Oncolytics Biotech (ONCY) 20-F2019 FY Annual report (foreign)

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

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

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:  None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Registrant’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: 32,198,453 common shares as at December 31, 2019

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one)

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

All references in this annual report on Form 20-F to the terms “we”, “our”, “us”, “the Company” and “Oncolytics” refer to Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

Certain statements in this annual report on Form 20-F and the documents attached as exhibits to this annual report, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, and include, but are not limited to, estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to the efficacy of our technologies; the timing and results of clinical studies related to our technologies; future operations, products and services; the impact of regulatory initiatives on our operations; the size of and opportunities related to the markets for our technologies; general industry and macroeconomic growth rates; expectations related to possible joint and/or strategic ventures and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements generally, but not always, are identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects”, “potential”, “possible” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur.

 

The forward-looking statements in this annual report are subject to various risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, including without limitation:

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements.  Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further under the section heading “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors” below.  If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected.  Forward-looking statements in this document are not a prediction of future events or circumstances, and those future events or circumstances may not occur.  Given these uncertainties, users of the information included herein, including investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.  Investors should consult our quarterly and annual filings with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada and the SEC for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements.  We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, opinions and expectations at the time they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update our forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, or expectations, or other circumstances, should change, except as required by applicable law.

 

 

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Notes:

 

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Investment in our common shares ("Common Shares") involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider, among other matters, the following risk factors in addition to the other information in this Annual Report on Form 20-F when evaluating our business because these risk factors may have a significant impact on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow. If any of the material risks described below or in subsequent reports we file with the SEC actually occur, they may materially harm our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow. Additional risks and uncertainties that we have not yet identified or that we presently consider to be immaterial may also materially harm our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow.

Prospects for companies in the biotechnology industry generally may be regarded as uncertain given the nature of the industry and, accordingly, investments in biotechnology companies should be regarded as speculative. We are currently in the research and development stage on one product, pelareorep, for human application, the riskiest stage for a company in the biotechnology industry. It is not possible to predict, based upon studies in animals and early-stage human clinical trials, whether pelareorep will prove to be safe and effective in humans. pelareorep will require additional research and development, including extensive additional clinical testing, before we will be able to obtain the approvals of the relevant regulatory authorities in applicable countries to market pelareorep commercially. There can be no assurance that the research and development programs we conduct will result in pelareorep or any other products becoming commercially viable products, and in the event that any product or products result from the research and development program, it is unlikely they will be commercially available for a number of years.

To achieve profitable operations we, alone or with others, must successfully develop, introduce and market our products. To obtain regulatory approvals for products being developed for human use, and to achieve commercial success, human clinical trials must demonstrate that the product is safe for human use and that the product shows efficacy. Unsatisfactory results obtained from a particular study relating to a program may cause us to abandon our commitment to that program or the product being tested. No assurances can be provided that any current or future animal or human test, if undertaken, will yield favourable results. If we are unable to establish that pelareorep is a safe, effective treatment for cancer, we may be required to abandon further development of the product and develop a new business strategy.

Pharmaceutical research and development is highly speculative and involves a high and significant degree of risk. The marketability of any product we develop will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including but not limited to:

Our products under development have never been manufactured on a commercial scale, and there can be no assurance that such products can be manufactured at a cost or in a quantity to render such products commercially viable. Production and utilization of our products may require the development of new manufacturing technologies and expertise. The impact on our business in the event that new manufacturing technologies and expertise are required to be developed is uncertain. There can be no assurance that we will successfully meet any of these technological challenges or others that may arise in the course of development.

We must conduct extensive clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our products in humans. Clinical testing, in particular, is expensive, difficult to design and implement, can take many years to complete and is uncertain as to the outcome.  A failure of one or more of our clinical trials can occur at any stage of testing. We may experience numerous unforeseen events during, or as a result of, the clinical trial process, which could delay or prevent us from receiving marketing approval or commercializing our product candidates, including the following:

Additionally, subject enrollment, which is a significant factor in the timing of clinical trials, is affected by a variety of factors, including the following:

Furthermore, we plan to rely on clinical trial sites to ensure the proper and timely conduct of our clinical trials, and while we have agreements governing their committed activities, we have limited influence over their actual performance. Any delays or unanticipated problems during clinical testing, such as enrollment in our clinical trials being slower than we anticipate or participants dropping out of our clinical trials at a higher rate than we anticipate, could increase our costs, slow down our product development and approval process and jeopardize our ability to commence product sales and generate revenues.

Government authorities and third-party payors, such as private health insurers and health maintenance organizations, decide which medications they will pay for and establish reimbursement levels. A primary trend in the US healthcare industry and elsewhere is

cost containment. Government authorities and these third-party payors have attempted to control costs by limiting coverage and the amount of reimbursement for particular medications. Uncertainty exists regarding the reimbursement status of newly-approved pharmaceutical products and reimbursement may not be available for pelareorep.  Any reimbursements granted may not be maintained or limits on reimbursements available from third-party payors may reduce the demand for, or negatively affect the price of, these products. If pelareorep does not qualify for reimbursement, if reimbursement levels diminish, or if reimbursement is denied, our sales and profitability would be adversely affected.

In the normal course of our business, we have entered into contractual arrangements with third parties which subject us to the risk that such parties may default on their obligations. Oncolytics may be exposed to third-party credit risk through our contractual arrangements with our current contract manufacturer, the institutions which operate our clinical trials, or our contract research organizations and other parties.  In the event such entities fail to meet their contractual obligations to Oncolytics, such failures could have a material adverse effect on Oncolytics and our operations.

As of December 31, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of $14.1 million. Working capital was approximately $14.6 million.  We anticipate that we will need additional financing in the future to fund research and development and to meet our ongoing capital requirements.  The amount of future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including continued scientific progress in our drug discovery and development programs, progress in our pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of drug candidates, time and expense associated with filing, prosecuting and enforcing our patent claims and costs associated with obtaining regulatory approvals.  In order to meet such capital requirements, we will consider contract fees, collaborative research and development arrangements, and additional public or private financings (including the incurrence of debt and the issuance of additional equity securities) to fund all or a part of particular programs as well as potential partnering or licensing opportunities.

Oncolytics, from time to time, along with all other pharmaceutical research and development entities, may have restricted access to capital, bank debt and equity, and, from time to time, may face increased borrowing costs. Although our business and asset base have not changed, the lending capacity of all financial institutions fluctuates causing a corresponding change in risk premiums. As future operations will be financed out of funds generated from financing activities, our ability to do so is dependent on, among other factors, the overall state of capital markets and investor appetite for investments in the pharmaceutical industry and our securities in particular.

Should we elect to satisfy our cash commitments through the issuance of securities, by way of either private placement or public offering or otherwise, there can be no assurance that our efforts to raise such funding will be successful, or achieved on terms favourable to us or our existing shareholders.  If adequate funds are not available on terms favorable to us, we may have to reduce substantially or eliminate expenditures for research and development, testing, production and marketing of our proposed product, or obtain funds through arrangements with corporate partners that require us to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies or product.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital if our current capital resources are exhausted.

The regulatory process for pharmaceuticals, which includes preclinical studies and multiple phases of clinical trials of each compound to establish its safety and efficacy, takes many years and requires the expenditure of substantial resources. Moreover, if regulatory approval of a drug is granted, such approval may entail limitations on the indicated uses for which it may be marketed. Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements can, among other things, result in suspension of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecution. Further, government policy may change, and additional government regulations may be established that could prevent or delay regulatory approvals for our products. In addition, a marketed drug and its manufacturer are subject to continual review. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with the product or manufacturer may result in restrictions on such product or manufacturer, including withdrawal of the product from the market.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and similar regulatory authorities in other countries may deny approval of a new drug application if required regulatory criteria are not satisfied, or may require additional testing. Product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market. The FDA and similar regulatory authorities in other countries may require further testing and surveillance programs to monitor

the pharmaceutical product that has been commercialized. Non-compliance with applicable requirements can result in fines and other judicially imposed sanctions, including product withdrawals, product seizures, injunction actions and criminal prosecutions.

In addition to our own pharmaceuticals, we may supply active pharmaceutical ingredients and advanced pharmaceutical intermediates for use in our customers’ drug products. The final drug products in which the pharmaceutical ingredients and advanced pharmaceutical intermediates are used, however, are subject to regulation for safety and efficacy by the FDA and possibly other regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions.  Such products must be approved by such agencies before they can be commercially marketed. The process of obtaining regulatory clearance for marketing is uncertain, costly and time consuming. We cannot predict how long the necessary regulatory approvals will take or whether our customers will ever obtain such approval for their products. To the extent that our customers do not obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for marketing new products, our product sales could be adversely affected.

The FDA and other governmental regulators have increased requirements for drug purity and have increased environmental burdens upon the pharmaceutical industry. Because pharmaceutical drug manufacturing is a highly regulated industry, requiring significant documentation and validation of manufacturing processes and quality control assurance prior to the approval of the facility to manufacture a specific drug, our manufacturing facilities may never become approved of, or there can be considerable transition time between the initiation of a contract to manufacture a product and the actual initiation of manufacture of that product. Any lag time in the initiation of a contract to manufacture product and the actual initiation of manufacture could cause us to lose profits or incur liabilities.

The pharmaceutical regulatory regime in Europe and other countries is generally similar to that of the United States. We could face similar risks in these other jurisdictions as the risks described above.

Securing regulatory approval for the marketing of therapeutics by the FDA in the United States and similar regulatory agencies in other countries is a long and expensive process, which can delay or prevent product development and marketing. Approval to market products may be for limited applications or may not be received at all.

The FDA or other regulatory agencies may also require the submission of any lot of a particular product for inspection. If the lot product fails to meet the FDA requirements, then the FDA could take any of the following actions: (i) restrict the release of the product; (ii) suspend manufacturing of the specific lot of the product; (iii) order a recall of the lot of the product; or (iv) order a seizure of the lot of the product.

We are subject to regulation by governments in many jurisdictions.  If we do not comply with healthcare, drug, manufacturing and environmental regulations, among others, in such jurisdiction, our existing and future operations may be curtailed, and we could be subject to liability.

In addition to the regulatory approval process, we may be subject to regulations under local, provincial, state, federal and foreign law, including, but not limited to, requirements regarding occupational health, safety, laboratory practices, healthcare fraud and abuse, environmental protection and hazardous substance control, and may be subject to other present and future local, provincial, state, federal and foreign regulations.

Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain patents, maintain trade secret protection and operate without infringing the rights of third parties. We have received Granted Patents in countries throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan.  We file our Applications for Patent in the United States and under the PCT, allowing us to subsequently file in other jurisdictions.  Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain, enforce and maintain patent protection for our technology in Canada, the United States and other countries. We cannot be assured that patents will issue from any pending applications or that claims now or in the future, if any, allowed under issued patents will be sufficiently broad to protect our technology. In addition, no assurance can be given that any patents issued to, or licensed by us, will not be challenged, invalidated, infringed or circumvented, or that the rights granted thereunder will provide continuing competitive advantages to us.

The patent positions of pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, including us, are generally uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. In addition, it is not known whether any of our current research endeavors will result in the issuance of patents in Canada, the United States, or elsewhere, or if any patents already issued will provide significant proprietary protection or will be circumvented or invalidated. Since patent applications in the United States and Canada may be maintained in secrecy until at least 18 months after filing of the original priority application, and since publication of discoveries in the scientific or patent literature tends to lag behind actual discoveries by several months, we cannot be certain that we or any licensor were the first to create inventions claimed by pending patent applications or that we or the licensor were the first to file patent applications for such inventions. Loss of patent protection could lead to generic competition for these products, and others in the future, which would materially and adversely affect our financial prospects for these products.

Similarly, since patent applications filed before November 29, 2000 in the United States may be maintained in secrecy until the patents issue or foreign counterparts, if any, publish, we cannot be certain that we or any licensor were the first creator of inventions covered by pending patent applications or that we or such licensor were the first to file patent applications for such inventions. There is no assurance that our patents, if issued, would be held valid or enforceable by a court or that a competitor’s technology or product would be found to infringe such patents.

Accordingly, we may not be able to obtain and enforce effective patents to protect our proprietary rights from use by competitors.  If other such parties obtain patents for certain information relied on by us in conducting our business, then we may be required to stop using, or pay to use, certain intellectual property, and as such, our competitive position and profitability could suffer as a result.

Our development and commercialization activities, as well as any product candidates or products resulting from these activities, may infringe or be claimed to infringe patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties under which we do not hold sufficient licenses or other rights. Additionally, third parties may be successful in obtaining patent protection for technologies that cover development activities in which we are already engaged. Third parties may own or control these patents and intellectual property rights in the United States and abroad. These third parties may have substantially greater financial resources than us and could bring claims against us that could cause us to incur substantial expenses to defend against these claims and, if successful against us, could cause us to pay substantial damages. Further, if a patent infringement or other similar suit were brought against us, we could be forced to stop or delay development, manufacturing or sales of the product or product candidate that is the subject of the suit. Intellectual property litigation in the biopharmaceutical industry is common, and we expect this trend to continue.

As a result of patent infringement or other similar claims, or to avoid potential claims, we may choose or be required to seek a license from the third party and be required to pay license fees or royalties or both. These licenses may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Even if we were able to obtain a license, the rights may be non-exclusive, which could result in our competitors gaining access to the same intellectual property. Ultimately, we could be prevented from commercializing a product, or be forced to cease some aspect of our business operations, if, as a result of actual or threatened patent infringement claims, we are unable to enter into licenses on acceptable terms, if at all, or if an injunction is granted against us, which could harm our business significantly.

In addition to patented technology, we rely upon unpatented proprietary technology, processes and know-how. However, these types of trade secrets can be difficult to protect. We seek to protect this confidential information, in part, through agreements with our employees, consultants and third parties as well as confidentiality policies and audits, although these may not be successful in protecting our trade secrets and confidential information.

These agreements may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any such breach. In addition, our trade secrets may otherwise become known, including through a potential cybersecurity breach, or may be independently developed by competitors. If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our proprietary information and know-how, competitors may be able to use this information to develop products that compete with our products, which could adversely impact our business.

We may be impacted by business interruptions resulting from pandemics and public health emergencies, including those related to COVID-19 coronavirus, geopolitical actions, including war and terrorism or natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires. An outbreak of infectious disease, a pandemic or a similar public health threat, such as the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, or a fear of any of the foregoing, could adversely impact us by causing operating, manufacturing supply chain, clinical trial and project development delays and disruptions, labour shortages, travel and shipping disruption and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). It is unknown whether and how the Company may affected if such an epidemic persists for an extended period of time. We may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of our control, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Technological competition in the pharmaceutical industry is intense and we expect competition to increase. Other companies are conducting research on therapeutics involving innate and adaptive immune responses as well as other novel treatments or therapeutics for the treatment of cancer which may compete with our product. Many of these competitors are more established, benefit from greater name recognition and have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us. In addition, many of these competitors have significantly greater experience in undertaking research, preclinical studies and human clinical trials of new pharmaceutical products, obtaining regulatory approvals and manufacturing and marketing such products. In addition, there are several other companies and products with which we may compete from time to time, and which may have significantly better and larger resources than we do. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in manufacturing and/or commercializing products more rapidly or effectively, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We anticipate that we will face increased competition in the future as new products enter the market and advanced technologies become available. There can be no assurance that existing products or new products developed by our competitors will not be more effective, or be more effectively manufactured, marketed and sold, than any that may be developed or sold by us. Competitive products may render our products obsolete and uncompetitive prior to recovering research, development or commercialization expenses incurred with respect to any such products.

Use of our product during current clinical trials may entail risk of product liability.  We maintain clinical trial liability insurance; however, it is possible this coverage may not provide full protection against all risks.  Given the scope and complexity of the clinical development process, the uncertainty of product liability litigation, and the shrinking capacity of insurance underwriters, it is not possible at this time to assess the adequacy of current clinical trial coverage, nor the ability to secure continuing coverage at the same level and at reasonable cost in the foreseeable future.  While we carry, and intend to continue carrying amounts believed to be appropriate under the circumstances, it is not possible at this time to determine the adequacy of such coverage.

In addition, the sale and commercial use of our product entails risk of product liability. We currently do not carry any product liability insurance for this purpose. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain appropriate levels of product liability

insurance prior to any sale of our pharmaceutical products. An inability to obtain insurance on economically feasible terms or to otherwise protect against potential product liability claims could inhibit or prevent the commercialization of products developed by us. The obligation to pay any product liability claim or a recall of a product could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and future prospects.

From time to time, we may be named as a defendant in various legal actions or other proceedings, including class action lawsuits. Certain of these actions include and future actual or threatened legal actions may include, claims for substantial and indeterminate amounts of damages, or may result in other results adverse to us. Management does not currently know of any pending, material legal proceedings against the Company, but such legal action could be brought in the future.

The results of possible future legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Accordingly, we cannot determine whether our insurance coverage would be sufficient to cover the costs or potential losses, if any. Regardless of merit, litigation may be both time-consuming and disruptive to our operations and cause significant expense and diversion of management attention. If we do not prevail in future legal proceedings, we may be faced with significant monetary damages or injunctive relief against us that may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, possibly materially.

To date, we have relied upon a contract manufacturer to manufacture small quantities of pelareorep. The manufacturer may encounter difficulties in scaling up production, including production yields, quality control and quality assurance. Only a limited number of manufacturers can supply therapeutic viruses and failure by the manufacturer to deliver the required quantities of pelareorep on a timely basis at a commercially reasonable price may have a material adverse effect on us. We have completed a program for the development of a commercial process for manufacturing pelareorep and have filed a number of patent applications related to the process. There can be no assurance that we will successfully obtain sufficient patent protection related to our manufacturing process.

 

Our primary activity to date has been research and development and we have no experience in marketing or commercializing products. We will likely rely on third parties to market our products, assuming that they receive regulatory approvals. If we rely on third parties to market our products, the commercial success of such product will be subject to a number of risks that may be outside of our control, including:

Moreover, there can be no assurance that physicians, patients or the medical community will accept our product, even if it proves to be safe and effective and is approved for marketing by Health Canada, the FDA and other regulatory authorities. A failure to successfully market our product would have a material adverse effect on our revenue.

The pharmaceutical industry is characterized by rapidly changing markets, technology, emerging industry standards and frequent introduction of new products. The introduction of new products embodying new technologies, including new manufacturing processes and the emergence of new industry standards may render our products obsolete, less competitive or less marketable. The process of developing our products is extremely complex and requires significant continuing development efforts and third-party commitments. Our failure to develop new technologies and products and the obsolescence of existing technologies could adversely affect our business.

We may be unable to anticipate changes in our potential customer requirements that could make our existing technology obsolete. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to continue to enhance our existing technologies, develop new technology that addresses the increasing sophistication and varied needs of the market, and respond to technological advances and emerging

industry standards and practices on a timely and cost-effective basis. The development of our proprietary technology entails significant technical and business risks. We may not be successful in using our new technologies or exploiting our niche markets effectively or adapting our businesses to evolving customer or medical requirements or preferences or emerging industry standards.

We rely upon third-party relationships for assistance in the conduct of research efforts, pre-clinical development and clinical trials, and manufacturing. In addition, we expect to rely on third parties to seek regulatory approvals for and to market our product. Although we believe that our collaborative partners will have an economic motivation to commercialize our product included in any collaborative agreement, the amount and timing of resources diverted to these activities generally is expected to be controlled by the third party. Furthermore, if we cannot maintain these relationships, our business may suffer.

On November 16, 2017, we announced that we had entered into a license, development, supply, and distribution agreement (the "Licensing Agreement") with Adlai Nortye Biopharma Co., Ltd. ("Adlai"). Under the terms of the Licensing Agreement, Adlai will have exclusive development and commercialization rights to pelareorep in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan (the “Territories”). Pursuant to the Licensing Agreement, along with payments to be received by us upon meeting certain requirements and milestones, we are also eligible to receive royalty payments in excess of 10% associated with the commercialization of pelareorep for all indications, subject to regulatory approval. Under the terms of the Licensing Agreement, Adlai will be responsible for all clinical, regulatory and commercialization activities respecting pelareorep in the Territories and therefore the Company will be dependent upon Adlai in successfully undertaking those actions in a timely and economic manner and in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements within the Territories. If Adlai is unable to fulfill its obligations under the terms of the Licensing Agreement and in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including clinical, regulatory and commercialization of pelareorep, our prospective revenue from royalty payments related to the commercialization of pelareorep in the Territories may be materially diminished, delayed or never realized, which could negatively affect our operating results and financial condition.

Further, conducting business with Adlai within the Territories, and specifically China, subjects us to certain economic, political, currency and legal risks and uncertainties regarding, among other things, the development and commercialization of pelareorep and the release and receipt of payments under the terms of the Licensing Agreement, including the payment of royalties upon commercialization of pelareorep. These risks include:

The governments of the Territories, and specifically the Chinese government, exercise significant control over all aspects of their respective economies.  Accordingly, any adverse change in the economy, the legal system or governmental, economic or other policies could have a material adverse effect on the business prospects of the Licensing Agreement with Adlai, including our ability to receive money out of China under the terms of the Licensing Agreement. Any disruption in relations, inability to work efficiently or disadvantageous treatment of Adlai by the governments of the Territories or other authorities could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects under the Licensing Agreement. Additionally, the regulatory environment in the Territories is evolving, and officials in the governments in the Territories exercise broad discretion in deciding how to interpret and apply

regulations. There can be no assurance that Adlai will be successful in the development and commercialization of pelareorep in the Territories.

We carry liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers. Given a number of large director and officer liability insurance claims in the US equity markets, director and officer liability insurance has become increasingly more expensive with increased restrictions. Consequently, there is no assurance that we will continue to be offered this insurance or be able to obtain adequate coverage. The inability to acquire the appropriate insurance coverage may limit our ability to attract and maintain directors and officers as required to conduct our business.

Our ability to develop the product will depend, to a great extent, on our ability to attract and retain highly qualified scientific personnel and to develop and maintain relationships with leading research institutions. Competition for such personnel and relationships is intense. We are highly dependent on the principal members of our management staff as well as our advisors and collaborators, the loss of whose services might impede the achievement of development objectives. The persons working with us are affected by a number of influences outside of our control. The loss of key employees and/or key collaborators may affect the speed and success of product development.

Certain of our assets and intellectual property are held by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Oncolytics Barbados, which is organized under the laws of Barbados. It may not be possible to enforce court judgments obtained in Canada or the United States against Oncolytics Barbados in Barbados based on the civil liabilities provisions of applicable securities laws. In addition, there is some doubt as to whether the courts of Barbados would recognize or enforce judgments of courts in Canada or the United States obtained against us or our directors or officers based on the civil liabilities provisions of Canadian and United States securities laws or hear actions against us or those persons based on such laws.

There can be no assurances that changes will not occur in corporate, tax, property and other laws in Canada and/or Barbados (or the interpretation thereof by regulatory or tax authorities) which may materially and adversely affect our businesses and corporate structure.

We incur some of our manufacturing, clinical, collaborative and consulting expenses in foreign currencies, primarily the US dollar, the Euro and the British pound (“GBP”).  We are therefore exposed to foreign currency rate fluctuations.  Also, as we expand to other foreign jurisdictions there may be an increase in our foreign exchange exposure.

We invest our excess cash reserves in investment vehicles that provide a rate of return with little risk to principal. As interest rates change the amount of interest income we earn will be directly impacted.

We are subject to complex laws and regulations that address privacy and data security. The legislative and regulatory landscape for data protection continues to evolve, and in recent years there has been an increasing focus on privacy and data security issues. In the US, numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including state data breach notification laws, state health information privacy laws, and federal and state consumer protection laws, govern the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of health-related and other personal information. For example, in June 2018, the State of California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”), which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and provides new data privacy rights for consumers and

new operational requirements for companies, which may increase our compliance costs and potential liability. The CCPA gives California residents expanded rights to access and delete their personal information, opt out of certain personal information sharing, and receive detailed information about how their personal information is used. The CCPA provides for civil penalties for violations, as well as a private right of action for data breaches that is expected to increase data breach litigation. The CCPA could mark the beginning of a trend toward more stringent state privacy legislation in the U.S., which could increase our potential liability and adversely affect our business.

In addition, in the course of our business, we may obtain health information from third that is subject to privacy and security requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”). Although we are not directly subject to HIPAA (other than potentially with respect to providing certain employee benefits) we could be subject to criminal penalties if we knowingly obtain or disclose individually identifiable health information maintained by a HIPAA-covered entity in a manner that is not authorized or permitted by HIPAA/HITECH.

We could also be negatively impacted by existing and proposed laws and regulations, as well as government policies and practices related to cybersecurity, data privacy, data localization and data protection outside of the US, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which took effect in the EU in May 2018. The GDPR extends the geographical scope of EU data protection law to non-EU entities under certain conditions, tightens existing EU data protection principles and creates new obligations for companies and new rights for individuals. The GDPR may increase our responsibility and potential liability in relation to personal data that we process, expose us to substantial potential fines and increase our compliance costs. The GDPR could also cause our development costs to increase in connection with clinical trials we are currently conducting and may conduct in the future in the EU for our products and product candidates.

Failure to comply with data protection laws and regulations both within and outside of the US could result in government enforcement actions (which could include civil or criminal penalties), private litigation, and/or adverse publicity and could negatively affect our operating results and business.

We rely on information technology networks and systems, including those of third-party service providers, to process, transmit and store electronic information. In particular, we depend on our information technology infrastructure for a variety of functions, including financial reporting, data management, and email communications. Any of these systems may be susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, terrorist attacks, sabotage and similar events. Global cybersecurity threats and incidents can range from uncoordinated individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to our information technology systems to sophisticated and targeted measures known as advanced persistent threats. The ever-increasing use and evolution of technology, including cloud-based computing, creates opportunities for the unintentional dissemination or intentional destruction of confidential information stored in our systems or in non-encrypted portable media or storage devices. We could also experience a business interruption, information theft of confidential information, or reputational damage from industrial espionage attacks, malware or other cyber attacks, which may compromise our system infrastructure or lead to data leakage, either internally or at our third-party providers. Despite the implementation of network security measures and disaster recovery plans, our systems and those of third parties on which we rely may also be vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins and similar disruptions. If we or our vendors are unable (or are perceived as unable) to prevent such outages and breaches, our operations may be disrupted and our business reputation could be adversely affected.

We expect that risks and exposures related to cybersecurity attacks will remain high for the foreseeable future due to the rapidly evolving nature and sophistication of these threats.

The Company documented and tested during its most recent fiscal year its internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) and equivalent Canadian legislation. SOX requires an annual assessment by management of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an attestation report by the Company’s independent auditors addressing this assessment, if applicable. The Company may fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of its internal control over financial reporting as such standards are modified, supplemented, or amended from time to time, and the Company may not be able to ensure that it can conclude, on an ongoing basis, that it has effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of SOX. The Company’s failure to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of SOX on an ongoing, timely basis could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of its financial

statements, which in turn could harm the Company’s business and negatively impact the trading price of the common shares or the market value of its other securities. In addition, any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm the Company’s operating results or cause it to fail to meet its reporting obligations. Future acquisitions of companies, if any, may provide the Company with challenges in implementing the required processes, procedures and controls in its acquired operations. No evaluation can provide complete assurance that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be reported. The effectiveness of the Company’s processes, procedures and controls could also be limited by simple errors or faulty judgments. In addition, if the Company expands, the challenges involved in implementing appropriate internal control over financial reporting will increase and will require that the Company continue to improve its internal control over financial reporting.

The Company is a Canadian company, with its principal place of business in Canada. Some of the Company’s directors and officers, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, are residents outside the United States and a significant portion of the Company’s assets are located outside the United States. Consequently, it may be difficult for US investors to effect service of process within the United States upon the Company or these directors or officers who are not residents of the United States, or to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon civil liabilities under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Investors should not assume that Canadian courts (1) would enforce judgments of US courts obtained in actions against the Company or such directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the US federal securities laws or the securities or “blue sky” laws of any state within the United States or (2) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against the Company or such directors or officers predicated upon the US federal securities laws or any such state securities or “blue sky” laws. In addition, the protections afforded by Canadian securities laws may not be available to investors in the United States.

The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “US Exchange Act”). Equity securities of the Company are accordingly exempt from Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), 14(f) and 16 of the US Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 3a12-3 of the US Exchange Act. Therefore, the Company is not required to file a Schedule 14A proxy statement in relation to its annual meeting of shareholders. The submission of proxy and annual meeting of  shareholder information on Form 6-K may result in shareholders having less complete and timely information in connection with shareholder actions. The exemption from Section 16 rules regarding reports of beneficial ownership and purchases and sales of common shares by insiders and restrictions on insider trading in our securities may result in shareholders having less data and there being fewer restrictions on insiders’ activities in our securities.

As a foreign private issuer, as discussed above under the risk factor titled “As a foreign private issuer, our shareholders may have less complete and timely data”, we are exempt from certain provisions of the US federal securities law. The determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. We would lose our foreign private issuer status if, for example, more than 50% of our common shares are directly or indirectly held by residents of the United States and we fail to meet additional requirements necessary to maintain our foreign private issuer status. If we lose our foreign private issuer status on this date, we will be required to file with the SEC periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. We will also have to mandatorily comply with US federal proxy requirements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will become subject to the short-swing profit disclosure and recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements under the Nasdaq listing rules. As a US listed public company that is not a foreign private issuer, we will incur significant additional legal, accounting and other expenses that we will not incur as a foreign private issuer, and accounting, reporting and other expenses in order to maintain a listing on a US securities exchange. These rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors and more expensive to procure director and officer liability insurance.

The market price of the Common Shares may be volatile. The volatility may affect the ability of holders of Common Shares to sell the Common Shares at an advantageous price. Market price fluctuations in the Common Shares may be due to the Company’s operating results failing to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors in any quarter, downward revision in securities analysts’ estimates, governmental regulatory action, adverse change in general market conditions or economic trends, acquisitions, dispositions or other material public announcements by the Company or its competitors, along with a variety of additional factors, including, without limitation, those set forth under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this annual report on Form 20-F. In addition, the market price for securities in the stock markets, including the NASDAQ and the TSX, recently experienced significant price and trading fluctuations. These fluctuations have resulted in volatility in the market prices of securities that often has been unrelated or disproportionate to changes in operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Common Shares

 

 

In order to finance future operations and development efforts, the Company may raise funds through the issue of common shares or the issue of securities convertible into common shares. The Company cannot predict the size of future issues of common shares or the issue of securities convertible into common shares or the effect, if any, that future issues and sales of the Company’s common shares will have on the market price of its common shares. Any transaction involving the issue of previously authorized but unissued shares, or securities convertible into shares, would result in dilution, possibly substantial, to present and prospective holders of shares.

 

The Company has not declared or paid any dividends since its incorporation. The Company intends to retain earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of its business and does not intend to pay cash dividends on the Common Shares in the foreseeable future. Any return on an investment in the common shares will come from the appreciation, if any, in the value of the Common Shares. The payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be reviewed periodically by the board of directors and will depend upon, among other things, conditions then existing including earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business opportunities and conditions and other factors.

 

Our principal executive office is located at 210, 1167 Kensington Cres. NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1X7, telephone (403) 670-7377. Our agent for service in the US is Registered Agent Solutions, Inc., 9E Lookerman Street, Suite 311, Dover, Delaware 19901.

A description of the important events in our development including licensing transactions, our principal capital expenditures and divestitures and a description of acquisitions of material assets can be found in our MD&A and in the notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

The SEC maintains a Website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at https://www.sec.gov. The filings are also contained on the Company’s website at https://www.oncolyticsbiotech.com. Information on the Company's website is not incorporated by reference herein.

Since our inception in April of 1998, Oncolytics Biotech Inc. has been a development stage company and we have focused our research and development efforts related to pelareorep, a systemically administered immuno-oncology (I-O) viral agent with the potential to treat a variety of cancers. We have not been profitable since our inception and expect to continue to incur substantial losses as we continue research and development efforts. We do not expect to generate significant revenues until, if and when, pelareorep becomes commercially viable.

Our potential product for human use, pelareorep, an unmodified reovirus, is a first in class systemically administered I-O viral agent for the treatment of solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

Pelareorep’s anti-tumor activity is based on three modes of action which are complementary but not interdependent (Figure 1):

Preclinical and translational research to date indicates the following:

Clinical data to date indicate the following:

Selective viral replication and lysis in cancer cells and not normal cells is mediated by the host cellular protein dsRNA-activated protein kinase (PRK). In non-cancer cells that are infected with reovirus, PKR activates in the presence of the virus which in turn inhibits viral gene translation. However, in permissive cancer cells, PKR activation is inhibited, allowing for viral gene translation and eventual cell lysis.

It was originally established that selective lysis with reovirus was mediated by tumor cells with an activated rat sarcoma virus oncogene (RAS)-pathway, since active RAS inhibits PKR activation. However, more recent investigations have revealed that reovirus replication is not just restricted to cells with an active RAS pathway, oncogenic mutations and amplifications in upstream and downstream mediators of the RAS-pathway also allow for viral replication and oncolysis. Moreover, active RAS is known to stimulate over 18 downstream effector proteins, many of which have been shown to facilitate viral replication. Cells bearing dysfunctional or deleted tumor suppressor genes and or chemo- or radiation-induced cell stress also show increased sensitivity to reovirus replication and lysis.

Preclinical and clinical studies provide compelling evidence that pelareorep functions as an immunogenic agent. Indeed, preclinical studies demonstrated that cancer cells infected with pelareorep can produce an innate immune response triggering the release of inflammatory cytokines. This inflammatory environment promotes a chemotactic response in NK cells, dendritic cells, and cytotoxic T-cells, altering the tumor microenvironment to support bystander immune-mediated cancer cell death. Intriguingly, preclinical studies have also demonstrated that the beneficial immunogenic functions of pelareorep can occur independently of viral replication. Pelareorep performs this immunogenic function, in part, by activating dendritic cells, key regulators of both adaptive and innate immunity. Dendritic cells activated by reovirus, in turn, stimulate the innate antitumor activity of NK cells and aid in the priming of specific antitumor cytotoxic lymphocyte, demonstrating that dendritic cell recognition of reovirus may trigger a beneficial innate immune response.

A clinical trial with pelareorep (REO 013) provided an opportunity to study human NK cell activation in a controlled manner. Ten colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases received between one and five doses of pelareorep prior to surgical resection of their tumor. NK cell activation peaked 24-48 hours post-infection, coincident with a peak of pro-inflammatory cytokines. NK cells within reovirus-treated blood mononuclear cells were stimulated to kill tumor targets, but not normal hepatocytes. Moreover, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were able to hand-off virus to tumors for direct oncolytic killing. Similarly, NK cells within liver mononuclear cells became selectively cytotoxic towards tumor cells when activated by reovirus. These results showed that reovirus modulates human NK cell activity in vivo and suggest that this may contribute to the therapeutic effect of pelareorep.

Adaptive anti-tumor immunity allows for elimination of existing cancer cells and performs constant surveillance, preventing relapse, and increases overall survival. An adaptive immune response requires two signals: a signal from an APC, as well as a co-stimulation signal in the form of cytokines. In the absence of both signals, the adaptive immune response fails. Therapy with pelareorep has the potential to activate both signals. Following its therapeutic administration, pelareorep enhances the expression of ‘foreign’ antigens/markers on tumor cells. Oncolysis of tumor cells exposes tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and viral-associated antigens (VAAs) for processing and presentation by APCs, such as dendritic cells. Through the combined actions of these immunological events, pelareorep facilitates the display of novel ‘foreign’ antigens on the surface of infected tumor cells and APCs. Simultaneously, pelareorep induces an inflammatory response promoting the expression of co-stimulatory molecules and inflammatory cytokines. Together, pelareorep mediated immunological events over-rule tumor antigen presentation impairments and initiate adaptive anti-tumor immunity.

By promoting the expression of novel antigens and the release of inflammatory cytokines, pelareorep, promotes an inflamed tumor phenotype. An inflamed tumor phenotype is characterized by NK and T-cell infiltration, increased expression of chemokines/cytokines, and increased expression of checkpoint ligands. This phenotype correlates with an increase in overall survival and has a positive prognostic value for early-stage cancers. In patients with metastatic cancer, an inflamed tumor phenotype is associated with better clinical outcomes when treated with immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint blockade inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive T-cell therapies. By promoting an inflamed tumor phenotype, pelareorep primes an anti-cancer immune response (Figure 2).

 

The ultimate objective of our clinical development plan is to obtain regulatory approval for pelareorep as quickly as possible and is based on the compelling efficacy data from previous studies in breast, multiple myeloma, and selected gastrointestinal cancers. Our clinical development program centers on key immunotherapy combinations. Specifically, immunotherapy combinations in which pelareorep has the potential to provoke a specific innate and adaptive immune responses when combined with checkpoint blockade therapy, chemotherapy and/or targeted therapies.

In 2017, we reported clinical results from our randomized clinical program which includes clinical study collaborations with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (formerly known as the National Cancer Institute of Canada). Specifically, subgroup analysis in the IND 213 trial in mBC revealed a significant improvement in the overall survival of patients that are hormone receptor-positive (HR+) / human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-). In HR+/HER2- patients, pelareorep therapy, in combination with paclitaxel, more than doubled the overall survival from 10.8 month with paclitaxel therapy alone, to 21.8 months with pelareorep plus paclitaxel. This increase in overall survival is consistent with previous survival data reported from our U.S. NCI pancreatic trial which suggests a long-term survival benefit when comparing test and control arms at 24 months, as well as test to historical data.

 

The patent positions and proprietary rights of pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, including us, are generally uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. We believe there will continue to be significant litigation in the industry regarding patent and other intellectual property rights.

Currently, we have 399 issued patents including 48 issued in the US and 21 in Canada. We also have 16 patents pending in the US, Canada, and other jurisdictions, but we cannot be certain whether any given patent application filed by us will result in the issuance of a patent or if any given patent issued to us will later be challenged and invalidated. Nor can we be certain whether any given patent that may be issued to us will provide any significant proprietary protection to our product and business.

Litigation or other proceedings may also be necessary to enforce or defend our proprietary rights and patents. In Europe, patents can be revoked through opposition or nullity proceedings. In the United States patents may be revoked or invalidated in court actions or challenged in interference, post-grant review, inter partes review, derivation or re-examination proceedings by the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO"). Such litigation or proceedings could result in substantial cost or distraction to us, resulting in an adverse decision as to our or our licensors’ patent applications and patents.

Our commercial success depends, in part, on not infringing the patents or proprietary rights of others and not breaching licenses granted or that may be granted to us. Competitors may have filed patent applications, obtained patents, may in the future file patent applications, and/or obtain patents relevant to our product and technologies.  We are not aware of competing intellectual property relating to our pelareorep project at this time. While we currently believe that we have the necessary freedom to operate in these areas, there can be no assurance that others will not challenge our position in the future.  Litigation to defend our position could be costly and time consuming. We also cannot be certain that we will be successful. We may be required to obtain a license from a prevailing party in order to continue the portion of our business that relates to the proceeding. We may also be required to obtain licenses to other third-party technologies necessary in order to market our products. Such licenses may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or on any terms, and we may have to discontinue that portion of our business. Any failure to license any technologies required to commercialize our technologies or products at reasonable cost may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flow and future prospects. We are not currently involved in any litigation concerning our competitors’ patent applications and patents. We may be involved in such litigation in the future.

We also rely on unpatented trade secrets and improvements, unpatented know-how and continuing technological innovation to develop and maintain our competitive position. No assurance can be given that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques, or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or disclose such technology, or that we can meaningfully protect our rights to our unpatented trade secrets.

We require our employees and consultants to execute confidentiality agreements upon the commencement of employment and consulting relationships with us. These agreements provide that all confidential information developed by or made known to an individual during the course of the employment or consulting relationship generally must be kept confidential. In the case of employees, the agreements provide that all inventions conceived by the individual, while employed by us, relating to our business are our exclusive property. While we have implemented reasonable business processes and agreements with which to protect confidential information, these actions may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of such information.

 

Our business strategy is to develop and market pelareorep in an effective and timely manner, and access additional technologies at a time and in a manner that we believe is best for our development.  We intend to achieve our business strategy by focusing on these key areas:

Our business strategy is based on attaining a number of commercial objectives, which, in turn, are supported by a number of product development goals. In the context of this Annual Report, statements of our "belief" are based primarily upon our results derived to date from our research and development program with animals, early-stage human trials and our most recent data in HR+/HER2- mBC patients, upon which we believe that we have a reasonable scientific basis to expect the particular results to occur.  It is not possible to predict, based upon studies in animals, or early-stage human trials, whether a new therapeutic will ultimately prove to be safe and effective in humans.  There are no assurances that the particular result expected by us will occur.

At this time we do not intend to become a fully integrated pharmaceutical company with substantial in-house research and development, marketing and distribution or manufacturing capabilities.  We are pursuing a strategy of establishing relationships with larger companies as strategic partners.  It is anticipated that future clinical development into large international or pivotal trials would generally occur in conjunction with a strategic partner or partners, who would contribute expertise and financial assistance.  In exchange for certain product rights and commitments to market our products, the strategic partners would be expected to share in proceeds from the sale of our product or products.

 

The development of new pharmaceuticals is strongly influenced by a country's regulatory environment.  The drug approval process in Canada is regulated by Health Canada.  The primary regulatory body in the United States is the FDA and in Europe is the European Medicines Agency (the “EMA”).  Similar processes are conducted in specific countries by equivalent regulatory bodies.  Regulations in each jurisdiction require the licensing of manufacturing facilities and mandate strict research and product testing standards.  Companies must establish the safety and efficacy of their products, comply with cGMP and potentially submit marketing materials before being allowed to market pharmaceutical products.  While we plan to pursue or support the pursuit of the approval of our product, success in acquiring regulatory approval for any product is not assured.

In order to market our pharmaceutical product in Canada, the United States, Europe and other jurisdictions, we must successfully meet the requirements of those jurisdictions. The requirements of the appropriate regulatory authority will generally include the following stages as part of the regulatory process:

 

The results of the preclinical and clinical testing, together with manufacturing and controls information, are submitted to regulatory agencies in order to obtain approval to commence commercial sales. In responding to such an application, regulatory agencies may grant marketing approval, request additional information or further research, or deny the application if they determine that

the application does not satisfy their regulatory approval criteria. Approval for a pharmaceutical or biologic product may not be granted on a timely basis, if at all. If granted, the approval may not cover all the clinical indications for which approval is sought, or may contain significant limitations in the form of warnings, precautions or contraindications with respect to conditions of use.

The satisfaction of pre-market approval requirements for new drugs and biologics typically takes several years, with the actual time required varying substantially based upon the type, complexity and novelty of the product or targeted disease. Government regulation may delay or prevent marketing of potential products for a considerable period of time and impose costly procedures upon our activities. Success in early-stage clinical trials or with prior versions of products does not assure success in later-stage clinical trials. Data obtained from clinical activities are not always conclusive and may be susceptible to varying interpretations that could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval.

Once approved, regulatory agencies may withdraw the product approval if compliance with pre- and/or post-marketing regulatory standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the marketplace. In addition, they may require post-marketing studies, referred to as Phase 4 studies, to monitor the effect of an approved product, and may limit further marketing of the product based on the results of these post-market studies. The FDA and other foreign regulatory agencies have broad post-market regulatory and enforcement powers, including the ability to levy fines and penalties, suspend or delay issuance of approvals, seize or recall products, or withdraw approvals.

 

We use contract toll manufacturers to produce pelareorep.  Our toll manufacturers are subject to periodic inspection by the FDA, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, and other domestic and foreign authorities where applicable, and must comply with cGMP regulations. Manufacturers of biologics also must comply with general biological product standards. Failure to comply with the statutory and regulatory requirements subjects the manufacturer to possible legal or regulatory action, such as suspension of manufacturing, seizure of product, or mandatory or voluntary recall of a product.  Adverse experiences with the product must be reported to the FDA and foreign agencies and could result in the imposition of market restrictions through labeling changes or in product removal. Product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory requirements is not maintained or if problems concerning safety or efficacy of the product occur following approval.

 

With respect to both pre- and post-market product advertising and promotion, the FDA and similar foreign agencies impose a number of complex regulations on entities that advertise and promote pharmaceuticals and biologics, which include, among other things, standards and regulations relating to direct-to-consumer advertising, on vs. off-label promotion, industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities, and promotional activities involving the Internet. These agencies have very broad enforcement authority and failure to abide by these regulations can result in penalties including the issuance of a warning letter directing the entity to correct deviations from requisite standards, a requirement that future advertising and promotional materials be pre-cleared by the FDA or relevant foreign agencies, and foreign, state and federal civil and criminal investigations, fines and prosecutions.

 

We are subject to various laws and regulations regarding laboratory practices, the experimental use of animals, and the use and disposal of hazardous or potentially hazardous substances in connection with our research. In each of these areas, as above, the government has broad regulatory and enforcement powers, including the ability to levy fines and civil penalties, suspend or delay issuance of approvals, seize or recall products, and withdraw approvals, any one or more of which could have a material adverse effect upon us.

 

The costs of this disease state are also significant.  In the United States, the American Cancer Society reported in its Cancer Facts & Figures 2020 that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimated the 2015 direct medical costs for cancer were $80.2 billion.

We face substantial competition in the development of products for cancer and other diseases. This competition from other manufacturers of the same types of products and from manufacturers of different types of products designed for the same uses is expected to continue in both US and international markets.  Oncolytic virus therapies, our primary focus area, are rapidly evolving areas in the biotechnology industry and are expected to undergo many changes in the coming years as a result of technological advances. We are currently aware of a number of groups that are developing oncolytic virus therapies including early-stage and established biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, government agencies and research institutions. We face competition from all of these groups in areas such as recruiting employees, acquiring technologies that might enhance our ability to commercialize products, establishing relationships with certain research and academic institutions, enrolling patients in clinical trials and seeking program partnerships and collaborations with larger pharmaceutical companies. It is possible that our competitors could achieve earlier market commercialization, could have superior patent protection, or could have safer, more effective or more cost-effective products. These factors could render our potential products less competitive, which could adversely affect our business.

 

The markets for the cancer product being developed by us may be large and could require substantial sales and marketing capability.  Before or upon successful completion of the development of a cancer product, we intend to enter into one or more strategic partnerships or other collaborative arrangements with a pharmaceutical company or other company with marketing and distribution expertise to address this need.  If necessary, we will establish arrangements with various partners for different geographical areas or specific applications at various times in the development process.  Our management and consultants have relevant experience with the partnering process.

 

Our results of operations have not been materially impacted by seasonality.

 

 

We currently lease our head office in Calgary, Alberta, Canada as well as our office spaces in San Diego, California, US and Barbados. We do not own or lease any other office space, manufacturing facilities or equipment and do not have any current plans to construct or acquire any facilities.

 

 

 

With respect to the forward-looking statements made within our MD&A, we have made numerous assumptions regarding among other things: our ability to obtain financing to fund our development program, our ability to receive regulatory approval to commence enrollment in our clinical trial program, the final results of our co-therapy clinical trials, our ability to maintain our supply of pelareorep and future expense levels being within our current expectations.  Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance

on forward-looking statements.  We do not undertake to update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

Please see the disclosure in "Item 4.  Information on the Company B. Business Overview" for information on the Company’s research and development policies. 

Except as disclosed elsewhere in our annual report, we know of no trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our liquidity or capital resources or that would cause reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.

We expect to fund our capital expenditure requirements and commitments with existing working capital.

 

The following table sets forth the names and places of residence of all our directors and officers as at December 31, 2019, as well as the positions and offices held by such persons and their principal occupations.

None of our directors or officers are related by blood, marriage or adoption to any other director or officer.

We are not aware of any arrangement or understanding with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any person referred to above was selected as a director or officer.

 

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the total compensation paid in 2019 to each director.

 

We have entered into employment agreements with each of the following Executive Officers (each an "Employment Agreement").  The following base salaries for 2020 were approved by the Board of Directors:

Further, each Executive Officer is entitled to additional benefits and performance-based bonuses.  As well, the Employment Agreements provide that each Executive Officer is subject to certain confidentiality and non-competition restrictions during and following the course of their respective employment with the Company.  Each Employment Agreement shall continue until terminated by either party in accordance with the notice provisions thereof.

The Company does not provide pension plan benefits to its Executive Officers and employees. The Company does not currently have a stock appreciation rights plan.

 

The following table reflects amounts payable to the Executive Officers based on each Executive Officer's employment agreement assuming that their employment was terminated on December 31, 2019 without cause or due to a change of control of the Company.

Our directors are elected by the shareholders at each Annual General Meeting (or Annual Special Meeting) and typically hold office until the next meeting, at which time they may be re-elected or replaced.  Casual vacancies on the board are filled by the remaining directors and the persons filling those vacancies hold office until the next Annual General Meeting (or Annual Special Meeting), at which time they may be re-elected or replaced.  The officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and hold office indefinitely at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

We receive a director’s consent from each of the independent directors upon their acceptance of their director’s position.  We also enter into an Indemnity Agreement and Directors Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement with each director.

The Company does not have any contracts with any of its directors which provide for benefits upon the termination of employment.

Each director who is not a salaried employee of the Company is entitled to the following fees:

Directors, annually, may opt to take up to 100% of their respective annual retainer in restricted share awards.

In addition to the combined retainer, the Corporation will grant annually US$30,000 of restricted share awards that will vest immediately. The annual restricted share unit award will be granted on or about October 1 of each year.

The objectives of the Corporation’s compensation arrangements are: (i) to attract and retain key personnel; (ii) to encourage commitment to the Corporation and its goals; (iii) to align executive interests with those of its shareholders; and (iv) to reward executives for performance in relation to overall corporate progress goals.

The key elements of the compensation program are the base salary, health benefits, and payments allocated to employees to be directed by them to their personal retirement accounts. Bonuses and the granting of Options (as defined herein) and Share Awards (as defined herein) are also part of the Corporation’s compensation program and are based on corporate performance. Part of corporate performance includes goals and objectives that are determined based on the strategic planning and budgeting process, which is conducted at least annually. The elements of the compensation plan are intended to reward performance, and the various elements are intended to provide a blend of short-term and long-term incentives to align the interests of management and the shareholders.

In arriving at its recommendations for compensation, the Compensation Committee considers the long-term interests of the Corporation as well as its current stage of development and the economic environment within which it operates. The market for biotechnology companies in the development phase is challenging. Based on these factors, the Compensation Committee recognized the need to strike a balance between compensation to retain employees and resources expended to maintain operations. In the past, the Compensation Committee has engaged specialist consultants to assist in benchmarking its compensation practices and provide recommendations to the committee with respect to compensation for directors and officers. In 2018, the Compensation Committee engaged Radford, an Aon Hewitt Company as a specialist consultant to assist with the benchmarking of director compensation for 2019.

For 2019, the following guidelines were employed by the Board in granting bonuses, Options and Share Awards to the Corporation’s executive and senior officers.

 

 

The Corporation has formed an Audit Committee in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), consisting of four independent directors pursuant to the Rule 5605(a)(2) and Rule 5605(c)(2) of the Nasdaq Capital Market and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act: Ms. Brown, Ms. Holtham, Mr. Kruimer and Mr. Pisano, none of whom are nor have been employees or officers of the Company or any of its affiliates.  Ms. Holtham is presently the Chair of the Audit Committee.  Each Audit Committee member is financially literate.

 

The following table sets out the number of our employees at the end of each of the last three fiscal years by activity and geographic location.

 

The following table sets out the share ownership and options held of our directors and officers as of March 5, 2020. Common shares, stock options and exercises prices for all periods have been adjusted retroactively for the Share Consolidation.

** Less than 1% ownership

The following table sets out the restricted share units held by our directors as of March 5, 2020. Restricted share awards have been adjusted retroactively for the Share Consolidation.

The following table sets out the restricted share units held by our officers as of March 5, 2020. Restricted share awards have been adjusted retroactively for the Share Consolidation.

The following table sets out the performance share units held by our officers as of March 5, 2020. Performance share awards have been adjusted retroactively for the Share Consolidation.

Subject to any required approval of the TSX and any other stock exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed, the Stock Option Plan and any Options granted thereunder may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board without approval of any participant or Shareholder (provided that no such amendment may be made that will materially prejudice the rights of any participant under any Option previously granted to the participant without consent by such participant). Such changes may include, without limitation:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shareholder approval is required for any change to the Stock Option Plan or Options granted under it which:

The Share Award Plan and any Share Awards granted thereunder may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board without approval of Shareholders, subject to any required approval of the TSX. Such changes may include, without limitation:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Share Award Plan or a Share Award may not be amended without shareholder approval to:

 

The following table indicates, as of February 29, 2020, the total number of common shares issued and outstanding, the approximate total number of holders of record of common shares, the number of holders of record of common shares with US addresses, the portion of the outstanding common shares held by US holders of record, and the percentage of common shares held by US holders of record. This table does not indicate beneficial ownership of common shares.

 

We have entered into employment contracts with each of our officers (see Item 6).  

 

 

Not Applicable

 

 

The consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report are filed under Item 18.

 

The directors and the management of the Company do not know of any material, active or pending, legal proceedings against them; nor is the Company involved as a plaintiff in any material proceeding or pending litigation.

The directors and the management of the Company know of no active or pending proceedings against anyone that might materially adversely affect an interest of the Company.

The Company has not paid any dividends on its common shares.  The Company may pay dividends on its common shares in the future if it generates profits.  Any decision to pay dividends on common shares in the future will be made by the board of directors on the basis of the earnings, financial requirements and other conditions existing at such time.

 

No significant changes have occurred since the date of our annual financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F.