ABVC ABVC BioPharma Inc

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

ABVC BioPharma, Inc. (the “Company”), formerly known as American BriVision (Holding) Corporation, a Nevada corporation, through the Company’s operating entity, American BriVision Corporation (“BriVision”), which was incorporated in July 2015 in the State of Delaware, engages in biotechnology to fulfill unmet medical needs and focuses on the development of new drugs and medical devices derived from plants.  BriVision develops its pipeline by carefully tracking new medical discoveries or medical device technologies in research institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Pre-clinical, disease animal model and Phase I safety studies are examined closely by the Company to identify drugs that BriVision believes demonstrate efficacy and safety. Once a drug appears to be a good candidate for development and ultimately commercialization, BriVision licenses the drug or medical device from the original researchers and begins to introduce the drugs clinical plan to highly respected principal investigators in the United States, Australia and Taiwan to conduct a Phase II clinical trial. At present, clinical trials for the Company’s drugs and medical devices are being conducted at such world-famous institutions as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (“MSKCC”) and MD Anderson Cancer Center. BriVision had no predecessor operations prior to its formation on July 21, 2015.

Name Change

The Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the Company’s corporate name from American BriVision (Holding) Corporation to ABVC BioPharma, Inc. and approved and adopted the Certificate of Amendment to affect same at the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”). The name change amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation was filed with Nevada’s Secretary of State and became effective on March 8, 2021 and FINRA processed our request to change our name on April 30, 2021, which became effective as of May 3, 2021.

The Company’s stock symbol remains ABVC.

Reverse Merger

On February 8, 2016, a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) was entered into by and among the Company, BriVision, and Euro-Asia Investment & Finance Corp. Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Euro-Asia”), being the owners of record of 164,387,376 (52,336,000 pre-stock split) shares of Common Stock of the Company, and the owners of record of all of the issued share capital of BriVision (the “BriVision Stock”).

Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, upon surrender by the BriVision Shareholders and the cancellation by BriVision of the certificates evidencing the BriVision Stock as registered in the name of each BriVision Shareholder, and pursuant to the registration of the Company in the register of members maintained by BriVision as the new holder of the BriVision Stock and the issuance of the certificates evidencing the aforementioned registration of the BriVision Stock in the name of the Company, the Company issued 166,273,921 (52,936,583 pre-stock split) shares (the “Acquisition Stock”) (subject to adjustment for fractionalized shares as set forth below) of the Company’s Common Stock to the BriVision Shareholders (or their designees), and 163,159,952 (51,945,225 pre-stock split) shares of the Company’s Common Stock owned by Euro-Asia were cancelled and retired to treasury. The Acquisition Stock collectively represented 79.70% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company immediately after the Closing, in exchange for the BriVision Stock, representing 100% of the issued share capital of BriVision in a reverse merger (the “Merger”).

Pursuant to the Merger, all of the issued and outstanding common shares of BriVision were converted, at an exchange ratio of 0.2536-for-1, into an aggregate of 166,273,921 (52,936,583pre-stock split) common shares of the Company and BriVision had become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The holders of Company’s Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Merger held an aggregate of 205,519,223(65,431,144 pre-stock split) shares of Company’s Common Stock. Because of the exchange of the BriVision Stock for the Acquisition Stock (the “Share Exchange”), BriVision had become a wholly owned subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) of the Company and there was a change of control of the Company following the closing. There were no warrants, options or other equity instruments issued in connection with the share exchange agreement.

Upon the consummation of the Share Exchange, BriVision became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

Following the Share Exchange, the Company has abandoned prior business plan and is now pursuing BriVision’s historically proposed businesses, which focus on the development of new drugs and innovative medical devices to fulfill unmet medical needs. The business model of the Company is to integrate research achievements from world-famous institutions, conduct clinical trials of translational medicine for Proof of Concept (“POC”), out-license to international pharmaceutical companies, and explore global markets.

Accounting Treatment of the Reverse Merger

For financial reporting purposes, the Share Exchange represents a “reverse merger” rather than a business combination and BriVision is deemed the accounting acquirer in the transaction. The Share Exchange is being accounted for as a reverse-merger and recapitalization. BriVision is the acquirer for financial reporting purposes and the Company is the acquired company. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the operations reflected in the historical financial statements prior to the Share Exchange will be those of BriVision and recorded at the historical cost basis of BriVision. In addition, the consolidated financial statements after completion of the Share Exchange will include the assets and liabilities of the Company and BriVision, and the historical operations of BriVision and operations of the Combined Company from the closing date of the Share Exchange.

Merger

On February 8, 2019, the Company, BioLite Holding, Inc. (“BioLite”), BioKey, Inc. (“BioKey”), BioLite Acquisition Corp., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub 1”), and BioKey Acquisition Corp., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub 2”) (collectively referred to as the “Parties”) completed the business combination pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) dated as of January 31, 2018 where ABVC acquired BioLite and BioKey via issuing additional Common Stock of ABVC to the shareholders of BioLite and BioKey.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, BioLite and BioKey became two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company on February 8, 2019. ABVC issued an aggregate of 104,558,777 shares (prior to the reverse stock split in 2019) to the shareholders of both BioLite and BioKey under a registration statement on Form S-4 (file number 333-226285), which became effective by operation of law on or about February 5, 2019.

BioLite Holding, Inc. (the “BioLite Holding”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on July 27, 2016. BioLite BVI, Inc. (the “BioLite BVI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of BioLite Holding, was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on September 13, 2016. BioLite Holding and BioLite BVI are holding companies and have not carried out substantive business operations of their own.

BioLite, Inc., (the “BioLite Taiwan”) was incorporated on February 13, 2006 under the laws of Taiwan. BioLite is in the business of developing and commercialization of new botanical drugs with application in central nervous system, autoimmunity, inflammation, hematology, and oncology. In addition, BioLite Taiwan distributes dietary supplements made from extracts of Chinese herbs and Maitake mushroom.

In January 2017, BioLite Holding, BioLite BVI, BioLite Taiwan, and certain shareholders of BioLite Taiwan entered into a share purchase / exchange agreement (the “BioLite Share Purchase / Exchange Agreement”). Pursuant to the BioLite Share Purchase / Exchange Agreement, the shareholder participants to the BioLite Share Purchase / Exchange Agreement have sold their equity in BioLite Taiwan and were using the proceeds from such sales to purchase shares of Common Stock of BioLite Holding at the same price per share, resulting in their owning the same number of shares of Common Stock as they owned in the BioLite Taiwan. Upon closing of the Share Purchase/ Exchange Agreement in August 2017, BioLite Holding ultimately owns via BioLite BVI approximately 73% of BioLite Taiwan. The other shareholders who did not enter this Share Purchase/ Exchange Agreement retain their equity ownership in BioLite Taiwan.

BioKey, Inc. was incorporated on August 9, 2000 in the State of California. BioKey provides a wide range of services, including, API characterization, pre-formulation studies, formulation development, analytical method development, stability studies, IND/NDA/ANDA/510K submissions, and manufacturing clinical trial materials (Phase I through phase III) and commercial manufacturing. It also licenses out its technologies and initiates joint research and development processes with other biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical companies.

Accounting Treatment of the Merger

The Company adopted ASC 805, “Business Combination” to record the merger transactions of BioKey. Since the Company and BioLite Holding are the entities under Dr. Tsung-Shann Jiang’s common control, the transaction is accounted for as a restructuring transaction. All the assets and liabilities of BioLite Holding, BioLite BVI, and BioLite Taiwan were transferred to the Company at their respective carrying amounts on the closing date of the Merger. The Company has recast prior period financial statements to reflect the conveyance of BioLite Holding’s common shares as if the restructuring transaction had occurred as of the earliest date of the financial statements. All material intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. The nature of and effects on earnings per share (EPS) of nonrecurring intra-entity transactions involving long-term assets and liabilities is not required to be eliminated and EPS amounts have been recast to include the earnings (or losses) of the transferred net assets.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (the “U.S. GAAP”). All significant intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated.

This basis of accounting involves the application of accrual accounting and consequently, revenues and gains are recognized when earned, and expenses and losses are recognized when incurred. The Company’s financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars.

Fiscal Year 

The Company changed its fiscal year from the period beginning on October 1st and ending on September 30th to the period beginning on January 1st and ending on December 31st, beginning January 1, 2018. All references herein to a fiscal year prior to December 31, 2017 refer to the twelve months ended September 30th of such year. 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ materially from those results.

Inventory

Inventory consists of raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, and merchandise. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and valued on a moving weighted average cost basis. Market is determined based on net realizable value. The Company periodically reviews the age and turnover of its inventory to determine whether any inventory has become obsolete or has declined in value, and incurs a charge to operations for known and anticipated inventory obsolescence.

Reclassifications

Certain classifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassification had no impact on previously reported net loss or accumulated deficit.

Forward Stock Split

On March 21, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to Articles of Incorporation to effect a forward split at a ratio of 1 to 3.141 and increase the number of our authorized shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, to 360,000,000, which was effective on April 8, 2016.

Stock Reverse Split

On March 12, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting approved to i) effect a stock reverse split at the ratio of 1-for-18 (the “Reverse Split”) of both the authorized common stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”) and the issued and outstanding Common Stock and ii) to amend the articles of incorporation of the Company to reflect the Reverse Split. The Board approved and authorized the Reverse Split without obtaining approval of the Company’s shareholders pursuant to Section 78.207 of Nevada Revised Statutes. On May 3, 2019, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation (the “Amendment”) to effect the Reverse Split with the Secretary of State of Nevada. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) informed the Company that the Reverse Split was effective on May 8, 2019. All shares and related financial information in this Form 10-K reflect this 1-for-18 reverse stock split. 

Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements” defines fair value for certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. It requires that an entity measure its financial instruments to base fair value on exit price, maximize the use of observable units and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to determine the exit price. It establishes a hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy increases the consistency and comparability of fair value measurements and related disclosures by maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:

The carrying values of certain assets and liabilities of the Company, such as cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, due from related parties, inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and due to related parties approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities. The carrying value of the Company’s short-term bank loan, convertible notes payable, and accrued interest approximates their fair value as the terms of the borrowing are consistent with current market rates and the duration to maturity is short. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term bank loan approximates fair value because the interest rates approximate market rates that the Company could obtain for debt with similar terms and maturities.

Cash and Cash Equivalents 

The Company considers highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents amounted $3,715,609 and $4,273,208, respectively. Some of the Company’s cash deposits are held in financial institutions located in Taiwan where there is currently regulation mandated on obligatory insurance of bank accounts. The Company believes this financial institution is of high credit quality.

Restricted Cash Equivalents 

Restricted cash equivalents primarily consist of cash held in a reserve bank account in Taiwan. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company’s restricted cash equivalents amounted $734,163 and $728,163, respectively. 

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments in high quality credit institutions, but these investments may be in excess of Taiwan Central Deposit Insurance Corporation and the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s insurance limits. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for hedging, trading or speculative purposes.

Revenue Recognition

During the fiscal year 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 606 (ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, using the modified retrospective method to all contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018, and applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit at the beginning of 2018 for the cumulative effect. The results for the Company’s reporting periods beginning on and after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior period. Based on the Company’s review of existing collaborative agreements as of January 1, 2018, the Company concluded that the adoption of the new guidance did not have a significant change on the Company’s revenue during all periods presented.

Pursuant to ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines is within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration the Company is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services the Company transfers to the customers. At inception of the contract, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract, determines those that are performance obligations, and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

The following are examples of when the Company recognizes revenue based on the types of payments the Company receives.

Collaborative Revenues — The Company recognizes collaborative revenues generated through collaborative research, development and/or commercialization agreements. The terms of these agreements typically include payment to the Company related to one or more of the following: non-refundable upfront license fees, development and commercial milestones, partial or complete reimbursement of research and development costs, and royalties on net sales of licensed products. Each type of payments results in collaborative revenues except for revenues from royalties on net sales of licensed products, which are classified as royalty revenues. To date, the Company has not received any royalty revenues. Revenue is recognized upon satisfaction of a performance obligation by transferring control of a good or service to the collaboration partners.

As part of the accounting for these arrangements, the Company applies judgment to determine whether the performance obligations are distinct, and develop assumptions in determining the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation identified in the collaboration agreements. To determine the stand-alone selling price, the Company relies on assumptions which may include forecasted revenues, development timelines, reimbursement rates for R&D personnel costs, discount rates and probabilities of technical and regulatory success.

The Company had multiple deliverables under the collaborative agreements, including deliverables relating to grants of technology licenses, regulatory and clinical development, and marketing activities. Estimation of the performance periods of the Company’s deliverables requires the use of management’s judgment. Significant factors considered in management’s evaluation of the estimated performance periods include, but are not limited to, the Company’s experience in conducting clinical development, regulatory and manufacturing activities. The Company reviews the estimated duration of its performance periods under its collaborative agreements on an annually basis, and makes any appropriate adjustments on a prospective basis. Future changes in estimates of the performance period under its collaborative agreements could impact the timing of future revenue recognition.

(i) Non-refundable upfront payments

If a license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in an arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue from the related non-refundable upfront payments based on the relative standalone selling price prescribed to the license compared to the total selling price of the arrangement. The revenue is recognized when the license is transferred to the collaboration partners and the collaboration partners are able to use and benefit from the license. To date, the receipt of non-refundable upfront fees was solely for the compensation of past research efforts and contributions made by the Company before the collaborative agreements entered into and it does not relate to any future obligations and commitments made between the Company and the collaboration partners in the collaborative agreements.

(ii) Milestone payments

The Company is eligible to receive milestone payments under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners based on achievement of specified development, regulatory and commercial events. Management evaluated the nature of the events triggering these contingent payments, and concluded that these events fall into two categories: (a) events which involve the performance of the Company’s obligations under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners, and (b) events which do not involve the performance of the Company’s obligations under the collaborative agreement with collaboration partners.

The former category of milestone payments consists of those triggered by development and regulatory activities in the territories specified in the collaborative agreements. Management concluded that each of these payments constitute substantive milestone payments. This conclusion was based primarily on the facts that (i) each triggering event represents a specific outcome that can be achieved only through successful performance by the Company of one or more of its deliverables, (ii) achievement of each triggering event was subject to inherent risk and uncertainty and would result in additional payments becoming due to the Company, (iii) each of the milestone payments is non-refundable, (iv) substantial effort is required to complete each milestone, (v) the amount of each milestone payment is reasonable in relation to the value created in achieving the milestone, (vi) a substantial amount of time is expected to pass between the upfront payment and the potential milestone payments, and (vii) the milestone payments relate solely to past performance. Based on the foregoing, the Company recognizes any revenue from these milestone payments in the period in which the underlying triggering event occurs.

(iii) Multiple Element Arrangements

The Company evaluates multiple element arrangements to determine (1) the deliverables included in the arrangement and (2) whether the individual deliverables represent separate units of accounting or whether they must be accounted for as a combined unit of accounting. This evaluation involves subjective determinations and requires management to make judgments about the individual deliverables and whether such deliverables are separate from other aspects of the contractual relationship. Deliverables are considered separate units of accounting provided that: (i) the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a standalone basis and (ii) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially within its control. In assessing whether an item under a collaboration has standalone value, the Company considers factors such as the research, manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities of the collaboration partner and the availability of the associated expertise in the general marketplace. The Company also considers whether its collaboration partners can use the other deliverable(s) for their intended purpose without the receipt of the remaining element(s), whether the value of the deliverable is dependent on the undelivered item(s), and whether there are other vendors that can provide the undelivered element(s).

The Company recognizes arrangement consideration allocated to each unit of accounting when all of the revenue recognition criteria in ASC 606 are satisfied for that particular unit of accounting. In the event that a deliverable does not represent a separate unit of accounting, the Company recognizes revenue from the combined unit of accounting over the Company’s contractual or estimated performance period for the undelivered elements, which is typically the term of the Company’s research and development obligations. If there is no discernible pattern of performance or objectively measurable performance measures do not exist, then the Company recognizes revenue under the arrangement on a straight-line basis over the period the Company is expected to complete its performance obligations. Conversely, if the pattern of performance in which the service is provided to the customer can be determined and objectively measurable performance measures exist, then the Company recognizes revenue under the arrangement using the proportional performance method. Revenue recognized is limited to the lesser of the cumulative amount of payments received or the cumulative amount of revenue earned, as determined using the straight-line method or proportional performance method, as applicable, as of the period ending date.

At the inception of an arrangement that includes milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether each milestone is substantive and at risk to both parties on the basis of the contingent nature of the milestone. This evaluation includes an assessment of whether: (1) the consideration is commensurate with either the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone or the enhancement of the value of the delivered item(s) as a result of a specific outcome resulting from its performance to achieve the milestone, (2) the consideration relates solely to past performance and (3) the consideration is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within the arrangement. The Company evaluates factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the particular milestone and the level of effort and investment required to achieve the particular milestone in making this assessment. There is considerable judgment involved in determining whether a milestone satisfies all of the criteria required to conclude that a milestone is substantive. Milestones that are not considered substantive are recognized as earned if there are no remaining performance obligations or over the remaining period of performance, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.

(iv) Royalties and Profit Sharing Payments

Under the collaborative agreement with the collaboration partners, the Company is entitled to receive royalties on sales of products, which is at certain percentage of the net sales. The Company recognizes revenue from these events based on the revenue recognition criteria set forth in ASC 606. Based on those criteria, the Company considers these payments to be contingent revenues, and recognizes them as revenue in the period in which the applicable contingency is resolved.

Revenues Derived from Research and Development Activities Services — Revenues related to research and development and regulatory activities are recognized when the related services or activities are performed, in accordance with the contract terms. The Company typically has only one performance obligation at the inception of a contract, which is to perform research and development services. The Company may also provide its customers with an option to request that the Company provides additional goods or services in the future, such as active pharmaceutical ingredient, API, or IND/NDA/ANDA/510K submissions. The Company evaluates whether these options are material rights at the inception of the contract. If the Company determines an option is a material right, the Company will consider the option a separate performance obligation.

If the Company is entitled to reimbursement from its customers for specified research and development expenses, the Company accounts for the related services that it provides as separate performance obligations if it determines that these services represent a material right. The Company also determines whether the reimbursement of research and development expenses should be accounted for as revenues or an offset to research and development expenses in accordance with provisions of gross or net revenue presentation. The Company recognizes the corresponding revenues or records the corresponding offset to research and development expenses as it satisfies the related performance obligations.

The Company then determines the transaction price by reviewing the amount of consideration the Company is eligible to earn under the contracts, including any variable consideration. Under the outstanding contracts, consideration typically includes fixed consideration and variable consideration in the form of potential milestone payments. At the start of an agreement, the Company’s transaction price usually consists of the payments made to or by the Company based on the number of full-time equivalent researchers assigned to the project and the related research and development expenses incurred. The Company does not typically include any payments that the Company may receive in the future in its initial transaction price because the payments are not probable. The Company would reassess the total transaction price at each reporting period to determine if the Company should include additional payments in the transaction price.

The Company receives payments from its customers based on billing schedules established in each contract. Upfront payments and fees may be recorded as advance from customers upon receipt or when due, and may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until the Company performs its obligations under these arrangements. Amounts are recorded as accounts receivable when the right of the Company to consideration is unconditional. The Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component if the expectation at contract inception is such that the period between payment by the customers and the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customers will be one year or less.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that improve the functionality of the related asset or extend the useful life are capitalized. When property and equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related gain or loss is included in operating income. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method, including property and equipment under capital leases, generally based on the following useful lives:

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company has adopted Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360-10”). ASC 360-10 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used by the Company be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment annually or more often if events and circumstances warrant. Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over an extended period. Should impairment in value be indicated, the carrying value of intangible assets will be adjusted, based on estimates of future discounted cash flows resulting from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset. ASC 360-10 also requires assets to be disposed of be reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell.

Long-term Equity Investment 

The Company acquires the equity investments to promote business and strategic objectives. The Company accounts for non-marketable equity and other equity investments for which the Company does not have control over the investees as:

Significant judgment is required to identify whether an impairment exists in the valuation of the Company’s non-marketable equity investments, and therefore the Company considers this a critical accounting estimate. Its yearly analysis considers both qualitative and quantitative factors that may have a significant impact on the investee’s fair value. Qualitative analysis of its investments involves understanding the financial performance and near-term prospects of the investee, changes in general market conditions in the investee’s industry or geographic area, and the management and governance structure of the investee. Quantitative assessments of the fair value of its investments are developed using the market and income approaches. The market approach includes the use of comparable financial metrics of private and public companies and recent financing rounds. The income approach includes the use of a discounted cash flow model, which requires significant estimates regarding the investees’ revenue, costs, and discount rates. The Company’s assessment of these factors in determining whether an impairment exists could change in the future due to new developments or changes in applied assumptions.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

The Company’s long-term equity investments are subject to a periodic impairment review. Impairments affect earnings as follows:

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. In testing goodwill for impairment, the Company may elect to utilize a qualitative assessment to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative assessment indicates that goodwill impairment is more likely than not, the Company performs a two-step impairment test. The Company tests goodwill for impairment under the two-step impairment test by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value or qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flows. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on expected category expansion, pricing, market segment share, and general economic conditions.

The Company completed the required testing of goodwill for impairment as of September 30, 2021, and determined that goodwill was impaired because of the current financial condition of the Company and the Company’s inability to generate future operating income without substantial sales volume increases, which are highly uncertain. Furthermore, the Company anticipates future cash flows indicate that the recoverability of goodwill is not reasonably assured.

Research and Development Expenses

The Company accounts for the cost of using licensing rights in research and development cost according to ASC Topic 730-10-25-1. This guidance provides that 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 when incurred.

For CDMO business unit, the Company accounts for R&D costs in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 730, Research and Development (“ASC 730”). Research and development expenses are charged to expense as incurred unless there is an alternative future use in other research and development projects or otherwise. Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including personnel-related costs, facilities-related overhead, and outside contracted services including clinical trial costs, manufacturing and process development costs for both clinical and preclinical materials, research costs, and other consulting services. Non-refundable advance payment for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received rather than when the payment is made. In instances where the Company enters into agreements with third parties to provide research and development services, costs are expensed as services are performed.

Post-retirement and post-employment benefits

The Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan adopted the government mandated defined contribution plan pursuant to the Labor Pension Act (the “Act”) in Taiwan. Such labor regulations require that the rate of contribution made by an employer to the Labor Pension Fund per month shall not be less than 6% of the worker’s monthly salaries. Pursuant to the Act, the Company makes monthly contribution equal to 6% of employees’ salaries to the employees’ pension fund. The Company has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. The total amounts for such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were $2,906 and $3,612 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The total amounts for such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were $8,268 and $10,969 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Other than the above, the Company does not provide any other post-retirement or post-employment benefits.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company measures expense associated with all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and recognizes such expense in the consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Total employee stock-based compensation expenses were $0 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Company accounted for stock-based compensation to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation” and FASB ASC Topic 505-50 “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” which requires that the cost of services received from non-employees is measured at fair value at the earlier of the performance commitment date or the date service is completed and recognized over the period the service is provided. Total non-employee stock-based compensation expenses were $225,740 and $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total non-employee stock-based compensation expenses were $927,220 and $999,820 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Beneficial Conversion Feature

From time to time, the Company may issue convertible notes that may contain an imbedded beneficial conversion feature. A beneficial conversion feature exists on the date a convertible note is issued when the fair value of the underlying common stock to which the note is convertible into is in excess of the remaining unallocated proceeds of the note after first considering the allocation of a portion of the note proceeds to the fair value of the warrants, if related warrants have been granted. The intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature is recorded as a debt discount with a corresponding amount to additional paid in capital. The debt discount is amortized to interest expense over the life of the note using the effective interest method.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach which allows the recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets to be based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not these items will expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or future deductibility is uncertain.

Under ASC 740, a tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process. The first step is to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or litigations based on the technical merits of that position. The second step is to measure a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold to determine the amount of benefits recognized in the financial statements. A tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent period in which the threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not criteria should be de-recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which the threshold is no longer satisfied. Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the year incurred. No significant penalty or interest relating to income taxes has been incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. GAAP also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition.

On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provision of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act. While the Company is able to make reasonable estimates of the impact of the reduction in corporate rate and the deemed repatriation transition tax, the final impact of the Tax Act may differ from these estimates, due to, among other things, changes in our interpretations and assumptions, additional guidance that may be issued by the I.R.S., and actions the Company may take. The Company is continuing to gather additional information to determine the final impact.

Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets

A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the Company’s deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In assessing the need for the valuation allowance, management considers, among other things, projections of future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. If the Company determines that sufficient negative evidence exists, then it will consider recording a valuation allowance against a portion or all of the deferred tax assets in that jurisdiction. If, after recording a valuation allowance, the Company’s projections of future taxable income and other positive evidence considered in evaluating the need for a valuation allowance prove, with the benefit of hindsight, to be inaccurate, it could prove to be more difficult to support the realization of its deferred tax assets. As a result, an additional valuation allowance could be required, which would have an adverse impact on its effective income tax rate and results. Conversely, if, after recording a valuation allowance, the Company determines that sufficient positive evidence exists in the jurisdiction in which the valuation allowance was recorded, it may reverse a portion or all of the valuation allowance in that jurisdiction. In such situations, the adjustment made to the deferred tax asset would have a favorable impact on its effective income tax rate and results in the period such determination was made.

Loss Per Share of Common Stock

The Company calculates net loss per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share”. Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is computed similar to basic loss per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common stock equivalents had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. Diluted earnings per share excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company has adopted ASC Topic 450 “Contingencies” subtopic 20, in determining its accruals and disclosures with respect to loss contingencies. Accordingly, estimated losses from loss contingencies are accrued by a charge to income when information available before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal expenses associated with the contingency are expensed as incurred. If a loss contingency is not probable or reasonably estimable, disclosure of the loss contingency is made in the financial statements when it is at least reasonably possible that a material loss could be incurred.

Foreign-currency Transactions

For the Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan, the foreign-currency transactions are recorded in New Taiwan dollars (“NTD”) at the rates of exchange in effect when the transactions occur. Gains or losses resulting from the application of different foreign exchange rates when cash in foreign currency is converted into New Taiwan dollars, or when foreign-currency receivables or payables are settled, are credited or charged to income in the year of conversion or settlement. On the balance sheet dates, the balances of foreign-currency assets and liabilities are restated at the prevailing exchange rates and the resulting differences are charged to current income except for those foreign currencies denominated investments in shares of stock where such differences are accounted for as translation adjustments under the Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit).

Translation Adjustment

The accounts of the Company’s subsidiaries in Taiwan were maintained, and their financial statements were expressed, in New Taiwan Dollar (“NT$”). Such financial statements were translated into U.S. Dollars (“$” or “USD”) in accordance ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”, with the NT$ as the functional currency. According to the Statement, all assets and liabilities are translated at the current exchange rate, stockholder’s deficit are translated at the historical rates and income statement items are translated at an average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are reported under other comprehensive income (loss) as a component of stockholders’ equity (deficit).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging- Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), to reduce the complexity associated with applying U.S. GAAP principles for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. The amendments in this ASU reduce the number of accounting models for convertible instruments and expand the existing disclosure requirements over earnings per share as it relates to convertible instruments. This ASU will be effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2022 and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The amendments may be adopted through either a modified retrospective method, or a fully retrospective method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2020-06.

3. COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTS

Collaborative agreements with BHK

(i) On February 24, 2015, BioLite Taiwan and BioHopeKing Corporation (the “BHK”) entered into a co-development agreement, (the “BHK Co-Development Agreement”), pursuant to which it is collaborative with BHK to develop and commercialize BLI-1401-2 (Botanical Drug) Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Combination Therapy (BLI-1401-2 Products) in Asian countries 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.

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 $10,000,000, 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 has received the second milestone payment of NT$31,649,000, 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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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 NT$50 million, 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 NT$50 million, approximately equivalent to $1.60 million, BioLite Taiwan is entitled to receive 50% of the future net licensing income or net sales profit. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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, BriVision entered into a co-development agreement (the “Co-Dev Agreement”) with Rgene Corporation (the “Rgene”), a related party under common control by controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company (See Note 12). Pursuant to Co-Dev Agreement, BriVision 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 $3,000,000 in cash or stock of Rgene with equivalent value by August 15, 2017. The payment is for the compensation of BriVision’s past research efforts and contributions made by BriVision before the Co-Dev Agreement was signed and it does not relate to any future commitments made by BriVision and Rgene in this Co-Dev Agreement. In addition to $3,000,000, 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 BriVision 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 common control by a controlling beneficiary shareholder of YuanGene Corporation and the Company, the Company has recorded the full amount of $3,000,000 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 has 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 NT$50 (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. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company has recognized investment loss of $549. 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 AB 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.

Collaborative agreement with BioFirst Corporation, a related party

On July 24, 2017, 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 12).

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 $3,000,000 in cash or stock of the Company before September 30, 2018. The amount of $3,000,000 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 made by BioFirst and BriVision 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 BriVision and BioFirst.

On September 25, 2017, BioFirst has delivered all research, technical, data and development data to BriVision. The Company determined to fully expense the entire amount of $3,000,000 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 $3,000,000 is fully expensed as research and development expense during the year ended December 31, 2017.

On September 30, 2019, BriVision entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with BioFirst Corporation. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 428,571 shares of the Company’s common stock to BioFirst in consideration for $3,000,000 owed by the Company to BioFirst (the “Total Payment”) in connection with a certain collaborative agreement between the Company and BioFirst dated July 24, 2017 (the “Collaborative Agreement”). Pursuant to the Collaborative Agreement, BioFirst granted the Company the global licensing right to co-develop BFC-1401 or ABV-1701 Vitreous Substitute for Vitrectomy for medical purposes in consideration for the Total Payment.

On August 5, 2019, BriVision entered into a second Stock Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement 2”) with BioFirst Corporation. Pursuant to Purchase Agreement 2, the Company issued 414,702 shares 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.

Depreciation expenses were $2,856 and $8,730 for three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Depreciation expenses were $8,725 and $30,329 for nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

6. LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS