ABVC Biopharma Announces Fiscal Year 2021 Financial and Operational Results

Rhea-AI Summary

ABVC BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABVC) reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021, highlighting a revenue decline of 26% to $355,797 due to decreased contract services from COVID-19 impacts. Operating expenses rose to $12.06 million, largely from increased stock-based compensation and R&D costs. The net loss increased by 14% to $12.04 million. However, working capital improved significantly to $5.93 million, aided by financing activities. Notable developments include the award for Vitargus® and a new distribution agreement for a dietary supplement in China and Taiwan.

Positive

• Working capital increased by $4.6 million to $5.93 million, driven by financing activity.
• Vitargus® received the 2021 'National Innovation and Renewal of Diligence' award.
• Entered a three-year distribution agreement for a dietary supplement with a $3 million commitment.

Negative

• Revenue decreased by 26% to $355,797, primarily due to reduced contract services.
• Operating expenses increased by $3.09 million to $12.06 million.
• Net loss rose by 14% to $12.04 million.

FREMONT, CA, March 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- ABVC BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABVC), a biotechnology company specializing in botanically based solutions that seeks to deliver high efficacy with low toxicity for improved health outcomes, today announced its financial and operating results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

Full Year 2021 Financial Results
All comparisons are made on a year-over-year basis.

• Revenues. We generated $355,797 and $483,045 in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease of $127,248, or approximately 26%, was primarily caused by the decrease in contract services due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses were $12,056,679 in the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $8,970,105 in the year ended December 31, 2020. Such increase in operating expenses was mainly attributable to the increase in stock-based compensation and selling, general and administrative expenses by $2,632,427 which relates to costs in conjunction with our public offering and our recent stock issuances, as well as increasing research and development expenses of $454,147 to continue to develop our pipeline.
• Other Income (Expense).Other income was $495,141 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to other expense of $2,308,160 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was principally caused by an increase in foreign currency exchange income, government PPP forgiveness and a decrease in impairment loss and loss on investment in equity securities. Loss on impairment was $0 for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $961,217 for the year ended December 31, 2020. 
• Net Loss. Net loss was $12,035,851 for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $10,593,584 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company’s net loss increased by $1,442,267, or approximately 14%, during the year ended December 31, 2021, from the year ended December 31, 2020. 
• Working Capital.Working capital as of December 31, 2021 was $5,932,808, compared to $1,328,575 as of December 31, 2020, for an increase of $4,604,233, primarily as a result of an increase in net cash from financing activities. The net cash provided by financing activities increased by $427,707 due to the issuance of common stock partially offset by offering costs, repayment of convertible notes and repayment of short-term loans during the year ended December 31, 2021. 
• Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents amounted to $5,828,548 and $4,273,208, respectively.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Vitargus® received the 2021 “National Innovation and Renewal of Diligence” award from the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry (IBMI) of Taiwan.
• ABVC selected two additional clinical sites in Thailand to participate in the Phase II, Part 2 clinical study of Vitargus®.
• BioKey, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, took advantage of existing technology to produce a dietary supplement derived from the maitake mushroom. Research has shown that consuming certain amounts of the maitake mushroom tends to lower the risk of heart disease and provide immune system support. In addition, BioKey entered into a three-year distribution agreement with Define Biotech Co. Ltd. The agreement grants Define Biotech the exclusive right to distribute this new dietary supplement in China and Taiwan in exchange for a commitment to purchase $3 million worth of the new product over the three-year period.

“We are delighted with our remarkable accomplishments and meaningful progress in 2021,” said Dr. Howard Doong, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of ABVC BioPharma. “I am pleased that the CSR for the Phase II clinical study of our major depressive disorder (MDD) drug was received by the US FDA without comments. The study demonstrated material improvement in both efficacy and safety, compared to existing medications available. As such, we will seek a Phase III partner in 2022 to further prove the statistical significance of our MDD results. In addition, Vitargus, a gel we developed to make retina reattachment surgery more comfortable for the patient, has shown advantages over existing devices available to surgeons, prompting us to start a self-funded pivotal trial phase in 2022. We remain excited about our ongoing research initiatives and look forward to expanding our product pipeline in the future.”

About ABVC BioPharma

ABVC BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with an active pipeline of six drugs and one medical device (ABV-1701/Vitargus®) under development. For its drug products, it is focused on utilizing its licensed technology to conduct proof-of-concept trials through Phase II of the clinical development process at world-famous research institutions (such as Stanford University, University of California at San Francisco, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center). For Vitargus®, the Company intends to conduct the clinical trials through Phase III at various locations throughout the globe. 

Forward-Looking Statements

Clinical trials are in early stages, and there is no guarantee that any specific outcome will be achieved. This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, and cannot be predicted or quantified, and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our product candidates on a commercial scale on our own, or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; and (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to proceed to the next level of the clinical trials or to market our product candidates. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that state or jurisdiction.

Contact

ICR, LLC
Lucy Peng
Phone: +1 646-677-1872
Email: Lucy.Peng@icrinc.com

ABVC BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
			December 31,			December 31,
			2021			2020
ASSETS
Current Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,828,548		$	4,273,208
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents			736,667			728,163
	Accounts receivable, net			280,692			159,712
	Accounts receivable - related parties, net			145,399			143,435
	Due from related parties			1,286,618			696,255
	Inventory, net			25,975			-
	Short-term investments			108,147			-
	Prepayment for long-term investments			684,720			-
	Prepaid expense and other current assets			528,354			172,193
		Total Current Assets		9,625,120			6,172,966
Property and equipment, net				525,881			514,834
Operating lease right-of-use assets				1,471,899			1,772,747
Goodwill, net				-			-
Long-term investments				932,755			1,190,727
Deferred tax assets				981,912			1,790,597
Prepaid expenses - noncurrent				119,309			119,315
Security deposits				41,157			45,519
		Total Assets	$	13,698,033		$	11,606,705
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities
	Accounts payable		$	-		$	23,044
	Short-term bank loans			1,640,000			1,629,000
	Short term loan			-			100,000
	Notes payable			-			106,800
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			1,300,803			2,118,854
	Advance from customers			10,985			12,070
	Operating lease liability – current portion			347,100			316,178
	Due to related parties			393,424			288,445
	Convertible notes payable - related parties, current portion			-			250,000
		Total Current Liabilities		3,692,312			4,844,391
	Paycheck Protection Program Loan Payable			-			124,400
	Tenant security deposit			10,580			19,280
	Operating lease liability – noncurrent portion			1,124,799			1,456,567
	Convertible notes payable - noncurrent portion			-			2,500,000
		Total Liabilities		4,827,691			8,944,638
Equity
	Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 20,000,000 authorized, nil shares issued and outstanding			-			-
	Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 28,926,322 and 24,420,526 shares issued and outstanding			28,926			24,420
	Additional paid-in capital			58,113,667			40,751,807
	Stock subscription receivable			(2,257,400)			(3,160,360)
	Accumulated deficit			(38,481,200)			(25,642,387)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income			539,660			564,860
	Treasury stock			(9,100,000)			(9,100,000)
		Total Stockholders’ equity		8,843,653			3,438,340
Noncontrolling Interest				26,689			(776,273)
		Total Equity		8,870,342			2,662,067
Total Liabilities and Equity			$	13,698,033		$	11,606,705

ABVC BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
			Year Ended December 31,
			2021			2020
Revenue			$	355,797		$	483,045
Cost of revenue				5,086			18,716
Gross profit				350,711			464,329
Operating expenses
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			5,746,119			4,273,468
	Research and development expenses			1,003,805			549,658
	Stock based compensation			5,306,755			4,146,979
		Total operating expenses		12,056,679			8,970,105
Loss from operations				(11,705,968)			(8,505,776)
Other income (expense)
	Interest income			43,196			71,045
	Interest expense			(227,210)			(405,032)
	Operating sublease income			134,576			20,071
	Operating sublease income - related parties			4,800			4,800
	Impairment loss			-			(961,217)
	Investment loss			-			(40,589)
	Gain/Loss on foreign exchange  changes			426,316			(3,275)
	Gain/Loss on investment in equity securities			(269,844)			(1,168,733)
	Other income (expense)			22,409			174,770
	Government grant income			360,898			-
		Total other income (expenses)		495,141			(2,308,160)
Loss before provision for income tax				(11,210,827)			(10,813,936)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)				825,024			(220,352)
Net loss				(12,035,851)			(10,593,584)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				802,962			(802,420)
Net loss attributed to ABVC and subsidiaries				(12,838,813)			(9,791,164)
Foreign currency translation adjustment				(25,200)			(98,893)
Comprehensive loss			$	(12,864,013)		$	(9,890,057)
Net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted		$	(0.51)		$	(0.50)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
	Basic and diluted			25,053,522			19,715,559

ABVC BIOPHARMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
					2021			2020
Cash flows from operating activities
	Net loss				$	(12,035,851)		$	(10,593,584)
	Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
		Depreciation				11,993			37,142
		Stock based compensation				5,306,755			4,146,979
		Gain/Loss on investment in equity securities				269,844			1,168,733
		Government grant income				(360,898)			-
		Other non-cash income and expenses				-			(15,360)
		Investment loss				-			1,001,806
		Deferred tax				824,199			(223,201)
		Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
			Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable			(120,980)			3,696
			Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets			(357,276)			(15,778)
			Decrease (increase) in due from related parties			(595,037)			20,645
			Decrease (increase) in inventory			(25,830)			-
			Increase (decrease) in accounts payable			(23,044)			(951)
			Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other current liabilities			(173,151)			(359,822)
			Increase (decrease) in advanced from others			(1,085)			(1,015)
			Increase (decrease) in due to related parties			(317,358)			266,791
				Net cash used in operating activities		(7,597,719)			(4,563,919)
Cash flows from investing activities
	Net proceeds from sale of investment					-			147,804
	Purchase of investments					(107,547)			-
	Purchase of equipment					(17,503)			-
	Loan to related parties					-			(373,235)
	Prepayment for equity investment					(680,916)
				Net cash used in investing activities		(805,966)			(225,431)
Cash flows from financing activities
	Issuance of common stock					11,119,452			7,615,331
	Payment for offering costs					(850,429)			-
	Proceeds from convertible notes					-			2,500,000
	Repayment of convertible notes					(306,836)			-
	Repayment of short-term loan					(100,000)			-
	Repayment of notes payable					(107,400)			-
	Repayment of short-term bank loan					-			(350,000)
	Proceeds from short-term loan					-			100,000
	Proceeds from long-term loan					236,498			124,400
	Proceeds from (repayments of) short term borrowings from third parties					4,265			(480,989)
	Proceeds from borrowings from related parties					-			72,704
	Repayment of long-term bank loans					-			(13,603)
				Net cash provided by financing activities		9,995,550			9,567,843
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash					(28,021)			62,435
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash					1,563,844			4,840,928
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
	Beginning					5,001,371			160,443
	Ending				$	6,565,215		$	5,001,371
Supplemental disclosure of cash flows
	Cash paid during the year for:
		Interest expense paid			$	333,873		$	208,556
		Income taxes paid			$	-		$	-
Non-cash financing and investing activities
		Common shares issued for debt conversion			$	2,693,548		$	1,717,051

FAQ

What were ABVC's revenues for the fiscal year 2021?

ABVC generated revenues of $355,797 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, a 26% decrease from $483,045 in 2020.

What was the net loss for ABVC in 2021?

The net loss for ABVC in 2021 was $12,035,851, an increase of approximately 14% from the previous year.

How did ABVC's operating expenses change in 2021?

ABVC's operating expenses rose to $12,056,679 in 2021, up from $8,970,105 in 2020, mainly due to higher stock-based compensation.

What notable achievements did ABVC report in 2021?

ABVC reported that Vitargus® received an award and they established a three-year distribution agreement for a dietary supplement in China and Taiwan.