Cosmos Health Inc.: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2023
Filed with the SEC on Aug 5, 2024 and accepted by EDGAR at Aug 5, 2024, 17:09 ET.
Business
As filed, 38,933 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
Company Overview
Business Environment
The Company conducts its business within the pharmaceutical and the healthcare industry and is active in branded pharmaceuticals, generics and nutraceutical product markets. The pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive and is subject to comprehensive government regulations. Many factors may significantly affect the Company’s sales of its products, including, but not limited to, efficacy, safety, price and cost-effectiveness, marketing effectiveness, product labeling, quality control and quality assurance. Currently, most of the products that the Company is trading, compete with other products already on the market in the same therapeutic category, and are subject to potential competition from new products that competitors may introduce in the future.
Generic medicines are the pharmaceutical and therapeutic equivalents of branded pharmaceutical products and are generally marketed under their generic (chemical) names rather than by brand names. Typically, a generic drug may not be marketed until the expiration of applicable patent(s) on the corresponding branded product, unless a resolution of patent litigation results in an earlier opportunity to enter the market. Generic drugs are the same as branded products in dosage form, safety, efficacy, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use, but they are sold generally at prices below those of the corresponding branded products. Generic drugs provide a cost-effective alternative for consumers, while maintaining the same high quality, efficacy, safety profile, purity and stability of the branded product.
The Company also conducts its business within the global nutraceuticals market with our own brand which we consider to be highly qualitative and competitive. Nutraceuticals are defined as products that contain at least one dietary ingredient within them and can be consumed orally. Some of the purposes of nutraceuticals are used for immune system defense, energy, stress, bones and joints. The global nutraceutical market has shown rise for demand and growth within the last several years. The global market is driven by the rising popularity of sports-based performance enhancement supplements and the focus on preventive healthcare measures. The COVID-19 pandemic has also driven the global market to a high demand for immunity boosting nutraceutical products.
Corporate Strategy
Our main strategy initiative is focused on continuing our progress in becoming a global pharmaceutical wholesale and import/export company through the development of a lean, efficient and vertically integrated operating model, as well as, to expand our portfolio of our own branded nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products, grow our customer base and achieve our growth stabilization in this new market and gain an adequate size in the global nutraceuticals market. We are committed to serving our customers while continuing to innovate and provide products that make a difference in the lives of individuals. We strive to maximize our shareholders’ value by adapting to market realities and customer needs. Our strategy involves the enhancement of our manufacturing capacities and building a multinational network or wholesalers, distributors, and pharmacies and simultaneously continuing to expand the portfolio of products that we distribute to that network.
We are committed to driving organic growth at attractive margins by improving execution, optimizing cash flow and leveraging our strong market position, while maintaining a streamlined cost structure throughout each of our businesses. We continue to further align our organization to our customers’ needs in a more seamless and unified way, while supporting corporate strategy and accelerating growth. Implementing this disciplined, focused strategy has allowed us to significantly expand our business, and we believe we are well-positioned to grow revenue and increase operating income through the execution of the following key elements of our business:
- Branded Pharmaceuticals: Branded pharmaceutical products are the primary product category that we produce and distribute. We constantly evaluate product availability, pricing, demand trends, and patent expirations to maximize our performance. As the patents for branded products near expiration, the generic equivalents enter the marketplace and the demand for those branded products start to decrease. We monitor these cycles closely and always look to find value in pricing fluctuations caused by the patent expirations as the generic equivalents enter the market.
- Generic Pharmaceuticals: Generic pharmaceutical products are the secondary product category that we produce and distribute. We apply the same discipline to generics that we do to the branded. We evaluate the demand and supply dynamics of branded products as their patents expire. This insight sheds light on the demand of generic products that take their place. Understanding the historical and market specific characteristics of generic product demand provides insight that we use to give guidance to our vendors that source our generic drug exports.
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- Nutraceuticals & Food Supplements: The wholesale distribution of nutraceuticals and food supplements market offer most of the times greater margins than pharmaceutical products. We are always looking to expand the portfolio of products that we distribute to maximize our margins. We offer convenience to our customers by providing them a larger portfolio of products that they can source from a single vendor. In addition to being wholesalers for supplements and related products we are also creating our own brand of products to sell to our current customer base. Our wholesale business gives insight to what products are in demand and we communicate with our customer base to identify which products to develop. Owning a brand with an extensive portfolio of products provides the Company with significant opportunities to penetrate into global sale channels.
- Research & Development: We are committed to strategic R&D across each business unit with a particular focus for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products with inherently lower risk profiles and clearly defined regulatory pathways. We are constantly evaluating the demand of food supplements in the markets that we currently distribute pharmaceutical products to. This research and analysis determines which pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products we choose to develop as well as their formulations. This approach maximizes the probability of successfully competing with other brands in the marketplace.
- Acquisitions: We regularly evaluate acquisition targets that would allow us to expand our distribution reach and/or vertically integrate into the supply chain of the products that we currently distribute. In addition to focusing on organic growth drivers, we are also actively pursuing accretive acquisitions that offer long-term revenue growth, margin expansion through synergies, and the ability to maintain a flexible capital structure.
- Local & Direct to Pharmacy Wholesale: We are expanding into the full-line wholesale distribution business through acquisition. Full-line pharmaceutical wholesalers provide the local markets with branded pharmaceuticals, generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins and food supplements. By expanding our pharmaceutical distribution business, we will have a better ability to source more branded and generic products directly from manufacturers and sell our vitamins, food supplements and cosmetic products directly to pharmacies for better prices. We expect this expansion to increase our sales and profit margins as we vertically integrate into the supply chain.
To successfully execute our corporate strategy, we believe that the Company must adopt, incorporate and maintain the aforementioned core strengths, although no assurances can be made that the Company will be able to effectively implement these strategies.
Nutraceuticals
The current principal activity of the Company is the manufacturing, development and trading of its own proprietary branded nutraceutical product lines “Sky Premium Life®” (“SPL”) and Mediterranation®. The Company’s portfolio currently includes 105 product codes including vitamins, minerals and other herbal extracts used for health prevention and care needs. Our plan for our own branded nutraceuticals is to enlarge our portfolio up to 150 SKUs. We also use our subsidiaries as distribution centers for SPL in order to penetrate UK and EU markets. However, the leading activity of Decahedron is the trading of branded and generic pharmaceutical products and medicines across the UK. We purchase excess inventories at a discount from wholesalers and export pharmaceutical product codes to EU member states capturing contract price differentials in the process. The Company only purchases stock with purchase orders at hand, limiting inventory risk. EU countries have put into force new legal frameworks and mandates that boost the parallel trade market in order to deflate healthcare pricing across the region.
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Branded Pharmaceuticals & Generics
During the course of 2023, the Company committed to its strategic acquisition plan and proceeded to the acquisition of pharmaceutical products, specifically five branded pharmaceuticals and ten generic licenses. Accordingly, the Company commenced the manufacturing, development and trading of its own branded pharmaceutical and generics products apart from its own branded nutraceuticals. This is in parallel with the production of Cana’s proprietary antimicrobial products.
Product Categories
Our product portfolio includes medicines, OTC medicines, nutraceutical products, health care products, medical devices, baby products and others. Total revenues from the product categories of our total consolidated revenues during the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:
| Product Categories | Percentage of total Revenue |
|---|---|
| Medicines | 80.42% |
| OTC Medicines | 7.52% |
| Vitamins, Minerals and Dietary Products | 5.87% |
| Heath Care Products | 2.63% |
| Medical Devices | 2.86% |
| Baby Products | 0.30% |
| Others | 0.41% |
| Total | 100% |
Below is an analysis per category of our inventory as of December 31, 2023:
| Product Categories | Balance as of December 31, 2023($) | Percentage of total Inventory |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | 3,417,039 | 66.42% |
| Parapharmaceuticals | 1,030,878 | 20.04% |
| Manufacturing products | 160,436 | 3.12% |
| Raw materials | 275,919 | 5.36% |
| Dairy products | 21,017 | 0.41% |
| Veterinary medicine | 13,872 | 0.27% |
| Other | 225,098 | 4.38% |
| Less provisions | (355,205) | |
| Total | 4,789,054 | 100% |
Our proprietary nutraceutical line “Sky Premium Life” which has over 105 SKUs, is classified into two different main Categories, Products per Benefit and Products per Nutrient as follows:
| Products per Benefit | Products per Nutrient |
|---|---|
| General Wellbeing | Amino Acids |
| Immunity | Botanicals, Herbs & Extracts |
| Heart | Vitamins & Minerals |
| Bones & Joints | Specialized Formulas & Complexes |
| Men’s Health | Omegas & Fatty Acids |
| Women’s Health | Specialized Nutrients |
| Beauty | |
| Digestion | |
| Brain | |
| Vision | |
| Energy | |
| Sports | |
| Mood/Stress/Sleep | |
| Antioxidant Activity |
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Services
The principal activity of our services is the distribution of a full range of branded pharmaceutical products, over-the-counter products, cosmetics, nursery, and nutraceutical products to pharmacies across Greece. We utilize the latest technology in pharmaceutical storage and retrieval systems to ensure the quality and accuracy of its distribution. Our facility utilizes ROWA™ (German pharmacy robotics) technologies to automate our procurement, a German fully automated warehouse system, inventory management, and order execution. Therefore, we achieve a zero-error rate, faster order picking, automated order picking process, higher cost-efficiency. We stay in the forefront of quality assurance and accuracy by investing in the most innovative machinery and software available to pharmaceutical distributors. Our Company supports all its customers with special product offerings, seasonal products, and all the top brands and trending products.
We believe that the entire aforementioned product life cycle would take approximately six weeks to two months, from the demand list to the payment for the shipment.
Distribution and Marketing
The majority of our products are represented directly and indirectly through a dedicated sales force team. Our sales force targets mainly wholesale distributors and other healthcare providers. We sell our products principally through independent wholesale distributors, but we also sell directly to other healthcare providers such as; clinics, government agencies, independent retail and specialty pharmacies and independent specialty distributors. Customer service representatives are centralized in order to respond to customer needs in a timely and effective manner. We seek to motivate and provide incentives to our sales force team by offering high quality products and providing them with product support, training seminars, sales convention and financial incentives.
Our products in Europe and in the UK are shipped directly from our warehouse facilities and in foreign markets we have contracted third-parties to distribute our products.
We are formulating a broader and more diversified pharmaceutical product portfolio and a greater selection of targets for potential development. We target products with limited competition for reasons such as trading complexity or the market size, which make our pharmaceutical products a key growth driver of our portfolio and complementary to other product offerings.
Patents, Trademarks, Licenses and Proprietary Property
We have developed or acquired various proprietary pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, nutraceutical products licenses, wholesale licenses, processes, software, and other intellectual property that are used either to facilitate the conduct of our business or that are made available as products or services to customers.
At present, besides the above licenses, we do not have any intellectual property or other licenses, including, but not limited to, patents, trademarks, franchises, concessions, and royalty agreements or other proprietary interests.
We have obtained trademark registrations for “Sky Premium Life®”, and related logos for all of our “Sky Premium Life®” products product lines. We hold trademark registrations in Europe. During 2023, we added a variety of trademarks through our new subsidiary Cana (acquired on June 30, 2023), such as multiple antimicrobial products (C-SEPT) and cosmetics (EXELIA & C-DERM). The Company also submitted a patent application with the European Patent Office (EPO) for its CCX0722 obesity and weight management product on December 1, 2023. Additionally, on June 18, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire all remaining rights arising from the patent filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under reference code PCT/EP2023/071865. This follows the agreement announced on December 7, 2023, where the Company had acquired 60% of the rights. The patent filing describes the repurposing of an existing drug to act on the Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1), a key target in various diseases.
We rely on confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and other parties to protect, among other things, trade secrets and other proprietary technology. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, that others will not independently develop equivalent proprietary information or that other third parties will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets and other intellectual property.
Product Insurance
We have insurance in place for our warehouses and the products in stock against any damage or theft, but we do not insure our products after the sale, since we are working under an Ex-works policy, and thus our clients are responsible for the transportation and the insurance of the products against any damage. In the future, we will continue to reevaluate our decision and may purchase product liability insurance to cover some of or all of our product liability risk.
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Customers
Through our subsidiaries, we primarily sell pharmaceutical products directly to pharmacies and a limited number of large wholesale drug distributors who, in turn, supply-sell the products to other wholesalers, hospitals, pharmacies, and governmental agencies across the European Union member state. No customer accounted for 10% or more of our total consolidated revenues during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
We have a diverse customer base that includes wholesalers and retail healthcare providers. We make a significant amount of our sales to a relatively small number of pharmaceutical wholesalers. These customers represent an essential part of the distribution chain of our products. Pharmaceutical wholesalers have undergone, and are continuing to undergo, significant consolidation on a worldwide basis. This consolidation resulted in these groups gaining additional purchasing leverage and consequently increasing the product pricing pressures facing our business.
Geographic Markets
All of our revenues are generated from operations in the European Union and UK, or otherwise earned outside of the U.S. All of our foreign operations are subject to risks inherent in conducting business abroad, including price and currency exchange controls, fluctuations in the relative values of currencies, political and economic instability and restrictive governmental actions. Our geographical market sales distribution of our total consolidated revenues during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Greece | 94.67% | 98.94% |
| UK | 4.53% | 0.80% |
| Croatia | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Bulgaria | 0.39% | 0.00% |
| Cayman Islands | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Cyprus | 0.34% | 0.18% |
| Total | 100.00% | 100.00% |
We currently sell the products to wholesalers through our own sales force. We do not sell directly to large drug store chains or through distributors in countries where we do not have our own sales staff. As part of our sales marketing and promotion program, we use direct advertising, direct mailings, trading techniques, direct and personal contacts, exhibition of products at medical conventions and sponsor medical education symposia.
Competition
Our pharmaceutical businesses are conducted in intensely competitive and often highly regulated markets. Many of our trading of pharmaceutical products face competition in the form of branded or generic drugs that treat similar diseases or indications. The principal forms of competition include efficacy, safety, ease of use, and cost effectiveness. The means of competition vary across product categories and business groups, demonstrating that the value of our trading products is a critical factor for success in all of our principal businesses.
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Our competitors include other pharmaceutical companies, and smaller companies with generic drug and consumer healthcare products. We compete with other companies that manufacture and sell products that treat diseases or indications similar to those treated by our trading pharmaceutical products.
Our competitive position in pharmaceutical sector is affected by several factors including among others, the amount and effectiveness of our and our competitors’ promotional resources, customer acceptance, product quality, our and our competitors’ introduction of new products, ingredients, claims, dosage forms, or other forms of innovation, and pricing, regulatory and legislative matters (such as product labeling, patient access and prescription).
The branded pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive. Our products compete with products manufactured by many other companies in highly competitive markets throughout the EU territory and internationally as well. Competitors include many of the major brand name and generic manufacturers of pharmaceutical products. If competitors introduce new products, delivery systems or processes with therapeutic or cost advantages, our products can be subject to progressive price reductions or decreased volume of sales, or both.
In the generic pharmaceutical market, we might face intense competition from other generic drug manufacturers, brand name pharmaceutical companies, existing brand equivalents and manufacturers of therapeutically similar drugs.
By specializing in high barrier to entry products, we endeavor to market more profitable and longer-lived products relative to commodity generic products. We believe that our competitive advantages include our integrated team-based approach to product development that combines our formulation, regulatory, legal and commercial capabilities; our ability to introduce new generic equivalents for brand-name drugs; our ability to meet customer expectations; and the breadth of our existing generic product portfolio offering.
Newly introduced generic products with limited or no other generic competition typically garner higher prices. At the expiration of the exclusivity period, other generic distributors may enter the market, resulting in a significant price decline for the drug. Consequently, the maintenance of profitable operations in generic pharmaceuticals depends, in part, on our ability to select, develop and launch new generic products in a timely and cost-efficient manner and to maintain efficient, high quality business capabilities.
We compete in the nutritional industry with our own branded nutraceutical products against companies that sell through retail stores, as well as against other direct selling companies. We compete against manufacturers and retailers of nutraceutical products which are distributed through supermarkets, drug stores, health food stores, vitamin outlets and mass market retailers, among others. We believe that the principal components of competition in nutraceutical products are expertise and service, high product quality, diversification and differentiation, price and brand recognition.
Operating conditions have become more challenging under the mounting global pressures of competition, industry regulation and cost containment. We continue to take measures to evaluate, adapt and improve our organization and business practices to better meet customer and public needs. We also seek to continually enhance the organizational effectiveness of all of our functions, including efforts to accurately and ethically launch and promote our products.
Information Systems
The Company operates its full-service wholesale pharmaceutical distribution facilities in Europe on one primary enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system that provides for, among other things, electronic order entry by customers, invoice preparation and purchasing, and inventory tracking. We are currently making significant investments to enhance and upgrade the ERP system.
Additionally, we are improving our entity-wide infrastructure environment to drive efficiency, capabilities, and speed to market. We will continue to invest in advanced information systems and automated warehouse technology. For example, in an effort to comply with future pedigree and other supply chain custody requirements we have made significant investments in our secure supply chain information systems.
The Company processes a substantial portion of its purchase orders, invoices, and payments electronically. However, it continues to make substantial investments to expand its electronic interface with its suppliers. The Company has integrated warehouse operating system, which are used to manage the majority of transactional volume. The warehouse operating system has improved the distribution services productivity and operating leverage.
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Government Regulations
Government authorities in the EU and in other countries extensively regulate, among other things, the research, development, testing, approval, manufacturing, labeling, post-approval monitoring and reporting, packaging, advertising and promotion, storage, distribution, marketing and export and import of pharmaceutical products. As such, our branded pharmaceutical products and the generic product candidates are subject to extensive regulation both before and after approval. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with applicable state, local and foreign statutes and regulations require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in, among other things, warning letters, civil penalties, delays in approving or refusal to approve a pharmaceutical product.
A main part of our business relates to the trading of branded and generic pharmaceutical products and medicines within the EU member states. In order to be able to operate our business, we need to comply with EU regulations, as well as EU member states regulations that govern various operations of our business. The Greek government regulation that applies to our business requires the granting to our operating subsidiaries of the Authorization for Wholesale Distribution of Medicinal Products for human use. In order for this Authorization to be granted, the companies need to always comply with certain Good Distribution Practices (“GDP”) that mainly assure the proper storage, handling, distribution and trade of the pharmaceutical products.
On July 22, 2015, the National Medicines Agency in Greece approved the license of wholesale sale of pharmaceutical products under the name SkyPharm SA with set validity at five years and an expiration date of July 22, 2020. Subsequently, on June 15, 2020, SkyPharm legally and timely submitted the application for renewal of the wholesale license of pharmaceutical products to the National Medicines Agency. The National Medicines Agency did not respond, therefore the Company asked for an immediate decision on the renewal. Two months after the filing of the no. 3459 / 15.01.2021 letter and almost nine months after the no. 627615.06.2020 company application for the renewal, the National Medicines Agency replied by rejecting the renewal request on March 9, 2021 (ref. 62769 / 20-25.02.2021). In addition, document No. 127351-16.12.2021 of EOF (Greek National Medicines Organization) to SkyPharm states that after an inspection of EOF at the premises of Doc Pharma, we did not have a wholesale license in violation of article 106 par. 1b and par. 1c of the ministerial decision D.YG3a / GP.32221 / 29-4-2019. The National Medicines Agency imposed a fine of €15,000 ($16,225) on SkyPharm for the above case, which was included in “General and administrative” expense on the accompany statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023.
Decahedron received its Wholesale Distribution Authorization for human use on February 5, 2021, from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (“MHRA”) in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1916) and it is subject to the provisions of those Regulations and the Medicines Act 1971. This License will continue to remain in force from the date of issue by the Licensing Authority unless cancelled, suspended, revoked or varied as to the period of its validity or relinquished by the authorization holder.
Cosmofarm received its Wholesale Distribution Authorization for human use on February 15, 2019, from the National Organization for Medicines. The license is valid for a period of five years and pursuant to the EU directive of (2013/C343/01). Also, Cosmofarm was granted with GDP certificate on November 11, 2019.
Our subsidiary, Cana SA, is a holder of Good Manufacturing Practices license (GMP), which means that it is certified for fulfilling the minimum standards that a medicines manufacturer must meet in the production processes.
Our subsidiaries are ISO 9001 certified for a management system for the trade and distribution of pharmaceuticals. As part of the certification process by the International Organization for Standardization, we need to be compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) adopted by the European Union in May 2018. GDPR applies to the processing of personal data of persons in the EU by a controller or processor.
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Research and Development
The Company entered into a Research & Development agreement with Doc Pharma S.A. on May 17, 2021. Under this agreement, Doc Pharma is responsible for the research, development, design, registration, copy rights and licenses of 250 nutritional supplements for the final products called Sky Premium Life®. More specifically, Doc Pharma is responsible for the product development and the Company has added 105 of such products codes in its portfolio as of December 31, 2023. The licenses purchased by Doc Pharma SA are capitalized and included in “Goodwill and intangible assets, net” of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023. Thus, no relevant R&D expense had been charged to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
On June 26, 2022, the Company signed a research and development (“R&D”) agreement with a third party, through which the Company assigned to the third party the development of new products and services in the field of health, focusing on the human intestinal microbiome. The project includes two phases. Phase 1 has a 20-month duration and its cost amounts to EUR 758,000 ($838,450) and phase 2, has a 22-month duration and a cost of EUR 820,000 ($907,084). The amount will be due and payable upon completion of the corresponding phases. The Company records the corresponding R&D expense based on the project’s progress, which is invoiced by the third party in the relevant period. For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023, the Company has incurred $164,859 of such costs included in “General and administrative expenses” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
On January 23, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of Cloudscreen, a cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered platform. The acquisition is pursuant to the purchase agreement announced on October 11, 2023. Cloudscreen is a multimodal platform specialized in drug repurposing, a process that involves uncovering new target proteins or indications for existing drugs for use in treating different diseases.
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Distribution & Trade Agreements
On July 7, 2021, SkyPharm SA signed a trade agreement with a company specializing in e-commerce mall advice and operation, henceforward referred as “Distributor B”. Based on the agreement, SkyPharm will sell its own branded products Sky Premium Life ® to final consumers through the e-commerce store opened by Distributor B on Tmall International MALL and Distributor B will provide platform operation services to SkyPharm. The services provided by Distributor B will include mall construction, mall operation and network promotion, along with collection, settlement, customer service, logistics and distribution.
On November 25, 2021, SkyPharm SA signed a trade agreement with a wholesaler which operates in the storage, distribution, trading & promotion of pharmaceutical products) henceforward referred as “Distributor C”. Based on the agreement Distributor C is appointed as the exclusive representative for the promotion & distribution of our proprietary nutraceutical products Sky Premium Life®, in Greece.
During July 2021, the Company’s subsidiary, Decahedron Ltd, created a distribution page on Amazon UK, through which it sells, advertises and promotes our own proprietary branded nutraceutical product line Sky Premium Life®, directly to final consumers.
On September 22, 2022, the Company entered into a distribution agreement with a third party in order to become the distributor of Monkeypox Virus Real-Time PCR Detection Kits. Cosmos will have exclusive distribution rights for Greece and Cyprus, with the opportunity to distribute the test kits across Europe on a non-exclusive basis.
International Cannabis Corp. (f/k/a Kaneh Bosm Biotechnology Inc.) - Cannabis
Distribution and Equity Agreement
On March 19, 2018, the Company entered into a Distribution and Equity Acquisition Agreement (the “Distribution and Equity Acquisition Agreement”) with Marathon Global Inc. (“Marathon”), a company incorporated in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Marathon was formed to be a global supplier of Cannabis, cannabidiol (“CBD”) and/or any Cannabis Extract products, extracts, ancillaries and derivatives (collectively, the “Products”). The Company was appointed the exclusive distributor of the Products initially throughout Europe and on a non-exclusive basis wherever else lawfully permitted. The Company has no present intention to distribute any Products under this Agreement in the United States or otherwise participate in cannabis operations in the United States. The Company intends to await further clarification from the U.S. Government on cannabis regulation prior to determining whether to enter the domestic market.
The above transaction closed on May 22, 2018 after the due diligence period, following which the Company received: (a) a 33 1/3% equity interest or 5 million shares in Marathon as partial consideration for the Company’s distribution services; and (b) received cash of CAD $2,000,000, subject to repayment in common shares of the Company if it failed to meet certain performance milestones. The Company was entitled to receive an additional CAD $2,750,000 upon the Company’s receipt of gross sales of CAD $6,500,000 and an additional CAD $2,750,000 upon receipt of gross sales of CAD $13,000,000. The Company was also given the right to nominate one director to the Marathon board of directors. Since Marathon was a newly formed entity with no assets and no activity, the Company attributed no value to the 5 million shares in Marathon which was received as consideration for the distribution services.
The Distribution and Equity Acquisition Agreement was to remain in effect indefinitely unless Marathon fails to provide Market Competitive (as defined) product pricing and Marathon has not become profitable within five years of the agreement. On March 20, 2023, the Company sent a termination notice, to Marathon, which became effective on April 19, 2023 as a result of Marathon’s failure to satisfy these conditions. The Company had accounted for its obligation to issue a variable number of the Company’s Common Shares as Share-settled debt obligation in accordance with ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”), which was measured at fair value or the settlement amount of $1,554,590 (CAD $2 million). Due to termination of the Distribution and Equity Acquisition Agreement, the Company recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt of $1,554,590 due to the write-off of the share settled debt obligation, for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023.
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Employees & Human Capital
As of December 31, 2023, we had 123 full-time employees in total, of which 15 engaged in sales department, four in procurement department, four in marketing department, 25 in warehouse services, 22 in logistics/transportation works, eight in quality assurance, nine in finance & accounting department, nine in management, five in cleaning, five in administration, 12 in call center, one in B2B e-shop and four in IT department. Our employees are not members of any unions. We consider our relations with our employees to be good and have not experienced any work stoppages, slowdowns or other serious labor problems that have materially impeded our business operations.
We have a team with a significant track record in the pharmaceutical business. In order to achieve our strategic objectives, we have, and will remain, focused on hiring and retaining a highly skilled management team that has extensive experience and specific skill sets relating to the sales, selection, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. We intend to continue our efforts to build and expand this team as we grow our business. No assurances can be given that the Company will be able to retain any additional persons.
Our human capital resources objectives include, as applicable, identifying, recruiting, retaining, incentivizing and integrating our existing and additional employees. The principal purposes of our equity incentive plans are to attract, retain and motivate selected employees, consultants and directors through the granting of stock-based compensation awards and cash-based performance bonus awards.
Attracting and retaining top talent is an integral part to our success. We intentionally build a workforce of people with viewpoints and backgrounds as diverse as the customers we serve around Europe. As a responsibility to our team and in an evolving effort, we engage employees with meaningful careers and development opportunities to grow and succeed. We employed 158 individuals as of December 31, 2023. Our global workforce is comprised of the following ethnicities: 99% Caucasian and 1% Asian. Of those employees, 38% are female.
Available Information
Our internet address is https://www.cosmoshealthinc.com/. We post links on our website to the following filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed or furnished to the SEC: annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements on Schedule 14D, and any amendment to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All such filings are available through our website free of charge. The information on our Internet website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K or our other securities filings and is not a part of such filings.
Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or 1-202-551-8090. You can also access our filings through the SEC’s internet address site: www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov), under our Nasdaq ticker COSM.
Risk factors
As filed, 13,717 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
The Company is not required to provide the information called for in this item due to its status as a Smaller Reporting Company, however we describe below some of the risks we believe are material to our business. You should carefully consider the following risks in evaluating us and our business. You should also refer to the other information set forth in this report, including the information set forth in “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as well as in our consolidated financial statements and the related notes. Our business prospects, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected by any of the following risks.
Regulatory and Litigation Risks
Laws and regulations regarding our business may prohibit or restrict our ability to sell our products in some markets or require us to make changes to our business model in some markets. Our products, business practices and manufacturing activities are subject to extensive government regulations and could be subject to additional laws and regulations.
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Taxation and transfer pricing could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition
We are subject to foreign tax and intercompany pricing laws, including those relating to the flow of funds between our U.S. parent company and our foreign subsidiaries. These pricing laws are designed to ensure that appropriate levels of income and expense are reported by our U.S. and foreign entities, and that they are taxed appropriately. Regulators in the United States and in foreign markets closely monitor our corporate structures, intercompany transactions, and how we effectuate intercompany fund transfers. Our effective tax rate could increase, and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected if regulators challenge our corporate structures, transfer pricing methodologies or intercompany transfers. We are eligible to receive foreign tax credits in the United States for certain foreign taxes actually paid abroad. In the event any audits or assessments are concluded adversely to us, we may not be able to offset the consolidated effect of foreign income tax assessments through the use of U.S. foreign tax credits. Because the laws and regulations governing U.S. foreign tax credits are complex and subject to periodic legislative amendment, we may not be able to take advantage of any foreign tax credits in the future. In addition, changes in the amount of our total and foreign source taxable income may also limit our ability to take advantage of foreign tax credits in the future. The various customs, exchange control and transfer pricing laws are continually changing, and are subject to the interpretation of governmental agencies. We collect and remit value-added taxes and sales taxes in jurisdictions and states in which we have determined that nexus exists. Despite our efforts to be aware of and to comply with such laws and changes to the interpretations thereof, we may not be able to continue to operate in compliance with such laws. We may need to adjust our operating procedures in response to these interpretational changes, and such changes could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in consumer behavior
Consumer behavior in recent years shows an increasing trend in the Health-Medicines sector, especially during the period of health crisis. It is observed that shopping habits and consumer behavior in general have changed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic and the responses thereto around the world could adversely impact our business and operating results. Consumers have turned to basic necessities and digital channels and e-commerce while physical networks are underperforming.
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Management of further developments
In recent years, the Company has been increasing its turnover, while expanding its range of products and its own branded nutraceutical products, has acquired the latest technology drug storage systems to ensure quality and accuracy (zero error rates) in their distribution. The further increase of the Company’s operations may lead, among other things, to increased capital needs, new investments in equipment and information systems, and requirements for capacity building. Failure to raise new capital will have a significant impact on the non-implementation of the required investments necessary to increase sales. Under these conditions, the growth of the Company’s activity, its financial results and its financial situation will be negatively affected.
Currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition
In 2023, we recognized 100% percent of our net sales in markets outside the United States, the majority of which were recognized in each market’s respective local currency. We purchase inventory from companies in foreign markets, some of them in U.S. dollars. In preparing our financial statements, we translate net sales and expenses in foreign countries from their local currencies into U.S. dollars using average annual exchange rates. Because our sales are in foreign countries, exchange rate fluctuations may have a significant effect on net sales and earnings. Our reported earnings have been significantly affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates, with net sales and earnings generally increasing with a weaker U.S. dollar and decreasing with a strengthening U.S. dollar.
Geopolitical issues, conflicts and other global events could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition
Because our business is conducted outside of the United States, it is subject to global political issues and conflicts such as the current war in the Ukraine. Such political issues and conflicts could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition if they escalate in areas in which we do business. In addition, changes in and adverse actions by governments in foreign markets in which we do business could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Climate change and related legislation or regulations may adversely impact our business, including potential financial, operational and physical impacts.
The nature of our business has not required any material capital expenditures to comply with federal, state or local provisions enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment. No material capital expenditures to meet such provisions are anticipated. Such regulatory provisions did not have a material effect upon our results of operations or competitive position during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Cybersecurity risks and the failure to maintain the integrity of data could expose us to data loss, litigation and liability, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We collect and retain large volumes of data from employees and independent consultants, including credit card numbers and other personally identifiable information, for business purposes, including transactional and promotional purposes. Our various information technology systems enter, process, summarize and report such data. The integrity and protection of this data are critical to our business. We are subject to significant security and privacy regulations, as well as requirements imposed by the credit card industry. Similarly, a failure to adhere to the payment card industry’s data security standards could cause us to incur penalties from payment card associations, termination of our ability to accept credit or debit card payments, litigation and adverse publicity, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Maintaining compliance with these evolving regulations and requirements could be difficult and may increase costs. In addition, a penetrated or compromised data system or the intentional, inadvertent, or negligent release or disclosure of data could result in theft, loss or fraudulent or unlawful use of company, employee, consultant or guest data which could adversely affect our reputation, disrupt our operations, or result in remedial and other costs, fines or lawsuits, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Although we take measures to protect the security, integrity and confidentiality of our data systems, we experience cyber-attacks of varying degrees and types on a regular basis. Our infrastructure may be vulnerable to these attacks, and in some cases, it could take time to discover them. Breaches of our data systems, or those of our vendors, whether from circumvention of security systems, denial-of-service attacks or other cyber-attacks, hacking, “phishing” attacks, computer viruses, ransomware or malware, employee or insider error, malfeasance, social engineering, vendor software supply chain compromises, physical breaches or other actions, could result in material interruptions or malfunctions in our or such vendors’ websites, applications, data processing, or disruption of other business operations. For various reasons or circumstances, our employees may work remotely from time to time. For example, many of our employees have worked remotely in response to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. During such times, remote access heightens the risk of a cyber-attack. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, users, or customers to disclose sensitive information to gain access to our data or our users’ or customers’ data. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in the unauthorized disclosure, misuse or loss of sensitive information and lead to significant legal and financial exposure, regulatory inquiries or investigations, loss of confidence by our sales force, disruption of our operations and damage to our reputation. These risks are heightened as we work with third-party partners and as our sales force uses social media, as the partners and social media platforms could be vulnerable to the same types of breaches.
We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against and remedy any potential or existing security breaches and their consequences. A cyber-attack could also lead to litigation, fines, other remedial action, heightened regulatory scrutiny and diminished customer confidence. In addition, our remediation efforts may not be successful, and we may not have adequate insurance to cover these losses. The unavailability of the information systems or the failure of these systems to perform as anticipated for any reason could disrupt our business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Moreover, cyber-attacks against the Ukrainian government and other countries in the region have been reported in connection with the recent conflicts between Russia and Ukraine. To the extent such attacks have collateral effects on global critical infrastructure, financial institutions or us, such developments could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. At this time, it is difficult to assess the likelihood of such threat and any potential impact at this time.
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Inflation and rising interest rates
In 2023, EU annual inflation was at 3.4%, significantly lower, compared with 2022, when the annual inflation reached the highest level ever measured at 9.33%. The annual average change in the harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) in the EU during the period 2013-2023 was 0.9%. The high inflation has adversely affected our business due to the higher costs of purchasing raw materials, the higher transportation costs and the significantly increased operating costs. Moreover, the significant rise in the interest rates during 2023 may also adversely affect our business since all of our loan facilities carry floating interest rates and this may cause increased financing outflows.
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, or IRA, includes several provisions that may impact our business to varying degrees, including provisions that reduce the out-of-pocket spending cap for Medicare Part D beneficiaries from $7,050 to $2,000 starting in 2025, thereby effectively eliminating the coverage gap; impose new manufacturer financial liability on certain drugs under Medicare Part D, allow the U.S. government to negotiate Medicare Part B and Part D price caps for certain high-cost drugs and biologics without generic or biosimilar competition; require companies to pay rebates to Medicare for certain drug prices that increase faster than inflation; and delay until January 1, 2032 the implementation of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rebate rule that would have limited the fees that pharmacy benefit managers can charge. Further, under the IRA, orphan drugs are exempted from the Medicare drug price negotiation program, but only if they have one rare disease designation and for which the only approved indication is for that disease or condition. If a product receives multiple rare disease designations or has multiple approved indications, it may not qualify for the orphan drug exemption. Although we do not have current sales in the United States, the effects of the IRA on any future business of ours and the healthcare industry in general is not yet known.
Cybersecurity
As filed, 3,474 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
The Company’s cybersecurity principles, goals and targets are defined in a policy approved by the Board of Directors (the “Policy”). This Policy is anchored in a risk-based approach based on industry standards to balance the level of cybersecurity against the risks faced by the Company. Material risks are managed by both internal resources and third-party contractors, with cybersecurity risk monitoring integrated into our overall risk management program. The Company believes that effective information security management is necessary for the secured sharing and protection of information within the Company’s cyberspace.
The Policy applies to all directors, officers, employees and contractors of the Company and any parent, holding companies and subsidiaries regardless of their contract terms, who use the Company’s technological devices.
The Board of Directors is responsible for leading the Company to minimize the risk of unauthorized and malicious use, disclosure, potential theft, alteration or damaging effects on the Company’s operations while concurrently enabling the sharing of information in cyberspace. The Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that risks to the confidentiality, integrity or availability of Company-owned information assets are managed appropriately by implementing an information security risk management approach.
The Audit Committee oversees the Policy and its implementation of the Company’s oversight, programs, procedures, and policies related to cybersecurity, cybersecurity risks, information security, and data privacy. Team leads from various departments of the Company have been identified under the Policy to report to the Company’s CFO overseeing the cybersecurity strategy as defined in the Policy.
The management team includes members with IT backgrounds and relevant experience to guide our cybersecurity efforts. Management ensures that employees are provided with adequate resources and training to fully understand cybersecurity guidelines and expectations. In the event of a Policy breach, members of the management team may be asked by the IT Department to assist with security investigations. If any member of management is unaware of the best course of action in dealing with an IT-related matter, the manager shall immediately contact the Company’s third-party IT representative. Upon discovering a potential violation of the Policy or a cybersecurity breach, the member of management must document the incident and request the individual surrender possession of any devices that may have suffered a security breach.
Additionally, the Company’s management reports to the Audit Committee on the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ strategies, risks, metrics and operations relating to cybersecurity and information security matters, including significant cybersecurity and information security-related projects and initiatives and related progress, the integration and alignment of such strategy with the Company’s overall business and strategy, and trends that may affect such strategy or operations.
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In 2023, we did not identify any cybersecurity threats that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. However, despite our efforts, we cannot eliminate all risks from cybersecurity threats, or provide assurances that we have not experienced an undetected cybersecurity incident.
Properties
As filed, 1,294 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
The Company rents four corporate offices:
- U.S. corporate office is located at 141 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 4236, Chicago, Illinois 60604. The first rent lease commenced in 2015 and has been amended several times throughout the years. The last amendment to that lease was on March 20th, 2023 through July 31, 2025. The monthly rate is currently $831.13 per month.
- Our Greece office and that of SkyPharm is located at 5 Agiou Georgiou Street, 55438, Pilea, Thessaloniki, Greece. The Company has signed a new lease for a three-year period which commenced on April 20, 2022 at the rate of €8,506 ($9,201) per month for this office. SkyPharm also rents offices located in Ifestou 33Α, Koropi 194 00, Athens, Greece (agreement signed on January 1, 2023, and has a 10-year duration) at a rate of €3,300 ($3,569) per month.
- The offices of Decahedron are located at Unit 14 Spice Green Centre, Flex Meadow, Harlow, CM19 5TR, Essex, U.K. The commencement of the lease was on September 25, 2020 at the rate of ₤3,500 ($4,817) per month.
- The offices of Cosmofarm are located at Gonata Stylianou 15, Peristeri, Attiki, Greece 12133. The Company purchased the building for a total sum of $1,054,872 in cash, on April 24, 2023.
Each of the above facilities is adequate for the Company’s current needs.
Legal proceedings
As filed, 2,875 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
We are not aware of any pending legal proceeding to which any of our officers, directors, or any beneficial holders of 5% or more of our voting securities are adverse to us or have a material interest adverse to us.
On April 17, 2024, we received a notification letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) stating that, because the Company had not yet filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”), the Company was no longer in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1). The Nasdaq letter had no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s shares. The Nasdaq notification letter stated that the Company had 60 calendar days to submit to Nasdaq a plan to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules. If a compliance plan is accepted, Nasdaq may grant up to 180 days from the prescribed due date to regain compliance.
On May 21, 2024, we received an additional delinquency letter from Nasdaq notifying the Company that it continued to be out of compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) due to the Company’s failure to timely file its Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024, as well as remaining delinquent in filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023. The additional delinquency letter had no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s shares on Nasdaq.
On May 31, 2024, the Company provided its compliance plan to Nasdaq in relation to the filing of its Form 10-K and Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024. On June 20, 2024, Nasdaq accepted the plan and initially granted the Company a period ending July 29, 2024 to file the delinquent reports. On July 30, 2024, Nasdaq further extended the filing deadline through October 14, 2024.
On July 19, 2024, Cosmos Health received a notification letter from Nasdaq, informing the Company that it has regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). To regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, the closing bid of the Company’s shares of common stock needed to be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. The notification letter confirmed that the Company achieved a closing bid price of $1.00 or greater per common share for ten consecutive business days from July 5, 2024 to July 18, 2024, thereby regaining compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. Accordingly, Nasdaq has determined that this matter is now closed. This cured the delinquency notified by Nasdaq on March 20, 2024 that the Company’s common stock had failed to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 over the previous 30 consecutive business days as required by the Nasdaq Listing Rules.
Management's discussion and analysis
As filed, 56,499 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believes,” “project,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions.
We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of complying with those safe-harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain.
Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects on a consolidated basis include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, availability of capital, interest rates, competition, and generally accepted accounting principles. These risks and uncertainties should also be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Further information concerning our business, including additional factors that could materially affect our financial results, is included herein and in our other filings with the SEC.
Presentation of Information
As used in this prospectus, the terms “we,” “us” “our” and the “Company” mean Cosmos Health Inc. unless the context requires otherwise. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited (and unaudited) financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this prospectus. All dollar amounts in this registration statement refer to U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
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Overview
Summary
We are an international pharmaceutical company with a proprietary line of nutraceuticals and distributor of branded and generic pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, OTC medications and medical devices. The Company uses a differentiated operating model based on a lean, nimble and decentralized structure, with an emphasis on acquisitions of established companies and our ability to maintain better pharmaceutical assets than others. This operating model and the execution of our corporate strategy are designed to enable the Company to achieve sustainable growth and create added value for our shareholders. In particular, we look to enhance our pharmaceutical and over-the-counter product lines by acquiring or licensing rights to additional products and regularly evaluate selective company acquisition opportunities. The Company, through its subsidiaries, is operating within the pharmaceutical industry and in order to compete successfully in the healthcare industry, must demonstrate that its products offer medical benefits as well as cost advantages. Currently, most of the products that the Company is trading, compete with other products already on the market in the same therapeutic category, and are subject to potential competition from new products that competitors may introduce in the future.
We continue to rapidly expand our distribution network worldwide and open new markets for our proprietary line of branded pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and nutraceuticals through our distribution channels and e-commerce market place. We use our extensive network with direct access to Europe’s primary sales channels for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, which includes over 160 pharmaceutical wholesale distributors in Europe’s largest markets, over 40,000 pharmacies in Europe and 1,500 pharmacies in Greece. We achieve stable supply of pharmaceuticals from Doc Pharma, a related party, which enhances our ability to scale our expansion. We receive full priority in the production of nutraceuticals and volumes. Our full production in Greece ensures a decisive production-cost advantage whilst we secure additional discounts by leveraging our purchasing scale.
Our focus on investing in technology enhances yield cost savings and economies of scale the safety, distribution and warehousing efficiency and reliability, as a result of 0% error selection rate and acceleration order fulfillment.
Revenue sources
The Company operates in the wholesale distribution of branded pharmaceutical products, OTC products, medical devices, vitamins and a variety of nutraceuticals, including its proprietary label.
Branded Pharmaceuticals & Generics
We are engaged in the production, promotion, distribution and sale of licensed branded generics and OTC products throughout Europe by our subsidiaries in Greece and UK. Our capital efficient business model is based on infrastructure, efficiency and scale. We believe that there is a significant growth on opportunities through product additions and geographic expansion.
Healthcare Distribution
We conduct direct distribution and sales of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, branded generics and OTC products. Our automated and GDP licensed distribution facilities ensure all medications reach their destination daily on an efficient and secure way. Our network exceeds over 1,500 pharmacies in Greece. We have created an upgraded and high-end distribution center in Greece due to our Robotic systems and integrated automations (“ROWA” robotics).
Nutraceutical
We have created and developed our own proprietary branded nutraceutical products, named “Sky Premium Life®” which was launched in 2018 and “Mediterranation®” which was launched in 2022. Utilizing unique formulations, and specialized extraction processes which follow strict pharmaceutical standards, our proprietary lines of nutraceuticals aim for excellence. We have a full portfolio of fast-moving and specialty formulas with more than 80 product codes including vitamins, minerals and other herbal extracts. Our nutraceutical products are manufactured exclusively by Doc Pharma. Our nutraceutical products have penetrated several markets within 2022 and 2023 through digital channels such as Amazon and Tmall. We focus on nutraceutical products because we foresee it as a market with high growth opportunities due to its large market size and margin contribution as the demand for nutraceutical products is increasing globally.
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Risks
Supply chain disruption is a growing concern for the European pharmaceutical industry as it increasingly looks to cut costs by relying on ‘emerging markets’, where standards can be lower in terms of compliance, ethics and health and safety. Our business depends on the timely supply of materials, services and related products to meet the demands of our customers, which depends in part on the timely delivery of materials and services from suppliers and contract manufacturers. Significant or sudden increases in demand for our products, as well as worldwide demand for the raw materials and services we require to manufacture and sell our products, may result in a shortage of such materials or may cause shipment delays due to transportation interruptions or capacity constraints. Such shortages or delays could adversely impact our suppliers’ ability to meet our demand requirements. Difficulties in obtaining sufficient and timely supply of materials or services can have an adverse impact on our manufacturing operations and our ability to meet customer demand.
We may also experience significant interruptions of our manufacturing operations, delays in our ability to deliver products, increased costs or customer order cancellations as a result of:
- the failure or inability to accurately forecast demand and obtain sufficient quantities of quality raw materials on a cost-effective basis;
- volatility in the availability and cost of materials or services, including rising prices due to inflation;
- difficulties or delays in obtaining required import or export approvals;
- shipment delays due to transportation interruptions or capacity constraints, such as reduced availability of air or ground transport or port closures;
- information technology or infrastructure failures, including those of a third-party supplier or service provider; and
- natural disasters or other events beyond our control (such as earthquakes, utility interruptions, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, storms or extreme weather conditions, fires, regional economic downturns, regional or global health epidemics, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical turmoil, increased trade restrictions between the U.S. and China and other countries, social unrest, political instability, terrorism, or acts of war) in locations where we or our customers or suppliers have manufacturing or other operations.
Hikes in the price of medicine and their impact on the sustainability of the healthcare systems are garnering more and more attention. European regulators are willing to play their part in safeguarding continued access to safe and effective medicines. Regulators can speed up the approval of branded pharmaceuticals and biosimilars to boost competition and drive down prices.
Cuts in healthcare spending have been frequently occurring since the financial crises of the late of 2000’s. Europe’s slow recovery has been uneven, with austerity and economic uncertainty, especially in the EU’s poorer member states, such as Greece.
Results of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2023 versus December 31, 2022
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company had a net loss of $18,542,654 on revenue of $53,376,874, versus a net loss of $13,830,371 on revenue of $50,347,652, for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Revenue
Revenue during the Company’s 12-month period ended December 31, 2023, increased by 6.02% as compared to revenues in the period ended December 31, 2022. The increase is attributable to the wholesale revenue increase of our subsidiary Cosmofarm SA, following the acquisition of Bikas customer base and a slight increase in demand for the period.
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Our future revenue growth will continue to be affected by various factors such as industry growth trends, including drug utilization, the introduction of new innovative brand therapies, the likely increase in the number of generic drugs that will be available over the next few years as a result of the expiration of certain drug patents held by brand-name pharmaceutical manufacturers and the rate of conversion from brand products to those generic drugs, price increases and price deflation, general economic conditions in the member states of European Union, competition within the industry, customer consolidation, changes in pharmaceutical manufacturer pricing and distribution policies and practices, increased downward pressure on government and other third party reimbursement rates to our customers, and changes in government rules and regulations.
Cost of Goods Sold
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had direct costs of goods sold of $49,027,305 versus $44,390,695 from the prior fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Cost of goods sold year over year increased by 10.45% in 2023 as compared to 2022, in accordance with the increase in revenue and the fact that a larger proportion of our revenue arose from the wholesale stream which historically has lower margins.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $4,349,569 compared with the $5,956,957 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Gross profit decreased by $1,607,388 or 26.98% from the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the gross profit was primarily due to the slight decrease in sales of our own brand of nutraceuticals, SkyPremium Life, during the period, in order for the Company to achieve a decrease in the outstanding receivables and the boost in our wholesale stream as explained in “Cost of Goods Sold” section above.
Operating Expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had general and administrative costs of $19,642,005, salaries and wages expenses of $4,719,768, sales and marketing expenses of $1,204,636 and depreciation and amortization expense of $614,377, for a net operating loss of $21,831,217. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had general and administrative costs of $10,183,025, salaries and wages of $2,429,021, sales and marketing expenses of $630,057 and depreciation and amortization expense of $188,890, for a net operating loss of $7,474,036. The material increase in operating costs can be attributed to a combination of factors such as the provisions for expected credit losses which amounted to $11,850,788 for the year ended December 21, 2023 compared to $5,621,938 for the year ended December 31, 2022, the significant increase in management’s salaries and bonuses and the considerable investment in sales and marketing expenses, especially for our own branded nutraceuticals, which increased by 91.19% compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
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Interest Income & Expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had interest expense of $866,476, versus the year ending December 31, 2022, where we had interest expense of $2,345,410. The decrease of 63.06% is attributable to the significant debt repayments occurred in 2022 following our successful capital raises, which subsequently decreased the corresponding finance costs. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $662,859 compared to $236,349 for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of 180.46% arising from interest income on short term time deposits (treasury bills) we had during the period and interest earned on the related party loan receivable we signed with Doc Pharma SA on December 30, 2022.
Gain on extinguishment of debt
We had gains on debt extinguished of $1,910,967 for the year ended December 31, 2023, which arose from a gain of $1,605,499 from the termination of the agreement with Marathon Global Inc. and the write-off of the share settled debt obligation we had as of December 31, 2022 and $305,468 arising from the debt forgiveness of the Synthesis Structured debt facility of our subsidiary SkyPharm SA.
Bargain purchase gain
We had a bargain purchase gain of $1,440,249 arising from the acquisition of Cana on June 30, 2023, once the fair value of Cana’s net assets on the date of acquisition were more that the fair value of the consideration transferred. For more information refer to Note 1 (section: Acquisition Accounting).
Unrealized Foreign Currency Losses & Deemed Dividends
We had an unrealized foreign currency translation loss of $712,791 for the year ended December 31, 2023, deemed dividends on the issuance and down round of warrants, on warrants exchanges and on preferred stock of $7,241,180 such that our net comprehensive loss for the period was $25,071,043 versus unrealized foreign currency gain of $981,014, deemed dividends on the issuance and down round of warrants, on warrants exchanges and on preferred stock of $50,114,914 which concerned the anti-dilution adjustment of the Company’s outstanding warrants, such that our net comprehensive loss for the period was $64,926,299 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The deemed dividend for the year ended December 31, 2023 relates to the Warrant Exchange Agreement we entered into on December 29, 2023 (refer to Note 7).
Going Concern
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which contemplates the continuation of the Company as a going concern. For the year ended period December 31, 2023, the Company had revenue of $53,376,874, net loss of $18,542,654 and net cash used in operations of $15,635,999. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, the Company had positive working capital of $12,285,310, an accumulated deficit of $91,644,234, and stockholders’ equity of $36,043,028. It is management’s opinion that these conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from the date of this filing.
The Company’s revenues are not able to sustain its operations, and concerns exist regarding the Company’s ability to meet its obligations as they become due. The Company is subject to a number of risks to those of smaller commercial companies, including dependence on key individuals and products, the difficulties inherent in the development of a commercial market, the need to obtain additional capital, competition from larger companies, and other pharmaceutical and health care companies.
Management evaluated the above conditions which raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern to determine if it can meet its obligations for the subsequent 12 months from the date of this filing. Management considered its ability to access future capital, curtail expenses if needed, expand product lines, and acquire new products.
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Management’s plans include expansion of brand name products to the market, expanding the current product portfolio, and evaluating acquisition targets to expand distribution. Furthermore, the Company intends to vertically integrate the supply chain distribution network. Finally, the Company plans to access the capital markets further in order to raise additional funds through equity offerings. More specifically, management will consider postponing the repayment of its outstanding Trade Facility ($1,908,195 balance as of December 31, 2023), intends to make substantial efforts to receive additional debt financing in conjunction with utilizing potential equity proceeds by its outstanding warrants. Moreover, the Company’s management is considering postponing certain repayments of suppliers and creditors. However, management cannot provide any assurances that the Company will be successful in accomplishing any of its plans. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to successfully accomplish the plans described herein and eventually secure other sources of financing and attain profitable operations.
Considering the above, management is of the view that substantial doubt exists for the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effect on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had working capital of $12,285,310 versus a working capital of $34,618,059 as of December 31, 2022. This decrease in the working capital surplus is primarily attributed to the Company’s cash used for its operating activities during the year ending as of December 31, 2023 in addition to the significant expected credit loss allowances recorded for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023.
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As of December 31, 2023, the Company had net cash of $3,833,195 versus $20,749,683 as of December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in operating activities was $15,635,999 versus $14,870,639 net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company has devoted substantially all of its cash resources to apply its investment program to expand through organic business growth and, where appropriate, the execution on selective company and license acquisitions, and incurred significant general and administrative expenses to enable it to finance and grow its business and operations.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, there was $13,760,357 net cash used in investing activities versus $21,497 used in during the year ended December 31, 2022. In the year ended December 31, 2023 this was due to the net effect of purchase of fixed assets such as the purchase of the facilities of our subsidiary Cosmofarm SA, the purchase of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical licenses, proceeds from loan receivables, advances made for the acquisition of a building in Canada and the cash paid for the acquisition of our new subsidiary Cana, on June 30, 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, there was $12,694,007 of net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities versus $35,048,288 provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022. The significant decrease is attributable to a preferred-stock offering that took place within February 2022 and the two common stock offerings that occurred within October and December 2022 for total net proceeds of approximately $40 million for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2022 whereas for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023 we had $9,362,937 proceeds from the July 2023 offering and the receipt of the outstanding subscription receivable from December’s 2022 offering and $3,533,741 net proceeds from the exercise of warrants during December 2023. The Company also repaid approximately $1.7 million of debt and received $1,057,540 from the new loan facility of our subsidiary, Cosmofarm SA.
We anticipate using cash on hand as of December 31, 2023 and cash flows from debt and equity financing to the extent that funds are available to do so in order to conduct our business operations over the upcoming year.
Debt Obligations
On November 16, 2015, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement with Panagiotis Drakopoulos, the Company’s former Director and former Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which the Company borrowed €40,000 ($42,832) as a note payable from Mr. Drakopoulos. The note bore an interest rate of 6% per annum and was due and payable in full on November 15, 2016. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had an outstanding principal balance of €8,000 ($8,558) and accrued interest of €6,797 ($7,271). During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repaid the entire outstanding balance of €8,000. Therefore, as of December 31, 2023, the outstanding principal balance was $0. Mr. Drakopoulos is not considered a related party since he is no longer employed by the Company and currently holds no equity position in the Company.
May 18, 2020, July 3, 2020, and August 4, 2020 Senior Promissory Notes
Modification of May 18, 2020, July 3, 2020, and August 4, 2020 Senior Promissory Notes
On February 23, 2022, the Company entered into modification agreements to extend the due dates of the May 18 Note, July 3 Note, and August 4 Note to June 30, 2023, totaling $9,000,000, in the aggregate. The Company paid restructuring fees totaling $506,087 upon modification. The Company determined the modification should be recorded as debt extinguishment in accordance with ASC 470 because the present value of the remaining cash flows under the terms of the new debt instrument is at least 10% different from the present value of the remaining cash flows under the terms of the original instrument. The Company recorded the new debt at fair value in the amount of $7,706,369 and a gain upon extinguishment in the amount of $787,544. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repaid the aggregate principal balance of $7,000,000 and the aggregate accrued interest related to these notes in full.
June 23, 2020 Debt Agreement
On June 23, 2020, the Company’s subsidiary, Cosmofarm, entered into an agreement with the National Bank of Greece S.A. (the “Bank”) to borrow a maximum of €500,000 ($611,500). The note has a maturity date of 60 months from the date of the first disbursement, which includes a grace period of nine months. The total amount of the initial proceeds was received in three equal monthly installments. The note is interest bearing from the date of receipt and is payable every three months at an interest rate of 3.06% plus 3-month Euribor (3.96% as of December 31, 2023). The outstanding balance was €205,882 ($227,747) and €323,529 ($346,112) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, of which $97,606 and $220,253 was classified as “Notes payable – long-term portion” respectively, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repaid €117,647 ($130,141) of the principal balance.
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June 24, 2020 Debt Agreement
On June 24, 2020, the Company’s subsidiary, Decahedron, received a loan £50,000 ($68,310) from the UK government. The loan has a ten-year maturity and bears interest at a rate of 2.5% per annum beginning 12-months after the initial disbursement, which was on July 10, 2020. The Company may prepay this loan without penalty at any time. As of December 31, 2022, the principal balance was £47,144 ($56,936). As of December 31, 2023, the principal balance was £ 40,858 ($52,066).
November 19, 2020 Debt Agreement
On November 19, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with a third-party lender in the principal amount of €500,000 ($611,500). The note matures on November 18, 2025 and bears an annual interest rate, based on a 360-day year, of 3% plus 0.6% plus 6-month Euribor when Euribor is positive (4% as of December 31, 2023). The principal is to be repaid in 18 quarterly installments of €27,778 ($30,333). During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repaid €111,111 ($118,867) of the principal and as of December 31, 2022, the Company had accrued interest of $8,069 related to this note and a principal balance of €333,333 ($356,600), of which $237,733 is classified as “Notes payable – long term portion” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repaid €111,111 ($122,911) of the principal and as of December 31, 2023, the Company has accrued interest of €11,191 ($12,379) related to this note and a principal balance of €222,222 ($245,822), of which $122,911 is classified as “Notes payable – long term portion” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
January 7, 2021 Convertible Promissory Note
On January 7, 2021 (the “Issue Date”), the Company entered into a subscription agreement with an unaffiliated third party, whereby the Company issued for a purchase price of $100,000 in principal amount, a convertible promissory note. The note bears an interest rate of 8% per annum. The outstanding balance as of December 31, 2022, was $100,000. On February 7, 2023, the Company fully repaid the outstanding balance and interest of the January 7, 2021, $100,000 Convertible Promissory Note.
July 30, 2021 Debt Agreement
On July 30, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with a third-party lender in the principal amount of €500,000 ($578,850). The note matures on August 5, 2026 and bears an annual interest rate that applies to 60% of the principal of the note that is based on a 365-day year, of 5.84% plus 3-month Euribor when Euribor is positive (3.96% as of December 31, 2023). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, there is a nine-month grace period for principal repayment during which interest is accrued. The principal is to be repaid in 18 quarterly installments of €27,778 commencing three months from the end of the grace period. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repaid €77,985 ($83,428) of the principal balance. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had accrued interest of €2,509 ($2,728) and a principal balance of €422,016 ($451,472), of which $336,788 is classified as “Notes payable – long term portion” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repaid €79,006 ($87,396) of the principal. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had accrued interest of €10,905 ($12,063), principal of €316,900 ($350,555), of which $227,065 is classified as “Notes payable – long term portion” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
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June 9, 2022 Debt Agreement
On June 9, 2022 the Company entered into an agreement with a third-party lender in the principal amount of €320,000 ($335,008), the “Note”. The Note matures on June 16, 2027 and bears an annual interest rate of 3.89% plus an additional rate of 0.60%, plus the 3-month Euribor (3.96% as of December 31, 2023). Pursuant to the agreement, there is a 12-month grace period for principal repayment during which interest is accrued. The principal is to be repaid in 17 equal quarterly installments of €18,824 commencing on June 30, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repaid €60,000 ($66,372) of the principal. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022 the Company has accrued interest of €11,043 ($12,215) and €7,707 ($8,379), respectively, and an outstanding balance of €260,000 ($287,612), of which $204,322 and $281,924, respectively, is classified as “Notes payable – long term portion” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
August 29, 2022 Promissory Note
On August 29, 2022, the Company entered into a promissory note for the principal amount of $166,667. The Company received $150,000 in cash and recorded $16,667 as an original issue discount upon issuance. The promissory note matured on the earlier of (a) December 27, 2022, or (b) the date the Company completes a debt or equity financing of at least $1,000,000. The debt carried an annual interest rate of 12% which was due upon maturity. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had repaid the principal balance in full and had a balance of $5,041 in accrued interest related to this note. The Company repaid the outstanding interest during the year ended December 31, 2023 and thus the balance of both principal and interest as of December 31, 2023 is $0.
July 14, 2023 Debt Agreement
On July 14, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with a third-party lender in the principal amount of €1,000,000 ($1,123,700), the “Note”. The Note matures on July 31, 2028 and bears an annual interest rate of 2.46% plus the 3-month Euribor (3.96% as of December 31, 2023). Pursuant to the agreement, there is a nine-month grace period for interest and principal repayment. The principal is to be repaid in 18 equal quarterly installments of €55,556 commencing on May 2, 2024. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022 the Company an outstanding balance of €977,000 ($1,081,532) and $0, of which $897,864 and $0, respectively, is classified as “Notes payable – long term portion” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
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Trade Facility Agreements
On May 12, 2017, SkyPharm entered into a Trade Finance Facility Agreement (the “SkyPharm Facility”) with Synthesis Structured Commodity Trade Finance Limited (the “Lender”) as amended on November 16, 2017 and May 16, 2018.
On October 17, 2018, the Company entered into a further amended agreement with Synthesis whereby the current balance on the TFF as of October 1, 2018, which was €4,866,910 ($5,629,555) and related accrued interest of €453,094 ($524,094) would be split into two principal balances of Euro €2,000,000 ($2,316,000), (the “EURO Loan”) and USD $4,000,000 (the “USD Loan”). Interest on both the EURO Loan and USD Loan commenced on October 1, 2018, at 6% per annum plus one-month Euribor (3.869% as of December 31, 2023), and 6% plus one-month LIBOR (5.47% as of date of December 31, 2023), respectively.
On December 30, 2020, the Company transferred the EURO Loan to a new third-party lender. The terms remained the same except interest accrues at 5.5% per annum plus one-month Euribor 3.869% as of December 31, 2023. The principal was scheduled to be repaid in a total of five quarterly installments beginning October 31, 2021 of €50,000 ($54,600) each with a final repayment of €1,800,000 ($1,965,600) payable on October 31, 2022.
On March 3, 2022, the Company entered into a modification agreement to extend the maturity date to January 10, 2023 and payments under the USD Loan. During June 2022, the Company agreed with the Lender to postpone the repayment of an installment of $500,000 due on June 30, 2022 (based on the modification agreement signed on March 3, 2022) until January 2023. During September 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with the Lender to postpone the repayment of the outstanding balance on the USD Loan of $3,950,000, plus unpaid accrued interest until January 2023. The Company capitalized fees paid upon modification of €200,000 ($221,060) that are being amortized over the life of the loan. The Company incurred non-cash interest expense of $216,182 during the year ended December 31, 2022 concerning the above capitalized fees.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repaid €175,000 ($191,100) of the EURO Loan and $2,593,363 of the USD Loan such that as of December 31, 2022, the Company had principal balances of €1,775,000 ($1,898,895) and $1,406,637 under the agreements, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had accrued $309,365 in interest expense related to these agreements.
On December 21, 2022, the USD Loan was assigned to GIB Fund Solutions ICAV (the “Fund”). On January 31, 2023, the Company paid $1,100,000 to the Fund under a full and final settlement agreement for the USD Loan, recording a gain on extinguishment of debt of $306,637 relating to the waiver of the unpaid balance. Additionally, the Company repaid €50,000 ($50,310) of the EURO Loan during the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had an outstanding principal balance of €1,725,000 ($1,908,195), of which $1,327,440 is classified as “Notes payable – long term portion” on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had accrued $161,274 in interest expense related to these agreements.
On December 22, 2022, SkyPharm signed an agreement for the extension of the payments and an increase in interest rate due under the EURO loan, that was extended to be repaid with a balloon payment now due on October 31, 2025. This extension was agreed upon in writing on December 22, 2022, with a retroactive modification date to October 31, 2022 (the original maturity date).
COVID-19 Government Loans
On May 12, 2020, the Company’s subsidiary, SkyPharm, was granted and, on May 22, 2020, received a €300,000 ($366,900) loan from the Greek government. The loan will be repaid in 40 equal monthly installments beginning on July 29, 2022. As a condition to the loan, the Company was required to retain the same number of employees until October 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2022, the principal balance was $150,441. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repaid €18,750 ($20,741) of the principal balance. The outstanding balance is €121,875 ($134,818) as of December 31, 2023.
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Related Party Indebtedness
Grigorios Siokas
From time to time, Grigorios Siokas loans the Company funds in the form of non-interest bearing, no-term loans.
During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2022, the Company had an outstanding principal balance under these loans of $12,821 in loans payable to Grigorios Siokas. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had an outstanding principal balance of $0 related to this payable.
December 20, 2018 Note
On December 20, 2018, the €1,500,000 ($1,718,400) note payable, originally borrowed by SkyPharm pursuant to a Loan Agreement with a third-party lender, dated March 16, 2018, was transferred to Grigorios Siokas. The note bears an interest rate of 4.7% per annum and had a maturity date of March 18, 2019 pursuant to the original agreement which was extended to December 31, 2021, and again to December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Note was paid in full and as of December 31, 2023 the Company had no outstanding balance. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had accrued interest of €0 ($0) and €192,891 ($206,355), respectively, outstanding related to this loan, classified under “Accrued interest” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Grigorios Siokas is the Company’s CEO and a principal shareholder and is hence considered a related party to the Company.
Dimitrios Goulielmos
On November 21, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with Dimitrios Goulielmos, as amended on November 4, 2016. Pursuant to the amendment, this loan has no maturity date and is non-interest bearing. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had a principal balance of €10,200 ($11,283) and €10,200 ($10,912), respectively.
The above balances are adjusted for the foreign currency rate as of the balance sheet date. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded a foreign currency translation loss of $371 and $19,568, respectively.
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Plan of Operation in the Next 12 Months
Specifically, our plan of operations for the next 12 months is as follows:
We assess the foreseeable development of the Company as being positive. Over the medium term we expect to further expand our market share. However, during the course of further organizational optimization there may be associated extraordinary additional costs.
Our plan for our own branded nutraceuticals is to enlarge our portfolio up to 150 SKUs by the end of 2023, including more basic line formulas to cover more customer needs of any age, advanced formulations, formulas based on herbs and further clinical studies with R&D for further products. Our plan for geographic expansion in distributing and market penetration in the EU, Asia, USA and Canada is based on exclusive distributors, wholesalers, e-commerce, and development of franchising model, alliances and acquisitions of nutraceutical companies.
In addition, our plan for branded pharmaceuticals is geographic expansion across the world, especially in the EU and UK, as well as in other countries with fast registration and developed markets with liberalized OTC policies for online pharmacies and supermarkets. We also intend to enhance our exclusive distribution rights with a growing basis of cooperating partners whilst purchasing generic, biosimilar drugs and OTC licenses. We also intend to enhance our product expectance by registered copyrights and trademarks in all OTC drugs. In addition, we remain committed to strategic research and development across each business unit with a particular focus on assets with inherently lower risk profiles and clearly defined governmental regulatory pathways.
Our plan for our full line wholesale is to expand in the Greek territory, enlarge our customer portfolio and integrate of established sales network of pharmacies through the use of B2B and B2C e-commerce platforms and exclusive distributors. We are also aiming in increasing the exports of branded pharmaceuticals as we focus on higher profit margins categories (OTC and VMS), deliver 3PL (third-party logistics) services to pharma companies, put in force loyalty programs, provide added value services to pharmacies and emergency deliveries to VIP customers. The Company will evaluate and, where appropriate, execute on opportunities to expand its network of pharmacies and products in areas that it believes will offer above average growth characteristics and attractive margins.
The Company is growing its business through organic growth, market penetration, geographic expansion and acquisitions which would add value to its business and its shareholders. The Company is also committed to pursuing various forms of business development; this can include trading, alliances, joint ventures and dispositions. Moreover, it hopes to continue to build on its portfolio of pharmaceutical products and expand its OTC and nutraceutical product portfolio. Thus, the Company is developing a sound sales distribution network specializing in its own branded nutraceutical products.
The Company’s main objective is expanding the business operations of its subsidiaries by concentrating its efforts on becoming an international pharmaceutical Company. The Company views its business development activity as an enabler of its strategies, and it seeks to generate earnings growth and enhance shareholder value by pursuing a disciplined, strategic, and financial approach to evaluating business development opportunities. Under these principles the Company assesses businesses and assets as part of its regular, ongoing portfolio review process and continues to consider trading development activities for its businesses. The Company’s objective is the optimization of operating expenses across all entities without compromising the quality of the Company’s services and products.
Changes in the behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of pharmaceutical and healthcare products and services, including delaying medical procedures, rationing prescription medications, reducing the frequency of doctor visits, and foregoing healthcare insurance coverage, may impact the Company’s business.
The pharmaceutical sector offers a large growth potential within the European pharmaceutical market if service, price and quality are strictly directed towards the customer requirements. The Company will continue to encounter competition in the market by product, service, reliability, and a high level of quality. On the procurement side, the Company can access a wide range of supply possibilities. To minimize business risks, the Company diversifies its sources of supply all over Europe. It secures its high-quality demands through careful supplier qualification and selection, as well as active suppliers’ system management.
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Significant Equipment
We do not intend to purchase any significant equipment for the next 12 months aside from a few pieces of IT equipment. Nevertheless, we will replace essential equipment for operations if it is required within the year.
Employees
In order to achieve our strategic objectives, we have, and will remain, focused on hiring and retaining a highly skilled management team that has extensive experience and specific skill sets relating to the sales, selection, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. We intend to continue our efforts to build and expand this team as we grow our business. We have plans to increase the number of our employees by adding more sales people during the next 12 months.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2023, there were no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
In December 2001, the SEC requested that all registrants list their most “critical accounting polices” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis. The SEC indicated that a “critical accounting policy” is one which is both important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results, and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Foreign Currency. Assets and liabilities of all foreign operations are translated at year-end rates of exchange, and the statements of operations are translated at the average rates of exchange for the year. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are accumulated in a separate component of stockholders’ equity until the entity is sold or substantially liquidated. Gains or losses from foreign currency transactions (transactions denominated in a currency other than the entity’s local currency) are included in net (loss) earnings.
Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, as required by the accounting standard for income taxes, ASC 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as net operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company is liable for income taxes in Greece and the United Kingdom. The corporate income tax rate is 22% in Greece (tax losses are carried forward for five years effective January 1, 2013) and 25% in the United Kingdom. Losses may also be subject to limitation under certain rules regarding change of ownership.
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We regularly review deferred tax assets to assess their potential realization and establish a valuation allowance for portions of such assets to reduce the carrying value if we do not consider it to be more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Our review includes evaluating both positive (e.g., sources of taxable income) and negative (e.g., recent historical losses) evidence that could impact the realizability of our deferred tax assets.
We recognize the impact of an uncertain tax position in our financial statements if, in management’s judgment, the position is not more-likely-then-not sustainable upon audit based on the position’s technical merits. This involves the identification of potential uncertain tax positions, the evaluation of applicable tax laws and an assessment of whether a liability for an uncertain tax position is necessary. We operate and are subject to audit in multiple taxing jurisdictions.
We record interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of interest and other expense, respectively.
Potential benefits of income tax losses are not recognized in the accounts until realization is more likely than not. The Company has adopted ASC 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes” as of its inception. Pursuant to ASC 740, the Company is required to compute tax asset benefits for net operating losses carried forward. The potential benefits of the U.S. net operating losses have not been recognized in this financial statement because the Company cannot be assured it is more likely than not it will utilize the net operating losses carried forward in future years.
The Company has net operating loss carry-forwards in our parent, Cosmos Health Inc., which are applicable to future taxable income in the United States (if any). Additionally, the Company has income tax liabilities in the United Kingdom. The income tax assets and liabilities are not able to be netted. We therefore reserve the income tax assets applicable to the United States, but recognize the income tax liabilities in Greece and the United Kingdom. Losses may also be subject to limitation under certain rules regarding change of ownership.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company follows ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASC 326”) to estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company is required to estimate credit losses on accounts receivable balances held at amortized cost. ASC 326 introduces a new methodology for measuring credit losses, replacing the previous incurred loss model with an expected credit loss model. The Company measures credit losses on accounts receivable using an expected credit loss model, which considers historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Credit losses are measured as the difference between the present value of contractual cash flows expected to be collected and the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the financial instrument’s original effective interest rate. The Company reviews individually each trade receivable for collectability and performs on-going credit evaluations of its customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customer’s current credit worthiness, as determined by the review of their current credit information; and determines the allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical write-off experience, customer specific facts and general economic conditions that may affect a client’s ability to pay. Bad debt expense is included in general and administrative expenses, if any.
Inventory
Our merchandise inventories are made up of finished goods, manufacturing products, raw materials and other products and are valued at the lower of cost or market using the weighted-average cost method. However, the net realizable value (“NRV”) will always be higher than our inventory’s cost, once most of our inventory is fast moving and the vast majority of our products is pharmaceuticals, which have standard selling prices that could not result to the NRV being higher than the average cost. Moreover, our efficient inventory management which has led to minimum obsolete and slow-moving inventory also indicates that the NRV is higher than its average cost. Thus, an NRV assessment would have no material, if any, to our inventory’s cost. Average cost includes the direct purchase price, net of vendor allowances and cash discounts, of merchandise inventory. We record valuation reserves on an annual basis for merchandise damage and defective returns, merchandise items with slow-moving or obsolescence exposure and merchandise that has a carrying value that exceeds market value. These reserves are estimates of a reduction in value to reflect inventory valuation at the lower of cost or market. The reserve for merchandise returns is based upon the determination of the historical net realizable value of products sold from our returned goods inventory or returned to vendors for credit. Our reserve for merchandise returns includes amounts for returned product on-hand as well as for new merchandise on-hand that we estimate will ultimately become returned goods inventory after being sold based on historical return rates.
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Below is an analysis per category of our inventories as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Product Categories | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | 3,417,039 | 2,763,350 |
| Parapharmaceuticals | 1,030,878 | 662,598 |
| Manufacturing products | 160,436 | - |
| Raw materials | 275,919 | - |
| Dairy products | 21,017 | 24,630 |
| Veterinary medicine | 13,872 | 5,638 |
| Other | 225,098 | 101,709 |
| Less provisions | (355,205) | (106,057) |
| Total | 4,789,054 | 3,451,868 |
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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This guidance is intended to enhance the transparency and decision-usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 address investor requests for enhanced income tax information primarily through changes to disclosure regarding rate reconciliation and income taxes paid both in the U.S. and in foreign jurisdictions. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 on a prospective basis, with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements disclosures.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This guidance expands public entities’ segment disclosures primarily by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, an amount and description of its composition for other segment items, and interim disclosures of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments are required to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in an entity’s financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements related disclosures.
In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, Deferral of the Sunset Date of Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). Topic 848 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to transactions affected by reference rate (e.g., LIBOR) reform if certain criteria are met, for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. The ASU deferred the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The ASU is effective as of December 21, 2022 through December 31, 2024. We continue to evaluate transactions or contract modifications occurring as a result of reference rate reform and determine whether to apply the optional guidance on an ongoing basis. We adopted ASU 2022-06 during 2022. The ASU has not and is currently not expected to have a material impact on the Companies consolidated financial statements.
In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. This ASU eliminates the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings by creditors that have adopted ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which was adopted on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. ASU 2022-02 also enhances the disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancing and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. In addition, the ASU amends the guidance on vintage disclosures to require entities to disclose current period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases within the scope of ASC 326-20. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of the ASU would be applied prospectively. Early adoption is also permitted, including adoption in an interim period. This ASU was adopted on January 1, 2023, which resulted in no cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings.
October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires contract assets and contract liabilities (i.e., deferred revenue) acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by the acquirer on the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as if it had originated the contracts. The new guidance creates an exception to the general recognition and measurement principles of ASC 805, Business Combinations. The new guidance should be applied prospectively and is effective for all public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and include interim periods. The Company adopted this ASU which resulted in no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Controls and procedures
As filed, 8,753 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Securities Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Principal Executive Officer/Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective due to material weaknesses stated in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting set forth below.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. This rule defines internal control over financial reporting as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
- Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions;
- Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
- Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2023, as the result of the below weaknesses.
AS 2201 and the SEC define the term “material weakness” as “a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.” We had the following material weaknesses at December 31, 2023 set forth below:
- The Company has a lack of proper segregation of duties.
- The Company’s internal control structure lacks multiple levels of review and oversight and does not have appropriate IT General Controls (ITGCs) for the applications used in the Financial Reporting process, caused by lack of design of relevant controls and overall IT risk management.
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Remediation of Deficiencies and Material Weaknesses
We are in the process of remediating all material weaknesses present in our internal controls.
- The Company has a lack of proper segregation of duties.
We are in the process of updating the organizational chart in order to reallocate roles among personnel and emphasize sharing the responsibilities of key business processes by distributing the discrete functions of these processes to multiple people and departments. Specifically, we have delegated the following processes to different personnel; authorization, custody, recordkeeping, and reconciliation. For example, a manager authorizing discount sales is not responsible for maintaining accounts receivable records or handling cash receipts. In addition, we have set access rights at the data and our software based on the job responsibilities and level of the personnel, therefore unauthorized users are not able to change any data on the system or process to bank transactions.
- The Company’s internal control structure lacks multiple levels of review and oversight and does not have appropriate IT General Controls (ITGCs) for the applications used in the Financial Reporting process, caused by lack of design of relevant controls and overall IT risk management.
We are in the process of developing multiple levels of review based on job responsibilities and level of personnel. For example, management reviews whether the bank reconciliations are being prepared on a timely basis by the preparer and whether there are discrepancies between the general ledger and the bank statements. Another example is the review of management accounting information by the CFO and his authorization for material transactions and adjustments. Also, the payroll is prepared by an outsourcing company, which is then reviewed by the Accountant and then the CFO approves the payroll expense and proceeds to payments. Furthermore, we are in the process of assessing a new financial reporting application that will be used by all the companies of the Group and would be able to support, process financially relevant information, provide financially relevant reporting and house financially relevant interfaces and application controls in order for us to more efficiently establish IT General Controls to a single and more reliable application.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Internal Controls
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting are or will be capable of preventing or detecting all errors or all fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements, due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns may occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the most recently completed fiscal year, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Figures reported in this filing
Standardized line items from the XBRL in this filing, for the period ended 2023-12-31. Comparative periods it repeats are left out.
| Line item | Period | Value | XBRL concept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | $53.4m | us-gaap:Revenues |
| Cost of revenue | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | $49.0m | us-gaap:CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold |
| Gross profit | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | $4.3m | us-gaap:GrossProfit |
| Operating income | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | −$21.8m | us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss |
| Interest expense | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | $866.5k | us-gaap:InterestExpense |
| Net income | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | −$18.5m | us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss |
| Diluted EPS | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | −$2.15 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted |
| Basic EPS | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | −$2.15 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic |
| Operating cash flow | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | −$15.6m | us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities |
| Capital expenditure | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | $1.3m | us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment |
| Share repurchases | 12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 | $100.5k | us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock |
| Current assets | At period end2023-12-31 | $36.6m | us-gaap:AssetsCurrent |
| Total assets | At period end2023-12-31 | $66.0m | us-gaap:Assets |
| Current liabilities | At period end2023-12-31 | $24.3m | us-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent |
| Total liabilities | At period end2023-12-31 | $30.0m | us-gaap:Liabilities |
| Shareholders' equity | At period end2023-12-31 | $36.0m | us-gaap:StockholdersEquity |
Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001477932-24-004545. Last ingested by Listed: Oct 30, 2026, 16:09 ET. Listed shows no prices and gives no investment advice.