Avalon GloboCare (ALBT) 10-K2023 FY Annual report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

Commission file number: 001-38728

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Registrant’s telephone number: (732) 780-4400

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☐ No ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

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

As of June 30, 2023, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $7,398,000.

The number of shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, outstanding as of March 29, 2024, was 11,104,534.

Documents incorporated by reference: NONE

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Forward-Looking Statements

CERTAIN STATEMENTS IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K MAY CONSTITUTE “FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS”. WHEN THE WORDS “BELIEVES,” “EXPECTS,” “PLANS,” “PROJECTS,” “ESTIMATES,” “OBJECTIVES,” “MAY,” “MIGHT,” “PREDICT,” “TARGET,” “POTENTIAL,” “WILL,” “WOULD,” “COULD,” “SHOULD,” “CONTINUE,” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ARE USED, THEY IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON MANAGEMENT’S CURRENT BELIEFS AND ASSUMPTIONS AND INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO MANAGEMENT AND INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMPANY TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM ANY FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. INFORMATION CONCERNING FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE OUR ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CAN BE FOUND IN OUR PERIODIC REPORTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. YOU SHOULD READ THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND THE DOCUMENTS THAT WE HAVE FILED AS EXHIBITS TO THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K COMPLETELY. WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY RELEASE REVISIONS TO THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT FUTURE EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES OR REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

Unless otherwise indicated, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company,” or “Avalon” mean Avalon GloboCare Corp. and its subsidiaries, and references to “fiscal” mean the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31. References to the “parent company” mean Avalon GloboCare Corp.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

We are dedicated to developing and delivering innovative, transformative, precision diagnostics and clinical laboratory services. Our main strategy is to acquire ownership or license rights in precision diagnostic assets, genetic testing and clinical laboratory companies through joint ventures, share ownership structures or distribution rights. We plan to play a leading role in the innovation of diagnostic testing, utilizing proprietary technology to deliver precise, genetics-driven results.

We have the following areas of focus:

Laboratory Acquisitions

We have embarked on a laboratory rollup strategy focused on forming joint ventures and acquiring laboratories that are accretive to our commercial strategy. On February 9, 2023, we entered into and closed an Amended and Restated Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Amended MIPA”), by and among Avalon Laboratory Services, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary (“Avalon Laboratory Services”), SCBC Holdings LLC, Laboratory Services MSO, LLC (“Lab Services MSO”), the Zoe Family Trust, Bryan Cox and Sarah Cox. The Amended MIPA amended and restated, in its entirety, that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated November 7, 2022 (the “Original MIPA”).

Under the Amended MIPA, we acquired from SCBC Holdings LLC through our subsidiary Avalon Laboratory Services, forty percent (40%) of all the issued and outstanding equity interests of Lab Services MSO, free and clear of all liens (the “Laboratory Services MSO Acquisition”). As part of the consideration for the Laboratory Services MSO Acquisition, we issued shares of our newly designated Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, stated value $1,000 per share (“the Series B Preferred Stock”). Further, Avalon Laboratory Services paid SCBC Holdings LLC $20,666,667 for 40% of all the issued and outstanding equity interests of Lab Services MSO, which comprised of (i) $9,000,000 in cash, (ii) $11,000,000 pursuant to the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock, and (iii) a $666,667 cash payment on February 29, 2024.

Research and Development

We are focused on bringing forward intellectual property through joint patent filings with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). We completed a sponsored research and co-development project with MIT, led by Professor Shuguang Zhang as Principal Investigator. Using the unique QTY code protein design platform, six water-soluble variant cytokine receptors have been successfully designed and tested to show binding affinity to the respective cytokines. We currently are focused on bringing forward the intellectual property associated with this program through joint patent submissions.

Product Commercialization

We have begun work on the commercialization and development of a versatile breathalyzer system.

We were granted exclusive distributorship rights for the KetoAir from Qi Diagnostics in Hong Kong for the following territories: North America, South America, the EU and the UK. We had a pilot launch and exhibition of the KetoAir in this year’s KetoCon conference in Austin, Texas (April 21-23, 2023). For our commercialization strategy, we intend to target the diabetes and obesity markets. We are evaluating options for commercialization, including identifying distribution partners or distributing the KetoAir ourselves.

The KetoAir breathalyzer system (the “KetoAir”) is a handheld device that allows the user to detect acetone levels in exhaled breath. The acetone level is in concentration units (ppm, part-per-million) such that the user will know his/her real-time ketosis status: inadequate ketosis (0-3.99 ppm), mild ketosis (4-9.99 ppm), optimal ketosis (10-40 ppm), or alarming level (> 40 ppm). The breathalyzer is registered with the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) as a Class I medical device. The device is also paired with an “AI Nutritionist” software program (via Bluetooth connection) which is downloadable from Google Play (for Android mobile phones, approved) and iPhone (the app is currently being reviewed by Apple iOS AppStore). It helps users monitor and manage their ketogenic diet and related programs. We believe the KetoAir can be an essential tool to help diabetic patients adhere to their therapeutic programs and optimize their ketogenic dietary management.

Other Areas

In order to preserve cash and focus on our core laboratory rollup strategy and product commercialization, we have currently suspended all research and development efforts related to cellular therapy (except for our joint patent filing with MIT as noted above) in order to redirect our funding efforts to our core business strategies outlined above.

Corporate and Available Information

We are incorporated in Delaware. Our website is located at http://www.avalon-globocare.com. On our website, investors can obtain, free of charge, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, our Code of Conduct and Business Ethics, including disclosure related to any amendments or waivers thereto, other reports and any amendments thereto filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such material electronically with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). None of the information posted on our website is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding us and other companies that file materials with the SEC electronically.

China Operations

Due to the winding down of the medical related consulting services segment, in November 2022, we decided to cease all operations in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) with the exception of a small administrative office, in Beijing. We, through our Nevada Subsidiary Avactis Biosciences Inc., will continue to own Avactis Nanjing Biosciences Ltd., which only owns a patent and is not considered an operating entity. In addition, we reconstituted our Board of Directors (the “Board”) in December 2022 at our annual meeting of stockholders and our directors who were citizens of China did not stand for re-election at our annual meeting. We do not expect nor do we plan that we will further operate in the PRC or generate revenue from PRC operations for the foreseeable future.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the activities of the Company and each of the following entities:

Sales and Marketing

Laboratory Services

We seek to develop new business through relationships driven by our senior management, which have extensive contacts throughout the healthcare system. Our senior management will be seeking opportunities for joint ventures, strategic relationships and acquisitions in consulting, biomedical innovations, laboratory, and medical device companies. In addition, through our membership interest in Lab Services MSO, we plan to generate revenue from toxicology and wellness laboratory testing. We also intend to seek opportunities to expand the operations of Lab Services MSO and our wholly owned subsidiary, Avalon Laboratory Services, through the acquisition of additional lab companies and through the opening of new lab locations.

Breathalyzer System (KetoAir)

We are in the process of launching sales of the KetoAir in the US. We have retained a marketing expert to assist us to bring this product to market through social media, influencer promotion and our website. We will also be launching this product at the 2024 “KetoCon” convention taking place May 31, 2024 in Austin Texas, where we plan to begin taking orders for this product.

Markets

Laboratory Services

Through our membership interest in Lab Services MSO, we are focused on delivering high quality services related to toxicology and wellness testing. We use fast, accurate, and efficient equipment to provide practitioners with the tools to quickly determine if a patient is following their designated treatment plan. In most instances, we are able to provide a practitioner with qualitative drug class results the same day the sample is received. We provide an extensive chemistry test menu that gives physicians the information to better treat their patients and maintain their overall wellness. The panels that we test for are thyroid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, kidney profile, liver function tests, and other individual tests.

We are currently offering our laboratory services in California, Texas and Arizona.

Breathalyzer System (KetoAir)

Our current area of focus for the launch of the KetoAir is within the United States (“US”). We are focused on the population within the US that is using the Keto Diet approach to weight loss and diabetic management.

Avalon RT 9 Properties, LLC

In May 2017, we acquired commercial property located in Freehold, New Jersey. This property serves as our corporate headquarters and contains several commercial tenants that generate revenue through rental income.

Strategic Development

Through our wholly owned subsidiary Avalon Laboratory Services and through our membership interest in Lab Services MSO, we plan to execute on a rollup acquisition strategy of small to medium size laboratories accretive to our strategy and complimentary to our membership interest in Lab Services MSO. We also intend to pursue the acquisition and development of healthcare related technologies for cell related diagnostics and therapeutics through acquisition, licensing or joint ventures with major universities and biotech companies seeking laboratory or medical device acquisitions.

Intellectual Property

Our goal is to obtain, maintain and enforce patent rights for our products, formulations, processes, methods of use and other proprietary technologies, preserve our trade secrets, and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of other parties, both in the United States and abroad. Our policy is to actively seek to obtain, where appropriate, the broadest intellectual property protection possible for our current product candidates and any future product candidates, proprietary information and proprietary technology through a combination of contractual arrangements and patents, both in the United States and abroad. Even patent protection, however, may not always afford us with complete protection against competitors who seek to circumvent our patents. If we fail to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights or secure rights to patents of others, the value of our intellectual property rights would diminish. To this end, we require all of our employees, consultants, advisors and other contractors to enter into confidentiality agreements that prohibit the disclosure and use of confidential information and, where applicable, require disclosure and assignment to us of the ideas, developments, discoveries and inventions relevant to our technologies and important to our business.

Competition

Laboratory Services

While there has been consolidation in the diagnostic information services industry in recent years, the laboratory testing industry is fragmented and highly competitive. We primarily compete with three types of clinical testing providers: commercial clinical laboratories IDN-affiliated laboratories and physician-office laboratories. Our largest commercial clinical laboratory competitors are Quest Diagnostic Laboratories and Laboratory Corporation of America. In addition, we compete with many smaller regional and local commercial clinical laboratories, specialized advanced laboratories and providers of consumer-initiated testing. There also has been a trend among physician practices to establish their own histology laboratory capabilities and/or bring pathologists into their practices, thereby reducing referrals from these practices and increasing the competitive position of these practices.

In addition, we believe that consolidation in the diagnostic information services industry will continue. A significant portion of clinical testing is likely to continue to be performed by independent delivery networks (including hospitals and hospital health systems) (“IDNs”), which generally have affiliations with community clinicians and may have more, or more convenient, locations in a particular market. As a result, we compete against these affiliated laboratories primarily on the basis of service capability, quality and pricing. In addition, market activity may increase the competitive environment. For example, IDN ownership of physician practices may enhance the ties of the clinicians to IDN-affiliated laboratories, enhancing the competitive position of IDN-affiliated laboratories.

The diagnostic information services industry is faced with changing technology, new product introductions and new service offerings. Competitors may compete using advanced technology, including technology that enables more convenient or cost-effective testing. Digital pathology, still in an emerging state, is an example of this. Competitors also may compete on the basis of new service offerings. Competitors also may offer testing to be performed outside of a commercial clinical laboratory, such as (1) point-of-care testing that can be performed by physicians in their offices; (2) testing that can be performed by IDNs in their own laboratories; and (3) home testing that can be carried out without requiring the services of outside providers.

Clinical

The development and commercialization of new drug products is highly competitive. We expect that we will continue to face significant competition from major pharmaceutical companies, specialty pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies worldwide with respect to our product candidates that we may seek to develop or commercialize in the future. Specifically, due to the large unmet medical need, global demographics and relatively attractive reimbursement dynamics, the markets in which we are seeking to develop products are fiercely competitive and there are a number of large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that currently market and sell products or are pursuing the development of product candidates similar to ours. Our competitors may succeed in developing, acquiring or licensing technologies and drug products that are more effective, have fewer or more tolerable side effects or are less costly than any product candidates that we are currently developing or that we may develop, which could render our product candidates obsolete and noncompetitive.

Our commercial opportunity could be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, have fewer or less severe side effects, are more convenient or are less expensive than any products that we may develop. Our competitors also may obtain FDA or other marketing approval for their products before we are able to obtain approval for ours, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market.

General

Many of our existing and potential future competitors have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in lab services and operations, research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting clinical studies, obtaining marketing approvals and marketing approved products than we do. Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller, or early stage, companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. These competitors also compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel and establishing clinical study sites and patient registration for clinical studies, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs.

We expect that our ability to compete effectively will depend upon our ability to:

Failure to do one or more of these activities could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Avalon RT 9 Properties, LLC

Our executive commercial building in Freehold, New Jersey is located on a major highway and is one of the largest buildings in the surrounding areas. It is centrally located and maintains high occupancy. There are other commercial properties in the vicinity that offer similar amenities. However, premier executive offices are limited and as such we expect to continue to maintain high occupancy in the near term.

Employees

As of March 29, 2024, we employed five employees, four of which are full time employees. None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining arrangement.

Government Regulation

Overview

The healthcare industry in the U.S. is highly regulated and subject to changing political, legislative, regulatory, and other influences. Further, the healthcare industry is currently undergoing rapid change. We are uncertain how, when or in what context these new changes will be adopted or implemented. These new regulations could create unexpected liabilities for us, could cause us or our members to incur additional costs and could restrict our or our clients’ operations. Many of the laws are complex and their application to us, our clients, or the specific services and relationships we have with our members are not always clear. Our failure to anticipate accurately the application of these laws and regulations, or our other failure to comply, could create liability for us, result in adverse publicity, and otherwise negatively affect our business.

Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act Compliance

The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCA Act, was enacted on December 18, 2020. According to the HFCA Act, if the SEC determines that Avalon has filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection by the PCAOB for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, the SEC will prohibit Avalon’s securities from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States.

On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report which reported that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) mainland China of the People’s Republic of China, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in mainland China; and (2) Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of the PRC, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in Hong Kong.

Avalon’s auditor is Marcum LLP (“Marcum”), based in New York, New York. Marcum is registered with the PCAOB and is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess their compliance with the applicable professional standards. Since Marcum is located in the United States, the PCAOB has been able to conduct inspections of Marcum. In addition, Marcum is not among the PCAOB registered public accounting firms registered in mainland China or Hong Kong that are subject to PCAOB’s determination on December 16, 2021.

Drug Approval Process

The research, development, testing, manufacture, labeling, promotion, advertising, distribution and marketing, among other things, of our product candidates are extensively regulated by governmental authorities in the United States and other countries. In the United States, the FDA regulates drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FDCA, and its implementing regulations. Failure to comply with the applicable U.S. requirements may subject us to administrative or judicial sanctions, such as the FDA’s refusal to approve a pending new drug application, or NDA, or a pending biologics license application, or BLA, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions and/or criminal prosecution.

Pharmaceutical products such as ours may not be commercially marketed without prior approval from the FDA and comparable regulatory agencies in other countries. In the United States, the process to receiving such approval is long, expensive and risky, and includes the following steps:

Regulation by U.S. and foreign governmental authorities is a significant factor affecting our ability to commercialize any of our products, as well as the timing of such commercialization and our ongoing research and development activities. The commercialization of drug products requires regulatory approval by governmental agencies prior to commercialization. Various laws and regulations govern or influence the research and development, non-clinical and clinical testing, manufacturing, processing, packing, validation, safety, labeling, storage, record keeping, registration, listing, distribution, advertising, sale, marketing and post-marketing commitments of our products. The lengthy process of seeking these approvals, and the subsequent compliance with applicable laws and regulations, require expending substantial resources.

The results of pre-clinical testing, which include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry and formulation, animal studies to assess the potential safety and efficacy of the product and its formulations, details concerning the drug manufacturing process and its controls, and a proposed clinical trial protocol and other information must be submitted to the FDA as part of an IND that must be reviewed and become effective before clinical testing can begin. The study protocol and informed consent information for patients in clinical trials must also be submitted to an independent Institutional Review Board, or IRB, for approval covering each institution at which the clinical trial will be conducted. Once a sponsor submits an IND, the sponsor must wait 30 calendar days before initiating any clinical trials. If the FDA has comments or questions within this 30-day period, the issue(s) must be resolved to the satisfaction of the FDA before clinical trials can begin. In addition, the FDA, an IRB or the Company may impose a clinical hold on ongoing clinical trials due to safety concerns. If the FDA imposes a clinical hold, clinical trials can only proceed under terms authorized by the FDA. Our pre-clinical and clinical studies must conform to the FDA’s Good Laboratory Practice, or GLP, and Good Clinical Practice, or GCP, requirements, respectively, which are designed to ensure the quality and integrity of submitted data and protect the rights and well-being of study patients. Information for certain clinical trials also must be publicly disclosed within certain time limits on the clinical trial registry and results databank maintained by the NIH.

Typically, clinical testing involves a three-phase process; however, the phases may overlap or be combined:

A therapeutic product candidate being studied in clinical trials may be made available for treatment of individual patients, in certain circumstances. Pursuant to the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act), which was signed into law in December 2016. The manufacturer of an investigational product for a serious disease or condition is required to make available, such as by posting on its website, its policy on evaluating and responding to requests for individual patient access to such investigational product.

The results of the pre-clinical and clinical testing, chemistry, manufacturing and control information, proposed labeling and other information are then submitted to the FDA in the form of either an NDA or BLA for review and potential approval to begin commercial sales. In responding to an NDA or BLA, the FDA may grant marketing approval, request additional information in a Complete Response Letter, or CRL, or deny the approval if it determines that the NDA or BLA does not provide an adequate basis for approval. A CRL generally contains a statement of specific conditions that must be met in order to secure final approval of an NDA or BLA and may require additional testing. If and when those conditions have been met to the FDA’s satisfaction, the FDA will typically issue an approval letter, which authorizes commercial marketing of the product with specific prescribing information for specific indications, and sometimes with specified post-marketing commitments and/or distribution and use restrictions imposed under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program. Any approval required from the FDA might not be obtained on a timely basis, if at all.

Among the conditions for an NDA or BLA approval is the requirement that the manufacturing operations conform on an ongoing basis with cGMPs. In complying with cGMPs, we must expend time, money and effort in the areas of training, production and quality control within our own organization and at our contract manufacturing facilities. A successful inspection of the manufacturing facility by the FDA is usually a prerequisite for final approval of a pharmaceutical product. Following approval of the NDA or BLA, we and our manufacturers will remain subject to periodic inspections by the FDA to assess compliance with cGMPs requirements and the conditions of approval. We will also face similar inspections coordinated by foreign regulatory authorities.

Disclosure of Clinical Trial Information

Sponsors of certain clinical trials of FDA-regulated products are required to register and disclose certain clinical trial information. Information related to the product, patient population, phase of investigation, trial sites and investigators, and other aspects of the clinical trial are then made public as part of the registration. Sponsors are also obligated to disclose the results of their clinical trials after completion. Disclosure of the results of these trials can be delayed in certain circumstances for up to two years after the date of completion of the trial. Competitors may use this publicly available information to gain knowledge regarding the progress of development programs.

Expedited Development and Review Programs

The FDA has a Fast Track program that is intended to expedite or facilitate the process for reviewing new drugs and biological products that meet certain criteria. Specifically, new drugs and biological products are eligible for Fast Track designation if they are intended to treat a serious or life-threatening condition and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for the condition. Fast Track designation applies to the combination of the product and the specific indication for which it is being studied. The sponsor of a new drug or biologic may request the FDA to designate the drug or biologic as a Fast Track product at any time during the clinical development of the product. Unique to a Fast Track product, the FDA may consider for review sections of the marketing application on a rolling basis before the complete application is submitted, if the sponsor provides a schedule for the submission of the sections of the application, the FDA agrees to accept sections of the application and determines that the schedule is acceptable, and the sponsor pays any required user fees upon submission of the first section of the application.

Any product submitted to the FDA for marketing, including under a Fast Track program, may be eligible for other types of FDA programs intended to expedite development and review, such as priority review and accelerated approval. Under the Breakthrough Therapy program, products intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition may be eligible for the benefits of the Fast Track program when preliminary clinical evidence demonstrates that such product may have substantial improvement on one or more clinically significant endpoints over existing therapies. Additionally, FDA will seek to ensure the sponsor of a breakthrough therapy product receives timely advice and interactive communications to help the sponsor design and conduct a development program as efficiently as possible. Any product is eligible for priority review if it has the potential to provide safe and effective therapy where no satisfactory alternative therapy exists or a significant improvement in the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of a disease compared to marketed products. The FDA will attempt to direct additional resources to the evaluation of an application for a new drug or biological product designated for priority review in an effort to facilitate the review. Additionally, a product may be eligible for accelerated approval. Drug or biological products studied for their safety and effectiveness in treating serious or life-threatening illnesses and that provide meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments may receive accelerated approval, which means that they may be approved on the basis of adequate and well-controlled clinical studies establishing that the product has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict a clinical benefit, or on the basis of an effect on a clinical endpoint other than survival or irreversible morbidity. As a condition of approval, the FDA may require that a sponsor of a drug or biological product receiving accelerated approval perform adequate and well-controlled post-marketing clinical studies. In addition, the FDA currently requires as a condition for accelerated approval the pre-approval of promotional materials, which could adversely impact the timing of the commercial launch of the product. Fast Track designation, Breakthrough Therapy designation, priority review and accelerated approval do not change the standards for approval but may expedite the development or approval process.

Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapies (RMAT) Designation

The FDA has established a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy, or RMAT, designation as part of its implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act, or Cures Act. The RMAT designation program is intended to fulfill the Cures Act requirement that the FDA facilitate an efficient development program for, and expedite review of, any drug that meets the following criteria: (1) it qualifies as a RMAT, which is defined as a cell therapy, therapeutic tissue engineering product, human cell and tissue product, or any combination product using such therapies or products, with limited exceptions; (2) it is intended to treat, modify, reverse, or cure a serious or life-threatening disease or condition; and (3) preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug has the potential to address unmet medical needs for such a disease or condition. Like breakthrough therapy designation, RMAT designation provides potential benefits that include more frequent meetings with FDA to discuss the development plan for the product candidate, and eligibility for rolling review and priority review. Products granted RMAT designation may also be eligible for accelerated approval on the basis of a surrogate or intermediate endpoint reasonably likely to predict long-term clinical benefit, or reliance upon data obtained from a meaningful number of sites, including through expansion to additional sites. RMAT-designated products that receive accelerated approval may, as appropriate, fulfill their post-approval requirements through the submission of clinical evidence, clinical studies, patient registries, or other sources of real world evidence (such as electronic health records); through the collection of larger confirmatory data sets; or via post-approval monitoring of all patients treated with such therapy prior to approval of the therapy.

Post-Approval Requirements

Oftentimes, even after a drug has been approved by the FDA for sale, the FDA may require that certain post-approval requirements be satisfied, including the conduct of additional clinical studies. If such post-approval requirements are not satisfied, the FDA may withdraw its approval of the drug. In addition, holders of an approved NDA or BLA are required to report certain adverse reactions to the FDA, comply with certain requirements concerning advertising and promotional labeling for their products, and continue to have quality control and manufacturing procedures conform to cGMPs after approval. The FDA periodically inspects the sponsor’s records related to safety reporting and/or manufacturing facilities; this latter effort includes assessment of compliance with cGMPs. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money, and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain cGMPs compliance.

Other Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Laws

In the U.S., our activities are potentially subject to regulation by various federal, state and local authorities in addition to the FDA, including but not limited to, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, other divisions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (such as the Office of Inspector General and the Health Resources and Service Administration), the U.S. Department of Justice, or the DOJ, and individual U.S. Attorney offices within the DOJ, and state and local governments. For example, sales, marketing and scientific/educational grant programs may have to comply with the anti-fraud and abuse provisions of the Social Security Act, the false claims laws, the privacy and security provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, and similar state laws, each as amended, as applicable.

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits, among other things, any person or entity from knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving any remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, to induce or in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering or arranging for the purchase, lease or order of any item or service reimbursable, in whole or in part, under Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs. The term remuneration has been interpreted broadly to include anything of value. The Anti-Kickback Statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between therapeutic product manufacturers on one hand and prescribers, purchasers, and formulary managers on the other. There are a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting some common activities from prosecution. The exceptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly and practices that involve remuneration that may be alleged to be intended to induce prescribing, purchasing or recommending may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exception or safe harbor. Failure to meet all of the requirements of a particular applicable statutory exception or regulatory safe harbor does not make the conduct per se illegal under the Anti-Kickback Statute. Instead, the legality of the arrangement will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on a cumulative review of all of its facts and circumstances. Additionally, the intent standard under the Anti-Kickback Statute was amended by the ACA to a stricter standard such that a person or entity no longer needs to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. In addition, the ACA codified case law that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal False Claims Act, or FCA.

The federal false claims and civil monetary penalty laws, including the FCA, which imposes significant penalties and can be enforced by private citizens through civil qui tam actions, prohibit any person or entity from, among other things, knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment to, or approval by, the federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, or knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim to the federal government. A claim includes “any request or demand” for money or property presented to the U.S. government. For instance, historically, pharmaceutical and other healthcare companies have been prosecuted under these laws for allegedly providing free product to customers with the expectation that the customers would bill federal programs for the product. Other companies have been prosecuted for causing false claims to be submitted because of the companies’ marketing of the product for unapproved, off-label, and thus generally non-reimbursable, uses.

HIPAA created additional federal criminal statutes that prohibit, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud or to obtain, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises, any money or property owned by, or under the control or custody of, any healthcare benefit program, including private third-party payors, willfully obstructing a criminal investigation of a healthcare offense, and knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up by trick, scheme or device, a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services. Like the Anti-Kickback Statute, the ACA amended the intent standard for certain healthcare fraud statutes under HIPAA such that a person or entity no longer needs to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation.

Many states have similar, and typically more prohibitive, fraud and abuse statutes or regulations that apply to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of the payor. Additionally, to the extent that our product candidates may in the future be sold in a foreign country, we may be subject to similar foreign laws.

We may be subject to data privacy and security regulations by both the federal government and the states in which we conduct our business. HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH, and its implementing regulations, imposes requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information. Among other things, HITECH makes HIPAA’s privacy and security standards directly applicable to business associates, independent contractors, or agents of covered entities that receive or obtain protected health information in connection with providing a service on behalf of a covered entity. HITECH also created four new tiers of civil monetary penalties, amended HIPAA to make civil and criminal penalties directly applicable to business associates, and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce HIPAA and seek attorneys’ fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions. In addition, many state laws govern the privacy and security of health information in specified circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways, are often not pre-empted by HIPAA, and may have a more prohibitive effect than HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts.

We expect our product, after approval, may be eligible for coverage under Medicare, the federal health care program that provides health care benefits to the aged and disabled, and covers outpatient services and supplies, including certain pharmaceutical products, that are medically necessary to treat a beneficiary’s health condition. In addition, the product may be covered and reimbursed under other government programs, such as Medicaid and the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The Medicaid Drug Rebate Program requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to enter into and have in effect a national rebate agreement with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services as a condition for states to receive federal matching funds for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs furnished to Medicaid patients. Under the 340B Drug Pricing Program, the manufacturer must extend discounts to entities that participate in the program. As part of the requirements to participate in certain government programs, many pharmaceutical manufacturers must calculate and report certain price reporting metrics to the government, such as average manufacturer price, or AMP, and best price. Penalties may apply in some cases when such metrics are not submitted accurately and timely.

Additionally, the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act, or the Sunshine Act, within the ACA, and its implementing regulations, require that certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biological and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (with certain exceptions) report annually to CMS information related to certain payments or other transfers of value made or distributed to physicians and teaching hospitals, or to entities or individuals at the request of, or designated on behalf of, the physicians and teaching hospitals and to report annually certain ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members. Failure to report accurately could result in penalties. In addition, many states also govern the reporting of payments or other transfers of value, many of which differ from each other in significant ways, are often not pre-empted, and may have a more prohibitive effect than the Sunshine Act, thus further complicating compliance efforts.

New Legislation and Regulations

From time to time, legislation is drafted, introduced and passed in Congress that could significantly change the statutory provisions governing the testing, approval, manufacturing and marketing of products regulated by the FDA. In addition to new legislation, FDA regulations and policies are often revised or interpreted by the agency in ways that may significantly affect our business and our products. It is impossible to predict whether further legislative changes will be enacted or whether FDA regulations, guidance, policies or interpretations will be changed or what the effect of such changes, if any, may be.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following material risk factors as well as all other information set forth or referred to in this report before purchasing shares of our common stock. Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. We may not be successful in preventing the material adverse effects that any of the following risks and uncertainties may cause. These potential risks and uncertainties may not be a complete list of the risks and uncertainties facing us. There may be additional risks and uncertainties that we are presently unaware of, or presently consider immaterial, that may become material in the future and have a material adverse effect on us. You could lose all or a significant portion of your investment due to any of these risks and uncertainties.

Summary of Risk Factors

Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that you should consider before investing in our company, as fully described below. The principal factors and uncertainties that make investing in our company risky include, among others:

General Operating and Business Risks

Risk Factors Related to our Laboratory Services Business

Risk Factors Related to Clinical and Commercialization Activity

Risks Related to Our Securities

General Operating and Business Risks

Our limited operating history makes it difficult for us to evaluate our future business prospects and make decisions based on those estimates of our future performance. 

We did not begin operations of our business through AHS until May 2015. We have a limited operating history and limited revenue. As a consequence, it is difficult, if not impossible, to forecast our future results based upon our historical data. Reliance on the historical results may not be representative of the results we will achieve, particularly in our combined form. Because of the uncertainties related to our lack of historical operations, we may be hindered in our ability to anticipate and timely adapt to increases or decreases in revenues or expenses. If we make poor budgetary decisions as a result of unreliable historical data, we could be less profitable or incur losses, which may result in a decline in our stock price.

Our results of operations have not resulted in profitability and we may not be able to achieve profitability going forward.

We incurred net losses amounting to approximately $16.7 million and $11.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $79.8 million. If we incur additional significant losses, our stock price may decline, perhaps significantly. Our management is developing plans to achieve profitability. Our business plan is speculative and unproven. There is no assurance that we will be successful in executing our business plan or that even if we successfully implement our business plan, that we will be able to curtail our losses now or in the future. Further, as we are a new enterprise, we expect that net losses will continue.

There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which will affect our ability to obtain future financing and may require us to curtail our operations.

Our financial statements as of December 31, 2023 were prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. The independent registered public accounting firm that audited our 2023 financial statements, in their report, included an explanatory paragraph referring to our recurring losses since inception and expressing management’s assessment and conclusion that there is substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Our ability to continue as a going concern depends on our ability to obtain additional equity or debt financing, attain further operating efficiencies, reduce expenditures, and, ultimately, to generate revenue. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to achieve any of the foregoing. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Our cash will only fund our operations for a limited time and we will need to raise additional capital in order to support our development.

We are currently operating at a loss and expect our operating costs will increase significantly as we continue to grow our operations. The independent registered public accounting firm that audited our 2023 financial statements, in their report, included an explanatory paragraph referring to our recurring losses since inception and expressing management’s assessment and conclusion that there is substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern. At December 31, 2023, we had cash of approximately $285,000. We will need to raise additional capital or generate substantial revenue in order to support our development and commercialization efforts.

If our available cash balances are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, including due to risks described herein, we may seek to raise additional capital through equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations or licensing arrangements. We will need to raise additional capital, and we may also consider raising additional capital in the future to expand our business, to pursue strategic investments, to take advantage of financing opportunities, or for other reasons, including to:

Our present and future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including:

Other than our debt facility with our chairman, we have no arrangements or credit facilities in place as a source of funds, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise sufficient additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all, and if we are not successful in raising additional capital, we may not be able to continue as a going concern. We may seek additional capital through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings and strategic collaborations. Debt financing, if obtained, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, that could increase our expenses and require that our assets secure such debt. Equity financing, if obtained, could result in dilution to our then existing stockholders and/or require such stockholders to waive certain rights and preferences. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms, or is not available at all, we may be required to delay, scale back or eliminate the development of business opportunities and our operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected. We can provide no assurances that any additional sources of financing will be available to us on favorable terms, if at all. Future capital raises may dilute our existing stockholders’ ownership and/or have other adverse effects on our operations.

If we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our existing stockholders’ percentage ownership will be reduced and these stockholders may experience substantial dilution.

If we raise additional funds by issuing debt securities, these debt securities would have rights senior to those of our common stock and the terms of the debt securities issued could impose significant restrictions on our operations, including liens on our assets. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some rights to our technologies or products, or to grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.

We have significant outstanding debt obligations and servicing these debt obligations will require a significant amount of capital, and our business may not be able to pay our substantial debt.

As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $9.1 million of outstanding indebtedness. In order to service this indebtedness and any additional indebtedness we may incur in the future, we will need to generate cash from our operating activities. Our ability to generate cash is subject, in part, to our ability to successfully execute our business strategy, as well as general economic, financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash to repay our debt obligations when they become due and payable, either when they mature, or in the event of a default, we may not be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms, if at all, which may negatively impact our business operations and financial condition.

If we breach any of the undertakings or default on any of our obligations under our agreements with our lenders, our outstanding indebtedness could become immediately due and payable, which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations and could require us to reduce or cease operations. If our indebtedness were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay in full that indebtedness.

Our business and operations may be further impacted by epidemics, outbreaks and other public health events.

Epidemics, outbreaks or other public health events that are outside of our control could significantly disrupt our operations and adversely affect our financial condition. The global or national outbreak of an illness or other communicable disease, or any other public health crisis, such as COVID-19, may cause disruptions to our business and operations, which may include (i) shortages of employees, (ii) unavailability of contractors or subcontractors, (iii) interruption of supplies from third parties upon which we rely, (iv) recommendations of, or restrictions imposed by government and health authorities, including quarantines, to address an outbreak and (v) restrictions that we and our contractors, subcontractors and our customers impose, including facility shutdowns, to ensure the safety of employees.

We depend upon key personnel and need additional personnel.

Our success depends on the continuing services of Wenzhao Lu, our Chairman of the Board, and David Jin, Meng Li and Luisa Ingargiola, our executive officers. The loss of Mr. Lu, Dr. Jin, Ms. Li or Ms. Ingargiola could have a material and adverse effect on our business operations. Additionally, the success of our operations will largely depend upon our ability to successfully attract and maintain competent and qualified key management personnel. As with any company with limited resources, there can be no guaranty that we will be able to attract such individuals or that the presence of such individuals will necessarily translate into profitability for us. Our inability to attract and retain key personnel may materially and adversely affect our business operations. The supply of qualified technical, professional, managerial and other personnel, including lab medical directors and lab operations managers, is currently constrained; competition for qualified employees, even across different industries, is intense, including as individuals leave the job market. We may lose, or fail to attract and retain, key management personnel, or qualified skilled technical, professional or other employees. The same is true for patient-facing staff with specialized training required to perform activities related to specimen collection. In the future, if competition for the services of these professionals increases, we may not be able to continue to attract and retain individuals in its markets. Changes in key management, or the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, as a result of increased competition for talent, wage growth, or other market factors, could lead to strategic and operational challenges and uncertainties, distractions of management from other key initiatives, and inefficiencies and increased costs, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Joint ventures, joint ownership arrangements and other projects pose unique challenges and we may not be able to fully implement or realize synergies, expected returns or other anticipated benefits associated with such projects.

We are, and may be in the future, involved in strategic joint ventures and other joint ownership arrangements. We may not always be in complete alignment with our joint venture or joint owner counterparties; we may have differing strategic or commercial objectives and may be outvoted by our joint venture partners or we may disagree on governance matters with respect to the joint venture entity or the jointly owned assets. As a result, when we enter into joint ventures or joint ownership arrangements, we may be subject to a number of risks. In some joint ventures and joint ownership arrangements we may not be responsible for the operation of projects and will rely on our joint venture or joint owner counterparties for such services. Joint ventures and joint ownership arrangements may also require us to expend additional internal resources that could otherwise be directed to other projects. If we are unable to successfully execute and manage our existing and any proposed joint venture and joint owner arrangements, it could adversely impact our financial and operating results.

We may be undertaking, or participating with various counterparties in, a number of projects that involve forming joint ventures and acquiring laboratories that are accretive to our commercial strategy. Many of these projects could involve numerous regulatory, environmental, commercial, economic, political and legal uncertainties that are beyond our control, including the following:

As a result of these uncertainties, the anticipated benefits associated with our joint ventures and joint ownership arrangements may not be achieved or could be delayed. In turn, this could negatively impact our cash flow and our ability to make or increase cash distributions to our partners.

We must effectively manage the growth of our operations, or our company will suffer.

To manage our growth, we believe we must continue to implement and improve our services and products. We may not have adequately evaluated the costs and risks associated with our planned expansion, and our systems, procedures, and controls may not be adequate to support our operations. In addition, our management may not be able to achieve the rapid execution necessary to successfully offer our products and services and implement our business plan on a profitable basis. The success of our future operating activities will also depend upon our ability to expand our support system to meet the demands of our growing business. Any failure by our management to effectively anticipate, implement, and manage changes required to sustain our growth would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

Our revenue and results of operations may suffer if we are unable to attract new tenants.

We presently derive our revenue from rental revenue from our income-producing real estate property in New Jersey. Our growth therefore depends on our ability to attract new tenants. This depends on our ability to understand and anticipate market and pricing trends and our tenants’ needs. Our failure to attract new tenants could materially and adversely affect our operating results.

Our prospects will suffer if we are not able to hire, train, motivate, manage, and retain a significant number of highly skilled employees.

We only recently commenced business and we presently generate medical related consulting services from related parties and generate rental revenue from our income-producing real estate property in New Jersey. On the consulting side, Wenzhao Lu, our Chairman and significant shareholder, is the Chairman of each of the clients in which we have provided consulting services. Our future success depends upon our ability to hire, train, motivate, manage, and retain a significant number of highly skilled employees, particularly research analysts, technical experts, and sales and marketing staff. We will experience competition for professional personnel in each of our business lines. Hiring, training, motivating, managing, and retaining employees with the skills we need is time consuming and expensive. Any failure by us to address our staffing needs in an effective manner could hinder our ability to continue to provide high-quality products and services and to grow our business.

Potential liability claims may adversely affect our business.

Our services, which may include recommendations and advice to organizations regarding complex business and operational processes and regulatory and compliance issues may give rise to liability claims by our clients or by third parties who bring claims against our clients. Healthcare organizations often are the subject of regulatory scrutiny and litigation, and we also may become the subject of such litigation based on our advice and services. Any such litigation, whether or not resulting in a judgment against us, may adversely affect our reputation and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We may not have adequate insurance coverage for claims against us.

In accordance with our strategic development policy, we may invest in companies for strategic reasons and may not realize a return on our investments.

From time to time, we may make investments in companies. These investments may be for strategic objectives to support our key business initiatives but may also be standalone investments or acquisitions. Such investments or acquisitions could include equity or debt instruments in private companies, many of which may not be marketable at the time of our initial investment. These companies may range from early-stage companies that are often still defining their strategic direction to more mature companies with established revenue streams and business models. The success of these companies may depend on product development, market acceptance, operational efficiency, and other key business factors. The companies in which we invest may fail because they may not be able to secure additional funding, obtain favorable investment terms for future financings, or take advantage of liquidity events such as public offerings, mergers, and private sales. If any of these private companies fails, we could lose all or part of our investment in that company. If we determine that impairment indicators exist and that there are other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of the investments, we may be required to write down the investments to their fair value and recognize the related write-down as an investment loss. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had an impairment of goodwill acquired from Lab Services MSO acquisition of approximately $9.2 million. In the future, we could have additional impairment charges related to investments that we may make.

We face intense competition which could cause us to lose market share.

In the healthcare markets in which we operate, we will compete with large healthcare providers who have more significant financial resources, established market positions, long-standing relationships, and who have more significant name recognition, technical, marketing, sales, distribution, financial and other resources than we do. The resources available to our competitors to develop new services and products and introduce them into the marketplace exceed the resources currently available to us. This intense competitive environment may require us to make changes in our services, products, pricing, licensing, distribution, or marketing to develop a market position.

If we fail to comply with our obligations in the agreements under which we license intellectual property rights from third parties or otherwise experience disruptions to our business relationships with our licensors, we could lose intellectual property rights that are important to our business.

We are party to a research agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) for development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology. MIT has granted us options to non-exclusively or exclusively license MIT inventions arising under this research agreement. We may need to negotiate commercially reasonable terms and conditions with MIT to advance our research and development activities or allow the commercialization of CAR technology or any other product candidates we may identify and pursue.

Moreover, disputes may arise regarding intellectual property subject to a licensing agreement, including:

In addition, the agreements under which we currently license intellectual property or technology from third parties are complex, and certain provisions in such agreements may be susceptible to multiple interpretations. The resolution of any contract interpretation disagreement that may arise could narrow what we believe to be the scope of our rights to the relevant intellectual property or technology, or increase what we believe to be our financial or other obligations under the relevant agreement, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. Moreover, if disputes over intellectual property that we have licensed prevent or impair our ability to maintain our current licensing arrangements on commercially acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product candidates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions, results of operations, and prospects.

We may face uncertainty and difficulty in obtaining and enforcing our patents and other proprietary rights.

There can be no assurance that any patent applications we file or license will be approved, or that challenges will not be instituted against the validity or enforceability of any patent licensed-in or owned by us. Our pending and future patent applications may not result in patents being issued that protect our product candidates, in whole or in part, or which effectively prevent others from commercializing competitive product candidates. Even if our patent applications issue as patents, they may not issue in a form that will provide us with any meaningful protection, prevent competitors from competing with us or otherwise provide us with any competitive advantage. Our competitors may be able to circumvent our patents by developing similar or alternative product candidates in a non-infringing manner. The cost of litigation to uphold the validity and prevent infringement of a patent is substantial. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent technologies not covered by patents to which we have rights or obtain access to our know-how. In addition, the laws of certain countries may not adequately protect our intellectual property. Our competitors may possess or obtain patents on products or processes that are necessary or useful to the development, use, or manufacture of our product candidates. There can also be no assurance that our proposed technology will not infringe upon patents or proprietary rights owned by others, with the result that others may bring infringement claims against us and require us to license such proprietary rights, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. Any such litigation, if instituted, could have a material adverse effect, potentially including monetary penalties, diversion of management resources, and injunction against continued manufacture, use, or sale of certain products or processes.

We rely upon non-patented proprietary know-how. There can be no assurance that we can adequately protect our rights in such non-patented proprietary know-how, or that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information or techniques or gain access to our proprietary know-how. Any of the foregoing events could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, if any of our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information were to be disclosed, or misappropriated, the value of our trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary rights would be significantly impaired and our business and competitive position would suffer.

In September 2011, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the Leahy-Smith Act, was signed into law. The Leahy-Smith Act includes a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. These include provisions that affect the way patent applications will be prosecuted and may also affect patent litigation. In particular, under the Leahy-Smith Act, the United States transitioned in March 2013 to a “first to file” system in which the first inventor to file a patent application will be entitled to the patent. Third parties are allowed to submit prior art before the issuance of a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, and may become involved in opposition, derivation, post-grant and inter partes review, or interference proceedings challenging our patent rights. An adverse determination in any such submission, proceeding or litigation could reduce the scope of, or invalidate, our patent rights, which could adversely affect our competitive position.

The USPTO has developed new and untested regulations and procedures to govern the full implementation of the Leahy-Smith Act, and many of the substantive changes to patent law associated with the Leahy-Smith Act, and in particular, the “first-to-file” provisions, only became effective in March 2013. The Leahy-Smith Act has also introduced procedures that may make it easier for third parties to challenge issued patents, as well as to intervene in the prosecution of patent applications. Finally, the Leahy-Smith Act contains new statutory provisions that still require the USPTO to issue new regulations for their implementation, and it may take the courts years to interpret the provisions of the new statute. Accordingly, it is not clear what, if any, impact the Leahy-Smith Act will have on the operation of our business. The Leahy-Smith Act and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on our product candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States may be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we do not obtain patent protection to develop their own products and may also export infringing products to territories where we have patent protection, but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with our products and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets, and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biotechnology products, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions, whether or not successful, could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.

Patent terms may be inadequate to protect our competitive position on our product candidates for an adequate amount of time.

Patents have a limited lifespan. In the United States, if all maintenance fees are timely paid, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years from its earliest U.S. non-provisional filing date. Various extensions may be available, but the life of a patent, and the protection it affords, is limited. Even if patents covering our product candidates are obtained, once the patent life has expired, we may be open to competition from competitive products, including generics or biosimilars. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, any patents we may obtain may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to ours.

Obtaining and maintaining patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and any patent protection we may obtain in the future could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

Periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees and various other governmental fees on patents and/or applications will be due to be paid to the USPTO and various governmental patent agencies outside of the United States in several stages over the lifetime of the patents and/or applications. The USPTO and various non-U.S. governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process. There are situations in which non-compliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. In such an event, our competitors might be able to enter the market and this circumstance would have a material adverse effect on our business.

It is difficult and costly to protect our proprietary rights, and we may not be able to ensure their protection. If we fail to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights adequately or secure rights to patents of others, the value of our intellectual property rights would diminish.

Our commercial viability will depend in part on obtaining and maintaining patent protection and trade secret protection of our product candidates, and the methods used to manufacture them, as well as successfully defending these patents against third-party challenges. Our ability to stop third parties from making, using, selling, offering to sell, or importing our products is dependent upon the extent to which we obtain rights under valid and enforceable patents or trade secrets that cover these activities.

The patent positions of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions for which important legal principles remain unresolved. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in biopharmaceutical patents has emerged to date in the United States. The biopharmaceutical patent situation outside the United States is even more uncertain. Changes in either the patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the United States and other countries may diminish the value of our intellectual property. Accordingly, we cannot predict the breadth of claims that may be allowed or enforced in the patents we own. Further, if any of our patents are deemed invalid and unenforceable, it could impact our ability to commercialize or license our technology.

The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain because legal means afford only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep our competitive advantage. For example:

We also may rely on trade secrets to protect our technology, especially where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. Although we use reasonable efforts to protect our trade secrets, our employees, consultants, contractors, outside scientific collaborators, and other advisors may unintentionally or willfully disclose our information to competitors. In addition, courts outside the United States are sometimes less willing to protect trade secrets. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods, and know-how.

We may be subject to claims challenging the inventorship of patents and other intellectual property.

We or our licensors may be subject to claims that former employees, collaborators or other third parties have an interest as an inventor or co-inventor in intellectual property we own or license. For example, we or our licensors may have inventorship disputes arise from conflicting obligations of employees, consultants or others who are involved in developing our product candidates. We may be subject to claims by third parties asserting that our licensors, employees or we have misappropriated their intellectual property, or claiming ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these and other claims challenging inventorship or our or our licensors’ ownership of our owned or in-licensed patents, trade secrets or other intellectual property. If we or our licensors fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, such as exclusive ownership of, or right to use, intellectual property that is important to our product candidates. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

If any of our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information is disclosed, the value of our trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary rights would be significantly impaired and our business and competitive position would suffer.

Our viability also depends upon the skills, knowledge and experience of our scientific and technical personnel, and our consultants and advisors. To help protect our proprietary know-how and our inventions for which patents may be unobtainable or difficult to obtain, we rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements. To this end, we require all of our employees, consultants, advisors and contractors to enter into agreements which prohibit unauthorized disclosure and use of confidential information and, where applicable, require disclosure and assignment to us of the ideas, developments, discoveries and inventions important to our business. These agreements are often limited in duration and may not provide adequate protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure or the lawful development by others of such information. There is no assurance that such agreements will be honored by such parties or enforced in whole or part by the courts. We cannot be certain that others will not gain access to these trade secrets or that our patents will provide adequate protection. Others may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets. In addition, enforcing a claim that a third party illegally obtained and is using any of our trade secrets is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. If any of our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information is improperly disclosed, the value of our trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary rights would be significantly impaired and our business and competitive position would suffer.

We may incur substantial costs as a result of litigation or other proceedings relating to patent and other intellectual property rights and we may be unable to protect our rights to, or use of, our technology.

If we choose to go to court to stop a third party from using the inventions claimed in our patents, that individual or company has the right to ask the court to rule that such patents are invalid and/or should not be enforced against that third party. These lawsuits are expensive and would consume time and other resources, even if we were successful in discontinuing the infringement of our patents. In addition, there is a risk that the court will decide that these patents are not valid and that we do not have the right to stop the other party from using the inventions. There is also the risk that, even if the validity of these patents is upheld, the court will refuse to stop the other party on the ground that such other party’s activities do not infringe our rights to these patents. In addition, the U.S. Supreme Court has in the past invalidated tests used by the USPTO in granting patents over the past 20 years. As a consequence, issued patents may be found to contain invalid claims according to the newly revised standards. Some of our own patents may be subject to challenge and subsequent invalidation in a variety of post-grant proceedings, particularly inter partes review, before the USPTO or during litigation under the revised criteria, which make it more difficult to defend the validity of claims in already issued patents.

Furthermore, a third party may claim that we or our manufacturing or commercialization partners are using inventions covered by the third party’s patent rights and may go to court to stop us from engaging in our normal operations and activities, including making or selling our product candidates. These lawsuits are costly and could affect our results of operations and divert the attention of managerial and technical personnel. There is a risk that a court could decide that we or our commercialization partners are infringing the third party’s patents and order us or our partners to stop the activities covered by the patents. In addition, there is a risk that a court could order us or our partners to pay the other party damages for having violated the other party’s patents. The biotechnology industry has produced a proliferation of patents, and it is not always clear to industry participants, including us, which patents cover various types of products, manufacturing processes or methods of use. The coverage of patents is subject to interpretation by the courts, and the interpretation is not always uniform. If we are sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that our products, manufacturing processes or methods of use either do not infringe the patent claims of the relevant patent and/or that the patent claims are invalid, and we may not be able to do this. Proving invalidity, in particular, is difficult since it requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption of validity enjoyed by issued patents.

As some patent applications in the United States may be maintained in secrecy until the patents are issued, because patent applications in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions are typically not published until eighteen months after filing, and because publications in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that others have not filed patent applications for technology covered by our issued patents or our pending applications, or that we were the first to invent the technology. Our competitors may have filed, and may in the future file, patent applications covering technology similar to ours. Any such patent applications may have priority over our patent applications or patents, which could further require us to obtain rights to issued patents covering such technologies. If another party has filed a United States patent application on inventions similar to ours, we may have to participate in an interference proceeding declared by the USPTO to determine priority of invention in the United States. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial, and it is possible that such efforts would be unsuccessful if, unbeknownst to us, the other party had independently arrived at the same or similar invention prior to our own invention, resulting in a loss of our U.S. patent position with respect to such inventions.

Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. In addition, any uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation or inter partes review proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our operations.

Some jurisdictions in which we operate have enacted legislation which allows members of the public to access information under statutes similar to the U.S. Freedom of Information Act. Even though we believe our information would be excluded from the scope of such statutes, there are no assurances that we can protect our confidential information from being disclosed under the provisions of such laws. If any confidential or proprietary information is released to the public, such disclosures may negatively impact our ability to protect our intellectual property rights.

Breaches or compromises of our information security systems or our information technology systems or infrastructure could result in exposure of private information, disruption of our business and damage to our reputation, which could harm our business, results of operation and financial condition.

We utilize information security and information technology systems and websites that allow for the secure storage and transmission of proprietary or private information regarding our clients, patients, employees, vendors and others, including individually identifiable health information. A security breach of our network, hosted service providers, or vendor systems, may expose us to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, litigation and potential liability. Hackers and data thieves are increasingly sophisticated and operate large-scale and complex automated attacks, including on companies within the healthcare industry. Although we believe that we take appropriate measures to safeguard sensitive information within our possession, we may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent rapidly-evolving types of cyber-attacks targeted at us, our clients, our patients, or others who have entrusted us with information. Actual or anticipated attacks may cause us to incur costs, including costs to deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees, and engage third-party experts and consultants. We invest in industry standard security technology to protect personal information. Advances in computer capabilities, new technological discoveries, or other developments may result in the technology used by us to protect personal information or other data being breached or compromised. To our knowledge, we have not experienced any material breach of our cybersecurity systems. If our or our third-party service provider systems fail to operate effectively or are damaged, destroyed, or shut down, or there are problems with transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems, or there are security breaches in these systems, any of the aforementioned could occur as a result of natural disasters, software or equipment failures, telecommunications failures, loss or theft of equipment, acts of terrorism, circumvention of security systems, or other cyber-attacks, we could experience delays or decreases in revenue, and reduced efficiency of our operations. Additionally, any of these events could lead to violations of privacy laws, loss of customers, or loss, misappropriation or corruption of confidential information, trade secrets or data, which could expose us to potential litigation, regulatory actions, sanctions or other statutory penalties, any or all of which could adversely affect our business, and cause us to incur significant losses and remediation costs.

We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and any determination that we violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or Chinese anti-corruption law could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, or FCPA, and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We have operations and agreements with third parties where corruption may occur. It is our policy to implement safeguards to prevent these practices by our employees. However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants, sales agents or distributors of our company may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible.

Violations of the FCPA or other anti-corruption laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the United States government may seek to hold our company liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.

Risk Factors Related to our Lab Services MSO Business

Continued changes in healthcare reimbursement models and products (e.g., health insurance exchanges), changes in government payment and reimbursement systems, or changes in payer mix, including an increase in third-party benefits management and value-based payment models, could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, profitability and cash flow.

Diagnostic testing services are billed to managed care organizations (MCOs), Medicare, Medicaid, physicians and physician groups, hospitals, patients and employer groups. Most testing services are billed to a party other than the physician or other authorized person who ordered the test. Increases in the percentage of services billed to government and MCOs could have an adverse effect on our revenues. Although we currently do not provide any “in network” laboratory services, our plan is to begin providing such services in the near future.

These organizations have different contracting philosophies, which are influenced by the design of their products. Some MCOs contract with a limited number of clinical laboratories and engage in direct negotiation of rates. Other MCOs adopt broader networks with generally uniform fee structures for participating clinical laboratories. In some cases, those fee structures are specific to independent clinical laboratories, while the fees paid to hospital-based and physician-office laboratories may be different, and are typically higher. MCOs may also offer Managed Medicare or Managed Medicaid plans. In addition, an increasing number of MCOs are implementing, directly or through third parties, various types of laboratory benefit management programs that may include laboratory networks, utilization management tools (such as prior authorization and/or prior notification), and claims edits, which may impact coverage or reimbursement for commercial laboratory tests. Some of these programs address commercial laboratory testing broadly, while others are focused on certain types of testing such as molecular, genetic and toxicology testing. An increase in the use of such programs could lead to increased denial of claims, extended appeals, and reduced revenue.

Our ability to attract and retain MCOs is critical given the impact of healthcare reform, related products and expanded coverage (e.g. health insurance exchanges and Medicaid expansion) and evolving value-based care and risk-based reimbursement delivery models (e.g., accountable care organizations (ACOs) and Independent Physician Associations (IPAs)).

A portion of the managed care fee-for-service revenues is collectible from patients in the form of deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. As patient cost-sharing has been increasing, our collections may be adversely impacted.

In addition, Medicare and Medicaid and private insurers have increased their efforts to control the cost, utilization and delivery of healthcare services, including commercial laboratory services. Measures to regulate healthcare delivery in general, and clinical laboratories in particular, have resulted in reduced prices, added costs and decreased test utilization for the commercial laboratory industry by increasing complexity and adding new regulatory and administrative requirements. Pursuant to legislation passed in late 2003, the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Managed Medicare plans has increased. The percentage of Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in Managed Medicaid plans has also increased; however, changes to, or repeal of, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) may continue to affect coverage, reimbursement, and utilization of laboratory services, as well as administrative requirements, in ways that are currently unpredictable. Further healthcare reform could adversely affect laboratory reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid or commercial carriers.

We expect the efforts to impose reduced reimbursement, more stringent payment policies, and utilization and cost controls by government and other payers to continue. If our laboratory services business cannot offset additional reductions in the payments it receives for its services by reducing costs, increasing test volume, and/or introducing new services and procedures, it could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, profitability and cash flows. In 2014, Congress passed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA), requiring Medicare to change the way payment rates are calculated for tests paid under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS), and to base the payment on the weighted median of rates paid by private payers. On June 23, 2016, CMS issued a final rule to implement PAMA that required applicable laboratories, including our laboratory services business, to begin reporting their test-specific private payer payment amounts to CMS during the first quarter of 2017. CMS exercised enforcement discretion to permit reporting for an additional 60 days, through May 30, 2017. CMS used that private market data to calculate weighted median prices for each test (based on applicable current procedural technology (CPT) codes) to represent the new CLFS rates beginning in 2018, subject to certain phase-in limits. For 2018-2020, a test price could not be reduced by more than 10% per year. As a result of provisions included within the CARES Act, PAMA rate reductions for 2021 were suspended. As a result of the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act that became law in December 2021, the data reporting requirements and Medicare reimbursement cuts that would have occurred under PAMA in 2022 were delayed by one additional year. As a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which became law in December 2022, the data reporting requirements and Medicare reimbursement cuts that would have occurred under PAMA in 2023 were delayed by one additional year.

For 2024-2026, a test price cannot be reduced by more than 15.0% per year. The process of data reporting and repricing will be repeated every three years for Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests (CDLTs) beginning in 2024. CFLS rates for 2027 and subsequent periods will not be subject to phase-in limits. The phase-in of rates for CDLTs established in 2018 will resume in 2024. New CLFS rates will be established in 2025 based on data from 2019 to be reported in 2024. New CLFS rates will be established in 2028 based on data from 2026 to be reported in 2027 CLFS rates for Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Tests (ADLTs) will be updated annually.

CMS published its initial proposed CLFS rates under PAMA for 2018-2020 on September 22, 2017. Following a public comment period, CMS made adjustments and published final CLFS rates for 2018-2020 on November 17, 2017, with additional adjustments published on December 1, 2017. 2021, 2022 and 2023 PAMA rates were frozen as described above.

Healthcare reform legislation also contains numerous regulations that will require us, as an employer, to implement significant process and record-keeping changes to be in compliance. These changes increase the cost of providing healthcare coverage to employees and their families. Given the limited release of regulations to guide compliance, as well as potential changes to the ACA, the exact impact to employers, including us, is uncertain.

Government payers, such as Medicare and Medicaid, have taken steps to reduce the utilization and reimbursement of healthcare services, including clinical testing services.

Although we currently do not provide any laboratory services that are billed through Medicare or Medicaid, we plan to do so in the near future. At that time, we will face efforts by government payers to reduce utilization of and reimbursement for diagnostic information services. One example of this is increased use of prior authorization requirements. We expect efforts to reduce reimbursements, to impose more stringent cost controls and to reduce utilization of clinical test services will continue.

Pursuant to PAMA, reimbursement rates for many clinical laboratory tests provided under Medicare were reduced from 2018 - 2020. PAMA calls for further revision of the Medicare CLFS for years after 2020, based on future surveys of market rates; reimbursement rate reduction from 2024-26 is capped by PAMA at 15% annually. PAMA’s next data collection and reporting period have been delayed, most recently by federal legislation adopted in December 2022, which further delayed the reimbursement rate reductions and reporting requirements until January 1, 2024.

In addition, CMS has adopted policies limiting or excluding coverage for clinical tests that we perform. We also expect in the future to provide physician services that are reimbursed by Medicare under a physician fee schedule, which is subject to adjustment on an annual basis. Medicaid reimbursement varies by state and is subject to administrative and billing requirements and budget pressures.

In addition, over the last several years, the federal government has expanded its contracts with private health insurance plans for Medicare beneficiaries, called “Medicare Advantage” programs, and has encouraged such beneficiaries to switch from the traditional programs to the private programs. There has been growth of health insurance plans offering Medicare Advantage programs, and of beneficiary enrollment in these programs. States have mandated that Medicaid beneficiaries enroll in private managed care arrangements. In addition, state budget pressures have encouraged states to consider several courses of action that may impact our business, such as delaying payments, reducing reimbursement, restricting coverage eligibility, denying claims and service coverage restrictions. Further, CMS has set goals for value-based reimbursement to be achieved by 2030.

Reimbursement for Medicare services also is subject to annual reduction under the Budget Control Act of 2011, and the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

From time to time, the federal government has considered whether competitive bidding could be used to provide clinical testing services for Medicare beneficiaries while maintaining quality and access to care. Congress periodically considers cost-saving initiatives. These initiatives have included coinsurance for clinical testing services, co-payments for clinical testing and further laboratory physician fee schedule reductions.

Other steps taken to reduce utilization and reimbursement include requirements to obtain diagnosis codes to obtain payment, increased documentation requirements, limiting the allowable number of tests or ordering frequency, expanded prior authorization programs and otherwise increasing payment denials.

Steps to reduce utilization and reimbursement also discourage innovation and access to innovative solutions that we may offer.

Health plans and other third parties have taken steps to reduce the utilization and reimbursement of health services, including clinical testing services.

We face efforts by non-governmental third-party payers, including health plans, to reduce utilization of and reimbursement for clinical testing services. Examples include increased use of prior authorization requirements and increased denial of coverage for services. There is increased market activity regarding alternative payment models, including bundled payment models. We expect continuing efforts by third-party payers, including in their rules, practices and policies, to reduce reimbursements, to impose more stringent cost controls and to reduce utilization of clinical testing services. ACOs and Independent Delivery Networks (IDNs), including hospitals and hospital health systems, also may undertake efforts to reduce utilization of, or reimbursement for, diagnostic information services.

The healthcare industry has experienced a trend of consolidation among health insurance plans, resulting in fewer but larger insurance plans with significant bargaining power to negotiate fee arrangements with clinical testing providers. The increased consolidation among health plans also has increased pricing transparency, insurer bargaining power and the potential adverse impact of ceasing to be a contracted provider with an insurer. Health plans, and independent physician associations, may demand that clinical testing providers accept discounted fee structures or assume all or a portion of the financial risk associated with providing testing services to their members through capitated payment arrangements. Some health plans also are reviewing test coding, evaluating coverage decisions and requiring preauthorization of certain testing. There are also an increasing number of patients enrolling in consumer driven products and high deductible plans that involve greater patient cost-sharing.

Other steps taken to reduce utilization and reimbursement include requirements to obtain diagnosis codes to obtain payment, increased documentation requirements, limiting the allowable number of tests or ordering frequency, expanded prior authorization programs and otherwise increasing payment denials.

Steps to reduce utilization and reimbursement also discourage innovation and access to innovative solutions that we may offer.

The Laboratory Services MSO Acquisition will result in organizational changes that could create significant growth for our business. If we fail to effectively manage this growth and adapt our business structure in a manner that preserves our reputation, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.

On February 9, 2023, we acquired 40% of all the issued and outstanding equity interests of Lab Services MSO. The Laboratory Services MSO Acquisition has resulted in significant growth in our operations. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenditures and the allocation of management time to assimilate Lab Services MSO in a manner that preserves the key aspects of our business, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts. If we do not effectively integrate Lab Services MSO, the effectiveness of our business growth could suffer, and our reputation could be harmed, each of which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The success of our business will depend, in part, on our ability to realize our anticipated benefits and opportunities from the acquisition. We can provide no assurance that the anticipated benefits of the Laboratory Services MSO Acquisition will be fully realized in the time frame anticipated or at all. The failure to meet the challenges involved in integrating the two businesses could cause an interruption of business activities, an increase in operating costs or lower anticipated financial performance. Our failure to achieve the anticipated and the potential benefits underlying our reasons for the Laboratory Services MSO Acquisition could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The clinical testing business is highly competitive, and if we fail to provide an appropriately priced level of service or otherwise fail to compete effectively it could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability.

The laboratory testing industry is fragmented and highly competitive. We primarily compete with three types of clinical testing providers: commercial clinical laboratories IDN-affiliated laboratories and physician-office laboratories. Our largest commercial clinical laboratory competitors are Quest Diagnostic Laboratories and Laboratory Corporation of America. In addition, we compete with many smaller regional and local commercial clinical laboratories, specialized advanced laboratories and providers of consumer-initiated testing. There also has been a trend among physician practices to establish their own histology laboratory capabilities and/or bring pathologists into their practices, thereby reducing referrals from these practices and increasing the competitive position of these practices.

The commercial laboratory business is intensely competitive both in terms of price and service. Pricing of laboratory testing services is often one of the most significant factors used by physicians, third-party payers and consumers in selecting a laboratory. As a result of significant consolidation in the commercial laboratory industry, larger commercial laboratory providers are able to increase cost efficiencies afforded by large-scale automated testing. This consolidation results in greater price competition. Our laboratory services business may be unable to increase cost efficiencies sufficiently, if at all, and as a result, its net earnings and cash flows could be negatively impacted by such price competition. We may face increased competition from health system laboratories, due to physicians within those systems directing their testing to the health system laboratory and away from us, and as those laboratories seek to expand their testing volume from unaffiliated physicians in their service areas. We may also face competition from companies that do not comply with existing laws or regulations or otherwise disregard compliance standards in the industry. Additionally, we may also face changes in fee schedules, competitive bidding for laboratory services, or other actions or pressures reducing payment schedules as a result of increased or additional competition. These competitive pressures may affect the attractiveness or profitability of our laboratory services business, and could adversely affect our financial results.

The diagnostic information services industry also is faced with changing technology and new product introductions. Competitors may compete using advanced technology, including technology that enables more convenient or cost-effective testing. Digital pathology, still in an emerging state, is an example of this. Competitors also may compete on the basis of new service offerings. Competitors also may offer testing to be performed outside of a commercial clinical laboratory, such as (1) point-of-care testing that can be performed by physicians in their offices; (2) advanced testing that can be performed by IDNs in their own laboratories; and (3) home testing that can be carried out without requiring the services of outside providers.

Failure to obtain and retain new customers, the loss of existing customers or material contracts, or a reduction in services or tests ordered or specimens submitted by existing customers, or the inability to retain existing and/or create new relationships with health systems could impact our ability to successfully grow our business.

To maintain and grow its business, we need to obtain and retain new customers and business partners. In addition, a reduction in tests ordered or specimens submitted by existing customers, a decrease in demand for our services from existing customers, or the loss of existing contracts, without offsetting growth in its customer base, could impact our ability to successfully grow its business and could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability. We compete primarily on the basis of the quality of services, reporting and information systems, reputation in the medical community, the pricing of services and ability to employ qualified personnel. Our failure to successfully compete on any of these factors could result in the loss of existing customers, an inability to gain new customers and a reduction in our business.

Discontinuation or recalls of existing testing products; failure to develop or acquire licenses for new or improved testing technologies; or our customers using new technologies to perform their own tests could adversely affect our business. 

From time to time, manufacturers discontinue or recall reagents, test kits or instruments used by us to perform laboratory testing. Such discontinuations or recalls could adversely affect our costs, testing volume and revenue.

The commercial laboratory industry is subject to changing technology and new product introductions. If we are unable to license new or improved technologies to expand its esoteric testing operations, its testing methods may become outdated when compared with our competition, and testing volume and revenue may be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, advances in technology may lead to the development of more cost-effective technologies such as point-of-care testing equipment that can be operated by physicians or other healthcare providers (including physician assistants, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, generally referred to herein as physicians) in their offices or by patients themselves without requiring the services of freestanding clinical laboratories. Development of such technology and its use by our customers could reduce the demand for its laboratory testing services and the utilization of certain tests offered by us and negatively impact its revenues.

Currently, most commercial laboratory testing is categorized as high or moderate complexity, and thereby is subject to extensive and costly regulation under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA). The cost of compliance with CLIA makes it impractical for most physicians to operate clinical laboratories in their offices, and other laws limit the ability of physicians to have ownership in a laboratory and to refer tests to such a laboratory. Manufacturers of laboratory equipment and test kits could seek to increase their sales by marketing point-of-care laboratory equipment to physicians and by selling test kits approved for home or physician office use to both physicians and patients. Diagnostic tests approved for home use are automatically deemed to be “waived” tests under CLIA and may be performed in physician office laboratories as well as by patients in their homes with minimal regulatory oversight. Other tests meeting certain FDA criteria also may be classified as “waived” for CLIA purposes. The FDA has regulatory responsibility over instruments, test kits, reagents and other devices used by clinical laboratories, and it has taken responsibility from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for classifying the complexity of tests for CLIA purposes. Increased approval of “waived” test kits could lead to increased testing by physicians in their offices or by patients at home, which could affect our market for laboratory testing services and negatively impact its revenues.

Changes or disruption in services supplies, or transportation provided by third parties have impacted and could continue to impact or adversely affect our business.

We depend on third parties to provide supplies and services critical to our laboratory services business. We are heavily reliant on third-party ground and air travel for transport of clinical trial and diagnostic testing supplies and specimens, research products, and people. A significant disruption to these travel systems, or our access to them, could have a material adverse effect on our business. We are also reliant on an extensive network of third-party suppliers and vendors of certain services and products, including for certain animal populations. Disruptions to the continued supply, or increases in costs, of these services, products, or animal populations may arise from export/import restrictions or embargoes, political or economic instability, pressure from animal rights activists, adverse weather, natural disasters, public health crises, transportation disruptions, cyber-attacks, or other causes, as well as from termination of relationships with suppliers or vendors for their failure to follow our performance standards and requirements. Disruption of supply and services has impacted and could continue to impact or have a material adverse effect on our business.

Continued and increased consolidation of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, health systems, physicians and other customers could adversely affect our business.

Many healthcare companies and providers, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, health systems and physician practices are consolidating through mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other types of transactions and collaborations. In addition to these more traditional horizontal mergers that involve entities that previously competed against each other, the healthcare industry is experiencing an increase in vertical mergers, which involve entities that previously did not offer competing goods or services. As the healthcare industry consolidates, competition to provide goods and services may become more intense, and vertical mergers may give those combined companies greater control over more aspects of healthcare, including increased bargaining power. This competition and increased customer bargaining power may adversely affect the price and volume of our services.

In addition, as the broader healthcare industry trend of consolidation continues, including the acquisition of physician practices by health systems, relationships with hospital-based health systems and integrated delivery networks are becoming more important. Our laboratory services business’ inability to retain its existing relationships with physicians if they become part of healthcare systems and networks and/or to create new relationships could impact its ability to successfully grow.

Changes, including changes in interpretation, in payer regulations, policies or approvals, or changes in laws, regulations or policies in the U.S. or globally, may adversely affect us.

U.S. and state government payers, such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as insurers, including MCOs, have increased their efforts to control the cost, utilization and delivery of healthcare services. From time to time, Congress has considered and implemented changes in Medicare fee schedules in conjunction with budgetary legislation. The first phase of reductions pursuant to PAMA came into effect on January 1, 2018, and will continue annually subject to certain delays in implementation and phase-in limits through 2026, and without limitations for subsequent periods. Further reductions due to changes in policy regarding coverage of tests or other requirements for payment, such as prior authorization, diagnosis code and other claims edits, may be implemented from time to time. Reimbursement for pathology services performed by us is also subject to statutory and regulatory reduction. Reductions in the reimbursement rates and changes in payment policies of other third-party payers may occur as well. Such changes in the past have resulted in reduced payments as well as added costs and have decreased test utilization for the commercial laboratory industry by adding more complex new regulatory and administrative requirements. Further changes in third-party payer regulations, policies, or laboratory benefit or utilization management programs may have a material adverse effect on our business. Actions by federal and state agencies regulating insurance, including healthcare exchanges, or changes in other laws, regulations, or policies may also have a material adverse effect upon our business. 

Our business could be harmed from the loss or suspension of a license or imposition of a fine or penalties under, or future changes in, or interpretations of, the law or regulations of CLIA, Medicare, Medicaid or other national, state or local agencies in the U.S. and other countries where we operate laboratories currently and in the future. 

The commercial laboratory testing industry is subject to extensive U.S. regulation, and many of these statutes and regulations have not been interpreted by the courts. CLIA extends federal oversight to virtually all clinical laboratories operating in the U.S. by requiring that they be certified by the federal government or by a federally approved accreditation agency. The sanction for failure to comply with CLIA requirements may be suspension, revocation or limitation of a laboratory’s CLIA certificate, which is necessary to conduct business, as well as significant fines and/or criminal penalties. In addition, we are subject to regulation under state law. State laws may require that laboratories and/or laboratory personnel meet certain qualifications, specify certain quality controls or require maintenance of certain records. In the future, we may also operate laboratories outside of the U.S. and become subject to laws governing its laboratory operations in the other countries where it operates.

Applicable statutes and regulations could be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that would adversely affect our business. Potential sanctions for violation of these statutes and regulations include significant fines and the suspension or loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, compliance with future legislation could impose additional requirements on us, which may be costly.

Failure of us or our third-party service providers to comply with privacy and security laws and regulations could result in fines, penalties and damage to our reputation with customers and have a material adverse effect upon our business.

If we and our third-party service providers do not comply with existing or new laws and regulations related to protecting the privacy and security of personal or health information, we could be subject to monetary fines, civil penalties or criminal sanctions.

In the U.S., HIPAA privacy and security regulations, including the expanded requirements under HITECH, establish comprehensive standards with respect to the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI), by covered entities, in addition to setting standards to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of PHI.

HIPAA restricts our ability to use or disclose PHI, without patient authorization, for purposes other than payment, treatment or healthcare operations (as defined by HIPAA), except for disclosures for various public policy purposes and other permitted purposes outlined in the privacy regulations. HIPAA and HITECH provide for significant fines and other penalties for wrongful use or disclosure of PHI in violation of the privacy and security regulations, including potential civil and criminal fines and penalties. The regulations establish a complex regulatory framework on a variety of subjects, including:

We have implemented policies and procedures designed to comply with the HIPAA privacy and security requirements as applicable. The privacy and security regulations establish a “floor” and do not supersede state laws that are more stringent. Therefore, we are required to comply with both additional federal privacy and security regulations and varying state privacy and security laws. In addition, federal and state laws that protect the privacy and security of patient information may be subject to enforcement and interpretations by various governmental authorities and courts, resulting in complex compliance issues. For example, we could incur damages under state laws, including pursuant to an action brought by a private party for the wrongful use or disclosure of health information or other personal information.

Failure to comply with U.S., state or local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations could result in fines, penalties and loss of licensure, and have a material adverse effect upon us. 

We are subject to licensing and regulation under laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety, including laws and regulations relating to the handling, transportation and disposal of medical specimens, infectious and hazardous waste and radioactive materials, as well as regulations relating to the safety and health of laboratory employees. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us to denial of the right to conduct business, fines, criminal penalties and/or other enforcement actions that would have a material adverse effect on its business. In addition, compliance with future legislation could impose additional requirements on us that may be costly.

The U.S. healthcare system is evolving and medical laboratory testing market fundamentals are changing, and our business could be adversely impacted if we fail to adapt.

The U.S. healthcare system continues to evolve. Significant change is taking place in the healthcare system. For example, value-based reimbursement is increasing; CMS has set goals for value-based reimbursement to be achieved by 2030. Patients are encouraged to take increased interest in and responsibility for, and often are bearing increased responsibility for payment for, their healthcare. Healthcare industry participants are evolving and consolidating. Healthcare services increasingly are being provided by non-traditional providers (e.g., physician assistants), in non-traditional venues (e.g., retail medical clinics, urgent care centers) and using new technologies (e.g., telemedicine, digital pathology). Utilization of the healthcare system is being influenced by several factors and may result in a decline in the demand for diagnostic information services.

In addition, we believe that clinical testing market fundamentals are changing. We believe that PAMA-driven reimbursement pressure remains a catalyst for structural change in the market. We also believe that health plans and consumers increasingly are focusing on driving better value in laboratory testing services. We expect that the evolution of the healthcare industry will continue, and that industry change is likely to be extensive.

Failure to establish and perform to appropriate quality standards, or to assure that the appropriate standard of quality is observed in the performance of our diagnostic information services, could adversely affect the results of our operations and adversely impact our reputation.

The provision of diagnostic information services involves certain inherent risks. The services that we provide are intended to provide information in providing patient care. Therefore, users of our services may have a greater sensitivity to errors than the users of services or products that are intended for other purposes.

Negligence in performing our services can lead to injury or other adverse events. We may be sued under physician liability or other liability law for acts or omissions by our pathologists, laboratory personnel and IDN employees who are under our supervision. We are subject to the attendant risk of substantial damages awards in excess of our insurance coverage and risk to our reputation.

We are subject to numerous legal and regulatory requirements governing our activities, and we may face substantial fines and penalties, and our business activities may be impacted, if we fail to comply.

Our business is subject to or impacted by extensive and frequently changing laws and regulations in the United States (including at both the federal and state levels) and the other jurisdictions in which we engage in business. While we seek to conduct our business in compliance with all applicable laws, many of the laws and regulations applicable to us are vague or indefinite and have not been extensively interpreted by the courts, including many of those relating to:

These laws and regulations may be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that could require us to make changes in our operations, including our pricing and/or billing practices. We may not be able to maintain, renew or secure required permits, licenses or any other regulatory approvals needed to operate our business or commercialize our services. If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, or if we fail to maintain, renew or obtain necessary permits, licenses and approvals, we could suffer civil and criminal penalties, fines, exclusion from participation in governmental healthcare programs and the loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations necessary to operate our business, as well as incur additional liabilities from third-party claims. If any of the foregoing were to occur, our reputation could be damaged and important business relationships with third parties could be adversely affected.

We also are subject from time to time to qui tam claims brought by former employees or other “whistleblowers.” The federal and state governments continue aggressive enforcement efforts against perceived healthcare fraud. Legislative provisions relating to healthcare fraud and abuse provide government enforcement personnel substantial funding, powers, penalties and remedies to pursue suspected cases of fraud and abuse. In addition, the government has substantial leverage in negotiating settlements since the amount of potential damages far exceeds the rates at which we are reimbursed for our services, and the government has the remedy of excluding a non-compliant provider from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, these types of investigations and related litigation can result in:

Changes in applicable laws and regulations may result in existing practices becoming more restricted, or subject our existing or proposed services to additional costs, delay, modification or withdrawal. Such changes also could require us to modify our business objectives.

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

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

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

Inflationary pressures could adversely impact us because of increases in the costs of materials, supplies and services, and increased labor and people-related expenses.

Inflationary pressures have resulted in increases in the costs of the testing equipment, supplies and other goods and services that we purchase from manufacturers, suppliers and others. Inflationary pressures, along with the competition for labor, have also resulted in a rise of our labor costs, which include the costs of compensation, benefits, and recruiting and training new hires. Our ability to raise the prices and fees we charge for the services we provide is limited. Continuation of the current inflationary environment may adversely impact us.

Risk Factors Related to Clinical and Commercialization Activity

Our business faces significant government regulation, and there is no guarantee that our product candidates will receive regulatory approval.

Our research and development activities, pre-clinical studies, anticipated human clinical trials, and anticipated manufacturing and marketing of our potential products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory authorities in the United States, as well as by regulatory authorities in other countries. In the United States, our product candidates are subject to regulation as biological products or as combination biological products/medical devices under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act and other statutes, as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations. Different regulatory requirements may apply to our products depending on how they are categorized by the FDA under these laws. These regulations can be subject to substantial and significant interpretation, addition, amendment or revision by the FDA and by the legislative process. The FDA may determine that we will need to undertake clinical trials beyond those currently planned. Furthermore, the FDA may determine that results of clinical trials do not support approval for the product. Similar determinations may be encountered in foreign countries. The FDA will continue to monitor products in the market after approval, if any, and may determine to withdraw its approval or otherwise seriously affect the marketing efforts for any such product. The same possibilities exist for trials to be conducted outside of the United States that are subject to regulations established by local authorities and local law. Any such determinations would delay or deny the introduction of our product candidates to the market and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Cell based therapeutics are subject to ongoing periodic unannounced inspection by the FDA, the Drug Enforcement Agency, other federal agencies and corresponding state agencies to ensure strict compliance with good manufacturing practices, and other government regulations and corresponding foreign standards. We do not have control over third-party manufacturers’ compliance with these regulations and standards, nor can we guarantee that we will maintain compliance with such regulations in regards to our own manufacturing processes. Other risks include:

Even if our product candidates receive regulatory approval in the United States, we may never receive approval or commercialize our product candidates outside of the United States. In order to market and commercialize any product candidate outside of the United States, we must establish and comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of other countries regarding manufacturing, safety and efficacy. Approval procedures vary among countries and can involve additional product testing and additional administrative review periods. The time required to obtain approval in other countries might differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. The regulatory approval process in other countries may include all of the risks detailed above regarding FDA approval in the United States as well as other risks. Regulatory approval in one country does not ensure regulatory approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may have a negative effect on the regulatory approval process in others. Failure to obtain regulatory approval in other countries, or any delay or setback in obtaining such approval, could have the same adverse effects detailed above regarding FDA approval in the United States. Such effects include the risks that our product candidates may not be approved for all indications requested, which could limit the uses of our product candidates and have an adverse effect on product sales and potential royalties, and that such approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or require costly, post-marketing follow-up studies.

Even if our product candidates receive regulatory approval, we may still face future development and regulatory difficulties.

Even if U.S. regulatory approval is obtained, the FDA may still impose significant restrictions on a product’s indicated uses or marketing, or impose ongoing requirements for potentially costly post-approval studies. If any of our products were granted accelerated approval, FDA could require post-marketing confirmatory trials to verify and describe the anticipated effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical benefit. FDA may withdraw approval of a drug or indication approved under the accelerated approval pathway if a trial required to verify the predicted clinical benefit of the product fails to verify such benefit; other evidence demonstrates that the product is not shown to be safe or effective under the conditions of use; the applicant fails to conduct any required post-approval trial of the drug with due diligence; or the applicant disseminates false or misleading promotional materials relating to the product. In addition, the FDA currently requires as a condition for accelerated approval the pre-approval of promotional materials, which could adversely impact the timing of the commercial launch of the product.

Given the number of recent high-profile adverse safety events with certain drug and cell related products, the FDA may require, as a condition of approval, costly risk management programs, which may include safety surveillance, restricted distribution and use, patient education, enhanced labeling, special packaging or labeling, expedited reporting of certain adverse events, pre-approval of promotional materials, and restrictions on direct-to-consumer advertising. Furthermore, heightened Congressional scrutiny on the adequacy of the FDA’s drug approval process and the FDA’s efforts to assure the safety of marketed cell based therapy has resulted in the proposal of new legislation addressing drug safety issues. If enacted, any new legislation could result in delays or increased costs during the period of product development, clinical trials, and regulatory review and approval, as well as increased costs to assure compliance with any new post-approval regulatory requirements. Any of these restrictions or requirements could force us to conduct costly studies or increase the time for us to become profitable. For example, any labeling approved for any of our product candidates may include a restriction on the term of its use, or it may not include one or more of our intended indications.

Our product candidates will also be subject to ongoing FDA requirements for the labeling, packaging, storage, advertising, promotion, record-keeping, and submission of safety and other post-market information on the cell based therapy. New issues may arise during a product lifecycle that did not exist, or were unknown, at the time of product approval, such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the facility where the product is manufactured. Since approved products, manufacturers, and manufacturers’ facilities are subject to continuous review and periodic inspections, these new issues post-approval may result in voluntary actions by us or may result in a regulatory agency imposing restrictions on that product or us, including requiring withdrawal of the product from the market or for use in a clinical study. If our product candidates fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, such as good manufacturing practices, a regulatory agency may:

If we or current or future collaborators, manufacturers, or service providers fail to comply with healthcare laws and regulations, we or they could be subject to enforcement actions and substantial penalties, which could affect our ability to develop, market and sell our products and may harm our reputation.

Although we do not currently have any products on the market, once our therapeutic candidates or clinical trials are covered by federal health care programs, we will be subject to additional healthcare statutory and regulatory requirements and enforcement by the federal, state and foreign governments of the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business. Healthcare providers, physicians and third party payors play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of any therapeutic candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. Our future arrangements with third party payors and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse, transparency, and other healthcare laws and regulations that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we market, sell and distribute our therapeutic candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. Restrictions under applicable federal and state healthcare laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, the following:

The scope and enforcement of each of these laws is uncertain and subject to rapid change in the current environment of healthcare reform, especially in light of the lack of applicable precedent and regulations. Federal and state enforcement bodies have recently increased their scrutiny of interactions between healthcare companies and healthcare providers, which has led to a number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and settlements in the healthcare industry. Responding to investigations can be time-and resource-consuming and can divert management’s attention from the business. Any such investigation or settlement could increase our costs or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business.

Ensuring that our business arrangements with third-parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations could involve substantial costs. If our operations are found to be in violation of any such requirements, we may be subject to penalties, including civil or criminal penalties, monetary damages, the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, or exclusion from participation in government contracting, healthcare reimbursement or other government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, any of which could adversely affect our financial results. Although effective compliance programs can mitigate the risk of investigation and prosecution for violations of these laws, these risks cannot be entirely eliminated. Any action against us for an alleged or suspected violation could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and could divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business, even if our defense is successful. In addition, achieving and sustaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations may be costly to us in terms of money, time and resources.

Any cell based therapies we develop may become subject to unfavorable pricing regulations, third party coverage and reimbursement practices or healthcare reform initiatives, thereby harming our business.

The regulations that govern marketing approvals, pricing, coverage and reimbursement for new drugs and cell based therapies vary widely from country to country. Some countries require approval of the sale price of a drug before it can be marketed. In many countries, the pricing review period begins after marketing or product licensing approval is granted. In some foreign markets, prescription pharmaceutical pricing remains subject to continuing governmental control even after initial approval is granted. Although we intend to monitor these regulations, our programs are currently in earlier stages of development and we will not be able to assess the impact of price regulations for a number of years. As a result, we might obtain regulatory approval for a product in a particular country, but then be subject to price regulations that delay our commercial launch of the product and negatively impact the revenues we are able to generate from the sale of the product in that country.

Our ability to commercialize any products successfully also will depend in part on the extent to which coverage and reimbursement for these products and related treatments will be available from government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. However, there may be significant delays in obtaining coverage for newly-approved cell based therapies. Moreover, eligibility for coverage does not necessarily signify that a cell based therapy will be reimbursed in all cases or at a rate that covers our costs, including research, development, manufacture, sale and distribution costs. Also, interim payments for new cell based therapy if applicable, may be insufficient to cover our costs and may not be made permanent. Thus, even if we succeed in bringing one or more products to the market, these products may not be considered medically necessary or cost-effective, and the amount reimbursed for any products may be insufficient to allow us to sell our products on a competitive basis. Because our programs are in earlier stages of development, we are unable at this time to determine their cost effectiveness, or the likely level or method of reimbursement. In addition, obtaining coverage and reimbursement approval of a product from a government or other third-party payor is a time-consuming and costly process that could require us to provide to each payor supporting scientific, clinical and cost-effectiveness data for the use of our product on a payor-by-payor basis, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be obtained. A payor’s decision to provide coverage for a product does not imply that an adequate reimbursement rate will be approved. Further, one payor’s determination to provide coverage for a product does not assure that other payors will also provide coverage for the product. Adequate third-party reimbursement may not be available to enable us to maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our investment in product development. If reimbursement is not available or is available only at limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize any product candidate that we successfully develop.

Increasingly, the third party payors who reimburse patients or healthcare providers, such as government and private insurance plans, are seeking greater upfront discounts, additional rebates and other concessions to reduce the prices for pharmaceutical products. If the price we are able to charge for any products we develop, or the reimbursement provided for such products, is inadequate in light of our development and other costs, our return on investment could be adversely affected.

We currently expect that certain drugs we develop may need to be administered under the supervision of a physician on an outpatient basis. Under currently applicable U.S. law, certain drugs that are not usually self-administered (including injectable cell based therapies) may be eligible for coverage under Medicare through Medicare Part B. Specifically, Medicare Part B coverage may be available for eligible beneficiaries when the following, among other requirements have been satisfied:

Average prices for cell therapies may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government healthcare programs or private payors and by any future relaxation of laws that presently restrict imports of drugs and cell based therapy from countries where they may be sold at lower prices than in the U.S. Reimbursement rates under Medicare Part B would depend in part on whether the newly approved product would be eligible for a unique billing code. Self-administered, outpatient drugs and cell based therapies are typically reimbursed under Medicare Part D, and cell based therapies that are administered in an inpatient hospital setting are typically reimbursed under Medicare Part A under a bundled payment. It is difficult for us to predict how Medicare coverage and reimbursement policies will be applied to our products in the future and coverage and reimbursement under different federal healthcare programs are not always consistent. Medicare reimbursement rates may also reflect budgetary constraints placed on the Medicare program.

Third party payors often rely upon Medicare coverage policies and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates. These coverage policies and limitations may rely, in part, on compendia listings for approved therapeutics. Our inability to promptly obtain relevant compendia listings, coverage, and adequate reimbursement from both government-funded and private payors for new cell based therapies that we develop and for which we obtain regulatory approval could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, our ability to raise capital needed to commercialize products and our financial condition.

We expect that these and other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future, may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and lower reimbursement, and in additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any approved product. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government-funded programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability or commercialize our cell based therapies, once marketing approval is obtained.

We believe that the efforts of governments and third party payors to contain or reduce the cost of healthcare and legislative and regulatory proposals to broaden the availability of healthcare will continue to affect the business and financial condition of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. A number of legislative and regulatory changes in the healthcare system in the U.S. and other major healthcare markets have been proposed, and such efforts have expanded substantially in recent years. These developments could, directly or indirectly, affect our ability to sell our products, if approved, at a favorable price. For example, in the United States, in 2010, the U.S. Congress passed the ACA, a sweeping law intended to broaden access to health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of health spending, enhance remedies against fraud and abuse, add new transparency requirements for the healthcare and health insurance industries, impose new taxes and fees on the health industry and impose additional policy reforms. Among the provisions of the ACA addressing coverage and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products, of importance to our potential therapeutic candidates are the following:

Separately, pursuant to the health reform legislation and related initiatives, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, is working with various healthcare providers to develop, refine, and implement Accountable Care Organizations, or ACOs, and other innovative models of care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, including the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative, the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative, the Duals Demonstration, and other models. The continued development and expansion of ACOs and other innovative models of care will have an uncertain impact on any future reimbursement we may receive for approved therapeutics administered by these organizations.

The healthcare industry is heavily regulated in the U.S. at the federal, state, and local levels, and our failure to comply with applicable requirements may subject us to penalties and negatively affect our financial condition.

As a healthcare company, our operations, clinical trial activities and interactions with healthcare providers may be subject to extensive regulation in the U.S., particularly if we receive FDA approval for any of its products in the future. For example, if we receive FDA approval for a product for which reimbursement is available under a federal healthcare program (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid), it would be subject to a variety of federal laws and regulations, including those that prohibit the filing of false or improper claims for payment by federal healthcare programs (e.g. the federal False Claims Act), prohibit unlawful inducements for the referral of business reimbursable by federal healthcare programs (e.g. the federal Anti-Kickback Statute), and require disclosure of certain payments or other transfers of value made to U.S.-licensed physicians and teaching hospitals or Open Payments. We are not able to predict how third parties will interpret these laws and apply applicable governmental guidance and may challenge our practices and activities under one or more of these laws. If our past or present operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws, we could be subject to civil and criminal penalties, which could hurt our business, our operations and financial condition.

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits, among other things, any person or entity, from knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving any remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, to induce or in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering or arranging for the purchase, lease or order of any item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs. The term remuneration has been interpreted broadly to include anything of value. The Anti-Kickback Statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers on one hand and prescribers, purchasers, and formulary managers on the other. There are a number of statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting some common activities from prosecution. The exceptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly and practices that involve remuneration that may be alleged to be intended to induce prescribing, purchasing or recommending may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exception or safe harbor. Failure to meet all of the requirements of a particular applicable statutory exception or regulatory safe harbor does not make the conduct per se illegal under the Anti-Kickback Statute. Instead, the legality of the arrangement will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on a cumulative review of all of its facts and circumstances. Our practices may not in all cases meet all of the criteria for protection under a statutory exception or regulatory safe harbor.

Additionally, the intent standard under the Anti-Kickback Statute was amended by the ACA, to a stricter standard such that a person or entity no longer needs to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation. In addition, the ACA codified case law that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti- Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal FCA.

The civil monetary penalties statute imposes penalties against any person or entity that, among other things, is determined to have presented or caused to be presented a claim to a federal healthcare program that the person knows or should know is for an item or service that was not provided as claimed or is false or fraudulent.

Federal false claims and false statement laws, including the federal FCA, prohibit, among other things, any person or entity from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment to, or approval by, the federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, or knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim to the federal government. A claim includes “any request or demand” for money or property presented to the U.S. government. For instance, historically, pharmaceutical and other healthcare companies have been prosecuted under these laws for allegedly providing free product to customers with the expectation that the customers would bill federal programs for the product. Other companies have been prosecuted for causing false claims to be submitted because of the companies’ marketing of the product for unapproved, off-label, and thus generally non-reimbursable, uses.

HIPAA prohibits, among other offenses, knowingly and willfully executing a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program, including private payors, or falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for items or services under a health care benefit program. To the extent that we act as a business associate to a healthcare provider engaging in electronic transactions, we may also be subject to the privacy and security provisions of HIPAA, as amended by HITECH, which restricts the use and disclosure of patient-identifiable health information, mandates the adoption of standards relating to the privacy and security of patient-identifiable health information, and requires the reporting of certain security breaches to healthcare provider customers with respect to such information. Additionally, many states have enacted similar laws that may impose more stringent requirements on entities like ours. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could result in substantial penalties and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Many states also have similar fraud and abuse statutes or regulations that apply to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of the payor. Additionally, to the extent that our product is sold in a foreign country, we may be subject to similar foreign laws.

Our products, once approved, may be eligible for coverage under Medicare and Medicaid, among other government healthcare programs. Accordingly, we may be subject to a number of obligations based on their participation in these programs, such as a requirement to calculate and report certain price reporting metrics to the government, such as average sales price (ASP) and best price. Penalties may apply in some cases when such metrics are not submitted accurately and timely. Further, these prices for drugs may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government healthcare programs or private payors and by any future relaxation of laws that presently restrict imports of drugs and biological products from countries where they may be sold at lower prices than in the United States. It is difficult to predict how Medicare coverage and reimbursement policies will be applied to our products in the future and coverage and reimbursement under different federal healthcare programs are not always consistent. Medicare reimbursement rates may also reflect budgetary constraints placed on the Medicare program.

In order to distribute products commercially, we must comply with state laws that require the registration of manufacturers and wholesale distributors of drug and biological products in a state, including, in certain states, manufacturers and distributors who ship products into the state even if such manufacturers or distributors have no place of business within the state. Some states also impose requirements on manufacturers and distributors to establish the pedigree of product in the chain of distribution, including some states that require manufacturers and others to adopt new technology capable of tracking and tracing product as it moves through the distribution chain. Several states have enacted legislation requiring pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to establish marketing compliance programs, file periodic reports with the state, make periodic public disclosures on sales, marketing, pricing, clinical trials and other activities, and/or register their sales representatives, as well as to prohibit pharmacies and other healthcare entities from providing certain physician prescribing data to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for use in sales and marketing, and to prohibit certain other sales and marketing practices. All of our activities are potentially subject to federal and state consumer protection and unfair competition laws.

If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the federal and state healthcare laws described above or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including without limitation, civil, criminal and/or administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, exclusion from participation in government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, injunctions, private “qui tam” actions brought by individual whistleblowers in the name of the government, or refusal to allow us to enter into government contracts, contractual damages, reputational harm, administrative burdens, diminished profits and future earnings, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.

Our ability to obtain reimbursement or funding from the federal government may be impacted by possible reductions in federal spending.

U.S. federal government agencies currently face potentially significant spending reductions. The Budget Control Act of 2011, or the BCA, established a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, which was tasked with achieving a reduction in the federal debt level of at least $1.2 trillion. That committee did not draft a proposal by the BCA’s deadline. As a result, automatic cuts, referred to as sequestration, in various federal programs were scheduled to take place, beginning in January 2013, although the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 delayed the BCA’s automatic cuts until March 1, 2013. While the Medicare program’s eligibility and scope of benefits are generally exempt from these cuts, Medicare payments to providers and Part D health plans are not exempt. The BCA did, however, provide that the Medicare cuts to providers and Part D health plans would not exceed two percent. President Obama issued the sequestration order on March 1, 2013, and cuts went into effect on April 1, 2013. Additionally, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 extended sequestration for Medicare through fiscal year 2027.

The U.S. federal budget remains in flux, which could, among other things, cut Medicare payments to providers. The Medicare program is frequently mentioned as a target for spending cuts. The full impact on our business of any future cuts in Medicare or other programs is uncertain. In addition, we cannot predict any impact President Trump’s administration and the U.S. Congress may have on the federal budget. If federal spending is reduced, anticipated budgetary shortfalls may also impact the ability of relevant agencies, such as the FDA or the National Institutes of Health, to continue to function at current levels. Amounts allocated to federal grants and contracts may be reduced or eliminated. These reductions may also impact the ability of relevant agencies to timely review and approve drug research and development, manufacturing, and marketing activities, which may delay our ability to develop, market and sell any products we may develop.

Risks Related to Our Securities

Our officers, directors and principal stockholders own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval.

Our officers, directors and 5% stockholders and their affiliates beneficially own a significant percentage of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders have significant influence and may be able to determine all matters requiring stockholder approval. For example, these stockholders may be able to control elections of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets, or other major corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership could delay or prevent any acquisition of our company on terms that other stockholders may desire, and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

If we are unable to maintain listing of our securities on The Nasdaq Capital Market or another reputable stock exchange, it may be more difficult for our stockholders to sell their securities.

Nasdaq requires listing issuers to comply with certain standards in order to remain listed on its exchange. If, for any reason, Nasdaq should delist our securities from trading on its exchange and we are unable to obtain listing on another reputable national securities exchange, a reduction in some or all of the following may occur, each of which could materially adversely affect our stockholders. A delisting of our common stock is likely to reduce the liquidity of our common stock and may inhibit or preclude our ability to raise additional financing.

On November 3, 2023, we received notice from Nasdaq that the closing bid price for our common stock had been below $1.00 per share for the previous 30 consecutive business days, and that we were therefore not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued inclusion on The Nasdaq Capital Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Rule”). Nasdaq’s notice had no immediate effect on the listing or trading of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market. The notice indicated that we will have 180 calendar days, until May 1, 2024, to regain compliance with the Rule. We could regain compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid listing requirement if the closing bid price of our common stock is at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive business days during the 180-day compliance period. If we do not regain compliance during the initial compliance period, we may be eligible for additional time to regain compliance with the Rule. To qualify, we will be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of our publicly held shares and all other Nasdaq initial listing standards, except the bid price requirement, and provide written notice to Nasdaq of our intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. If we are not eligible or it appeared to Nasdaq that we will not be able to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period, Nasdaq then provides written notice to us that our common stock will be subject to delisting. In the event of such notification, we may appeal Nasdaq’s determination to delist our securities, but there can be no assurance that Nasdaq will grant our request for continued listing.

The price of our common stock may be volatile and fluctuate substantially, which could result in substantial losses for our stockholders.

Our common stock has been listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ALBT” since November 10, 2022. Our common stock was listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AVCO” since November 5, 2018 through the close of business on November 9, 2022. Our common shares were traded previously on the OTC Market Group Inc.’s Venture Market (the “OTCQB”) since February 22, 2016, under the symbol “AVCO” since October 18, 2016 and “GTHC” prior to October 18, 2016.

The price of our common stock has been, and we expect it to continue to be, volatile. The stock market in general and the market for smaller healthcare companies in particular have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, you may not be able to sell your shares of common stock at or above the price you paid for your shares of common stock. The market price for our common stock may be influenced by many factors, including:

Future sales of our common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable for our common stock may cause our stock price to decline.

If our existing stockholders sell, or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the price of our common stock could decline. The perception in the market that these sales may occur could also cause the price of our common stock to decline.

In addition, as of December 31, 2023,

If the shares we may issue from time to time upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants and the conversion of our outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock are sold and outstanding convertible notes are issues, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, by the award recipients in the public market, the price of our common stock could decline.

You may experience dilution of your ownership interests because of the future issuance of additional shares of our common or preferred stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our common or preferred stock.

As of the date of this filing, we have issued an aggregate of (i) 9,000 shares of our newly designated Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) 11,000 shares of our newly designated Series B Preferred Stock. In the future, we may issue our authorized but previously unissued equity securities, resulting in the dilution of the ownership interests of our stockholders. We are authorized to issue an aggregate of 490,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock. We may issue additional shares of our common stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our common stock in connection with hiring or retaining employees, future acquisitions, future sales of our securities for capital raising purposes, or for other business purposes. The future issuance of any such additional shares of our common stock may create downward pressure on the trading price of our common stock. We expect we will need to raise additional capital in the near future to meet our working capital needs, and there can be no assurance that we will not be required to issue additional shares, warrants or other convertible securities in the future in conjunction with these capital raising efforts, including at a price (or exercise prices) below the price you paid for your stock.

The ability of our Board to issue additional stock may prevent or make more difficult certain transactions, including a sale or merger.

Our Board is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with powers, rights and preferences designated by it. Shares of voting or convertible preferred stock could be issued, or rights to purchase such shares could be issued, to create voting impediments or to frustrate persons seeking to effect a takeover or otherwise gain control of us. The rights of holders of our common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of our preferred stock, including our newly designated Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and any preferred stock that may be issued. The ability of the Board to issue such additional shares of preferred stock, with rights and preferences it deems advisable, could discourage an attempt by a party to acquire control of us by tender offer or other means. Such issuances could therefore deprive stockholders of benefits that could result from such an attempt, such as the realization of a premium over the market price for their shares in a tender offer or the temporary increase in market price that such an attempt could cause. Moreover, the issuance of such additional shares of preferred stock to persons friendly to the Board could make it more difficult to remove incumbent managers and directors from office even if such change were to be favorable to stockholders generally.

We are incorporated in Delaware. Certain anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law and our charter documents as currently in effect may make a change in control of us more difficult, even if a change in control would be beneficial to the stockholders. Delaware law also prohibits corporations from engaging in a business combination with any holders of 15% or more of their capital stock until the holder has held the stock for three years unless, among other possibilities, our Board approves the transaction. Our Board may use these provisions to prevent changes in the management and control of us. Also, under applicable Delaware law, our Board may adopt additional anti-takeover measures in the future.

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

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If no or few securities or industry analysts commence coverage of us, the trading price for our stock would be negatively impacted. In the event we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage, if any of the analysts who cover us issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding us, our business model, our intellectual property or our stock performance, or if our operating results fail to meet the expectations of analysts, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

We do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock, and investors may lose the entire amount of their investment.

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not anticipate such a declaration or payment for the foreseeable future.

We expect to use future earnings, if any, to fund business growth. Therefore, stockholders will not receive any funds absent a sale of their shares of our common stock. We cannot assure stockholders of a positive return on their investment when they sell their shares, nor can we assure that stockholders will not lose the entire amount of their investment.

Applicable regulatory requirements, including those contained in and issued under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may make it difficult for us to retain or attract qualified officers and directors, which could adversely affect the management of our business and our ability to obtain or retain listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange.

We may be unable to attract and retain those qualified officers, directors and members of board committees required to provide for effective management because of the rules and regulations that govern publicly held companies, including, but not limited to, certifications by principal executive officers. The enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has resulted in the issuance of a series of related rules and regulations and the strengthening of existing rules and regulations by the SEC, as well as the adoption of new and more stringent rules by national securities exchanges. The perceived increased personal risk associated with these changes may deter qualified individuals from accepting roles as directors and executive officers.

Further, some of these changes heighten the requirements for board or committee membership, particularly with respect to an individual’s independence from the corporation and level of experience in finance and accounting matters. We may have difficulty attracting and retaining directors with the requisite qualifications. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified officers and directors, the management of our business and our ability to obtain or retain listing of our shares of common stock on any national securities exchange could be adversely affected.

If we cannot satisfy, or continue to satisfy, the initial listing requirements and other rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market, our securities may be delisted, which could negatively impact the price of our securities and your ability to sell them.

Our common stock has been listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ALBT” since November 10, 2022 and under the symbol “AVCO” since November 5, 2018 through the close of business on November 9, 2022. In order to maintain our listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, we are required to comply with certain rules of the applicable trading market, including those regarding minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price and certain corporate governance requirements. We may not be able to continue to satisfy the listing requirements and other applicable rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market. If we are unable to satisfy the criteria for maintaining our listing, our securities could be subject to delisting.

If our common stock is delisted from trading by the applicable trading market we could face significant consequences, including.

We could be subject to securities class action litigation.

In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following a decline in the market price of its securities. This risk is especially relevant for us because companies in our industry have experienced significant stock price volatility in recent years. If we face such litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could harm our business.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity Risk Management

We, like other companies in our industry, face several cybersecurity risks in connection with our business. Our business strategy, results of operations, and financial condition have not, to date, been affected by risks from cybersecurity threats. During the reporting period, we have not experienced any material cyber incidents, nor have we experienced a series of immaterial incidents, which would require disclosure.

In the ordinary course of our business, we use, store and process a bare minimum of data. To effectively prevent, detect, and respond to cybersecurity threats, we maintain a cyber risk management program, which is comprised of data segregation, penetration testing, and training. The cyber risk management program falls under the responsibility of a third party IT consultant, who has cross-functional expertise in IT management, cybersecurity, and engineering with more than 30 years of experience (the “IT Consultant”), who reports directly to our Chief Financial Officer. Under the guidance of the IT Consultant, we have minimized our data footprint to keep our cyber risk low.

We have implemented a cybersecurity risk management program that is designed to limit and mitigate risks from cybersecurity threats. Our cybersecurity risk management program incorporates several components, including employee training, periodic penetration tests, and multifactor authentications.

Governance

Under the ultimate direction of our CFO, with oversight from the Board, we maintain a security governance structure to evaluate and address cyber risk.

Our Board is responsible for the oversight of cybersecurity risk management. The Board delegates oversight of the cybersecurity risk management program to the Audit Committee. On a quarterly and as-needed basis, the CFO reports to the Audit Committee on our cybersecurity risk management program, including any critical cybersecurity risks, ongoing cybersecurity initiatives and strategies, and applicable regulatory requirements and industry standards. The CFO also provides updates to the Audit Committee of any cybersecurity incidents (suspected or actual) and provides updates on the incidents as well as cybersecurity risk mitigation activities as appropriate.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our principal offices are located at 4400 Route 9 South, Freehold, NJ 07728. The office building is owned by our subsidiary, Avalon RT 9 Properties, LLC, which is in business of owning and operating an income-producing real property. Our property is well maintained, adequately meets our needs, and is being utilized for its intended purpose.

We lease additional office space for operations. Office location is not crucial to our operations, and we anticipate no difficulty in extending these leases or obtaining comparable office space.

We are obligated under various lease agreements providing for office space that expire at various dates through the year 2025. Total rent expense under these lease agreements was approximately $129,000 and $141,000 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

We believe that our current office space is adequate for our current and immediately foreseeable operating needs.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to our normal business operations. We are not currently a party to, and our property is not subject to, any material legal proceedings, except as set forth below.

On October 25, 2017, our subsidiary, Genexosome, entered into and closed a Stock Purchase Agreement with Beijing Jieteng (Genexosome) Biotech Co., Ltd., a corporation incorporated in the People’s Republic of China on August 7, 2015 (“Beijing Genexosome”) which was dissolved in June 2022, and Yu Zhou, MD, PhD, the sole shareholder of Beijing Genexosome, pursuant to which Genexosome acquired all of the issued and outstanding securities of Beijing Genexosome in consideration of a cash payment in the amount of $450,000, of which $100,000 is still owed. Further, on October 25, 2017, Genexosome entered into and closed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Dr. Zhou, pursuant to which the Company acquired all assets, including all intellectual property and exosome separation systems, held by Dr. Zhou pertaining to the business of researching, developing and commercializing exosome technologies. In consideration of the assets, Genexosome paid Dr. Zhou $876,087 in cash, transferred 500,000 shares of our common stock to Dr. Zhou and issued Dr. Zhou 400 shares of common stock of Genexosome. Further, the Company had not been able to realize the financial projections provided by Dr. Zhou at the time of the acquisition and has decided to impair the intangible asset associated with this acquisition to zero. Dr. Zhou was terminated as Co-CEO of Genexosome on August 14, 2019. Further, on October 28, 2019, Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (“Research Institute”) filed a Complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Eastern Division against Dr. Zhou, Li Chen, the Company and Genexosome with various claims against the Company and Genexosome including misappropriation of trade secrets in violation of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 and violation of Ohio Uniform Trade Secrets Act. Research Institute is seeking monetary damages, injunctive relief, exemplary damages, injunctive relief and other equitable relief. The Company intends to vigorously defend against this action and pursue all available legal remedies. The criminal proceedings against Dr. Zhou and Li Chen have been concluded. The Company, Genexosome and the Research Institute entered into a settlement agreement dated June 7, 2022 (the “Settlement Agreement”), whereby the Company agreed to pay the Research Institute $450,000 on each of the sixty-day, one year and two-year anniversaries of the Settlement Date. In addition, the Company agreed to pay the Research Institute 30% of the Company’s initial pre-tax profit of $3,333,333, 20% of the Company’s second pre-tax profit of $3,333,333 and 10% of the Company’s third pre-tax profit of $3,333,333. The parties provided a mutual release as well.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our common stock has been listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ALBT” since November 10, 2022. Our common stock was listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AVCO” from November 5, 2018 through the close of business on November 9, 2022.

Holders of Record

As of March 29, 2024, there were approximately 223 registered holders of record of our shares of common stock, based upon information received from our stock transfer agent. However, this number does not include beneficial owners whose shares were held of record by nominees or broker dealers.

ITEM 6. [RESERVED] 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes to those consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report Form 10-K including, without limitation, statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding our financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under the risk factors and business sections in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

We are a commercial stage company dedicated to developing and delivering innovative, transformative, precision diagnostics and clinical laboratory services. We are focused on establishing a leading role in the innovation of diagnostic testing, utilizing proprietary technology to deliver precise, genetics-driven results. As a first step into the laboratory market, we completed an acquisition of a 40% membership interest in Laboratory Services MSO, LLC (“Lab Services MSO”), which closed in February 2023.

We have the following areas of focus:

Laboratory Acquisitions

We have embarked on a laboratory rollup strategy focused on forming joint ventures and acquiring laboratories that are accretive to our commercial strategy. As a first step, in February of 2023, we acquired a 40% membership interest in Lab Services MSO.

Research and Development

We are focused on bringing forward intellectual property through joint patent filings with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). We completed a sponsored research and co-development project with MIT led by Professor Shuguang Zhang as Principal Investigator. Using the unique QTY code protein design platform, six water-soluble variant cytokine receptors have been successfully designed and tested to show binding affinity to the respective cytokines. We currently are focused on bringing forward the intellectual property associated with this program through joint patent submissions.

Product Commercialization

We have begun the commercialization and development of a versatile breathalyzer system.

We were granted exclusive distributorship rights for the KetoAir from Qi Diagnostics for the following territories: North America, South America, the EU and the UK. We had a pilot launch and exhibition of the KetoAir in this year’s KetoCon conference in Austin, Texas (April 21-23, 2023). For our commercialization strategy, we intend to target the diabetes and obesity markets. We are evaluating options for commercialization, including identifying distribution partners or distributing the KetoAir ourselves.

The KetoAir is a handheld device that allows the user to detect acetone levels in exhaled breath. The acetone level is in concentration units (ppm, part-per-million) such that the user will know his/her real-time ketosis status: inadequate ketosis (0-3.99 ppm), mild ketosis (4-9.99 ppm), optimal ketosis (10-40 ppm), or alarming level (> 40 ppm). The KetoAir is registered with the United States FDA as a Class I medical device. The device is also paired with an “AI Nutritionist” software program (via Bluetooth connection) which is downloadable from Google Play (for Android mobile phones, approved) and iPhone (the app is currently being reviewed by Apple iOS AppStore). It helps users monitor and manage their ketogenic diet and related programs. We believe the KetoAir can be an essential tool to help diabetic patients adhere to their therapeutic programs and optimize their ketogenic dietary management.

Other Areas

In order to preserve cash and focus on our core laboratory rollup strategy and product commercialization, we have currently suspended all research and development efforts related to cellular therapy in order to redirect our funding efforts to our core business strategies outlined above.

Going Concern

We are a commercial stage company dedicated to developing and delivering innovative, transformative, precision diagnostics and clinical laboratory services. We are focused on establishing a leading role in the innovation of diagnostic testing, utilizing proprietary technology to deliver precise, genetics-driven results. We also provide laboratory services, offering a broad portfolio of diagnostic tests, including drug testing, toxicology, and a broad array of test services, from general bloodwork to anatomic pathology, and urine toxicology.

In addition, we own commercial real estate that houses our headquarters in Freehold, New Jersey. We also have income from equity method investment through our forty percent (40%) interest in Lab Services MSO. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. 

As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, we had working capital deficit of approximately $5,912,000 at December 31, 2023 and had incurred recurring net losses and generated negative cash flow from operating activities of approximately $16,707,000 and $6,505,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, respectively.

We have a limited operating history and our continued growth is dependent upon the continuation of generating rental revenue from its income-producing real estate property in New Jersey and income from equity method investment through its forty percent (40%) interest in Lab Services MSO and obtaining additional financing to fund future obligations and pay liabilities arising from ordinary course business operations. In addition, the current cash balance cannot be projected to cover the operating expenses for the next twelve months from the release date of this report. These matters raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of us to continue as a going concern is dependent on our ability to raise additional capital, implement our business plan, and generate sufficient revenues. There are no assurances that we will be successful in its efforts to generate sufficient revenues, maintain sufficient cash balance or report profitable operations or to continue as a going concern. We plan on raising capital through the sale of equity to implement its business plan. However, there is no assurance these plans will be realized and that any additional financings will be available to us on satisfactory terms and conditions, if any.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability or classification of asset-carrying amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result should we be unable to continue as a going concern.

Critical Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Changes in these estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Significant estimates during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 include the useful life of property and equipment, investment in real estate, and intangible assets, the assumptions used in assessing impairment of long-term assets, the valuation of deferred tax assets and the associated valuation allowances, the valuation of stock-based compensation, the assumptions used to determine fair value of warrants and embedded conversion features of convertible note payable, and the fair value of the consideration given and assets acquired in the purchase of our equity interest in Lab Services MSO.

Investment in Unconsolidated Companies

We use the equity method of accounting for its investments in, and earning or loss of, companies that it does not control but over which it does exert significant influence. We consider whether the fair values of our equity method investments have declined below their carrying values whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. If we consider any decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results and the overall health of the investee), then a write-down would be recorded to estimated fair value. Impairment of equity method investment amounted to $9,651,361 for the year ended December 31, 2023. See Note 7 for discussion of equity method investments.

Real Property Rental

We have determined that ASC 606 does not apply to rental contracts, which are within the scope of other revenue recognition accounting standards.

Rental income from operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis under the guidance of ASC 842. Lease payments under tenant leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases. The cumulative difference between lease revenue recognized under the straight-line method and contractual lease payments are included in rent receivable on the consolidated balance sheets.

We do not offer promotional payments, customer coupons, rebates or other cash redemption offers to its customers.

Income Taxes

We are governed by the income tax laws of China and the United States. Income taxes are accounted for pursuant to ASC 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes,” which is an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. The charge for taxes is based on the results for the period as adjusted for items, which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized.

Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is changed to equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they related to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and we intend to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Real Property Rental Revenue

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had real property rental revenue of $1,255,681, as compared to $1,202,169 for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $53,512, or 4.5%. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in the number of tenants occupying the building in the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. We expect that our revenue from real property rent will remain at its current level with minimal increase in the near future.

Real Property Operating Expenses

Real property operating expenses consist of property management fees, property insurance, real estate taxes, depreciation, repairs and maintenance fees, utilities and other expenses related to our rental properties.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, our real property operating expenses amounted to $1,017,493, as compared to $929,441 for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $88,052 or 9.5%. The increase was primarily due to an increase in property management fees of approximately $15,000, an increase in repairs and maintenance fee of approximately $64,000, and an increase in other miscellaneous items of approximately $9,000.

Real Property Operating Income

Our real property operating income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $238,188, representing a decrease of $34,540 or 12.7%, as compared to $272,728 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in real property operating expenses as described above. We expect our real property operating income will remain at its current level with minimal increase in the near future.

Loss from Equity Method Investment — Lab Services MSO

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had loss from our investment in Lab Services MSO of $8,571,647, which consists of our share of Lab Services MSO’s net income of $1,236,391 and amortization of identifiable intangible assets acquired from Lab Services MSO acquisition of $611,356 and impairment of goodwill acquired from Lab Services MSO acquisition of $9,196,682, which was primarily attributable to Lab Services MSO’s lower revenues and net incomes than anticipated and the decline in our stock price and market capitalization. We purchased 40% of Lab Services MSO on February 9, 2023. In the third quarter of 2023, Lab Services MSO acquired Merlin Technologies, Inc. which is a medical equipment retail company. Lab Services MSO has also opened a new laboratory, Veritas Laboratories LLC (“Veritas”). Veritas is a CLIA-certified and COLA-accredited laboratory located in Scottsdale, Arizona that offers a wide range of high-quality testing, including drug testing, genetic testing, urinary testing and COVID-19 PCR testing. We expect to receive income from our investment in Lab Services MSO in the near future.

Other Operating Expenses

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, other operating expenses consisted of the following:

Loss from Operations

As a result of the foregoing, for the year ended December 31, 2023, loss from operations amounted to $15,753,683, as compared to $8,792,895 for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $6,960,788 or 79.2%.

Other (Expense) Income

Other (expense) income mainly includes third party and related party interest expense, conversion inducement expense, loss from equity method investment - Epicon, change in fair value of derivative liability, impairment of equity method investment - Epicon, gain on debts extinguishment, and other miscellaneous (expense) income.

Other expense, net, totaled $953,327 for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $3,137,952 for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $2,184,625, or 69.6%, which was primarily attributable to a decrease in third party interest expense of approximately $2,179,000, mainly driven by the decrease in amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost of approximately $2,767,000 which was offset by the increased interest expense of approximately $588,000 from third party debts in the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease in conversion inducement expense of approximately $344,000 resulted from the reduction in the conversion price which was incurred in the year ended December 31, 2022, and an increase in gain on debts extinguishment of approximately $683,000, offset by a decrease in gain from change in fair value of derivative liability of approximately $412,000, and an increase in impairment of equity method investment - Epicon of approximately $455,000 due to Epicon’s series of operating losses and the joint venture partner unable to obtain funds to commence operations, and a decrease in other miscellaneous income of approximately $224,000.

Income Taxes

We did not have any income taxes expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 since we incurred losses in these periods.

Net Loss

As a result of the factors described above, our net loss was $16,707,010 for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $11,930,847 for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $4,776,163 or 40.0%.

Net Loss Attributable to Avalon GloboCare Corp. Common Shareholders

The net loss attributable to our common shareholders was $16,707,010 or $1.59 per share (basic and diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $11,930,847 or $1.28 per share (basic and diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $4,776,163 or 40.0%.

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of our parent company, AHS, Avalon RT 9, and Avalon Lab is the U.S. dollar and the functional currency of Avalon Shanghai is the Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). The financial statement of our subsidiary whose functional currency is the RMB are translated to U.S. dollars using period end rate of exchange for assets and liabilities, average rate of exchange for revenues, costs, and expenses and cash flows, and at historical exchange rate for equity. Net gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange transactions are included in the results of operations. As a result of foreign currency translations, which are a non-cash adjustment, we reported a foreign currency translation loss of $18,590 and $47,871 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This non-cash loss had the effect of increasing our reported comprehensive loss.

Comprehensive Loss

As a result of our foreign currency translation adjustment, we had comprehensive loss of $16,725,600 and $11,978,718 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have a limited operating history and our continued growth is dependent upon the continuation of generating rental revenue from our income-producing real estate property in New Jersey and income from equity method investment through our equity interest in Lab Services MSO, as well as obtaining additional financing to fund future obligations and pay liabilities arising from ordinary course business operations. In addition, the current cash balance cannot be projected to cover the operating expenses for the next twelve months from the release date of this report. These matters raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of us to continue as a going concern is dependent on our ability to raise additional capital, implement its business plan, and generate sufficient revenues. There are no assurances that we will be successful in its efforts to generate sufficient revenues, maintain sufficient cash balance or report profitable operations or to continue as a going concern. As described below, we have raised additional capital through the sale of equity and debt and our plans on raising additional capital in the future through the sale of equity or debt to implement its business plan. However, there is no assurance these plans will be realized and that any additional financings will be available to us on satisfactory terms and conditions, if at all.

Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had cash balance of approximately $285,000 and $1,991,000, respectively. These funds are kept in financial institutions located as follows:

The following table sets forth a summary of changes in our working capital deficit from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023:

Our working capital deficit increased by $4,705,540 to $5,911,819 at December 31, 2023 from $1,206,279 at December 31, 2022. The increase in working capital deficit was primarily attributable to a decrease in cash of approximately $1,706,000, an increase in accrued professional fees of approximately $131,000, an increase in accrued payroll liability and compensation of approximately $365,000, an increase in accrued liabilities and other payables – related parties of approximately $106,000, an increase in operating lease obligation of approximately $118,000, an increase in advance from sale of noncontrolling interest – related party of approximately $486,000 driven by advance received in connection with the membership interest purchase agreement signed in November 2023, an increase in equity method investment payable of $667,000 resulting from the purchase of 40% of Lab Services MSO incurred in February 2023, an increase in convertible note payable, net, of approximately $1,925,000 resulting from the issuance of May 2023 Convertible Note, July 2023 Convertible Note, and October 2023 Convertible Note, offset by an increase in prepaid expense and other current assets of approximately $120,000, and a decrease in accrued research and development fees of approximately $629,000 mainly due to the extinguishment of accrued liability.

Because the exchange rate conversion is different for the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of cash flows, the changes in assets and liabilities reflected on the consolidated statements of cash flows are not necessarily identical with the comparable changes reflected on the consolidated balance sheets.

Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2022

The following summarizes the key components of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Net cash flow used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $6,504,718, which primarily reflected our consolidated net loss of approximately $16,707,000, and the changes in operating assets and liabilities, primarily consisting of a decrease in operating lease obligation of approximately $113,000, and the non-cash items adjustment, consisting of change in fair market value of derivative liability of approximately $188,000, and gain on debts extinguishment of approximately $683,000, offset by depreciation of approximately $212,000, amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset of approximately $118,000, stock-based compensation and service expense of approximately $1,180,000, loss from equity method investments of approximately $8,590,000 mainly due to the impairment of goodwill acquired from Lab Services MSO acquisition resulting from Lab Services MSO’s lower revenues and net incomes than anticipated and the decline in our stock price and market capitalization, impairment of equity method investment - Epicon of approximately $455,000 due to Epicon’s series of operating losses and the joint venture partner unable to obtain funds to commence operations, and amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount of approximately $544,000 resulting from our outstanding convertible note payable and note payable, and the changes in operating assets and liabilities, primarily consisting of an increase in accrued liabilities and other payables – related parties of approximately $106,000 driven by the increased accrued interest for related party.

Net cash flow used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $7,037,224, which primarily reflected our consolidated net loss of approximately $11,931,000, and the non-cash item adjustment consisting of change in fair market value of derivative liability of approximately $601,000, and the changes in operating assets and liabilities, primarily consisting of a decrease in operating lease obligation of approximately $142,000, offset by an increase in accrued liabilities and other payables of approximately $331,000, an increase in accrued liabilities and other payables – related parties of approximately $80,000, and the non-cash items adjustment primarily consisting of depreciation of approximately $331,000, amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset of approximately $136,000, stock-based compensation and service expense of approximately $1,107,000, amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount of approximately $3,311,000 mainly resulting from the conversion of convertible debt in July 2022, and conversion inducement expense of approximately $344,000 resulted from the reduction in the conversion price.

We expect our cash used in operating activities to increase due to the following:

Net cash flow used in investing activities was $22,159 for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $9,053,470 for the year ended December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we made payment for purchase of property and equipment of approximately $22,000. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we made payments for purchase of property and equipment of approximately $2,000 and made additional investment in Epicon equity method investment of approximately $52,000 and made payments for acquisition of 40% interest in Laboratory Services MSO, LLC of approximately $9,000,000.   

Net cash flow provided by financing activities was $4,825,337 for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $17,263,989 for the year ended December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we received proceeds from related party borrowings of $850,000, and net proceeds from issuance of convertible debt and warrants of approximately $2,238,000 (net of original issue discount of $135,000 and cash paid for convertible note issuance costs of approximately $327,000), and net proceeds from issuance of balloon promissory note of approximately $936,000 (net of cash paid for promissory note issuance costs of approximately $64,000), and net proceeds from equity offering of approximately $616,000 (net of cash paid for commission and other offering costs of approximately $19,000), and advance from sale of noncontrolling interest in subsidiary of approximately $486,000, offset by repayments made for convertible debt of $300,000.  During the year ended December 31, 2022, we received proceeds from related party borrowings of $100,000, and proceeds from issuance of convertible debt and warrants of approximately $3,719,000, and net proceeds from issuance of balloon promissory note of approximately $4,534,000 (net of cash paid for debt issuance costs of approximately $266,000), and net proceeds from equity offering of approximately $712,000 (net of cash paid for commission and other offering costs of approximately $24,000), and proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred Stock of $9,000,000 to fund our working capital needs and equity interest purchase, offset by repayments made for note payable – related party of $390,000 and repayments made for loan payable – related party of $410,000.

The following trends are reasonably likely to result in a material decrease in our liquidity over the near to long term:

August 2019 Credit Facility

In the third quarter of 2019, we had secured a $20 million credit facility (Line of Credit) provided by our Chairman, Wenzhao Lu. The unsecured credit facility bears interest at a rate of 5% and provides for maturity on drawn loans 36 months after funding. As of December 31, 2023, we used approximately $6.8 million of the credit facility and have approximately $13.2 million remaining available under the Line Credit. 

ATM

In June 2023, we entered into a sales agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Roth Capital Partners, LLC (“Roth”) under which we may offer and sell from time to time shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $3.5 million. From July 1, 2023 to March 29, 2024, Roth has sold an aggregate of 456,627 shares of our common stock at an average price of $1.39 per share to investors. We received net cash proceeds of $616,259, net of cash paid for sales agent’s commission and other fees of $19,132.

Balloon Mortgage Note

In May 2023, we, through Avalon RT 9, executed a balloon mortgage note in favor of a lender (the “Lender”) in the original principal amount of $1,000,000 (the “Balloon Mortgage Note”). The Balloon Mortgage Note accrues interest at the annual rate of 13.0% and is paid in monthly installments of interest-only in the amount of $10,833 commencing in June 2023 and continuing through October 2025 (at which point any unpaid balance of principal, interest and other charges become due and payable). The Balloon Mortgage Note is secured by a second-lien mortgage on our real property in Monmouth County, New Jersey, In addition, we and Avalon RT 9 executed a guaranty related to the Balloon Mortgage Note.

May 2023 Convertible Note Financing

In May 2023, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain lenders (the “May 2023 Lenders”) and closed on the issuance of a 13.0% senior secured convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000 (the “May 2023 Note”), as well as the issuance of 75,000 shares of our common stock as a commitment fee and warrants for the purchase of up to 230,000 shares of our common stock. We and our subsidiaries also entered into a security agreement in connection with the May 2023 Note, creating a security interest in certain property of the Company and its subsidiaries to secure the prompt payment, performance and discharge in full of all of our obligations under the May 2023 Note. The May 2023 Lenders acquired the May 2023 Note for $1,425,000 after an original issue discount of $75,000. The May 2023 Note matures on May 23, 2024 and accrues interest at a rate of 13.0% per annum. The May 2023 Note contains certain negative covenants. If the May 2023 Note is accelerated following the occurrence of an event of default as described in such note, we are required to pay 120% of the principal and interest outstanding under the May 2023 Note. The principal amount and interest under the May 2023 Note is convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $4.50 per share, unless we fail to make an amortization payment when due in accordance with the terms of the May 2023 Note, in which case the conversion price shall be the lower of (i) $4.50 or (ii) 85% of the lowest VWAP of our common stock on any trading day during the five (5) trading days prior to the respective conversion date, subject to a floor of $1.50 per share. The warrants are comprised of (i) a warrant to purchase 125,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 and exercisable until May 23, 2028 and (ii) a warrant to purchase 105,500 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.20 and exercisable until May 23, 2028 (which warrant shall be cancelled and extinguished upon the payment of the May 2023 Note). The conversion price of the May 2023 Note and the exercise price of the warrants issued thereunder contain certain price protection anti-dilution adjustments if an event of default occurs under the May 2023 Note.

July 2023 Convertible Note Financing

In July 2023, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain lenders (the “July 2023 Lenders”) and closed on the issuance of a 13.0% senior secured convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000 (the “July 2023 Note”), as well as the issuance of 25,000 shares of our common stock as a commitment fee and warrants for the purchase of up to 76,830 shares of our common stock. We and our subsidiaries also entered into a security agreement in connection with the July 2023 Note, creating a security interest in certain property of the Company and its subsidiaries to secure the prompt payment, performance and discharge in full of all of our obligations under the July 2023 Note. The July 2023 Lenders acquired the July 2023 Note for $475,000 after an original issue discount of $25,000. The July 2023 Note matures on July 6, 2024 and accrues interest at a rate of 13.0% per annum. The July 2023 Note contains certain negative covenants. If the July 2023 Note is accelerated following the occurrence of an event of default as described in such note, we are required to pay 120% of the principal and interest outstanding under the July 2023 Note. The principal amount and interest under the July 2023 Note is convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $4.50 per share, unless we fail to make an amortization payment when due which commences in January 2024 in accordance with the terms of the July 2023 Note, in which case the conversion price shall be the lower of (i) $4.50 or (ii) 85% of the lowest VWAP of our common stock on any trading day during the five (5) trading days prior to the respective conversion date, subject to a floor of $1.50 per share. The warrants are comprised of (i) a warrant to purchase 41,665 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 and exercisable until July 6, 2028 and (ii) a warrant to purchase 35,165 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.20 and exercisable until July 6, 2028 (which warrant shall be cancelled and extinguished upon the payment of the July 2023 Notes). The conversion price of the July 2023 Note and the exercise price of the warrants issued thereunder contain certain price protection anti-dilution adjustments if an event of default occurs under the July 2023 Notes.

October 2023 Convertible Note Financing

In October 2023, we entered into securities purchase agreements with certain lenders (the “October 2023 Lenders”) and closed on the issuance of 13.0% senior secured convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $700,000 (the “October 2023 Note”), as well as the issuance of 70,000 shares of our common stock as a commitment fee and warrants for the purchase of up to 105,000 shares of our common stock. We and our subsidiaries also entered into security agreements in connection with the October 2023 Note, creating a security interest in certain property of the Company and its subsidiaries to secure the prompt payment, performance and discharge in full of all of our obligations under the October 2023 Note. The October 2023 Lenders acquired the October 2023 Note for $665,000 after an original issue discount of $35,000. The October 2023 Note matures on October 9, 2024 and accrues interest at a rate of 13.0% per annum. The October 2023 Note contains certain negative covenants. If the October 2023 Note is accelerated following the occurrence of an event of default as described in such note, we are required to pay 120% of the principal and interest outstanding under the October 2023 Note. The principal amount and interest under the October 2023 Note is convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $1.50 per share, unless we fail to make an amortization payment when due which commences in April 2024 in accordance with the terms of the October 2023 Note, in which case the conversion price shall be the lower of (i) $1.50 or (ii) 85% of the lowest VWAP of our common stock on any trading day during the five (5) trading days prior to the respective conversion date. The warrants are comprised of (i) a warrant to purchase 105,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.50 and exercisable until October 9, 2028 and (ii) a warrant to purchase 87,500 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.80 and exercisable until October 9, 2028 and which warrant shall be cancelled and extinguished upon the payment of the October 2023 Note. The conversion price of the October 2023 Note and the exercise price of the warrants issued thereunder contain certain price protection anti-dilution adjustments if an event of default occurs under the October 2023 Note.

March 2024 Convertible Note Financing

In March 2024, we entered into security purchase agreement with a lender (the “March 2024 Lender”) and closed on the issuance of 13.0% senior secured convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $700,000 (the “March 2024 Note”), as well as the issuance of 105,000 shares of common stock as a commitment fee and warrants for the purchase of up to 252,404 shares of our common stock. We and our subsidiaries also entered into security agreements in connection with the March 2024 Note, creating a security interest in certain property of the Company and its subsidiaries to secure the prompt payment, performance and discharge in full of all of our obligations under the March 2024 Note.

We estimate that based on current plans and assumptions, that our available cash will be insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements under our present operating expectations through cash flow provided by operations, and cash available under our ATM and lending facilities and sales of equity. Other than funds received as described above and cash resource generating from our operations, we presently have no other significant alternative source of working capital. We have used these funds to fund our operating expenses, pay our obligations and grow our company. We will need to raise significant additional capital to fund our operations and to provide working capital for our ongoing operations and obligations. Therefore, our future operation is dependent on our ability to secure additional financing. Financing transactions may include the issuance of equity or debt securities, obtaining credit facilities, or other financing mechanisms. However, the trading price of our common stock and a downturn in the U.S. equity and debt markets could make it more difficult to obtain financing through the issuance of equity or debt securities. Even if we are able to raise the funds required, it is possible that we could incur unexpected costs and expenses or experience unexpected cash requirements that would force us to seek alternative financing. Furthermore, if we issue additional equity or debt securities, stockholders may experience additional dilution or the new equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of our common stock. The inability to obtain additional capital may restrict our ability to grow and may reduce our ability to continue to conduct business operations. If we are unable to obtain additional financing, we will be required to cease our operations. To date, we have not considered this alternative, nor do we view it as a likely occurrence.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

We presently do not have off-balance sheet arrangements.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

In November of 2022, we decided to cease all operations in China with the exception of a small administrative office, Avalon Shanghai. We do not expect nor do we plan that there will be further revenue generated from PRC operations in the foreseeable future. Thus, exchange rate fluctuations between the RMB and the US dollar do not have a material effect on us. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had an unrealized foreign currency translation loss of approximately $19,000 and $48,000, respectively, because of changes in the exchange rate.

Inflation

The effect of inflation on our revenue and operating results was not significant.

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 

As a smaller reporting company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements begin on page F-1. 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13(a)-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. During evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023, conducted as part of our annual audit and preparation of our annual financial statements, our management, including our CEO and CFO, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the reasons set forth below.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements included in this report. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reflect management’s judgment and estimates concerning effects of events and transactions that are accounted for or disclosed.

Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that pertain to our ability to record, process, summarize and report reliable data. Management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of internal control. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.

Management regularly assesses our internal control over financial reporting and did so most recently for our financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. This assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in the Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2023, due to the lack of segregation of duties resulting from our small size and inability to perform an effective test of the operating effectiveness of the controls, including the oversight of our financial statement close process. As a result of our Lab Services MSO transaction in February 2023, we retained additional accounting staff and hired a Controller that works part-time for Lab Services MSO and part-time for the Company. We hope to be able to utilize the Controller going forward to enhance the segregation of duties. In addition, the Company has transitioned all email servers to the United States to enhance this aspect of internal controls.

In light of the material weaknesses described above, we performed additional analyses and procedures in order to conclude that our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K were fairly stated in accordance with US GAAP. Accordingly, management believes that despite the material weakness identified in our internal control over financial reporting, our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 are fairly stated, in all material respects, in accordance with US GAAP.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Other than those described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting

Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report by our independent registered public accounting firm, regarding internal control over financial reporting. As a smaller reporting company, our internal control over financial reporting was not subject to audit by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

(a) We issued 105,000 shares of our common stock as a commitment fee and warrants for the purchase of up to 252,404 shares of our common stock in connection with the issuance of the March 2024 Note to the March 2024 Lender.

(b) During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, none of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K).

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

Below are the names of and certain information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date hereof:

Officers are elected annually by the Board (subject to the terms of any employment agreement), at our annual meeting, to hold such office until an officer’s successor has been duly appointed and qualified, unless an officer sooner dies, resigns or is removed by the Board.

The principal occupation and business experience during at least the past five years for our executive officers and directors is as follows:

Wenzhao Lu, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Mr. Wenzhao Lu has served as our Chairman of the Board since October 10, 2016. He is a seasoned healthcare entrepreneur with extensive operational knowledge and experience in the US & Asia. He has served as Chairman of the board of directors of the Daopei Medical Group, or DPMG, since 2010 to December, 2021. Under his leadership, DPMG operates three top-ranked private hospitals (located in Beijing and Hebei), specialty hematology laboratories, and a hematology research institute, with more than 100 partnering and collaborating hospitals in China. DPMG was founded by Professor Daopei Lu, a renowned hematologist pioneering in hematopoietic stem cell transplant and a member of the Academy of Engineering in China. Mr. Lu received a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University Tyler School of Arts in 1988 and subsequently worked as senior Art Director at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising Company. Prior to joining DPMG, in 2009, Mr. Lu served as Chief Operating Officer of BioTime Asia Limited, a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. (NYSE American: BTX). Mr. Lu is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive operational knowledge of, and executive level management experience in, the healthcare industry.

David Jin, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Dr. David Jin, MD, PhD, has served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and as a member of our Board since September 14, 2016. From 2009 to 2017, Dr. Jin served as the Chief Medical Officer of BioTime, Inc. (NYSE American: BTX), a clinical stage regenerative medicine company with a focus on pluripotent stem cell technology. Dr. Jin also acts as a senior translational clinician-scientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Ansary Stem Cell Center at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. Prior to his current endeavors, Dr. Jin was Chief Consultant/Advisor for various biotech/pharmaceutical companies regarding hematology, oncology, immunotherapy and stem cell-based technology development. Dr. Jin has been Principle Investigator in more than 15 pre-clinical and clinical trials, as well as an author/co-author of over 80 peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, articles, reviews, and book chapters. Dr. Jin studied medicine at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, New York. He received his clinical training and subsequent faculty tenure at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital (the teaching hospital for both Cornell and Columbia Universities) in the areas of internal medicine, hematology, and clinical oncology. Dr. Jin was honored as Top Chief Medical Officer by ExecRank in 2012, as well as recognized by Leading Physicians of the World in 2015. Dr. Jin is qualified to serve as a director because of his role with us, and his extensive operational knowledge of, and executive level management experience in, the healthcare industry.

Meng Li, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary

Ms. Meng Li has served as our Chief Operating Officer, Secretary since October 10, 2016 and served as a member of the Board from October 10, 2016 to July 9, 2018 and from April 5, 2019 through December 30, 2022. Ms. Li has over 15 years of executive experience in international marketing, branding, communications, and media investment consultancy. Ms. Li served as Managing Director at Maxus/GroupM (a WPP Group company) where she was responsible for business P&L and corporate management from 2006 to 2015. Prior to joining Maxus/Group M, Ms. Li worked for Zenith Media (a Publicis Group company) from 2000 to 2006 as Senior Manager. Ms. Li received a Bachelor of Arts in International Economic Law from Dalian Maritime University in China.

Luisa Ingargiola, Chief Financial Officer

Luisa Ingargiola has served as our Chief Financial Officer since February 21, 2017. Ms. Ingargiola has significant experience serving as Chief Financial Officer or Audit Chair for multiple Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange companies. She currently serves as Director and Audit Chair for several public companies including ElectraMeccanica (NASDAQ:SOLO), Dragonfly Energy (DFLI) and Vision Marine (VMAR). From 2007 through 2016, Ms. Ingargiola served as the Chief Financial Officer and then a member of the board of directors at MagneGas Corporation (Nasdaq: MNGA). Prior to 2007, Ms. Ingargiola held various roles as Budget Director and Investment Analyst in several private companies. Ms. Ingargiola graduated in 1989 from Boston University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Finance. In 1996, she received her MBA in Health Administration from the University of South Florida. Ms. Ingargiola is qualified to serve as a Chief Financial Officer because of her extensive knowledge corporate governance, regulatory requirements, executive leadership and knowledge of, and experience in, financing and M&A transactions.

Steven A. Sanders, Director

Steven A. Sanders has served as a member of the Board since July 30, 2018. Since January 2017, Mr. Sanders has been Of Counsel to the law firm of Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP. From July 2007 until January 2017, Mr. Sanders was a Senior Partner at Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP. From January 1, 2004 until June 30, 2007, he was Of Counsel to the law firm of Rubin, Bailin, Ortoli, LLP. From January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2003, he was Counsel at the law firm of Spitzer & Feldman PC. Mr. Sanders also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Helijet International, Inc. and Electrameccanica Vehicles Corp. (NASDAQ:SOLO). Additionally, since October 2013, he has been a member of the board of directors at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and, since February 2015, has been a member of the board of directors of the Bay Street Theater. Mr. Sanders received his JD from Cornell University and his BBA from The City College of New York. Mr. Sanders is qualified to serve as a director because of his corporate, securities and international law experience, including working with companies in the life sciences industry.

Lourdes Felix, Director

Lourdes Felix has served as a member of the Board since January 9, 2023. Ms. Felix is an entrepreneur and corporate finance executive with 30 years of combined experience in capital markets, public accounting and in the private sector. She presently serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and a member of the board of directors of BioCorRx Inc, a company focused on addiction treatment solutions and related disorders. She has been with BioCorRx since October 2012. Ms. Felix is one of the founders and President of BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., a majority owned subsidiary of BioCorRx Inc. Prior to joining BioCorRx, her experience was in the private sector and public accounting. Ms. Felix has expertise in finance, accounting, company-wide operations, budgeting, and internal control principles including GAAP, SEC, and SOX Compliance. She has thorough knowledge of federal and state regulations and has successfully managed and produced SEC regulatory filings. She also has extensive experience in developing and managing financial operations. Ms. Felix holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. She continued her education and is an MBA candidate at D’Amore-McKim School of Business, Northeastern University. Ms. Felix is qualified to serve as a director because of her extensive investment and executive level management experience.

Wilbert J. Tauzin II, Director

Wilbert J. Tauzin II has served as a member of the Board since November 1, 2017. From December 2010 until March 1, 2014, Congressman Tauzin served as a Special Legislative Counsel at Alston & Bird LLP. From December 2004 to June 2010, Congressman Tauzin was President and Chief Executive Officer of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a trade group that serves as one of the pharmaceutical industry’s top lobbying groups. He served 12.5 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District. From January 2001 through February 2004, Congressman Tauzin served as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. He also served as a senior member of the House Resources Committee and Deputy Majority Whip. Prior to serving as a member of Congress, Congressman Tauzin was a member of the Louisiana State Legislature, where he served as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and Chief Administration Floor Leader. He served as Lead Independent Director of LHC Group, a publicly traded provider of quality home health care, from 2005 to 2021 and retains the role of Lead Independent Emeritus today. The Congressman also served on the board of directors of Entergy, a Fortune 500 company. In addition, the Congressman chartered a Louisiana State Savings and Loan Association and Chaired its first board of directors. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Nicholls State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Louisiana State University. Congressman Tauzin is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and his experience as a director of several publicly traded and privately held companies.

William B. Stilley, III, Director

William B. Stilley has served as a member of the Board since July 5, 2018. Mr. Stilley has been the Chief Executive Officer of Adovate, LLC since January 2023. Previously, he was Chief Executive Officer of Purnovate, Inc., a subsidiary of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Adial) from January 2021 until May 2023, and was Chief Executive Officer of Adial from December 2010 until August 2022, and was a member of Adial’s board of directors from December 2010 until September 2023. From August 2008 until December 2010, he was the Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Projects at Clinical Data, Inc. Mr. Stilley was the COO and CFO of Adenosine Therapeutics, LLC until the assets of Adenosine Therapeutics were acquired by Clinical Data, Inc. in August 2008. Mr. Stilley has advised both public and private companies on financing and M&A transactions, has been the interim CFO of a public company, the interim Chief Business Officer and then Advisor for Diffusion Pharmaceuticals from September 2015 through March 2018, the audit chair for public companies, and the COO and CFO of a number of private companies. Before entering the business community, Mr. Stilley served as Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Stilley has an MBA with honors from the Darden School of Business and a B.S. in Commerce/Marketing from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of Virginia BIO, the statewide biotechnology organization and has guest lectures as the University School of Engineering. Mr. Stilley is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive knowledge of the biotechnology industry, significant executive leadership and operational experience, and knowledge of, and experience in, financing and M&A transactions.

Tevi Troy, Director

Tevi Troy has served as a member of the Board since June 4, 2018. Mr. Troy is a former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Troy is a Senior Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington. He was the founder and CEO of the American Health Policy Institute and a Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute. On August 3, 2007, Dr. Troy was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Deputy Secretary of HHS. As Deputy Secretary, Dr. Troy was the chief operating officer of the largest civilian department in the federal government, with a budget of $716 billion and over 67,000 employees. Dr. Troy has extensive White House experience, having served in several high-level positions over a five-year period, culminating in his service as Deputy Assistant and then Acting Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. Dr. Troy has held high-level positions on Capitol Hill as well. From 1998 to 2000, Dr. Troy served as the Policy Director for Senator John Ashcroft. From 1996 to 1998, Dr. Troy was Senior Domestic Policy Adviser and later Domestic Policy Director for the House Policy Committee, chaired by Christopher Cox. In addition to his senior level government work and health care expertise, Dr. Troy is also a best-selling presidential historian and the author of five books, including, most recently, “Fight House: Rivalries in the White House from Truman to Trump,” which the Wall Street Journal listed as one of the top political books of 2020. Dr. Troy’s many other affiliations include: contributing editor for Washingtonian magazine; member of the publication committee of National Affairs; member of the Board of Fellows of the Jewish Policy Center; a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute; and a member of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. Dr. Troy has a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and an M.A and Ph.D. in American Civilization from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Troy is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive knowledge of the healthcare industry and his significant leadership experience.

Board Composition

Our Board is currently composed of seven directors. Our directors hold office until their successors have been elected and qualified or until the earlier of their resignation or removal.

We are subject to Nasdaq Board diversity rules and ensure our compliance with such rules. In addition, our priority in selection of board members is identification of members who will further the interests of our stockholders through his or her established record of professional accomplishment, the ability to contribute positively to the collaborative culture among board members, knowledge of our business and understanding of the competitive landscape.

A majority of the authorized number of directors constitutes a quorum of the Board for the transaction of business. However, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board individually or collectively consent in writing to the action.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

The positions of our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are separated. Separating these positions allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus on our day-to-day business, while allowing the Chairman of the Board to lead our Board in its fundamental role of providing advice to and independent oversight of management. Our Board recognizes the time, effort and energy that the Chief Executive Officer must devote to his position in the current business environment, as well as the commitment required to serve as our Chairman, particularly as our Board’s oversight responsibilities continue to grow. Our Board also believes that this structure ensures a greater role for the independent directors in the oversight of our Company and active participation of the independent directors in setting agendas and establishing priorities and procedures for the work of our Board. Our Board believes its administration of its risk oversight function has not affected its leadership structure.

Although our bylaws do not require our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions to be separate, our Board believes that having separate positions is the appropriate leadership structure for us at this time and demonstrates our commitment to good corporate governance.

Risk is inherent with every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success. We face a number of risks, including those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” of this report. Our Board is actively involved in oversight of risks that could affect us. This oversight is conducted primarily by our full Board, which has responsibility for general oversight of risks.

Our Board satisfies this responsibility through full reports by each committee chair regarding the committee’s considerations and actions, as well as through regular reports directly from officers responsible for oversight of particular risks within our Company. Our Board believes that full and open communication between management and the Board is essential for effective risk management and oversight.

Board of Director Meetings

The primary responsibility of the Board is to provide oversight, strategic guidance, counseling, and direction to our management team. Our Board meets on a regular basis and additionally as required. Our Board met three times in 2023. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of our Board (held during the period for which such directors served on the Board) and (ii) the total number of meetings of all committees of our Board on which the director served (during the periods for which the director served on such committee or committees). We do not have a formal policy requiring members of the Board to attend our annual meetings. Our last annual meeting of stockholders was held on October 12, 2023. One of our directors serving at the time attended last year’s annual meeting.

Director Independence

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Under the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market, independent directors must comprise a majority of our Board. In addition, the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market require that all the members of such committees be independent. Members of our Audit Committee, as defined below, must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Compensation committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria established by The Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act. Under the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, among other qualifications, in the opinion of that company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

The Board has reviewed its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, the Board has determined that Steven A. Sanders, Lourdes Felix, William B. Stilley, III and Tevi Troy do not, respectively, have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under the Rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market and the SEC.

In making this determination, our Board considered the relationships that each non-employee director has with our Company and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence. We intend to comply with the other independence requirements for committees within the time periods specified above.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among our directors or executive officers.

Board Committees

The Board has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Our Board may establish other committees to facilitate the management of our business. The composition and functions of each committee named above are defined and described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our Board.

Audit Committee. We have a separately designated standing audit committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”), established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of William Stilley, Steven Sanders and Tevi Troy, with Mr. Stilley serving as the Chair of the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that each director currently serving on our Audit Committee is an “independent director” as defined by Nasdaq applicable to members of an audit committee and Rule 10A-3(b)(i) under the Exchange Act. In addition, Mr. Stilley is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K and demonstrates “financial sophistication” as defined by Nasdaq Rules. The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist with monitoring (i) the integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and (iii) the independence and performance of our internal and external auditors.

The principal functions and responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Audit Committee met four times. The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter, as adopted by the Board. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is posted under the “Investors” tab under “Corporate Governance” on our website, which is located at www.avalon-globocare.com.

Compensation Committee. The compensation committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) consists of Lourdes Felix, Steven Sanders and Tevi Troy, with Ms. Felix serving as the Chair of the Compensation Committee. The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is considered (i) an “independent director” as defined by Nasdaq Rules applicable to members of a compensation committee; (ii) a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act; and (iii) an “outside director” as that term is defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing the compensation of our senior management, including salaries, bonuses, termination arrangements, and other executive officer benefits as well as director compensation. The Compensation Committee also administers our equity incentive plans. The Compensation Committee works with the Chairman of the Board and our Chief Executive Officer and reviews and approves compensation decisions regarding senior management, including compensation levels and equity incentive awards. The Compensation Committee also approves employment and compensation agreements with our key personnel and directors. The Compensation Committee has the power and authority to conduct or authorize studies, retain independent consultants, accountants or others, and obtain unrestricted access to management, our internal auditors, human resources and accounting employees and all information relevant to its responsibilities.

The principal functions and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include:

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Compensation Committee did not meet. The Compensation Committee is governed by a written charter, as adopted by our Board. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is posted under the “Investors” tab under “Corporate Governance” on our website, which is located at www.avalon-globocare.com.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Steven Sanders, William Stilley and Tevi Troy, with Mr. Sanders serving as the Chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Board has determined that each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee is an “independent director” as defined by Nasdaq Rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is generally responsible for recommending to our full Board certain policies, procedures, and practices designed to ensure that our corporate governance policies, procedures, and practices continue to assist the Board and our management in effectively and efficiently promoting the best interests of our stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for selecting and recommending for approval by our Board and our stockholders a slate of director nominees for election at each of our annual meetings of stockholders, and otherwise for determining the board committee members and chairpersons, subject to ratification by our Board, as well as recommending to the Board director nominees to fill vacancies or new positions on the Board or its committees that may occur or be created from time to time, all in accordance with our bylaws and applicable law.

In identifying independent candidates, with significant senior-level professional experience, to be nominated as potential members of our Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee solicits candidates from the Board, senior management and others, and may engage a search firm in the process. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews and narrows the list of candidates and interviews potential nominees. The final candidate is also introduced and interviewed by the Board and the lead director if one has been appointed. In general, in considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion in our Board’s slate of recommended director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will apply the criteria set forth in our corporate governance guidelines. These criteria include the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, commitment to understanding our business and industry, experience, conflicts of interest and the ability to act in the interests of our stockholders. Further, specific consideration is given to, among other things, diversity of background and experience that a candidate would bring to our Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee. We believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow our Board to fulfill its responsibilities. Stockholders may recommend individuals to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for consideration as potential director candidates by submitting the names, together with appropriate biographical information and background materials to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers recommendations from stockholders if submitted in a timely manner in accordance with the procedures set forth in our bylaws and will apply the same criteria to all persons being considered.

The principal functions and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include:

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met one time. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is governed by a written charter approved by our Board. A copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter is posted under the “Investors” tab under “Corporate Governance” on our website, which is located at www.avalon-globocare.com.

Stockholder nominations for directorships

Stockholders may recommend individuals to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for consideration as potential director candidates by submitting their names and background to the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth below under “Stockholder Communications” in accordance with the provisions set forth in our bylaws. All such recommendations will be forwarded to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which will review and only consider such recommendations if appropriate biographical and other information is provided, including, but not limited to, the items listed below, on a timely basis. All security holder recommendations for director candidates must be received by the Company in the timeframe(s) set forth under the heading “Stockholder Proposals” below.

Assuming that appropriate information is provided for candidates recommended by stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate those candidates by following substantially the same process, and applying substantially the same criteria, as for candidates submitted by members of the Board or other persons, as described above and as set forth in its written charter.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers on our board of directors or compensation committee.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our employees, officers and directors. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted under the “Investors” tab under “Corporate Governance” in our website, which is located at www.avalon-globocare.com. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or waivers of such provisions applicable to any principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and our directors, on our website identified above or in filings with the SEC.

Anti-Hedging Policy

Under the terms of our insider trading policy, we prohibit each officer, director and employee, and each of their family members and controlled entities, from engaging in certain forms of hedging or monetization transactions. Such transactions include those, such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts, that would allow them to lock in much of the value of their stock holdings, often in exchange for all or part of the potential for upside appreciation in the stock, and to continue to own the covered securities but without the full risks and rewards of ownership.

Limitation of Directors Liability and Indemnification

The Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate, subject to certain conditions, the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) limits the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers whereby we have agreed to indemnify those directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, including indemnification against expenses and liabilities incurred in legal proceedings to which the director or officer was, or is threatened to be made, a party by reason of the fact that such director or officer is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, provided that such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner that the director or officer reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company.

We have director and officer liability insurance to cover liabilities our directors and officers may incur in connection with their services to us, including matters arising under the Securities Act. Our Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws also provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers who, by reason of the fact that he or she is one of our officers or directors, is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative related to their board role with us.

There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees or agents in which indemnification will be required or permitted. We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for such indemnification.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive, officers, and persons who are beneficial owners of more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. These persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely upon our review of copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to us, we believe that all of our directors, executive officers and any other applicable stockholders timely filed all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, except for the following: (i) we filed a Form 3 for Lourdes Felix on March 7, 2023, covering a transaction that required a Form 4 filing due on January 11, 2023; (ii) we filed a Form 4 for Tevi Troy on March 8, 2023, covering a transaction that required a Form 4 filing due on January 5, 2021; (iii) we filed a Form 4 for William Stilley on March 8, 2023, covering a transaction that required a Form 4 filing due on January 5, 2021; (iv) we filed a Form 4 for William B. Stilley, III on March 8, 2023, covering a transaction that required a Form 4 filing due on January 5, 2021; (v) we filed a Form 4 for Steven A. Sanders on March 9, 2023, covering a transaction that required a Form 4 filing due on January 5, 2021; and (vi) we filed a Form 4 for Wilbert J. Tauzin II on March 9, 2023, covering a transaction that required a Form 4 filing due on January 5, 2021.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Officers’ Compensation

We are currently a “smaller reporting company” and as such, we have opted to comply with the scaled down disclosure rules applicable to a “smaller reporting company,” as such term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act, which require compensation disclosure for (i) our principal executive officer, (ii) our two most highly compensated executive officers, other than the principal executive officer, whose total compensation for 2023 exceeded $100,000 and who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2023, and (iii) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer as of December 31, 2023. We refer to these individuals as “named executive officers.” Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023 were:

Summary Compensation Table

Employment Agreements

David Jin

On December 1, 2016, the Company entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with David Jin, the Company’s CEO and President. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Jin was employed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which agreement had a term initially through November 30, 2017 unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreement. On February 20, 2020, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with Dr. Jin pursuant to which the term of Dr. Jin’s Executive Employment Agreement was extended an additional three years. During the term of the agreement, Dr. Jin is entitled to a base salary and will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus, equity awards and to participate in employee benefits plans as the Company may institute from time to time at the discretion of the Board.

On January 3, 2019, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with Dr. Jin, pursuant to which his annual base salary set forth in his employment agreement was increased to $360,000, effective January 1, 2019. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Jin may be terminated for “cause” as defined and Mr. Jin may resign for “good reason” as defined. In the event Mr. Jin is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, the Company will be required to pay Mr. Jin all accrued salary and bonuses, reimbursement for all business expenses and Mr. Jin’s salary for one year. In the event Mr. Jin is terminated with cause, resigns without good reason, dies or is disabled, the Company will be required to pay Mr. Jin all accrued salary and bonuses and reimbursement for all business expenses. Under the agreement Mr. Jin is subject to confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions. This agreement has not been extended, however Dr. Jin is continuing his employment with the Company at will and otherwise under the same terms and conditions, except that Dr. Jin agreed to a salary reduction as set forth in the table above for the year ended December 31, 2023 as part of the Company’s cost reduction measures. 

Luisa Ingargiola

On February 21, 2017, Ms. Ingargiola and the Company entered into an Executive Retention Agreement effective February 9, 2017, pursuant to which Ms. Ingargiola agreed to serve as Chief Financial Officer in consideration of an annual salary. On January 3, 2019, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with Ms. Ingargiola, pursuant to which her annual base salary set forth in her employment agreement was increased to $350,000 effective January 1, 2019.

The employment of Ms. Ingargiola is at will and may be terminated at any time, with or without formal cause. Pursuant to the terms of Executive Retention Agreement with Ms. Ingargiola, the Company has agreed to provide specified severance and bonus amounts and to accelerate the vesting on her equity awards upon termination upon a change of control or an involuntary termination, as each term is defined in the agreements.

In the event of a termination upon a change of control, Ms. Ingargiola is entitled to receive an amount equal to 12 months of her base salary and the target bonus then in effect for the executive officer for the year in which such termination occurs, such bonus payment to be pro-rated to reflect the full number of months the executive remained in the Company’s employ. In addition, the vesting on any stock option held by the executive officer will be accelerated in full. At the election of the executive officer, the Company will also continue to provide health related employee insurance coverage for twelve months, at the Company’s expense.

In the event of an involuntary termination, Ms. Ingargiola is entitled to receive an amount equal to six months of her base salary and the target bonus then in effect for the executive officer for the six months in which such termination occurs, such bonus payment to be pro-rated to reflect the full number of months the executive remained in the Company’s employ. Such payment will be increased to 12 months upon the one-year anniversary of the retention agreement. In addition, the vesting on any stock option held by the executive officer will be accelerated in full. At the election of the executive officer, the Company will also continue to provide health related employee insurance coverage for twelve months, at the Company’s expense.

Meng Li

On January 11, 2017, Avalon Shanghai entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Meng Li, the Company’s COO and Secretary. Pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Li was employed as Chief Operating Officer and President of Avalon Shanghai initially through November 30, 2019, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreement. On February 20, 2020, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with Meng Li pursuant to which the term of Ms. Li’s Executive Employment Agreement entered between the Company’s subsidiary and Ms. Li dated January 11, 2017 was extended an additional three years.

During the term of the agreement, Ms. Li is entitled to a base salary and will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus, equity awards and to participate in employee benefits plans as the Avalon Shanghai may institute from time to time at the discretion of its Board of Directors. On January 3, 2019, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with Ms. Li, pursuant to which her annual base salary set forth in her employment agreement was increased to $340,000 effective January 1, 2019, except that Ms. Li agreed to a salary reduction as set forth in the table above for the year ended December 31, 2023 as part of the Company’s cost reduction measures. Pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Li may be terminated for “cause” as defined and Ms. Li may resign for “good reason” as defined. In the event Ms. Li is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, Avalon Shanghai will be required to pay Ms. Li all accrued salary and bonuses, reimbursement for all business expenses and Ms. Li’s salary for one year. In the event Ms. Li is terminated with cause, resigns without good reason, dies or is disabled, Avalon Shanghai will be required to pay Ms. Li all accrued salary and bonuses and reimbursement for all business expenses. Under the agreement Ms. Li is subject to confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

There were no options exercised by our executive officers or stock vested to our executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table sets forth information with respect to the outstanding equity awards of our principal executive officers and principal financial officer during 2023, and each person who served as an executive officer of the Company as of December 31, 2023:

No Pension Benefits

The Company does not maintain any plan that provides for payments or other benefits to its executive officers at, following or in connection with retirement and including, without limitation, any tax-qualified defined benefit plans or supplemental executive retirement plans.

No Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Company does not maintain any defined contribution or other plan that provides for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified.

Director Compensation

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned or paid to certain of our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023: