Collaborative Agreements |
3 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
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Mar. 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||
Collaborative Agreements Abstract | |||||||||||||||||||
COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTS | 4. COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTS
Collaborative agreements with BHK, a related party
On July 27, 2016, BioLite Taiwan and BHK agreed to amend the payment terms of the milestone payment in an aggregate amount of $10 million based on the following schedule:
In December 2015, BHK has paid a non-refundable upfront cash payment of $1 million, or 10% of $10.0 million, upon the signing of BHK Co-Development Agreement. The Company concluded that the deliverables are considered separate units of accounting as the delivered items have value to the customer on a standalone basis and recognized this cash receipt as collaboration revenue when all research, technical, and development data was delivered to BHK in 2015. The receipt is for the compensation of past research efforts and contributions made by BioLite Taiwan before this collaborative agreement was signed and it does not relate to any future commitments made by BioLite Taiwan and BHK in this collaborative agreement. In August 2016, the Company received the second milestone payment of , approximately equivalent to $1 million, and recognized collaboration revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. As of the date of this report, the Company has not completed the first phase II clinical trial.
In addition to the milestone payments, BioLite Taiwan is entitled to receive royalty on 12% of BHK’s net sales related to BLI-1401-2 Products. As of March 31, 2025, the Company has not earned the royalty under the BHK Co-Development Agreement.
(ii) On December 9, 2015, BioLite Taiwan entered into another two collaborative agreements (the “BHK Collaborative Agreements”), pursuant to which it is collaborative with BHK to co-develop and commercialize BLI-1005 for “Targeting Major Depressive Disorder” (BLI-1005 Products) and BLI-1006 for “Targeting Inflammatory Bowel Disease” (BLI-1006 Products) in Asia excluding Japan for all related intellectual property rights, and has developed it for medicinal use in collaboration with outside researchers. The development costs shall be shared 50/50 between BHK and the Company. The BHK Co-Development Agreement will remain in effect for fifteen years from the date of first commercial sale of the Product in in Asia excluding Japan.
In 2015, the Company recognized the cash receipt in a total of , approximately equivalent to $1.6 million, as collaboration revenue when all research, technical, and development data was delivered to BHK. The Company concluded that the deliverables are considered separate units of accounting as the delivered items have value to the customer on a standalone basis and recognized this payment as collaboration revenue when all research, technical, data and development data was delivered to BHK. The cash receipt is for the compensation of past research efforts and contributions made by BioLite Taiwan before this BHK Collaborative Agreements was signed and it does not relate to any future commitments made by BioLite Taiwan and BHK in this BHK Collaborative Agreements.
In addition to the total of , approximately equivalent to $1.6 million, BioLite Taiwan is entitled to receive 50% of the future net licensing income or net sales profit. As of March 31, 2025, the Company has not earned the royalty under the BHK Collaborative Agreements.Co-Development agreement with Rgene Corporation, a related party
On May 26, 2017, the Company through its subsidiary, BriVision, entered into a co-development agreement (the “Co-Dev Agreement”) with Rgene Corporation (the “Rgene”), a related party controlled by the controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation (See Note 10). Pursuant to Co-Dev Agreement, the Company and Rgene agreed to co-develop and commercialize ABV-1507 HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer Combination Therapy, ABV-1511 Pancreatic Cancer Combination Therapy and ABV-1527 Ovary Cancer Combination Therapy. Under the terms of the Co-Dev Agreement, Rgene is required to pay the Company $3.0 million in cash or stock of Rgene with equivalent value by August 15, 2017. The payment is for the compensation of the Company’s past research efforts and contributions before the Co-Dev Agreement was signed and it does not relate to any future commitments made by the Company and Rgene in this Co-Dev Agreement. In addition to $3.0 million, the Company is entitled to receive 50% of the future net licensing income or net sales profit earned by Rgene, if any, and any development costs shall be equally shared by both the Company and Rgene.
On June 1, 2017, the Company has delivered all research, technical, data and development data to Rgene. Since both Rgene and the Company are related parties and under control by a controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and a director and officer of the Company, the Company has recorded the full amount of $3.0 million in connection with the Co-Dev Agreement as additional paid-in capital during the year ended December 31, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company received $450,000 in cash. On December 24, 2018, the Company received the remaining balance of $2,550,000 in the form of newly issued shares of Rgene’s Common Stock, at the price of per share (approximately equivalent to $1.60 per share), for an aggregate number of 1,530,000 shares, which accounted for equity method long-term investment as of December 31, 2018. On December 31, 2018, the Company determined to fully write off this investment based on the Company’s assessment of the severity and duration of the impairment, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of the operating performance of the investee, adverse changes in market conditions and the regulatory or economic environment, changes in operating structure of Rgene, additional funding requirements, and Rgene’s ability to remain in business. All projects that have been initiated will be managed and supported by the Company and Rgene.
The Company and Rgene signed an amendment to the Co-Dev Agreement on November 10, 2020, pursuant to which both parties agreed to delete AB-1507 HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer Combination Therapy and ABV-1527 Ovary Cancer Combination Therapy and add ABV-1519 EGFR Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Combination Therapy and ABV-1526 Large Intestine / Colon / Rectal Cancer Combination Therapy to the products to be co-developed and commercialized. Other provisions of the Co-Dev Agreement remain in full force and effect.
On June 10, 2022, the Company expanded its co-development partnership with Rgene. On that date, BioKey, ABVC has entered into a Clinical Development Service Agreement with Rgene to guide three Rgene drug products, RGC-1501 for the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), RGC-1502 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and RGC 1503 for the treatment of colorectal cancer patients, through completion of Phase II clinical studies under the U.S. FDA IND regulatory requirements. Under the terms of the new Services Agreement, BioKey is eligible to receive payments totaling $3.0 million over a 3-year period with each payment amount to be determined by certain regulatory milestones obtained during the agreement period. The Service Agreement shall remain in effect until the expiration date of the last patent and automatically renew for 5 more years unless terminated earlier by either party with six months’ written notice. Either party may terminate the Service Agreement for cause by providing 30 days written notice.
Through a series of transactions over the past 5 years, the Company and Rgene have co-developed the three drug products covered by the Service Agreement, which has resulted in the Company owning 26.65% of Rgene.
As part of the Rgene Studies, the Company agreed to loan $1.0 million and made $0.5 million to Rgene, for which Rgene has provided the Company with a 5% interest rate convertible loan (the “Note”). If the Note is fully converted, the Company will own an additional 6.4% of Rgene. The Company is expected to receive the outstanding loan from the related party by the first half of 2025, either by cash or conversion of shares of Rgene. The Company may convert the Note at any time into shares of Rgene’s common stock at either (i) a fixed conversion price equal to $1.00 per share or (ii) 20% discount of the stock price of the then most recent offering, whichever is lower; the conversion price is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Note. The Note includes standard events of default, as well as a cross-default provision pursuant to which a breach of the Service Agreement will trigger an event of default under the Note if not cured after 5 business days of written notice regarding the breach is provided. Upon an event of default, the outstanding principal and any accrued and unpaid interest shall be immediately due and payable. The Note was fully converted to Rgene’s common stocks in 2024. See Note 6 for details.
The Service Agreement shall remain in effect until the expiration date of the last patent and automatically renew for 5 more years unless terminated earlier by either party with six months’ written notice. Either party may terminate the Service Agreement for cause by providing 30 days written notice. Rgene has further agreed, effective July 1, 2022, to provide the Company with a seat on Rgene’s Board of Directors until the loan is repaid in full. The Company has nominated Dr. Jiang, its Chief Strategy Officer and Director to occupy that seat; Dr. Jiang is also one of the Company’s director and officer.
The Rgene Studies is a related party transaction.
Collaborative agreement with BioFirst Corporation, a related party
On July 24, 2017, the Company through its subsidiary, BriVision, entered into a collaborative agreement (the “BioFirst Collaborative Agreement”) with BioFirst Corporation (“BioFirst”), pursuant to which BioFirst granted the Company the global licensing right for medical use of the product (the “Product”): BFC-1401 Vitreous Substitute for Vitrectomy. BioFirst is a related party to the Company because a controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company is one of the directors and common stock shareholders of BioFirst (See Note 10).
Pursuant to the BioFirst Collaborative Agreement, the Company will co-develop and commercialize the Product with BioFirst and pay BioFirst in a total amount of $3.0 million in cash or stock of the Company before September 30, 2018. The amount of $3.0 million is in connection with the compensation for BioFirst’s past research efforts and contributions made by BioFirst before the BioFirst Collaborative Agreement was signed and it does not relate to any future commitments in this BioFirst Collaborative Agreement. In addition, the Company is entitled to receive 50% of the future net licensing income or net sales profit, if any, and any development cost shall be equally shared by both the Company and BioFirst.
On September 25, 2017, BioFirst delivered all research, technical, data and development data to the Company. The Company determined to fully expense the entire amount of $3.0 million since currently the related licensing rights do not have alternative future uses. According to ASC 730-10-25-1, absent alternative future uses the acquisition of product rights to be used in research and development activities must be charged to research and development expenses immediately. Hence, the entire amount of $3.0 million is fully expensed as research and development expense during the year ended December 31, 2017.
On June 30, 2019, BriVision entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with BioFirst. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued (post-split) of the Company’s common stock to BioFirst in consideration for $3.0 million owed by the Company to BioFirst (the “Total Payment”) in connection with BioFirst Collaborative Agreement.
On August 5, 2019, BriVision entered into a second Stock Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement 2”) with BioFirst. Pursuant to Purchase Agreement 2, the Company issued 41,470 shares (post-split) of the Company’s common stock to BioFirst in consideration for $2,902,911 owed by the Company to BioFirst in connection with a loan provided to BriVision from BioFirst.
On November 4, 2020, the Company executed an amendment to the BioFirst Collaborative Agreement to add ABV-2001 Intraocular Irrigation Solution and ABV-2002 Corneal Storage Solution to the agreement. ABV-2002 is utilized during a corneal transplant procedure to replace a damaged or diseased cornea while ABV-2001 has broader utilization during a variety of ocular procedures.
Initially the Company will focus on ABV-2002, a solution utilized to store a donor cornea prior to either penetrating keratoplasty (full thickness cornea transplant) or endothelial keratoplasty (back layer cornea transplant). ABV-2002 is a solution comprised of a specific poly amino acid that protects ocular tissue from damage caused by external osmolarity exposure during pre-surgery storage. The specific polymer in ABV-2002 can adjust osmolarity to maintain a range of 330 to 390 mOsM thereby permitting hydration within the corneal stroma during the storage period. Stromal hydration results in (a) maintaining acceptable corneal transparency and (b) prevents donor cornea swelling. ABV-2002 also contains an abundant phenolic phytochemical found in plant cell walls that provides antioxidant antibacterial properties and neuroprotection.
Early testing by BioFirst indicates that ABV-2002 may be more effective for protecting the cornea and retina during long-term storage than other storage media available today and can be manufactured at lower cost. Further ABV-2002 product development was put on hold due to the lack of funding. In addition, BioFirst was incorporated on November 7, 2006, focusing on the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of innovative patented pharmaceutical products. The technology of BioFirst comes from the global exclusive licensing from domestic R & D institutions. Currently, the main research and development product is the vitreous substitute (Vitargus®) Licensed by the National Health Research Institutes. Vitargus is the world’s first bio-degradable vitreous substitute and offers a number of advantages over current vitreous substitutes by minimizing medical complications and reducing the need for additional surgeries.
BioFirst has started the construction of a GMP factory in Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park, Taiwan, with the aim at building a production base to supply the global market, and promote the construction of bio-degradable vitreous substitute manufacturing centers in Taiwan. Completion of this factory would allow ABVC to manufacture Vitargus with world-class technology in a GMP certified pharmaceutical factory. BioFirst is targeting to complete the construction in 2025.
As of March 31, 2025, the Company has not earned any net licensing income or net sales profit earned by BioFirst under these collaborative agreements.
Collaborative agreement with ForSeeCon Eye Corporation, a related party
On March 25, 2024, the Company and BioFirst each entered into a twenty-year, global definitive licensing agreement (the “FEYE Licensing Agreement”) with ForSeeCon Eye Corporation, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands (“FEYE”) for the products in the Company and BioFirst’s Ophthalmology pipeline, including Vitargus (the “Vitargus Products”). The license covers Vitargus Products’ clinical trial, registration, manufacturing, supply, and distribution rights; FEYE also has the rights to sublicense or partner with a third party to develop the Licensed Products. As per each of the respective FEYE Licensing Agreements, each of the Company and BioFirst shall receive a total licensing fee of $33.5 million, composed of an upfront payment of $30 million, which can instead be paid with 5 million shares of FEYE stock at $6 per share within 30 days after the execution of the FEYE Licensing Agreement, and a $3.5 million cash milestone payment, due 30 days upon completion of next round fundraising. Additionally, each of the Company and BioFirst are eligible to receive royalties of 5% of net sales. As of March 31, 2025, the Company received 5 million FEYE shares but did not recognize such licensing revenue since the fair value of FEYE stock is uncertain.
On June 18, 2024, the Company and BioFirst, each entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Licensing Agreement with FEYE, pursuant to which the Company and BioFirst have agreed to allow FEYE to pay the second milestone payment in the amount of $3.5 million per Licensing Agreement, incrementally (such as $100,000), at any given time, rather than in one lump sum. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company received in cash and recognized revenue of $296,000, pursuant to the Amendment. There was no cash receipt in the three months periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Collaborative agreement with OncoX BiopPharma, Inc., a related party
On April 16, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with OncoX BioPharma, Inc., a private company registered in the British Virgin Islands (“Oncox”), pursuant to which the Company will grant Oncox an exclusive right to develop and commercialize ABVC’s single-herb botanical drug extract from the dry fruit body of Maitake Mushroom (Grifola Frondosa) for treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (the “Lung Cancer Products”), within North America for 20 years (the “April 2024 Oncox Agreement”). In consideration thereof, Oncox shall pay ABVC $6.25 million (or 1.25 million Oncox shares valued at $5 per share) 30 days after entering into the agreement and $625,000, 30 days following the completion of Oncox’s next round of fundraising, of which there is no guarantee; ABVC is also entitled to 5% royalties based on the net sales, as defined in the April 2024 Oncox Agreement, from the first commercial sale of the Lung Cancer Product in North America, of which there can be no guarantee. Oncox entered into another agreement with ABVC’s affiliate, Rgene Corporation, on the same terms. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company received in cash and recognized revenue of $200,000 pursuant to the agreement. At the time of transferring the license, the Company also received 1.25 million OncoX shares but did not recognize such licensing revenue since the fair value of Oncox stock is uncertain. There was no cash receipt in the three months periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. On May 8, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with OncoX, pursuant to which the Company will grant Oncox an exclusive right to develop and commercialize ABVC’s BLEX 404 single-herb botanical drug extract from the dry fruit body of Maitake Mushroom (Grifola Frondosa) for treatment of Pancreatic (the Pancreatic Product), within a certain territory, specified as 50% of the Worldwide Markets for 20 years (the “May 8, 2024 Oncox Agreement”). In consideration thereof, Oncox shall pay ABVC a total of $6.25 million (or 1.25 million Oncox shares valued at $5 per share) within 30 days of entering into the May 8, 2024 Oncox Agreement, with an additional milestone payment of $625,000 in cash after OncoX’s next round of fundraising, of which there can be no guarantee. Oncox may remit cash payments of at least $100,000 towards the licensing fees and deductible from the second milestone payment; ABVC is also entitled to royalties of 5% of net sales, as defined in the May 8, 2024 Oncox Agreement, from the first commercial sale of the Pancreatic Product in the noted territory, which remains uncertain. The Company will permit Oncox to pay the license fee in installments or in a lump sum and will allow Oncox to use its revenue to fund such payments. Oncox entered into another agreement with ABVC’s affiliate, Rgene Corporation, on the same terms. At the time of transferring the license, the Company also received 1.25 million OncoX shares but did not recognize such licensing revenue since the fair value of Oncox stock is uncertain. There was no cash receipt in the three months periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
On May 14, 2024, the Company and its subsidiary, BioLite Inc (collectively, the “licensor”), each entered into a licensing agreement with OncoX, on the same terms, pursuant to which the licensors will grant Oncox an exclusive right to develop and commercialize ABVC’s BLEX 404 single-herb botanical drug extract from the dry fruit body of Maitake Mushroom (Grifola Frondosa) for treatment of Tripple Negative Breast Cancer (the TNBC Product), within a certain territory, specified as 50% of the Worldwide Markets for 20 years (the “May 14, 2024 Oncox Agreements”). In each agreement for consideration thereof, Oncox shall pay each licensor a total of $6.25 million (or 1.25 million Oncox shares valued at $5 per share) within 30 days of entering into the May 14, 2024 Oncox Agreements, with an additional milestone payment of $625,000 in cash after OncoX’s next round of fundraising, of which there can be no guarantee. Oncox may remit cash payments of at least $100,000 towards the licensing fees and deductible from the second milestone payment; each licensor is also entitled to royalties of 5% of net sales, from the first commercial sale of the TNBC Product in the noted territory, which remains uncertain. The Company will permit Oncox to pay the license fee in installments or in a lump sum and will allow Oncox to use its revenue to fund such payments. At the time of transferring the license, the Company and BioLite also each received 1.25 million OncoX shares but did not recognize such licensing revenue since the fair value of Oncox stock is uncertain. There was no cash receipt in the three months periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
On May 23, 2024, the Company and its subsidiary, BioLite Inc (collectively, the “licensor”), each entered into a licensing agreement with OncoX, on the same terms, pursuant to which the licensors will grant Oncox an exclusive right to develop and commercialize ABVC’s BLEX 404 single-herb botanical drug extract from the dry fruit body of Maitake Mushroom (Grifola Frondosa) for treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (the “MS Products”), within a certain territory, specified as 50% of the Worldwide Markets for 20 years (the “May 23, 2024 Oncox Agreements”). In consideration thereof, Oncox shall pay each licensor a total of $6.25 million (or 1.25 million Oncox shares valued at $5 per share) 30 days after entering the May 23, 2024 Oncox Agreements, with an additional milestone payment of $625,000 in cash after OncoX’s next round of fundraising, of which there can be no guarantee. Oncox may remit cash payments of at least $100,000 towards the licensing fees and deductible from the second milestone payment; each licensor is also entitled to royalties of 5% of net sales, from the first commercial sale of the MS Product in the noted territory, which remains uncertain. Oncox may use its revenue to fund the licensing fees. At the time of transferring the license, the Company and BioLite also each received 1.25 million OncoX shares but did not recognize such licensing revenue since the fair value of Oncox stock is uncertain. There was no cash receipt in the three months periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Above mentioned price of OncoX’s shares was determined through private negotiations between the parties; no third-party valuation was completed. |