Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.
Can B disclosed 40 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Can B reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Risk Overview Q4, 2023
Risk Distribution
55% Finance & Corporate
18% Legal & Regulatory
8% Production
8% Ability to Sell
8% Macro & Political
5% Tech & Innovation
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Can B Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2023
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 22 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 22 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
40
+2
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
40
+2
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
2Risks added
0Risks removed
1Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
2Risks added
0Risks removed
1Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
Number of Risk Changed
1
+1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
1
+1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Can B in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 40
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 22/40 (55%)Above Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights12 | 30.0%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our historical financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional equity financing or other capital, attain further operating efficiencies, reduce expenditures, and, ultimately, generate more revenue. The doubt regarding our potential ability to continue as a going concern may adversely affect our ability to obtain new financing on reasonable terms or at all. Additionally, if we are unable to continue as a going concern, our stockholders may lose some or all of their investment in the Company.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
Since we have a limited operating history in our industry, it is difficult for potential investors to evaluate our business.
Our short operating history in our industry may hinder our ability to successfully meet our objectives and makes it difficult for potential investors to evaluate our business or prospective operations. As an early-stage company, we are subject to all the risks inherent in the financing, expenditures, operations, complications and delays inherent in a new business. Accordingly, our business and success faces risks from uncertainties faced by developing companies in a competitive environment. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that we will ultimately be able to attain profitability.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
We have established preferred stock which can be designated by the Company's Board of Directors without shareholder approval.
The Company has 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized. The shares of preferred stock of the Company may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each of which shall have a distinctive designation or title as shall be determined by the board of directors of the Company prior to the issuance of any shares thereof. The preferred stock shall have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as adopted by the board of directors. Because the board of directors is able to designate the powers and preferences of the preferred stock without the vote of a majority of the Company's shareholders, shareholders of the Company will have no control over what designations and preferences the Company's preferred stock will have. The issuance of shares of preferred stock or the rights associated therewith, could cause substantial dilution to our existing shareholders. Additionally, the dilutive effect of any preferred stock which we may issue may be exacerbated given the fact that such preferred stock may have voting rights and/or other rights or preferences which could provide the preferred shareholders with substantial voting control over us and/or give those holders the power to prevent or cause a change in control, even if that change in control might benefit our shareholders. As a result, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may cause the value of our securities to decrease.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
The issuance and sale of common stock upon conversion of our convertible notes may depress the market price of our common stock.
If sequential conversions of the convertible notes and sales of such converted shares take place, the price of our common stock may decline, and as a result, the holders of the convertible notes will be entitled to receive an increasing number of shares in connection with conversions, which shares could then be sold in the market, triggering further price declines and conversions for even larger numbers of shares, to the detriment of our investors. The shares of common stock which the convertible notes are convertible into may be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144. As a result, the sale of these shares may adversely affect the market price, if any, of our common stock.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
We are an "emerging growth company," and we cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that we may elect to utilize the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards and such election is irrevocable if made. As such, we have made the election to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act. Please refer to a discussion under "Risk Factors" of the effect on our financial statements of such election.
As an emerging growth company, we are exempt from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act. Section 404(a) requires Issuers to publish information in their annual reports concerning the scope and adequacy of the internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. This statement shall also assess the effectiveness of such internal controls and procedures. Section 404(b) requires that the registered accounting firm shall, in the same report, attest to and report on the assessment on the effectiveness of the internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. As an emerging growth company, we are also exempt from Section 14A (a) and (b) of the Exchange, which require the shareholder approval of executive compensation and golden parachutes.
We have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(2) of the JOBS Act, that allows us to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they change their recommendations regarding our stock adversely, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock could be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by industry or financial analysts. If no or few analysts commence coverage of us, the trading price of our stock would likely decrease. Even if we do obtain analyst coverage, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our stock, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
Our principal stockholders and management own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval.
Certain of our executive officers, directors and large stockholders own a significant percentage of our outstanding capital stock. Our executive officers, directors, holders of 5% or more of our capital stock and their respective affiliates beneficially own shares representing more than a majority of the eligible votes of the Company. Accordingly, our directors and executive officers have significant influence over our affairs due to their substantial ownership coupled with their positions on our management team and have substantial voting power to approve matters requiring the approval of our stockholders. For example, these stockholders may be able to control elections of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets, or other major corporate transaction. This concentration of ownership may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our common stock that some of our stockholders may believe is in their best interest.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8
We may need additional capital, and the sale of additional shares or other equity securities could result in additional dilution to our stockholders.
We may require additional capital for the development and commercialization of our products and may require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity securities could result in additional dilution to our stockholders. The incurrence of additional indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9
Our common stock may be subject to penny stock rules, which may make it more difficult for our stockholders to sell their common stock.
Broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in "penny stocks" are regulated by certain penny stock rules adopted by the SEC. Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 per share. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a purchase or sale of a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver to the customer a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account. In addition, the penny stock rules generally require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock the broker-dealer make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for a stock that becomes subject to the penny stock rules.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10
Our common stock is thinly traded, and in the future, may continue to be thinly-traded, and you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if you need to sell your shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate such shares.
We cannot predict the extent to which an active public market for our common stock will develop or be sustained due to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company that is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors, and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and would be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned and viable. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. We cannot give you any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained, or that current trading levels will be sustained.
The market price for our common stock may be particularly volatile given that we are a relatively small company and have experienced losses from operations that could lead to wide fluctuations in our share price. You may be unable to sell your common stock at or above your purchase price if at all, which may result in substantial losses to you.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11
Our stock price may be volatile, which may result in losses to our stockholders.
The stock markets have experienced significant price and trading volume fluctuations, and the trading of our common stock has generally been very volatile and experienced sharp share-price and trading-volume changes. The trading price of our securities is likely to remain volatile and could fluctuate widely in response to many factors, including but not limited to the following, some of which are beyond our control:
- variations in our operating results; - changes in expectations of our future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors; - changes in operating and stock price performance of other companies in our industry; - additions or departures of key personnel; and - future sales of our common stock.
Domestic and international stock markets often experience significant price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations, as well as general economic and political conditions unrelated to our performance, may adversely affect the price of our common stock.
In the past, plaintiffs have often initiated securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. We may, in the future, be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and could divert management's attention and resources.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 12
We are subject to the reporting requirements of federal securities laws, which is expensive.
We are a public reporting company in the United States and, accordingly, subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and other federal securities laws, and the compliance obligations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The costs of preparing and filing annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC and furnishing audited reports to stockholders causes our expenses to be higher than they would be if we remained a privately-held company.
Accounting & Financial Operations2 | 5.0%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends.
We presently do not anticipate that we will pay any dividends on any of our common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends, if any, would be contingent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements, and general financial condition. The payment of any dividends will be within the discretion of our Board of Directors (the "Board"). We presently intend to retain all earnings to implement our business plan; accordingly, we do not anticipate the declaration of any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
If we are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our reported financial information and the market price of our common stock may be negatively affected.
As a public company, we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal control. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and provide a management report on the internal control over financial reporting. If we have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, we may not detect errors on a timely basis and our consolidated financial statements may be materially misstated. We may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion. During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, our management will be unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. Moreover, when we are no longer a smaller reporting company, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to issue an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may conclude that there are material weaknesses with respect to our internal controls or the level at which our internal controls are documented, designed, implemented, or reviewed.
If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or when we are no longer a smaller reporting company, if our auditors were to express an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting because we had one or more material weaknesses, investors could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial disclosures, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline. Internal control deficiencies could also result in a restatement of our financial results in the future. We have concluded that are internal controls have not been sufficient; however, we have begun to take steps to remediate such insufficiencies. We have communicated to our accounting review firm and audit that we have accomplished the following: (i) we have transitioned each operating subsidiary to a separate bookkeeping system (QuickBooks) and input data at each operating location on a daily basis vs. previously batching data and inputting at corporate office. Corporate then verifies data prior to accepting, (ii) we have a QuickBooks trained person with who inputs data on a real-time basis but not allowed at subsidiary level to access or make certain changes, (iii) we have installed for the hemp division companies (Botanical Biotech (Miami), TN Botanicals (TN), CO botanicals (CO) daily tracking procedures whereby every ounce and pound of raw materials (biomass or crude) is tracked by lot number from input to processing through to finished product, (iv) our accounts receivable tracking system, which is essentially our Duramed Division receivables, is now tracking by medical device unit number, by doctor, by location, by insurance billing company, and we have a far more refined software track and billing system than we did prior quarters, (v) we have consolidated banking to a master account with our primary bank (M&T Bank) by subsidiary, (vi) we have instituted a new procedure for any payables which requires double confirmation to release any funds for any reason, (vii) and we have changed merchant accounts to a single user to better tie out to bank balances and accounts receivable. ,
Debt & Financing5 | 12.5%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
We may not be able to raise capital when needed, if at all, which would force us to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts and could cause our business to fail.
We expect to need substantial additional funding to pursue additional product development and launch and commercialize our products. There are no assurances that future funding will be available on favorable terms or at all. If additional funding is not obtained, we may need to reduce, defer or cancel additional product development or overhead expenditures to the extent necessary. The failure to fund our operating and capital requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or any future commercialization efforts. Any of these events could significantly harm our business, financial condition and prospects.
Debt & Financing - Risk 2
We have substantial capital requirements that, if not met, may hinder our operations.
We anticipate that we will make substantial capital expenditures for research and product development work and acquisitions. If we cannot raise sufficient capital, we may have limited ability to expend the capital necessary to undertake or complete research and product development work and acquisitions. There can be no assurance that debt or equity financing will be available or sufficient to meet these requirements or for other corporate purposes, or if debt or equity financing is available, that it will be on terms acceptable to us. Moreover, future activities may require us to alter our capitalization significantly. Our inability to access sufficient capital for our operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
Our ability to service our indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future.
Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash is subject to general economic and market conditions and financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash to fund our working capital requirements, capital expenditure, debt service and other liquidity needs, which could result in our inability to comply with financial and other covenants contained in our debt agreements, our being unable to repay or pay interest on our indebtedness, and our inability to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to service our debt obligations, fund our other liquidity needs and maintain compliance with our financial and other covenants, we could be forced to curtail our operations, our creditors could accelerate our indebtedness and exercise other remedies and we could be required to pursue one or more alternative strategies, such as selling assets or refinancing or restructuring our indebtedness. However, such alternatives may not be feasible or adequate.
Debt & Financing - Risk 4
We engage in transactions with related parties and such transactions present possible conflicts of interest that could have an adverse effect on us.
We have entered, and may continue to enter, into transactions with related parties for financing, corporate, business development and operational services, as detailed herein. Such transactions may not have been entered into on an arm's-length basis, and we may have achieved more or less favorable terms because such transactions were entered into with our related parties. We rely, and will continue to rely, on our related parties to maintain these services. If the pricing for these services changes, or if our related parties cease to provide these services, including by terminating agreements with us, we may be unable to obtain replacements for these services on the same terms without disruption to our business. This could have a material effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Such conflicts could cause an individual in our management to seek to advance his or her economic interests or the economic interests of certain related parties above ours. Further, the appearance of conflicts of interest created by related party transactions could impair the confidence of our investors, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.
Debt & Financing - Risk 5
Added
We are in default of payment obligations under certain promissory notes.
As of December 31, 2023, notes payable with principal amounts totaling $8.9 million were past due. Although only the Arena Entities have elected to pursue remedies against us, no assurance can be given that the other holders will not do so in the future. The institution of collection actions could have a material adverse effect on our business and could force us to seek relief through insolvency or other proceedings.
Corporate Activity and Growth3 | 7.5%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Changed
We will need to increase the size of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing any growth we may achieve.
As our development and commercialization plans and strategies develop, we expect to need additional research, development, managerial, operational, sales, marketing, financial, accounting, legal, and other resources. Future growth would impose significant added responsibilities on members of management. Our management may not be able to accommodate those added responsibilities, and our failure to do so could prevent us from effectively managing future growth, if any, and successfully growing our company.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
Our potential for rapid growth and our entry into new markets make it difficult for us to evaluate our current and future business prospects, and we may be unable to effectively manage any growth associated with these new markets, which may increase the risk of your investment and could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
Our entry into the rapidly growing CBD, CBN, CBG and delta-8 markets may place a significant strain on our resources and increase demands on our executive management, personnel and systems, and our operational, administrative, and financial resources may be inadequate. We may also not be able to effectively manage any expanded operations or achieve planned growth on a timely or profitable basis, particularly if the number of customers using our technology significantly increases or their demands and needs change as our business expands. If we are unable to manage expanded operations effectively, we may experience operating inefficiencies, the quality of our products and services could deteriorate, and our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
Our acquisitions may expose us to unknown liabilities.
Because we have acquired, and expect generally to acquire, all (or a majority of) the outstanding securities of certain of our acquisition targets, our investment in those companies are or will be subject to all of their liabilities other than their respective debts which we paid or will pay at the time of the acquisitions. If there are unknown liabilities or other obligations, our business could be materially affected. We may also experience issues relating to internal controls over financial reporting that could affect our ability to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or that could affect our ability to comply with other applicable laws.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 7/40 (18%)Below Sector Average
Regulation5 | 12.5%
Regulation - Risk 1
The Company could be subject to enforcement action by the FDA and certain state regulatory agencies for its products containing CBD or THC compounds.
In 2018, the federal Farm Bill removed hemp as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act and hemp may now be grown as a commodity crop, with restrictions; however, the 2018 Farm Bill did not specifically legalize CBD. Until Congress promulgates rules and regulations relating to hemp derived cannabinoids, the "legal" status of such, or the processes the Company may have to implement (and at what expense), are still unknowns. A similar paradigm exists under various state laws with which the Company will have to comply. Further, the FDA currently considers the addition of CBD to food products, cosmetics or supplements to be illegal and also prohibits the advertisement of CBD products with health claims. In addition, the FTC under the Federal Trade Commission Act ("FTC Act") requires that product advertising is truthful, substantiated and non-misleading. We believe that our advertising meets these guidelines; however, the FTC may bring a challenge at any time to evaluate our compliance with the FTC Act.
Further, the FDA has recently increased its review of and enforcement against CBD companies for violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ("FCDA"), particularly with respect to the sale of food products containing CBD, claiming that CBD can treat medical conditions in humans or animals, promoting CBD products as dietary supplements, and adding CBD to human and animal foods. Should the Company become subject to enforcement action by the FDA, it could be forced to spend significant sums defending against such enforcement, pay significant fines and ultimately could be forced to stop offering some or all of its CBD products, which would materially, negatively affect the Company's business and shareholders' investments. The FDA can also subject individuals to criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violating certain provisions of the FDCA related to CBD products. In addition, notwithstanding the intense pressure on FDA to fast-track the CBD approval process, it is likely that the approval process for use of CBD or other cannabinoids in foods, cosmetics or supplements will take years and possible that it could never occur at all.
Regulation - Risk 2
The Company's production of Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC could subject it to enforcement action by certain federal and state regulatory agencies.
Delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC are cannabis compounds that can cause effects similar to delta-9 THC, the main compound in cannabis that causes psychoactive effects. Delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC can be extracted from either hemp or marijuana, but all of the Company's delta-8 products are made with hemp containing no more than 0.3% THC. Because of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp can be legally grown and used for extractions all over the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the legality of hemp-derived delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC is in a gray area and varies from state-to-state, with some states allowing, some not addressing specifically, and others banning due to similarity to delta-9 THC. Although the federal legality of delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC is still unclear, the FDA has recently issued Warning Letters to five companies for selling products labeled as containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, noting that delta-8 THC has psychoactive and intoxicating effects and may be dangerous to consumers. The Warning Letters were primarily targeted at companies marketing the compound as unapproved treatments for various medical conditions or for other therapeutic uses, without adequate directions for use, or the addition of delta-8 THC in foods. Should the Company become subject to enforcement action by federal or state agencies, it could be forced to spend significant sums defending against such enforcement and ultimately could be forced to stop offering some or all of its delta-8 THC and/or delta-10 THC products and/or be subject to other civil or criminal sanctions, which would materially, negatively affect the Company's business and shareholders' investments.
Regulation - Risk 3
Any failure to comply with all applicable federal and state anti-kickback laws may result in fines and other liabilities, which may adversely affect the Company's results of operations and reputation.
The federal anti-kickback statute (the "AKS") applies to Medicare, Medicaid and other state and federal programs. AKS prohibits the solicitation, offer, payment or receipt of remuneration in return for referrals or the purchase, or in return for recommending or arranging for the referral or purchase, of goods, including drugs, covered by the federal health care programs. At present, the Company does not participate in any federal programs and its products are not reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid or any other state or federal program. The AKS is a criminal statute with criminal penalties, as well as potential civil and administrative penalties. The AKS, however, provides several statutory exceptions and regulatory "safe harbors" for particular types of transactions. Many states have similar fraud and abuse laws and their own anti-kickback laws, some of which can apply to all payors, and not just governmental payors. While the Company believes that it is in material compliance with both federal and state AKS laws, the AKS laws present different levels of risks as to two of the Company's lines of business: (1) sale of the Company's medical foods, and (2) sale of the Company's medical devices.
At present, the Company's products are not reimbursable under any federal program. If, however, that changes in the future and it were determined that the Company was not in compliance with the AKS, the Company could be subject to liability, and its operations could be curtailed, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, if the activities of its customers or other entity with which the Company has a business relationship were found to constitute a violation of the AKS and the Company, as a result of the provision of products or services to such customer or entity, were found to have knowingly participated in such activities, the Company could be subject to sanctions or liability under such laws, including civil and/or criminal penalties, as well as exclusion from government health programs. As a result of exclusion from government health programs, neither products nor services could be provided to any beneficiaries of any federal healthcare program.
Regulation - Risk 4
If we fail to comply with government laws and regulations it could have a materially adverse effect on our business.
Our industry is subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations that are extremely complex and for which, in many instances, the industry does not have the benefit of significant regulatory or judicial interpretation. We exercise care in structuring our operations to comply in all material respects with applicable laws to the extent possible. We will also take such laws into account when planning future operations and acquisitions. The laws, rules and regulations described above are complex and subject to interpretation. In the event of a determination that we are in violation of such laws, rules or regulations, or if further changes in the regulatory framework occur, any such determination or changes could have a material adverse effect on our business. There can be no assurance however that we will not be found in noncompliance in any particular situation.
Regulation - Risk 5
We may not register or qualify our securities with any state agency pursuant to blue sky regulations.
The holders of our shares of common stock and people who desire to purchase them in the future should be aware that there may be significant state law restrictions upon the ability of investors to resell our shares. We currently do not intend to and may not be able to qualify securities for resale in states which require shares to be qualified before they can be resold by our shareholders.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities2 | 5.0%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
We could face significant penalties for our failure to comply with the terms of our outstanding convertible notes.
Our various convertible notes contain positive and negative covenants and customary events of default including requiring us in many cases to timely file SEC reports. In the event we fail to timely file our SEC reports in the future, or any other events of defaults occur under the notes, we could face significant penalties and/or liquidated damages and/or the conversion price of such notes could be adjusted downward significantly, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, or cause any investment in the Company to decline in value or become worthless.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 2
We could be subject to costly product liability claims related to our products.
Since most of our products are intended for human use, we face the risk that the use of our products may result in adverse side effects to people. We face even greater risks upon further commercialization of our products. An individual may bring a product liability claim against us alleging that one of our products causes, or is claimed to have caused, an injury or is found to be unsuitable for consumer use. Any product liability claim brought against us, with or without merit, could result in:
- the inability to commercialize our products; - decreased demand for our products; - regulatory investigations that could require costly recalls or product modifications;- loss of revenue; - substantial costs of litigation; - liabilities that substantially exceed our product liability insurance, which we would then be required to pay ourselves; - an increase in our product liability insurance rates or the inability to maintain insurance coverage in the future on acceptable terms, if at all; - the diversion of management's attention from our business; and - damage to our reputation and the reputation of our products.
Product liability claims may subject us to the foregoing and other risks, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects.
Production
Total Risks: 3/40 (8%)Below Sector Average
Employment / Personnel1 | 2.5%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
We depend heavily on key personnel, and turnover of key senior management could harm our business.
Our future business and results of operations depend in significant part upon the continued contributions of our senior management personnel. If we lose their services or if they fail to perform in their current positions, or if we are not able to attract and retain skilled personnel as needed, our business could suffer. Significant turnover in our senior management could significantly deplete our institutional knowledge held by our existing senior management team. We depend on the skills and abilities of these key personnel in managing the product acquisition, marketing and sales aspects of our business, any part of which could be harmed by turnover in the future. We do not have any key person insurance.
Supply Chain1 | 2.5%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
If we or any of our suppliers or third parties on which we rely for the development, manufacturing, marketing, or sale of our products fails to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to the development, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of our product candidates, regulatory agencies may take action against us or them, which could significantly harm our business.
Our product candidates, along with the development process, the manufacturing processes, labeling, advertising, and promotional activities for these products, are subject to continual requirements and review by the FDA and state and foreign regulatory bodies. Regulatory authorities subject a marketed product, its manufacturer, and the manufacturing facilities to continual review and periodic inspections. We, our suppliers, third-parties on which we rely, and our and their respective contractors, suppliers and vendors, will be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements, including complying with regulations and laws regarding advertising, promotion and sales of products (including applicable anti-kickback, fraud and abuse and other health care laws and regulations), required submissions of safety and other post-market information and reports, registration requirements, Clinical Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) regulations (including requirements relating to quality control and quality assurance, as well as the corresponding maintenance of records and documentation), and the requirements regarding the distribution of samples to physicians and recordkeeping requirements. Regulatory agencies may change existing requirements or adopt new requirements or policies. We, our suppliers, third-parties on which we rely, and our and their respective contractors, suppliers, and vendors, may be slow to adapt or may not be able to adapt to these changes or new requirements.
Failure to comply with regulatory requirements may result in any of the following:
- restrictions on our product candidates or manufacturing processes; - warning letters; - withdrawal of the products from the market; - voluntary or mandatory recall; - fines; - suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals; - refusal to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications that we submit; - product seizure; - injunctions; or - imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
Costs1 | 2.5%
Costs - Risk 1
We may not maintain sufficient insurance coverage for the risks associated with our business operations.
Risks associated with our business and operations include, but are not limited to, claims for wrongful acts committed by our officers, directors, and other representatives, the loss of intellectual property rights, the loss of key personnel, risks posed by natural disasters and risks of lawsuits from customers who are injured from or dissatisfied with our products. Any of these risks may result in significant losses. We cannot provide any assurance that our insurance coverage is sufficient to cover any losses that we may sustain, or that we will be able to successfully claim our losses under our insurance policies on a timely basis or at all. If we incur any loss not covered by our insurance policies, or the compensated amount is significantly less than our actual loss or is not timely paid, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 3/40 (8%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 2.5%
Competition - Risk 1
We expect to face intense competition, often from companies with greater resources and experience than we have.
The health and wellness and hemp derivative industries are highly competitive and subject to rapid change. The industry continues to expand and evolve as an increasing number of competitors and potential competitors enter the market. Many of these competitors and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technological, managerial and research and development resources and experience than we have. Some of these competitors and potential competitors have more experience than we have in the development of hemp products, including validation procedures and regulatory matters. Moreover, some of these competitors may have patents or pending patent applications that our products infringe and for which we would need a license to become free to operate. In addition, our products compete with product offerings from large and well-established companies that have greater marketing and sales experience and capabilities than we or our collaboration partners have. If we are unable to compete successfully, we may be unable to grow and sustain our revenue.
Brand / Reputation2 | 5.0%
Brand / Reputation - Risk 1
Due to the controversy over the cannabis plant within the United States, we face challenges getting our products into stores and into the hands of the end user.
The Company intends to release products that contain CBD derived from hemp that are legal within the U.S. However, it is possible we may face scrutiny and run into issues getting our products into stores due to hesitation by stores to carry any product at all affiliated with the cannabis plant, as well as federal, state and local regulations that may restrict our ability to sell cannabinoid products.
Brand / Reputation - Risk 2
If we are unable to develop and maintain our brand and reputation for our product offerings, our business and prospects could be materially harmed.
Our business and prospects depend, in part, on developing and then maintaining and strengthening our brands and reputation in the markets we serve. If problems with our products or technologies cause customers to experience operational disruption or failure or delays, our brand and reputation could be diminished. If we fail to develop, promote and maintain our brand and reputation successfully, our business and prospects could be materially harmed.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 3/40 (8%)Above Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment1 | 2.5%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Added
The Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars have disrupted global markets and my adversely impact our ability to obtain financing.
On February 24, 2022, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine, and the length, impact, and outcome of the ongoing war in Ukraine is highly unpredictable. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel's border with the Gaza Strip and conducted a series of attacks on civilian and military targets. Hamas has also launched extensive rocket attacks on Israeli population and industrial centers located along Israel's border with the Gaza Strip and in other areas within the State of Israel. These attacks have resulted in extensive deaths, injuries and kidnapping. Following the attack, Israel's security cabinet declared war against Hamas and a military campaign against these terrorist organizations commenced in parallel to their continued rocket and terror attacks. The intensity and duration of Israel's current war against Hamas is similarly difficult to predict. As a result of the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars and other geopolitical and macroeconomic events, the global credit and financial markets have experienced volatility and disruptions, including severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates, and uncertainty about economic stability. If the equity and credit markets deteriorate, it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult, more costly or more dilutive.
Natural and Human Disruptions1 | 2.5%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
The novel coronavirus disease of 2019 ("COVID-19") has had, and continues to have, broad impacts on multiple sectors of the global economy, making it difficult to predict the extent of its impact on our business.
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization ("WHO") announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China (the "COVID-19 outbreak") and the risks to the international community as the virus spreads globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally.
The full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve as of the date of this Report. As such, it is uncertain as to the full magnitude that the pandemic will have on our financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations. Management is actively monitoring the impact of the global situation on our financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry, and workforce. Given the daily evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak and the global responses to curb its spread, we are not able to estimate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity for the foreseeable future. We have experienced negative impacts from COVID in the form of reduced sales, delayed operations, inability to effectuate certain business plans, supply chain issues and the like.
Capital Markets1 | 2.5%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
Current global financial conditions have been characterized by increased volatility which could negatively impact our business, prospects, liquidity and financial condition.
Current global financial conditions and recent market events have been characterized by increased volatility and the resulting tightening of the credit and capital markets has reduced the amount of available liquidity and overall economic activity. We cannot guarantee that debt or equity financing, the ability to borrow funds or cash generated by operations will be available or sufficient to meet or satisfy our initiatives, objectives or requirements. Our inability to access sufficient amounts of capital on terms acceptable to us for our operations will negatively impact our business, prospects, liquidity and financial condition.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 2/40 (5%)Below Sector Average
Innovation / R&D1 | 2.5%
Innovation / R&D - Risk 1
We may expend our limited resources to pursue a particular product and may fail to capitalize on products that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.
Because we have limited financial and managerial resources, we have focused our efforts on particular products. As a result, we may forego or delay the pursuit of opportunities with other products that later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities. Any failure to improperly assess potential products could result in missed opportunities and/or our focus on products with low market potential, which would harm our business and financial condition.
Trade Secrets1 | 2.5%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
Any inability to protect our intellectual property rights could reduce the value of our technologies and brands, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and business.
Our business is dependent upon our trademarks, trade secrets, the patents recently acquired by Nascent and other intellectual property rights. There is a risk of certain valuable trade secrets being exposed to potential misappropriation. The efforts we have taken to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective. Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business or our ability to compete. There is a risk that we may have insufficient resources to counter adequately such misappropriation or infringement through negotiation or the use of legal remedies. It may not be practicable or cost effective for us to fully protect our intellectual property rights in some countries or jurisdictions. If we are unable to successfully identify and stop unauthorized use of our intellectual property, we could lose potential revenue and experience increased operational and enforcement costs, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and business.
See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.