UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

[X]ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year endedDecember 31, 20172020

 

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 number01-21617000-21617

 

ProPhase Labs, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 23-2577138
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

621 N.711 Stewart Avenue, Suite 200 GShady Retreat Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvaniaarden City, New York 1890111530
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code(215) 345-0919

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0005 par value per share “PRPH”NasdaqNasdaq Capital Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

 

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 [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

 

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 definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer,”filer”, “smaller reporting company,”company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer [  ]Accelerated filer [   ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ][X]Smaller reporting company [X]

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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [  ] No [X]

 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates was $22,214,848$12,644,080 as of June 30, 2017,2020, based on the closing price of the common stock on The NASDAQNasdaq Capital Market.

 

NumberAs of March 31, 2021, there were 15,154,253 shares ofeachoutstanding of the registrant’s classes of securities outstanding on March 28, 2018:

Commoncommon stock, $0.0005 par value $0.0005 per share: 11,129,892share.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 20182021 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2018“2021 Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated. The 20182021 Proxy Statement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I 
Item 1.Business4
Item 1A.Risk Factors913
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments1724
Item 2.Properties1724
Item 3.Legal Proceedings1724
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures1724
PART II
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities1824
Item 6.

Selected Financial DataReserved

1925
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2025
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk2830
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data2931
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure5659
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures5659
Item 9B.Other Information5660
PART III
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance5761
Item 11.Executive Compensation5761
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters5761
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence5761
Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services5761
PART IV
Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules5862
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary6164
Signatures6265

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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) contains “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Annual Report, including statements related to future events and our future financial performance are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” and similar words although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. TheseYou are cautioned that such forward looking statements relate toare not guarantees of future events or our future financial performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that maycould cause our or our industry’s actual results, levelsperformance, achievements and prospects, as well as those of activity, performance or achievementsthe markets we serve, to bediffer materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievementsthose expressed or implied by thethese forward-looking statements. Many of these factorsrisks are beyond our ability to predict. Given the risks and uncertainties surrounding forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on these statements. You are cautioned that such forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that all forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, and there are many important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, achievements and prospects, as well as those of the markets we serve, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report.

 

Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

 TheOur dependence on our largest manufacturing customers;
Our ability of our management to successfully implementoffer, perform and generate revenues from our new diagnostic services;
Our ability to generate sufficient profits from RPP Molecular tests if and when demand for COVID-19 testing decreases or becomes no longer necessary;
Our ability to secure additional capital, when needed to support our diagnostic services business plan and strategy;product development and commercialization programs;
Potential disruptions to our supply chain or increases to the price of or adulteration of key raw materials or supplies;
Potential disruptions in our ability to manufacture our products and those of others;
Seasonal fluctuations in demand for the products we manufacture at our manufacturing facility;
Our ability to successfully develop and commercialize our existing products and any new products;
   
 Our ability to compete effectively, including our ability to maintain and increase our markets and/or market share in the markets in which we do business;
   
 Our ability to fundattract, retain and motivate our operations including the cost and availability of capital and credit;
Our ability to grow our manufacturing business and operate it profitably;
Potential disruptions in our ability to manufacture our products and those of others or our access to raw materials;
Our ability to successfully develop and commercialize our existing products and new products;
Changes in our retail and distribution customers’ strategic business plans including, but not limited to, (i) expansions, mergers, and/or consolidations, (ii) retail shelf space allocations for products within each outlet and in particular the healthcare category in which we compete, (iii) changes in their private label assortment and (iv) product selections, distribution allocation, merchandising programs and retail pricing of our products as well as competitive products;
The general financial and economic uncertainty, fluctuations in consumer confidence and the strength of the United States economy, and their impacts on our business including demand for our products;key employees;
   
 Our ability to protect our proprietary rights;
   
 Our continued ability to comply with regulations relatingregulatory requirements applicable to our current products and those we manufacture for others, any new products we develop, including our ability to effectively respond to changes in laws and regulations or the interpretation thereof including changing market rules and evolving federal, state and regional laws and regulations;
Seasonal fluctuations in demand for our products we manufacture at our manufacturing facility;businesses; and
   
 Our abilitydependence on third parties to attract, retain and motivateprovide services critical to our key employees.lab diagnostic services business;

You should also consider carefully the statements under other sections of this Annual Report, including the Risk Factors included in Item 1A, which address additional risks that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in any forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise except as otherwise required by law.

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PART I

 

PART I

Item 1.Business

 

Item 1. BusinessGeneral

 

General

ProPhase Labs, Inc. (“ProPhase” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) was initially organized in Nevada in July 1989. Effective June 18, 2015, we changed our state of incorporation from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 621 N. Shady Retreat Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901 and our telephone number is 215-345-0919.

We are a vertically integrated and diversified branding, marketingmedical science and technology company with deep experience with over-the-counter (“OTC”) consumer healthcare products and dietary supplementssupplements. We conduct our operations through two operating segments: consumer products and other remedies. We arediagnostic services. Until late 2020, we were engaged in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of OTC consumer healthcare products and dietary supplements and other remedies in the United States. This includes the developmentHowever commencing in December 2020, we also began to offer COVID-19 and marketingother respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) molecular tests through our new diagnostic service business.

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmaloz Manufacturing, Inc. (“PMI”), is a full-service contract manufacturer and private label developer of a broad range of non-GMO, organic and natural-based cough drops and lozenges and OTC drug and dietary supplement products. The dietary supplements are developed and marketed under the TK Supplements® brand.Supplements® brand name.

 

In August 2017,Our wholly-owned subsidiary, ProPhase Diagnostics, Inc., (“ProPhase Diagnostics”), which was formed on October 9, 2020, offers a variety of important medical tests, including COVID-19 and (RPP) molecular tests. On October 23, 2020, we formed ProPhase Digital Mediacompleted the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Confucius Plaza Medical Laboratory Corp. (“PDM”CPM”), Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary. Our objective is for PDMapproximately $2.5 million in cash, subject to become an independent full-service direct marketing agency. PDM’s first initiative will be to market the TK Supplements® product line. If successful, this may leadcertain adjustments, pursuant to the marketingterms of a Stock Purchase Agreement, by and among the Company, CPM, Pride Diagnostics LLC (“Pride Diagnostics”) and other companies’ consumer products.parties named therein. CPM (which is now known as ProPhase Diagnostics NJ, Inc.) is the owner of a 4,000 square foot Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (“CLIA”) accredited laboratory located in Old Bridge, New Jersey, which ProPhase Diagnostics acquired as part of the transaction. As a result of the acquisition of CPM in October 2020, we entered into a new business line, diagnostic services.

 

In addition, we alsoWe continue to actively pursue acquisition opportunities for other companies, technologies and products within and outside the consumer healthcare products industry.and diagnostics services industries.

 

We use a December 31 year-end for financial reporting purposes. References in this Annual Report to “Fiscal 2017” shall2020” mean the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172020 and references to other “Fiscal” years shall mean the year whichthat ended on December 31 of the year indicated. The term “we”, “us” or the “Company” as used herein also refer, where appropriate, to the Company, together with its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.

 

Revenues from continuing operations for Fiscal 2017, 20162020 and 20152019 were $14.5 million and $9.9 million, $4.2respectively.We incurred a net loss for Fiscal 2020 and 2019 of $2.1 million and $2.5$3.1 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017,2020, we had working capital of approximately $27.8$9.6 million, including $18.8$1.6 million of marketable securities available for sale. We believe our current working capital is an acceptable and adequate level of working capital to support our business for at least the next twelve months ending March 31, 2019.

Net income (loss) for Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $41.8 million, ($2.9) million and ($3.6) million, respectively. Additionally, total long-lived assets for Fiscal 2017 and 2016 were $2.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

 

Contract Manufacturing Services

 

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmaloz Manufacturing Inc. (“PMI”), is a full service contract manufacturerPMI provides consumer product development, pre-commercialization services, production, warehousing and distributor of a broad range of non-GMO, organic and/or natural-based cough drops and lozenges and OTC drug and dietary supplement products.distribution services for its customers. Our manufacturing facility, which is located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), and is a certified organic and kosher. PMI provides product development, pre-commercialization services, production, warehousing and distribution services for its customers.

 

As part of the sale of our former Cold-EEZE® Businessbusiness in March 2017 (see “Discontinued Operations” below), PMI entered into a manufacturing agreement with Mylan Consumer Healthcare Inc. (formerly known as Meda Consumer Healthcare Inc.) (“MCH”) and Mylan Inc. (together with MCH, “Mylan”) to supply various Cold-EEZE® lozenge products to Mylan following the sale for a period of five years with annual renewal options.

 

For each of Fiscal 2017, 20162020 and 2015,2019, our revenues from continuing operations have come principally from our PMI contract manufacturing services. ThreeTwo third-party contract manufacturing customers accounted for 61.7%, 16.1%,47.1% and 11.1%17.2%, respectively, of our Fiscal 20172020 revenues from continuing operations. The loss of sales to any one or more of these large third-party contract manufacturing customers could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial condition, unless we are able to increase revenue from other sources.

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TK Supplements®Product Line

 

Our TK Supplements®product line is dedicated to promoting better health, energy and sexual vitality. Each of our herbal supplements is researched to determine the optimum blend of ingredients to ensure our consumerscustomers receive premium quality products. To achieve this, we formulate with the highest quality ingredients derived from nature and ingredients enhanced by science. Our TK Supplements® product line includes Legendz XL®, a male sexual enhancement and Triple Edge XL®, an energy and stamina booster, and Super Prostaflow+, a supplement to support prostate and urinary health.booster.

 

DuringIn Fiscal 2017,2020, we initiated shipmentsextended our distribution of Legendz XL®to ainclude more customer accounts including national chain drug retailerretailers, internet-based retailers and several regional retailers. Currently, we are awaiting product acceptance from other national retailers to leverageand leveraged our existing infrastructure and retail distribution platform during the second half of 2018. In addition, weplatform. We have produced tested and refined a direct response television commercial and initiated television and digital media testing for Legendz XL® for marketing direct to consumers. We have also completed a broad series of clinical studies that support important product claims that we have now been incorporated into our product packaging and marketing communications for Legendz XL®.

 

Once we have established a retail presence with LegendzWe also introduced Triple Edge XL®, we expect to initiate a TV campaign with short form TV spots as well as other forms of advertising designed to support our retail launch and generate additional direct-to-consumer sales, a two-pronged strategylimited number of retail customers in Fiscal 2020 and e-commerce consumer engagement. We plan to leverage the advertising and targeting technology of PDM to drive e-commerce sales for our e-commerce campaign related to Legendz XL®.have gained distribution with one large national chain drug retailer.

 

We plan to introduce our Triple Edge XL®, an energy and stamina booster product, and our Super Prostaflow+, a supplement to support prostate and urinary health as part of our e-commerce initiative in the second half of 2018.

As with any new product launch, we anticipate lossesgrowth from our TK Supplements®product line as we optimize our market strategy and expand our channels of distribution. There can be no assurance that our strategic focus will result in any revenue growth.

 

Direct MarketingDiagnostic Services Segment

 

In August 2017, we formed PDM,ProPhase Diagnostics offers a Delaware corporationvariety of important medical diagnostic testing services, including, among other, COVID-19 testing and wholly-owned subsidiary. Our objective is(RPP) molecular tests. We offer both nasal swab testing and saliva testing, and are a preferred lab for PDMSpectrum Solutions, the manufacturer and supplier of the first FDA EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) authorized saliva collection kit used for COVID-19 testing. We currently operate two lab facilities including, (i) our facility located in Old Bridge, New Jersey, acquired in October 2020, with a capacity to become an independent full-service direct marketing agency. PDM’s first initiative will beprocess up to market the TK Supplements® product line. If successful, this may lead10,000 COVID-19 tests per day, and (ii) our facility located in Garden City, New York, which opened in January 2021, and commenced operations in January 2021, with a capacity to the marketing of other companies’ consumer products.process up to 50,000 COVID-19 tests per day.

 

Discontinued Operations

Prior to March 29, 2017, our flagship OTC drug brand was Cold-EEZE® and our principal product was Cold-EEZE®cold remedy zinc gluconate lozenges. In addition to Cold-EEZE® cold remedy lozenges, we also marketed and distributed non-lozenge forms of our proprietary zinc gluconate formulation, (i) Cold-EEZE® cold remedy QuickMelts®, (ii) Cold-EEZE® Gummies and (iii) Cold-EEZE® cold remedy oral spray.

 

Effective March 29, 2017, we sold our intellectual property rights and other assets related to ourthe Cold-EEZE® brand and product line, including all then current and pipeline over-the-counter allergy, cold, flu, multi-symptom relief and immune support treatments for adults and children to the extent each was, or was intended to be, branded “Cold-EEZE®”, including all formulations and derivatives thereof (collectively referred to as the “Cold-EEZE® Business”business”) to Mylan. As a consequence of the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business,business, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016Fiscal 2020 and 2015,Fiscal 2019, we have classified as discontinued operations (i) all residual income and expenses attributable to the Cold-EEZE® Business, (ii) thebusiness.

For Fiscal 2020, we recognized income of $201,000 as a gain from the salediscontinued operations. For Fiscal 2019, we incurred a loss of the Cold-EEZE® Business, and (iii) the income tax expense attributed to the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business. Excluded$40,000 from the sale of the Cold-EEZE®Business were our accounts receivable and inventory. We have also retained all liabilities associated with our Cold-EEZE®Business operations arising prior to March 29, 2017.discontinued operations.

 

5

Seasonality of the Business

 

Our PMIcontract manufacturing revenues are subject to seasonal fluctuations. As the majority of products that we manufacture for our customers are OTC healthcare and cold remedy products, our revenues tend to be higher in the first, third and fourth quarters during the cold season. Generally, a cold season is defined as the period from September to March when the incidence of the common cold rises as a consequence of the change in weather and other factors. Revenues are generally at their lowest levels during the second quarter when contract manufacturing demand generally declines.

 

Patents, Trademarks and Royalty Agreements

 

We do not currently own any patents. We maintain various trademarks for our TK Supplements®products including Legendz XL®, and Triple Edge XL® and Super ProstaFlow+TM.

Research and Development

We have historically invested significantly in research and development activities. Our research and development costs from continuing operations for Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $431,000, $358,000 and $340,000, respectively. For the last three years our research and development initiatives have been principally focused on product line development and/or line extensions for OTC healthcare products and the TK Supplements® brand.

Government Regulation

 

Our business is subject to extensive governmental regulation by various federal, state, and local agencies.

 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Pharmaceutical Regulation

 

The manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by the federal government, primarily through the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and to a lesser extent by state and local government agencies. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FFDCA”), and other federal statutes and regulations govern or influence the manufacture, labeling, testing, storage, record keeping, approval, advertising and promotion of OTC pharmaceutical products.

 

Facilities used in the manufacture, packaging, labeling and repackaging of drug products, including OTC drug products, must be registered with the FDA and are subject to FDA inspection to ensure that drug products are manufactured in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practice (“cGMPs”).

 

FDA approval is required before any “new drug” may be marketed, including new formulations, strengths, dosage forms and generic versions of previously approved drugs. Generally, to obtain FDA approval of a “new drug” a company must file a New Drug Application (“NDA”) or Abbreviated New Drug Application (“ANDA”).

 

Under the OTC monograph system, selected OTC drugs are generally recognized as safe and effective and do not require the submission and approval of a NDA or ANDA prior to marketing.

 

The FDA OTC monographs include well-known ingredients and specify requirements for permitted indications, required warnings and precautions, allowable combinations of ingredients and dosage levels. Drug products marketed under the OTC monograph system must conform to specific quality, formula and labeling requirements; however, these products can be developed and marketed without prior FDA approval unlike products requiring a submission and approval of an ANDA or NDA. In general, it is less costly to develop and bring to market a product regulated under the OTC monograph system. From time to time, adequate information may become available to the FDA regarding certain prescription drug products that will allow the reclassification of those products as no longer requiring the approval of an ANDA or NDA prior to marketing. For this reason, there may be increased competition and lower profitability related to a particular OTC-switch product should it be reclassified to the OTC monograph system.

 

6

The FDA and the United States Pharmacopeia Convention (the “USP”) have embarked on an initiative to modernize the monograph requirements of OTC drugs. We are monitoring the situation and will make appropriate adjustments to remain in compliance. In addition, regulations may change from time to time, requiring formulation, packaging or labeling changes for certain products. We cannot predict whether new legislation regulating our activities will be enacted or what effect any legislation would have on our business.

 

Noncompliance with applicable requirements can result in product recalls, seizure of products, injunctions, suspension of production and/or distribution, refusal of the government or third parties to enter into contracts with us, withdrawal or suspension of the applicable regulator’s review of our drug applications, civil penalties and criminal fines, and disgorgement of profits.

 

Dietary Supplement Regulation

 

The FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering “conventional” foods and drug products (prescription and OTC). Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (the “DSHEA”), which was passed in 1994, dietary supplements that were in commerce prior to 1994 are broadly presumed safe. For these supplements, manufacturers do not need to register their products with the FDA nor get FDA approval before producing or selling them. Manufacturers must make sure that product label information is truthful and not misleading. For these products, the FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe or misbranded dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. All new ingredients marketed within dietary supplements after 1994 that are not found in food must meet a stricter set of regulations and notification prior to release in the marketplace.

 

In June 2007, pursuant to the authority granted by the FFDCA as amended by DSHEA, the FDA published detailed cGMP regulations that govern the manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and holding operations of dietary supplement manufacturers. The cGMP regulations, among other things, impose significant recordkeeping requirements on manufacturers. The cGMP requirements are in effect for all manufacturers, and the FDA is conducting inspections of dietary supplement manufacturers pursuant to these requirements. The failure of a manufacturing facility to comply with the cGMP regulations renders products manufactured in such facility “adulterated,”“adulterated” and subjects such products and the manufacturer to a variety of potential FDA enforcement actions.

In addition, under the Food Safety Modernization Act, (the “FSMA”), which was enacted on January 2, 2011, the manufacturing of dietary ingredients contained in dietary supplements are subject to similar or even more burdensome manufacturing requirements, which has the potential to increase the costs of dietary ingredients and subject suppliers of such ingredients to more rigorous inspections and enforcement. The FSMA requires importers of food, including dietary supplements and dietary ingredients, to conduct verification activities to ensure that the food they might import meets applicable domestic requirements. The FSMA also expands the reach and regulatory powers of the FDA with respect to the production and importation of food, including dietary supplements. The expanded reach and regulatory powers include the FDA’s ability to order mandatory recalls, administratively detain domestic products, require certification of compliance with domestic requirements for imported foods associated with safety issues and administratively revoke manufacturing facility registrations, effectively enjoining manufacturing of dietary ingredients and dietary supplements without judicial process. The regulation of dietary supplements may increase or become more restrictive in the future.

 

Under FFDCA, dietary supplements are subject to both adulteration and misbranding provisions. Adulterated products are those that contain unlisted ingredients or are not prepared or packaged under the FDA cGMPs for dietary supplements and misbranded products are those with false or misleading labels. Adulterated or misbranded products are subject to the full range of civil and criminal enforcement measures under the FFDCA and all violations of FFDCA are subject to criminal enforcement at the FDA’s discretion.

 

We are also subject to the Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act, which was passed in 2006 to amend the FFDCA with respect to serious adverse event reporting for dietary supplements and nonprescription drugs, among other things. The law requires that the manufacturer, packer or distributor of a dietary supplement or OTC drug notify the FDA of all serious adverse events it receives associated with their dietary supplement or OTC product within 15 business days. Serious adverse events are defined as those that result in death, a life-threatening experience, in-patient hospitalization, a persistent or significant disability or incapacity, congenital anomaly or birth defect, as well as situations where medical/surgical intervention is required to prevent the previously listed events.

 

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Diagnostic Testing Services

 

The FDA has regulatory responsibility for diagnostic testing instruments, test kits, reagents and other devices used by clinical laboratories. The FDA enforces laws and regulations that govern the development, testing, manufacturing, performance, labeling, advertising, marketing, distribution and surveillance of diagnostic products, including COVID-19 diagnostics authorized by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization, and it regularly inspects and reviews the manufacturing processes and product performance of diagnostic products.

Since 2014, there have been ongoing discussions and advocacy between stakeholders, including the clinical laboratory industry, the FDA, and Congress, about potential FDA regulation of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs), which are assays developed and performed in-house by clinical laboratories and can be made available to the public without pre-market review by the FDA (although COVID-19 diagnostic PCR LDTs have been subject to FDA pre-market requirements as modified by guidance issued by FDA on February 29, 2020, as a consequence of the national health emergency). Various regulatory and legislative proposals are under consideration, including some that could increase general FDA oversight of clinical laboratories and LDTs. The outcome and ultimate impact of such proposals on our business is difficult to predict at this time.

 

Consumer Product Safety Commission

 

Under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (“PPPA”), the CPSCConsumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) has authority to require that certain dietary supplements and certain pharmaceuticals have child-resistant packaging to help reduce the incidence of accidental poisonings. The CPSC has published regulations requiring iron-containing dietary supplements and various pharmaceuticals to have child resistant packaging, and has established rules for testing the effectiveness of child-resistant packaging and for ensuring senior adult effectiveness.

 

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (“CPSIA”) amended the Consumer Product Safety Act (“CPSA”) to require that the manufacturer of any product that is subject to any CPSC rule, ban, standard or regulation certify that based on a reasonable testing program the product complies with CPSC requirements. This certification applies to pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements that require child-resistant packaging under the PPPA. The CPSC lifted the stay of enforcement of the certification requirement and the regulation has been in effect since February 9, 2010.

Federal Trade Commission

Advertising of our products in the United States is subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) under the Federal Trade Commission Act (the “FTC Act”). Under the FTC’s Substantiation Doctrine, an advertiser is required to have a “reasonable basis” for all objective product claims before the claims are made. Failure to adequately substantiate claims may be considered either deceptive or unfair practices. Pursuant to this FTC requirement, we are required to have adequate substantiation for all material advertising claims that we make for any products sold in the United States.

 

In recent years, the FTC has initiated numerous investigations of and actions against companies that sell dietary supplements. The FTC has issued guidance to assist companies in understanding and complying with its substantiation requirement. We believe that we have adequate substantiation for all material advertising claims that we make for our products in the United States, and we believe that we have organized the documentation to support our advertising and promotional practices in compliance with these guidelines. However, no assurance can be given that the FTC would reach the same conclusion if it were to review or question our substantiation for our advertising claims in the United States.

 

The FTC may enforce compliance with the law in a variety of ways, both administratively and judicially, using compulsory process, cease and desist orders, and injunctions. FTC enforcement can result in orders requiring, among other things, limits on advertising, corrective advertising, consumer redress, divestiture of assets, rescission of contracts, and such other relief as the agency deems necessary to protect the public. Violation of these orders could result in substantial financial or other penalties. Although we have not been the subject of any action by the FTC, no assurance can be given that the FTC will not question our advertising or other operations in the United States in the future. Any action in the future by the FTC could materially and adversely affect our ability to successfully market our products in the United States.

 

Other Regulatory OversightClinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1967, and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA)

 

The performance of laboratory diagnostic testing is subject to extensive U.S. regulation, and many of these statutes and regulations have not been interpreted by the courts. CLIA extends federal oversight to virtually all physician practices performing clinical laboratory testing and to clinical laboratories operating in the United States by requiring that they be certified by the federal government or, in the case of clinical laboratories, by a federally approved accreditation agency. Standards for testing under CLIA are based on the complexity of the tests performed by the laboratory, with tests classified as “high complexity,” “moderate complexity,” or “waived.” Laboratories performing high-complexity testing are required to meet more stringent requirements than moderate-complexity laboratories. The sanction for failure to comply with CLIA requirements may be suspension, revocation or limitation of a laboratory’s CLIA certificate, which is necessary to conduct business, as well as significant fines and/or criminal penalties. In addition, we are subject to regulation under state law. State laws may require that laboratories and/or laboratory personnel meet certain qualifications, specify certain quality controls or require maintenance of certain records. Applicable statutes and regulations could be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that would adversely affect our business. Potential sanctions for violation of these statutes and regulations include significant fines and the suspension or loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, compliance with future legislation could impose additional requirements on us, which may be costly.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was designed to address issues related to the security and confidentiality of health information and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system by facilitating the electronic exchange of information in certain financial and administrative transactions. These regulations apply to health plans and healthcare providers that conduct standard transactions electronically and healthcare clearinghouses (covered entities). Six such regulations include: (i) the Transactions and Code Sets Rule; (ii) the Privacy Rule; (iii) the Security Rule; (iv) the Standard Unique Employer Identifier Rule, which requires the use of a unique employer identifier in connection with certain electronic transactions; (v) the National Provider Identifier Rule, which requires the use of a unique healthcare provider identifier in connection with certain electronic transactions; and (vi) the Health Plan Identifier Rule, which required the use of a unique health plan identifier in connection with certain electronic transactions. We believes that we are in compliance in all material respects with each of the HIPAA Rules identified above.

The Privacy Rule regulates the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) by covered entities. It also sets forth certain rights that an individual has with respect to his or her PHI maintained by a covered entity, such as the right to access or amend certain records containing PHI or to request restrictions on the use or disclosure of PHI. The Privacy Rule requires covered entities to contractually bind third parties, known as business associates, in the event that they perform an activity or service for or on behalf of the covered entity that involves the creation, receipt, maintenance, or transmission of PHI. We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

On February 6, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) and the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) published final regulations that amended the HIPAA Privacy Rule to provide individuals (or their personal representatives) with the right to receive copies of their test reports from laboratories subject to HIPAA, or to request that copies of their test reports be transmitted to designated third parties. We believe our policies and procedures and privacy notice comply with the Privacy Rule access requirements.

On December 12, 2018, HHS issued a request for information (RFI) seeking input from the public on how the HIPAA regulations and the Privacy Rule, in particular, could be modified to amend existing, or impose additional, obligations relating to the processing of PHI. Subsequent to the RFI, on January 21, 2021, HHS published a notice of proposed rulemaking (“NPRM”) containing potential modifications to the Privacy Rule addressing standards that may impede the transition to value-based health care. We are monitoring the NPRM process. If modifications to the Privacy Rule are adopted, they may impact our compliance obligations under HIPAA.

The U.S. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), which was enacted in February 2009, with regulations effective on September 23, 2013, strengthened and expanded the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules and their restrictions on use and disclosure of PHI. HITECH includes, but is not limited to, prohibitions on exchanging PHI for remuneration and additional restrictions on the use of PHI for marketing. HITECH also fundamentally changes a business associate’s obligations by imposing a number of Privacy Rule requirements and a majority of Security Rule provisions directly on business associates that were previously only directly applicable to covered entities. Moreover, HITECH requires covered entities to provide notice to individuals, HHS, and, as applicable, the media when unsecured PHI is breached, as that term is defined by HITECH. Business associates are similarly required to notify covered entities of a breach. We believe our policies and procedures are fully compliant with HIPAA as modified by the HITECH requirements.

The administrative simplification provisions of HIPAA mandate the adoption of standard unique identifiers for healthcare providers. The intent of these provisions is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the electronic transmission of health information. The National Provider Identifier Rule requires that all HIPAA-covered healthcare providers, whether they are individuals or organizations, must obtain an NPI to identify themselves in standard HIPAA transactions. NPI replaces the unique provider identification number and other provider numbers previously assigned by payers and other entities for the purpose of identifying healthcare providers in standard electronic transactions. The Company believes that it is in compliance with the HIPAA National Provider Identifier Rule in all material respects.

The Health Plan Identifier (HPID) was a unique identifier designed to furnish a standard way to identify health plans in electronic transactions. CMS published the final rule adopting the HPID for health plans required by HIPAA on September 12, 2012. Effective October 31, 2014, CMS announced a delay, until further notice, in enforcement of regulations pertaining to health plan enumeration and use of the HPID in HIPAA transactions adopted in the HPID final rule. On October 28, 2019, CMS published a final rule rescinding the adopted standard unique HPID and implementation specifications and requirements for its use and other entity identifier and implementation specifications for its use, effective December 27, 2019. This delay remains in effect. We will continue to monitor future developments related to the HPID and respond accordingly.

Violations of the HIPAA provisions could result in civil and/or criminal penalties, including significant fines and up to 10 years in prison. HITECH also significantly strengthened HIPAA enforcement by increasing the civil penalty amounts that may be imposed, requiring HHS to conduct periodic audits to confirm compliance and authorizing state attorneys general to bring civil actions seeking either injunctions or damages in response to violations of the HIPAA privacy and security regulations that affect the privacy of state residents.

The total cost associated with meeting the ongoing requirements of HIPAA and HITECH is not expected to be material to the Company’s operations or cash flows. However, future regulations and interpretations of HIPAA and HITECH could impose significant costs on the Company.

In addition to the HIPAA regulations described above, numerous other data protection, privacy and similar laws govern the confidentiality, security, use, and disclosure of personal information. These laws vary by jurisdiction, but they most commonly regulate or restrict the collection, use, and disclosure of medical and financial information and other personal information. In the U.S., some state laws are more restrictive and, therefore, are not preempted by HIPAA. Penalties for violation of these laws may include sanctions against a laboratory’s licensure, as well as civil and/or criminal penalties.

Congress and state legislatures also have been considering new legislation relating to privacy and data protection. For example, on June 28, 2018, the California legislature passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which became effective January 1, 2020. The CCPA created new transparency requirements and granted California residents several new rights with regard to their personal information. In addition, in November 2020, California voters approved the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) ballot initiative, which introduced significant amendments to the CCPA and established and funded a dedicated California privacy regulator, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA). The amendments introduced by the CPRA go into effect on January 1, 2023, and new implementing regulations are expected to be introduced by the CPPA. Failure to comply with the CCPA may result in, among other things, significant civil penalties and injunctive relief, or potential statutory or actual damages. In addition, California residents have the right to bring a private right of action in connection with certain types of incidents. These claims may result in significant liability and potential damages. The Company implemented processes to manage compliance with the CCPA and continues to assess the impact of the CPRA on the Company’s business as additional information and guidance becomes available.

Effective August 14, 2020, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of HHS (SAMHSA) announced the finalization of proposed changes to the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records regulation, 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 2. This regulation protects the confidentiality of patient records relating to the identity, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment that are maintained in connection with the performance of any federally assisted program or activity relating to substance use disorder education, prevention, training, treatment, rehabilitation, or research. Under the regulation, patient identifying information may only be released with the individual’s written consent, subject to certain limited exceptions. The latest changes to this regulation seek to better facilitate care coordination, while maintaining more stringent confidentiality of substance use disorder information. The Company adopted changes to its policies and procedures necessary for compliance.

Other Regulatory Oversight

We are also subject to regulation under various state, local, and international laws that include provisions governing, among other things, the formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, advertising, and distribution of dietary supplements and OTC drugs. For example, Proposition 65 in the stateState of California is a list of substances deemed to pose a risk of carcinogenicity or birth defects at or above certain levels. If any such ingredient exceeds the permissible levels in a dietary supplement, cosmetic, or drug, the product may be lawfully sold in California only if accompanied by a prominent warning label alerting consumers that the product contains an ingredient linked to cancer or birth defect risk. Private attorney general actions as well as California attorney general actions may be brought against non-compliant parties and can result in substantial costs and fines.

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Reimbursement

 

Billing for diagnostic testing services is complex and subject to extensive and non-uniform rules and administrative requirements. Depending on the billing arrangement and applicable law, we bill various payers, such as patients, insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, clinicians, hospitals and employer groups. Failure to accurately bill for our services could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We bill third-party payors, both commercial and government, using Current Procedural Terminology, or CPT, codes, which are published by the American Medical Association, or AMA. In April 2014, Congress passed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, or PAMA, which included substantial changes to the way in which clinical laboratory services are priced and paid under Medicare. On June 23, 2016, CMS published the final rule implementing the reporting and rate-setting requirements. Under PAMA, laboratories that receive the majority of their Medicare revenue from payments made under the CLFS or the Physician Fee Schedule are required to report to CMS, beginning in 2017 and every three years thereafter (or annually for an advanced diagnostic laboratory test, or ADLT ), private payor payment rates and volumes for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests, or CDLTs . Laboratories that fail to report the required payment information may be subject to substantial civil monetary penalties. We do not believe that any of our tests meet the current definition of ADLTs. We therefore report private payor rates for our tests every three years.

As required under PAMA, CMS uses the data reported by laboratories to develop Medicare payment rates for laboratory tests equal to the volume-weighted median of the private payor payment rates. For tests furnished on or after January 1, 2019, Medicare payments for CDLTs are based upon reported private payor rates. For a CDLT that is assigned a new or substantially revised CPT code, the initial payment rate is assigned using the gap-fill methodology, as under prior law.

On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, which included the Laboratory Access for Beneficiaries Act, or LAB Act. The LAB Act delayed by one year the reporting of payment data under PAMA f or CDLTs that are not ADLTs until the first quarter of 2021. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, delayed the reporting period by an additional year, until the first quarter of 2022. As a result, Medicare payment rates determined by data reported in 2017 will continue through December 31, 2022.

In addition, under PAMA, as amended by the LAB Act, any reduction to a particular payment rate resulting from the new methodology is limited to 10% per test per year in 2020 and to 15% per test per year in each of the years 2021 through 2023. The CARES Act delayed the 15% cut scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2021, for one year.

Fraud and Abuse Laws and Regulations

Existing U.S. laws governing federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, as well as similar state laws, impose a variety of broadly described fraud and abuse prohibitions on healthcare providers, including clinical laboratories. These laws are interpreted liberally and enforced aggressively by multiple government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, OIG and various state agencies. Historically, the clinical laboratory industry has been the focus of major governmental enforcement initiatives. The U.S. government’s enforcement efforts have been conducted under regulations such as HIPAA, which includes several provisions related to fraud and abuse enforcement, including the establishment of a program to coordinate and fund U.S., state and local law enforcement efforts, and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which includes requirements directed at Medicaid fraud, including increased spending on enforcement and financial incentives for states to adopt false claims act provisions similar to the U.S. False Claims Act. Amendments to the False Claims Act, and other enhancements to the U.S. fraud and abuse laws enacted as part of the ACA, have further increased fraud and abuse enforcement efforts and compliance risks. For example, the ACA established an obligation to report and refund overpayments from Medicare or Medicaid within 60 days of identification (whether or not paid through any fault of the recipient); failure to comply with this requirement can give rise to additional liability under the False Claims Act and Civil Monetary Penalties statute.

The U.S. Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits knowingly providing anything of value in return for, or to induce the referral of, Medicare, Medicaid or other U.S. healthcare program business. Violations can result in imprisonment, fines, penalties, and/or exclusion from participation in U.S. healthcare programs. The OIG has published “safe harbor” regulations that specify certain arrangements that are protected from prosecution under the Anti-Kickback Statute if all conditions of the relevant safe harbor are met. Failure to fit within a safe harbor does not necessarily constitute a violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute; rather, the arrangement would be subject to scrutiny by regulators and prosecutors and would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Many states have their own Medicaid anti-kickback laws, and several states also have anti-kickback laws that apply to all payers (i.e., not just government healthcare programs).

From time to time, the OIG issues alerts and other guidance on certain practices in the healthcare industry that implicate the Anti-Kickback Statute or other fraud and abuse laws. OIG Special Fraud Alerts and Advisory Opinions relevant to the Company set forth a number of practices allegedly engaged in by some clinical laboratories and healthcare providers that raise issues under the U.S. fraud and abuse laws, including the Anti-Kickback Statute. These practices include: (i) providing employees to furnish valuable services for physicians (other than collecting patient specimens for testing) that are typically the responsibility of the physicians’ staff; (ii) offering certain laboratory services at prices below fair market value in return for referrals of other tests that are billed to Medicare at higher rates; (iii) providing free testing to physicians’ managed care patients in situations where the referring physicians benefit from such reduced laboratory utilization; (iv) providing free pickup and disposal of biohazardous waste for physicians for items unrelated to a laboratory’s testing services; (v) providing general-use facsimile machines or computers to physicians that are not exclusively used in connection with the laboratory services; (vi) providing free testing for healthcare providers, their families and their employees (i.e., so-called “professional courtesy” testing); (vii) compensation paid by laboratories to physicians for blood specimen processing and for submitting patient data to registries; and (viii) the provision of discounts on laboratory services billed to customers in return for the referral of U.S. healthcare program business.

In addition to the Anti-Kickback Statute, in October 2018, the U.S. enacted the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018 (EKRA), as part of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). EKRA is an all-payer anti-kickback law that makes it a criminal offense to pay any remuneration to induce referrals to, or in exchange for, patients using the services of a recovery home, a substance use clinical treatment facility, or laboratory. Although it appears that EKRA was intended to reach patient brokering and similar arrangements to induce patronage of substance use recovery and treatment, the language in EKRA is broadly written. As drafted, an EKRA prohibition on incentive compensation to sales employees is inconsistent with the federal anti-kickback statute and regulations, which permit payment of employee incentive compensation, a practice that is common in the industry. Significantly, EKRA permits the U.S. Department of Justice to issue regulations clarifying EKRA’s exceptions or adding additional exceptions, but such regulations have not yet been issued. The Company is working through its trade association to address the scope of EKRA and is seeking clarification or correction.

Enrollment and re-enrollment in U.S. healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, are subject to certain program integrity requirements intended to protect the programs from fraud, waste, and abuse. In September 2019, CMS published a final rule implementing program integrity enhancements to provider enrollment requiring Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers and suppliers to disclose on an enrollment application or a revalidation application any current or previous direct or indirect affiliation with a provider or supplier that (1) has uncollected debt; (2) has been or is subject to a payment suspension under a federal health care program; (3) has been or is excluded by the OIG from Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP; or (4) has had its Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP billing privileges denied or revoked. This rule permits CMS to deny enrollment based on such an affiliation when CMS determines that the affiliation poses an undue risk of fraud, waste, or abuse. CMS is phasing in this new affiliation disclosure requirement.

Under another U.S. statute, known as the Stark Law or “physician self-referral” prohibition, physicians who have a financial or a compensation relationship with a commercial laboratory may not, unless an exception applies, refer Medicare or Medicaid patients for testing to the laboratory, regardless of the intent of the parties. Similarly, laboratories may not bill Medicare or Medicaid for services furnished pursuant to a prohibited self-referral. There are several Stark Law exceptions that are relevant to arrangements involving clinical laboratories, including: i) fair market value compensation for the provision of items or services; ii) payments by physicians to a laboratory for commercial laboratory services; iii) ancillary services (including laboratory services) provided within the referring physician’s own office, if certain criteria are satisfied; iv) physician investment in a company whose stock is traded on a public exchange and has stockholder equity exceeding $75.0 million; and v) certain space and equipment rental arrangements that are set at a fair market value rate and satisfy other requirements. Many states have their own self-referral laws as well, which in some cases apply to all patient referrals, not just government reimbursement programs.

In December 2020, the OIG and CMS published final rules to amend the regulations implementing the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law, respectively. The amendments are primarily intended to alleviate perceived impediments to coordinated care and value-based compensation arrangements through new safe harbors to the Anti-Kickback Statute and new exceptions to the Stark Law, and have varying degrees of applicability to laboratories. The CMS final rule incorporates laboratories and permits support for value-based arrangements, under certain conditions for purposes of the Stark Law. However, the OIG final rule excludes laboratories from protection under the Anti-Kickback Statute safe harbors for value-based arrangements.

There are a variety of other types of U.S. and state fraud and abuse laws, including laws prohibiting submission of false or fraudulent claims. The Company seeks to conduct its business in compliance with all U.S. and state fraud and abuse laws. The Company is unable to predict how these laws will be applied in the future, and no assurances can be given that its arrangements will not be subject to scrutiny under such laws. Sanctions for violations of these laws may include exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and other U.S. or state healthcare programs, significant criminal and civil fines and penalties, and loss of licensure. Any exclusion from participation in a U.S. healthcare program, or material loss of licensure, arising from any action by any federal or state regulatory or enforcement authority, would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. In addition, any significant criminal or civil penalty resulting from such proceedings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Competition

 

We compete with other contract manufacturers of OTC healthcare products. These suppliers range widely in size. Management believes that our manufacturing capacity and abilities offer a significant advantage over many of our competitors in the full service contract development and manufacturing organization for the OTC healthcare market.industry. We have over 20 years of manufacturing experience and industry know how in large scale batch production of OTC lozenge products. The markets for OTC healthcare products and dietary supplements are highly competitive. Many of the participants in these industries have substantially greater capital resources, technical staffs, facilities, marketing resources, product development, and distribution experience than we do. We believe that our ability to compete in these industries will continue to depend on a number of factors, including product quality and price, availability, speed to market, consumer marketing, reliability, credit terms, brand name recognition, delivery time and post-sale service and support.

 

Our principal competition for our lab diagnostic services are commercial laboratories, such as Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, both all of which have significant infrastructures and resources to support their diagnostic processing services. In addition, we compete with large, multispecialty group medical clinics, health systems and academic medical university-based clinics may provide in-house clinical laboratories offering COVID-19 and other RPP Molecular tests. Additionally, we compete against regional clinical laboratories providing diagnostic testing, including Interpace Biosciences, Inc.

EmployeesHuman Capital Management

 

We consider talent attraction, development, engagement and retention a key driver to our business success.  We are committed to developing a comprehensive, cohesive and positive company culture and employee experience.  At December 31, 2017,2020, we employed 4495 full-time employees, of which 47 were engaged in our contract manufacturing operations and 2 part-time employee, the majority of who37 employees were employed at our manufacturing facility in a production function.providing diagnostic services. The remaining employees were involved in an executive, sales, marketing or administrative capacity.

We emphasize a number of measures and objectives in managing our human capital assets, including, among others, employee safety and wellness; talent acquisition and retention, employee engagement, development and training, diversity and inclusion, and compensation. None of our employees are coveredrepresented by a collective bargaining agreementlabor organization or under any collective-bargaining arrangements. We consider our employee relations to be good.

We are memberscommitted to fostering an environment where all employees can grow and thrive. A diverse workforce results in a broader range of perspectives, helping drive our commitment to innovation. Our human capital resources objectives include, as applicable, identifying, recruiting, retaining, incentivizing and integrating our existing and new employees, advisors and consultants. The principal purposes of our cash and equity incentive plans are to attract, retain and reward personnel through the granting of cash-based and stock-based compensation awards, in order to increase stockholder value and the success of our Company by motivating such individuals to perform to the best of their abilities and achieve our objectives.

The success of our business is fundamentally connected to the well-being of our employees. We understand that good health leads to better performance. We provide our employees and their families with access to a union.variety of flexible and convenient health and wellness programs, health reimbursement accounts and retirement savings plan  Our health and wellness programs include benefits that provide support to manage events that may require time away from work or that impact their financial well-being and that support their physical and mental health by providing tools and resources to help them improve or maintain their health status and encourage engagement in healthy behaviors. We regularly evaluate our benefits package to make modifications that are aligned with the competitive landscape, legislative changes, and the unique needs of our business and culture.

Corporate Information

ProPhase was initially organized in Nevada in July 1989. Effective June 18, 2015, we changed our state of incorporation from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 711 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York 11530 and our telephone number is 215-345-0919.

 

Where You Can Find Other Information

 

We filedfile periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We make available on our website (www.ProPhaseLabs.com) free of charge our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to or exhibits included in those reports as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file such materials with or furnish them to the SEC. Information appearing on our website is not part of this Annual Report. You can also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington D.C. 20549-1004. You may request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplication fee, by writing the SEC at its principal office at 100 F Street, NE Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549-1004. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Item 1A.Risk Factors

 

The following discussion addresses risks and uncertainties that could cause, or contribute to causing, actual results to differ from our expectations in material ways. In evaluating our business, investors should pay particular attention to the risks and uncertainties described below and in other sections of this Annual Report and in our subsequent filings with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties, or other events that we do not currently anticipate or that we currently deem immaterial also may affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. The trading price of our common stock could also decline due to any of these risks. The following information should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the financial statements and related notes included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report.

Risks Related to Our current business and assets are limited.

We sold substantially all of our assets and related intellectual property assets in connection with the sale of our Cold-EEZE®Business to Mylan. Our remaining assets consist primarily of the net proceeds from the transaction, our PMI manufacturing business, our Company headquarters, and our TK Supplements® brand product lines and operations. This increases our business risk because we are less diversified than before the sale of our Cold-EEZE® Business to Mylan, and because our remaining business is very limited. We continue to actively pursue acquisition opportunities for other companies, technologies and products within and outside the consumer products industry, but we have no current plans to do any such acquisitions at this time.

 

9

We have a history of losses.

We have experienced net losses from continuing operations before income tax for two of theour last threetwo fiscal years. As of December 31, 2017,2020, we had working capital of approximately $27.8$9.6 million, which we believe is an acceptable and adequate level of working capital to support our business for at least the next twelve months ending March 2019. As a consequence of our enhanced liquidity following2022. Following the sale of our Cold-EEZE® Business,Cold-EEZE™ business in March 2017, we arehave been actively exploring new product technologies, applications, product line extensions and other new product opportunitiesopportunities.  In October 2020, we purchased our first CLIA licensed laboratory in Old Bridge, New Jersey, where we offer a variety of important medical tests, including, among others, COVID-19 diagnostic testing and will alsoRespiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) Molecular tests. In December 2020, we expanded our diagnostic services to a second location in Garden City, New York. We may in the future consider and pursue other alternatives and strategies, including, but not limited to, investments and acquisitions in other sectors and industries. There can be no assurance that our strategic focusdiagnostic services business will result in any revenue growthsucceed or that we will be successful in initiating or acquiring any new lines of business in the future, or that any such new lines of business will achieve profitability.profitability

We have contingent liabilities up to the amount paid by Mylan for our Cold-EEZE® Business, which could adversely affect our ability to pursue our business goals and objectives..

We made customary representations and warrantiesThe loss of sales to Mylan in the asset purchase agreement to purchase the Cold-EEZE® Business. Pursuant to the terms of the asset purchase agreement, we agreed to indemnify Mylan for any losses caused by breaches of mostone or more of our representations, warranties or covenants that occur, in most cases, within 24 months after the closing date of the sale to Mylan. A breach by us of certain fundamental representations would expose us to indemnification payments to Mylan up to the purchase price. The payment of any such indemnification obligations would adversely impact our cash resources and could affect our ability to pursue our business goals and objectives. If we do not have sufficient cash to fund our remaining operations, we may need to seek to raise equity or debt financing or sell additional assets, which may not be possible under satisfactory terms, if at all.

Our business is subject to significant competitive pressures.

We compete with otherlarge third-party contract manufacturers of OTC drug and dietary supplement products. These suppliers range widely in size. We compete primarily on the basis of price, quality and service. Management believes that our manufacturing capacity and abilities, offer a significant advantage over many of our competitors in the full service contract development and manufacturing industry. We have over 20 years of manufacturing experience and industry know how in large scale batch production of OTC lozenge products. To the extent that any of our competitors is able to offer better prices, quality and/or services, we could lose customers and our sales and margins may decline. In addition, the loss of any major customer, a significant reduction in the purchasing levels of any major customer or a significant adverse change in the terms of our supply agreement with any major customer could adversely affect our results of operations.

The OTC healthcare products and dietary supplements industries are highly competitive. Many of the participants in these industries have substantially greater capital resources, technical staffs, facilities, marketing resources, product development, and distribution experience than we do. We believe that our ability to compete in these industries will depend on a number of factors, including product quality and price, availability, speed to market, consumer marketing, reliability, credit terms, brand name recognition, delivery time and post-sale service and support. However, our failure to appropriately and timely respond to consumer preferences and demand for new products could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, unfavorable publicly or consumer perception of products we develop and commercialize could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and operations.financial condition.

 

For each of Fiscal 2020 and 2019, our revenues from continuing operations came principally from our contract manufacturing services. Two third-party contract manufacturing customers, accounted for 47.1% and 17.2%, respectively of Fiscal 2020 revenues. Three third-party contract manufacturing customers, accounted for 36.5%, 30.5% and 11.1%, respectively, of Fiscal 2019 revenues. The loss of sales to any one or more of these third-party contract manufacturing customers could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial condition, unless we are able to increase revenue from other sources.

We have a limited operating history in the diagnostic testing services business. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully offer, perform or generate revenues from our lab diagnostic services.

Despite our management’s extensive experience in the future.healthcare industry, we had no specific experience operating a diagnostic services business prior to entering this field in November 2020. We face substantial risks and uncertainties to which our diagnostic services business is subject. To address these risks and uncertainties, we must, among other things, successfully execute our business strategy, respond to competitive developments, and attract and retain qualified personnel. We cannot assure you that we will operate profitably or that our business strategy will be successful. As a result, our diagnostic services business may not succeed.

Our ability to generate revenues from COVID-19 and other RPP molecular testing, and our ability to generate profits from our diagnostic services business, will depend on a variety of factors, including:

the level of demand for COVID-19 and other diagnostic testing, the price we are able to receive for performing our testing services, and the length of time for which that demand persists;
the availability of COVID-19 testing from other laboratories;
the period of time for which we are able to serve as an authorized laboratory offering COVID-19 testing under various Emergency Use Authorizations;
our ability to maintain our status as an authorized laboratory to perform COVID-19 and other diagnostic testing and related services and to respond to any changes in regulatory requirements;
the potential for supply disruptions and our reliance on certain single-source suppliers;
the potential for disruption in the delivery of patient samples to our laboratory;
the capacity of our laboratory to satisfy both COVID-19 testing and other testing demands;
the extent to which we choose to allocate limited laboratory capacity, supplies and other resources to areas of our business other than COVID-19 testing;
the complexity of billing for, and collecting revenue for, our testing services;
our ability to maintain laboratory operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and to perform the test accurately and punctually;
our ability to expand and or diversity our diagnostic services and
the ease of use of our ordering and reporting process.

In addition, the process of building and expanding our lab diagnostic service business may divert resources and distract management’s attention from other areas of our business that may be more profitable or strategic. If we are unable to compete effectively,successfully provide diagnostic services while continuing to operate our earnings may be significantly negatively impacted.

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The customers for whom we contract manufacture may significantly influenceexisting manufacturing and dietary supplements business, our business, financial condition and results of operations.operations, financial position and reputation may suffer.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our revenues from continuing operations have come principally from our PMI contract manufacturing services. Our contract manufacturing business is dependent on demand for the products we manufacture for our customers and we have no control or influence over the market demand for those products. Demand for our customers’ products can be adversely affected by, among other things, regulatory issues, the loss of patent or other intellectual property rights protection, the emergence of competing products, competition from other contract manufacturers, negative public or consumer perception of those products or our industry and changes in the marketing strategies for such products. If production volumes of products that we manufacture for third-parties and related revenues are not maintained or if there is any change in the terms or a termination of our manufacturing agreement with Mylan, it may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Disruptions at our PMI manufacturing facilities or any loss of manufacturing certifications could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and customer relationships.

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Any significant disruption atIf demand for COVID-19 testing decreases or becomes no longer necessary and we are unable to generate sufficient profits from other RPP Molecular tests, our manufacturing facility for any reason, including regulatory requirements, an FDA determinationbusiness could be materially harmed and our $3.0 million Secured Promissory Note receivable could become uncollectable.

There can be no assurance that the facility is not in compliance with the applicable cGMP regulations, the loss of certifications, power interruptions, destruction or damage to the facility could disrupt our ability to manufacture productsdemand for our contract manufacturing customersCOVID-19 testing services will continue to exist in the future due to successful containment efforts, the successful vaccination of a majority of Americans, or due to other events. If there is no demand for our COVID-19 testing services, and anywe are unable to generate sufficient profits from other RPP Molecular tests, our business could be materially harmed. Similarly, the business of the issuer of our own branded products. Any such disruption$3.0 million secured note (“Secured Note”), who is also in the diagnostic test processing business, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditionalso be harmed, leading to their inability to repay amounts due and results of operations.

Our PMI manufacturing businessowed to us under the Secured Note. If the issuer is subjectunable to seasonal fluctuations andpay amounts owed to us under the Secured Note receivable, we may fluctuate from cold seasonbe required to cold season.pursue legal remedies in order to recoup amounts owed to us.

 

The sales at our PMI manufacturing facility are subject to seasonal fluctuations and influenced by the timing, length and severity of each cold season. Our revenues tend to be higher in the first, third and fourth quarters during the cold season. Generally, a cold season is defined as the period of September to March, when the incidence of the common cold rises as a consequence of the change in weather and other factors.

Our product development and commercialization efforts may be unsuccessful.

There are numerous risks associated with OTC product development and commercialization. We may be subject to delays and/or be unable to successfully implement our business plan and strategy to develop and commercialize one or more OTC products and/or dietary supplements. The successful commercialization and market acceptance of any products we develop will be subject to, among other things, consumer purchasing trends, health and wellness trends, regulatory factors, retail acceptance and overall economic and market conditions. As a consequence, we may suspend or abandon some or all of our proposed new products before they ever become commercially viable. Even if we successfully develop and obtain approval of a new product, if we cannot successfully commercialize it in a timely manner, our business and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

Failure to protect our trademarks and other intellectual property could impact our business.

We will rely on trademark laws to protect our proprietary rights in any products we develop and commercialize. Monitoring the unauthorized use of our intellectual property will be difficult. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources, may result in counterclaims or other claims against us and could significantly harm our results of operations. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. From time to time, we may apply to have certain trademarks registered. There is no guarantee that such trademark registrations will be granted. The unauthorized reproduction of our trademarks could diminish the value of our brand and its market acceptance, competitive advantages or goodwill, which could adversely affect our business.

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We may require additional capital to support our growing diagnostic services business and product development and commercialization programs.programs and additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

We may require additional capital to support our growing diagnostic services business and consumer product development and commercialization programs. The amount of capital that may be needed to support our product development initiativesbusiness will depend on many factors which may include, but are not limited to (i) the revenue we generate from our lab diagnostic services, contract manufacturing services and dietary supplement sales, (ii) the expenses we incur in growing our lab diagnostic business and marketing our manufacturing capabilities and dietary supplement line; (iii) the cost involved in applying for and obtaining FDA, international regulatory or other technical approvals, if required, (ii)and (iv) whether we elect to establish partnering or other strategic arrangements for the development, sales, manufacturing and marketing of such products, and (iii) the revenue we generate from our manufacturing services, our TK Supplements®product line and the expenses incurred in marketing our manufacturing capabilities.products.

 

Income from our PMIdiagnostic services business, contract manufacturing business and TK Supplements®products line may not generate all the funds we need to support the growth of our diagnostic services business and future product development and commercialization. We may need to access our 2015 equity line with Dutchess Opportunity Fund II, LP (“Dutchess”) to finance our growth. Our equity line is limited, and expires in July 2018, however, and may not be sufficient to meet our capital requirements. Furthermore, any shares we sell to Dutchess under the equity line will have a dilutive effect on the ownership percentage of existing stockholders.

To the extent that we do not generate sufficient cash from operations, and/or funding from our equity line with Dutchess, we may, in the short and long-term, seek to raise capital through the issuance of equity securities or through other financing sources. To the extent that we seek to raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders may experience significant dilution. Any debt financing, if available, may include financial and other covenants that could restrict our use of the proceeds from such financing or impose other business and financial restrictions on us. In addition, we may consider alternative approaches such as licensing, joint venture, or partnership arrangements to provide long term capital. Additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

Adverse credit market conditions may significantly affect our access to capital, cost of capital and ability to meet liquidity needs.

 

Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets could adversely impact the availability and cost of credit to us in the future. Accordingly,The customers for whom we contract manufacture may be forced to delay raising capital or pay unattractive interest rates, which could increase our interest expense, decrease our profitability and significantly reduce our financial flexibility. Longer-term disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect our access to liquidity needed for our business. Any disruption could require us to take measures to conserve cash until the markets stabilize or until alternative credit arrangements or other funding forinfluence our business, needs can be arranged. Such measures could include deferring capital expenditures or other discretionary uses of cash. Overall, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows couldresults of operations.

Our contract manufacturing business is dependent on demand for the products we manufacture for our customers and we have no control or influence over the market demand for those products. Demand for our customers’ products may be materially adversely affected by, disruptionsamong other things, regulatory issues, the loss of patent or other intellectual property rights protection, the emergence of competing products, competition from other contract manufacturers, negative public or consumer perception of those products or our industry and changes in the credit markets.

General economicmarketing strategies for such products. If production volumes of products that we manufacture for third-parties and related revenues are not maintained or if there is any change in the terms or termination of our manufacturing agreement with Mylan or any of our other conditions thatsignificant customers, it may have a material adverse impact consumer spending could adversely affect the Company.on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Adverse economic conditions, including high unemployment, declines in the stock market and the instability of the credit markets, could cause a reduction in consumer spending. While there has been a trend toward lower unemployment in recent periods, which has contributed to a better economic climate, there is uncertainty about the continued strength of the economy. If the economy weakens, consumers may reduce consumer spending.

IncreasesDisruptions to our supply chain or increases in the price or shortages of supplyadulteration of key raw materials needed for our businesses could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Disruptions to our supply chain, including our access to raw materials necessary for our contract manufacturing business and TK Supplements® product line as well as access to COVID-19 testing supplies and personal protective equipment for our diagnostic services business, could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted, and may continue to adversely impact, third parties that are critical to our businesses, including vendors, suppliers, and business partners. While our businesses have not been impacted up to this point by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult if not impossible to predict, whether that may change in the future.

Our TK Supplements®products and the products we manufacture for third parties are composed of certain key raw materials. If the prices of these raw materials were to increase significantly, it could result in a significant increase to us in the prices charged to us for our own branded products and third-party products. Raw material prices may increase in the future and we may not be able to pass on those increases to customers who purchase our products or to the customers whose products we manufacture. A significant increase in the price of raw materials that cannot be passed on to customers could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We are reliant upon the supply of raw materials that meet our specifications and the specifications of third parties for whom we manufacture. If any raw material is adulterated and does not meet our specifications or third parties’ specifications, it could significantly impact our ability to manufacture products and could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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In addition, if we are no longer able to obtain productsthe resources, raw materials or components we need from one or more of our suppliers on terms reasonable to us or at all, including as a result of the increased demand that may be placed on our ability to perform under contracts with third parties for whom we manufacture products andsuppliers as a result of public health epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, our customer relationships could be materially and adversely affected, which could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Disruptions at our PMI manufacturing facilities or any loss of manufacturing certifications could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and customer relationships.

Any significant disruption at our manufacturing facility for any reason, including regulatory requirements, an FDA determination that the facility is not in compliance with the applicable cGMP regulations, the loss of certifications, power interruptions, destruction or damage to the facility or disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, could disrupt our ability to manufacture products for our contract manufacturing customers and any of our own branded products. Any such disruption could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our PMI manufacturing business is subject to seasonal fluctuations and may fluctuate from cold season to cold season.

Because the majority of sales from our PMI manufacturing facility are from cold remedy products, our sales are subject to seasonal fluctuations and influenced by the timing, length and severity of each cold season. Our revenues tend to be higher in the first, third and fourth quarters during the cold season. Generally, a cold season is defined as the period of September to March, when the incidence of the common cold rises as a consequence of the change in weather and other factors.

Our product development and commercialization efforts may be unsuccessful.

There are numerous risks associated with OTC product development and commercialization. We may be subject to delays and/or be unable to successfully implement our business plan and strategy to develop and commercialize one or more OTC products and/or dietary supplements. The successful commercialization and market acceptance of any products we develop will be subject to, among other things, consumer purchasing trends, health and wellness trends, regulatory factors, retail acceptance and overall economic and market conditions. As a consequence, we may suspend or abandon some or all of our proposed new products before they ever become commercially viable. Even if we successfully develop and obtain approval of a new product, if we cannot successfully commercialize it in a timely manner, our business and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

Our business is subject to significant competitive pressures.

We compete with other contract manufacturers of OTC drug and dietary supplement products. These suppliers range widely in size. We compete primarily on the basis of price, quality and service. Management believes that our manufacturing capacity and abilities offer a significant advantage over many of our competitors in the full service contract development and manufacturing industry. We have over 20 years of manufacturing experience and industry know how in large scale batch production of OTC lozenge products. To the extent that any of our competitors are able to offer better prices, quality and/or services, however, we could lose customers and our sales and margins may decline.

The OTC healthcare products and dietary supplements industries are highly competitive. Many of the participants in these industries have substantially greater capital resources, technical staffs, facilities, marketing resources, product development, and distribution experience than we do. We believe that our ability to continue to compete in these industries will depend on a number of factors, including product quality and price, availability, speed to market, consumer marketing, reliability, credit terms, brand name recognition, delivery time and post-sale service and support. However, our failure to appropriately and timely respond to consumer preferences and demand for new products could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, unfavorable publicity or consumer perception of products we develop and commercialize could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

Our principal competition for our lab diagnostic services are commercial laboratories, such as Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, both all of which have significant infrastructures and resources to support their diagnostic processing services. In addition, we compete with large, multispecialty group medical clinics, health systems and academic medical university-based clinics may provide in-house clinical laboratories offering COVID-19 and other RPP Molecular tests. Additionally, we compete against regional clinical laboratories providing diagnostic testing, including Interpace Biosciences, Inc. If we are unable to compete effectively, our earnings may be significantly negatively impacted.

Our success is dependent on key personnel.

Our success depends, in part, upon the continued service of key personnel, such as Mr. Ted Karkus, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and certain managers and strategists within the Company. The loss of the services of any one of them could have a material adverse effect on us.

In order to be successful, we must retain and motivate executives and other key employees, including those in managerial, technical, marketing and health product positions. In particular, our product generation efforts depend on hiring and retaining qualified health and science professionals. Competition for skilled employees who can perform the services that we require is intense and hiring, training, motivating, retaining and managing employees with the skills required is time-consuming and expensive. If we are not able to hire sufficient professional staff to support our operations, or to train, motivate, retain and manage the employees we do hire, it could have a material adverse effect on our business operations or financial results.

Failure to protect our trademarks and other intellectual property could impact our business.

We will rely on trademark laws to protect our proprietary rights in any products we develop and commercialize. Monitoring the unauthorized use of our intellectual property will be difficult. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources, may result in counterclaims or other claims against us and could significantly harm our results of operations. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. From time to time, we may apply to have certain trademarks registered. There is no guarantee that such trademark registrations will be granted. The unauthorized reproduction of our trademarks could diminish the value of our brand and its market acceptance, competitive advantages or goodwill, which could adversely affect our business.

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income may be subject to certain limitations.

In general, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Section 382”), a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” is subject to limitations on its ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards (the “NOLs”), to offset future taxable income. Future changes in our stock ownership, some of which are outside of our control, could result in an ownership change under Section 382. Furthermore, our ability to use NOLs of companies that we may acquire in the future may be subject to limitations.

Based on our Section 382 analysis, we do not believe our current net operating loss carryforwards are subject to these limitations as of December 31, 2020.

Adverse credit market conditions may significantly affect our access to capital, cost of capital and ability to meet liquidity needs.

Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets could adversely impact the availability and cost of credit to us in the future. Accordingly, we may be forced to delay raising capital or pay unattractive interest rates, which could increase our interest expense, decrease our profitability and significantly reduce our financial flexibility. Longer-term disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect our access to liquidity needed for our business. Any disruption could require us to take measures to conserve cash until the markets stabilize or until alternative credit arrangements or other funding for our business needs can be arranged. Such measures could include deferring capital expenditures or other discretionary uses of cash. Overall, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be materially adversely affected by disruptions in the credit markets.

System failures could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Like many companies, our business is highly dependent upon our information technology infrastructure (websites, accounting and manufacturing applications, and product and customer information databases) to manage effectively and efficiently our operations, including order entry, customer billing, accurate tracking of purchases and volume incentives and managing accounting, finance and manufacturing operations. The occurrence of a natural disaster, security breach or other unanticipated problem could result in interruptions in our day-to-day operations that could adversely affect our business. A long-term failure or impairment of any of our information systems could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to Governmental Regulation and Litigation

Our contract manufacturing and dietary supplement businesses are subject to extensive governmental regulation.

We are subject to laws and regulations that cover:

 

 the formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, distribution, importation, sale and storage of our products;
   
 the health and safety of our products;
   
 trade practice and direct selling laws; and
   
 product claims and advertising.

 

Compliance with these laws and regulations is time consuming and expensive. Moreover, new regulations could be adopted that would severely restrict the products we sell or manufacture or our ability to continue our business. We are unable to predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, nor can we predict what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative orders, when and if promulgated, would have on our business in the future. These future changes could, however, require the reformulation or elimination of certain products; imposition of additional record keeping and documentation requirements; imposition of new federal reporting and application requirements; modified methods of importing, manufacturing, storing or distributing certain products; and expanded or different labeling and substantiation requirements for certain products and ingredients. Any or all of these requirements could harm our business.

 

In July 2011, the FDA issued draft guidance governing the notification of new dietary ingredients (“NDIs”) and in August 2016, the FDA issued revised draft guidance. Although FDA guidance is not mandatory, it is a strong indication of the FDA’s current views, including its position on enforcement. We believe that the draft guidance, if implemented as proposed, could have a material impact on our operations. FDA enforcement of the NDI guidance as written could require us to incur additional expenses, which could be significant, and negatively affect our business in several ways, including, but not limited to, the detention and refusal of admission of imported products, the injunction of manufacturing of any dietary ingredients or dietary supplements until the FDA determines that those ingredients or products are in compliance, and the potential imposition of penalties for non-compliance.

Our diagnostic business could be harmed by the loss or suspension of a license or imposition of a fine or penalties under, or future changes in, or interpretations of, the law or regulations of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1967, and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), or those of Medicare, Medicaid or other national, state or local agencies in the United States.

The performance of laboratory testing is subject to extensive U.S. regulation, and many of these statutes and regulations have not been interpreted by the courts. CLIA extends federal oversight to virtually all physician practices performing clinical laboratory testing and to clinical laboratories operating in the United States by requiring that they be certified by the federal government or, in the case of clinical laboratories, by a federally approved accreditation agency. The sanction for failure to comply with CLIA requirements may be suspension, revocation or limitation of a laboratory’s CLIA certificate, which is necessary to conduct business, as well as significant fines and/or criminal penalties. In addition, we expect to be subject to regulation under state law. State laws may require that laboratories and/or laboratory personnel meet certain qualifications, specify certain quality controls or require maintenance of certain records. Applicable statutes and regulations could be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that would adversely affect our business. Potential sanctions for violation of these statutes and regulations include significant fines and the suspension or loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, compliance with future legislation could impose additional requirements on us, which may be costly.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of diagnostic products could result in increased costs and the imposition of fines or penalties, and could have a material adverse effect upon our business.

The FDA has regulatory responsibility for instruments, test kits, reagents and other devices used by clinical laboratories. The FDA enforces laws and regulations that govern the development, testing, manufacturing, performance, labeling, advertising, marketing, distribution and surveillance of diagnostic products, including COVID-19 diagnostics authorized by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization, and it regularly inspects and reviews the manufacturing processes and product performance of diagnostic products.

FDA regulation of the diagnostic products we use could result in increased costs and administrative and legal actions for noncompliance, including warning letters, fines, penalties, product suspensions, product recalls, injunctions and other civil and criminal sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.

If we fail to comply with the complex federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations that apply to our business, we could suffer severe consequences that could materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

We expect our diagnostic testing operations to be subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, all of which are subject to change. These laws and regulations currently include, among other things:

CLIA, which requires that laboratories obtain certification from the federal government, and state licensure laws;
CMS and FDA laws and regulations;
HIPAA, which imposes comprehensive federal standards with respect to the privacy and security of protected health information and requirements for the use of certain standardized electronic transactions, and amendments to HIPAA under HITECH, which strengthen and expand HIPAA privacy and security compliance requirements, increase penalties for violators, extend enforcement authority to state attorneys general and impose requirements for breach notification;
state laws regulating genetic testing and protecting the privacy of genetic test results, as well as state laws protecting the privacy and security of health information and personal data and mandating reporting of breaches to affected individuals and state regulators;
the federal anti-kickback law, or the Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting, receiving, or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in exchange for or to induce either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing, arranging for, or recommending of an item or service that is reimbursable, in whole or in part, by a federal health care program;
other federal and state fraud and abuse laws, such as anti-kickback laws, prohibitions on self-referral, and false claims acts, which may extend to services reimbursable by any third-party payor, including private insurers;
the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which requires medical device manufactures to track and report to the federal government certain payments and other transfers of value made to physicians and teaching hospitals and ownership or investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members;
Section 216 of the federal Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, which requires applicable laboratories to report private payor data in a timely and accurate manner beginning in 2017 and every three years thereafter (and in some cases annually);
state laws that impose reporting and other compliance-related requirements;
state billing laws, including regulations on “pass through billing” which may limit our ability to submit claims for payment and/or mark up the cost of services in excess of the price paid for such services, and “direct-bill” laws which may limit our ability to purchase services from a laboratory and bill for the services ordered;
similar foreign laws and regulations that apply to us in the countries in which we operate.

These laws and regulations are complex and are subject to interpretation by the courts and by government agencies. Our failure to comply could lead to civil or criminal penalties, exclusion from participation in state and federal health care programs, or prohibitions or restrictions on our laboratory’s ability to provide or receive payment for our services. Any action taken against us by a governmental entity or private party could, regardless of their outcome, damage our reputation and adversely affect important business relationships with third parties, including managed care organizations, and other private third-party payors.

We use potentially hazardous materials, chemicals and patient samples in our business and any disputes relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of these materials could be time consuming and costly.

Our lab diagnostic services involves the controlled use of hazardous laboratory materials and chemicals, including small quantities of acid and alcohol, and patient samples. We are subject to U.S. laws and regulations related to the protection of the environment, the health and safety of employees and the handling, transportation and disposal of medical specimens, infectious and hazardous waste. We could be liable for accidental contamination or discharge or any resultant injury from hazardous materials, and conveyance, processing, and storage of and data on patient samples. If we fail to comply with applicable laws or regulations, we could be required to pay penalties or be held liable for any damages that result and this liability could exceed our financial resources. Further, future changes to environmental health and safety laws could cause us to incur additional expense or restrict operations.

In the event of a lawsuit or investigation concerning such hazardous materials, we could be held responsible for any injury caused to persons or property by exposure to, or release of, these hazardous materials or patient samples that may contain infectious materials. The cost of this liability could exceed our resources. While we expect to maintain broad form liability insurance coverage for these risks, the level or breadth of our coverage may not be adequate to fully cover potential liability claims.

Failure to accurately bill for testing services, or to comply with applicable laws relating to government health care programs, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Billing for diagnostic testing services is complex and subject to extensive and non-uniform rules and administrative requirements. Depending on the billing arrangement and applicable law, we bill various payers, such as patients, insurance companies, government groups, Medicare and Medicaid. We expect that the majority of our billing and related operations will be provided by a third party. Failure to accurately bill for our services could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws relating to billing government health care programs may result in various consequences, including the return of overpayments, civil and criminal fines and penalties, exclusion from participation in government health care programs and the loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations necessary to operate our business, as well as incur additional liabilities from third-party claims, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Certain violations of these laws may also provide the basis for a civil remedy under the federal False Claims Act, including fines and damages of up to three times the amount claimed. The qui tam provisions of the federal False Claims Act and similar provisions in certain state false claims acts allow private individuals to bring lawsuits against health care companies on behalf of the government.

Although we expect to be in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that a regulatory agency or tribunal would not reach a different conclusion. The federal and state governments have substantial leverage in negotiating settlements since the amount of potential damages and fines far exceeds the rates at which services will be reimbursed, and the government has the remedy of excluding a non-compliant provider from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. We expect that federal and state governments continue aggressive enforcement efforts against perceived health care fraud. Legislative provisions relating to health care fraud and abuse provide government enforcement personnel with substantial funding, powers, penalties and remedies to pursue suspected cases of fraud and abuse.

Our failure to comply with FTC regulations could result in substantial monetary penalties and could adversely affect our operating results.

The FTC exercises jurisdiction over the advertising of dietary supplements and has instituted numerous enforcement actions against OTC drug companies for failure to have adequate substantiation for claims made in advertising or for the use of false or misleading advertising claims. Failure by us to comply with applicable regulations could result in substantial monetary penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Laws and regulations regarding direct selling may prohibit or restrict our ability to sell our products in some markets or require us to make changes to our business model in some markets.

Direct selling companies are subject to laws and regulations by various government agencies. These laws and regulations are generally intended to prevent fraudulent or deceptive practices and to protect consumers. The FTC periodically investigates and brings enforcement actions against direct selling companies based on alleged pyramid selling activity and/or false and misleading claims made by the direct selling company or its independent distributors. Direct selling companies that have been the subject of an FTC enforcement action have generally been required to make significant changes to their business model and pay significant monetary fines. Being the target of an investigation or enforcement action by the FTC could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We depend on third parties to provide services critical to our diagnostic testing business, and we depend on them to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, any breaches of the information technology systems of third parties could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

We depend on third parties to provide services critical to our diagnostic testing business, including diagnostic lab equipment, supplies, ground and air transport of clinical and diagnostic testing supplies and specimens, research products, and people, among other services. Third parties that provide services to us are subject to similar risks related to security of customer-related information and compliance with U.S., state, local, or international environmental, health and safety, and privacy and security laws and regulations as we are. Any failure by third parties to comply with applicable laws, or any failure of third parties to provide services more generally, could have a material impact on us, whether because of the loss of the ability to receive services from the third parties, our legal liability for the actions or inactions of third parties, or otherwise. In addition, third parties to whom we outsource certain services or functions may process personal data, or other confidential information belonging to us. A breach or attack affecting these third parties could also harm our business, results of operations and reputation.

If our products do not have the effects intended or cause undesirable side effects, our business may suffer.

Although many of the ingredients in our current dietary supplement products are vitamins, minerals, and other substances for which there is a long history of human consumption, they also contain innovative ingredients or combinations of ingredients. While we believe that all of these products and the combinations of ingredients in them are safe when taken as directed, the products could have certain undesirable side effects if not taken as directed or if taken by a consumer who has certain medical conditions. In addition, these products may not have the effect intended if they are not taken in accordance with certain instructions, which include certain dietary restrictions. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that any of the products, even when used as directed, will have the effects intended or will not have harmful side effects in an unforeseen way or on an unforeseen cohort. If any of our products or products we develop or commercialize in the future are shown to be harmful or generate negative publicity from perceived harmful effects, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects could be harmed significantly.

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We must comply with complex and overlapping laws protecting the privacy and security of health information and personal data.

 

There are a number of state, federal and international laws protecting the privacy and security of health information and personal data. Under the administrative simplification provisions of HIPAA, HHS has issued regulations which establish uniform standards governing the conduct of certain electronic health care transactions and protecting the privacy and security of PHI used or disclosed by health care providers and other covered entities.

The privacy regulations regulate the use and disclosure of PHI by health care providers engaging in certain electronic transactions or “standard transactions.” They also set forth certain rights that an individual has with respect to his or her PHI maintained by a covered health care provider, including the right to access or amend certain records containing PHI or to request restrictions on the use or disclosure of PHI. The HIPAA security regulations establish administrative, physical, and technical standards for maintaining the integrity and availability of PHI in electronic form. These standards apply to covered health care providers and also to “business associates” or third parties providing services involving the use or disclosure of PHI. The HIPAA privacy and security regulations establish a uniform federal “floor” and do not supersede state laws that are more stringent or provide individuals with greater rights with respect to the privacy or security of, and access to, their records containing PHI. As a result, we may be required to comply with both HIPAA privacy regulations and varying state privacy and security laws.

Moreover, HITECH, among other things, established certain health information security breach notification requirements. In the event of a breach of unsecured PHI, a covered entity must notify each individual whose PHI is breached, federal regulators and in some cases, must publicize the breach in local or national media. Breaches affecting 500 individuals or more are publicized by federal regulators who publicly identify the breaching entity, the circumstances of the breach and the number of individuals affected.

These laws contain significant fines and other penalties for wrongful use or disclosure of PHI. Given the complexity of HIPAA and HITECH and their overlap with state privacy and security laws, and the fact that these laws are rapidly evolving and are subject to changing and potentially conflicting interpretation, our ability to comply with the HIPAA, HITECH and state privacy requirements is uncertain and the costs of compliance are significant. Adding to the complexity is that our planned operations are currently evolving and the requirements of these laws will apply differently depending on such things as whether or not we bill electronically for our services, or provide services involving the use or disclosure of PHI and incur compliance obligations as a business associate. The costs of complying with any changes to the HIPAA, HITECH and state privacy restrictions may have a negative impact on our operations. Noncompliance could subject us to criminal penalties, civil sanctions and significant monetary penalties as well as reputational damage.

We are also required to collect and maintain personal information about our employees as well as receive and transfer certain payment information, to accept payments from our customers, including credit card information. Most states have adopted laws requiring notification of affected individuals and state regulators in the event of a breach of personal information, which is a broader class of information than the health information protected by HIPAA. Many state laws impose significant data security requirements, such as encryption or mandatory contractual terms to ensure ongoing protection of personal information. Activities outside of the United States implicate local and national data protection standards, impose additional compliance requirements, and generate additional risks of enforcement for non-compliance. The collection and use of such information may be subject to contractual obligations as well. If the security and information systems that we or our outsourced third-party providers use to store or process such information are compromised or if we, or such third parties, otherwise fail to comply with these laws, regulations, and contractual obligations, we could face litigation and the imposition of penalties that could adversely affect our financial performance.

We must comply with all applicable privacy and data security laws in order to operate our business and may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to ensure ongoing compliance, to protect against security breaches and hackers or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Breaches of health information and/or personal data may be extremely expensive to remediate, may prompt federal or state investigation, fines, civil and/or criminal sanctions and significant reputational damage.

We may be subject to product liability claims.

As a direct marketer and manufacturer of products designed for human consumption, we are subject to product liability claims if the use of our products or the products that we manufacture for third parties are alleged to have resulted in injury or to include inadequate instructions for use or inadequate warnings concerning possible side effects and interactions with other substances. Our current products and the products that we currently manufacture for third parties are not subject to pre-market regulatory approval in the United States. Our products or the products we manufacture for third partiesStates and could contain contaminated substances.

 

While we currently maintain product liability insurance, a successful claim brought against us related to our branded products or products that we manufacture for third parties in excess of, or outside of, our existing insurance coverage, could result in increased costs and could adversely affect our reputation with customers, which could in turn materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Risks Related to Our success is dependent on key personnel.Common Stock and Governance Matters

 

Our success depends, in part, upon the continued service of key personnel, such as Mr. Ted Karkus, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and certain managers and strategists within the Company. The loss of the services of any one of them could have a material adverse effect on us.

In order to be successful, we must retain and motivate executives and other key employees, including those in managerial, technical, marketing and health product positions. In particular, our product generation efforts depend on hiring and retaining qualified health and science professionals. Competition for skilled employees who can perform the services that we require is intense and hiring, training, motivating, retaining and managing employees with the skills required is time-consuming and expensive. If we are not able to hire sufficient professional staff to support our operations, or to train, motivate, retain and manage the employees we do hire, it could have a material adverse effect on our business operations or financial results.

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income may be subject to certain limitations.

In general, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Section 382”), a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” is subject to limitations on its ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards (the “NOLs”), to offset future taxable income. Future changes in our stock ownership, some of which are outside of our control, could result in an ownership change under Section 382. Furthermore, our ability to use NOLs of companies that we may acquire in the future may be subject to limitations.

Based upon estimates, we believe that a significant portion of our income tax liability of $18.8 million arising from our taxable gain for federal and state income tax purposes from the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business will be offset to the extent of our current year losses from operations, the write-off for tax purposes of the tax-basis of the Cold-EEZE® Business and the available net operating loss carryforwards at the federal and state levels.

Based on our Section 382 analysis, we do not believe our current net operating loss carryforwards are subject to these limitations as of December 31, 2017. Should we identify any limitations upon the completion of our final 2017 income tax return, the impact could be material to our consolidated financial statements and that we could incur additional income tax expense arising from the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business.

Our stock price is volatile.

The market price of our Common Stock has experienced significant volatility. There are several factors that could impact the price of our Common Stock, including announcements of technological innovations for new commercial products by us or our competitors, developments concerning propriety rights, new or revised governmental regulation, litigation or general conditions in the market for our products or those we manufacture for others.

Future sales of shares of our Common Stockcommon stock in the public market could adversely affect the trading price of shares of our Common Stockcommon stock and our ability to raise funds in new stock offerings.

Future sales of substantial amounts of shares of our Common Stockcommon stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales are likely to occur, could affect prevailing trading prices of our Common Stock.

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If a significant number of our outstanding stock options are exercised, and the holders of these options attempt to sell a substantial amount of their holdings all at once, the market price of our Common Stock would likely decline.common stock. Moreover, the perceived risk of this potential dilution could cause stockholders to attempt to sell their shares and investors to “short” our stock, a practice in which an investor sells shares that he or she does not own at prevailing market prices, hoping to purchase shares later at a lower price to cover the sale. As each of these events would cause the number of shares of Common Stockcommon stock being offered for sale to increase, our Common Stock’scommon stock’s market price would likely further decline. All of these events could combine to make it very difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding our stock, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our Common Stockcommon stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If any of the analysts who cover us issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding us, our business model, products or stock performance, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, the unpredictability of our financial results likely reduces the certainty, and therefore reliability, of the forecasts by securities or industry analysts of our future financial results, adding to the potential volatility of our stock price.

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors owns a substantial amount of our Common Stockcommon stock.

 

As of March 28, 2018,31, 2021, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors beneficially owned approximately 24.0%29.3% of our Common Stock.common stock. As such, our Chief Executive Officer may exert significant influence over the outcome of all matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors. Consequently, he exercises substantial influence over major decisions including major corporate actions such as mergers and other business combinations transactions which could result in or prevent a change of control of the Company. Circumstances may occur in which the interests of our Chief Executive Officer could be in conflict with the interests of other stockholders. Accordingly, a stockholder’s ability to influence us through voting their shares may be limited.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

We have not paid cash dividends on our Common Stock since our inception. Our intention is to retain earnings, if any, for use in the business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends to stockholders in the foreseeable future.

Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws contain certain provisions that may be barriers to a takeover.

Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws contain certain provisions which may deter, discourage, or make it difficult for another person or entity to gain control of the Company through a tender offer, merger, proxy contest or similar transaction or series of transactions. These provisions may deter a future tender offer or other takeover attempt which could include a premium over the market price of our Common Stockcommon stock at the time. Such provisions could depress the trading price of our Common Stock.common stock.

 

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We have agreed to indemnify our Officersofficers and Directorsdirectors from liability.

Our Certificate of Incorporation and our By-laws provide that we will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, any person who is or was made a party to, or is or was threatened to be made a party to, any pending, completed, or threatened action, suit or proceeding because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the Company’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. These provisions permit us to advance expenses to an indemnified party in connection with defending any such proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by the indemnified party to repay those amounts if it is later determined that the party is not entitled to indemnification. We entered into indemnity agreements with each member of our board of directors. These agreements provide, among other things, that we will indemnify each officer and director in the event they become a party or otherwise a participant in any action or proceeding on account of their service as a director or officer of the Company (or service for another corporation or entity in any capacity at the request of the Company) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The indemnification provisions may reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers and discourage or deter stockholders from suing directors or officers for breaches of their duties to the Company, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit the Company or its stockholders. In addition, to the extent that we expend funds to indemnify directors and officers, funds will be unavailable for operational purposes.

A number of companies are seeking to make acquisitions in our industry, which may make our acquisition strategy more difficult or expensive to pursue.

The emergence and growth of OTC consumer healthcare products, dietary supplements and related products has brought increased media attention, and a number of companies and investors have begun making acquisitions of businesses or announced their intention to do so. We compete with many of these companies, and certain of them have greater financial resources than we do for pursuing and consummating acquisitions and to developing and integrating acquired businesses. Any acquisitions we undertake may result in unanticipated costs, delays or other operational or financial problems related to integrating the acquired company and business with our Company, which may result in the diversion of our capital and our management’s attention from other business issues and opportunities.  We may not be able to successfully integrate operations that we acquire, including their personnel, technology, financial systems, distribution and general business operations and procedures.  We cannot provide assurance that any acquisition we make will be successful and our operating results may be adversely impacted by the integration of a new business and its financial results.

We may be unsuccessful in identifying suitable acquisition candidates which may negatively impact our competitive position and our growth strategy.

We may be unable to identify suitable targets for future acquisition or acquire businesses at favorable prices, which would negatively impact our growth strategy. In addition, in the course of negotiating potential acquisitions, we may enter into term sheets, letters of intent, purchase options or other similar agreements that provide the counterparties with advances and termination or break-up fees in the event that we do not ultimately consummate any such acquisition. In the aggregate, the payment of any such termination or break-up fees may negatively impact our financial condition. We may not be able to execute our growth strategy through organic expansion, and if we are unable to identify and successfully acquire new businesses or products complementary to ours, we may not be able to expand or achieve profitability.

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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments

 

Not applicable.

Item 2. Properties

Item 2.Properties

 

Our corporate headquarters are located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.Garden City, New York. We purchasedleased this property commencing in 1998.December 2020. Our headquarters are approximately 13,00025,000 square feet and are comprised of lab diagnostic area with storage area and office space. Our second location is approximately 4,000 square feet and is comprised of lab diagnostic area with storage area and office space and a storage area.in Old Bridge, NJ. We leased additional administrative office space of approximately 2,000 square feet in Fort Washington, PA. Our principal manufacturing facility is located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The facility was purchased in October 2004. The facility has a total area of approximately 57,500 square feet and is comprised of manufacturing, warehousing and office space. We believe that our existing facilities are adequate at this time and do not anticipate the need for additional facilities in the foreseeable future.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Item 3.Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we have been and may again become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.business, including the lawsuit discussed below. We are not presently a party to any material litigation. It is our policy to vigorously defend litigation and/or enter into settlements of claims where management deems appropriate.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Market Information

 

Our Common Stockcommon stock is currently traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol “PRPH.” The price set forth in the following table represents the high and low closing bid prices for our Common Stock for each quarter of Fiscal 2017 and 2016, as reported on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

  

2017

 2016 
Quarter Ended  High   Low   High   Low 
March 31 $2.27  $1.90  $1.51  $1.16 
June 30 $2.24  $1.87  $1.47  $1.22 
September 30 $2.29  $2.01  $2.06  $1.29 
December 31 $2.30  $2.05  $2.16  $1.92 

Holders

 

As of March 19, 2018,24, 2021, there were approximately 205200 holders of record of our Common Stock, including brokerage firms, clearing houses, and/or depository firms holding the Company’s securities for their respective clients. The exact number of beneficial owners of our securities is not known but exceeds 400.

Dividend Policy

We have not declared, nor paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock since our Company’s inception. At this time, we intend to retain our earnings to finance future growth and maintain liquidity. Future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other things, our future operations and earnings, capital requirements, general financial condition, contractual and financing restrictions and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant.record.

 

Securities Authorized Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

See Part III, Item 12. “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” for information relating to our equity compensation plans.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

None.

 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

 

In Fiscal 2017, we completed two discrete tender offers to purchase shares of our Common Stock in each of August 2017 (the “August 2017 Tender Offer”) and November 2017 (the “November 2017 Tender Offer”).None.

Item 6.Reserved

 

The August 2017 Tender Offer expired on September 25, 2017. Subject to the terms of the August 2017 Tender Offer, we accepted for purchase 4,323,335 shares of our Common Stock, including all “odd lots” validly tendered, at a purchase price of $2.30 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $9.9 million.

The November 2017 Tender Offer expired on December 18, 2017. Subject to the terms of the November 2017 Tender Offer, we accepted for purchase 1,948,569 shares of our Common Stock, including all “odd lots” validly tendered, at a purchase price of $2.30 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4.5 million.

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In addition, on June 13, 2017, we purchased 1,061,980 shares of our Common Stock from Mark S. Leventhal, a former director of the Company, and other persons and entities associated and/or affiliated with Mr. Leventhal, for $1.75 per share for a total of $1,858,465, pursuant to the terms of stock purchase agreements entered into with each of these sellers.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth the selected financial data appearing in or derived from our consolidated financial statements for and at the end of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere herein, and with Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (in thousands, except per share amounts):

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
Statement of Income Data:                    
Net sales $9,867  $4,206  $2,518  $1,523  $1,947 
Gross profit $1,948  $997  $832  $1,567  $1,890 
Income (loss) from continuing operations $14,327  $(4,006) $(2,094) $(4,599) $(507)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations $27,504  $1,138  $(1,506) $(3,235) $912 
Net income (loss) $41,831  $(2,868) $(3,600) $(7,834) $405 
                     
Basic income (loss) per share:                    
Continuing operations $0.92  $(0.24) $(0.13) $(0.28) $(0.03)
Discontinued operations $1.77  $0.07  $(0.09) $(0.19) $0.06 
Net income (loss) $2.69  $(0.17) $(0.22) $(0.47) $0.03 
Diluted income (loss) per share:                    
Continuing operations $0.92  $(0.24) $(0.13) $(0.28) $(0.03)
Discontinued operations $1.75  $0.07  $(0.09) $(0.19) $0.05 
Net income (loss) $2.67  $(0.17) $(0.22) $(0.47) $0.02 
                     
Weighted average shares outstanding:                    
Basic  15,565   17,081   16,398   16,773   15,839 
Diluted  15,696   17,081   16,398   16,773   16,276 

  As of December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
Balance Sheet Data:                    
Working capital $27,847  $2,787  $7,345  $8,217  $6,655 
Total assets $34,161  $12,802  $14,829  $16,057  $17,420 
Long term debt and other obligations $-  $-  $1,466  $100  $200 
Stockholders’ equity $33,089  $5,962  $8,829  $10,716  $12,596 

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Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read together with our financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those discussed in our forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report.

General

We are a vertically integrated and diversified branding, marketingmedical science and technology company with deep experience with OTC consumer healthcare products and dietary supplementssupplements. We conduct our operations through two operating segments: consumer products and other remedies. We arediagnostic services. Until late 2020 we were engaged in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of OTC consumer healthcare products and dietary supplements and other remedies in the United States. This includes the developmentHowever, in December 2020, we also began to offer COVID-19 and marketingother respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) molecular tests through our new diagnostic services business.  

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, PMI, is a full-service contract manufacturer and private label developer of a broad range of non-GMO, organic and natural-based cough drops and lozenges and OTC drug and dietary supplement products. The dietary supplements are developed and marketed under the TK Supplements® brand.brand name.

 

In August 2017,Our wholly-owned subsidiary, ProPhase Diagnostics, formed on October 9, 2020, offers a variety of important medical tests, including COVID-19 and (RPP) molecular tests. On October 23, 2020, we formed ProPhase Digital Media Inc.completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Confucius Plaza Medical Laboratory Corp. (“PDM”CPM”), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary. Our objective is for PDMapproximately $2.5 million in cash, subject to become an independent full-service direct marketing agency. PDM’s first initiative will be to market the TK Supplements® product line. If successful, this may leadcertain adjustments, pursuant to the marketingterms of a Stock Purchase Agreement, by and among the Company, CPM, Pride Diagnostics and other companies’ consumer products.parties named therein CPM (which is now known as ProPhase Diagnostics NJ, Inc.) is the owner of a 4,000 square foot CLIA accredited laboratory located in Old Bridge, New Jersey, which ProPhase Diagnostics acquired as part of the transaction. As a result of the acquisition of CPM in October 2020, we entered into a new business line, diagnostic services. In December 2020, we expanded our diagnostic services business with the signing of a lease and the recent build out of a second, larger CLIA accredited laboratory in Garden City, New York. Operations at this second facility commenced in January 2021.

 

In addition, we alsoWe continue to actively pursue acquisition opportunities for other companies, technologies and products within and outside the consumer healthcare products industry.

Income Taxes

As of December 31, 2017, we have net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $10.7 million for federal tax purposes that will expire beginning in Fiscal 2034 through 2037. Additionally, there are net operating loss carry-forwards of $1.8 million for state tax purposes that will expire beginning in Fiscal 2019 through 2037. Until sufficient taxable income to offset the temporary timing differences attributable to operations, and the tax deductions attributable to option, warrant and stock activities are assured, a valuation allowance equaling the total deferred tax asset is being provided. As a consequence of the accumulated losses of the Company, we believe that this allowance is required due to the uncertainty of realizing these tax benefits in the future.

On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law legislation that is commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“The TCJA”). This legislation reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate from the existing graduated rate of 15-35% to a flat 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. As a result of the enacted law, we were required to revalue our deferred tax assets and liabilities existing as of December 31, 2017 from the graduated 15-35% federal rate then in effect through the end of 2017, to the new flat 21% rate. This revaluation resulted in a reduction to our deferred tax asset of $1.6 million. This amount was offset by a corresponding reduction to our valuation allowance. The other provisions of the TCJA did not have a material impact on our December 31, 2017 consolidated financial statements. Estimates used to prepare our income tax expense are based on our initial analysis of the TCJA. Given the complexity of the TCJA, anticipated guidance from the U. S. Treasury regarding implementation of the TCJA, and the potential for additional guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the FASB related to the TCJA, these estimates may be adjusted during Fiscal 2018 to reflect any such guidance provided.

diagnostics services industries.

Results of Operations from Continuing Operations

 

Fiscal 20172020 compared with Fiscal 20162019

Net sales for Fiscal 20172020 increased $5.7$4.6 million to $14.5 million as compared to $9.9 million for Fiscal 2019. The increase in net sales for Fiscal 2020 as compared to Fiscal 2019 is principally due to increased third party customer orders in contract manufacturing and revenue of $1.3 million related to our new diagnostic services business.

Cost of sales for Fiscal 2020 were $9.9 million as compared to $4.2$7.3 million for Fiscal 2016. The increase in net sales from Fiscal 2016 to Fiscal 2017 is due principally to the timing of shipments of lozenge-based products including shipments to Mylan under the terms of the Manufacturing and Supply Agreement dated March 29, 2017, offset by2019. We realized a decrease of $500,000 in other third party manufacturing.

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Cost of salesgross profit $4.6 million for Fiscal 2017 were $7.9 million2020 as compared to $3.2$2.6 million for Fiscal 2016. The2019. For Fiscal 2020, our gross margin was 31.8% as compared to 26.5% for Fiscal 2019. Such increase in gross profit to $1.9 millionmargin for Fiscal 20172020 as compared to $1.0 million for Fiscal 20162019 is principally due to increased shipments during Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016. For Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016, we realized a gross margin of 19.7% and 23.7%, respectively. The decrease of 4.0% in gross margin from the Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016 is principally due to margins realized under the Mylan Manufacturing and Supply Agreement as well as fluctuations in quarter-to-quarter timing production volume, fixed production costs and related overhead absorption, raw material costs, inventory mark to market write downs, if any, and timing of shipments to customers, which are factors of the seasonality of our sales activities and products.

Sales and marketing expense for Fiscal 2017 decreased $1.0 million to $699,000 as compared to $1.7 million for Fiscal 2016. The decrease in sales and marketing expense for Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016 was as a consequence of reduced headcount and less advertising expenses in association with our TK Supplement® product line.

Administrative expense increased $2.1 million for Fiscal 2017 to $4.8 million as compared to $2.7 million in Fiscal 2016. The increase in administrative expense for Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016 was principally due to(i) an increase in professional and legal fees from the two discrete tender offers to purchase our Common Stock in each of the August 2017 and November 2017 and a lower allocation of administrative expense to discontinued operations in Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016.

Research and development costs for Fiscal 2017 and 2016 were $431,000 and $358,000, respectively. The increase of $73,000 in research and development costs for Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016 was principally due to an increase in the amount and timing of research and development expenditures.

Interest income and interest expense for Fiscal 2017 was $231,000 and $54,000, respectively, as compared to $1,000 and $213,000, respectively, for Fiscal 2016. The increase in interest income in Fiscal 2017 as compared to Fiscal 2016 is principally due to interest earned on our investment account. The decrease in interest expense is principally due to the retirement of the 12% Secured Promissory Notes. (see Note 5 of our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report).

The other income for Fiscal 2017 was $150,000 as compared to zero for Fiscal 2016. The increase in other income is principally due to the transition service fees earned pursuant to the terms of the transition services agreement with Mylan.

For Fiscal 2017, we charged $18.8 million to discontinued operations for estimated federal and state income taxes arising from the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business and we have realized an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $18.0 million as a consequence of the utilization of the federal and state net operating losses.

For Fiscal 2017 and 2016, results from operations of our Cold-EEZE® Business are classified as discontinued operations. The carve-out of the discontinued operations are derived from identifying and carving out the specific assets, liabilities, net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and interest expense associated with the Cold-EEZE® Business’s operations. In addition, administrative expenses, including personnel expenses and bonuses, sales and marketing and research and development overhead expenses incurred by us (for which the discontinued operation benefits from such resources) are allocated to discontinued operations based upon the percentage of the Cold-EEZE® Business’s net sales to our consolidated net sales. For Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016 we allocated (i) $1.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively, to sales and marketing expenses, (ii) $348,000 and $2.3 million, respectively, to administrative expenses, and (iii) $52,000 and $218,000, respectively, to research and development expenses in the accompanying statements of operations.

As a consequence of the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business, we recorded a gain on the sale of the assets of $26.9 million, net of $18.8 million of income tax in Fiscal 2017.

As a result of the effects of the above, the income from continuing operations for Fiscal 2017 was $14.3 million, or $0.92 per share, as compared to a loss from continuing operations of $4.0 million, or ($0.24) per share, for Fiscal 2016. Income from discontinued operations for Fiscal 2017 was $27.5 million, or $1.77 per share, as compared to income from discontinued operations of $1.1 million, or $0.07 per share, for Fiscal 2016. Net income for Fiscal 2017 was $41.8 million, or $2.69 per share, as compared to a net loss of $2.9 million, or ($0.17) per share for Fiscal 2016.

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Fiscal 2016 compared with Fiscal 2015

Net sales for Fiscal 2016 increased $1.7 million to $4.2 million as compared to $2.5 million for Fiscal 2015. The increase in net sales from Fiscal 2016 to Fiscal 2015 was due principally to an increase in timing of our shipment to third-party contract manufacturing customers.

Cost of sales for Fiscal 2016 were $3.2 million as compared to $1.7 million for Fiscal 2015. For Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015, we realized a gross margin of 23.7% and 33.0%, respectively. The decrease of 9.3% in gross margin from the prior period was principally due to a reduction in the absorption of fixed production costs and an increase(ii) fluctuations in net sales which carries a lower gross margins.our product mix and pricing fluctuations from period to period and increased margins generally associated with the new diagnostic services business. Gross margins are generallyhave historically been influenced by fluctuations in quarter-to-quarter production volume, fixed production costs and related overhead absorption, raw ingredient costs, inventory mark to market write-downs and the timing of shipments to customers which are factors of the seasonality of our sales activities and products.customers.

 

Sales and marketing expense for Fiscal 2016 increased $1.4 to $1.72020 was $1.3 million as compared to $303,000$1.0 million for Fiscal 2015.2019. The increase in sales and marketing expense for Fiscal 2016 as compared to Fiscal 2015expenses of $245,000 was principally duerelated to an increase in advertising expenditures as we managedexpenses for our retail consumer products and the scope and timing of our media and product promotion advertising campaigns from period to period.new diagnostic services business.

 

AdministrationAdministrative expense increased $466,000$2.2 million for Fiscal 20162020 to $2.7$6.7 million as compared to $2.3$4.5 million in Fiscal 2015.2019. The increase in administrationadministrative expense for Fiscal 20162020 as compared to Fiscal 20152019 was principally due to an increase ingreater professional and legal fees related to litigation matters andresulting from, in corporate personnel expenses.part, our entry into the diagnostic services business. In addition, share-based compensation expense increased by $715,000.

 

Research and development costs for Fiscal 20162020 and 20152019 were $358,000$663,000 and $340,000,$332,000, respectively. The increase of $18,000$301,000 in research and development costs for Fiscal 20162020 as compared to Fiscal 20152019 was principally due to an increasevalidation costs associated with diagnostic services in the scope, timing, cost and amount of research and development activity from period tocurrent period.

 

InterestNet interest income and expense for Fiscal 20162020 was $1,000 and $213,000, respectively,$62,000 as compared to $2,000 and $18,000, respectively$133,000 for Fiscal 2015.2019. The declinedecrease in interest income in Fiscal 20162020 as compared to Fiscal 20152019 is principally due to a lower average account balance in our investment account. Interest expense for Fiscal 2020 was due principally$295,000 as compared to lower invested cash balances from period to period.$0 for Fiscal 2019. The increase in interest expense forexpenses in Fiscal 20162020 as compared to Fiscal 2015 was2019 is principally due principally to the interest expense incurred pursuant toon the issuance of the Secured Promissory Notesunsecured promissory notes issued in December 2015.

As noted above, we have net operating loss carry-forwards for both federal and certain states. As a consequence of these loss carry-forwards, we did not incur income tax expense for Fiscal 2016 or Fiscal 2015.September 2020.

 

As a result of the effects of the above, the net loss from continuing operations for Fiscal 20162020 was $4.0$2.33 million, or ($0.24)0.18) per share, as compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $2.1$3.1 million, or ($0.13)0.27) per share, for Fiscal 2015. Net income2019. In Fiscal 2020, we recognized a $1.9 million gain on the sales of real estate that contributed to a lower loss from operation. The gain from discontinued operations for Fiscal 20162020 was $1.1 million,$201,000, or $0.07 per share, as compared to net loss of $1.5 million, or ($0.09) per share, for Fiscal 2015. Net loss for Fiscal 2016 was $2.9 million, or ($0.17)$0.02 per share, as compared to a net loss of $3.6 million,$40,000, or ($0.22)0.00) per share, for Fiscal 2015.2019. Net loss for Fiscal 2020 was $2.1 million, or ($0.18) per share, as compared to $3.1 million, or ($0.27) per share for Fiscal 2019.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our aggregate cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 20172020 were $21.9$8.5 million as compared to $441,000$1.4 million at December 31, 2016.2019. Our working capital was $27.8$9.6 million and $2.8$9.0 million as of December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively. The increase of $21.5$7.1 million in our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities balance for the 12 months ended December 31, 20172020 was principally due to the net effect offollowing (i) the netrelease of the escrow funds of $4.8 million by Mylan, (ii) our receipt of two loans for total proceeds of $40.8$10 million, excluding the $5.0 million escrow receivable, derived fromand (ii) the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business, and (ii) proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants of $1.5our corporate headquarters for $2.2 million offset by (iii) payments(i) the issuance of $1.5a net $3.00 million to retire the secured promissory notes (see Note 5note receivable, (ii) acquisition of our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report), (iv) payments of $16.3 milliona new CLIA accredited laboratory for the repurchase of our Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the two tender offers and certain stock purchase agreements (described below), (v) cash used in operations of $2.8$2.5 million, and (vi)(iii) our investment in capital expenditures, prepaid supplies and inventory for our the diagnostic services business of $208,000.$5.1 million.

 

As a consequence of the seasonality of our business, we realize variations in operating results and demand for working capital from quarter to quarter.

 

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Treasury Stock – Tender OffersCOVID-19

In Fiscal 2017, we completed two discrete tender offers to purchase shares of our Common Stock in each of August 2017 and November 2017.

 

The August 2017 Tender Offer expiredCOVID-19 pandemic has not had a material impact on September 25, 2017. Subjectour business to date, although we did experience higher than normal net sales for Fiscal 2020, primarily as a result of increased customer demand for our OTC healthcare and cold remedy products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2020, we acquired our first CLIA accredited laboratory that offers a variety of important medical tests, including, among others, COVID-19 diagnostic testing services. In December 2020, we acquired our second diagnostic testing facility. While we expect revenues to continue to increase as result of our new business line, we will need to continue to make substantial investments to secure the necessary equipment, supplies and personnel to provide these services. There can be no assurance that our efforts to offer and perform COVID-19 testing will be successful and that we will be able to generate a profit.

The ultimate impact of COVID-19 on our business will depend on many factors beyond our knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of the outbreak, the timing, scope and effectiveness of federal, state and local governmental responses to the termsCOVID-19 pandemic, and the extent of business disruptions caused by the pandemic, including as a result of travel restrictions, quarantines, social distancing requirements and business closures in the United States and other countries in order to contain and treat the virus. We may also be impacted by changes in the severity of the August 2017 Tender Offer,COVID-19 pandemic at different times in the various cities and regions where we acceptedoperate and offer diagnostic testing services. Also, there can be no assurance that demand for purchase 4,323,335 sharesour COVID-19 testing services will continue to exist in the future due to successful containment efforts, the successful vaccination of a majority of Americans, or due to other events. If there is no demand for our Common Stock, including all “odd lots” validly tendered, atCOVID-19 testing services, and we are unable to generate sufficient profits from other RPP Molecular tests, our business could be materially harmed. For these reasons, we are unable to estimate the extent to which COVID-19 will negatively impact our financial results or liquidity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a purchase price of $2.30 per share,negative impact on the global capital markets and economies worldwide and could ultimately have a material adverse impact on our ability to raise capital needed to develop and commercialize products.

September 2020 Notes

On September 15, 2020, we issued two unsecured, partially convertible promissory notes (the “September 2020 Notes”) for an aggregate purchase priceprincipal amount of approximately $9.9 million.$10 million to two investors. We intend to use the proceeds from the September 2020 Notes for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, product development and commercialization expenditures, and acquisitions of companies, businesses, technologies and products.

 

The November 2017 Tender Offer expired on December 18, 2017. Subject to the terms of the November 2017 Tender Offer,September 2020 Notes

On September 15, 2020, we accepted for purchase 1,948,569 shares of our Common Stock, including all “odd lots” validly tendered, at a purchase price of $2.30 per share,issued two unsecured, partially convertible, promissory notes (the “September 2020 Notes”) for an aggregate purchase priceprincipal amount of approximately $4.5 million.$10 million to two investors. We used the proceeds from the September 2020 Notes for working capital and general corporate purposes, which included capital expenditures and acquisitions of companies, businesses.

 

Stock Option Exercise

Subsequent to the completion of the November 2017 Tender Offer, Mr. Karkus exercised 600,000 outstanding options for net proceeds of $600,000.

Stock Purchase Agreements

On June 12, 2017 we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with each of Mark S. Leventhal, a former director of the Company, and certain other persons and entities associated and/or affiliated with Mr. Leventhal (the “Leventhal Holders”), pursuant to which we purchased all 1,061,980 shares of our Common Stock then held by the Leventhal Holders, representing an approximate 6.2% aggregate ownership interest (based on 17.2 million shares of common stock outstanding as of June 12, 2017).

Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreements, the total consideration paid by us to the Leventhal Holders for their shares was $1,858,465, which amount was equal to the product of (i) $1.75 multiplied by (ii) the number of shares purchased.

Equity Line of Credit

We have an equity line with Dutchess (the “2015 Equity Line”), pursuant to which Dutchess is committed to purchase, subject to certain restrictions and conditions, up to 3,200,000 shares of our Common Stock, over a period of 36 months from the effectiveness of the registration statement registering the resale of shares purchased by Dutchess pursuant to the Investment Agreement. At December 31, 2017, we had 2,450,000 shares of our Common Stock available for sale, at our discretion, under the terms of the 2015 Equity Line and covered pursuant to an effective registration statement. The 2015 Equity Line is scheduled to expire in July 2018.

Under the terms of the 2015 Equity Line, we may, at our discretion, draw on the facility from time to time, as and when we determine appropriate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the investment agreement with Dutchess. The maximum number of shares that we are entitled to put to Dutchess in any one draw down notice may not exceed 500,000 shares with a purchase price calculated in accordance with the 2015 Equity Line. We may deliver a notice for a subsequent put from time to time, following the one day pricing period for the prior put.

The purchase price for any shares sold to Dutchess under the agreement will be set at ninety-five percent (95%) of the volume weighted average price (VWAP) of the Common Stock during the one trading day immediately following our put notice. We have the right to withdraw all or any portion of any put, except that portion of the put that has already been sold to a third party, including any portion of a put that is below the minimum acceptable price set forth on the put notice, before the closing. In the event Dutchess receives more than a five percent (5%) return on the net sales for a specific put, Dutchess must remit such excess proceeds to us; however, in the event Dutchess receives less than a five percent (5%) return on the net sales for a specific put, Dutchess will have the right to deduct from the proceeds of the put amount on the applicable closing date so Dutchess’s return will equal five percent (5%).

There are put restrictions applied on days between the draw down notice date and the closing date with respect to that particular put. In addition, Dutchess will not be obligated to purchase shares if Dutchess’ total number of shares beneficially held at that time would exceed 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-1(j) of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not permitted to draw on the facility unless there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the shares.

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Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Ted Karkus

On February 16, 2018, our board of directors approved the Amended and Restated 2015 Executive Employment Agreement with Ted Karkus, our Chief Executive Officer (the “Amended Employment Agreement”), which became effective February 23, 2018, subject to stockholder approval at a special meeting of stockholder to be held April 12, 2018. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Karkus has voluntarily agreed to reduce his base salary from the rate set forth in his previous employment agreement (the “Prior Employment Agreement”) (i.e., not less than $675,000 per annum) to a base salary of $125,000 per annum (the “Term Base Salary”) through February 22, 2021. Unless otherwise determined by the mutual agreement of the Company and Mr. Karkus, on February 22,January 2021 and thereafter, Mr. Karkus’ salary will increase from the Term Base Salary to not less than $675,000 per annum.Offerings

 

In considerationJanuary 2021, we completed two separate equity offerings whereby we issued a total of Mr. Karkus’ voluntary reduction in salary, our board of directors granted Mr. Karkus a stock option to purchase 2,300,0003,550,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise pricefor net proceeds of $3.00 per share on February 23, 2018 (the “Executive Stock Option”).$40.6 million. The Executive Stock Option will vest and be exercisable in 35 equal monthly installments of 63,888 shares and one monthly installment of 63,290 shares, subject to his continued employment, and subject to accelerated vesting in the event Mr. Karkus’s employment is terminated for any reason other than by us for Cause or by Mr. Karkus without Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Amended Employment Agreement). The Executive Stock Optionnet proceeds derived from these equity offerings will be exercisableused principally for a five year term commencing on the date of grant. The Executive Stock Option will be granted pursuant to the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”), which was also adopted and approved by our board of directors on February 16, 2018. The 2018 Plan, like the Amended Employment Agreement, is subject to stockholder approval. The 2018 Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 2,300,000 shares pursuant to stock options granted under the 2018 Plan.

Asset Purchase Agreement with Mylan

We have indemnification obligations to Mylan under the asset purchase agreement with Mylan (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) that may require us to make future payments to Mylan and other related persons for any damages incurred by Mylan or such related persons as a result of any breachesexpansion of our representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the Asset Purchase Agreement, or arising from the Retained Liabilities (as such term is defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) or certain third-party claims specified in the Asset Purchase Agreement. Generally, our representations and warranties survive for a period of 24 months from the closing date, which was March 29, 2017, other than certain fundamental representations which survive until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. There is a limited indemnification cap with respect to a majority of the Company’s indemnification obligations under the Asset Purchase Agreement with the exception of claims for actual fraud, the breach of any fundamental representations and certain other items, which have a larger indemnification cap (e.g., the purchase price).

diagnostics services business.

Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, we, Mylan, and an escrow agent entered into an Escrow Agreement at closing, pursuant to which Mylan deposited $5 million of the aggregate purchase price for the Cold-EEZE® Business into an escrow account established with the Escrow Agent in order to satisfy, in whole or in part, certain of our indemnity obligations under the Asset Purchase Agreement. If, on the 18th month anniversary of the closing date, there are funds remaining in the escrow account, then the escrow account will be reduced by the difference, if a positive number, of (i) $2.5 million minus (ii) the aggregate amount of all escrow claims asserted by Mylan prior to this date that have either been paid out of the escrow account or are pending as of such date, and, within two business days of such date, the Escrow Agent will disburse such difference, if a positive number, to us. Within two business days of the second anniversary of the closing date, the Escrow Agent will release any funds remaining in the escrow account to us minus any amounts being reserved for escrow claims asserted by Mylan prior to such date. Upon the resolution of any pending escrow claims, the Escrow Agent will, within two business days of receipt of joint instructions or a final order from a court (as described in the Escrow Agreement) disburse such reserved amount to the parties entitled to such funds.General

 

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General

Management is not aware of any other trends, events or uncertainties that have or are reasonably likely to have a material negative impact upon our (i) short-term or long-term liquidity, or (ii) net salesrevenue or income from continuing operations. Any challenge to our trademark rights could have a material adverse effect on our future; however, we are not aware of any condition that would make such an event probable. Our business is subject to seasonal variations thereby impactingthat impact our liquidity and working capital during the course of our fiscal year.year and is now subject to the demand for COVID testing in our diagnostic services business.

 

To the extent that we do not generate sufficient cash from operations, our cash balances will decline. We may also use our cash to explore and/or acquire new product technologies, applications, product line extensions, new contract manufacturing applications and other new business opportunities. In the event that our available cash is insufficient to support such initiatives and the development of our new diagnostic service business, we may need to incur indebtedness or issue Common Stockcommon stock to finance plans for growth. Volatility in the credit markets and the liquidity of major financial institutions may have an adverse effect on our ability to fund our business strategy through borrowings, under either existing or newly created loan instruments, or the sale of securities in the public or private markets on terms that we believe to be reasonable, if at all.

Contract Obligations

Our future contractual obligations and commitments at December 31, 2017 consist of the following (in thousands):

Year Employment Contracts  Total 
2018 $675  $675 
2019  168   168 
2020  -   - 
2021  -   - 
2022  -   - 
Total $843  $843 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

It is not our usual business practice to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements such as guarantees on loans and financial commitments and retained interests in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity for securitization purposes. We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Impact of Inflation

 

We are subject to normal inflationary trends and anticipate that any increased costs would be passed on to our customers. Inflation has not had a material effect on our business.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 of this Part II.However, certain accounting policies are deemed “critical”, as they require management’s highest degree of judgment, estimates and assumptions. These accounting policies, estimates and disclosures have been discussed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. A discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates, the judgments and uncertainties affecting their application and the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions are as follows:

Use of Estimates

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America(“GAAP”), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods. Examples include the provision for bad debt, sales returns and allowances, inventory obsolescence, useful lives of property and equipment, impairment of goodwill, intangibles and property and equipment, income tax valuations and assumptions related to accrued advertising. When providing for the appropriate sales returns, allowances, cash discounts and cooperative incentive promotion costs, we apply a uniform and consistent method for making certain assumptions for estimating these provisions. TheseThe estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time the financial statements are prepared. Management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments on a quarterly basis. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivables

 

We generate salesrevenue principally through two types of revenue streams, diagnostic services and consumer products with two types of customers, contract manufacturing customers and retail customers. Sales The process for estimating revenues and the ultimate collection of receivables involves assumptions and judgments.

Revenue from productour diagnostic services are recognized when the lab test is complete and the diagnostic test result is provided to the customer. Revenue from our consumer products is recognized when the shipments to contract manufacturing and retailer customers are recognized at the time ownership is transferred to the customer. In 2017, approximately $9.72020, we had $14.5 million of ournet sales of which approximately $9.9$12.3 million of sales were from contract manufacturing customers.customers, $1.0 million of our sales were from retailer sales and $1.2 million were from diagnostic services. We bill the providers at standard price and take into consideration for negotiated discounts and an anticipated reimbursement remittance adjustments based on, the payer portfolio, when revenue is recorded. We use the most expected value method to estimate the transaction price for reimbursements that may vary from the listed contract price.

 

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Revenue Recognition – Sales Allowances

When providing for the appropriate sales returns, allowances, cash discounts and cooperative incentive promotion costs (“Sales Allowances”sales allowances”), we apply a uniform and consistent method for making certain assumptions for estimating these provisions. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time the financial statements are prepared. Management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments on a quarterly basis. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, we are responsible for and continue to accept product returns of the Cold-EEZE®Business for product shipped prior to March 30, 2017. Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, we allocated and, in June 2017, issued a credit to Mylan in an aggregate amount of $400,000 for future sales returns and allowances arising from certain product returns that were sold by us prior to March 30, 2017.

Our return policy accommodates returns for (i) discontinued products, (ii) store closings and (iii) products that have reached or exceeded designated expiration date. The following is a summary of the change in the return provision for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 20162019 to the year ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

  Amount 
Return provision at December 31, 2015 $1,415 
Net change in the return provision Fiscal 2016  (174)
Return provision at December 31, 2016  1,241 
Net change in the return provision Fiscal 2017  (761)
Return provision at December 31, 2017 $480 

  Amount 
Return provision at December 31, 2019 $169 
Net change in the return provision Fiscal 2020  122 
Return provision at December 31, 2020 $291 

For Fiscal 2017,2020, the return provision decreasedincreased by $761,000.$122,000. The decreaseincrease in the return provision was principally due to (i) a charge of $466,000, including $317,000 for products with shelf-life expiration dates (obsolete returns), offset by (ii) net returns of $1.2 million associated principally with Fiscal 2017 and Fiscal 2016 received and processed during Fiscal 2017.

For Fiscal 2016, the return provision decreased by $174,000. The decrease in the return provision was principally due to (i) a charge of $869,000, including $806,000 for products with shelf-life expiration dates (obsolete returns), offset by (ii) net returns of $1.0 million associated principally with Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 received and processed during Fiscal 2015.

2020.

 

A one percent deviation for these sales allowance provisions for Fiscal 2017, 20162020 and 20152019 would affect net sales by approximately $169,000, $266,000$10,000 and $248,000,$8,600, respectively.

 

Additionally, accrued advertising and other allowances from retail as of December 31, 2020 include $463,000 for cooperative incentive promotion costs, which is reported as accrued advertising and other allowances under current liabilities. As of December 31, 2019, accrued advertising and other allowances from retail revenue include $92,000 for cooperative incentive promotion costs, which is reported as accrued advertising and other allowances under current liabilities.

Goodwill and Long lived Assets

We review our goodwill at least annually for impairment as well as the carrying value of goodwill and our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be fully recoverable. When it is determined that the carrying amount of long-lived assets or goodwill is impaired, impairment is measured by comparing an asset’s estimated fair value to its carrying value. The determination of fair value is based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available, or independent appraisals; sales price negotiations; or projected future cash flows discounted at a rate determined by management to be commensurate with our business risk. The estimation of fair value utilizing discounted forecasted cash flows includes significant judgments regarding assumptions of revenue, operating and marketing costs; selling and administrative expenses; interest rates; property and equipment additions and retirements; and industry competition, general economic and business conditions, among other factors.

Management has determined that there was no impairment to our long-lived assets and goodwill on the basis of a review of a discounted cash flow analysis, which for goodwill is performed at the level of the subsidiaries to which the goodwill relates. If there is a material change in the assumptions used in the determination of fair value or a material change in the conditions or circumstances influencing fair value, we could be required to recognize a material impairment charge.

Income Taxes

Accounting for income taxes requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities. These deferred taxes are measured by applying the provisions of tax laws in effect at the balance sheet date, including the impact of the TCJA enacted on December 22, 2017. The TCJA made broad and significant changes to the U.S. tax code that affects the year ended December 31, 2017, including, but not limited to, a change in the federal rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018.

 

The Company We recognizes in income the effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities in the period that includes the TCJA enactment date. We utilize the asset and liability approach which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, we generally consider all expected future events other than enactments of changes in the tax law or rates. Until sufficient taxable income to offset the temporary timing differences attributable to operations and the tax deductions attributable to option, warrant and stock activities are assured, a valuation allowance equaling the total net current and non-current deferred tax asset is being provided.

 

Effect of RecentRecently Adopted Accounting PronouncementsStandards

 

In May 2014,February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, on revenue recognition. The new standard provides for a single five-step model2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) in order to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers as well as requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timingincrease transparency and uncertainty of revenuecomparability among organizations by, among other provisions, recognizing lease assets and cash flows relating to customer contracts. Companies have an option to use either a retrospective approach or cumulative effect adjustment approach to implement the standard. We will adopt the provisions of the new standard in the first quarter of 2018. We have determined the following pertaining to the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09:

Contract Manufacturing — we have concluded that the standard will not have a material impact on revenue recognition. We determined that contracts herein meet the definition of a contract under the new standard, through which the combined duties and responsibilities to provide manufacturing services for customers within each contract will be considered one single performance obligations under ASC 606. Thus, the allocation of contract consideration to separate performance obligations is not applicable. The transaction price in each contract is fixed, as the consideration is based upon the manufacturing price from each related purchase order. We determined that we will continue recognizing revenue at a point in time as the goods are shipped.
Contract Costs — we have concluded that no incremental costs are incurred to obtain the contracts. Additionally, we have determined that costs incurred to fulfill customer contracts would not require capitalization because these costs do not generate or enhance our resources that will be used in satisfying performance obligations in the future. We have determine that the impact on our retail revenues will not be material.

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Transition Method —we will be adopting ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective approach.

In addition, the remaining significant implementation matters to be addressed prior to fully adopting ASU 2014-09 include finalizing updates to our (i) business processes, (ii) systems and (iii) controls to comply with ASU 2014-09. We expect to complete our assessment of the full financial impact of ASU 2014-09 before filing our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which will include the required financial reporting disclosures under ASC 2014-09.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases”. The new standard will require most leases to be recognizedlease liabilities on the balance sheet which will increase reported assets and liabilities. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current guidance. The new standardfor those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. For public companies, ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 which for us is the first quarter of Fiscal 2019 and mandates(including interim periods within those periods) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. In transition, method.entities may also elect a package of practical expedients that must be applied in its entirety to all leases commencing before the adoption date, unless the lease is modified, and permits entities to not reassess (a) the existence of a lease, (b) lease classification or (c) determination of initial direct costs, as of the adoption date, which effectively allows entities to carryforward accounting conclusions under previous GAAP. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provides entities an optional transition method to apply the guidance under Topic 842 as of the adoption date, rather than as of the earliest period presented. We do not intendadopted Topic 842 on January 1, 2019, using the optional transition method to early adoptapply the new guidance as of January 1, 2019, rather than as of the earliest period presented, and are currently assessingelected the impactpackage of practical expedients described above. The adoption of this update, but preliminarily believe that its adoption willstandard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016,2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses.” The standard modifies2018-07 “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which simplifies the impairment modelaccounting for share-based payments granted to nonemployees for goods and services. Under the ASU, most financial assets, including trade accounts receivables and loans, and will requireof the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit lossguidance on such instruments and record an allowancepayments to offsetnonemployees would be aligned with the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expectedrequirements for share-based payments granted to be collected on the financial asset.employees. The amendments are effective date of the standard is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this update on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. The new standard attempts to reduce diversity in practice in how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. The new guidance will be effective forinterim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years.2020. Early adoption is permitted, but not earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. We will adopt ASU 2016-15 in the first quarteradopted this standard on January 1, 2019. The adoption of Fiscal 2018 and dothis standard did not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory”. The new standard requires entities should recognize the income tax consequences of an asset other than inventory when the asset transfer occurs. The new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and requires a modified retrospective adoption through a cumulative effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We will adopt ASU 2016-16 in the first quarter of Fiscal 2018 and do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Not Yet Adopted

In September 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The ASU sets forth a “current expected credit loss” (CECL) model which requires the Company to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost and applies to some off-balance sheet credit exposures. In February 2018,2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which amends the effective date of the original pronouncement for smaller reporting companies. ASU 2016-13 and its amendments will be effective for the Company for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02 “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2018-02 allows2019-12”), which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income or losstaxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to retained earnings or accumulated deficit for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cutsgeneral principles in Topic 740 and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”). ASU 2018-02 also requires certain related disclosures. ASU 2018-02clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This guidance is effective for annual periods,fiscal years, and interim periods within those annual periods,fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 and should be applied either in the period of2020, with early adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the TCJApermitted. The Company is recognized. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2018-02this standard on ourits consolidated financial statements but we do not believe it will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.and related disclosures.

 

27

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Like virtually all commercial enterprises, we canmay be exposed to the risk (“market risk”) that the cash flows to be received or paid relating to certain financial instruments could change as a result of changes in interest rate, exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes.

 

Our operations are not subject to risks of material foreign currency fluctuations, nor do we use derivative financial instruments in our investment practices. We place our marketable investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards. We do not expect material losses with respect to our investment portfolio or excessive exposure to market risks associated with interest rates. The impact on our results of one percentage point change in short-term interest rates would not have a material impact on our future earnings, fair value, or cash flows related to investments in cash equivalents or interest-earning marketable securities.

 

Current economic conditions may cause a decline in business and consumer spending which could adversely affect our business and financial performance including the collection of accounts receivables, realization of inventory and recoverability of assets. In addition, our business and financial performance may be adversely affected by current and future economic conditions, including a reduction in the availability of credit, financial market volatility and recession.

 

28

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 Page
ReportReports of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmFirms3032
Financial Statements: 
Consolidated Balance Sheets3134
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)3235
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity3336
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows3437
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements3538

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

29

 

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of ProPhase Labs, Inc., Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of ProPhase Labs, Inc., Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “ProPhase”) as of December 31, 2020 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), statements of changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Critical Audit Matter Description

Secured Promissory Note Receivable (“the Note”) Realization

The Note, as amended and restated, was entered into with a company (the borrower) pursuant to which ProPhase loaned $3.0 million while also entering into a consulting agreement with the borrower, as disclosed in Notes 12 and 16. In January 2021, the consulting agreement was terminated and the Note was amended. The January 2021 amendment required repayments to be based, in part, on a percentage of certain diagnostic test revenue, as defined, performed by the borrower. The ultimate realization of the Note requires management to make significant assumptions and subjective judgments about the ability to receive repayment from a percentage of the borrower’s diagnostic test revenue, as well as from the borrower’s creditworthiness and viability. Given the subjectivity of these estimates, performing audit procedures to evaluate whether the note receivable was appropriately recorded at December 31, 2020 required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

Addressing this matter involved procedures to test whether the underlying data used in management’s projections, including diagnostic test volume and revenue the borrower achieved prior to this amendment, as well as the payments remitted to date. Our procedures also included reviewing the borrowers diagnostic test volume reported through the financial statement issuance date but not yet been remitted to the Company. We further evaluated how this information and other assumptions were used to forecast the future repayment stream based on the borrower’s expected diagnostic testing. Further, we made direct inquires and reviewed management’s assessment of the borrowers current financial condition regarding their creditworthiness and viability.

Critical Audit Matter Description

Diagnostic Service Variable Consideration and Receivable Allowances

As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s diagnostic revenue is derived from third party insurers and government agencies. Management estimates the amount of consideration it expects to receive for providing the diagnostic services based on reimbursement allowances from insurance providers (including payer denials) and uninsured patient reimbursement allowances from government agency programs. Net revenues and accounts receivable recognized are billed based on standard test rates, net of allowances for expected reimbursements. Given the nature of these estimates and the variables, performing audit procedures to evaluate appropriate revenue recognition required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures which included gaining an understanding of the internal controls relating to the diagnostic services’ billing and collection process and testing the completeness and accuracy of the Company’s billing system. These procedures also included, among other things, performing transaction testing on a sample of diagnostic tests performed which included assessing payer mix and reimbursements to date for each respective payer. We also compared management’s estimated allowances at year-end to actual reimbursements received through the financial statement issuance date, weighted by payer mix.

/s/ Friedman LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

East Hanover, New Jersey

March 31, 2021

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

  

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

ProPhase Labs, Inc.

 

Opinion on the FinancialFinancial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheetssheet of ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016,2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year periodyear then ended, December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016,2019 and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year periodyear then ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits.audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our auditsaudit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our auditsaudit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our auditsaudit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our auditsaudit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our auditsaudit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ EisnerAmper LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.
EISNERAMPER LLP
Iselin, New Jersey

March 28, 2018

 

30

We have served as the Company’s auditor from 2010 through 2020.

 

EISNERAMPER LLP

Iselin, New Jersey

March 26, 2020

 

PROPHASE LABS, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

  December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016 
ASSETS      
Cash and cash equivalents $3,173  $441 
Marketable securities, available for sale  18,765   - 
Escrow receivable-current portion  2,500   - 
Accounts receivable, net  1,945   5,770 
Inventory  1,531   2,736 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  481   680 
Income tax receivable  502   - 
Assets held for sale  22   - 
Total current assets  28,919   9,627 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,471 and $5,134, respectively  2,742   3,175 
Escrow receivable  2,500   - 
Total assets $34,161  $12,802 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
LIABILITIES        
Secured promissory notes, net $-  $1,490 
Accounts payable  562   2,156 
Accrued advertising and other allowances  200   2,805 
Other current liabilities  310   389 
Total current liabilities  1,072   6,840 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  -   - 
         
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Preferred stock, authorized 1,000,000, $.0005 par value, no shares issued  -   - 
Common stock, $.0005 par value; authorized 50,000,000; issued: 27,696,593 and 26,313,593 shares, respectively  14   13 
Additional paid-in-capital  58,034   56,378 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)  22,144   (19,687)
Treasury stock, at cost, 16,566,701 and 9,232,817 shares  (47,025)  (30,742)
Accumulated comprehensive loss  (78)  - 
Total stockholders’ equity  33,089   5,962 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $34,161  $12,802 

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
ASSETS        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $6,816  $434 
Marketable debt securities, available for sale  1,639   926 
Escrow receivable  -   4,812 
Accounts receivable, net  3,155   2,010 
Inventory, net  3,039   1,459 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,238   304 
Total current assets  15,887   9,945 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,021 and $6,252, respectively  3,578   2,329 
Secured promissory note receivable, net  2,750   - 
Prepaid expenses, net of current portion  2,084   - 
Right-of-use asset, net  4,731   - 
Intangible asset, net of accumulated amortization of $73  1,234   - 
Goodwill  901   - 
Other assets  240   - 
TOTAL ASSETS $31,405  $12,274 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities        
Accounts payable $3,771  $432 
Accrued advertising and other allowances  463   92 
Lease liabilities  329   - 
Other current liabilities  1,731   409 
Total current liabilities  6,294   933 
         
Non-current liabilities:        
Deferred revenue, net of current portion  162   110 
Unsecured convertible promissory notes, net  9,991   - 
Lease liabilities, net of current portion  4,402   - 
Total non-current liabilities  14,555   110 
Total liabilities  20,849   1,043 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES        
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Preferred stock authorized 1,000,000, $.0005 par value, no shares issued  -   - 
Common stock authorized 50,000,000, $.0005 par value, issued 28,256,275 and 28,225,615 shares, respectively  14   14 
Additional paid-in capital  61,674   60,215 
Accumulated deficit  (3,631)  (1,506)
Treasury stock, at cost, 16,652,022 and 16,652,022 shares, respectively  (47,490)  (47,490)
Accumulated comprehensive loss  (11)  (2)
Total stockholders’ equity  10,556   11,231 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $31,405  $12,274 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

3134

 

PROPHASE LABS, INC & SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
Net sales $9,867  $4,206  $2,518 
Cost of sales  7,919   3,209   1,686 
Gross profit  1,948   997   832 
Operating expenses:            
Sales and marketing  699   1,700   303 
Administrative  4,808   2,733   2,267 
Research and development  431   358   340 
Total operating expense  5,938   4,791   2,910 
             
Interest income  231   1   2 
Interest expense  (54)  (213)  (18)
Other income  150   -   - 
Total Interest and other income (expense)  327   (212)  (16)
             
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes  (3,663)  (4,006)  (2,094)
Income tax benefit from continuing operations  17,990   -   - 
Income (loss) from continuing operations  14,327   (4,006)  (2,094)
             
Discontinued operations:            
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  530   1,138   (1,506)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes  26,974   -   - 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  27,504   1,138   (1,506)
             
Net income (loss) $41,831  $(2,868) $(3,600)
             
Other comprehensive income (loss):            
Unrealized loss on marketable securities  (78)  -   - 
Total comprehensive income (loss) $41,753  $(2,868) $(3,600)
             
Basic earnings (loss) per share:            
Income (loss) from continuing operations $0.92  $(0.24) $(0.13)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  1.77   0.07   (0.09)
Net income (loss) $2.69  $(0.17) $(0.22)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:            
Income (loss) from continuing operations $0.92  $(0.24) $(0.13)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  1.75   0.07   (0.09)
Net income (loss) $2.67  $(0.17) $(0.22)
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding:            
Basic  15,565   17,081   16,398 
Diluted  15,696   17,081   16,398 

  For the Years Ended 
  December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
Net sales $14,514  $9,876 
Cost of sales  9,908   7,261 
Gross profit  4,606   2,615 
         
Operating expenses:        
Sales and marketing  1,287   1,042 
General and administration  6,671   4,480 
Research and development  633   332 
Total operating expenses  8,591   5,854 
Gain on sale of real estate  1,892   - 
Loss from operations  (2,093)  (3,239)
         
Interest income, net  62   133 
Interest expense  (295)  - 
Loss from continuing operations  (2,326)  (3,106)
         
Discontinued Operations:        
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  201   (40)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  201   (40)
Net loss $(2,125) $(3,146)
         
Other comprehensive loss:        
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable debt securities  (9)  22 
Total comprehensive loss $(2,134) $(3,124)
         
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:        
Loss from continuing operations $(0.20) $(0.27)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  0.02   (0.00)
Net loss per share $(0.18) $(0.27)
         
Weighted average common shares outstanding:        
Basic and diluted  11,595   11,564 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

3235

 

PROPHASE LABS, INC & SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share data)

 

  Common Stock Shares Outstanding, Net of Shares of Treasury Stock  Par Value  Additional
Paid-In Capital
  Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)  Accumulated Comprehensive Loss  Treasury Stock  Total 
                      
Balance at January 1, 2015  15,892,296  $13  $54,664  $(13,219) $-  $(30,742) $10,716 
                             
Net loss              (3,600)          (3,600)
Share-based compensation expense          135               135 
Issuance of warrants in connection with secure promissory notes          14               14 
Common stock issued  1,188,480       1,564               1,564 
Balance at December 31, 2015  17,080,776   13   56,377   (16,819)  -   (30,742)  8,829 
                             
Net loss              (2,868)          (2,868)
Share-based compensation expense          1               1 
Balance at December 31, 2016  17,080,776   13   56,378   (19,687)  -   (30,742)  5,962 
                             
Net income              41,831           41,831 
Unrealized loss                  (78)      (78)
Proceeds for warrants exercised  51,000       69               69 
Proceeds for options exercised  1,332,000   1   1,509               1,510 
Treasury stock acquired  (7,333,884)                  (16,283)  (16,283)
Share-based compensation expense          78               78 
Balance at December 31, 2017  11,129,892  $14  $58,034  $22,144  $(78) $(47,025) $33,089 
  Common Stock                   
  Shares Outstanding,      Additional     Accumulated       
  Net of Shares of  Par  Paid in  Accumulated  Comprehensive  Treasury    
  Treasury Stock  Value  Capital  Deficit  Income (loss)  Stock  Total 
Balance as of January 1, 2019  11,549,519  $14  $59,471  $4,533  $(24) $(47,490) $16,504 
                             
Cash dividends  -   -   -   (2,893)  -   -   (2,893)
                             
Unrealized gain on marketable debt securities, net of realized losses of $12, net of taxes  -   -   -   -   22   -   22 
                             
Stock-based compensation  24,074   -   744   -   -   -   744 
                             
Net loss  -   -   -   (3,146)  -   -   (3,146)
                             
Balance as of December 31, 2019  11,573,593   14   60,215   (1,506)  (2)  (47,490)  11,231 
                             
Unrealized loss on marketable debt securities, net of realized losses of $4, net of taxes  -   -   -   -   (9)  -   (9)
                             
Stock-based compensation  30,660   -   1,459   -   -   -   1,459 
                             
Net loss  -   -   -   (2,125)  -   -   (2,125)
                             
Balance as of December 31, 2020  11,604,253  $14  $61,674  $(3,631) $(11) $(47,490) $10,556 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

3336

 

PROPHASE LABS, INC & SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Net income (loss) $41,831  $(2,868) $(3,600)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:            
Gain on sale of assets, net of taxes  (26,974)  -   (9)
Income taxbenefit  (17,990)  -   - 
Depreciation  337   426   367 
Loss on fixed asset disposal  291   -   - 
Amortization of loan origination and warrant expenses  10   24     
Share-based compensation expense  78   1   135 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:            
Accounts receivable  3,825   (1,770)  1,836 
Inventory  1,205   1,595   (1,039)
Prepaid expenses and other assets  199   1,204   (480)
Income tax receivable  (502)  -   - 
Accounts payable  (1,594)  1,166   323 
Income tax payable  (848)  -   - 
Accrued advertising and other allowances  (2,605)  297   (1,177)
Other operating assets and liabilities, net  (138)  (547)  147 
Accrued sales allowance transfer to purchaser-due to Mylan  59   -   - 
Assets held for sale  (22)  -   - 
Net cash used in operating activities  (2,838)  (472)  (3,497)
             
Cash flows from investing activities:            
Net proceeds from sale of asset  40,825   -   9 
Purchase of marketable securities  (31,693)  -   - 
Sale of marketable securities  12,850   -   - 
Capital expenditures  (208)  (651)  (718)
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities  21,774   (651)  (709)
             
Cash flows from financing activities:            
Payments to retire Notes  (1,500)  -   - 
Payments to acquire treasury stock  (16,283)  -   - 
Proceeds for exercise of warrants  69   -   - 
Proceeds for exercise of stock options  1,510   -   - 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock  -   -   1,564 
Payment of long term obligation  -   (100)  (100)
Secured promissory note issuance costs  -   -   (20)
Proceeds from secured promissory note  -   -   1,500 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  (16,204)  (100)  2,944 
             
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  2,732   (1,223)  (1,262)
             
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  441   1,664   2,926 
             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $3,173  $441  $1,664 
             
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:            
Interest paid $54  $190  $6 
Income taxes paid $1,350  $-  $- 
Issuance of warrants in connection with secured promissory notes $-  $-  $14 
             
Non-cash investing activities:            
Escrow receivable $5,000  $-  $- 
Net unrealized losses, investments in marketable securities $(78) $-  $- 
  For the Years Ended 
  December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss $(2,125) $(3,146)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
Realized (gain) loss on marketable debt securities  (2)  12 
(Gain) loss on discontinued operations, net of taxes  (201)  40 
Depreciation and amortization  449   398 
Amortization of debt discount  1   - 
Amortization on right-of-use assets  9   - 
Lower of cost or net realizable value inventory adjustment  68   - 
Consulting expense paid through reduction of secured promissory note receivable  250     
Stock-based compensation expense  1,459   744 
Gain on sale of real estate  (1,892)  - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  (1,039)  936 
Inventory  (1,468)  444 
Prepaid and other assets  (3,005)  (8)
Other assets  (240)  - 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  3,339   (14)
Lease liabilities  (9)  - 
Other liabilities  1,814   (247)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  (2,592)  (841)
         
Cash flows from investing activities        
Issuance of secured promissory note receivable  (3,000)  - 
Purchase of marketable securities  (4,560)  (3,137)
Proceeds from sale of marketable debt securities  3,840   8,908 
Escrow receivable  4,812   - 
Capital expenditures  (1,689)  (228)
Acquisition of Confucius Labs  (2,500)  - 
Proceeds from sale of building, net  2,081   - 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (1,016)  5,543 
         
Cash flows from financing activities        
Payment of dividends  -   (5,822)
Issuance costs on unsecured convertible promissory notes  (10)  - 
Proceeds from unsecured convertible promissory notes  10,000   - 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  9,990   (5,822)
         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  6,382   (1,120)
Cash and cash equivalents, at the beginning of the year  434   1,554 
Cash and cash equivalents, at the end of the year $6,816  $434 
         
Supplemental disclosures:        
Cash paid for income taxes $-  $103 
Interest payment on the promissory ntoes $250  $- 
         
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:        
Right-of-use assets and lease liability recorded upon adoption of ASC 842 $4,740   - 
Net unrealized (loss) gain, investments in marketable debt securities $(9) $22 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

34

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTENote 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESSOrganization and Business

 

ProPhase Labs, Inc. (“we”, “us”ProPhase or the “Company”) was initially organized asis a corporation in Nevada in July 1989. Effective June 18, 2015, we changed our state of incorporation from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware. We are a vertically integrated and diversified branding, marketingmedical science and technology company with deep experience with over-the-counter (“OTC”) consumer healthcare products and dietary supplements. We conduct our operations through two operating segments: consumer products and diagnostic services. Until late 2020, we were engaged in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of over-the-counter (“OTC”)OTC consumer healthcare products and dietary supplements and other remedies in the United States. This includes the developmentHowever, commencing in December 2020, we also began offering COVID-19 and marketing of dietary supplements under the TK Supplements®brand.

other respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) molecular tests through our new diagnostic service business. 

 

In August 2017, we formed ProPhase Digital Media,Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmaloz Manufacturing, Inc. (“PDM”PMI”), is a Delaware corporationfull-service contract manufacturer and private label developer of a broad range of non-GMO, organic and natural-based cough drops and lozenges and OTC drug and dietary supplement products.

Our wholly-owned subsidiary. Our objective issubsidiary, ProPhase Diagnostics, Inc., (“ProPhase Diagnostics”), which was formed on October 9, 2020, offers a variety of medical tests, including COVID-19 and Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) Molecular tests. On October 23, 2020, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Confucius Plaza Medical Laboratory Corp. (“CPM”) for PDM to become an independent full-service direct marketing agency.

approximately $2.5 million in cash (see Note 3) which a 4,000 square foot Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (“CLIA”) accredited laboratory located in Old Bridge, New Jersey. As a result of the acquisition of CPM in October 2020, we entered into a new business line, diagnostic services. In December 2020, we expanded our diagnostic service business with the signing of a lease and the recent build out of a second, larger CLIA accredited laboratory in Garden City, New York. Operations at this second facility commenced in January 2021.

 

In addition, we also continue to actively pursue acquisition opportunities for other companies, technologies and products within and outside the consumer products industry.

 

We use a December 31 year-end for financial reporting purposes. References in this Annual Report to “Fiscal 2017” shall2020” mean the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172020 and references to other “Fiscal” years shall mean the year whichthat ended on December 31 of the year indicated. The term “we”, “us” or the “Company” as used herein also refer, where appropriate, to the Company, together with its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.

 

Discontinued Operations

Prior to March 29, 2017, our flagship OTC drug brand was Cold-EEZE® and our principal product was Cold-EEZE®cold remedy zinc gluconate lozenges. In addition to Cold-EEZE® cold remedy lozenges, we also marketed and distributed non-lozenge forms of our proprietary zinc gluconate formulation, (i) Cold-EEZE® cold remedy QuickMelts®, (ii) Cold-EEZE® Gummies and (iii) Cold-EEZE® cold remedy Oral Spray.

Effective March 29, 2017, we sold our intellectual property rights and other assets related to our Cold-EEZE® brand and product line, including all then current and pipeline over-the-counter allergy, cold, flu, multi-symptom relief and immune support treatments for adults and children to the extent each was, or was intended to be, branded “Cold-EEZE®”, including all formulations and derivatives thereof (collectively referred to as the “Cold-EEZE®Business”) to Mylan. As a consequence of the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business, for Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, we have classified as discontinued operations (i) all income and expenses attributable to the Cold-EEZE® Business, (ii) the gain from the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business, and (iii) the income tax expense attributed to the sale of the Cold-EEZE®Business. Excluded from the sale of the Cold-EEZE®Business were our accounts receivable and inventory. We have also retained all liabilities associated with our Cold-EEZE®Business operations arising prior to March 29, 2017.

Continuing Operations

We continue to own and operate oura manufacturing facility and manufacturing business in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and relocated our headquarters in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.Garden City, New York as of January 2021. As part of the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business,business, we entered into a manufacturing agreement with Mylan Consumer Healthcare Inc. (formerly known as Meda Consumer Healthcare Inc.) (“MCH”) and Mylan Inc. (together with MCH, “Mylan”) and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmaloz Manufacturing, Inc. (“PMI”), to supply various Cold-EEZE®lozenge products to Mylan. In addition to the production services we provide to Mylan under the manufacturing agreement, we also produce OTC drughealthcare and dietary supplement lozenges and other products for other third-party customers in addition to performing operational tasks such as warehousing customer order processing and shipping.

 

We are also pursuingengaged in development and distribution of a seriesproduct line of new product development, pre-commercialization and market testing initiatives in the OTC dietary supplement category. Initial OTC dietary supplement product development activities were completed in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2015supplements under the brand name of TK Supplements®. The TK Supplements® product line comprises of threetwo men’s health products: (i) Legendz XL® for sexual health, and (ii) Triple Edge XL®, an energy booster plus testosterone support, and (iii) Super ProstaFlow+TM for prostate and urinary health.support. In addition to developing direct-to-consumer (“Direct Response”) marketing strategies for Legendz XL®, we received initial product acceptance and shipped intoare currently in distribution in a national chain drug retailerretailers and to several regional retailers during the Fiscal 2017.retailers.

 

3538

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTENote 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIESSummary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

For Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, our revenues from continuing operations have come principally from our OTC healthcare products.

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements (“Financial Statements”) include the accounts of the Company and its wholly -ownedwholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Discontinued Operations Carve Out and ProPhase AllocationsSegments

 

For Fiscal 2017, 2016Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities for which separate financial information is available and 2015, results from operationsis evaluated by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), which for our Cold-EEZE® Business are classified as discontinued operations.the Company is its Chief Executive Officer, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The carve out of the discontinued operations (i) were prepared in accordance with the SEC’s carve out rules under Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 1B1Company has two operating segments: diagnostic services and (ii) are derived from identifying and carving out the specific assets, liabilities, net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and interest expense associated with the Cold-EEZE®Business’s operations. Administrative and overhead expenses, including personnel expenses and bonuses, and research and development overhead expenses incurred by us (for which the discontinued operation benefits from such resources) are allocated to discontinued operations based upon the percentage of the Cold-EEZE® Business’s net sales to our consolidated net sales. For Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, we allocated (i) $348,000, $2.3 million and $4.7 million, respectively, of administrative expenses, $1.7 million, $5.4 million and $7.4 million, respectively of sales and marketing expenses and (iii) $52,000, $218,000 and $738,000, respectively, of research and development expenses, to discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations.consumer products.

Product Innovation, Seasonality of the Business and Liquidity

 

OurA significant portion of our net sales are derived principally from our contract manufacturing of OTC healthcare and dietary supplement products sold in the United States. In addition, we are engaged in early stage commercialization and market testing activities for the TK Supplements® product line of dietary supplements.supplements and diagnostic services.

 

Our consumer sales are influenced by and subject to (i) the scope and timing of acceptance of our TK SupplementSupplements® product market testing andproducts in the ultimate market launch,marketplace, and (ii) fluctuations in the timing of purchase and the ultimate level of demand for the OTC healthcare and cold remedy products that we manufacture for others, which are a function of the timing, length and severity of each cold season. Generally, a cold season is defined as the period offrom September to March when the incidence of the common cold rises as a consequence of the change in weather and other factors. We generally experience in the first, third and fourth quarter higher levels of net sales from our contract manufacturing of OTC healthcare and cold remedy products. Revenues are generally at their lowest levels in the second quarter when customer demand generally declines.

 

As a consequence

The diagnostic service business is influenced by the level of demand for COVID-19 and other diagnostic testing, the scope and timing ofprice we are able to receive for performing our TK Supplements® product market testing services, and the ultimate market launchlength of time for which that demand persists, as well as the availability of COVID-19 testing from other laboratories and the seasonalityperiod of our business,time for which we realize variations in operating results and demand for working capital from quarterare able to quarter. serve as an authorized laboratory offering COVID-19 testing under various Emergency Use Authorizations.

As of December 31, 2017,2020, we had working capital of approximately $27.8$9.6 million, including $18.8$1.6 million marketable securities available for sale. We believe our current working capital at December 31, 2017 is at an acceptable and adequate level to support our business for at least the next twelve months ending March 31, 2019.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods. Examples include the provision for bad debt, sales returns and allowances, diagnostic services reimbursements, inventory obsolescence, useful lives of property and equipment, impairment of property and equipment, income tax valuations and assumptions related to accrued advertising. When providing for the appropriate sales returns, allowances, cash discounts and cooperative incentive promotion costs (“Sales Allowances”sales allowances”), we apply a uniform and consistent method for making certain assumptions for estimating these provisions. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time the financial statements are prepared. Management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments on a quarterly basis. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We consider all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include cash on hand and monies invested in money market funds. The carrying amount approximates the fair market value due to the short-term maturity of these investments.

36

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

Marketable Debt Securities

 

We have classified our investments in marketable debt securities as available-for-sale and as a current asset. Our investments in marketable securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses from our marketable securities are recorded as other interest income (expense). During Fiscal 2017, we initiated short-termThe investments in marketable securities. At December 31, 2017, $16.0 million of our investments in marketable securities carriedcarry maturity dates underbetween one yearand three years from date of purchase with interest rates of 0.87%0.85% - 3.12% and $2.8 million carry maturity dates between one and two years with interest rates of 1.97% - 2.31%. For3.35% during Fiscal 2017, we reported an unrealized loss of $78,000. Unrealized gains and losses are classified as other comprehensive income (loss) and the cost is determined on a specific identification basis.2020. The following is a summary of the components of our marketable securities and the underlying fair value input level tier hierarchy (see long-lived assets below) (in thousands):

  As of December 31, 2017 
  Input Amortizied  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market 
  Level cost  gain  loss  Value 
U.S. government obligations Level 2 $1,744  $-  $-  $1,744 
Corporate obligations Level 2  16,943   -   (78)  17,021 
    $18,687  $-  $(78) $18,765 

  As of December 31, 2020 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Losses  Value 
U.S. government obligations $1,021  $(7) $1,014 
Corporate obligations  629   (4)  625 
  $1,650  $(11) $1,639 

  As of December 31, 2019 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Fair 
  Cost  Losses  Value 
U.S. government obligations $125  $-  $125 
Corporate obligations  803   (2)  801 
  $928  $(2) $926 

 

Inventory, net

 

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis (FIFO)(“FIFO”), or net realizable value. Inventory items are analyzed to determine cost and the net realizable value and appropriate valuation adjustments are established. At December 31, 2017,2020 and 2019, the financial statements include adjustments to reduce inventory for excess, obsolete or short-dated shelf-life inventory of $1.1 million, inclusive of adjustments of (i) $541,000 for product samples of TK Supplements® products. At December 31, 2016, the financial statements include adjustments to reduce inventory for excess, obsolete or short-dated shelf-life inventory of $1.6 million, inclusive of adjustments of (i) $383,000 for product samples of TK Supplements® products$167,000 and (ii) $606,000 for Cold-EEZE®Division products.$360,824, respectively, The components of inventory are as follows (in thousands):

 

  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
       
Raw materials $1,269  $1,404 
Work in process  245   466 
Finished goods  17   866 
  $1,531  $2,736 

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Raw materials $3,460  $1,024 
Work in process  437   299 
Finished goods  170   136 
  $4,067  $1,459 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. We use the straight-line method in computing depreciation for financial reporting purposes. The depreciationDepreciation expense is computed in accordance with the following ranges of estimated asset lives (see Note 4).lives: building and improvements – ten to thirty-nine years; machinery and equipment – three to seven years; computer equipment and software – three to five years; and furniture and fixtures – five years.

 

Concentration of Risks

 

Future revenues, costs, margins and profits will continue to be influenced by our ability to maintain our manufacturing availability and capacity together with our marketing and distribution capabilities and the regulatory requirements associated with the development of OTC consumer healthcare products, dietary supplements and other personal care productsremedies in order to continue to compete on a national level and/or international level.In addition, with the October 2020 acquisition of CPM and the commencement of operations in February 2021 at our new Garden City, New York CLIA accredited laboratory, our diagnostic service business has significant availability and capacity which will be influence by the demand of diagnostic testing services, particularly COVID-19 as well as our marketing and service capabilities and regulatory requirements associated with operating under and maintaining our CLIA license.

 

Our business is subject to federal and state laws and regulations adopted for the health and safety of users of our products. The manufacturing and distribution of OTC healthcare and dietary supplement products are subject to regulations by various federal, state and local agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and, as applicable, the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States.

 

37

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments, marketable debt securities, and trade accounts receivable. Our marketable securities are fixed income investments, which are highly liquid and can be readily purchased or sold through established markets.

 

We maintain cash and cash equivalents with certain major financial institutions. As of December 31, 2017,2020, our cash and cash equivalents were $3.2balance was $6.8 million and our bank balance was $3.3$7.4 million. Of the total bank balance, $500,000$0.5 million was covered by federal depository insurance and $2.8$6.9 million was uninsured.uninsured at December 31, 2020.

 

Trade accounts receivable potentially subject us to credit concentrations from time-to-time as a consequence of the timing, payment pattern and ultimate purchase volumes or shipping schedules with our customers.consumer products customer of the demand for our diagnostic services. We extend credit to our customers based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and credit history and generally we do not require collateral. Our customers include two customer classifications (i) consumer products companies and large national chain, regional, specialty and local retail stores.stores associated with our consumer products business and (ii) healthcare institutions, insurance companies, corporation and individuals associated with our diagnostic services business. These credit concentrations may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other conditions that may impact the timing and collectability of amounts, reimbursement rates of amounts due to us. As a consequence of anBased on our evaluation of our customer’s financial condition, payment patterns, balancebalances due to us and other factors, we did not offset our account receivable with an allowance for bad debt at December 31, 20172020 and 2016, respectively.December 31, 2019.

 

During Fiscal 2017, 2016We also assess our note holder’s (see Note 12 & 16) financial condition, balances due to us and 2015, effectively allother factors, and based on this assessment. Based on this assessment, such notes are expected to be fully realizable and no reserve was deemed necessary at December 31, 2020.

In addition, see Note 13 - Customer Concentration Risk.

Leases

Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), using the required modified retrospective approach and utilizing the effective date as its date of initial application, for which prior periods are presented in accordance with the previous guidance in ASC 840, Leases (“ASC 840”).

At the inception of an arrangement, we determine whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on the unique facts and circumstances present in the arrangement. Most leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and short-term and long-term lease liabilities, as applicable. We have elected not to recognize on the balance sheet leases with terms of 12 months or less. We typically only include an initial lease term in its assessment of a lease arrangement. Options to renew a lease are not included in the Company’s assessment unless there is reasonable certainty that we will renew.

Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as incentives received. The interest rate implicit in our net revenues wereleases is typically not readily determinable. As a result, we utilize our incremental borrowing rate, which reflects the fixed rate at which the Company could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term and in a similar economic environment. (See Note 10)

In accordance with ASC 842, components of a lease should be allocated between lease components (e.g., land, building, etc.) and non-lease components (e.g., common area maintenance, consumables, etc.). The fixed and in-substance fixed contract consideration (including any consideration related to domestic marketsnon-components) must be allocated based on the respective relative fair values to the lease components and were principally generated from the sale of our contract manufacturing of OTC healthcare and dietary supplement products.

Raw materials used in the production of the products are available from numerous sources. Certain raw material active ingredients are purchased from a single unaffiliated supplier. Should the relationship terminate or the vendor become unable to supply material, we believe that the current contingency plans would prevent a termination from materially affecting our operations. However, if the relationship was terminated, there may be delays in production of our products until an acceptable replacement supplier is located.non-lease components.

Long-lived Assets

 

We review the carrying value and useful lives of our long-lived assets with definite lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable or the period over which they should be depreciated has changed.recoverable. When indicators of impairment exist, we determine whether the estimated undiscounted sum of the future cash flows of such assets is less than their carrying amounts. If less, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount, if any, by which the carrying amount of such assets exceeds their respective fair values. The determination of fair value is based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available, or independent appraisals; sales price negotiations; or projected future cash flows discounted at a rate determined by management to be commensurate with our business risk. The estimation of fair value utilizing discounted forecasted cash flows includes significant judgments regarding assumptions of revenue, operating and marketing costs; selling and administrative expenses; interest rates; property and equipment additions and retirements; industry competition; and general economic and business conditions, among other factors.

 

Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identified net assets of businesses acquired. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are measured at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. We do not amortize goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. Intangible assets related to IPR&D projects, if any, are considered to be indefinite lived until the completion or abandonment of the associated R&D efforts. If and when development is complete, which generally occurs if and when regulatory approval to market a product is obtained, the associated assets would be deemed finite lived and would then be amortized based on their respective estimated useful lives at that point in time.

We review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually for possible impairment. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit or the indefinite-lived intangible assets below their carrying values.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is based on the prices that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In order to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, a three-tier fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

CashMarketable securities and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, assets held for sale accounts payable, accrued expenses and notes payable are reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statementsconsolidated financial statements at carrying value which approximates fair value. We account for our marketable securities at fair value, pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 820-10, with the net unrealized gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The components of marketable debt securities are as follows (in thousands):

 

  As of December 31, 2017 
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Marketable securities                
U.S. government obligations $-  $1,744  $-  $1,744 
Corporate obligations  -   17,021   -   17,021 
  $-  $18,765  $-  $18,765 

38
  As of December 31, 2020 
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Marketable debt securities                
U.S. government obligations $-  $1,014  $-  $1,014 
Corporate obligations  -   625   -   625 
�� $-  $1,639  $-  $1,639 

 

  As of December 31, 2019 
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Marketable debt securities                
U.S. government obligations $-  $125  $-  $125 
Corporate obligations  -   801   -   801 
  $-  $926  $-  $926 

There were no transfers of marketable debt securities between Levels 1, 2 or 3 for the Fiscal 2020 and 2019.

Revenue Recognition

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSWe recognize revenue that represents the transfer of promised goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. We recognize revenue when performance obligations with our customers have been satisfied. At contract inception, we evaluate the contract to determine if revenue should be recognized using the following five steps: (1) identify the contract with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

Revenue RecognitionPerformance Obligations

 

We generatehave historically generated sales principally through two types of customers, contract manufacturing customers and retail customers. Sales from product shipments to contract manufacturing and retailer customers are recognized at the time ownership is transferred to the customer. Revenue from diagnostic services are recognized when the results are made available to the customer. Net sales from consumer products were $13.2 million and $1.3 million for diagnostic services, for Fiscal 2020 and $9.9 million for consumer products and no sales for diagnostic service in Fiscal 2019.

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s performance obligation for contract manufacturing and retail customers was $9.7 millionis to provide the goods ordered by the customer. For diagnostic services, the Company has one performance obligation, which is to provide the results of the laboratory test to the customer.

Transaction Price

For contract manufactures and $201,000 for Fiscal 2017, $4.1 million and $67,000 for Fiscal 2016 and $2.4 million and $86,000 for Fiscal 2015, respectively. (see Notes 8 and 12 for discussionretail revenue, the transaction price is fixed based upon either (i) the terms of a significant contract manufacturing agreementcombined Master Agreement and sales concentration). each related purchase order, or (ii) if there is no Master Agreement, the price per the individual purchase order received from each customer. The customers are invoiced at an agreed upon contractual price for each unit ordered and delivered by the Company.

Revenue from retailerretail customers is reduced for trade promotions, estimated sales returns cash discounts and other allowances in the same period as the related sales are recorded. No such allowance is applicable to our contract manufacturing customers. We make estimates ofestimate potential future product returns and other allowances related to current period revenue. We analyze historical returns, current trends, and changes in customer and consumer demand when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns and other allowances.

 

We do not accept returns in the contract manufacturing revenue stream. Our return policy for retailer customers accommodates returns for (i) discontinued products, (ii) store closings and (iii) products that have reached or exceeded their designated expiration date. We do not impose a period of time within which product may be returned. All requests for product returns must be submitted to us for pre-approval. The main components of our returns policy are: (i) we will accept returns that are due to damaged product that is un-saleable and such return request activity falls within an acceptable range, (ii) we will accept returns for products that have reached or exceeded designated expiration dates and (iii) we will accept returns in the event that we discontinue a product provided that the customer will have the right to return only such items that it purchased directly from us. We will not accept return requests pertaining to customer inventory “Overstocking” or “Resets”. We will only accept return requests for productonly products in its intended package configuration. We reserve the right to terminate shipment of product to customers who have made unauthorized deductions contrary to our return policy or pursue other methods of reimbursement. We compensate the customer for authorized returns by means of a credit applied to amounts owed or to be owed and in the case of discontinued product only, also by way of an exchange. We do not have any significant product exchange history.amounts.

 

As of December 31, 2017Accrued advertising and 2016, we included a provision for salesother allowances from continuing operations as of $2,000 and zero, respectively. Additionally, at December 31, 20172020 included (i) $291,000 for estimated returns and allowances which is reported as a liability and (ii) $463,000 for cooperative and incentive promotion costs which is also reported as a liability. There were no accrued advertising and other allowances from discontinued operations $480,000 for estimated future sales returns and $200,000 for cooperative incentive promotion costs.as of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2016,2019, accrued advertising and other allowances from continuing operations included $1.2 million(i) $37,000 for estimated future sales returns which is reported as a liability and $1.5 million(ii) $92,000 for cooperative and incentive promotion costs which is also reported as a liability. Accrued advertising and other allowances from discontinued operations as of December 31, 2019 included (i) $132,000 for estimated returns, which is reported as a reduction to account receivables, and (ii) $76,000 for cooperative incentive promotion costs.costs, which is reported as accrued advertising and other allowances under current liabilities.

We experienced a reduction in the estimate for returns and cooperative and incentive allowance costs in the amount of $201,000 which was recognized as income from discontinued operations associated with the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business in Fiscal 2020. See Note 9.

For the diagnostic services business, a revenue transaction is initiated when we receive a requisition order to perform a diagnostic test. The information provided on the requisition form is used to determine the party that will be billed for the testing performed and the expected reimbursement. We provide diagnostic services to a range of customers, including health plans, government agencies and consumers. In many cases, the customer that orders our services is not responsible for paying for these services. Depending on the billing arrangement and applicable law, the payer may be the patient or a third party, such as a health plan, Medicare or Medicaid program and other government reimbursement programs. We bill the providers at standard price and take into consideration negotiated discounts and anticipated reimbursement remittance adjustments based on the payer portfolio, when revenue is recorded. We use the most expected value method to estimate the transaction price for reimbursements that vary from the listed contract price.

Shipping and HandlingRecognize Revenue When the Company Satisfies a Performance Obligation

 

Product sales carryPerformance obligations related to contract manufacturing and retail customers are satisfied at a point in time when the goods are shipped to the customer as (i) we have transferred control of the assets to the customers upon shipping, and (ii) the customer obtains title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership after the goods are shipped. For diagnostic services, the Company satisfies its performance obligation at the point in time that the results are made available to the customer, which is when the customer benefits from the information contained in the results and obtains control.

Contract Balances

As of December 31, 2020, we have deferred revenue of $331,000 in relation to R&D stability and release testing programs recognized as contract manufacturing revenue. As of December 31, 2019, deferred revenue was $214,000. Deferred revenues primarily consist of amounts that have been billed to or received from customers in advance of revenue recognition and prepayments received from customers in advance of services performed for the R&D work. We recognize deferred revenues as revenues when the services are performed and the corresponding revenue recognition criteria are met. Customer prepayments are generally applied against invoices issued to customers when services are performed and billed.

The following table disaggregates the Company’s deferred revenue by recognition period (in thousands):

  Deferred Revenue 
Recognition Period    
0-12 Months $169 
13-24 Months  84 
Over 24 Months  78 
Total $331 

Disaggregation of Revenue

We disaggregate revenue from contracts with customers into three categories: contract manufacturing and retail customers and lab processing services. We determined that disaggregating revenue into these categories achieves the disclosure objective to depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by revenue source for Fiscal 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):

  For the Years Ended 
Revenue by Customer Type December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
Contract manufacturing $12,252  $8,974 
Retail and others  985   902 
Diagnostic services  1,277   - 
Total revenue $14,514  $9,876 

Sales Tax Exclusion from the Transaction Price

We exclude from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by the Company from the customer.

Shipping and Handling Activities

We account for shipping and handling chargesactivities that we perform as activities to fulfill the purchaser, included as part ofpromise to transfer the invoiced price, which is classified as revenue. In all cases, costs related to this revenue are recorded in cost of sales.good.

Advertising and Incentive Promotions

 

Advertising and incentive promotion costs are expensed within the period in which they are utilized. Advertising and incentive promotion expense is comprised of (i) media advertising, presented as part of sales and marketing expense;expense, (ii) cooperative incentive promotions and coupon program expenses, which are accounted for as part of net sales;sales, and (iii) free product, which is accounted for as part of cost of sales. Advertising and incentive promotion expenses incurred (i) from continuing operations for Fiscal 2017, 20162020 and 20152019 were $45,000, $717,000$766,000 and $1,000, respectively, and (ii) attributed to and classified as discontinued operations were $2.8 million, $7.5 million and $6.9 million,$443,000, respectively. Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets was $143,000 and $263,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, relating to prepaid advertising and promotion expenses.

Share-Based Compensation

 

We recognize all share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of stock options, as compensation expense in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values. FairThe grant date fair values of stock options are determined through the use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The compensation cost is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period of the award, which usually coincides with the vesting period. We account for forfeitures as they occur.

 

Stock and stock options forto purchase of our common stock $0.005 per value, (“Common Stock”) have been granted to both employees and non-employees pursuant to the terms of certain agreements and stock option plans (see Note 6)5). Stock options are exercisable during a period determined by us, but in no event later than tenseven years from the date granted. InFor Fiscal 2017, 20162020 and 2015,2019, we charged to operations $78,000, $1,000$1,178,000 and $135,000,$744,000, respectively, for share-based compensation expense for the aggregate fair value of stock and stock grants issued and vested stock options earned.

 

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PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

Research and Development

 

Research and developmentR&D costs are charged to operations in the period incurred. Research and developmentincurred, R&D costs incurred for Fiscal 2017, 20162020 and 2015 (i) from continuing operations2019 were $431,000, $358,000$633,000 and $340,000, respectively, and (ii) attributed to and classified as discontinued operations of $52,000, $218,000 and $738,000,$332,000, respectively. Research and developmentR&D costs are principally related to personnel expenses and new product development initiatives and costs associated with ourthe OTC healthcare products.

health care products, dietary supplements and validation fees in association with the diagnostic services business including the validation work of the diagnostic services business.

Income Taxes

 

We utilize the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, we generally consider all expected future events other than enactments of changes in the tax law or rates. Until sufficient taxable income to offset the temporary timing differences attributable to operations and the tax deductions attributable to option, warrant and stock activities are assured, a valuation allowance equaling the total net current and non-current deferred tax asset is being provided (see Note 8).provided.

 

We utilize a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount, which is more than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Any interest or penalties related to income taxes will be recorded as interest or administrative expense, respectively.

 

The major jurisdictionsAs a result of our losses from continuing operations, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against a net deferred tax asset. Additionally, we have not recorded a liability for which we file incomeunrecognized tax returns are the United States and the state of Pennsylvania.benefit.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Not Yet Adopted

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, on revenue recognition. The new standard provides for a single five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers as well as requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. Companies have an option to use either a retrospective approach or cumulative effect adjustment approach to implement the standard. We will adopt the provisions of the new standard in the first quarter of 2018. We have determined the following pertaining to the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09:

Contract Manufacturing — we have concluded that the standard will not have a material impact on revenue recognition. We determined that contracts herein meet the definition of a contract under the new standard, through which the combined duties and responsibilities to provide manufacturing services for customers within each contract will be considered one single performance obligations under ASC 606. Thus, the allocation of contract consideration to separate performance obligations is not applicable. The transaction price in each contract is fixed, as the consideration is based upon the manufacturing price from each related purchase order. We determined that we will continue recognizing revenue at a point in time as the goods are shipped.
Contract Costs — we have concluded that no incremental costs are incurred to obtain the contracts. Additionally, we have determined that costs incurred to fulfill customer contracts would not require capitalization because these costs do not generate or enhance our resources that will be used in satisfying performance obligations in the future. We have determine that the impact on our retail revenues will not be material.
Transition Method —we will be adopting ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective approach.

In addition, the remaining significant implementation matters to be addressed prior to fully adopting ASU 2014-09 include finalizing updates to our (i) business processes, (ii) systems and (iii) controls to comply with ASU 2014-09. We expect to complete its assessment of the full financial impact of ASU 2014-09 before filing our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2018 which will include the required financial reporting disclosures under ASC 2014-09.

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PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (continued)

In FebruarySeptember 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases”2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The new standardASU sets forth a “current expected credit loss” (CECL) model which requires the Company to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost and applies to some off-balance sheet credit exposures. In February 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which amends the effective date of the original pronouncement for smaller reporting companies. ASU 2016-13 and its amendments will require most leases to be recognized on the balance sheet which will increase reported assets and liabilities. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current guidance. The new standard is effective for annualthe Company for interim and interimannual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, which for us2022. The Company is the first quarter of Fiscal 2019 and mandates a modified retrospective transition method. We do not intend to early adopt and are currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this update, but preliminarily believe thatASU on its adoption will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016,December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses.” The standard modifies2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the impairment modelAccounting for most financial assets, including trade accounts receivablesIncome Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and loans,also clarifies and will require the use of an “expected loss” modelamends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This guidance is effective for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instrumentsfiscal years, and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The effective date of the standard is forinterim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 20192020, with early adoption permitted. We areThe Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this updatestandard on ourits consolidated financial statements.statements and related disclosures.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. The new standard attempts to reduce diversity in practice in how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. The new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt ASU 2016-15 in the first quarter of Fiscal 2018 and do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.Note 3 – Business Acquisition

 

InOn October 2016,23, 2020, we completed the FASBacquisition of all of the issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfersand outstanding shares of Assetscapital stock of “CPM” for approximately $2.5 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, pursuant to the terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement, by and among the Company, “CPM”, Pride Diagnostics LLC (“Pride Diagnostics”) and the members of Pride Diagnostics (together with Pride Diagnostics, the “Seller Parties”), and Arvind Gurnani, as representative of the Seller Parties. “CMP” Labs (now known as ProPhase Diagnostics NJ, Inc.) includes a 4,000 square foot (CLIA) accredited laboratory located in Old Bridge, New Jersey. On October 23, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into a Consulting Agreement with Mr. Gurnani for a six-month period from the Effective Date for an aggregate total of $300,000, which was subsequently terminated after two months of service.

Based on the preliminary valuation, the total consideration of $2.5 million has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values as follows (amount in thousands):

Clinical lab material $180 
Lab equipment  112 
Definite-lived intangible asset  1,307 
Total assets acquired  1,599 
Liabilities assumed  - 
Net identifiable assets acquired  1,599 
Goodwill  901 
Total consideration $2,500 

Goodwill has been measured as the excess of the total consideration over the amounts assigned to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the amount of $901,000, which was primarily related to the acquisition of the assembled workforce. Other than Inventory”. The new standard requires entities should recognizedefinite-lived intangible asset of approximate $1.3 million were related to the income tax consequencesCLIA license which was determined to have an estimated useful life of an asset other than inventory when the asset transfer occurs. The new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and requires a modified retrospective adoption through a cumulative effect adjustment directly to retained earningsthree years.

We have not presented unaudited pro forma combined results of operations as if CPM was acquired as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We will adopt ASU 2016-16 in the first quarter of Fiscal 2018fiscal year 2019 because CPM had no revenue and do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02 “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. ASU 2018-02 allows for a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss to retained earnings or accumulated deficit for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cutsminimal expenses and, Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”). ASU 2018-02 also requires certain related disclosures. ASU 2018-02 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018 and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the TCJA is recognized. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2018-02 on our consolidated financial statements, but do not believe it will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

NOTE 3 – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, SALE OF COLD-EEZE® BUSINESS

Effective March 29, 2017, we completed the sale of the Cold-EEZE®Business to Mylan. As a consequence of the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business, for Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, we have classified as discontinued operations (i) the gain from the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business, (ii) all gains and losses attributable to the Cold-EEZE® Business operations and (iii) the income tax expense attributed to the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business (see Note 8). Excluded from the sale of the Cold-EEZE®Business were our accounts receivable and inventory, and we also retained all liabilities associated with our Cold-EEZE®Business operations arising prior to March 29, 2017.

Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, we also agreed to a one-time sale to Mylan of certain non-lozenge-based Cold-EEZE® inventory. At December 31, 2017, we have classified as assets held for sale approximately $22,000 of such inventory, which approximates our cost. At December 31, 2016, the balance sheet impact of discontinued operations was deemed not material, as such, no reclassifications for discontinued operationswould have been presented.

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PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3 – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, SALE OF COLD-EEZE® BUSINESS - (continued)

Pursuantimmaterial to the Asset Purchase Agreement, we entered into a transition service arrangement with Mylan, for which we earned $150,000 in transition service fees through December 31, 2017. Pursuant to this arrangement, we (i) received, processed, fulfilled, and shipped customer orders, and billed such customers for these shipments on behalf of Mylan from March 30, 2017 to June 30, 2017, (ii) processed certain sales allowances, returns and other customer promotional deductions, and (iii) paid certain Cold-EEZE® Business expenses which are to be reimbursed by Mylan. For Fiscal 2017, the $150,000 transition service fees earned are recorded as a component of other income (expense).

The net proceeds received from the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business were as follows (in thousands):

  Amount 
Gross consideration from the sale of the Cold-EEZE®Business $50,000 
Closing and transaction costs  (4,175)
Net proceeds from sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business  45,825 
Book value of assets sold  (13)
Gain on sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business before income taxes  45,812 
Income tax expense  (18,838)
Gain on sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business after income taxes $26,974 
     
Net proceeds:    
Cash paid at closing, net of closing and transaction costs $43,145 
Proceeds due on sale of assets, cash held in escrow  5,000 
  $48,145 

For Fiscal 2017, we incurred $4.2 million in closing and transaction costs associated with the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business which were comprised of (i) transaction fees and related closing costs of $1.9 million and (ii) performance bonuses, contract termination compensation and severance payments to certain employees associated with the sale of the Cold-EEZE®Business of $2.3 million. The compensation committee of our board of directors approved these compensation arrangements. These compensation and termination payments were paid by us in April 2017.reported losses.

 

The following table sets forthpreliminary purchase price allocation is adjusted, as necessary, up to one year after the condensed operating results of our discontinued operations for Fiscal 2017,acquisition closing date if management obtains more information regarding asset valuations and liabilities assumed.

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Net sales $4,687  $16,808  $18,087 
Cost of sales  2,036   7,738   6,741 
Sales and marketing  1,720   5,385   7,395 
Administration  350   2,329   4,719 
Research and development  51   218   738 
 Income (loss) from discontinued operations $530  $1,138  $(1,506)

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PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTENote 4 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENTProperty, Plant and Equipment

 

The components of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):

 

  December 31,   
  2017  2016  Estimated Useful Life
         
Land $504  $504   
Buildings and improvements  3,059   3,016  10 - 39 years
Machinery and equipment  4,099   4,274  3 - 7 years
Computer equipment and software  355   319  3 - 5 years
Furniture and fixtures  196   196  5 years
   8,213   8,309   
           
Less: Accumulated depreciation  5,471   5,134   
  $2,742  $3,175   

  December 31,  December 31,   
  2020  2019  Estimated Useful Life
Land $352  $504   
Building improvements  1,729   3,113  10-39 years
Machinery and laboratory equipment  5,443   4,285  3-7 years
Computer equipment  881   472  3-5 years
Furniture and fixtures  194   207  5 years
   8,599   8,581   
Less: accumulated depreciation  (5,021)  (6,251)  
Total property, plant and equipment, net $3,578  $2,329   

 

Depreciation expense incurred for Fiscal 2017, 20162020 and 2015 (i) from continuing operations2019 were $315,000, $347,000$375,000 and $288,000, respectively, and (ii) attributed to and classified as discontinued operations of $22,000, $79,000 and $80,000,$398,000, respectively.

NOTE 5 – SECURED PROMISSORY NOTES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS

Secured Promissory Notes

 

On December 11, 2015,July 10, 2020, we executed two subscription agreementsentered into an Agreement of Sale and Purchase (the “Subscription Agreements”“Sale Agreement”) with the investors named thereinLenape Valley Foundation (the “Investors”) providing for the purchase of 12% Secured Promissory Notes – Series A (“Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of up to $3.0 million and warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock (the “Warrants”).

Notes in the amount of $1.5 million and 51,000 Warrants, with at an exercise price of $1.35 per share, which was equal to the closing price of our Common Stock on the date of investment, were issued by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Pharmaloz Manufacturing Inc. and Quigley Pharma Inc. (collectively, the “Obligors”), and funded on December 11, 2015. We incurred loan origination costs of $22,000 which were recorded as a reduction of the Notes, and the origination costs were charged to interest expense over the term of the loan. The Warrants had an exercise term equal to three years and were exercisable commencing on the date of issuance. The fair value of the Warrants at the date of grant was $14,000, which is recorded as a reduction of the Notes and was charged to interest expense over the term of the loan (see Note 6).

The Notes bore interest at the rate of 12% per annum, payable semi-annually and the principal was due and payable on June 15, 2017. The Notes could be pre-paid at any time prior to maturity without penalty. The effective interest, inclusive of the Warrants and loan origination costs, was 14.3% per annum. For Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, we charged to other income (expense) $54,000, $187,000 and $11,000, respectively, in connection with the Notes.

On March 29, 2017, in connection with the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business, we paid in full the remaining principal and accrued interest due under the Notes, in the total amount of $1.5 million. Of the $1.5 million paid to the Investors, $69,000 was netted against the aggregate exercise price of the Warrants, which were simultaneously exercised by the Investors.

In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into a security agreement with John E. Ligums, Jr., as collateral agent for the Investors (the “Security Agreement”), to secure the timely payment and performance in full of the Company’s obligations under the Notes. Under the Security Agreement, we granted to the collateral agent, for the benefit of the Investors a lien upon and security interest in the property and assets listed as collateral in the Security Agreement, including without limitation, all of our personal property, inventory, equipment, general intangibles, cash and cash equivalents, and proceeds. In connection with the payoff of the Notes, the Security Agreement was terminated.

At December 31, 2016, the $1.5 million Notes are reported net of $10,000 of the unamortized interest for the loan origination costs and unamortized interest for the Warrants. At December 31, 2016, other current liabilities included $9,000 for accrued interest under the terms of the Notes.

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PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5 – SECURED PROMISSORY NOTES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS- (continued)

The offers and sales of the Notes and Warrants were made without registration under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of certain states, in reliance on the exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D under the Securities Act and in reliance on similar exemptions under applicable state laws.

Godfrey Settlement Agreement

In November 2004 we commenced an action against John C. Godfrey, Nancy Jane Godfrey, and Godfrey Science and Design, Inc. (together the “Godfreys”) for injunctive relief regarding the ownership of the Cold-EEZE® trademark. The Godfreys subsequently asserted against us counterclaims and sought monetary damages and injunctive and declaratory relief relative to the Cold-EEZE® trademark and other intellectual property.

On December 20, 2012, we and the Godfreys, including the Estate of Nancy Jane Godfrey, entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual General Release (the “Godfrey Settlement Agreement”“Purchaser”), pursuant to which we resolved all disputes, including claims asserted by usagreed to sell our then corporate headquarters land and counterclaims asserted against usbuilding located in the action. PursuantDoylestown, Pennsylvania to the termsPurchaser for $2.2 million.

On November 13, 2020, we closed on the sale of our former corporate headquarters and relocated our headquarters to Garden City, New York in January 2021. The total sales price of the Godfrey Settlement Agreement, we paid the Godfreys $2.1 million in December 2012 and we paid four additional annual payments of $100,000 due each December of Fiscal 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Each annual payment in the amount of $100,000 accrued interest at the per annum rate of 3.25%. The annual installment of $103,000 and $107,000, inclusive of accrued interest, wereproperty, which was paid in cash, was $2.2 million, less closing costs and related expenses of approximately $134,000. As a consequence of the sale, we recorded $1.9 million gain from the sale of the real estate for Fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Fiscal 2016 installment was the final required payment under the Godfrey Settlement Agreement. Under the Godfrey Settlement Agreement, the Godfreys assigned, transferred and conveyed to us all of their right, title, and interest in U.S. Trademark Registration No. 1,838,542 for the trademark Cold-EEZE®, among other intellectual property associated with such trademark, which as discussed in Note 3 and Note 9 was sold to Mylan in 2017.

2020.

NOTE 6Note 5STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATIONStockholders’ Equity

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 50 million shares of Common Stockcommon stock and 1one million shares of preferred stock, $.0005$0.0005 par value (“Preferred Stock”). per share.

Preferred Stock

 

The Preferred Stockpreferred stock authorized under our certificate of incorporation may be issued from time to time in one or more series. As of December 31, 2017,2020, no shares of Preferred Stockpreferred stock have been issued. Our board of directors hashave the full authority permitted by law to establish, without further stockholder approval, one or more series of preferred stock and the number of shares constituting each such series and to fix by resolution voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock,preferred stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any. Subject to the limitation on the total number of shares of Preferred Stockpreferred stock that we have authority to issue under our certificate of incorporation, the board of directors is also authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series, subsequent to the issue of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then-outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series is so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease will resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. We may, subject to any required stockholder approval amend from time to time our certificate of incorporation and bylaws to increase the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stockpreferred stock or Common Stockcommon stock or to make other changes or additions to our capital structure or the terms of our capital stock.

Stockholder Rights PlanCommon Stock Dividends

 

On September 8, 1998, ourDecember 24, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend distribution of Common Stock Purchase Rights (each individually, a “Right” and collectively,$0.25 per share on the “Rights”) payableCompany’s common stock to the stockholdersholders of record on September 25, 1998, thereby creating a Stockholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Agreement”). The Rights Agreement was subsequently amended effective each of (i) May 23, 2008, (ii) August 18, 2009, (iii) June 2014 and (iv) January 6, 2017. The Rights Agreement, as amended and restated, provides that each Right entitles the stockholder of record to purchase from the Company that number of common shares of Common Stock having a combined market value equal to two times the Rights exercise price of $45. The Rights are not exercisable until the distribution date, which will be the earlier of a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons has acquired 15% or more of the outstanding common shares of Common Stock, or the announcement of an intention by a similarly constituted party to make a tender or exchange offer10, 2019, resulting in the ownershippayment of 15% or more of the outstanding common shares of Common Stock (such person, the “acquirer”). The Rights Agreement, as amended and restated, allows for an exemption for Ted Karkus, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,$2.9 million to acquire up to 20% of our Common Stock without our Board of Directors declaring a dividend distribution.

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PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION - (continued)

The dividend has the effect of giving the stockholder a 50% discountstockholders on the share’s current market value for exercising such right. In the event of a cashless exercise of the Right, and the acquirer has acquired less than 50% beneficial ownership of the Company, a stockholder may exchange one Right for one common share of the Company. The Rights Agreement, as amended and restated, includes a provision pursuant to which our Board of Directors may exempt from the provisions of the Rights Agreement an offer for all outstanding shares of our Common Stock that the directors determine to be fair and not inadequate and to otherwise be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, after receiving advice from one or more investment banking firms. The expiration date of the Rights Agreement, as amended, is June 18, 2024.January 24, 2019.

 

On February 16, 2018, our boardNovember 20, 2019, the Board declared a special cash dividend of directors, approved$0.25 per share on the terminationCompany’s common stock to holders of record on December 3, 2019, resulting in the Rights Agreement effective February 20, 2018. As a consequencepayment of the termination of the Rights Agreement, all of the Rights distributed$2.9 million to our stockholders expired on February 20, 2018.

2015 Equity Line of CreditDecember 12, 2019.

 

On July 30, 2015, we entered into an equity line of credit agreement (such arrangement, the “2015 Equity Line”) with Dutchess Opportunity Fund II LP (“Dutchess”). Pursuant to the 2015 Equity Line, Dutchess committed to purchase, subject to certain restrictions and conditions, up to 3,200,000 shares of our Common Stock, over a period of 36 months from the effectiveness of the registration statement registering the resale of shares purchased by Dutchess pursuant to the Investment Agreement. On August 4, 2015, we filed a registration statement for the underlying shares of the 2015 Equity Line with the SEC and the registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on August 21, 2015.

We may, at our discretion, draw on the 2015 Equity Line from time to time, as and when we determine appropriate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 2015 Equity Line. The maximum number of shares that we are entitled to put to Dutchess in any one draw down notice shall not exceed 500,000 shares with a purchase price calculated in accordance with the 2015 Equity Line. We may deliver a notice for a subsequent put from time to time, following the one day pricing period for the prior put.

The purchase price is set at ninety-five percent (95%) of the volume weighted average price (VWAP) of the Common Stock during the one trading day immediately following our put notice. We have the right to withdraw all or any portion of any put, except that portion of the put that has already been sold to a third party, including any portion of a put that is below the minimum acceptable price set forth on the put notice, before the closing. In the event Dutchess receives more than a five percent (5%) return on the net sales for a specific put, Dutchess must remit such excess proceeds to us; however, in the event Dutchess receives less than a five percent (5%) return on the net sales for a specific put, Dutchess has the right to deduct from the proceeds of the put amount on the applicable closing date so Dutchess’s return will equal five percent (5%).

There are put restrictions applied on days between the draw down notice date and the closing date with respect to a particular put. During such time, we are entitled to deliver another draw down notice. In addition, Dutchess is not obligated to purchase shares if Dutchess’ total number of shares beneficially held at that time would exceed 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-1(j) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, we are not permitted to draw on the facility unless there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the shares.

During the period from August 21, 2015 through December 31, 2015, we sold an aggregate of 750,000 shares of our Common Stock to Dutchess under and pursuant to the 2015 Equity Line and we derived net proceeds of $1.0 million. The sales of the shares under the 2015 Equity LineFiscal 2020, no cash dividends were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon Section 4(2) (or Regulation D promulgated thereunder). At December 31, 2017 we have 2,450,000 shares of our Common Stock available for sale to Dutchess, at our discretion, under the terms of the 2015 Equity Line and covered pursuant to a registration statement. The 2015 Equity Line is scheduled to expire in July 2018.

The 2010 Equity Compensation Plandeclared.

 

On May 5,The 2010 our stockholders approved the 2010Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan which was subsequently amended, restated and approved by stockholders on April 24, 2011, and further amended and approved by stockholders on May 6, 2013 and May 24, 2016 (the “2010 Plan”). The 2010 Plan provides that the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the 2010 Plan is equal to 3.2 million shares, including 900,000 shares that are authorized for issuance but unissued under a 1997 incentive stock option plan and 700,000 shares added to the 2010 Plan effective May 24, 2016. At December 31, 2017, there were 979,500 options outstanding under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan (see“Stock Options” below).

45

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION - (continued)

Stock Options and Warrants Fair Value

All of our employees, including employees who are officers or members of the Board are eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan. Consultants and advisors who perform services for us are also eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan. For Fiscal 2017, we granted 625,000 options under the 2010 Plan. For Fiscal 2016 and 2015, there were no options granted under the 2010 Plan. For Fiscal 2015, we issued 51,000 Warrants pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreements for the Notes. For Fiscal 2017 and 2016, there were no warrants issued. Presented below is a summary of the terms of the grant of options and Warrants:

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Number of options granted  625,000   -   - 
Number of Warrants granted  -   -   51,000 
Vesting period  3-4 years   -   none 
Maximum term of option or Warrants from date of grant  7 years   -   3 years 
Weighted average exercise price per share $2.01   -  $1.35 
Weighted average fair value per share of options and            
Warrants granted during the year $0.76   -  $0.26 

We used the Black-Scholes option pricing model during Fiscal 2017 and 2015 to determine the fair value of the stock options and Warrants at the date of grant. Based upon our limited historical experience, we determined the expected term of the stock option grants to be a range between 2.5 to 6.5 years, calculated using the “simplified” method in accordance with the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 110. We use the “simplified” method since our historical data does not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term.

46

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION - (continued)

Presented below is a summary of assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options and Warrants at the date of grant:

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Expected option or Warrant life 4.5 - 4.75 years  -  3 years 
Weighted average risk free rate  1.62% - 1.81%   -   0.88%
Dividend yield  0%  -   0%
Expected volatility  38.59% - 44.51%   -   26.42%

The fair value of the stock options and Warrants at the time of the grant in Fiscal 2017 and 2015 was $476,000 and $14,000, respectively. For Fiscal 2015, the Warrants granted were not subject to a vesting period. For Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, we charged to operations $78,000, $1,000 and $135,000, respectively, for share-based compensation expense for the aggregate fair value of the vested stock options earned.

Stock Options

At December 31, 2017, 360,750 of the options granted under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan were vested and 618,750 were non-vested. At December 31, 2017, there are 121,159 options available for grant to purchase shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Plan.

A summary of the status of our stock options granted pursuant the 2010 Plan as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and changes during the years then ended is presented below (in thousands, except per share data):

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
  Shares  Weighted Average Exercise Price  Shares  

Weighted Average

Exercise Price

  Shares  Weighted Average  Exercise Price 
Options outstanding - beginning of year  1,699  $1.20   1,713  $1.21   1,740  $1.40 
Granted  625   2.01   -       -   - 
Exercised  (1,332)  1.11           -   - 
Cancelled  (13)  1.00   (14)  1.44   (27)  13.50 
Options outstanding - end of year  979  $1.81   1,699  $1.20   1,713  $1.21 
                         
Options granted and subject to future vesting  618  $2.01   -  $-   4  $1.48 
                         
Exercisable, at end of year  361       1,699       1,709     
Available for grant  121       734       20     

47

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION - (continued)

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except remaining life and per share data):

Range of Exercise Prices Number Outstanding  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life  Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share 
$1.17 - $1.36  90   1.13  $1.20 
$1.36 - $1.65  265   2.23  $1.57 
$2.00 - $2.15  6   6.75  $2.15 
Total  361      $1.49 

The aggregate intrinsic value of (i) options outstanding, (ii) options outstanding and expected to vest in the future and (iii) options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2017 was $347,000, $102,000 and $245,000, respectively.

Stock Option Exercises

There were 1,332,000 stock options exercised in Fiscal 2017 and we derived net proceeds of $1.5 million. The intrinsic value of the options exercised in Fiscal 2017 was $1.5 million. There were no stock options exercised in Fiscal 2016 or 2015.

The 2010 Directors Equity Compensation Plan

 

On May 5, 2010, our stockholders approved the 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan which, was has been subsequently amended and approvedrestated by our stockholders on May 6, 2013 (the “2010 Directors’ Plan)Plan”). A primary purpose of the 2010 Directors’ Plan is to provide us with the ability to pay all or a portion of the fees of Directorsdirectors in restricted stock instead of cash. The 2010 Directors’ Plan provides that the total number of shares of Common Stockcommon stock that may be issued is equal to 675,000 shares.

During Fiscal 2020 and 2019, 30,660 and 24,074 shares, respectively, were granted to our directors under the 2010 Directors’ Plan. We recorded $53,000 and $62,000 of director fees during Fiscal 2020 and Fiscal 2019, respectively, in connection with these grants.

During Fiscal 2020, 200,000 options were granted to our directors under the 2010 Directors’ Plan is equal to 425,000 shares.at an exercise price of $2.83, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The stock options will vest in four quarterly installments. We did not grant shares to Directorsrecorded $165,000 of compensation expenses for directors during Fiscal 2020, in connection with these grants. No options were granted in Fiscal 2017, 2016 or 2015 for director compensation. 2019.

At December 31, 2017,2020, there are 147,808were 200,000 options outstanding and there were 128,126 shares of Common Stock that maycommon stock available to be issued pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Directors’ Plan. No stock options were exercised during the Fiscal 2020.

The 2010 Equity Compensation Plan.

Plan

Treasury Stock - Stock Purchase Agreements

 

On June 12, 2017 we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with eachMay 5, 2010, our stockholders approved the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan, which has been subsequently amended and restated by our stockholders (the “2010 Plan”). The 2010 Plan provides that the total number of Mark S. Leventhal, a former director of the Company, and certain other persons and entities associated and/or affiliated with Mr. Leventhal (the “Leventhal Holders”), pursuant to which we purchased all 1,061,980 shares of our Common Stock then held by the Leventhal Holders, representing an approximate 6.2% aggregate ownership interest (based on 17.2 million shares of common stock outstanding as of June 12, 2017). Upon consummationthat may be issued under the 2010 Plan is 3.9 million shares.

During Fiscal 2020,513,000 stock options were granted to our employees and non-employees under the 2010 Plan at an exercise price between $2.64 - $8.82 the closing price of the transactions,Company’s common stock on the Leventhal Holders ceased to hold any direct or indirect ownership interestdate of grant with 25% of the stock options vested on the grant date, and 75% vesting over a 3-year period in equal annually installments. In addition, 510,000 options were granted during Fiscal 2020 in excess of the total amount allocated in the Company.2010 Plan. These options were excluded from the stock compensation expense calculation as the options require stockholder approval before we recognize the compensation expense.

 

Pursuant toDuring Fiscal 2019, the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreements, the total consideration paid by us to the Leventhal Holders for their shares was $1,858,465, which amount was equal to the product of (i) $1.75 multiplied by (ii) the number of shares purchased.

Treasury Stock – Tender Offers

In Fiscal 2017, we announce two discrete tender offers to purchase our Common Stock in each of August 2017 and November 2017.

On August 25, 2017, we announced a tender offer to purchase up to 4.0 million shares of our Common Stock at a price of $2.30 per share (the “August 2017 Tender Offer”). The number of shares proposed to be purchased in the August 2017 Tender Offer represented approximately 24.7% of approximately 16.2 million shares our Common Stock issued and outstanding as of August 21, 2017. The last reported sale price of our Common Stock on August 15, 2017, the last full trading day before we announced the Tender Offer, was $2.13 per share.

48

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION - (continued)

The August 2017 Tender Offer expired on September 25, 2017. Subject to the terms of the August 2017 Tender Offer, we accepted for purchase 4,323,335 shares of our Common Stock, including all “odd lots” validly tendered, at a purchase price of $2.30 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $9.9 million. Based on the final tabulation by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company the Depositary for the August 2017 Tender Offer, 5,910,327 shares of our Common Stock were properly tendered and not withdrawn. We were informed by the Depositary that, after giving effect to the priority for an aggregate amount of approximately 9,338 “odd lot” shares, the final proration factor for the remaining tendered shares is approximately 73%. Prior to the August 2017 Tender Offer, an investor, BML Investment Partners, L.P. (“BLM”), owned 2,322,627 shares, or 13.6%, of our outstanding Common Stock. Pursuant to the terms of the Tender Offer, BML tendered and sold 1,695,305 shares of our Common Stock. In addition, Ted Karkus, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Robert V. Cuddihy, Jr., our then Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and one of our directors tendered and sold 364,954, 358,621 and 4,379 shares of Common Stock, respectively.

On November 20, 2017, we announced a tender offer to purchase up to 1.7 million shares of our Common Stock at a price of $2.30 per share (the “November 2017 Tender Offer”). The number of shares proposed to be purchased in the November 2017 Tender Offer represented approximately 13.7% of approximately 12.4 million shares our Common Stock issued and outstanding as of November 14, 2017. The last reported sale price of our Common Stock on November 9, 2017, the last full trading day before we announced the Tender Offer, was $2.13 per share.

The November 2017 Tender Offer expired on December 18, 2017. Subject to the terms of the November 2017 Tender Offer, we accepted for purchase 1,948,569 shares of our Common Stock, including all “odd lots” validly tendered, at a purchase price of $2.30 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4.5 million. Based on the final tabulation by the Depositary for the November 2017 Tender Offer, 2,072,280 shares of our Common Stock were properly tendered and not withdrawn. We were informed by the Depositary that, after giving effect to the priority for an aggregate amount of approximately 8,401 “odd lot” shares, the final proration factor for the remaining tendered shares is approximately 94%. Pursuant to the terms of the Tender Offer, Mr. Karkus sold 424,789 shares of Common Stock. Subsequent to the completion of the November 2017 Tender Offer, Mr. Karkus exercised 600,000 outstanding options. As a consequence of Mr. Karkus’s exercise of hisgranted 200,000 stock options at an exercise price of $1.00$2.01, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, to certain employees. The stock options will vest in four equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant.

As of December 31, 2020, there were 1,295,000 stock options outstanding and 15,659 stock options available to be issued pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Plan.

The 2018 Stock Incentive Plan

On April 12, 2018, our stockholders approved the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Stock Plan”). The 2018 Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to eligible employees of the Company, and for the grant of nonstatutory stock options to eligible employees, directors and consultants. The purpose of the 2018 Stock Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain, and reward persons performing services for the Company and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Company. The 2018 Stock Plan provides that the total number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the 2018 Stock Plan is 2.3 million shares. At April 12, 2018, all 2.3 million shares have been granted in the form of stock options to Ted Karkus (the “CEO Option”), our Chief Executive Officer and, to date, no stock options have been exercised under the 2018 Stock Plan. We will recognize approximately $59,000 of share-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of 0.2 years.

The 2018 Plan requires certain proportionate adjustments to be made to the stock options granted under the 2018 Plan upon the occurrence of certain events, including a special distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares, other securities, or other property) in order to maintain parity. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors, as required by the terms of the 2018 Stock Plan, adjusted the terms of the CEO Option, such that the exercise price of the CEO Option was reduced from $3.00 per share to $2.00 per share, effective as of September 5, 2018, the date the special $1.00 special cash dividend was paid to stockholders. The exercise price of the CEO Option was further reduced from $2.00 to $1.75 per share, effective as of January 24, 2019, the date the $0.25 special cash dividend was paid to stockholders. The exercise price of the CEO Option was further reduced from $1.75 to $1.50 per share, effective as of December 12, 2019, the date another $0.25 special cash dividend was paid to stockholders.

The following table summarizes stock options activities during Fiscal 2020 and 2019 for both 2010 Plan and 2018 Stock Plan (in thousands, except per share data). All outstanding options are expected to vest.

  Number of Shares  Weighted Average Exercise Price  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
(in years)
  Total Intrinsic Value 
Outstanding as of January 1, 2019  2,980  $1.82   4.8  $3,235 
Granted  200   2.01   6.9   - 
Forfeited/expired  (98)  2.81   -   - 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019  3,082   1.67   3.7   1,085 
Granted  713   4.58   7.0   - 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020  3,795  $2.21   3.4  $26,441 
Options vested and exercisable  3,007  $1.83   2.9  $22,101 

The following table summarizes weighted average assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options at the date of grant during Fiscal 2020 and 2019:

  For the years ended 
  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Exercise price $4.58  $2.01 
Expected term (years)  4.2   4.5 
Expected stock price volatility  52%  42%
Risk-free rate of interest  0%  2%
Expected dividend yield (per share)  0%  0%

The expected stock price volatility is based on the Company’s historical common stock trading prices and the expected term is based on the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding based on the simplified method. The fair value of the stock options at the time of the grant in Fiscal 2020 and 2019 was $1.4 million and $148,000, respectively. For Fiscal 2020 and 2019, we derived net proceedscharged to operations approximately $1.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for share-based compensation expense for the aggregate fair value of $600,000.the vested stock options earned.

Warrants

During the second and third quarter of Fiscal 2020, 450,000 three year warrants were issued to various consultants with vesting terms of one year or less and exercise prices of $3.00 to $5.00 per share. The following table summarizes warrants activities during Fiscal 2020 (in thousands, except per share data).

  Number of Shares  Weighted Average Exercise Price  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
(in years)
 
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020  -  $-   - 
Warrants granted  450   3.22   3.0 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020  450  $3.22   2.7 
Warrants vested and exercisable  115  $3.43   2.7 

The following table summarizes weighted average assumptions used in determining the fair value of the warrants at the date of grant during Fiscal 2020:

  For the year ended 
  December 31, 2020 
Exercise price $3.22 
Expected term (years)  2.0 
Expected stock price volatility  58%
Risk-free rate of interest  0%
Expected dividend yield (per share)  0%

As of December 31, 2020, there were 450,000 warrants outstanding and we recognized $178,000 of share-based compensation expense during Fiscal 2020.

 

NOTE 7Note 6DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANSDefined Contribution Plans

 

We maintain the ProPhase Labs, Inc. 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan, a defined contribution plan for our employees. Our contributions to the plan are based on the amount of the employee plan contributions and compensation. Our contributions to the plan in Fiscal 2017, 20162020 and 20152019 were $120,000, $121,000$71,000 and $134,000,$84,000, respectively. For Fiscal 2017. 2016 and 2015, we charged (i) to continuing operations $104,000, $62,000 and $59,000, respectively and (ii) to discontinue operations $16,000, $59,000 and $75,000 respectively, for our plan contribution.

 

4950

 

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8Note 7INCOME TAXESIncome Taxes

 

The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes, in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows (in thousands):

 

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Current            
Federal $(15,330) $-  $- 
State  (2,660)  -   - 
   (17,990)  -   - 
Deferred            
Federal  15,781   (936)  (1,403)
State  1,709   (66)  (73)
   17,490   (1,002)  (1,476)
Total $(500) $(1,002) $(1,476)
             
Income taxes from continuing operations before valuation allowance $(500) $(1,002) $(1,476)
Change in valuation allowance  (17,490)  1,002   1,476 
Income tax (benefit)  (17,990)  -   - 
Total $(17,990) $-  $- 
             
Discontinued Operations            
Current            
Federal $15,330  $-  $- 
State  3,508   -   - 
   18,838   -   - 
Deferred            
Federal  -   -   - 
State  -   -   - 
   -   -   - 
Total $18,838  $-  $- 
             
Income taxes from discontinued operations before valuation allowance $18,838  $-  $- 
Change in valuation allowance  -   -   - 
Income tax (benefit)  18,838   -   - 
Total $18,838  $-  $- 
             
Total $848  $-  $- 

  For the Years Ended 
  December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
Continuing Operations        
Current        
Federal $-  $- 
State  12   - 
   12   - 
Deferred        
Federal  -   - 
State  -   - 
Income taxes from Continuing Operations  12   - 
         
Discontinued Operations        
Current        
Federal  -   - 
State  -   - 
   -   - 
Deferred        
Federal  -   - 
State  -   - 
Income taxes from Discontinued Operations  -   - 
         
Total $12  $- 

 

5051

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES - (continued)

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax expense (benefit) to the effective tax is as follows (in thousands):

 

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
Statutory rate - federal $14,522  $(975) $(1,224)
State taxes, net of federal benefit  2,268   (41)  (305)
Rate Change  1,639         
Permanent differences and other  (91)  14   53 
Income tax from continuing operation before valuation allowance  18,338   (1,002)  (1,476)
             
Change in valuation allowance  (17,490)  1,002   1,476 
             
Income tax (benefit)  848   -   - 
Total $848  $-  $- 

  2020  2019 
Statutory rate - federal $(377) $(660)
State taxes, net of federal benefit  (31)  (7)
Permanent differences and other  159   145 
Income tax from continuing operation before valuation allowance  (249)  (522)
         
Change in valuation allowance  261   (522)
         
Income tax expense  12   - 
Total $12  $- 

 

The tax effects of the primary “temporary differences” between values recorded for assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and values utilized for measurement in accordance with tax laws giving rise to our deferred tax assets are as follows (in thousands):

 

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
Net operating loss and capital loss carryforward $2,458  $18,019  $16,921 
Consulting-royalty costs  -   -   (8)
Trademark  -   576   671 
Investment in Phusion  -   938   1,103 
Depreciation  52   (304)  (103)
Other  388   1,159   802 
Valuation allowance  (2,898)  (20,388)  (19,386)
Total $-  $-  $- 

51

  For the Years Ended 
  December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
Net operating loss and capital loss carryforward $5,020  $4,605 
Right of use asset  1,086   - 
Other  370   198 
Capital lease obligations  (1,086)  - 
Depreciation  (419)  (93)
Valuation allowance  (4,971)  (4,710)
Total $-  $- 

 

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES - (continued)We recognize tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences related to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for net operating loss carryforwards. Management evaluated the deferred tax assets for recoverability using a consistent approach that considers the relative impact of negative and positive evidence, including historical profitability and projections of future reversals of temporary differences and future taxable income. We are required to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if management determines, based on available evidence at the time the determination is made, that it is not more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.

 

A valuation allowance for all of our net deferred tax assets has been provided as we are unable to determine, at this time, that the generation of future taxable income against which the net operating losslosses (“NOL”) carryforwards could be used can be predicted to beis more likely than not. The net change inAs a result of ongoing losses from continuing operations the Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that it will not realize all of its deferred tax assets relating to federal and state filing jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2020, there is a valuation allowance for Fiscal 2017, 2016of approximately $5.0 million. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has state NOL carryforwards of $1.1 million, which begin to expire in 2024 and 2015 was ($17.5) million, $1.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Certain exercisesfederal NOL carryforwards of options and warrants, and restricted stock issued for services that became unrestricted resulted in reductions to taxes currently payable and a corresponding increase to additional-paid-in-capital for prior years. In addition, certain tax benefits for option and warrant exercises totaling $6.5 million are deferred and will be credited to additional-paid-in-capital, and not income tax expense, if the NOL’s attributable to these exercises are utilized.$3.9 million. The net operating loss carry-forwards currently approximate $10.7 million for federal purposes will expire beginning in Fiscal 2034 through 2037. Additionally, there are net operating loss carry-forwards of $1.8 million for state purposes that will expire beginning in Fiscal 2019 through 2037.

On December 22, 2017, the Presidentamount of the United States signed into lawfederal NOL generated prior to the 2017 legislation that is commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) of $2.6 million may be carried forward for 20 years and begins to expire in 2032. The TCJA”). This legislation reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate from the existing graduated rateremaining amount of 15-35%$1.3 million federal NOL generated in years 2018 and after may be carried forward indefinitely and its utilization is limited to a flat 21%80% of taxable income for tax years beginning afteryear’s post 2020.

We file a consolidated federal income tax return and separate company state returns as well as combined state returns where applicable.

Note 8 – Other Current Liabilities

The following table sets forth the components of other current liabilities at December 31, 2017. As a result of the enacted law, we were required to revalue our deferred tax assets2020 and liabilities existing as of December 31, 2017 from the graduated 15-35% federal rate in effect through the end of 2017, to the new flat 21% rate. This revaluation resulted in a reduction to our deferred tax asset of $1.6 million. This amount was offset by a corresponding reduction to our valuation allowance. The other provisions of the TCJA did not have a material impact on our December 31, 2017 consolidated financial statements. Estimates used to prepare our income tax expense are based on our initial analysis of the TCJA. Given the complexity of the TCJA, anticipated guidance from the U.S. Treasury regarding implementation of the TCJA, and the potential for additional guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the FASB related to the TCJA, these estimates may be adjusted during Fiscal 2018 to reflect any such guidance provided.2019, respectively (in thousands):

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Accrued payroll $464  $57 
Accrued commissions  461   - 
Accrued expenses  304   218 
Accrued returns  291   - 
Accrued income tax payable  8   - 
Accrued benefits  30   25 
Accrued vacation  4   5 
Deferred revenue  169   104 
Total other current liabilities $1,731  $409 

 

NOTENote 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Escrow ReceivableCommitments and Contingencies

 

Escrow Receivable

Effective March 29, 2017, we sold our intellectual property rights and other assets related to our Cold-EEZE® brand and product line, including all then current and pipeline over-the-counter allergy, cold, flu, multi-symptom relief and immune support treatments for adults and children to the extent each was, or was intended to be, branded “Cold-EEZE®”, including all formulations and derivatives thereof (collectively referred to as the “Cold-EEZE® Business”) to Mylan Consumer Healthcare Inc. (formerly known as Meda Consumer Healthcare Inc.) (“MCH”) and Mylan Inc. (together with MCH, “Mylan”). As a result of the sale of the Cold-EEZE® business, for Fiscal 2017, we have classified as discontinued operations (i) all income and expenses attributable to the Cold-EEZE® business, (ii) the gain from the sale of the Cold-EEZE® business, and (iii) the income tax expense attributed to the sale of the Cold-EEZE® business. Excluded from the sale of the Cold-EEZE® business were our accounts receivable and inventory. We have also retained all liabilities associated with our Cold-EEZE® business operations arising prior to March 29, 2017.

For Fiscal 2020 and 2019, we incurred income of $201,000 and costs of $40,000, respectively, which was recorded as income (loss) on sale of discontinued operations.

We have indemnification obligations to Mylan under the Asset Purchase Agreementasset purchase agreement pursuant to which we sold the Cold-EEZE®  business to Mylan, that may require us to make future payments to Mylan and other related persons for any damages incurred by Mylan or such related persons as a result of any breaches of our representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the Asset Purchase Agreement,asset purchase agreement, or arising from the Retained Liabilities (as such term is defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement)asset purchase agreement) or certain third party claims specified in the Asset Purchase Agreement.asset purchase agreement. Generally, our representations and warranties survive for a period of 24 months from the closing date, which was March 29, 2017, other than certain fundamental representations which survive until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. There is a limited indemnification cap with respect to a majority of the Company’s indemnification obligations under the Asset Purchase Agreementasset purchase agreement with the exception of claims for actual fraud, the breach of any fundamental representations and certain other items, which have a larger indemnification cap (e.g.(i.e., the purchase price).

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement,asset purchase agreement, we, Mylan, and an escrow agent entered into an Escrow Agreement at closing, pursuant to which Mylan deposited $5$5.0 million of the aggregate purchase price for the Cold-EEZE® Businessbusiness into an escrow account established with the Escrow Agentescrow agent in order to satisfy, in whole or in part, certain of our indemnity obligations under the Asset Purchase Agreement. If, onasset purchase agreement. Other than certain fundamental representations which survive until the 18thmonth anniversaryexpiration of the applicable statute of limitations, our representations and warranties under the agreement expired 24 months after the closing date, there are funds remaining inwhich was March 29, 2017.

On May 4, 2020, the final pending claim against our escrow account with Mylan was resolved and, as a result, the escrow account, then the escrow account will be reduced by the difference, if a positive number, of (i) $2.5 million minus (ii) the aggregate amount ofagent released all escrow claims asserted by Mylan prior to this date that have either been paid out of the escrow account or are pending as of such date, and, within two business days of such date, the Escrow Agent will disburse such difference, if a positive number, to us. Within two business days of the second anniversary of the closing date, the Escrow Agent will release any funds remaining infrom the escrow account to us minus any amounts being reserved for escrow claims asserted by Mylan prior to such date. Upon the resolution of any pending escrow claims, the Escrow Agent will, within two business days of receipt of joint instructions or a final order from a court (as describedon May 7, 2020, in the Escrow Agreement) disburse such reserved amount to the parties entitled to such funds.of $4.8 million.

 

Management does not believe that we will be subject to indemnity claims contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement. However, in the event that such a claim is made, and if successful, we would be required to pay Mylan pursuant to the indemnification provisions of the Asset Purchase Agreement which may reduce the amount we ultimately collect from escrow or could even require us to return a portion of the net proceeds received from the sale of the Cold-EEZE® Division.

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PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - (continued)

Manufacturing Agreement

 

In connection with the Asset Purchase Agreement,asset purchase agreement with Mylan, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, PMI, entered into a Manufacturing Agreementmanufacturing agreement (the “Manufacturing Agreement”) with Mylan. Pursuant to the terms of the Manufacturing Agreement, Mylan (or an affiliate or designee) will purchased the inventory of the Company’s Cold-EEZE® brand and product line, and PMI will manufacturesmanufacture certain products for Mylan, as described in the Manufacturing Agreement, at prices that reflect current market conditions for such products and include an agreed upon mark-up on our costs. Unless terminated sooner by the parties, the Manufacturing Agreement will remain in effect until March 29, 2022. Thereafter, the Manufacturing Agreement may be renewed by Mylan for up to five successive one yearone-year periods by providing notice of its intent to renew not less than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term.

Employment Agreements

On January 14, 2015, we entered into new employment agreements, effective as of January 1, 2015, with Mr. Karkus and Mr. Cuddihy, our former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. These January 2015 employment agreements superseded the 2012 Employment Agreements that had been scheduled to terminate on July 15, 2015. On May 29, 2015 we entered into amended and restated employment agreements with each of Mr. Karkus and Mr. Cuddihy (the “2015 Employment Agreements”). The 2015 Employment Agreements superseded the employment agreements of Messrs. Karkus and Cuddihy, dated January 1, 2015. The 2015 Employment Agreements were approved by our Compensation Committee.

Under his 2015 Employment Agreement, Mr. Karkus agreed to an annual base salary of $675,000 as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Karkus was eligible to receive an annual increase in base salary and could be awarded a bonus in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee. He was also entitled to receive regular benefits routinely provided to other senior executives of the Company. In the event of a termination by the Company of the employment of Mr. Karkus without cause or due to a voluntary resignation by Mr. Karkus with Good Reason (as defined in his 2015 Employment Agreement), Mr. Karkus was entitled to receive 1.5 times his base salary (“Mr. Karkus Severance”), with one-half of such amount to be paid as a lump sum severance payment in cash and the remaining one-half paid in 12 equal consecutive, monthly installments commencing on the first business day of the month following the effective date of the termination. In addition, all of the stock options and/or restricted stock then held by Mr. Karkus would automatically vest concurrently upon such termination of employment, regardless of any prior existing vesting schedules. If Mr. Karkus’ employment was terminated without cause or leaves with Good Reason in contemplation of (or within 24 months following) a change in control of the Company, then, in lieu of the Mr. Karkus Severance payment described above, Mr. Karkus woul instead receive a one-time severance payment in cash equal to the greater of (i) $1.5 million, and (ii) 199 percent of his average annual total Form W-2 compensation for the three calendar years immediately preceding the date of termination.

Under his 2015 Employment Agreement, Mr. Cuddihy agreed to an annual base salary of $350,000 as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Cuddihy was eligible to receive an annual increase in base salary and could be awarded a bonus in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee. He was also entitled to regular benefits routinely provided to other senior executives of the Company. In the event of a termination by the Company of the employment of Mr. Cuddihy without cause or due to a voluntary resignation by Mr. Cuddihy with Good Reason (as defined in his 2015 Employment Agreement), Mr. Cuddihy was entitled to receive 1.5 times his base salary (“Mr. Cuddihy Severance”), with one-half of such amount to be paid as a lump sum severance payment in cash.

On April 17, 2017, we entered into an Employment Agreement Termination and Release Agreement (the “April 2017 Termination Agreement”) with Mr. Cuddihy. The April 2017 Termination Agreement terminated Mr. Cuddihy’s prior employment agreement with us, and established new terms of Mr. Cuddihy’s employment with the Company. The April 2017 Termination Agreement was entered into in light of our recent successful sale of the Cold-EEZE® Business. The April 2017 Termination Agreement provided, among other things, that Mr. Cuddihy would remain employed by the Company on an at-will basis; he would relinquish his rights under the 2015 Employment Agreement, including his rights to separation payments, in consideration for the Company remitting to him a $675,000 termination payment (the “Termination Payment); and he would reduce his annual base salary to $250,000 effective July 1, 2017.

On September 27, 2017, we entered into another Employment Agreement Termination and Release Agreement with Mr. Cuddihy (the “September 2017 Termination Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the September 2017 Termination Agreement, Mr. Cuddihy’s 2015 Employment Agreement terminated effective September 30, 2017 and we paid Mr. Cuddihy a one-time lump sum payment of $55,000 on October 20, 2017. The September 2017 Termination Agreement contains a general release of claims in favor of us and other customary provisions.

 

53

 

PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - (continued)

Future Obligations

 

At December 31, 2017, weWe have approximateestimated future minimum obligations for an executive’s employment agreement over the next five years as of December 31, 2020, as follows (in thousands):

 

Year Employment Agreements 
2018 $675 
2019  169 
2020  - 
2021  - 
2022  - 
Total $844 

  Employment 
  Contracts 
2021 $595 
2022  675 
2023  675 
2024  675 
2025  675 
Total $3,295 

 

Other Litigation

 

In the normal course of our business, we aremay be named as a defendant in legal proceedings. It is our policy to vigorously defend litigation and/or to enter into settlements of claimsa reasonable settlement where management deems it appropriate.

 

NOTENote 10 – JOINT VENTURE

On March 22, 2010, we, Phosphagenics Limited (“PSI Parent”), an Australian corporation, Phosphagenics Inc. (“PSI”), a Delaware corporation and subsidiary of PSI Parent, and Phusion, a Delaware limited liability company, entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) of the Phusion joint venture and additional related agreements for the purpose of developing and commercializing, for worldwide distribution and sale, a wide range of non-prescription remedies using PSI Parent’s proprietary patented TPM™ technology (“TPM”). Pursuant to the LLC Agreement, we and PSI each owned a 50% membership interest in the Phusion joint venture.

PROPHASE LABS, INC. PROPHASE LABS, INC. FOR THE BENEFIT OF PHUSION LABORATORIES, LLC vs. Phosphagenics, Inc., Phosphagenics, LTD and Phusion Laboratories, LLC as a nominal defendantLeases

 

On October 17, 2014,23, 2020, we initiated a demand for arbitration withcompleted the American Arbitration Association, case number 01-14-0001-7373, against PSI Parent and PSI (collectively known as the (“Phosphagenics Entitles”)), relating to our Phusion joint venture.

In November 2016, the arbitration case was resolved and concluded. The arbitrator rejectedacquisition of all of the counterclaims assertedissued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Confucius Plaza Medical Laboratory Corp. (“CPM”) for approximately $2.5 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, pursuant to the terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement, by Phosphagenics thatand among the Company, CPM, Pride Diagnostics and other parties named therein CPM (which is now known as ProPhase pay damages to Phosphagenics. The arbitrator also awarded toDiagnostics NJ, Inc.) is the owner of a 4,000 square foot CLIA accredited laboratory located in Old Bridge, New Jersey, which ProPhase recovery of approximately $350,000 (netDiagnostics acquired as part of the payment of certain wind down expenses) that had been invested in the Phusion joint venture entity; terminated the intellectual property license that had been granted to Phusion from Phosphagenics; and directed the wind down and termination of Phusion Laboratories LLC, the joint venture entity.

Phusion a variable interest entity (“VIE)” and its financial statements are consolidated with the Company’s financial statements for each period presented.transaction. As a consequence of Phusion qualifying as a VIE, the $350,000 award was effected through the transfer of cash from the Phusion bank account to the Company’s solely controlled bank account and no gain or loss is realized as a result of this acquisition. ProPhase Diagnostics NJ, Inc. (f/k/a Confucius Labs) is the award.owner of a 4,000 square foot Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) accredited laboratory located in Old Bridge, New Jersey.

On December 8, 2020, the Company entered into a Lease Agreement (the “NY Lease”) with BRG Office L.L.C. and Unit 2 Associates L.L.C. (the “Landlord”), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to lease certain premises located on the second floor (the “Leased Premises”) of 711 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York (the “Building”). The steps to wind downLeased Premises serve as the Company’s second location, offering a wide range of laboratory testing services for diagnosis, screening and terminate Phusion Laboratories LLC, the joint venture entity, were initiatedevaluation of diseases, including COVID-19 and Respiratory Pathogen Panel Molecular tests.

The New York Lease is effective as of December 8, 2020 and commenced in December 2016 and completed2020 when the facility was made available to us by the Landlord. Payments on the lease will begin upon the date of the Landlord’s substantial completion of certain improvements to the Leased Premises (the “Commencement Date”), as set forth in the first half of Fiscal 2017. The operationsNY Lease, targeted to be 35 days from the execution of the Phusion VIE wereNY Lease. The initial term of the NY Lease is 10 years and seven months (the “Initial Term”), unless sooner terminated as provided in the NY Lease. We may extend the term of the NY Lease for one additional option period of five years. We have the option to terminate the NY Lease on the sixth anniversary of the Commencement Date, provided that we give the Landlord written notice not materialless than nine months and not more than 12 months in advance and that we pay the Landlord a termination fee as more particularly described in the NY Lease. The Landlord will provided a construction allowance to anythe Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,795, to reimburse the Company for the cost of Fiscal 2017, 2016 or 2015.

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PROPHASE LABS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 11 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income availablecertain improvements to common stockholdersbe made by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding forCompany to the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock (“Common Stock Equivalents”) that shared in the earnings of the entity. Diluted EPS also utilizes the treasury stock method which prescribes a theoretical buy back of shares from the theoretical proceeds of all options and warrants outstanding during the period. Since there are options and Warrants outstanding, fluctuations in the actual market price can have a variety of results for each period presented.Leased Premises.

 

For Fiscal 2017, there were 954,500 Common Stock Equivalents which werethe first year of the NY Lease, we will pay a base rent of $56,963 per month (subject to a seven month abatement period), with a gradual rental rate increase of 2.75% for each 12 month period thereafter in lieu of paying its proportionate share of common area operating expenses, culminating in a monthly base rent of $74,716 during the final months of the Initial Term. In addition to the monthly base rent, we are responsible for its proportionate share of real estate tax escalations in accordance with the terms of the NY Lease.

We also have a right of first refusal to lease certain additional space located on the ground floor of the Building containing 4,500 square feet and 4,600 square feet, as more particularly described in the money thatNY Lease. We also has a right of first offer to purchase the Building during the term of the NY Lease.

At December 31, 2020, we had operating lease liabilities of approximately $4.7 million and right of use assets of approximately $4.7 million, which were included in the fully diluted earningsconsolidated balance sheet.

The following summarizes quantitative information about our operating leases (amounts in thousands):

  For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 
Operating leases    
Operating lease cost $11 
Variable lease cost  1 
Operating lease expense  12 
Short-term lease rent expense  - 
Total rent expense $12 

  For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 
Operating cash flows used in operating leases $(11)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $4,740 
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases (in years)  10.3 
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases  10.00%

Maturities of the Company’s operating leases, excluding short-term leases, are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Year Ended December 31, 2021 $357 
Year Ended December 31, 2022  774 
Year Ended December 31, 2023  738 
Year Ended December 31, 2024  747 
Year Ended December 31, 2025  768 
Thereafter  4,659 
Total  8,043 
Less present value discount  (3,312)
Operating lease liabilities $4,731 

Note 11 –Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes Payable

On September 15, 2020, we issued two unsecured, partially convertible, promissory notes (the “September 2020 Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $10 million to two investors (collectively, the “Lenders”).

The September 2020 Notes are due and payable on September 15, 2023, and accrue interest at a rate of 10% per share computation. For Fiscal 2016year from the closing date, payable on a quarterly basis, until the September 2020 Notes are repaid in full. We have the right to prepay the September 2020 Notes at any time after the 13 month anniversary of the closing date after providing written notice to the Lenders, and 2015, diluted earningsmay prepay the September 2020 Notes prior to such time with the consent of the Lenders. The Lenders have the right, at any time, and from time to time, on and after the 13-month anniversary of the closing date to convert up to an aggregate of $3.0 million of the September 2020 Notes into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $3.00 per shareshare. Repayment of the Notes has been guaranteed by our wholly-owned subsidiary, PMI.

The September 2020 Notes contain customary events of default. If a default occurs and is not cured within the sameapplicable cure period or is not waived, any outstanding obligations under the Notes may be accelerated. The September 2020 Notes also contain certain restrictive covenants which, among other things, restrict our ability to create, incur, assume or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any lien (other than certain permitted liens described in the Notes) securing any indebtedness of the Company, and prohibits us from distributing or reinvesting the proceeds from any divestment of assets (other than in the ordinary course) without the prior approval of the Lenders.

Note 12 – Consulting Agreement and Secured Promissory Note Receivable

Consulting Agreement

On September 25, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into a Consulting Agreement with a consultant (the “Consulting Agreement”). The Consulting Agreement will be effective for a period commencing on the Effective Date and expiring on September 1, 2022; provided, however, that we may terminate this agreement at any time on five days’ prior written notice.

During the term of the Consulting Agreement, the consultant will provide us with such regular and customary consulting advice as basic earnings per shareis reasonably requested by us. The consultant’s duties will also include, among other things, (i) identifying and introducing us to new opportunities in the medical technology and testing fields, (ii) assisting and advising us in acquiring one or more CLIA certified labs suitable for COVID-19 and other testing (“Test Labs”), (see Notes 3 and 10); (iii) assisting us in equipping and staffing any Test Labs acquired by us; (iv) advising and assisting in the operation of such Test Labs; (v) validating and obtaining certification of such Test Labs; and (vi) assisting us in obtaining a flow of business, orders and revenues from multiple sources in the industry, including but not limited to at least one significant, nation-wide manufacturer and distributor of COVID-19 saliva sample collection test kits (“COVID-19 Test Kits”).

The compensation to be paid to the consultant under the Consulting Agreement will be based on the following milestones:

At such time as we complete the acquisition of our first Test Lab that has been validated and certified to process COVID-19 Test Kits collection test kits manufactured by a substantial, nation-wide manufacturer and distributor of COVID-19 Test Kits, the consultant will receive a consulting fee of $250,000;
At such time as we have processed 50,000 COVID-19 Test Kits from a source introduced to us by the consultant, they will receive a consulting fee of $500,000;
At such time as we have processed 50,000 COVID-19 Test Kits from a second source introduced by the consultant (i.e., a source other than the source contemplated by the bullet immediately above) the consultant will receive a consulting fee of $250,000; and
The consultant will receive consulting fees equal to 5% of the net revenues that we generate from processing COVID-19 Test Kits in the Test Labs where such revenues are from sources introduced to us by the consultant (excluding the revenues from the COVID-19 Test Kits set forth in the second and third bullets above).

All compensation earned by the consultant will first be applied to the acceleration and prepayment of all sums due to us, including but not limited to sums due pursuant to the inclusionAmended and Restated Secured Promissory Note (“Secured Note”) described below. Under the terms of Common Stock,the Consulting Agreement, the consultant will not be entitled to receive any payments pursuant to the Consulting Agreement unless and until the Secured Note has been paid in full. The total compensation that the consultant will be entitled to earn or to receive under the Consulting Agreement (inclusive of amounts credited against the Secured Note) will be capped at $4.0 million. See Note 16 for amendment subsequent to year end.

Promissory Note and Security Agreement

On September 25, 2020 (the “Restatement Effective Date”), we also entered into an Amended and Restated Promissory Note and Security Agreement with the consultant, pursuant to which we loaned $3.0 million to the consultant (inclusive of $1.0 million in the formaggregate previously loaned to the consultant, as described below).

The Secured Note amended and restated in its entirety (i) that certain Promissory Note and Security Agreement, dated July 21, 2020 (the “Original July 21 Note”), pursuant to which we loaned $750,000 to the consultant and (ii) that certain Promissory Note and Security Agreement, dated July 29, 2020 (the “Original July 29 Note”, and, together with the Original July 21 Note, the “Original Notes”), pursuant to which we loaned $250,000 to the consultant.

The Secured Note bears interest at a rate of stock options15% per annum from and warrants, would haveincluding the Restatement Effective Date until the principal amount is repaid in full plus any Principal Increases (as defined below) together with any accrued interest that has not been capitalized; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and during an anti-dilutive effectEvent of Default (as defined in the Secured Note), the interest rate payable under the Secured Note will automatically increase to 9% above the rate of interest then applicable to the Secured Note.

Interest under the Secured Note will be payable monthly in arrears on the loss per share. For Fiscal 2016first day of each month for the prior monthly period, as well as at maturity (whether upon demand, by acceleration or otherwise) (each such date, a “Payment Date”); provided, however, that prior to September 1, 2021, interest will be paid and 2015, there were Common Stock Equivalentscapitalized in kind by increasing the principal amount of the Secured Note (any such increase, a “Principal Increase”) by an amount equal to the interest accrued on the principal amount (as increased by the Principal Increases) during the prior month. On each Payment Date commencing after September 1, 2021, in addition to payments of interest described in the preceding sentence, the consultant will also make payments on the principal amount of the loan equal to 1/36 of the then outstanding principal amount. The amount of the monthly payments will be equal to the amount required to amortize fully the outstanding principal amount of the loan, together with interest, over a period of 36 months.

The entire remaining unpaid principal amount of the Secured Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all other amounts payable under the Secured Note, will be due and payable, if not sooner paid, on September 30, 2022. The Secured Note may be prepaid in full or in part at any time without penalty or premium.

The Secured Note contains customary events of default. If a default occurs and is not cured within the applicable cure period or is not waived, any outstanding obligations under the Secured Note may be accelerated.

The Secured Note contain customary representation and warranties and certain restrictive covenants which, among other things, restrict the consultant’s ability to (i) sell, transfer, finance, lease, license, or dispose of all or substantially all of its property or assets, liquidate, windup, or dissolve, (ii) acquire all or substantially all of the property or assets of, or the equity interests in, any other person, (iii) participate in any merger, consolidation, share exchange, division, conversion, reclassification, or other absorption or reorganization, (iv) except for those existing as of the Restatement Effective Date, create, incur, assume, permit, or suffer to exist any pledges, liens, security interests, and other encumbrances of its property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter owned or acquired, and (v) create, incur or permit to exist any debt that is senior to, or pari passu with the Secured Note.

In order to secure the consultant’s obligations under the Secured Note, the consultant granted to the Company a continuing security interest in certain property and assets.

On January 14, 2021, we entered into an Amendment and Termination Agreement (the “Agreement”) with a consultant pursuant to which the parties amended that certain Amended and Restated Promissory Note and Security Agreement by and between the parties, dated September 25, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company has loaned an additional $1 million to the consultant in consideration for consultant’s agreement to cancel its existing consulting agreement with the Company, dated September 25, 2020 (the “Consulting Agreement”), and terminate the Company’s obligation to pay the consultant additional consulting fees beyond the $250,000 already earned by the consultant under the Consulting Agreement. As a result, the initial principal amount due under the Note was increased from $2.75 million to $3.75 million plus all accrued and unpaid interest arising under the Note through and including January 14, 2021.

The consultant will sell and process its viral test by RT-PCR (together with other viral and other types of tests). Until the Secured Note is paid in full, for each COVID-19 Test Kit sold or processed from and after January 14, 2021, and for which payment of at least the specified amount, as defined for the Test is received by the consultant, the consultant will pay the Company a specified amount, as defined (the “Test Fee”). The total payments shall not exceed the aggregate amounts due under the Note and shall be applied first to Interest and other amounts due under the Note and then to the then-current outstanding principal. Test Fees will be due and payable on the tenth (10th) business day after the end of each month commencing in February, 2021, and until the Note is paid in full. We received the first payment in the amount of 430,636$95,000 with respect to the Test Fees from January 15 through February 2021.

On each Payment Date commencing on or after September 1, 2021, in addition to payments of Test Fees described above, the consultant shall also make payments in an amount equal to the greater of (x) the Test Fee, or (y) 1/36th of the then outstanding Principal Amount together with interest thereon and 337,186, respectively,interest accruing on the Note, in accordance with the Note. Accordingly, commencing on September 1, 2021, the minimum number of monthly payments due and payable will be equal to the amount required to amortize fully the outstanding Principal Amount of the Loan, together with interest over a period of thirty six (36) months with level monthly payments.

October 2020 Promissory Note

On October 22, 2020, we entered into a promissory note with an unrelated third party pursuant to which were in-the-money that were excludedwe loaned $300,000 to such entity. The promissory note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum and is due December 31, 2020 and was repaid in the earnings per share computation due to their dilutive effect. In addition, forfirst quarter of Fiscal 2016 and 2015, there were Common Stock Equivalents in the amount of 403,000 and 420,500, respectively, which were out-of-the-money (the exercise price of the stock option was greater than the average market price for the period), that were excluded in the earnings per share computation due to their dilutive effect.2021.

NOTE 12Note 13SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERSSignificant Customers

 

RevenuesRevenue from continuing operations for Fiscal 2017, 20162020 and 2015 wereFiscal 2019 was $14.5 million and $9.9 million, $4.2 millionrespectively. Two third-party contract manufacturing customers accounted for 47.1% and $2.5 million, respectively.17.2%, respectively, of our revenue from continuing operations for Fiscal 2020. Three third-party contract manufacturing customers accounted for 61.7%36.5%, 16.1%30.5% and 11.1%, respectively, of our Fiscal 2017 revenues from continuing operations. Three third-party contract customers accounted for approximately 66.6%, 14.7% and 10.3% respectively, of our Fiscal 2016 revenues from continuing operations. Two third-party contract customers accounted for approximately 60.0% and 24.5%, respectively, of our Fiscal 20152019 revenues from continuing operations. The loss of sales to any one or more of these large retail or third-party contract manufacturing customers could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial condition.

 

We are subject to account receivable credit concentrations from time-to-time as a consequence of the timing, payment pattern and ultimate purchase volumes or shipping schedules with our customers. These concentrations may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other conditions that may impact the timing and collectability of amounts due to us. One customerThree of our customers represented 84%36%, 20% and one customer represented 22%13% of our total trade receivable balances at December 31, 20172020 and 2016, respectively. Management believes that the provision for possible losses on uncollectible accountsthree of our customers represented 70%, 14% and 11% of our total trade receivable is adequate for our credit loss exposure. The allowance for doubtful accounts was zero for bothbalances at December 31, 20172019.

Note 14 – Segment Information

The Company has identified two operating segments, diagnostic services and 2016.consumer products, based on the manner in which the Company’s CEO as CODM assesses performance and allocates resources across the organization. The operating segments are organized in a manner that depicts the difference in revenue generating synergies that include the separate processes, profit generation and growth of each segment. The diagnostic services segment provides COVID-19 diagnostic information services to a broad range of customers in the United States, including health plans, third party payers and government organizations. The consumer products segment is engaged in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of OTC consumer healthcare products and dietary supplements in the United States.

The following table is a summary of segment information for Fiscal 2020 and Fiscal 2019. (amounts in thousands):

  For the Years Ended 
  December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
Net sales        
Diagnostic services $1,277  $- 
Consumer products  13,237   9,876 
Consolidated net sales  14,514   9,876 
Cost of sales  9,908   7,261 
Depreciation expense        
Diagnostic services  110   - 
Consumer products  16   82 
Total Depreciation expense  126   82 
Operating and other expenses  6,806   5,639 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes        
Diagnostic services  (344)  - 
Consumer products  1,962   2,533 
Unallocated corporate  (3,944)  (5,639)
Total loss from continuing operations, before income taxes  (2,326)  (3,106)
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, before income taxes  201   (40)
Net Loss $(2,125) $(3,146)

The following table is a summary of segment information for Fiscal 2020 and Fiscal 2019. (amounts in thousands):

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
       
ASSETS        
Diagnostic services $13,410  $- 
Consumer products  6,261   5,872 
Unallocated corporate  11,734   6,402 
Total assets $31,405  $12,274 

Note 15 – Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share for continuing and discontinued operations are computed by dividing the respective net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of our common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that shared in the earnings of the entity. Diluted loss per share also utilize the treasury stock method which prescribes a theoretical buy-back of shares from the theoretical proceeds of all options and warrants outstanding during the period.

For Fiscal 2020 and 2019, dilutive loss per share were the same as basic earnings per share due to the inclusion of common stock in the form of stock options and warrants (“Common Stock Equivalents”), when in a net loss position would have an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share. For Fiscal 2020, there were 4,245,000 that were excluded from the loss per share computation as a consequence of their anti-dilutive effect. For Fiscal 2019, there were 3,082,000 that were excluded from the loss per share computation as a consequence of their anti-dilutive effect.

 

NOTE 13Note 16SUBSEQUENT EVENTSubsequent Events

 

Registered Direct Offering

On February 16, 2018,January 5, 2021, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to which we issued and sold to the Purchasers an aggregate of (i) 550,000 shares of our boardcommon stock, and (ii) warrants to purchase up to 275,000 shares of directors approvedcommon stock in a registered direct offering.

The Shares were sold at a purchase price of $10.00 per share and derived net proceeds of $5.5 million, Each Warrant has an exercise price equal to $11.00 per share of common stock, will be exercisable at any time and from time to time, subject to certain conditions described in the Warrant, after the date of issuance, and will expire on the date that is three years from the date of issuance. The Shares and the Warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately.

Consulting Agreement and Promissory Note Amendment

On January 14, 2021, we entered into an Amendment and Termination Agreement (the “Agreement”) with a consultant pursuant to which the parties amended that certain Amended and Restated 2015 Executive EmploymentPromissory Note and Security Agreement with Ted Karkus, our Chief Executive Officer (the “Amended Employment Agreement”), which became effective February 23, 2018, subject to stockholder approval at a special meeting of stockholder to be held April 12, 2018.by and between the parties, dated September 25, 2020. (See Note 12) Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Karkusthe Company has voluntarily agreedloaned an additional $1 million to reduce his base salarythe consultant in consideration for consultant’s agreement to cancel its existing consulting agreement with the Company, dated September 25, 2020 (the “Consulting Agreement”), and terminate the Company’s obligation to pay the consultant an additional consulting fees beyond the $250,000 already earned by the consultant under the Consulting Agreement. As a result, the initial principal amount due under the Note was increased from $2.75 million to $3.75 million plus all accrued and unpaid interest arising under the rate set forthNote through and including January 14, 2021.

The consultant will sell and process its viral test by RT-PCR (together with other viral and other types of tests). Until the Secured Note is paid in full, for each COVID-19 Test Kit sold or processed from and after January 14, 2021, and for which payment of at least the specified amount, as defined for the Test is received by the consultant, the consultant will pay the Company a specified amount, as defined (the “Test Fee”). The total payments shall not exceed the aggregate amounts due under the Note and shall be applied first to Interest and other amounts due under the Note and then to the then-current outstanding principal. Test Fees will be due and payable on the 10th business day after the end of each month commencing in February, 2021, and until the Note is paid in full. We received the first payment in the 2015 Employment Agreement (i.e., not less than $675,000 per annum)amount of $95,000 with respect to a base salary of $125,000 per annum (the “Term Base Salary”)the Test Fees from January 15 through February 22, 2021. Unless otherwise determined by

On each Payment Date commencing on or after September 1, 2021, in addition to payments of Test Fees described above, the mutual agreementconsultant shall also make payments in an amount equal to the greater of (x) the Test Fee, or (y) 1/36th of the Companythen outstanding Principal Amount together with interest thereon and Mr. Karkus,interest accruing on February 22,the Secured Note, in accordance with the Secured Note. Accordingly, commencing on September 1, 2021, the minimum number of monthly payments due and thereafter, Mr. Karkus’ salarypayable will increase frombe equal to the Term Base Salaryamount required to not less than $675,000 per annum.amortize fully the outstanding Principal Amount of the Loan, together with interest over a period of 36 months with level monthly payments. The entire remaining unpaid principal amount of the Secured Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon is due and payable on September 30, 2022 or an earlier date as a result of a maturity, whether by acceleration or otherwise. The Secured Note may be prepaid in full or in part at any time without penalty or premium.

Public Offering

 

In considerationOn January 18, 2021, we entered into an underwriting agreement for the public offering of Mr. Karkus’ voluntary reduction in salary, our board of directors granted Mr. Karkus a stock option to purchase 2,300,000three million shares of our common stock, at an exercisea price of $3.00 per share on February 23, 2018 (the “Executive Stock Option”). The Executive Stock Option will vest and be exercisable in 35 equal monthly installments of 63,888 shares and one monthly installment of 63,290 shares, subject to his continued employment, and subject to accelerated vesting in the event Mr. Karkus’s employment is terminated for any reason other than by us for Cause or by Mr. Karkus without Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Amended Employment Agreement). The Executive Stock Option will be exercisable for a five year term commencing on the date of grant. The Executive Stock Option will be granted pursuant to the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”), which was also adoptedpublic of $12.50 per share. On January 21, 2021, we completed the offering for net proceeds of $35.1 million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and approved by our board of directors on February 16, 2018. The 2018 Plan, like the Amended Employment Agreement, is subject to the stockholder approval. The 2018 Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 2,300,000 shares pursuant to stock options granted under the 2018 Plan.commissions and estimated offering expenses.

 

55

Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

Item 9.Changes inOn December 10, 2020 (the “Dismissal Date”), the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of ProPhase Labs, Inc. (the “Company”) dismissed EisnerAmper LLP (“EisnerAmper”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Also on December 10, 2020, the Audit Committee recommended and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosureapproved the selection of Friedman LLP (“Friedman”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm

 

None

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintaincarried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of December 31, 2020. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assuranceensure that material information required to be disclosed by us in theour reports filed with or submitted to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECSEC’s rules and forms,forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the informationExchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our ChiefPrincipal Executive Officer and ChiefPrincipal Financial and Accounting Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We performed an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on our review, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting. Our system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

 pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;
 provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and our directors; and
 provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting may vary over time. Our system contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.

 

Our management conducted an evaluation of our effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework inInternal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based upon our review, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief AccountingFinancial Officer, concluded that the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2017.2020.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have beenDuring 2020, there was no changeschange in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act that occurred during Fiscal 2017the period covered by this report that havehas materially affected or areis reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.Other Information

Item 9B.Other Information

 

None

56

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 20182021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2018“2021 Proxy Statement”) which is to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year ended December 31, 20172020 and is hereby incorporated by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Item 11.Executive Compensation

 

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to the 20182021 Proxy Statement.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference from the 20182021 Proxy Statement.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

 

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference from the 20182021 Proxy Statement.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference from the 20182021 Proxy Statement.

 

5761

 

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)(1) Financial Statements.

 

The following consolidated financial statements of ProPhase Labs, Inc., together with the report thereon of Friedman LLP and EisnerAmper LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm,firms, are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 Page
ReportReports of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmFirms3032
Financial Statements: 
Consolidated Balance Sheets3134
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)3235
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity3336
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows3437
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements3538

 

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules.

 

All schedules have been omitted because they are not required or because the required information is given in the consolidated financial statements or Notes thereto set forth under Item 8 above.

 

(a)(3)Exhibits

 

Exhibit Description
2.1†+ Asset Purchase Agreement,purchase agreement, dated January 6, 2017, by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc., Meda Consumer Healthcare Inc. and Mylan Inc., as Buyer Guarantor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on March 29, 2017).
2.2†+ Manufacturing Agreement, dated March 29, 2017, by and between Meda Consumer Healthcare Inc., Pharmaloz Manufacturing, Inc. and Prophase Labs, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on March 29, 2017).
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on June 19, 2015).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (as of February 16, 2018) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on February 21, 2018).
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 10-KSB/A (File No. 000-21617) filed on April 4, 1997).
4.2 

4.2

Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated June 18, 2014 between the Company and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on June 19, 2014).
4.3Amended No. 1 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated January 6, 2017 between the Company and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on January 9, 2017).
4.4Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated February 20, 2018 between the Company and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on February 21, 2018).
4.5Form of Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2015).
4.6Form of Voting Agreement, dated January 6, 2017, by and between Meda Consumer Healthcare Inc. and the undersigned stockholders of ProPhase Labs, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on January 9, 2017).

58

10.1 

4.3
 

Description of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on March 26, 2020).

10.1Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of its Officers and Directors, dated August 19, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on August 19, 2009).

10.210.2* 

Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated March 22, 2010, between the Company, Phosphagenics Limited, Phosphagenics Inc., and Phusion Laboratories, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Form 10-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on March 24, 2010).

10.3

Contribution Agreement, dated March 22, 2010, between the Company, Phosphagenics Limited, Phosphagenics Inc., and Phusion Laboratories, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Form 10-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on March 24, 2010).

10.4License Agreement, dated March 22, 2010, between the Company and Phosphagenics Limited. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Form 10-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on March 24, 2010).
10.5

Amended and Restated License Agreement, dated March 22, 2010, between the Company, Phosphagenics Limited, Phosphagenics Inc., and Phusion Laboratories, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Form 10-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on March 24, 2010).

10.6Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B10.1 of the Company’s Annual Proxy StatementCurrent Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) on Schedule 14A filed on April 18, 2016)May 24, 2018).
10.3* 
10.7Amended and Restated 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit C10.2 of the Company’s Annual Proxy StatementCurrent Report on Schedule 14A (File No. 000-21617) filed on April 2, 2010).
10.8Amendment to 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on May 10, 2010)24, 2018).
10.4* 
10.9Form of Option Agreement pursuant to 2010 Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-21617) filed on May 15, 2017).
10.5* 
10.10Form of Option Agreement pursuant to 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on May 10, 2010).
10.6* 
10.11

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on May 10, 2010).

10.1210.7* Redemption Agreement with Phosphagenics Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on September 23, 2011).
10.13Investment Agreement by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Dutchess Opportunity Fund II, LP, dated as of May 28, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on May 28, 2014).
10.14Registration Rights Agreement by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Dutchess Opportunity Fund II, LP, dated as of May 28, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on May 28, 2014).

59

10.15

Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release between ProPhase Labs, Inc. f/k/a The Quigley Corporation and John C. Godfrey, the Estate of Nancy Jane Godfrey, and Godfrey Science and Design, Inc. dated December 20, 2012. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2013).

10.16Amendment to 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Company’s Annual Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 000-21617) filed on April 3, 2013).
10.17Employment Agreement dated May 29, 2015 between Ted Karkus and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on June 1, 2015).
10.18Employment Agreement dated May 29, 2015 between Robert V. Cuddihy, Jr. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on June 1, 2015).
10.19Registration Rights Agreement by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Dutchess Opportunity Fund II, LP, dated as of July 30, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-206090) filed on August 5, 2015).
10.20

Investment Agreement by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Dutchess Opportunity Fund II, LP, dated as of July 30, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the registration statement on Form S-8 filed on August 5, 2015).

10.21

Subscription Agreements by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and John Ligums and Justin Leonard dated December 11, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on December 16, 2015).

10.22

Form of 12% Secured Promissory Note dated December 11, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on December 16, 2015).

10.23

Form of Security Agreement by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and John Ligums dated December 11, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on December 16, 2015).

10.24Employment Agreement Termination and Release Agreement with Robert V. Cuddihy, Jr., dated April 17, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on April 19, 2017).
10.25Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 12, 2017, by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Mark S. Leventhal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on June 14, 2017).
10.26Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 12, 2017, by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Mark S. Leventhal and Donna R. Leventhal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on June 14, 2017).
10.27Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 12, 2017, by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and The Mark S. and Donna R. Family Foundation, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on June 14, 2017).
10.28Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 12, 2017, by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and The Bonnybrook Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on June 14, 2017).

60

10.29Employment Agreement Termination and Release Agreement, dated September 27, 2017, by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Robert V. Cuddihy, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on October 2, 2017).
10.30Amended and Restated 2015 Executive Employment Agreement with Ted Karkus, effective February 23, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 toof the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on February 21, 2018).
10.8* 
10.31

Stock Option Agreement with Ted Karkus pursuant to 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 toof the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on February 21, 2018).

10.3210.9 2018 Stock Incentive PlanAgreement of Sale and Purchase, dated July 10, 2020, by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Lenape Valley Foundation (incorporated by reference to Annex A toExhibit 10.1 of the definitive proxy statementCurrent Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on March 23, 2018)August 25, 2020).
10.10 Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note and Guaranty issued to JXVII Trust, dated September 15, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on September 18, 2020).
10.11 Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note and Guaranty issued Justin J. Leonard, dated September 15, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on September 18, 2020).
10.12Sales Agreement dated September 23, 2020 between the Registrant and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on September 23, 2020).
10.13Amended and Restated Promissory Note and Security Agreement, dated September 25, 2020, by and between ProPhase Labs, Inc. and Predictive Labs, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on September 30, 2020).
10.14Stock Purchase Agreement, dated October 22, 2020, by and among Confucius Plaza Medical Laboratory Corp., Pride Diagnostics LLC, the Members of Pride Diagnostics LLC and ProPhase Diagnostics, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on October 26, 2020).
10.15Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated January 5, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on January 7, 2021).
10.16Form of Warrant (dated January 5, 2021) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on January 7, 2021).
10.17Amendment and Termination Agreement, dated and effective as of January 14, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-21617) filed on January 15, 2021).
10.18Lease agreement by and among ProPhase Diagnostics, Inc., BRG Office L.L.C. and Unit 2 Associates L.L.C. for the corporate headquarters and diagnostic lab facility located at 711 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
21.1 Subsidiaries of ProPhase Labs, Inc.
23.1 

Consent of Friedman LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.1**23.2 Consent of EisnerAmper LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1**31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2**31.2 Certification of Chief AccountingFinancial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 
32.2**

Certification of the Chief AccountingFinancial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

** Filed herewith

† Confidential treatment granted as to portions of the exhibit. Confidential materials omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

+ Certain schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

40** 101 INS — XBRL Instance Document
41** 101 SCH — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
42** 101 CAL — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
43** 101 DEF — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
44** 101 LAB — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
45** 101 PRE — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Item 16.Form 10-K Summary

 

Item 16. Form 10-K SummaryNone.

None.

 

6164

 

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.

 

 PROPHASE LABS, INC.
   
 By:/s/ Ted Karkus
  

Ted Karkus, Chairman of the Board,

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Ted Karkus and Monica Brady, jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

By:/s/ Ted KarkusBy:/s/ Monica Brady

Signature Title Date
/s/ Ted Karkus Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer 

March 28, 2018

31, 2021
Ted Karkus (Principal Executive Officer)  
     
/s/ Monica Brady Chief AccountingFinancial Officer 

March 28, 2018

31, 2021
Monica Brady (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)  
     
/s/ Jason Barr Director 

March 28, 2018

31, 2021
Jason Barr
/s/ Mark BurnettDirector

March 28, 2018

Mark Burnett    
     
/s/ Louis Gleckel Director 

March 28, 2018

31, 2021
Louis Gleckel
/s/ Warren HirschDirectorMarch 31, 2021
Warren Hirsch    

 

6265