided by the external auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements) which are proposed to be provided by the external auditors to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall be subject to the prior approval of the audit committee.
Delegation of Authority
(a)
The audit committee may delegate to one or more independent members of the audit committee the authority to approve non-audit services, provided any non-audit services approved in this manner must be presented to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.
De -Minimis Non -Audit Services
(b)
The audit committee may satisfy the requirement for the pre-approval of non-audit services if-
(i)
the aggregate amount of all non-audit services that were not pre-approved is reasonably expected to constitute no more than five per cent of the total amount of fees paid by the Company and its subsidiaries to the external auditor during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; or
(ii)
the services are brought to the attention of the audit committee and approved, prior to the completion of the audit, by the audit committee or by one or more of its members to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated.
Pre -Approval Policies and Procedures
(a)
The audit committee may also satisfy the requirement for the pre-approval of non-audit services by adopting specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services, if:
(i)
the pre-approval policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service;
(ii)
the audit committee is informed of each non-audit service; and
(iii)
the procedures do not include delegation of the audit committee's responsibilities to management.
4.5
Other Responsibilities
The audit committee shall:
(a)
establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters;
(b)
establish procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;
(c)
ensure that significant findings and recommendations made by management and external auditor are received and discussed on a timely basis;
(d)
review the policies and procedures in effect for considering officers' expenses and perquisites;
(e)
perform other oversight functions as requested by the Board; and
(f)
review and update this Charter and receive approval of changes to this Charter from the Board.
4.6
Reporting Responsibilities
The audit committee shall regularly update the Board about audit committee activities and make appropriate recommendations.
5.
Resources and Authority of the Audit Committee
The audit committee shall have the resources and the authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to
(a)
engage independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties;
(b)
set and pay the compensation for any advisors employed by the audit committee; and
(c)
communicate directly with the internal and external auditors.
6.
Guidance - Roles & Responsibilities
The following guidance is intended to provide the audit committee members with additional guidance on fulfilment of their roles and responsibilities on the committee:
Internal Control
(a)
evaluate whether management is setting the goal of high standards by communicating the importance of internal control and ensuring that all individuals possess an understanding of their roles and responsibilities;
(b)
focus on the extent to which external auditors review computer systems and applications, the security of such systems and applications, and the contingency plan for processing financial information in the event of an IT systems breakdown; and
(c)
gain an understanding of whether internal control recommendations made by external auditors have been implemented by management.
Financial Reporting
General
(a)
review significant accounting and reporting issues, including recent professional and regulatory pronouncements, and understand their impact on the financial statements; and
(b)
ask management and the external auditors about significant risks and exposures and the plans to minimize such risks; and
(c)
understand industry best practices and the Company's adoption of them.
Annual Financial Statements
(b)
review the annual financial statements and determine whether they are complete and consistent with the information known to committee members, and assess whether the financial statements reflect appropriate accounting principles in light of the jurisdictions in which the Company reports or trades its shares;
(c)
pay attention to complex and/or unusual transactions such as restructuring charges and derivative disclosures;
(d)
focus on judgmental areas such as those involving valuation of assets and liabilities, including, for example, the accounting for and disclosure of loan losses; warranty, professional liability; litigation reserves; and other commitments and contingencies;
(e)
consider management's handling of proposed audit adjustments identified by the external auditors; and
(f)
ensure that the external auditors communicate all required matters to the committee.
Interim Financial Statements
(a)
be briefed on how management develops and summarizes interim financial information, the extent to which the external auditors review interim financial information;
(b)
meet with management and the auditors, either telephonically or in person, to review the interim financial statements; and
(c)
to gain insight into the fairness of the interim statements and disclosures, obtain explanations from management on whether:
(i)
actual financial results for the quarter or interim period varied significantly from budgeted or projected results;
(ii)
changes in financial ratios and relationships of various balance sheet and operating statement figures in the interim financials statements are consistent with changes in the company's operations and financing practices;
(iii)
generally accepted accounting principles have been consistently applied;
(iv)
there are any actual or proposed changes in accounting or financial reporting practices;
(v)
there are any significant or unusual events or transactions;
(vi)
the Company's financial and operating controls are functioning effectively;
(vii)
the Company has complied with the terms of loan agreements, security indentures or other financial position or results dependent agreement; and
(viii)
the interim financial statements contain adequate and appropriate disclosures.
7.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations
(a)
periodically obtain updates from management regarding compliance with this policy and industry "best practices";
(b)
be satisfied that all regulatory compliance matters have been considered in the preparation of the financial statements; and
(c)
review the findings of any examinations by securities regulatory authorities and stock exchanges.
8.
Other Responsibilities
(a)
review, with the Company's counsel, any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements.
A.B. KORELIN & ASSOCIATES INC.
17404 163rd Place SE
Phone: 206-219-3820
Renton, Washington 98058
Fax: 206-232-1196
Jeffrey Riedler
Assistant Director
Division of Corporate Finance
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Dear Mr. Riedler,
On behalf of Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc., we hereby submit Stellar's amended Form 20-F Registration Statement and related exhibits and correspondence via EDGAR. The Company is also requesting confidential treatment of certain exhibits to this registration statement. Paper copies of these exhibits are being sent to The Secretary separately pursuant to Rule 24b-2.
To respond to this filing, please contact me at the numbers listed above or Frank Oakes, President and CEO of Stellar, by phone at (805) 488-2147 or by fax at (805) 488-1278
Sincerely,
/s/ "Steve Taylor"
Steve Taylor
A.B. Korelin & Associates
Jeffrey Riedler
Assistant Director
Division of Corporate Finance
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549-7010
RE:
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.
File No. 000-54598
Dear Mr. Riedler:
In regards to the Staff letter dated February 29, 2012 in response to Stellar's Form 20-F Registration Statement, I acknowledge on behalf of Stellar that:
·
The Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing;
·
Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and
·
The Company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.
Sincerely,
/s/ "Frank Oakes"
Frank Oakes
President and CEO
Stellar Biotechnologies Inc.
Response to SEC Staff Comments
The following table addresses the Staffs comments as listed in the SEC Staffs comment letter dated February 20, 2012 with regards to Stellar's Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on February 3, 2012. The corresponding change in the text of the Form 20-F Registration Statement has been underlined and highlighted in yellow.
Comment Number | Page | Response |
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1 |
| The comment is noted |
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|
2 |
| The comment is noted |
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3 |
| The document has been updated with information as of February 28, 2012. |
|
|
|
4 | 4 | Definitions of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) and subunit KLH have been added to the text. |
|
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5 | 4 | Information regarding the Company's products and its sale to third parties for the use in vaccines and diagnostic products has been added. |
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6 | 9 | A revised and updated Statement of Capitalization and Indebtedness has been added. |
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7 | 10 | A risk factor addressing the competition in the production and marketing of KLH has been added. No risk factor regarding the development of vaccines has been added as that is not a material risk to the Company. |
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8 | 10 | A risk factor addressing the depletion of keyhole limpets has been added. |
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9 | 10 | As the Company has no products in clinical trials, the risk factor has been revised to state that demand for the Company's products is subject to regulatory approval for drugs developed by third parties that utilize the Company's KLH. |
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10 |
| The Company is not a sponsor of any current clinical trials and has never conducted any clinical trials to date. None of the Company's current products or products in active development are expected to require clinical trials. |
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11 | 10 11 | The risk factor "Even if the Company obtains marketing approval" has been combined with the regulatory approval risk factor. The risk factor "The Company has limited marketing, sales and distribution experience" has been revised to reflect that it refers to the Company's diagnostic products. |
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12 | 11 | The Company currently maintains liability coverage of up to $2 million dollars for both general liability and product liability. A discussion of the Company's liability insurance has been added to the text. The cost of such coverage is not material. Environmental and hazardous waste liability is not considered to be material. |
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13 | 11 | The amount of net losses in the last two fiscal years as well as accumulated deficit since inception has been added. |
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14 | 12 | A discussion of the Company's specific additional financing requirements has been added to the risk factor. |
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15 | 12 | A notation that the Company only has "at-will" employment agreements with its key management employees has been added to the risk factor. To date, the Company has not experienced difficulty in attracting and retaining specific qualified personnel. |
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16 | 15 | A discussion and definition of "Capital Pool Corporation" and "qualifying transaction" has been added. |
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17 | 16 | Details of the limit of the Company's operations prior to the reverse merger with Stellar CA has been added. |
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18 | 16 | Details regarding the conditions under which the performance shares may be issued and the extent to which shares under the plan have been issued to date have been added to this section. |
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19 | 16 | A discussion of the patents issued to Stellar prior to the reverse merger has been added. |
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20 | 18 | Details regarding the new spawning facility have been added. |
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21 | 18 | A discussion of current KLH production capacity, number of grams of KLH currently produced, and number of grams of KLH sold has been added. Details regarding the storage properties and shelf life have also been added. |
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22 | 19 | A discussion of KLH pricing has been added. |
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23 | 24 18 | The Company's annual sales are derived from the demand of its customers to meet clinical requirements, vaccine development, and clinical trials. The Company plans to expand KLH production capacity are based on the Company's customer forecasts for KLH requirements during vaccine commercialization and the Company's commitment to meet its customers' future KLH requirements. Although the Company has the hatchery capacity to produce 50,000 mature limpets per year, which will be sufficient to produce up to 20,000 grams of KLH annually, additional equipment and personnel will be required to produce that level of KLH. Expansion is anticipated to be staged based upon anticipated KLH demand. Details of this requirement have been added to the text. |
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24 | 21 | Details of the current mature limpet inventory and approximate duration of production of KLH from a mature limpet has been added. |
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25 | 23 | Details of the FDA drug master file has been added. |
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26 | 25 | A discussion of the Company's diagnostic test kits and related regulatory approval has been added. |
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27 | 25 | A discussion of the Company's filings in relation to patents has been added. |
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28 | 26 | The definition of provisional patent applications has been added. |
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29 | 25 | Confirmation that the company's current patents pertaining to non-lethal extraction methods is the patent assigned by Mr. Oakes has been added. |
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30 | 26 | Details regarding the jurisdiction for the granted and current patent applications has been added. |
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31 | 25 | Details regarding the expiration date of the current patents and current applications has been added. |
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32 | 27 | The disclosure has been revised to clarify that the discussion pertains to certain of the Company's customers. |
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33 | 29 | Details regarding the contract revenue has been added. |
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34 | 4, 24 | The discussion regarding the limited commercial sales, and the variability of the timing of such sales, has been added to the text. |
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35 | 28 | Details why commercial sales declined year-over-year have been added. |
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36 | 31 | The discussion of the Company's current capital requirements has been revised. |
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37 | Exhibit | A copy of the current Audit Committee charter has been filed as an exhibit to this Amended Registration Statement. |
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38 | 28, 32 | The document has been updated with the interim financial information for the quarter ended November 30, 2011 as published on February 28, 2012. |
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39 | 62 | The dates of the Company's response to the CRWQCB and the date of the issuance of the revised permit has been added. |
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40 | 73 | The discussion has been updated to include the results of the Annual General and Special meeting held on January 17, 2012. |
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41 | Exhibits | The Company is requesting confidential treatment for several agreements considered to be "material contracts". These include the Bayer agreement, the SAFC contract, Life Diagnostic agreement, and two supply agreements with Neovacs S.A. Copies of these agreements as well as the request for confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2 is being provided under separate cover. The Company does not consider the notifications of the federal grants as "material contracts". The documents which the Company has received to notify the Company of award of the grant are typically 1 page notifications. These notifications of award do not contain any information that is not already provided in the 20-F Registration Statement and the financial statements. |
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42 | Financial Statements | The Cash Flow Statement for the Years ended August 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 have been revised to show the effect of rate changes on cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currencies. |
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43 | Financial Statements | The Cash Flow Statement has been revised with the Cash assumed on recapitalization of $84.012 shown under Investing Activities. |
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44 | Note 3 | Note 3 to the audited annual financial statements has been revised to disclose the nature of the merger transaction as a recapitalization. |
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45 | 16, 32, 34, 54, 55 | The disclosure has been revised to reflect that 10,000,000 common shares were issued pursuant to the merger agreement. |
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46 | Note 1 Note 7 Note 8 | The disclosure has been revised to include Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnership grant. The disclosure has been revised to describe the significant terms of the Bayer agreement. The disclosure has been revised to describe commitments under supply agreements. |
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47 | Note 10, 16 | The tables in Note 10 and 16 have been revised. |
/s/ "Frank Oakes"
Frank Oakes,
President and CEO