Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the following risk factors. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed. In addition, risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. If this were to happen, the value of our common stock could decline significantly and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

We will need to secure additional financing in 201 7 in order to continue to finance our operations. If we are unable to secure additional financing on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be forced to curtail or cease our operations.

 

Our cash on hand was approximately $1,635,000 as of March 27, 2017. Based on our current cash burn rate, strategy and operating plan, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents will enable us to operate for a period of less than six months from the date of this report. In order to fund our anticipated liquidity needs beyond such period (or possibly earlier if our current cash burn rate, strategy or operating plan change in a way that accelerates or increases our liquidity needs), we will need to raise additional capital.

We have a history of operating losses, and there is no assurance that we will generate material revenues or become profitable in the near future.

 

We are a medical device company with a limited operating history. We are not profitable and have incurred losses since our inception. To date we have not generated material revenue from the sale of products and we do not anticipate that we will report operating income in the near future. Our initial product, the GlucoTrack® model DF-F, has not been approved for marketing in the United States and may not be sold or marketed without FDA clearance or approval in the United States. While our GlucoTrack® model DF-F received CE Mark approval in 2013, there is no assurance that we will be able to generate any material revenues from sales of such model in the EU or any other jurisdictions. We continue to incur research and development and selling, marketing and general and administrative expenses related to our operations, development and commercialization of our first product. Our operating losses for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were approximately $5.7 million and $4.7 million, respectively, and we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $35.7 million as of December 31, 2016. We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and these losses will likely increase as we prepare for and begin to commercialize the GlucoTrack® model DF-F. If we are not successful in manufacturing and distribution the GlucoTrack® model DF-F, or if the GlucoTrack® model DF-F does not achieve market acceptance, we may never become profitable. Even if we achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability in subsequent periods.

 

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm noted in its report accompanying our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 that we had suffered significant accumulated deficit and had negative operating cash flows and that the development and commercialization of our product is expected to require substantial expenditures. We have not yet generated any material revenues from our operations to fund our activities, and are therefore dependent upon external sources for financing our operations. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in obtaining the necessary financing to continue our operations. As a result, our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. If we cannot successfully continue as a going concern, our stockholders may lose their entire investment in our common stock.

 

The agreements governing our outstanding Preferred Stock contain various covenants that limit our ability to take certain actions and our failure to comply with any of the covenants would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The agreements governing our outstanding Preferred Stock contain a number of significant covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur indebtedness or liens, and repay, repurchase, pay dividends on or otherwise make distributions in respect of any shares of common stock or other securities junior to the Preferred Stock. Unless we receive a consent or a waiver from the holders of our Preferred Stock, these covenants may restrict our ability to take certain actions that we would have otherwise taken in the absence of these covenants and which may be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. There can be no assurance that we will be able to receive a consent or waiver on acceptable terms, if at all. If we fail to comply with these covenants, we will be in default of the agreements governing our outstanding Preferred Stock, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

       We may be required to redeem our Preferred Stock upon the occurrence of certain events, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may become obligated to redeem the Preferred Stock in cash upon the occurrence of certain triggering events, including, among others, a material breach by us of certain contractual obligations to the holders of the Preferred Stock, the occurrence of a change in control of the Company, the occurrence of certain insolvency events relating to the Company, or the failure of the common stock to continue to be listed or quoted for trading on one or more specified United States securities exchanges or a regulated quotation service. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain triggering events, each holder of Preferred Stock will have the option to require us to redeem such holder’s shares of Preferred Stock for a redemption price payable in shares of common stock or receive an increased dividend rate of 9% on all of such holder’s outstanding Preferred Stock.  Any obligation to redeem the Preferred Stock would require a large expenditure of cash by us, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Economic crises and market instability may materially and adversely affect the demand for our products, as well as our ability to obtain credit or secure funds through sales of our stock, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and ability to fund our operations.

 

Economic crises may reduce the demand for new and innovative medical devices, resulting in delayed market acceptance of our products, if and when they are approved. Such a delay could have a material adverse impact on our business, expected cash flows, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, we have funded our operations to date primarily through private sales of securities, including common stock and other securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock. Economic turmoil and instability in the world’s equity and credit markets and in the unstable world may materially adversely affect our ability to sell additional securities and/or borrow cash.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional working capital on acceptable terms or at all, and any failure to do so may materially adversely affect our ability to continue operations.

 

 

Healthcare reforms, changes in healthcare policies, including recently enacted legislation reforming the U.S. healthcare system, and changes to third-party reimbursements for diabetes-related products may affect demand for our products and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The United States government has in the past considered and may in the future consider healthcare policies and proposals intended to curb rising healthcare costs, including those that could significantly affect reimbursement for healthcare products such as the GlucoTrack® model DF-F. These policies have included, and may in the future include: basing reimbursement policies and rates on clinical outcomes, the comparative effectiveness and costs of different treatment technologies and modalities; imposing price controls and taxes on medical device providers; and other measures.

 

Congress passed healthcare reform legislation that the President signed into law on March 23, 2010 and March 30, 2010. The package signed into law was and is considered by some to be the most dramatic change to the country’s healthcare system in decades. The principal aim of the law currently enacted is to expand health insurance coverage to approximately 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured. The law’s most far-reaching changes did not take effect until 2014, including a requirement that most Americans carry health insurance. The consequences of these significant coverage expansions on the sale of our products are still unknown and speculative at this point.

 

The enacted legislation contains many provisions designed to generate the revenues necessary to fund the coverage expansions. The most relevant of these provisions are those that impose fees or taxes on certain health-related industries, including medical device manufacturers like us. The legislation imposed an annual excise tax (or sales tax) on medical devices like ours, beginning with calendar year 2013. The taxes are allocated based on our proportionate share of the prior-year’s aggregate domestic gross receipts from medical device sales.

 

In addition to the new legislation discussed above, the effect of which cannot presently be quantified given its recent enactment, various healthcare reform proposals have also emerged at the state level. Future significant changes in the healthcare systems in the United States or elsewhere could also have a negative impact on the demand for the GlucoTrack® model DF-F or other GlucoTrack® products, if approved for sale, or our future products, if any. These include changes that may lower reimbursement rates for such products from what we might otherwise have obtained and changes that may be proposed or implemented by the current administration or Congress.

 

We cannot predict what healthcare initiatives, if any, will be implemented at the federal or state level, or the effect any future legislation or regulation will have on us. In addition to the taxes imposed by the new federal legislation, any further expansion in government’s role in the U.S. healthcare industry may lower reimbursements for our products, reduce medical procedure volumes and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

In the EU, although there have not been any recent amendments to the relevant regulatory legislation, there are ongoing discussions regarding amending the current regulatory framework for medical devices.  Moreover, because the MDD requires only minimum harmonization in the EU, member countries may alter their enforcement of the directives or amend their national regulatory rules.  We cannot predict what healthcare initiatives, if any, will be implemented by the EU or EU member countries, or the effect any future legislation or regulation will have on us.

 

The GlucoTrack® model DF-F may not be approved for sale in the United States or other (non-CE Mark) jurisdictions.

 

We will likely be required to undertake significant clinical trials to demonstrate to the FDA that the GlucoTrack® model DF-F is either safe and effective for its intended use or is substantially equivalent in terms of safety and effectiveness to an existing, lawfully marketed non-Section 515 premarket approval device. We may also be required to undertake clinical trials by non-U.S. regulatory agencies in non-CE Mark jurisdictions. Clinical trials are expensive and uncertain processes that may take years to complete. Failure can occur at any point in the process and early positive results do not ensure that the entire clinical trial will be successful. Product candidates in clinical trials may fail to show desired efficacy and safety traits despite early promising results. A number of companies in the medical device industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after their product candidates demonstrated promising results at earlier points.

 

 

Positive results from the limited pre-clinical trials and safety and performance clinical trial that we have conducted should not be relied upon as evidence that later-stage or large-scale clinical trials will succeed. These trials involved limited patient populations and there is no assurance that the experimental protocol or protocols, as the case may be, used in these informal trials will be methodologically similar to ones submitted to the FDA or any other regulatory body for its approval. Because of the sample size, possible variation in methodology, differences in exclusion/inclusion criteria, or differences in endpoints, the results of these pre-clinical trials may not be indicative of future results. We will likely be required to demonstrate through well-controlled clinical trials that the GlucoTrack® model DF-F or future product candidates, if any, are safe and effective for their intended uses. In the event that the FDA deems GlucoTrack® model DF-F to be a Class II device, which we do not believe is likely at this point, then we would be required to demonstrate that it is substantially equivalent in terms of safety and effectiveness to a device lawfully marketed either through a premarket notification or prior to May 28, 1976.

 

Additionally, although we have received our CE Mark approval for the GlucoTrack® model DF-F non-invasive glucose monitoring device, EU member countries may request or require additional performance and/or safety data from time to time, on a case-by-case basis. We have also received final approval from South Korea to commence sales of the GlucoTrack® model DF-F in South Korea

 

Further, the GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, may not be cleared or approved, as the case may be, even if the clinical data are satisfactory and support, in our view, its or their clearance or approval. The FDA or other non-U.S. regulatory authorities may disagree with our trial design or interpretation of the clinical data. In addition, any of these regulatory authorities may change requirements for the clearance or approval of a product candidate even after reviewing and providing comment on a protocol for a pivotal clinical trial that has the potential to result in FDA approval. In addition, any of these regulatory authorities may also clear or approve a product candidate for fewer or more limited uses than we request or may grant clearance or approval contingent on the performance of costly post-marketing clinical trials. In addition, the FDA or other non-U.S. regulatory authorities may not approve the labeling claims necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of the GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any.

 

We are highly dependent on the success of our initial product candidate, the GlucoTrack® model DF-F, and cannot give any assurance that it will receive regulatory approval or clearance or be successfully commercialized.

 

We are highly dependent on the success of our initial product candidate, the GlucoTrack® model DF-F. We cannot give any assurance that the FDA will permit us to clinically test the device, nor can we give any assurance that the clinical trials will be successful or that the GlucoTrack® model DF-F will receive regulatory clearance or approval or be successfully commercialized, for a number of reasons, including, without limitation, the potential introduction by our competitors of more clinically-effective or cost-effective alternatives, failure in our sales and marketing efforts, or the failure to obtain positive coverage determinations or reimbursement. Any failure to obtain approval to conduct clinical trials, favorable clinical data, clearance or approval of or to successfully commercialize the GlucoTrack® model DF-F would have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

If our competitors develop and market products that are more effective, safer or less expensive than GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, our commercial opportunities will be adversely affected.

 

The life sciences industry is highly competitive and we face significant competition from many medical device companies that are researching and marketing products designed to address the needs of persons suffering from diabetes. We are currently developing medical devices that will compete with other medical devices that currently exist or are being developed. Products that we may develop in the future are also likely to face competition from other medical devices and therapies. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial, manufacturing, marketing and product development resources than we do. Large medical device companies, in particular, have extensive experience in clinical testing and in obtaining regulatory clearances or approvals for medical devices. These companies also have significantly greater research and marketing capabilities than us. Some of the medical device companies that we expect to compete with include Roche Disetronic, a division of Roche Diagnostics; LifeScan, Inc., a division of Johnson & Johnson; the MediSense and TheraSense divisions of Abbott Laboratories; Bayer Corporation; Echo Therapeutics, Inc.; Grove Instruments; and Medtronic, Inc. In addition, many other universities and private and public research institutions are or may become active in research involving blood glucose measurement devices.

 

 

We believe that our ability to successfully compete will depend on, among other things:

 

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our ability to have partners manufacture and sell commercial quantities of any approved products to the market;

 

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acceptance of product candidates by physicians and other health care providers;

 

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the results of our clinical trials;

 

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our ability to recruit and enroll patients for our clinical trials;

 

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the efficacy, safety, performance and reliability of our product candidates;

 

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the speed at which we develop product candidates;

 

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our ability to obtain prompt and favorable IRB review and approval at each of our clinical sites;

 

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our ability to commercialize and market any of our product candidates that may receive regulatory clearance or approval;

 

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our ability to design and successfully execute appropriate clinical trials;

 

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the timing and scope of regulatory clearances or approvals;

 

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appropriate coverage and adequate levels of reimbursement under private and governmental health insurance plans, including Medicare; and

 

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our ability to protect intellectual property rights related to our products.

 

If our competitors market products that are more effective, safer, easier to use or less expensive than GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, or that reach the market sooner than GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, we may not achieve commercial success. In addition, the medical device industry is characterized by rapid technological change. It may be difficult for us to stay abreast of the rapid changes in each technology. If we fail to stay at the forefront of technological change, we may be unable to compete effectively. Technological advances or products developed by our competitors may render our technologies or product candidates obsolete or less competitive.

 

Our product development activities could be delayed or stopped.

 

We do not know whether our future clinical trials will begin on time, or at all, and whether ongoing and/or future clinical trials will be completed on schedule, or at all.

 

The commencement of future clinical trials could be substantially delayed or prevented by several factors, including:

 

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the failure to obtain sufficient funding to pay for all necessary clinical trials;

 

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limited number of, and competition for, suitable patients that meet the protocol’s inclusion criteria and do not meet any of the exclusion criteria;

 

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limited number of, and competition for, suitable sites to conduct the clinical trials, and delay or failure to obtain FDA approval, if necessary, to commence a clinical trial;

 

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delay or failure to obtain sufficient supplies of the product candidate for clinical trials;

 

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requirements to provide the medical device required in clinical trials at cost, which may require significant expenditures that we are unable or unwilling to make;

 

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delay or failure to reach agreement on acceptable clinical trial agreement terms or clinical trial protocols with prospective sites or investigators; and

 

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delay or failure to obtain IRB approval or renewal of such approval to conduct a clinical trial at a prospective or accruing site, respectively.

 

 

The completion of clinical trials in connection with our application for FDA approval could also be substantially delayed or prevented by several factors, including:

 

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slower than expected rates of patient recruitment and enrollment;

 

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failure of patients to complete the clinical trial;

 

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unforeseen safety issues;

 

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lack of efficacy evidenced during clinical trials;

 

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termination of clinical trials by one or more clinical trial sites;

 

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inability or unwillingness of patients or medical investigators to follow clinical trial protocols; and

 

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inability to monitor patients adequately during or after treatment.

 

Our clinical trials may be suspended or terminated at any time by the FDA, other regulatory authorities, the IRB for any given site, or us. Any failure or significant delay in completing clinical trials for GlucoTrack® or future product candidates, if any, could materially harm our financial results and the commercial prospects for our product candidates.

 

The regulatory approval process is expensive, time-consuming and uncertain and may prevent us from obtaining approvals for the commercialization of GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any.

 

The research, testing, manufacturing, labeling, approval, selling, marketing and distribution of medical devices are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other non-U.S. regulatory authorities, which regulations differ from country to country. We are not permitted to market our product candidates in the United States until we receive a clearance letter under the 510(k)-premarket notification process or approval of a Section 515 premarket approval, from the FDA, depending on the nature of the device. We have not submitted an application or premarket notification for or received marketing clearance or approval for any of our product candidates. Obtaining approval of any premarket approval can be a lengthy, expensive and uncertain process. While the FDA normally reviews, and clears a premarket notification in three months, there is no guarantee that our products will qualify for this more expeditious regulatory process, which is reserved for Class I and II devices, nor is there any assurance that, even if a device is reviewed under the 510(k)-premarket notification process, the FDA will review it expeditiously or determine that the device is substantially equivalent to a lawfully marketed non-premarket approval device. If the FDA fails to make this finding, then we cannot market the device. In lieu of acting on a premarket notification, the FDA may seek additional information or additional data which would further delay our ability to market the product. In addition, failure to comply with FDA, non-U.S. regulatory authorities or other applicable U.S. and non-U.S. regulatory requirements may, either before or after product clearance or approval, if any, subject us to administrative or judicially imposed sanctions, including:

 

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restrictions on the products, manufacturers or manufacturing process;

 

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adverse inspectional observations (Form 483), warning letters or non-warning letters incorporating inspectional observations, i.e., so-called “untitled letter”;

 

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civil and criminal penalties;

 

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injunctions;

 

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suspension or withdrawal of regulatory clearances or approvals;

 

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product seizures, detentions or import bans;

 

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voluntary or mandatory product recalls and publicity requirements;

 

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total or partial suspension of production;

 

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imposition of restrictions on operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements; and

 

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refusal to clear or approve pending applications or premarket notifications.

 

 

Regulatory approval of a PMA or PMA supplement or clearance pursuant to a 510(k)-premarket notification is not guaranteed, and the approval or clearance process, as the case may be, is expensive and may, especially in the case of the PMA, take several years. The FDA also has substantial discretion in the medical device clearance or approval processes. Despite the time and expense exerted, failure can occur at any stage and we could encounter problems that cause us to abandon clinical trials or to repeat or perform additional pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. The number of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials that will be required for FDA clearance or approval varies depending on the medical device candidate, the disease or condition that the medical device candidate is designed to address, and the regulations applicable to any particular medical device candidate. The FDA can delay, limit or deny clearance or approval of a medical device candidate for many reasons, including:

 

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a medical device candidate may not be deemed safe or effective, in the case of a PMA;

 

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a medical device candidate may not be deemed to be substantially equivalent to a lawfully marketed non-premarket approval device in the case of a 510(k)-premarket notification;

 

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FDA officials may not find the data from the clinical trials sufficient;

 

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the FDA might not approve our third-party manufacturer’s processes or facilities; or

 

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the FDA may change its clearance or approval policies or adopt new regulations.

 

Further, while we have received CE Mark approval for the GlucoTrack® model DF-F, the MDD requires only minimum harmonization.  In practice, uniform regulation throughout the EU is not ensured.  Rather, member countries may apply and enforce the MDD’s terms differently, and certain EU member countries may request or require performance and/or safety data additional to the MDD’s requirements from time to time, on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, we cannot predict whether we will be able to successfully commercialize the GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, in the EU.

 

Failure to recruit and enroll patients for clinical trials may cause the development of our product candidates to be delayed.

 

We may encounter delays if we are unable to recruit and enroll and retain enough patients to complete clinical trials. Patient enrollment depends on many factors, including the size of the patient population, the nature of the protocol, the proximity of patients to clinical sites and the eligibility criteria for the trial. Delays in patient enrollment are not unusual. Any such delays in planned patient enrollment may result in increased costs, which could harm our ability to develop products.

 

The terms of clearances or approvals and ongoing regulation of our products may limit how we manufacture and market our product candidates, which could materially impair our ability to generate anticipated revenues.

 

Once regulatory clearance or approval has been granted, the cleared or approved product and its manufacturer are subject to continual review. Any cleared or approved product may only be promoted for its indicated uses. In addition, if the FDA or other non-U.S. regulatory authorities clear or approve GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, the labeling, packaging, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising and promotion for the product will be subject to extensive regulatory requirements. We, and the manufacturers of our products, if other than us, also will be required to comply with the FDA’s Quality System Regulation, which includes requirements relating to quality control and quality assurance, as well as the corresponding maintenance of records and documentation. Moreover, device manufacturers are required to report adverse events by filing Medical Device Reports with the FDA, which are publicly available. Further, regulatory agencies must approve our manufacturing facilities before they can be used to manufacture products, and these facilities are subject to ongoing regulatory inspection. If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements of the FDA and other non-U.S. regulatory authorities, or if previously unknown problems with our products, manufacturers or manufacturing processes are discovered, we could be subject to administrative or judicially imposed sanctions, including:

 

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restrictions on the products, manufacturers or manufacturing process;

 

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adverse inspectional observations (Form 483), warning letters, or non-warning letters incorporating inspectional observations;

 

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civil or criminal penalties or fines;

 

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injunctions;

 

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product seizures, detentions or import bans;

 

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voluntary or mandatory product recalls and publicity requirements;

 

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suspension or withdrawal of regulatory clearances or approvals;

 

 

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total or partial suspension of production;

 

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imposition of restrictions on operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements; and

 

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refusal to clear or approve pending applications or premarket notifications.

 

In addition, the FDA and other non-U.S. regulatory authorities, including the EU and each of the EU member countries individually, may change their policies and additional regulations may be enacted that could prevent or delay regulatory clearance or approval of our product candidates. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the United States or abroad. If we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we will likely not be permitted to market future product candidates and may not achieve or sustain profitability.

 

Even if we receive regulatory clearance or approval to market the GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, the market may not be receptive to our products.

 

Even if GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, obtain regulatory clearance or approval, resulting products may not gain market acceptance among physicians, patients, health care payors or the medical community. We believe that the degree of market acceptance will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

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timing of market introduction of competitive products;

 

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safety and efficacy of our product;

 

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prevalence and severity of any side effects;

 

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potential advantages or disadvantages over alternative treatments;

 

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strength of marketing and distribution support;

 

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price of our product candidates, both in absolute terms and relative to alternative treatments; and

 

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availability of coverage and reimbursement from government and other third-party payors.

 

If the GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, fail to achieve market acceptance, we may not be able to generate significant revenue or achieve or sustain profitability.

 

The coverage and reimbursement status of newly cleared or approved medical devices is uncertain, and failure to obtain adequate coverage and adequate reimbursement could limit our ability to market GlucoTrack® model DF-F or future product candidates, if any, and may inhibit our ability to generate revenue from GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, that may be cleared or approved.

 

There is significant uncertainty related to the third-party coverage and reimbursement of newly cleared or approved medical devices. The commercial success of GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, in both domestic and international markets will depend in part on the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors, including government payors, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs, managed care organizations and other third-party payors. Government and other third-party payors are increasingly attempting to contain health care costs by limiting both coverage and the level of reimbursement for new products and, as a result, they may not cover or provide adequate payment for GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any. These payors may conclude that our products are not as safe or effective as existing devices or that the overall cost of using one of our devices exceeds the overall cost of the competing device, and third-party payors may not approve GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, for coverage and adequate reimbursement. Furthermore, deficit reduction and austerity measures in the United States and abroad may put further pressure on governments to limit coverage of, and reimbursement for, our products. The failure to obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement for GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any, or health care cost containment initiatives that limit or restrict reimbursement for such products may reduce any future product revenue.

 

 

If we fail to attract and retain key management and scientific personnel, we may be unable to successfully develop or commercialize the GlucoTrack® model DF-F or our future product candidates, if any.

 

We may not be able to attract or retain qualified management and scientific personnel in the future due to the intense competition for qualified personnel among medical device and other businesses. If we are not able to attract and retain the necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we may experience constraints that will significantly impede the achievement of our research and development objectives, our ability to raise additional capital and our ability to implement our business strategy. In particular, if we lose any members of our senior management team, we may not be able to find suitable replacements in a timely fashion or at all and our business may be harmed as a result.

 

As we continue to evolve from a company primarily involved in development to a company also involved in commercialization, we may encounter difficulties in managing our growth and expanding our operations successfully.

 

As the GlucoTrack® model DF-F has received a CE Mark, we have begun to expand our manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities by contracting with third parties to provide these capabilities. We anticipate that, as our operations expand, we will need to manage additional relationships with such third parties. Maintaining these relationships and managing our future growth will impose significant added responsibilities on members of our management. We must be able to manage our development efforts effectively; manage our clinical trials effectively; hire, train and integrate additional management, development, administrative and sales and marketing personnel; improve managerial, development, operational and finance systems; and expand our facilities, all of which may impose a strain on our administrative and operational infrastructure.

 

We rely on third parties to manufacture and supply our product.

 

We do not own or operate manufacturing facilities for clinical or commercial production of the GlucoTrack® model DF-F, other than a prototype lab. We have no experience in medical device manufacturing, and lack the resources and the capability to manufacture the GlucoTrack® model DF-F on a commercial scale. We currently manufacture the GlucoTrack ® model DF-F with a third-party manufacturer in Israel.  In July 2014, we entered into a manufacturing agreement with Wistron.  Wistron is in the process of preparing a production line for the GlucoTrack® model DF-F. Wistron has produced a small pilot batch and is in the process of producing a second pilot batch of the GlucoTrack® model DF-F device. Subject to satisfactory completion of a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) audit by the local regulatory authorities in Taiwan, we now anticipate that the production line for the GlucoTrack® model DF-F will be operational during the first half of 2017.  Following the completion of Wistron’s production line, we intend to utilize the services of both Wistron and the Israeli third-party manufacturer to produce the GlucoTrack® model DF-F.

 

If our manufacturing partners are unable to produce our products in the amounts, timing or pricing that we require, we may not be able to establish a contract and obtain a sufficient alternative supply from another supplier on a timely basis and in the quantities or pricing we require. We expect to depend on third-party contract manufacturers for the foreseeable future.

 

 

The GlucoTrack® model DF-F does, and our future product candidates, if any, likely will require precise, high quality manufacturing. Any of our contract manufacturers will be subject to ongoing periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and other non-U.S. regulatory authorities to ensure strict compliance with quality system regulations, including current good manufacturing practices and other applicable government regulations and corresponding standards. If our contract manufacturers fail to achieve and maintain high manufacturing standards in compliance with quality system regulations, we may experience manufacturing errors resulting in patient injury or death, product recalls or withdrawals, delays or interruptions of production or failures in product testing or delivery, delay or prevention of filing or approval of marketing applications for our products, cost overruns or other problems that could seriously harm our business.

 

Any performance failure on the part of our contract manufacturers could delay clinical development or regulatory clearance or approval of our product candidates or commercialization of our future product candidates, depriving us of potential product revenue and resulting in additional losses. In addition, our dependence on a third-party for manufacturing may adversely affect our future profit margins. Our ability to replace an existing manufacturer may be difficult because the number of potential manufacturers is limited and the FDA must approve any replacement manufacturer before it can begin manufacturing our product candidates. Such approval would require additional non-clinical testing and compliance inspections. It may be difficult or impossible for us to identify and engage a replacement manufacturer on acceptable terms in a timely manner, or at all.

 

We are dependent on third-party distributors to market and sell our products.

 

We have limited internal marketing, sales or distribution capabilities and currently we do not intend to develop extensive internal marketing, sales or distribution capabilities in the future.  Rather, we intend to utilize third-party distributors to market our products, and have entered into exclusive distribution agreements with respect to certain territories.  There is no assurance that third party distributors will achieve acceptable levels of sales or that, if any of our existing arrangements expire or terminate, we will be able to replace any distributors on terms advantageous to us, or at all. Further, there is no assurance that we will be able to expand our distribution network by adding additional distributors. If third party distributors cease to promote our products, or if we are unable to make acceptable arrangements with distributors or sales personnel in other markets, our business, prospects, operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 

Independent clinical investigators and contract research organizations that we engage to conduct our clinical trials may not be diligent, careful or timely.

 

We will depend on independent clinical investigators to conduct our clinical trials. Contract research organizations may also assist us in the collection and analysis of data. These investigators and contract research organizations will not be our employees and we will not be able to control, other than by contract, the amount of resources, including time, that they devote to products that we develop. If independent investigators fail to devote sufficient resources to the clinical trials, or if their performance is substandard, it will delay the approval or clearance and commercialization of any products that we develop. Further, the FDA requires that we comply with standards, commonly referred to as good clinical practice, for conducting, recording and reporting clinical trials to assure that data and reported results are credible and accurate and that the rights, integrity and confidentiality of trial subjects are protected. If our independent clinical investigators and contract research organizations fail to comply with good clinical practice, the results of our clinical trials could be called into question and the clinical development of our product candidates could be delayed. Failure of clinical investigators or contract research organizations to meet their obligations to us or comply with federal regulations could adversely affect the clinical development of our product candidates and harm our business.

 

If we are unable to obtain and enforce patent protection for our products, our business could be materially harmed.

 

Our success depends, among other things, on our ability to protect proprietary methods and technologies that we develop under the patent and other intellectual property laws of the United States and other countries, so that we can prevent others from unlawfully using our inventions and proprietary information. However, we may not hold proprietary rights to some patents required for us to commercialize proposed products. For this and other reasons, we may be unable to secure desired patent rights, thereby losing desired exclusivity. Although we do not believe that we need any licenses for the GlucoTrack® model DF-F, we may need to obtain licenses in the future for other products or in certain circumstances, such as if one of our patents were declared invalid in the future. If such licenses are not available to us on acceptable terms, we will not be able to market the affected products or conduct the desired activities, unless we successfully challenge the validity, enforceability or infringement of the third-party patent or otherwise circumvent the third-party patent.

 

 

Our strategy depends on our ability to rapidly identify and seek patent protection for our discoveries. The process of obtaining patent protection is expensive and time-consuming. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may be able to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary.

 

The issuance of a patent does not guarantee that it is valid or enforceable. Any patents we have obtained, or which we may obtain in the future, may be challenged, invalidated, unenforceable or circumvented. Moreover, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) may commence interference proceedings involving our patents or patent applications. Any challenge to, finding of unenforceability or invalidation or circumvention of our patents or patent applications would be costly, would require significant time and attention of our management and could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, court decisions may introduce uncertainty in the enforceability or scope of patents owned by medical device companies.

 

Our pending patent applications may not result in issued patents. The patent position of medical device companies, including us, is generally uncertain and involves complex legal and factual considerations. The standards that the USPTO and its foreign counterparts use to grant patents are not always applied predictably or uniformly and can change. There is also no uniform, worldwide policy regarding the subject matter and scope of claims granted or allowable in medical device patents. Accordingly, we do not know the degree of future protection for our proprietary rights or the breadth of claims that will be allowed in any patents issued to us or to others. The legal systems of certain countries do not favor the aggressive enforcement of patents, and the laws of foreign countries may not protect our rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Therefore, the enforceability or scope of our patents in the United States or in foreign countries cannot be predicted with certainty, and, as a result, any patents that we own may not provide sufficient protection against competitors. We may not be able to obtain or maintain patent protection for our pending patent applications or those we may file in the future.

 

We cannot assure you that any patents that will issue, that may issue or that may be licensed to us will be enforceable or valid or will not expire prior to the commercialization of our product candidates, thus allowing others to more effectively compete with us. Therefore, any patents that we own may not adequately protect our product candidates or our future products.

 

If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our proprietary information and know-how, the value of our technology and products could be adversely affected.

 

In addition to patent protection, we also rely on other proprietary rights, including protection of trade secrets, know-how and confidential and proprietary information. To maintain the confidentiality of trade secrets and proprietary information, we will seek to enter into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with our employees, consultants and collaborators upon the commencement of their relationships with us. These agreements generally require that all confidential information developed by the individual or made known to the individual by us during the course of the individual’s relationship with us be kept confidential and not disclosed to third parties. Our agreements with employees also generally provide and will generally provide that any inventions conceived by the individual in the course of rendering services to us shall be our exclusive property. However, we may not obtain these agreements in all circumstances, and individuals with whom we have these agreements may not comply with their terms. In the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of our trade secrets or proprietary information, these agreements, even if obtained, may not provide meaningful protection, particularly for trade secrets or other confidential information. To the extent that our employees, consultants or contractors use technology or know-how owned by third parties in their work for us, disputes may arise between us and those third parties as to the rights in related inventions.

 

Adequate remedies may not exist in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information. The disclosure of trade secrets would impair our competitive position and may materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

Some jurisdictions may require us to grant licenses to third parties. Such compulsory licenses could be extended to include some of our product candidates, which may limit potential revenue opportunities.

 

Many countries, including certain countries in Europe, have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to third parties. In addition, most countries limit the enforceability of patents against government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, the patent owner may be limited to monetary relief and may be unable to enjoin infringement, which could materially diminish the value of the patent. Compulsory licensing of life-saving products is also becoming increasingly popular in developing countries, either through direct legislation or international initiatives. Such compulsory licenses could be extended to include some of our product candidates, which may limit our potential revenue opportunities.

 

Our commercial success depends significantly on our ability to operate without infringing the patents and other proprietary rights of third parties.

 

Other entities may have or obtain patents or proprietary rights that could limit our ability to manufacture, use, sell, offer for sale or import products or impair our competitive position. In addition, to the extent that a third party develops new technology that covers our products, we may be required to obtain licenses to that technology, which licenses may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If licenses are not available on acceptable terms, we will not be able to market the affected products or conduct the desired activities unless we successfully challenge the validity, enforceability or infringement of the third-party patent or circumvent the third-party patent, which would be costly and would require significant time and attention of our management. Third parties may have or obtain valid and enforceable patents or proprietary rights that could block us from developing products using our technology. Our failure to obtain a license to any technology that we require may materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If we become involved in patent litigation or other proceedings related to a determination of rights, we could incur substantial costs and expenses, substantial liability for damages or be required to stop our product development and commercialization efforts.

 

Third parties may sue us for infringing their patent rights. Likewise, we may need to resort to litigation to enforce a patent issued or licensed to us or to determine the scope and validity of proprietary rights of others. In addition, a third party may claim that we have improperly obtained or used our confidential or proprietary information. The cost to us of any litigation or other proceeding relating to intellectual property rights, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial, and the litigation would divert management’s efforts. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation could limit our ability to continue our operations.

 

If any parties successfully claim that our creation or use of proprietary technologies infringes upon their intellectual property rights, we might be forced to pay damages, potentially including treble damages, if we are found to have willfully infringed on such parties’ patent rights. In addition to any damages we might have to pay, a court could require us to stop the infringing activity or obtain a license. Any license required under any patent may not be made available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, such licenses are likely to be non-exclusive and, therefore, our competitors may have access to the same technology. If we fail to obtain a required license and are unable to design around a patent, we may be unable to effectively market some of our technology and products, which could limit our ability to generate revenues or achieve profitability and possibly prevent us from generating revenue sufficient to sustain operations.

 

 

Failure to obtain additional regulatory approvals outside the United States will prevent or limit us from marketing our product candidates abroad.

 

We intend to market our product candidates in non-U.S. markets. In order to market product candidates in the EU and many other non-U.S. jurisdictions, we must obtain separate regulatory approvals. In December 2012, we submitted our technical file to the Notified Body in connection with our application to obtain CE Mark approval for the GlucoTrack® model DF-F non-invasive glucose monitoring device. On June 4, 2013, we received CE Mark approval for the GlucoTrack® model DF-F non-invasive glucose monitoring device from the Notified Body. Receipt of the CE Mark allows us to market and sell the GlucoTrack® model DF-F glucose monitoring device in EU member countries that have adopted the MDD without being subject to additional national regulations with regard to demonstration of performance and safety. The CE Mark also permits the sale in countries that have an MDD Mutual Recognition Agreement with the EU.  However, member countries may apply and enforce the MDD’s terms differently, and certain EU member countries may request or require that we provide performance and/or safety data additional to the MDD’s requirements from time to time, on a case-by-case basis, in order to be cleared to market and sale the GlucoTrack® model DF-F in such countries. Receipt of FDA approval does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in countries, and approval by one or more non-U.S. regulatory authorities (including receipt of the CE Mark) does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or by the FDA. The non-U.S. regulatory approval process may include all of the risks associated with obtaining FDA approval or clearance. We may not obtain additional non-U.S. regulatory approvals on a timely basis, if at all. We may not be able to file for additional non-U.S. regulatory approvals and may not receive necessary approvals to commercialize our product candidates in any market.

 

Non-U.S. governments often impose strict price controls, which may adversely affect our future profitability.

 

We intend to seek approval to market GlucoTrack® model DF-F and our future product candidates, if any, in both the U.S. and in non-U.S. jurisdictions. If we obtain approval in one or more non-U.S. jurisdictions, we will be subject to rules and regulations in those jurisdictions relating to our products. In some countries, particularly countries of the EU, each of which has developed its own rules and regulations, pricing may be subject to governmental control under certain circumstances. In these countries, pricing negotiations with governmental authorities can take considerable time after the receipt of marketing approval for a medical device candidate. Each of the EU member states has its own unique legal system and thus it is difficult to predict the particular requirements to which we may be subject. To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval in some countries, we may be required to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost-effectiveness of our product to other available products. If reimbursement of our product candidates is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, we may be unable to achieve or sustain profitability.

 

Our business may become subject to economic, political, regulatory and other risks associated with international operations, which could harm our business.

 

Our business is subject to risks associated with conducting business internationally. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including:

 

·

difficulties in compliance with non-U.S. laws and regulations;

 

·

changes in non-U.S. regulations and customs;

 

·

changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates and currency controls;

 

·

changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic environment;

 

·

trade protection measures, import or export licensing requirements or other restrictive actions by U.S. or non-U.S. governments;

 

·

negative consequences from changes in tax laws; and

 

·

difficulties associated with staffing and managing foreign operations, including differing labor relations.

 

 

Conditions in Israel may harm our ability to produce and sell our products and may adversely affect our business.

 

Our principal executive offices and research and development facilities, as well as some of our suppliers, are located in Israel. Political, economic and military conditions in Israel directly affect our operations. Specifically, we could be materially adversely affected by:

 

·

any major hostilities involving Israel;

 

·

a full or partial mobilization of the reserve forces of the Israeli army;

 

·

the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners; and

 

·

a significant downturn in the economic or financial conditions in Israel.

 

Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its neighbors. A state of hostility, varying in degree and intensity, has led to security and economic problems for Israel. Despite the progress towards peace between Israel and its neighbors, the future of these peace efforts remains uncertain. Since October 2000, there has been a substantial deterioration in the relationship between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and a significant increase in violence, civil unrest and hostility, including armed clashes between the State of Israel and Palestinian militants, and acts of terror have been committed inside Israel and against Israeli targets in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During the summer of 2006 and the fall of 2012, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist Shiite militia group and political party. In December 2008, January 2009, November 2012 and July 2014, there were escalations in violence between Israel, on the one hand, and Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and/or other groups, on the other hand, as well as extensive hostilities along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern and central Israel, including near Tel Aviv and at areas surrounding Jerusalem. These conflicts involved missile strikes against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, including areas in which our employees and some of our consultants are located, and negatively affected business conditions in Israel. Our offices are located in Ashkelon, Israel, which is within the range of the missiles and rockets that have been fired at Israeli cities and towns from Gaza sporadically since 2006, with escalations in violence (such as the recent escalation in July 2014) during which there were a substantially larger number of rocket and missile attacks aimed at Israel. Since December 2010, there has been a wave of protests and civil resistance demonstrations in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt and Syria, which share a border with Israel. The demonstrations and acts of civil resistance in Egypt led to the resignation of the former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and to extensive revisions in the Egyptian governmental structure. The demonstrations and acts of civil resistance in Syria have led to an extended period of violence and political instability in Syria. It is not clear how this revolutionary wave, also known as the Arab Spring, will develop and how it will affect the political and security situation in the Middle East. It is also not clear how it will affect Israel and its relationship with its neighbors. Presently, there is great international concern in connection with Iran’s efforts to develop and enrich uranium which could lead to the development of nuclear weapons. Iran’s successful enrichment of uranium could significantly alter the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, including the threat of international war, which could significantly impact business conditions in Israel. Any on-going or future violence between Israel and the Palestinians, armed conflicts, terrorist activities, tension along the Israeli borders or with other countries in the region, including Iran, or political instability in the region could disrupt international trading activities in Israel and may materially and negatively affect our business and results of operations and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital. Parties with whom we do business may decline to travel to Israel during periods of heightened unrest or tension, forcing us to make alternative arrangements when necessary in order to meet our business partners face to face. In addition, the political and security situation in Israel may result in parties with whom we have agreements involving performance in Israel claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure provisions in such agreements.

In addition, Israel’s economy has been subject to numerous destabilizing factors, including a period of rampant inflation in the early to middle 1980s, low foreign exchange reserves, fluctuations in world commodity prices, military conflicts and civil unrest. Furthermore, several countries restrict business with Israel and Israeli companies, which may limit our ability to make sales in those countries. These restrictions, continuing or escalating hostilities in the region or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners may have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition, including our ability to develop, manufacture and market our products.

 

 

Our operations could be disrupted as a result of the obligations of key personnel to perform Israeli military service.

 

Some of our employees in Israel are obligated to perform up to 40 days, depending on rank and position, of military reserve duty annually and are subject to being called for active duty under emergency circumstances. Moreover, in light of escalating hostilities and threats of armed conflict in the Middle East since October 2000, our executive officers and employees may be called for active military duty for an unlimited period of time. Increased military activity could also result in a reduction of prospective qualified employees available to work for us to increase our business or replace employees on active military duty. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence for a significant period of our executive officers or key employees as a result of military service. Any disruption in our operations could adversely affect our ability to develop and market products.

 

It may be difficult to enforce a United States judgment against us or our officers and directors to the extent they are located in Israel based upon asserted United States securities law claims.

 

All of our executive officers and two of our directors are non-residents of the United States and a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of these persons will be located outside of the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to enforce a United States court judgment, including a judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in original actions instituted in an Israeli court against any of these persons. Furthermore, service of process upon these persons may be difficult to obtain within the United States.

 

We may not be able to enforce covenants not-to-compete under current Israeli law, which might result in added competition for our products.

 

We have non-competition agreements or provisions with all of our employees and executive officers, all of which are governed by Israeli law. These agreements or provisions prohibit our employees from competing with us or working for our competitors, generally during, and for up to nine months after termination of, their employment with us. However, Israeli courts are reluctant to enforce non-compete undertakings of former employees and tend, if at all, to enforce those provisions for only relatively brief periods of time or in restricted geographical areas. In addition, Israeli courts typically require the presence of additional circumstances, such as a demonstration of an employer’s legitimate interest which was damaged; breach of fiduciary duties, loyalty and acting not in good faith; a payment of a special consideration for employee’s non-compete obligation; material concern for disclosing employer's trade secrets; or a demonstration that an employee has unique value to the employer specific to that employer’s business, before enforcing a non-competition undertaking against such employee.

 

The funding that we received through the Office of the Chief Scientist (the “OCS”) for research and development activities restricts our ability to manufacture products or to transfer technology outside of Israel.

 

On March 4, 2004, the OCS agreed to provide us with a grant of 420,000 New Israeli Shekels (“NIS”), or approximately $93,300 at an exchange rate of 4.502 NIS/dollar (the exchange rate in effect on such date), for our plan to develop a non-invasive blood glucose monitor (the “development plan”). This grant constituted 60% of our research and development budget for the development plan at that time. Due to our acceptance of this grant, we are subject to the provisions of the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 1984 (the “R&D Law”). Among other things, the R&D Law restricts our ability to sell or transfer rights in technology or know-how developed with OCS funding or transfer any Means of Control (as defined in the R&D Law) of us to non-Israeli entities. The Industrial Research and Development Committee at the OCS (the “research committee”) may, under special circumstances, approve the transfer outside of Israel of rights in technology or know-how developed with OCS funding subject to certain conditions, including the condition that certain payments be made to the OCS. Additionally, we may not manufacture products developed with OCS funding outside of Israel without the approval of the research committee. The restrictions regarding the sale or transfer of technology or manufacturing rights out of Israel could have a material adverse effect on our ability to enter into strategic alliances or enter into merger or acquisition transactions in the future that provide for the sale or transfer of our technology or manufacturing rights.

 

 

If we are successful in bringing the GlucoTrack® model DF-F to market, we will be required to use a portion of our net sales to repay certain loans and to pay royalties to the OCS, which will have a negative impact on our profitability.

 

        Integrity Israel is required to pay royalties to the OCS on the proceeds from the sale of our systems resulting from research and development projects for which the OCS provided a grant. During the first three years of sales, we will be required to pay royalties of 3% of the sales of such products. In the fourth, fifth and sixth years of sales, we will be required to pay royalties of 4% of such sales and from the seventh year on we will be required to pay royalties of 5% of such sales, in all cases, up to 100% of the amount of grants received by us from the OCS plus interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). We do not have any other future performance obligations related to the OCS grants. As of December 31, 2016, the contingent liabilities with respect to OCS grants subject to repayment under these royalty agreements equaled $69,330, not including interest.   To the extent that we are required to pay royalties to the OCS, such payments will increase our expenses for the year(s) in which such payment(s) are accrued, and, as a result, will reduce our profits (or increase our losses, as applicable) for such periods. Payments made to the OCS in lieu of royalties and repayment of the loans described above will reduce our free cash-flow and our cash balance for the year(s) in which such payment(s) are made.

Messrs. Avner Gal and Zvi Cohen collectively loaned us NIS 176,000 ($45,774 based on the exchange rate of 3.845 NIS/dollar as of December 31, 2016) in May 2002 pursuant to an oral agreement. Messrs. Nir Tarlovsky, Yitzhak Fisher and Asher Kugler loaned us NIS 336,300 ($87,464 based on the same exchange rate) on March 16, 2004 (the “Tarlovsky/Fisher/Kugler Loan”). These loans are not required to be repaid until the first year in which we realize profits in our statement of operations. At such time, the loans are to be repaid on a quarterly basis in an amount equal to 10% of our total sales after deduction of VAT in the relevant quarter, beginning the quarter following the first year in which we realize profits in our annual statement of operations. The total amount to be repaid by us to each lender shall be an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount loaned by such lender to us, plus an amount equal to the product of the amount of each payment made by us in respect of such loan multiplied by the percentage difference between the Israeli Consumer Price Index on the date on which the loan was made and the Israeli Consumer Price Index on the date of such payment. However, notwithstanding the abovementioned mechanism, we will not be required to repay the loans during any time when such repayment would cause a deficit in our working capital.  The Israeli Consumer Price Index was 177.6386, and 178.5793, respectively, as of the dates of the Gal/Cohen Loan and the Tarlovsky/Fisher/Kugler Loan. As of December 31, 2016, the Israeli Consumer Price Index was 221.654. Our Board of Directors is entitled to modify the repayment terms of these loans, so long as such modification does not discriminate against any particular lender, and provided that all payments must be allocated among the lenders on a pro-rata basis.

 

We are subject to certain employee severance obligations, which may result in an increase in our expenditures.

 

Under Israeli law, employers are required to make severance payments to dismissed employees and employees leaving employment in certain other circumstances, on the basis of the latest monthly salary for each year of service. This obligation results in an increase in our expenses, including accrued expenses. Integrity Israel currently makes monthly deposits to insurance policies and severance pay funds in order to provide for this liability.

 

The Company’s and its Israeli subsidiary’s agreements with certain of their Israeli employees are in accordance with Section 14 of the Israeli Severance Pay Law -1963 (“Section 14”). Payments in accordance with Section 14 release the Company from any other future severance payments in respect of those employees. Deposits under Section 14 are not recorded as an asset in the Company’s balance sheet.

 

 

There is a limited trading market for our common stock, which may make it difficult for our stockholders to sell their shares.

 

Although our stock is quoted on the OTCQB, few trades in our stock have taken place, to-date, and an active trading market in our securities may not develop, or if developed, may not be sustained. If no active market is ever developed for our common stock, it will be difficult for you to sell any shares you purchase in our Company. In such a case, you may find that you are unable to achieve any benefit from your investment or liquidate your shares without considerable delay, if at all.  In the absence of an active public trading market, an investor may be unable to liquidate an investment in our common stock. As a result, investors: (i) may be precluded from transferring their shares of common stock; (ii) may have to hold their shares of common stock for an indefinite period of time; and (iii) must be able to bear the complete economic risk of losing their investment in us. In the event a market should develop for the common stock, there can be no assurance that the market price will equal or exceed the price paid for such share by any of our stockholders.

 

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

 

The market price of the common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as:

 

·

the announcement of new products or product enhancements by us or our competitors;

 

·

developments concerning intellectual property rights and regulatory approvals;

 

·

variations in our and our competitors’ results of operations;

 

·

changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts, if the common stock is covered by analysts;

 

·

developments in the medical device industry;

 

·

the results of product liability or intellectual property lawsuits;

 

·

future issuances of common stock or other securities;

 

·

the addition or departure of key personnel;

 

·

announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, investments or strategic alliances; and

 

·

general market conditions and other factors, including factors unrelated to our operating performance.

 

Further, in recent years, the stock market in general, and the market for medical device companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Continued or renewed market fluctuations could result in extreme volatility in the price of our common stock, which could cause a decline in the value of the common stock. Price volatility of our common stock might be significant if the trading volume of the common stock is low, which often occurs with respect to newly traded securities on the OTCQB.

 

Future sales of common stock could reduce our stock price.

 

As of March 27, 2017, we had 6,026,527 shares of common stock outstanding. In addition, the shares of Preferred Stock, Warrants and employees’ stock options outstanding on such date were convertible into, or exercisable for, an aggregate of 17,035,667 shares of common stock. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement we entered into with certain of our stockholders who participated in the private placement of units of the Company consisting of our Series A Preferred Stock and Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock and the placement agent agreement entered into with Andrew Garrett, Inc., we have filed a registration statement registering for resale an aggregate of 2,824,471 shares of common stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock and related Warrants and the placement agent Warrants issued in respect thereof. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement entered into in connection with our sale of the Series B Units, on March 31, 2015 we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 registering the resale of an aggregate of 4,818,761 shares of Common Stock underlying the Series B Units and related Warrants and the placement agent Warrants issued in respect thereof.  In addition, the shares of Common Stock sold by us in a previous private placement consummated in the period from December 16, 2010 through July 29, 2011 may be eligible for resale without registration in accordance with one or more exceptions under the Securities Act. Sales by stockholders of substantial amounts of shares of Common Stock (pursuant to the registration statement described in the preceding sentence or pursuant to an exemption from registration), the issuance of new shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock) by us or the perception that these sales may occur in the future, could materially and adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.

 

 

Because our common stock may be a “penny stock,” it may be more difficult for investors to sell shares of the common stock, and the market price of the common stock may be adversely affected.

 

Our common stock may be a penny stock if, among other things, the stock price is below $5.00 per share, it is not listed on a national securities exchange or approved for quotation on the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other national securities exchange or it has not met certain net tangible asset or average revenue requirements. Broker-dealers who sell penny stocks must provide purchasers of these stocks with a standardized risk-disclosure document prepared by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  This document provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks involved in investing in the penny-stock market. A broker must also give a purchaser, orally or in writing, bid and offer quotations and information regarding broker and salesperson compensation, make a written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and obtain the purchaser’s written agreement to the purchase. Broker-dealers must also provide customers that hold penny stock in their accounts with such broker-dealer a monthly statement containing price and market information relating to the penny stock. If a penny stock is sold to an investor in violation of the penny stock rules, the investor may be able to cancel its purchase and get its money back.

 

If applicable, the penny stock rules may make it difficult for investors to sell their shares of common stock. Because of the rules and restrictions applicable to a penny stock, there is less trading in penny stocks and the market price of the common stock may be adversely affected. Also, many brokers choose not to participate in penny stock transactions. Accordingly, investors may not always be able to resell their shares of common stock publicly at times and prices that they feel are appropriate.

 

Compliance with changing regulations concerning corporate governance and public disclosure may result in additional expenses.

 

There have been changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new regulations promulgated by the SEC and rules promulgated by the national securities exchanges. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards are likely to continue to result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. Our directors, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer could face an increased risk of personal liability in connection with the performance of their duties. As a result, we may have difficulty attracting and retaining qualified directors and executive officers, which could harm our business. If our efforts to comply with new or changed laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies, we could be subject to liability under applicable laws or our reputation may be harmed.

 

         Because a certain portion of our expenses is incurred in currencies other than the NIS, our results of operations may be harmed by currency fluctuations and inflation.

The functional currency of Integrity Israel is the NIS, and we pay a substantial portion of our expenses in NIS. However, we expect a portion of our future revenues to be denominated in U.S. dollars or in Euros. As a result, we will be exposed to the currency fluctuation risks relating to the recording of our revenues in NIS. For example, if the NIS strengthens against either the U.S. dollar or the Euro, our reported expenses in NIS may be higher than anticipated. The Israeli rate of inflation has not offset or compounded the effects caused by fluctuations between the NIS and the U.S. dollar or the Euro. To date, we have not engaged in hedging transactions. Although the Israeli rate of inflation has not had a material adverse effect on our financial condition to date, we may, in the future, decide to enter into currency hedging transactions to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rates of the currencies mentioned above in relation to the NIS. These measures, however, may not adequately protect us from material adverse effects.

 

 

         The adoption of the “Conflict Minerals” regulations may adversely affect the manufacturing of our current and future products

 

Recent regulatory requirements regarding the use of “conflict minerals” could affect the sourcing and availability of the raw materials used by our third-party manufacturers. We may be subject to costs associated with the new regulations, including for the diligence pertaining to the presence of any conflict minerals used in our products and the cost of remediation and other changes to products, processes, or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. The impact of the regulations may result in a limited pool of suppliers who provide conflict free minerals, and we cannot assure that we will be able to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. We may face reputational challenges with our customers and other stakeholders if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins for the metals used in the products we sell. As a result, we may not be able to obtain the materials necessary to manufacture our products, which could force us to cease production or search for alternative supply sources, possibly at a higher cost. Such disruptions may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.