10-Q 1 f10q_081320p.htm FORM 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________________

 

FORM 10-Q

 ______________________________________

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020

 

or

 

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

 

For the transition period from                 to                 

Commission file number: 001-35776

______________________________________

 

Acasti Pharma Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 ______________________________________

 

Québec, Canada 98-1359336
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

3009 boul. de la Concorde East, Suite 102

Laval, Québec, Canada H7E 2B5

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

450-686-4555

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

______________________________________

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

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, no par value per share ACST NASDAQ Stock Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer   Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer   Smaller reporting company  
Emerging growth company        

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).    Yes ☐    No  ☒

 

The number of outstanding common shares of the registrant, no par value per share, as of August 13, 2020 was 96,892,537.


 

 

 

ACASTI PHARMA INC.

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2020

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements 7
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 21
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 34
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 35
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 36
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 36
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 36
     
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 36
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 36
     
Item 5. Other Information 36
     
Item 6. Exhibits 37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This quarterly report contains information that may be forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, both of which we refer to in this quarterly report as forward-looking information. Forward-looking information can be identified by the use of terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not statements about the present or historical facts. Forward-looking information in this quarterly report includes, among other things, information or statements about:

 

  · our ability to conduct all required clinical and nonclinical trials for our drug candidate, CaPre, including the timing and results of those trials;
     
  · the outcome of our ongoing dialogue with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, regarding the unusually large placebo effect observed in the triglyceride, or TG, topline results of our TRILOGY 1 Phase 3 clinical trial and the implications for our TRILOGY 2 Phase 3 clinical trial and its outcome;
     
  · our ability to file a New Drug Application, or NDA, based on the results of our TRILOGY Phase 3 program;
     
  · whether the FDA may require additional clinical development work or study to support an NDA filing for CaPre;

 

  · our strategy, future operations, prospects and the plans of our management;

 

  · the regulatory plan, timeline, costs and results of our clinical and nonclinical trials for CaPre;

 

  · the timing and outcome of our meetings and discussions with the FDA;

 

  · our planned regulatory filings for CaPre and their timing;
     
  · our expectation that our Bridging Study (as defined below) results will support our plan to get authorization from the FDA to use the 505(b)(2) pathway with new chemical entity, or NCE, status towards an NDA approval in the United States;

 

  · the potential benefits and risks of CaPre as compared to other products in the pharmaceutical, medical food, natural health and dietary supplement products markets;

 

  · our estimates of the size and growth rate of the potential market for CaPre, unmet medical needs in that market, the potential for future market expansion, the rate and degree of market acceptance of CaPre if it reaches commercialization, and our ability to serve that market;

 

  · our anticipated marketing advantages and product differentiation of CaPre and its potential to become a best-in-class omega-3, or OM3, compound for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, or sHTG;

 

  · the potential to expand CaPre’s indication for the treatment of high TGs (200-499 mg/dL), assuming at least one additional study;

 

  · the degree to which physicians would switch their patients to a product with CaPre’s target product profile based on the outcome of our TRILOGY Phase 3 trials;

 

  · our strategy and ability to develop, commercialize and distribute CaPre in the United States and elsewhere;

 

  · our ability to strengthen our patent portfolio and other means of protecting our intellectual property rights, including our ability to obtain additional patent protection for CaPre;

 

  · the availability and consistency of our raw materials, including raw krill oil, or RKO, from existing and future alternative suppliers;

 

  · our expectation that following expiration of our license agreement with Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc., or Neptune, we will not require any licenses from third parties to support the commercialization of CaPre;

 

  · our expectation to be able to rely on third parties to manufacture CaPre whose manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with current good manufacturing practices, or cGMP;

 

2

 

 

  · the potential for CaPre in other cardiometabolic medicine indications;

 

  · our intention and ability to build a U.S. commercial organization, and to successfully launch CaPre and compete in the U.S. market;

 

  · our intention and ability to complete development and/or distribution partnerships to support the commercialization of CaPre outside of the United States, and to pursue strategic opportunities to provide supplemental capital and market access;

 

  · the potential adverse effects that the recent COVID-19 pandemic may have on our business and operations;

 

  · our need for additional financing, and our estimates regarding our future financing and capital requirements;

 

  · our expectation regarding our financial performance, including our revenues, cost-of-goods, profitability, research and development, costs and expenses, gross margins, liquidity, capital resources, and capital expenditures; and

 

  · our projected capital requirements to fund our anticipated expenses, including our research and development, marketing and sales, general and administrative expenses, and capital equipment expenditures.

 

Although the forward-looking information in this quarterly report is based upon what we believe are reasonable assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on that forward-looking information since actual results may vary materially from it. Important assumptions made by us when making forward-looking statements include, among other things, assumptions by us that:

 

  · we are able to obtain the additional capital and financing we require when we need it;

 

  · the FDA will not require an additional study for us to file an NDA for CaPre, and that we successfully and in a timely manner complete all required clinical and nonclinical trials necessary for regulatory approval of CaPre;

 

  · the timeline and costs for our TRILOGY Phase 3 program are not materially underestimated or affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or other unforeseen circumstances;

 

  · CaPre is safe and effective;

 

  · we obtain and maintain regulatory approval for CaPre on a timely basis;

 

  · we are able to attract, hire and retain key management and skilled scientific and commercial personnel;
     
  · third parties provide their services to us on a timely and effective basis;

 

  · we are able to maintain our required supply of raw materials at a reasonable price, including RKO;
     
  · we are able to scale-up production of CaPre with third-party manufacturers to support commercial demand;

 

  · we are able to successfully build a commercial organization, launch CaPre in the United States, and compete in the U.S. market;

 

  · we are able to secure distribution arrangements for CaPre outside of the United States, if it reaches commercialization;

 

  · we are able to manage and fund our future growth effectively;

 

  · we are able to gain acceptance of CaPre in its targeted markets, and we are able to serve those markets;

 

  · our patent and trademark portfolio is sufficient and valid;

 

  · we are able to secure and defend our intellectual property rights, and to avoid infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third parties;

 

  · we are able to take advantage of new business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry;
     
  · we are able to execute on strategic partnerships according to our business plan;

 

3

 

 

  · we are able to continue as a going concern;

 

  · there is no significant increase in competition for CaPre from other companies in the pharmaceutical, medical food, dietary supplement and natural health product industries;

 

  · CaPre is viewed favorably by payers at launch, and receives appropriate healthcare reimbursement;

 

  · market data and reports reviewed by us are accurate;

 

  · there are no material adverse changes in relevant laws or regulations; and

 

  · we face no product liability lawsuits or other proceedings or any such matters, if they arise, are satisfactorily resolved.

 

In addition, the forward-looking information in this quarterly report is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those described in our annual report on Form 10-K under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results and developments to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by the forward-looking information, including, among others:

 

  · risks related to timing and possible difficulties, delays or failures in our ongoing TRILOGY Phase 3 program for CaPre;

 

  · our business and operations may be materially and adversely affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic;
     
  · nonclinical and clinical trials may be more costly or take longer to complete than anticipated and may never be completed, or they may generate results that warrant future clinical trials, additional clinical development and/or delay commercialization of CaPre;
     
  · our TRILOGY Phase 3 trials may not achieve all or any of their primary, secondary or exploratory endpoints;
     
  · assuming our TRILOGY 2 trial meets its primary endpoint, the results of pooling that data with our TRILOGY 1 trial results may not achieve statistical significance or the FDA may not support the pooled data as the basis for an NDA submission;
     
  · based on the final TRILOGY 1 and TRILOGY 2 clinical trial data, the FDA may require that we conduct additional clinical work or studies to support an NDA for CaPre;

 

  · our anticipated studies and submissions to the FDA may not occur as currently anticipated, or at all;
     
  · the FDA could reject our 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway and/or our NDA;

 

  · while the REDUCE-IT results (a cardiovascular outcome study conducted by Amarin Corporation plc, or Amarin, with their OM3 drug VASCEPA) were positive, on January 13, 2020, AstraZeneca plc announced that its cardiovascular Phase 3 STRENGTH trial for its OM3 drug EPANOVA had been discontinued due to its low likelihood of demonstrating a benefit to patients with mixed dyslipidemia. The potential impacts of the discontinuance of the STRENGTH trial on our business and the OM3 drug market in general are not yet known;

 

  · if Amarin loses its appeal of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada’s March 30, 2020 decision invalidating its patent on the basis of obviousness, then additional generic versions of VASCEPA could potentially enter the market within the next year and this could result in downward pressure on pricing for CaPre;

 

  · we may encounter difficulties, delays or failures in obtaining regulatory approval to market CaPre, or the FDA may refuse to approve CaPre or place restrictions on our ability to commercialize and promote CaPre;

 

  · if additional clinical work is required by the FDA to support an NDA submission for CaPre, we may encounter difficulties or delays in the initiation of clinical trial(s) due to COVID-19 or other challenges that could lead to the delay or failure of obtaining regulatory approval;

 

  · the FDA may require, or for competitive reasons we may need to, conduct additional future clinical trials for CaPre, the occurrence and success of which cannot be assured;

 

4

 

 

  · CaPre may have unknown side effects, or may not prove to be as safe and effective or as potent as we currently believe;

 

  · CaPre could be subject to extensive post-market obligations and continued regulatory review, which may result in significant additional expense and affect sales, marketing and profitability;

 

  · we may fail to achieve our publicly announced milestones on time;

 

  · we may encounter difficulties in completing or funding additional development or commercialization of CaPre;
     
  · third parties we are relying upon to conduct our TRILOGY Phase 3 program and support the data analysis and filing of an NDA for CaPre may not effectively fulfill their obligations to us, including complying with FDA requirements;

 

  · there may be difficulties, delays, or failures in obtaining health care reimbursements for CaPre;

 

  · recently enacted and future laws may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval and commercialization of CaPre, and may affect the prices we can charge;

 

  · new laws, regulatory requirements, introduction of a generic form of VASCEPA, and the continuing efforts of governmental and third-party payors to contain or reduce the costs of healthcare through various means could adversely affect our business;

 

  · the market opportunity for, and demand and market acceptance of, CaPre may not be as strong as we anticipate;

 

  · third parties that we will rely upon to manufacture, supply and distribute CaPre may not effectively fulfill their obligations to us, including complying with FDA requirements;

 

  · there may not be an adequate supply of raw materials, including RKO, in sufficient quantities and quality to produce CaPre under cGMP standards and that meet our target specifications, or we may experience an increase in cost of these raw materials, which could affect our profitability and/or our ability to compete effectively;

 

  · we may not be able to meet applicable regulatory standards for the manufacture of CaPre or scale-up our manufacturing successfully;

 

  · as a development stage company, we currently have limited sales, marketing and distribution personnel and resources;

 

  · our patent applications may not result in issued patents, our issued patents may be circumvented or challenged and ultimately struck down, and we may not be able to successfully protect our trade secrets or other confidential proprietary information;

 

  · we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest if we do not protect our trademark for CaPre or any new trademark that is developed for CaPre;

 

  · we may face claims of infringement of third party intellectual property and other proprietary rights;

 

  · we may face product liability claims and product recalls;

 

  · we may face intense competition from other companies in the pharmaceutical, medical food and natural health product industries;

 

  · we have a history of negative operating cash flow, and may never become profitable or be able to sustain profitability;

 

  · we have significant additional future capital needs, and may not be able to raise additional financing required to fund further research and development, clinical studies, obtain regulatory approvals, build a commercial organization in the United States, and meet ongoing capital requirements to continue our current operations on commercially acceptable terms or at all;

 

  · we face additional costs related to the change in our status from a foreign private issuer to a U.S. domestic issuer;

 

  · we may not be able to successfully compete in the U.S. market with competitors who are larger and have more resources than we do;

 

  · we may acquire businesses or products, or form strategic partnerships in the future that may not be successful;

 

5

 

 

  · we may be unable to secure development and/or distribution partnerships to support the commercialization of CaPre, provide development capital, or provide market access in any key market;

 

  · we rely on the retention of key management and skilled scientific, manufacturing, regulatory and commercial personnel; and

 

  · general changes in economic and capital market conditions could adversely affect us.

 

All of the forward-looking information in this quarterly report is qualified by this cautionary statement. There can be no guarantee that the results or developments that we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the consequences or effects on our business, financial condition or results of operations that we anticipate. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake to update or amend any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking information is made as of the date of this quarterly report.

 

We express all amounts in this quarterly report in U.S. dollars, except where otherwise indicated. References to “$” and “US$” are to U.S. dollars and references to “C$” or “CAD$” are to Canadian dollars.

 

Except as otherwise indicated, references in this quarterly report to “Acasti,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Acasti Pharma Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1: Financial Information

 

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    
Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance sheets   8 
      
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss   9 
      
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity   10 
      
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   11 
      
Notes to the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements   12 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited)

 

         

June 30,

2020

    

March 31,

2020

 
(thousands of US dollars)   Notes    $    $ 
Assets               
                
Current assets:               
Cash and cash equivalents        12,122    14,240 
Receivables        495    546 
Current- other assets   4    499    195 
Deferred financing costs        130    121 
Prepaid expenses        718    977 
Total current assets        13,964    16,079 
                
Other assets   4    192    473 
Equipment        1,926    1,910 
Right of Use Asset        135    147 
Intangible assets        3,925    4,244 
Total assets        20,142    22,853 
                
Liabilities and Equity                
                
Current liabilities:               
Trade and other payables        5,900    7,319 
Lease Liability        79    76 
Total current liabilities        5,979    7,395 
                
Derivative warrant liabilities   5, 6(c)    3,071    2,393 
Lease liability        56    71 
Total liabilities        9,106    9,859 
                
Equity:               
Common shares        139,189    137,424 
                
Additional paid-in capital        10,432    9,797 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss        (7,579)   (7,887)
Accumulated deficit        (131,006)   (126,340)
Total shareholder’s equity        11,036    12,994 
                
Commitments and contingencies
   11           
                
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity        20,142    22,853 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed financial statements.

 

8

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

         

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
              (note 12) 
(thousands of US dollars, except per share data)   Notes    $    $ 
                
Research and development expenses, net of government assistance   7    (1,756)   (6,190)
General and administrative expenses        (1,649)   (1,116)
Sales and marketing expenses        (716)   (700)
Loss from operating activities        (4,121)   (8,006)
                
Financial Expenses   8    (545)   (840)
                
Net loss and total comprehensive loss        (4,666)   (8,846)
                
Basic and diluted loss per share        (0.05)   (0.11)
                
Weighted average number of shares outstanding        90,691,726    78,638,075 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

         Common Shares                     
(thousands of US dollars except for share data)   

 

 

 

Notes

    Number    

 

 

 

Dollar

    

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss    

 

 

 

Deficit

    

 

 

 

Total

 
              $    $    $    $    $ 
Balance, March 31, 2020        90,209,449    137,424    9,797    (7,887)   (126,340)   12,994 
Net loss and total comprehensive
loss for the period
                            (4,666)   (4,666)
Cumulative translation adjustment        -    -    -    308    -    308 
Net proceeds from shares issued under the at-the-market (ATM) program   6(a)   2,278,936    1,765    -    -    -    1,765 
Stock based compensation   9    -    -    635    -    -    635 
Balance at June 30, 2020        92,488,385    139,189    10,432    (7,579)   (131,006)   11,036 

 

         Common Shares                     
(thousands of US dollars except for share data) (note 12)   

 

 

 

Notes

    Number    

 

 

 

Dollar

    

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss    

 

 

 

Deficit

    

 

 

 

Total

 
              $    $    $    $    $ 
Balance, March 31, 2019        78,132,734    110,857    8,150    (7,135)   (100,827)   11,045 
Net loss and total comprehensive
loss for the period
        -    -    -         (8,846)   (8,846)
Cumulative translation adjustment        -    -    -    51    -    51 
Shares issued as settlement   6(c)   900,000    739    -    -    -    739 
Warrants exercised        20,000    34    -    -    -    34 
Stock based compensation   9    3,000    2    250    -    -    252 
Balance at June 30, 2019        79,055,734    111,632    8,400    (7,084)   (109,673)   3,275 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

10

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

         

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
              (note 12) 
(thousands of US dollars)   Notes    $    $ 
                
Cash flows used in operating activities:               
Net loss for the period        (4,666)   (8,846)
Adjustments:               
Amortization of intangible assets        462    481 
Depreciation of equipment        86    89 
Stock-based compensation   9    632    250 
Fair value of warrant liabilities        509    932 
Interest accretion on convertible debenture        -    37 
Unrealized foreign exchange gain        (134)   (60)
         (3,111)   (7,117)
Changes in non-cash working capital items   10    (1,198)   293 
Net cash used in operating activities        (4,309)   (6,824)
                
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities:               
Acquisition of equipment        (36)   (19)
Acquisition of short-term investment        -    (2,019)
Maturity of short-term investments        -    7,556 
Net cash from (used in) investing activities        (36)   5,518 
                
Cash flows from in financing activities:               
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares under the at-the-market (ATM) program   6(a)   1,775    - 
Proceeds from warrants exercised        -    34 
Net cash from financing activities        1,775    34 
                
Translation effect on cash and cash equivalents related to reporting currency        572    256 
Effect on exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents        (120)   122 
                
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents        (2,118)   (894)
                
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period        14,240    16,871 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period        12,122    15,977 
                
Cash and cash equivalents is comprised of:               
Cash        5,270    1,113 
Cash equivalents        6,852    14,864 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

11

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

1
.Nature of Operations:

 

Acasti Pharma Inc. (Acasti or the Corporation) is incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Québec) (formerly Part 1A of the Companies Act (Québec)). The Corporation is domiciled in Canada and its registered office is located 3009, boul. de la Concorde Est, Suite 102, Laval, Québec, H7E 2B5

 

The Corporation is subject to a number of risks associated with its ongoing priorities, including the conduct of its clinical program and its results, the establishment of strategic alliances and the development of new pharmaceutical products and their marketing. The Corporation’s current product in development requires approval from the U.S Food and Drug Administration and equivalent regulatory organizations in other countries before their sale can be authorized.

 

The Corporation has incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception. To date, the Corporation has financed its operations through the public offering and private placement of Common Shares, units consisting of Common Shares and warrants and convertible debt, the proceeds from research grants and research tax credits, and the exercises of warrants, rights and options. To achieve the objectives of its business plan, Acasti plans to raise the necessary funds through additional securities offerings and the establishment of strategic alliances as well as additional research grants and research tax credits. The ability of the Corporation to complete the needed financing and ultimately achieve profitable operations is dependent on a number of factors outside of the Corporation’s control.

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies

 

Adoption of U.S. GAAP

 

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Corporation have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). Comparative figures , for the three month period ended June 30, 2019, which were previously presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (”IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, have been adjusted as required to be compliant with the Corporation’s accounting policies under U.S. GAAP

 

Basis of presentation

 

These unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in preparing the Corporation’s March 31, 2020 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, except as disclosed in Note 3 – Recent accounting pronouncements and policies, and should be read in conjunction with such statements and Notes thereto.

 

Going concern uncertainty:

 

The following summarizes the principal conditions or events relevant to the Corporation’s going concern assessment, which primarily considers the period of one year from the issuance date of these financial statements. The Corporation has incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since its inception. The Corporation’s current assets of $14.0 million as at June 30, 2020 include cash and cash equivalents totaling $12.1 million. The Corporation’s current liabilities total $6.0 million at June 30, 2020 and are comprised primarily of amounts due to or accrued for creditors. Assuming positive Phase 3 results, Management projects that additional funds will be needed in the future for us to file an NDA to obtain FDA approval for CaPre in the United States, to further scale up our manufacturing capabilities, and to complete market development and other pre-commercialization activities. The Corporation’s plans include raising additional capital through additional securities offerings, as well as non-dilutive sources of capital such as grants or loans and license and milestone payments from strategic alliances, however there can be no assurance as to when or whether Acasti will complete any financings or strategic alliances.  In particular, raising additional equity capital is subject to market conditions not within the Corporation’s control. If the Corporation does not raise additional funds or find one or more strategic partners, it may not be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The Corporation currently has no arranged sources of financing other than its “At-The-Market” sales agreement, which provides for only conditional selling of the Corporation’s shares.

 

As a result, there is a substantial doubt about the Corporation’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

12

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued):

 

Going concern uncertainty (continued):

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the Corporation will continue its operations in the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the carrying values and classification of assets and liabilities and reported expenses that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty and that may be necessary if the going concern basis was not appropriate for these consolidated financial statements. If the Corporation was unable to continue as a going concern, material impairment of the carrying values of the Corporation’s assets, including the intangible asset, could be required.

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that management may undertake in the future. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

 

Estimates and assumptions include the measurement of derivative warrant liabilities (note 5) and stock-based compensation (note 9). Estimates and assumptions are also involved in measuring the accrual of services rendered with respect to research and developments expenditures at each reporting date, as well as in determining which research and development expenses qualify for investment tax credits and in what amounts. The Corporation recognizes the tax credits once it has reasonable assurance that they will be realized. Recorded tax credits are subject to review and approval by tax authorities and, therefore, could be different from the amounts recorded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

3.Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13-Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost, the new guidance eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. ASU 2016-13 will affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2022. Management has not yet evaluated the impact of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in such cloud computing arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. Entities can choose to adopt the new guidance prospectively or retrospectively. Management has adopted the accounting standard update. However, the adoption of this update did not have any impact on the reported amounts as at June 30, 2020.

 

4.Other Assets:

 

As at June 30, 2020, the Corporation owned a reserve of krill oil for a total value of $691 of which, $499 is expected to be used during the next twelve months in the R&D production processes and for NKPL66 manufacturing, and therefore it is presented as current other asset in the Balance Sheet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

5.Derivative warrant liabilities:

 

The warrants issued as part of the public offering of units composed of class A shares (Common Shares) and Common Shares purchase warrants on both May 9, 2018 and May 14, 2018 (see note 6) are derivative liabilities (“Derivative warrant liabilities”) given the warrant indenture contains certain contingent provisions that allow for cash settlement.

 

The warrants issued as part of a public offering of units composed of class A shares (Common Shares) and Common Shares purchase warrants on December 27, 2017 are derivative liabilities (“Derivative warrant liabilities”) given the currency of the exercise price is different from the Corporation’s functional currency.

 

The derivative warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at every reporting period and the reconciliation of changes in fair value for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 is presented in the following table:

 

    

Warrant liabilities issued

May 2018

    

Warrant liabilities issued

December 27, 2017

 
   June 30,
2020
    June 30,
2019
    June 30,
2019
    June 30,
2019
 
   $             
Balance – beginning of period   1,146    6,177    1,247    6,005 
Change in fair value   378    514    131    418 
Translation effect   80    115    89    123 
Balance – end of period   1,604    6,806    1,467    6,546 
                   USD $0.66 
Fair value per warrant   USD $0.23    USD $0.67    USD $0.21      

 

The fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and based on the following assumptions:

 

   Warrant liabilities issued
May 2018
  Warrant liabilities issued
December 27, 2017
    June 30,
2020
    March 31,
2020
    June 30,
2020
    March 31,
2020
 
Exercise price   CAD $1.31    CAD $1.31    USD $1.26    USD $1.26 
Share price   CAD $0.64    CAD $0.53    USD $0.47    USD $0.38 
Risk-free interest   0.44%   0.66%   0.29%   0.37%
Estimated life (years)   2.86    3.11    2.47    2.74 
Expected volatility   116.41%   107.59%   120.55%   125.03%

 

15

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

6.Capital and other components of equity:

 

(a)“At-the-market” sales agreement:

 

On February 14, 2019, the Corporation entered into an “at-the-market” (ATM) sales agreement with B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley”) pursuant to which the Common Shares may be sold from time to time for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $30 million, with sales only being made on the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Common Shares would be issued at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale and, as a result, prices may vary between purchasers and during the period of distribution. The ATM has a 3-year term and requires the Corporation to pay between 3% and 4% commission to B. Riley based on volume of sales made.

 

During the three-month period ended June 30, 2020, a total of 2.3 million common shares were sold for total net proceeds of approximately $1.8 million under the ATM program. The shares were sold at the prevailing market prices, which resulted in an average price of approximately $0.81 per share. Accordingly, proportional costs of $10 related to the common shares sold, have been reclassified from deferred financings costs to equity.

 

On June 29, 2020, the Corporation entered into an amended and restated sales agreement (the Sales Agreement) with B. Riley, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (collectively, the “Agents”) to amend the existing ATM program. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Corporation may issue and sell from time to time its common shares (the Shares) having an aggregate offering price of up to US$75,000,000 through the Agents.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Agents will use their commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Shares from time to time, based upon the Corporation’s instructions. The Corporation has no obligation to sell any of the Shares and may at any time suspend sales under the Sales Agreement. The Corporation and the Agents may terminate the Sales Agreement in accordance with its terms. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Corporation has provided the Agents with customary indemnification rights and the Agents will be entitled to compensation, at a commission rate equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of the Shares.

 

Costs incurred to register the Sales Agreement amounted to $130 and were recorded as deferred financing costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Accordingly, the remaining balance of the costs incurred during February 2019 for an amount of $115 were written off to financing expenses.

 

(b)Shares issued as settlement:

 

On May 10, 2019, the Corporation announced the settlement regarding legal claims made by its former chief executive (“CEO”) officer with respect to the termination of his employment. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Corporation agreed to issue 900,000 common shares at $0.82 (CAD $1.10) per share to the former CEO. In addition, the Corporation agreed to reimburse the former CEO for legal fees of $48 (CAD $64.) Furthermore, pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Corporation received a full and final release from the former CEO on all procedures in connection with the termination of his employment. This settlement was accrued as a short-term liability as at March 31, 2019 and the expense of $786 (CAD $1,054) was included as part of General and administrative expenses. During May 2019, the shares were issued and the liability of $739 (CAD $990) reclassified as Equity.

 

16

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

6.Capital and other components of equity (continued):

 

(c)Warrants:

 

The warrants of the Corporation are composed of the following as at June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020:

 

    June 30, 2020    March 31, 2020 
    Number outstanding    

 

Amount

    Number outstanding    

 

Amount

 
         $         $ 
Liability                    
                     
May 2018 over-allotment   6,593,750    1,604    6,593,750    1,146 
Warrants 2018 (i)                    
Series December 2017 US Public offering   7,072,962    1,467    7,072,962    1,247 
Warrants 2017 (ii)                    
    13,666,712    3,071    13,666,712    2,393 
                     

Equity

                    
                     
Public offering warrants                    
Public offering Broker warrants May 2018(iii)   222,976    89    222,976    89 
Series December 2017 US Broker warrants (iv)   259,121    161    259,121    161 
Public offering warrants February 2017 (v)   1,723,934    631    1,723,934    631 
                     
    2,206,031    881    2,206,031    881 

 

(i)Warrant to acquire one Common Share of the Corporation at an exercise price of CAD $1.31, expiring on May 9, 2023.
(ii)Warrant to acquire one Common Share of the Corporation at an exercise price of $1.26, expiring on December 27, 2022.
(iii)Warrant to acquire one Common Share of the Corporation at an exercise price of CAD $1.05, expiring on May 9, 2023.
(iv)Warrant to acquire one Common Share of the Corporation at an exercise price of $1.2625, expiring on December 19, 2022.
(v)Warrant to acquire one Common Share of the Corporation at an exercise price of CAD $2.15, expiring on February 21, 2022.

 

17

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

7.Government assistance:

 

Government assistance is comprised of a government grant from the Canadian federal government and research and development investment tax credits receivable from the Quebec provincial government which relate to qualifiable research and development expenditures under the applicable tax laws. The amounts recorded as receivables are subject to a government tax audit and the final amounts received may differ from those recorded. For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Corporation recorded $50 and $75, respectively, as a reduction of research and development expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss.

 

In September 2019, the Corporation was awarded up to CAD $750,000 in non-dilutive and non-repayable funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to apply towards eligible research and development disbursements of the Corporation’s unique commercial production platform for CaPre. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2020 the Corporation claimed $26 in connection with this program, which has been recorded as a reduction of research and development expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss.

 

8.Financial Expenses

 

    Three-month periods ended 
    

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
           
Interest Income   25    103 
Foreign exchange gain   60    56 
Financing fees   (121)   - 
Interest payable on convertible debenture   -    (30)
Accretion of interest on convertible debenture   -    (37)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities   (509)   (932)
           
Financial (expenses) income   (545)   (840)

 

9.Stock based compensation:

 

At June 30, 2020 the Corporation has in place a stock option plan for directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Corporation (“Stock Option Plan”). The terms and conditions for acquiring and exercising options are set by the Corporation’s Board of Directors in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the stock option plan.

 

The total number of shares issued to any one consultant within any twelve-month period cannot exceed 2% of the Corporation’s total issued and outstanding shares (on a non-diluted basis). The Corporation is not authorized to grant within any twelve-month period such number of options under the stock option plan that could result in a number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to options granted to (a) related persons exceeding 2% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Common Shares (on a non-diluted basis) on the date an option is granted, or (b) any one eligible person in a twelve-month period exceeding 2% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Common Shares (on a non-diluted basis) on the date an option is granted.

 

18

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

9.Stock based compensation: (continued):

 

The following table summarizes information about activities within the stock option plan for the three-month periods ended:

 

    June 30, 2020    June 30, 2019 
    Weighted average exercise price    Number of options    Weighted average exercise price    Number of options 
    CAD $         CAD $      
Outstanding at beginning of period   1.00    9,936,486    1.25    4,046,677 
Granted   -    -    1.31    791,617 
Exercised   -    -    0.77    (3,000)
Forfeited   -    -    0.77    (1,000)
Expired   -    -    -    - 
Outstanding at end of period   1.00    9,936,486    1.26    4,834,294 
                     
Exercisable at end of period   1.28    4,132,146    1.53    2,193,033 

 

No stock options were granted during the three-month period ended June 30, 2020.

 

Compensation expense recognized under the stock option plan for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

 

    Three-month periods ended 
    

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
Research and development expenses   141    79 
General and administrative expenses   348    148 
Sales and marketing expenses   143    23 
    632    250 

 

Stock-based compensation payment transactions and broker warrants:

 

The fair value of stock-based compensation transactions is measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Measurement inputs include share price on measurement date, exercise price of the instrument, expected volatility (based on weighted average historic volatility for a duration equal to the weighted average life of the instruments, life based on the average of the vesting and contractual periods for employee awards as minimal prior exercises of options in which to establish historical exercise experience; contractual life for broker warrants), and the risk-free interest rate (based on government bonds). Service and performance conditions attached to the transactions, if any, are not taken into account in determining fair value. The expected life of the stock options is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility over a period similar to the life of the options is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome.

 

19

 

 

Acasti pharma INC.

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019

 

10.Supplemental cash flow disclosure:

 

(a)Changes in non-cash operating items:

 

    Three-month periods ended 
    

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
Receivables   71    (200)
Prepaid expenses   294    371 
Deferred financing costs   (19)   - 
Trade and other payables   (1,544)   122 
    (1,198)   293 

 

(b)Non-cash transactions:

 

    Three-month periods ended 
    

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
Shares issued as settlement   -    739 
Interest payable included in trade and other payables   -    30 
Unpaid fixed assets   -    17 

 

11.Commitments and contingencies:

 

Research and development contracts and contract research organizations agreements:

 

The Company utilizes contract manufacturing organizations related to the development and production of clinical material and clinical research organizations to perform services related to the Company’s clinical trials. Pursuant to these agreements with manufacturing and contract research organizations, the Company has the right to terminate the agreements either without penalties or under certain penalty conditions. There are no penalties to be incurred in any open contracts.

 

RKO Supply agreement

 

On October 25, 2019, the Corporation signed a supply agreement with Aker Biomarine Antartic AS (‘’Aker’’), to purchase raw krill oil product for a committed volume of commercial starting material for CaPre for a total value of $3.1M million (take or pay). The delivery of the products has been established following a calendar year basis and it must be completed in the 4th calendar quarter of 2021. As at June 30, 2020, the remaining balance of the commitment with Aker amounts to $2.8 million.

 

12.Comparative figures

 

Certain comparative figures in the three-month period ended June 30, 2019, have been adjusted, in order to conform to US GAAP. Adjustments included certain reclassifications within equity for certain warrants, the recognition of deferred tax on legacy transfers of license from Neptune that were subject to an initial recognition exemption under IFRS and different classifications within the statement of cash flows for treatment of interest expense and income.

 

13.Subsequent events:

 

ATM Program

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2020, the Corporation sold a total of 4,404,152 Common Shares through the ATM program, for net proceeds of approximately $3.4 million (net of commissions paid for approximately $0.1 million). The shares were sold at the prevailing market prices which resulted in an average price of approximately $0.80 per share.

 

20

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

 

This management’s discussion and analysis, or MD&A, is presented in order to provide the reader with an overview of the financial results and changes to our balance sheet as at June 30, 2020 and for the three months period then ended. This MD&A explains the material variations in our results of operations, balance sheet and cash flows for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

Market data, and certain industry data and forecasts included in this MD&A, were obtained from internal corporation surveys and market research and those conducted by third parties hired by us, publicly available information, reports of governmental agencies and industry publications, and independent third party surveys. We have relied upon industry publications as our primary sources for third-party industry data and forecasts. Industry surveys, publications and forecasts generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of that information is not guaranteed. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources or the underlying economic assumptions they have made. Similarly, internal surveys, industry forecasts and market research, which we believe to be reliable based upon our management’s or contracted third parties’ knowledge of our industry, have not been independently verified. Our estimates involve risks and uncertainties, including assumptions that may prove not to be accurate, and these estimates and certain industry data are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K.

 

This MD&A, approved by the Board of Directors on August 13, 2020, should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 included in this quarterly report. Our interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the United States, or GAAP. Up to and including the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, we prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The comparative information in our financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2019, has been adjusted, as necessary, to be compliant with our accounting policies under GAAP. Our financial results are now published in United States dollars. Effective March 31, 2020, the reporting currency used in the consolidated financial statements has changed from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars. This change in reporting currency has been applied in the interim financial statements retrospectively such that all amounts expressed in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto are in U.S. dollars.

 

All amounts appearing in this MD&A for the period by period discussions are in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts or unless otherwise indicated.

 

Business Overview

 

We are a biopharmaceutical innovator focused on the research, development and commercialization of prescription drugs using OM3 fatty acids delivered both as free fatty acids and bound-to-phospholipid esters, derived from krill oil. OM3 fatty acids have extensive clinical evidence of safety and efficacy in lowering TGs in patients with hypertriglyceridemia, or HTG. Our lead product candidate is CaPre, an OM3 phospholipid therapeutic, which we are developing initially for the treatment of sHTG, a condition characterized by very high or severe levels of TGs in the bloodstream (≥ 500 mg/dL). In accordance with a study published in 2009 in the Archives of Internal Medicine by Ford et al., it is estimated that three to four million people in the United States have sHTG. In primary qualitative market research studies commissioned by Acasti in August 2016 and November 2017 by DP Analytics, a division of Destum Partners, and in April 2019 by another well-respected third party provider, key opinion leaders, high volume prescribers and pharmacy benefit managers who were interviewed indicated a significant unmet medical need exists for an effective, safe and well-absorbing OM3 therapeutic that can also demonstrate a positive impact on the major blood lipids associated with cardiovascular disease risk. We believe that CaPre may address this unmet medical need if our TRILOGY Phase 3 clinical program is successful in reproducing what we observed in our Phase 2 clinical data.

 

21

 

 

We also believe the potential exists to expand CaPre’s initial indication to the roughly 44.4 million patients in the United States with elevated TGs in the mild to moderate range (e.g., blood levels between 200 - 499 mg/dL), although at least one additional clinical trial would likely be required to support FDA approval of a supplemental NDA to expand CaPre’s indication to this segment. Data from our Phase 2 studies indicated that CaPre may have a positive effect in diabetes and other inflammatory and cardiometabolic diseases; consequently, we may also seek to identify new potential indications for CaPre that may be appropriate for future studies and pipeline expansion. In addition, we may also seek to in-license other cardiometabolic or other synergistic primary care-focused drug candidates for drug development and commercialization.

 

In four clinical trials conducted to date, we saw the following consistent results with CaPre, and we are seeking to demonstrate similar safety and efficacy in our TRILOGY Phase 3 program:

 

significant reduction of TGs and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels in the blood of patients with mild to sHTG;

 

no deleterious effect on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or “bad” cholesterol, with the potential to reduce LDL-C;

 

potential to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), or “good” cholesterol;

 

potential to benefit diabetes patients by decreasing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a marker of glucose control;

 

good bioavailability (absorption by the body), even under fasting conditions;

 

no significant food effect when taken with either low-fat or high-fat meals; and

 

an overall safety profile similar to that demonstrated by currently marketed OM3s.

 

We believe that if we are able to reproduce these results in our TRILOGY Phase 3 program, that this could potentially set CaPre apart from current FDA-approved fish oil-derived OM3 treatment options, and it could give us a significant clinical and marketing advantage.

 

TRILOGY 1 Topline Results

 

Our first Phase 3 clinical trial, designated as TRILOGY 1, was conducted exclusively in the United States and was fully randomized with a final total of 242 patients. On January 13, 2020, we released topline results for TRILOGY 1, which, despite meaningful TG-lowering in the CaPre arm of the study, did not reach statistical significance due to an unusually large placebo effect. The observed reductions in TG levels in the TRILOGY 1 placebo group were far greater than that seen in any previous TG-lowering trial with a prescription OM3. As previously disclosed, we, along with the academic principal investigator of the trial, Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., Dr.P.H., and external clinical and statistical experts, conducted rigorous post-hoc analysis of TRILOGY 1 data. This analysis revealed a rapid, significant and sustained reduction in TG levels between screening (during qualification) and the time of patient randomization (prior to patients starting on either drug or placebo), which we refer to as “Pre-randomization Triglyceride Normalization.” This artefactual phenomenon affected both treatment groups, but was much greater in the placebo group, resulting in the large placebo effect and significant underestimation of the post-randomization treatment effect of the active drug, CaPre. The post-hoc analyses of the primary endpoint using a revised, single point baseline value from Week 0 (Visit 4) corrected for a significant amount of the pre-randomization TG reduction in subjects that were most affected by the normalization phenomenon, and a meaningful efficacy trend for CaPre was observed.

 

Recent Developments

 

As we have previously disclosed, we filed a Type C meeting request at the end of March 2020 with the FDA. We subsequently submitted our briefing package on April 29, 2020 to the FDA. The briefing package intended to provide the FDA with a review of the relevant TRILOGY 1 clinical data and audit findings, with the objective of gaining alignment on the interpretation of the TRILOGY 1 results and implications for TRILOGY 2. We also sought the FDA’s input on our proposed revisions to the pre-specified TRILOGY 2 Statistical Analysis Plan, or SAP, and their input on a plan for pooling the data from TRILOGY 1 and TRILOGY 2 to support an NDA filing.

 

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On June 19, 2020, we announced that the FDA had provided us with a written response to our meeting request and briefing package. The FDA confirmed that it will require pivotal efficacy analyses to be performed on the full Intent to Treat population as contemplated in the original SAP, and they supported the conduct of post-hoc analyses in TRILOGY 1 for exploratory purposes. Consistent with our prior disclosures and depending on the outcome of TRILOGY 2, an additional clinical study may still be needed prior to an NDA submission.

 

Based on the written feedback received from the FDA, and working with the academic principal investigator of our TRILOGY Phase 3 clinical program, Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., Dr.P.H., and other key advisors, we finalized the SAP for TRILOGY 2 and submitted it to the FDA as planned on July 31, 2020. We continue to remain blinded to the TRILOGY 2 clinical data and we continue to expect to report topline data from TRILOGY 2 on or about August 31, 2020. We expect to provide an update on the timing to report the key secondary and exploratory endpoints from both TRILOGY 1 and TRILOGY 2 trials and pooled results from both studies sometime after TRILOGY 2 results are reported.

 

On April 30, 2020, we also announced that we had received notice of issuance of a composition of matter patent awarded by the Intellectual Property Office in Hong Kong. This new patent expands our intellectual property portfolio by granting claims for any composition containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, where at least 50% of the composition consists of phospholipids.

 

COVID-19 Update

 

To date, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has not caused significant disruptions to our business operations and research and development activities. In January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic started to have a widespread impact in North America, the last patient completed their final visit to our TRILOGY 2 Phase 3 trial. However, in light of our plan to raise additional capital (dilutive or non-dilutive) to fully execute our business plan, a continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and any resulting volatility generally in the capital markets could adversely impact our ability to access capital on terms acceptable to us or at all. In addition, a continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic in North America could negatively affect our ability to conduct any additional clinical work, if it is required.

 

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business and prospects will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or treat its impact, among others.

 

Caution Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

We use multiple financial measures for the review of our operating performance. These measures are generally GAAP financial measures, but one adjusted financial measure, non-GAAP operating loss, is also used to assess our operating performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is directly derived from our financial statements and is presented in a consistent manner. We use this measure, in addition to the GAAP financial measures, for the purposes of evaluating our historical and prospective financial performance, as well as our performance relative to competitors and to plan and forecast future periods as well as to make operational and strategic decisions. We believe that providing this non-GAAP information to investors, in addition to GAAP measures, allows them to see our results through the eyes of management, and to better understand our historical and future financial performance.

 

Earnings and other measures adjusted to a basis other than GAAP do not have standardized meanings and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Accordingly, they should not be considered in isolation. We use non-GAAP operating loss to measure our performance from one period to the next without the variation caused by certain adjustments that could potentially distort the analysis of trends in our operating performance, and because we believe it provides meaningful information on our financial condition and operating results. Our method for calculating non-GAAP operating loss may differ from that used by other companies.

 

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We calculate our non-GAAP operating loss by adding to net loss our finance expenses (which includes change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities, foreign exchange gain (loss), interest expense and accretion on convertible debentures, and transaction costs related to derivative warrant liabilities, net of interest income) depreciation and amortization, impairment loss, litigation settlement that was settled via the issuance of common shares, and stock-based compensation, and by subtracting deferred tax recovery. Items that do not impact our core operating performance are excluded from the calculation as they may vary significantly from one period to another. We also exclude the effects of certain non-monetary transactions recorded, such as stock-based compensation and litigation settlement that was settled via the issuance common shares, from our non-GAAP operating loss calculation. Excluding these items does not imply they are necessarily non-recurring.

 

A reconciliation of net loss to non-GAAP operating loss is presented later in this MD&A.

 

Basis of Presentation of the Financial Statements

 

Our consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiary, Acasti Innovations AG, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, related to interim reports filed on Form 10-Q. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

 

Going Concern Uncertainty

 

The following summarizes the principal conditions or events relevant to our going concern assessment, which primarily considers the period of one year from the issuance date of our consolidated financial statements. We have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. Our current assets of $14.0 million as at June 30, 2020 include cash and cash equivalents totaling $12.1 million. Our current liabilities total $6.0 million at June 30, 2020 and are comprised primarily of amounts due to or accrued for creditors. Management projects that assuming positive results from our TRILOGY Phase 3 program, additional funds will be needed in the future for us to file an NDA, to obtain FDA approval for CaPre in the United States, to further scale-up our manufacturing capabilities, and to complete market development and other pre-commercialization activities. Our plans include raising additional capital through additional securities offerings, as well as non-dilutive sources of capital such as grants or loans and strategic alliances, but there can be no assurance as to when or whether we will complete any financings or strategic alliances. In particular, raising additional equity capital is subject to market conditions not within our control. If we do not raise additional funds or find one or more strategic partners, we may not be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities in the normal course of business. We have no arranged sources of financing currently other than our “At-the-Market” sales agreement which provides for only conditional selling of our common shares.

 

As a result, there is a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes we will continue our operations in the foreseeable future and will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the carrying values and classification of assets and liabilities and reported expenses that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty and that may be necessary if the going concern basis was not appropriate for these consolidated financial statements. If we were unable to continue as a going concern, material impairment of the carrying values of our assets, including the intangible asset, could be required.

 

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Comparative Financial Information for the Three-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

    Three-month periods ended 
    

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
Net loss   (4,666)   (8,846)
Basic and diluted gain (loss) per share   (0.05)   (0.11)
Non-GAAP operating (loss)1   (2,941)   (7,186)
Total assets   20,142    29,985 
Working capital2   7,985    9,529 
Total non-current financial liabilities   3,127    14,777 
Total shareholders’ equity   11,036    3,275 

 

Reconciliation of Net Loss to Non-GAAP Operating Loss

 

    Three-month periods ended 
    

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
Net income (loss)   (4,666)   (8,846)
Add (deduct):          
Stock-based compensation   632    250 
Depreciation and amortization   548    570 
Financial expenses   545    840 
Non-GAAP operating gain (loss)   (2,941)   (7,186)

 

Results of Operations for the Three-Month Periods Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

The net loss of $4,666 or $0.05 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2020 decreased by $4,180 from the net loss $8,846 or $0.11 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

 

The reduction in net loss, resulted primarily from the decrease in research and development expenses of $4,434 as the TRILOGY Phase 3 clinical program for CaPre moved closer to completion. In addition, net financial expenses decreased to $545 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to net financial expenses of $840 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, due mostly to a lower change in fair value of the derivative warrant liability in the first fiscal quarter in 2020 as compared to the comparative fiscal quarter in 2019 caused by a proportionately higher increase in the quarter over quarter closing share price partly offset by a reduction in the number of warrants outstanding due to exercises during the prior year. Sales and marketing expenses also decreased as a as a result of a planned delay in pre-launch marketing activities until the results of the TRILOGY 2 Phase 3 clinical trial are obtained.

 

In contrast, general and administrative expenses increased due to higher consulting, accounting and legal fees incurred in connection with the conversion of the financial statements from IFRS to GAAP.

 

Stock-based compensation expense increased to $632 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2020, as compared to $250 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2019. The increased expense of $382 is the result of 6.1 million stock options granted to existing and new employees and directors during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, partially offset by stock options exercised, forfeited and expired. Moreover, the weighted average fair value of the options granted to employees and directors during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 was CAD$0.85 compared to CAD$0.51 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 grants.

 

_____________________

 

1 The Non-GAAP operating loss is not a standard measure endorsed by GAAP requirements. A reconciliation to our net loss is presented in this MD&A.

2 Working capital is calculated by subtracting current liabilities from current assets. Because there is no standard method endorsed by GAAP requirements, the results may not be comparable to similar measurements presented by other public companies.

 

 

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The depreciation and amortization expense remained relatively constant.

 

Two separate derivative warrant liabilities are included in the statement of financial position as at June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2019. These derivative warrant liabilities stem from the financing transactions that took place in May 2018 and December 2017. The derivative warrant liabilities are re-measured to fair value at each reporting date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The valuations are mainly driven by the fluctuation in our share price resulting in an increased or decreased loss or gain related to the change in fair value of the warrant liabilities and increasing or decreasing the corresponding liability in the balance sheet.

 

Breakdown of Major Components of the Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss

 

Research and development expenses          
    Three Months Ended 
    

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
Salaries and benefits   434    412 
Research contracts   499    4,978 
Professional fees   154    164 
Other   59    63 
Government grants & tax credits   (76)   (75)
Sub-total   1,070    5,542 
Stock-based compensation   141    79 
Depreciation and amortization   545    569 
Total   1,756    6,190 

 

General and administrative expenses          
    Three Months Ended 
    

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
Salaries and benefits   358    355 
Professional fees   702    371 
Other   241    242 
Sub-total   1,301    968 
Stock-based compensation   348    148 
Total   1,649    1,116 

 

Sales and Marketing Expenses          
    Three Months Ended 
    

June 30,

2020

    

June 30,

2019

 
    $    $ 
Salaries and benefits   390    189 
Professional fees   98    386 
Other   85    102 
Sub-total   573    677 
Stock-based compensation   143    23 
Total   716    700 

 

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Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2020, we continued to advance the TRILOGY Phase 3 clinical program for CaPre in partnership with one of the world’s largest providers of biopharmaceutical development and clinical outsourcing services. Research and development expenses before depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 totaled $1,070 compared to $5,542 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The net decrease was mainly attributable to a reduction in research contracts expense due to the advancement of the Phase 3 clinical program, as it moved closer to completion.

 

General and administrative expenses totaled $1,301 before stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and increased by $333 from $968 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase was mainly attributable to consulting, accounting and legal fees in connection with the conversion from IFRS to U.S. GAAP.

 

Sales and marketing expenses were $573 before stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $677 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease was mostly due to a reduction in professional fees as a result of a planned delay in pre-launch marketing activities until the results of the TRILOGY 2 Phase 3 clinical trial are obtained. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits as a result of headcount added in 2019 to the commercial team to support expanded business and market development activities.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Share Capital Structure

 

Our authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E shares, without par value. Issued and outstanding fully paid shares, stock options, restricted shares units and warrants, were as follows for the periods ended:

 

    

June 30,

2020

    

March 31,

2020

 
    Number outstanding    Number outstanding 
Class A shares, voting, participating and without par value   92,488,385    90,209,449 
Stock options granted and outstanding   9,936,486    9,936,486 
May 2018 public offering of warrants exercisable at CAD$1.31, until May 9, 2023   6,593,750    6,593,750 
Public offering broker warrants May 2018 exercisable at CAD$1.05 until May 9, 2023   222,976    222,976 
December 2017 U.S. public offering of warrants exercisable at US$1.26, until December 19, 2022   7,072,962    7,072,962 
December 2017 U.S. broker warrants exercisable at US$1.2625, until December 27, 2022   259,121    259,121 
February 2017 public offering of warrants exercisable at CAD$2.15, until February 21, 2022   1,723,934    1,723,934 
           
Total fully diluted shares   118,297,614    116,018,678 

 

Cash Flows and Financial Condition Between the Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

Summary

 

As at June 30, 2020, cash and cash equivalents totaled $12,122, a net decrease of $3,855 compared to cash and cash equivalents totaling $15,977 at June 30, 2019.

 

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Operating activities

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, our operating activities used cash of $4,309 and $6,824, respectively. The decrease of $2,515 during the three months ended June 30, 2020, was due to the reduction of spending as the TRILOGY Phase 3 clinical trials were nearing completion, partly offset by the timing of payment of invoices.

 

We expect that additional time and capital will be required by us to file an NDA to obtain FDA approval for CaPre in the United States, to further scale-up our manufacturing capabilities, and to complete marketing and other pre-commercialization activities, if our TRILOGY Phase 3 program is successful and we can proceed to file an NDA. Consequently, we expect to require additional capital to fund our daily operating needs beyond the next fiscal year-end. Based on a conservative estimate, we believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through the first calendar quarter of 2021. To fully execute our business plan, we plan to raise the necessary capital primarily through additional securities offerings and multiple sources of non-dilutive capital such as grants or loans and strategic alliances. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may have to significantly delay the commercial launch of CaPre. Negative or inconclusive results in our TRILOGY Phase 3 clinical program for CaPre may adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital and/or to complete strategic commercialization partnerships to support the commercial launch of CaPre. Additional funding from third parties may not be available on acceptable terms or at all to enable us to continue with the commercialization of CaPre.

 

Investing activities

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2020, we used cash of $36 to acquire equipment to reinforce our IT infrastructure. During the three months ended June 30, 2019, we generated cash of $5,518 due primarily to the maturity of marketable securities.

 

Financing activities

 

During the three-month period ended June 30, 2020, we generated cash of $1,775 due to the net proceeds from the sale of shares under the “at-the-market”, or ATM, program.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, our financing activities generated $34 due to the exercise of warrants.

 

On June 29, 2020, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to register up to US$200 million of common shares, warrants and units that may be offered and sold by us from time to time. The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on July 7, 2020.

 

ATM program

 

On February 14, 2019, we entered into an ATM sales agreement with B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley”) pursuant to which our common shares may be sold from time to time for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $30 million, with sales only being made on the NASDAQ Stock Market. The common shares would be issued at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale and, as a result, prices may vary between purchasers and during the period of distribution. The ATM program has a 3-year term and requires us to pay between 3% and 4% commission to B. Riley based on volume of sales made.

 

During the three-month period ended June 30, 2020, a total of 2.3 million common shares were sold for total net proceeds of approximately $1.8 million under the ATM program. The shares were sold at the prevailing market prices, which resulted in an average price of approximately $0.81 per share. Accordingly, proportional costs of $10 related to the common shares sold have been reclassified from deferred financings costs to equity.

 

On June 29, 2020, we entered into an amended and restated sales agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with B. Riley, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, or collectively the Agents, to amend the existing ATM program. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may issue and sell from time to time common shares, , having an aggregate offering price of up to $75 million through the Agents.

 

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Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Agents will use their commercially reasonable efforts to sell the common shares from time to time, based upon our instructions. We have no obligation to sell any of the common shares and may at any time suspend sales under the Sales Agreement or terminate the Sales Agreement in accordance with its terms. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we provided the Agents with customary indemnification rights and the Agents will be entitled to compensation, at a commission rate equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of common shares.

 

There are several conditions that must be met in order for us to use the ATM, and the program only commits the Agents to use commercially reasonable efforts, and thus is not a guaranteed source of financing. Further, the ATM may be cancelled by the Agents at their sole discretion at any time with 5 days’ notice. In the event that we are unable to use our ATM, we would have to rely on other financing approaches and sources to obtain additional new funding.

 

Costs incurred to register the Sales Agreement amounted to $130 and were recorded as deferred financing costs in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Accordingly, the remaining balance of the costs incurred during February 2019 for an amount of $115 were written off to financing expenses.

 

Transactions Subsequent to June 30, 2020

 

ATM Program

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2020, we sold a total of 4,404,152 common shares through the ATM program, for net proceeds of approximately $3.4 million (net of commissions paid for approximately $0.1 million). The shares were sold at the prevailing market prices which resulted in an average price of approximately $0.80 per share.

 

Financial Position

 

The following table details the significant changes to the statements of financial position as at June 30, 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year end at March 31, 2020:

 

Accounts   Increase
(Decrease) $
  Comments
Cash and cash equivalents     (2,118 )   See cash flow statement
             
Receivables     (51 )   Timing of reimbursement of sales taxes
Deferred financing costs     9     Accounting and legal fees incurred in connection with the registration statement for common shares (S-3)
Prepaid expenses     (259   Expensing of insurance and other prepaid expenses
Equipment     16     Acquisition of equipment net of depreciation
Right of use asset     (12)     Adjustment to the net present value of lease contract for Sherbrooke
Intangible assets     (319 )   Amortization
Trade and other payables     (1,419 )   Timing of payments net of accruals
Derivative warrant liabilities     678     Change in fair value of derivative warrants
             
Lease liability     12     Adjustment to the net present value of lease contract for Sherbrooke

 

See the statement of changes in equity in our financial statements for details of changes to the equity accounts during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

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Treasury Operations

 

Our treasury policy is to invest cash that is not required immediately, into instruments with an investment strategy based on capital preservation. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are primarily made in guaranteed investment certificates, term deposits and high-interest savings accounts, which are issued and held with Canadian chartered banks, highly rated promissory notes issued by government bodies and commercial paper. We hold cash denominated in both U.S. and CAD dollars. Funds received in U.S. dollars from equity financings are invested as per our treasury policy in U.S. dollar investments and converted to CAD dollars as needed to fulfill operational requirements and funding. 

 

Derivative Warrant Liabilities

 

A total of 10,188,100 warrants were issued as part of our May 2018 public offering in Canada and recognized as derivative warrant liabilities with a fair value at inception of $3,323. During the year ended March 31, 2020, a total of 3,594,350 warrants were exercised. As of June 30, 2020, the derivative warrant liability for the remaining 6,593,750 warrants totaled $1,604, which represents the fair value of these warrants as at June 30, 2020. The weighted average fair value of the warrants issued in the May 2018 public offering in Canada was determined to be CAD$0.39 per warrant at inception and approximately CAD$0.33 (US $0.23) per warrant as at June 30, 2020. 

 

On December 27, 2017, 9,801,861 warrants were issued as part of our U.S. public offering and recognized as derivative warrant liabilities with a fair value at inception of $4,548. The December 2017 warrants are derivative warrant liabilities for accounting purposes due to the currency of the exercise price (US$) being different from our Canadian dollar functional currency. During the year ended March 31, 2020, 2,728,899 warrants were exercised (including 52,288 warrants exercised on a cashless basis). As of June 30, 2020, the derivative warrant liability for the remaining 7,072,962 warrants totaled $1,467, which represents the fair value of these warrants as at June 30, 2020. The weighted average fair value of the 2017 warrants issued was determined to be CAD$0.60 per warrant at inception and approximately CAD$0.28 (US $0.21) per warrant as at June 30, 2020.

 

The variance in the fair value of both existing derivative warrant liabilities as at June 30, 2020 is mostly due to the fluctuations in our share price and the dilution factor.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

As at June 30, 2020, our liabilities totaled $9,106, of which $5,979 was due within 1 year, and $3,071 related to derivative warrant liabilities that are expected to be settled in common shares.

 

A summary of the contractual obligations at June 30, 2020, is as follows:

 

Contractual Obligations     Total       Less than
1 year
       1 to 3 years        More than
3 years
 
      $       $       $       $  
Trade and other payables     5,900       5,900              
Operating lease obligations     140       80       60        
RKO supply agreement     2,808       2,496       312        
                                 
Total     8,848       8,476       372        

 

Lease

 

On March 5, 2020, we renewed the lease agreement for our research and development and quality control laboratory facility located in Sherbrooke, Québec, resulting in an obligation of $160 over 24 months of the lease term. As at June 30, 2020, the remaining balance of the commitment amounted to $140.

 

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RKO supply agreement

 

On October 25, 2019, we signed a supply agreement with Aker, to purchase RKO for a committed volume of commercial starting material for CaPre at a fixed price for a total value of $3.1 million (take or pay). The delivery of the RKO has been established following a calendar year basis and it is expected to be completed in the 4th calendar quarter of 2021. As at June 30, 2020, the remaining balance of the commitment with Aker amounts to $2.8 million.

 

Research and development contracts and contract research organizations agreements

 

We utilize contract manufacturing organizations, for the development and production of clinical materials and contract research organizations to perform services related to our clinical trials. Pursuant to the agreements with these contract manufacturing organizations and contract research organizations, we have either the right to terminate the agreements without penalties or under certain penalty conditions.

 

Contingencies

 

We evaluate contingencies on an ongoing basis and establish loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

 

On May 10, 2019, we announced the settlement regarding legal claims made by our former chief executive officer with respect to the termination of his employment. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, we agreed to issue 900,000 common shares valued at CAD$1.10 per share to our former CEO. In addition, we agreed to reimburse the former CEO for legal fees of $48. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, we received a full and final release from the former CEO on all procedures in connection with the termination of his employment. This settlement was accrued as a short-term liability as at March 31, 2019 and the expense of $790 was included as part of general and administrative expenses. The case is closed, and no further costs are expected.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of the date of this quarterly report, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Use of estimates and measurement of uncertainty

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that management may undertake in the future. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

 

Estimates and assumptions include the measurement of derivative warrant liabilities and stock-based compensation. Estimates and assumptions are also involved in measuring the accrual of services rendered with respect to research and developments expenditures at each reporting date, are determining which research and development expenses qualify for research and development tax credits and in what amounts. We recognize the tax credits once it has reasonable assurance that they will be realized. Recorded tax credits are subject to review and approval by tax authorities and, therefore, could be different from the amounts recorded.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Derivative warrant liabilities

 

The warrants forming part of the units issued in the May 2018 Canadian public offering are derivative liabilities for accounting purposes given the fact that the warrant indenture contains certain contingent provisions that allow for cash settlement. The warrants forming part of the units issued from the December 2017 U.S. public offering are derivative liabilities for accounting purposes due to the currency of the exercise price being different from our functional currency. The derivative warrant liabilities are required to be measured at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. We use the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value. The model requires the assumption of future stock price volatility, which is estimated based on weighted average historic volatility. Changes to the expected volatility could cause significant variations in the estimated fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

We have a stock-based compensation plan, which is described in note 15 of the annual consolidated financial statements and note 8 to the interim financial statements. We account for stock options granted to employees based on the fair value method, with fair value determined using the Black-Scholes model. The Black Scholes model requires certain assumptions such as future stock price volatility and expected life of the instrument. Expected volatility is estimated based on weighted average historic volatility. The expected life of the instrument is estimated based on the average of the vesting and contractual periods for employee awards as there is minimal prior exercises of options in which to establish historical exercise experience; and contractual life is used for broker warrants. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at fair value at date of grant and is expensed over the award’s vesting period with a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital. For stock options granted to non-employees, we measure the grant-date fair value based on the equity instruments issued. Compensation cost is measured when we obtain the goods, or the counterparty renders the service.

 

Financial Instruments

 

Credit risk

 

Credit risk is the risk of a loss if a customer or counterparty to a financial asset fails to meet its contractual obligations. We have credit risk relating to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which we manage by dealing only with highly rated Canadian financial institutions. The carrying amount of financial assets, as disclosed in the statements of financial position, represents our credit exposure at the reporting date.

 

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Currency risk

 

We are exposed to the financial risk related to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates and the degrees of volatility of those rates. Foreign currency risk is limited to the portion of our business transactions denominated in currencies other than the Canadian dollar. Fluctuations related to foreign exchange rates could cause unforeseen fluctuations in our operating results.

 

A portion of the expenses, mainly related to research contracts and purchase of production equipment, is incurred in U.S. dollars and in Euros, for which no financial hedging is required. There is a financial risk related to the fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar and the Euro in relation to the Canadian dollar. In order to minimize the financial risk related to the fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar, funds which were part of U.S. dollar financings continue to be invested as short-term investments in the U.S. dollar.

 

Furthermore, a portion of our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are denominated in U.S. dollars, further exposing us to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar.

 

The following table provides an indication of our significant foreign exchange currency exposures as stated in Canadian dollars at the following dates:

 

   June 30, 2020  June 30, 2019
Denominated in   US
$
    Euro    US
$
    Euro 
                     
Cash and cash equivalents   4,695        1,712     
Marketable securities           26     
Trade and other payables   (5,142)   (161)   (13,313)   (33)
    (204)   (161)   (11,575)   (33)

 

The following exchange rates are those applicable to the following periods and dates:

 

   June 30, 2020  June 30, 2019
    Average    Reporting    Average    Reporting 
                     
CAD$ per US$   1.3855    1.3576    1.3377    1.3095 
CAD$ per Euro   1.5255    1.525    1.5032    1.4887 

 

Based on our foreign currency exposures noted above, varying the above foreign exchange rates to reflect a 5% strengthening of the U.S. dollar and Euro would have an increase (decrease) in net loss as follows, assuming that all other variables remain constant:

 

    June 30, 2020    June 30, 2019 
    $    $ 
          
Increase (decrease) in net loss   9    338 

 

An assumed 5% weakening of the foreign currencies would have an equal but opposite effect on the basis that all other variables remained constant.

 

Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market rates.

 

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Our exposure to interest rate risk as at June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019 was as follows:

 

Cash and cash equivalents   Short-term fixed interest rate
Marketable securities   Short-term fixed interest rate
Unsecured convertible debentures   Short-term fixed interest rate

 

Our capacity to reinvest the short-term amounts with equivalent return will be impacted by variations in short-term fixed interest rates available on the market. Management believes the risk we will realize a loss as a result of the decline in the fair value of our short-term investments is limited because these investments have short-term maturities and are held to maturity.

 

Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations as they fall due. We manage liquidity risk through the management of our capital structure and financial leverage. We also manage liquidity risk by continuously monitoring actual and projected cash flows. The Board of Directors reviews and approves our operating budgets and reviews material transactions outside the normal course of business.

 

Our contractual obligations related to financial instruments and other obligations and liquidity resources are presented in the liquidity and capital resources of this MD&A. See also “Note 2 - Going Concern Uncertainty” to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Future Accounting Changes

 

The following new standards, and amendments to standards and interpretations, are not yet effective for the period ended June 30, 2020, and have not been applied in preparing our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU 2016-13-Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost, the new guidance eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. ASU 2016-13 will affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2022. Management has not yet evaluated the impact of this ASU on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15-Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in such cloud computing arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. Entities can choose to adopt the new guidance prospectively or retrospectively. Management has adopted the accounting standard update. However, the adoption of this update did not have any impact on the reported amounts as at June 30, 2020.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Information relating to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks is detailed in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.”

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, or the CEO, and Vice President Finance, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures within the meaning of Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, our management has concluded that, as of June 30, 2020, our existing disclosure controls and procedures were effective. It should be noted that while the CEO and Vice President Finance believe that our disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance that they are effective, they do not expect the disclosure controls and procedures to be capable of preventing all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

No changes were made to our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. As of June 30, 2020, we are not a party to any legal proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows if determined adversely to us. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

 

 

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
3.1   Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 from Form S-8 (File No. 333-191383) filed with the Commission on September 25, 2013)
     
3.2   Amended and Restated General By-Law (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 from Form 6-K (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on February 21, 2017)
     
3.3   Advance Notice bylaw No. 2013-1 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 from Form S-8 (File No. 333-191383) filed with the Commission on September 25, 2013)
     
4.1   Specimen Certificate for Common Shares of Acasti Pharma Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 from Form 20-F (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on June 6, 2014)
     
4.2   Warrant Indenture dated December 3, 2013 between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 from Form 6-K (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on December 3, 2013)
     
4.3   Warrant Indenture dated February 21, 2017 between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 from Form 20-F (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on June 27, 2017)
     
4.4   Warrant Agency Agreement dated December 27, 2017 between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Computershare Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Computershare Trust Company N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 from Form 20-F (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on June 29, 2018)
     
4.5   Amended and Restated Warrant Indenture dated May 10, 2018 between Acasti Pharma Inc. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 from Form 20-F (File No. 001-35776) filed with the Commission on June 29, 2018)
     
10.1   Amended and Restated Sales Agreement, dated June 29, 2020, by and among Acasti Pharma Inc., B. Riley FBR, Inc. and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 from Form S-3 (File No. 333-239538) filed with the Commission on June 29, 2020)
     
23.1   Consent of Destum Partners, Inc.
   
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
   
32.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: August 13, 2020

 

  ACASTI PHARMA INC.
     
  By: /s/ Janelle D’Alvise  
    Name: Janelle D’Alvise
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
     
  By: /s/ Jean-François Boily  
    Name: Jean-François Boily
    Title: Vice President, Finance (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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