Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those set forth under the section titled “Risk Factors,” and other documents we file with the SEC. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
Overview
We have put in place a business model in which we may derive future income from licensing and selling natural bioactive ingredients including algal biomass and products that may be derived from or are initially based on the algal biomass. We expect that these planned new products will likely be sold or licensed to much larger, better-financed human and animal pharma companies, and to food, dietary supplement, and skin care manufacturers. The anticipated income streams are to be generated from a) sales of algal biomass or extracts thereof, and b) license payments in the form of royalties and / or other contractual payments for licensed natural bioactive ingredients. Our manufacturing strategy is to create contract manufacturers for our non-licensed products which products will be sold by us to food distributors and retailers, animal food, dietary supplement, and medical food processors and/or name-brand marketers. Further, we expect to license our bioactive fractions and molecules as lead compounds or templates for synthetic variants intended for therapeutic applications.
Financial Overview
Revenue
The Company earns revenue through the sales of its proprietary microalgae products which are presently sold as a dried green powder packaged for retail sale. The product is sold under the ZivolifeTM brand. We have one customer who distributes our products via a direct-to-consumer model through a ZivolifeTM branded webpage under a distribution, marketing, and limited license agreement.
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Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold for the Company included purchasing our proprietary dried green microalgae in a final packaged form from a contract grower located in Peru. We have established a contract manufacturing agreement and limited license with this grower to provide ZIVO pre-packaged product ready to be sold to our customer. The product is delivered directly to our customer.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel-related costs for personnel in functions not directly associated with research and development activities, professional fees and consultant expenses, and other overhead spending. Personnel related costs include cash compensation, benefits, and stock-based compensation expenses. Professional fees and consultant expenses consist primarily of legal fees relating to corporate matters, intellectual property costs, professional fees for consultants assisting with regulatory, and financial matters. Other overhead spending includes cost to support information technology, rent, insurances, public company listing, and supplies.
We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will significantly increase in the future to support our continued research and development activities, potential commercialization of our product candidates, hiring of additional personnel, legal and professional services, and other public company related costs.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses are incurred in developing our product candidates, compensation and benefits for research and development employees, including stock-based compensation, research related overhead expenses, cost of laboratory supplies, clinical trial and related clinical manufacturing expenses, costs related to regulatory operations, fees paid to research consultants and other outside expenses. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and costs incurred by third parties are expensed as the contracted work is performed.
We expect our research and development expenses to significantly increase over the next several years as we continue to develop product candidates targeting additional pharma and algal biomass applications. These additional activities will increase the need to conduct preclinical testing and clinical trials and will depend on the duration, costs and timing to complete our preclinical programs and clinical trials.
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily consists of interest costs related to our convertible notes, term notes, and for interest on short term debt, as discussed in detail below.
Other Income
Other income consists of proceeds derived from activity outside of normal operating activity, including amortization of debt discounts where appropriate.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Year ended December 31,
Costs and expenses:
Total interest and other (expense), net (22,939 ) $ (514,172 )
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Revenue
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded commercial revenue relating to sales of the Company’s dried algal biomass product as a human food or food ingredient. The $157,220 for the year ending December 31, 2024 is an approximately $130,000 increase over the $27,650 in revenue in the prior year. The increase is the result of product volume increases partially offset by lower selling prices for product sold in the year ended December 31, 2024 versus the year ended December 31, 2023.
Costs of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $108,268. This is approximately $92,000 higher than $16,040 in cost of goods sold from the same period last year. The increase in cost of goods sold is essentially all attributable to product volume increases from the prior year period.
Gross Margin
Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately $49,000. This is $37,000 higher than the same period last year. This increase is attributable to higher product volumes partially offset by lower selling prices than the prior year period. Gross margin percentage in the year ended December 31, 2024 was 31%, down from 42% shown in the year ended December 31, 2023.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, which is about $4.4 million higher than the approximately $5.9 million for the comparable prior period, explained by the following changes: an increase of $2.8 million in labor expense (increase of $3.5 million non-cash employee compensation due to stock options issued to employees partially offset by a roughly $700,000 decrease in bonus expense), and an increase in overhead expense of $1.6 million ($2.9 million increase in directors fees, partially offset by $100,000 in lower directors and officers insurance premiums, $110,000 in lower exchange listing and related fees, $30,000 in lower travel expense, $300,000 in lower accounting fees, and $800,000 lower legal fees). The decreases in accounting and legal fees versus the prior year period were largely the result of legal and accounting fees incurred in capital raising efforts in 2023 that were not incurred in 2024.
Research and Development Expenses
For the 12 months ended December 31, 2024, we incurred $3.1 million in net R&D expenses, as compared to $1.4 million for the comparable period in 2023.
Of these costs in 2024, $3.1 million is for salary and other internal costs, an increase of approximately $1.9 million from the prior year. The increase is primarily explained by higher stock related compensation costs for non-employee directors of $2 million and an increase of $50,000 in consultant expense, partially offset by employee costs of $160,000 and travel expense of $20,000. Third party research and development spending of $20,000 was approximately $840,000 lower than the prior year due to elimination of essentially all the Company-funded third-party research studies. For the year ending December 31, 2023, the Company recognized a reduction in gross research and development spending of roughly $700,000 to account for the amortization of the spending obligation created through the complete funding of the Participation Agreements. There was no amortization of spending obligations in the year ending December 31, 2024 as the Company completed all the funding for this program in the prior year. (See Note 8: Deferred R&D Obligations - Participation Agreements)
December 31, December 31,
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Subject to the availability of funding, we expect our R&D costs to grow as we work to complete the research in the development of natural bioactive compounds for use as dietary supplements and food ingredients, as well as biologics for medicinal and pharmaceutical applications in humans and animals. The Company’s scientific efforts presently are focused on the licensing products for healthy immune response in livestock and growing of our proprietary algal culture in commercial scale facilities.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historical Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, our principal source of liquidity consisted of cash deposits of $1.5 million. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating and net losses for the foreseeable future until and unless we generate an adequate level of revenue from potential commercial sales to cover expenses.
We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially as we develop and seek to commercialize our product candidates and continue to pursue pre-clinical and clinical trials, seek regulatory approvals, manufacture product candidates, hire additional staff, add operational, financial and management systems and continue to operate as a public company.
Our source of cash to date has been proceeds from the issuances of notes, common stock with and without warrants and unsecured loans, and the entry into Participation Agreements, the terms of which are further described below. See also “Funding Requirements and Outlook” below.
Unsecured Loans
From January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, the Company received gross proceeds of $2,273,160 in unsecured loans. As of December 31, 2024, all the loans were repaid and no principal or accrued interest remained outstanding under such loans.
Debt Settlement Agreements
On November 12, 2024, the Company entered into a Debt Settlement Agreement (“Debt Settlement Agreement”) with three investors (each a “Creditor”) to restructure the outstanding $240,000 convertible debt and accrued interest of the Company. Each Creditor agreed to settle the Company’s existing debt in exchange for the Company issuing each Creditor an unsecured promissory note (each a “Note,” collectively, the “Notes”) pursuant to the terms agreed upon in each Debt Settlement Agreement. The Notes have an aggregate principal amount of $277,254. Each Note is payable in 24 equal monthly installments beginning November 30, 2024 and bears interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum.
Private Placements
In the year ending December 31, 2024, we entered into Subscription Agreements with accredited investors pursuant to which we, in private placements, issued and sold an aggregate of 793,489 shares of common stock for gross proceeds in the amount of $5,602,269. Included in these transactions were the sale of 598,054 shares of common stock for $4,283,387 to unrelated private investors, and 195,435 shares of common stock for $1,318,882 to related parties.
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Going Concern, Funding Requirements and Outlook
At December 31, 2024, we had $1,542,442 in cash deposits.
The Company has incurred substantial losses during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and expects to continue to incur losses in the near future and has a negative working capital as of December 31, 2024. Management has determined that these factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Additionally, our independent registered public accounting firm has included explanatory paragraphs in their report on our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, noting the existence of substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our existing cash is not sufficient to fund our operating expenses through at least twelve months from the date of this filing and liabilities of the Company such as accounts payable, accrued expenses, and our term debt. To continue to fund operations and execute on management’s plans, we will need to secure additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings, through collaborations or partnerships with other companies or other sources. We may not be able to raise additional capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Any failure to raise capital when needed could compromise our ability to execute on our business plan. If we are unable to raise additional funds, or if our anticipated operating results are not achieved, we believe planned expenditures may need to be reduced in order to extend the time period that existing resources can fund our operations. If we are unable to obtain the necessary capital, it may have a material adverse effect on our operations and the development of our technology, or we may have to cease operations altogether.
Our material cash requirements also relate to the funding of our ongoing product development. See “Item 1-Business-Clinical Development and Regulatory Pathway-Clinical Experience, Future Development and Clinical Trial Plans” in this Report for a discussion of design, development, pre-clinical and clinical activities that we may conduct in the future, including expected cash expenditures required for some of those activities, to the extent we are able to estimate such costs.
The development of our product candidates is subject to numerous uncertainties, and we could use our cash resources sooner than we expect. Additionally, the process of development is costly, and the timing of progress in pre-clinical tests and clinical trials is uncertain. Our ability to successfully transition to profitability will be dependent upon achieving further regulatory approvals and achieving a level of product sales adequate to support our cost structure. We cannot assure you that we will ever be profitable or generate positive cash flow from operating activities.
Cash Flows
Cash Flows from Operating Activities. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2024, our operating activities used $4.3 million in cash, a decrease of cash used of roughly $1.5 million from the comparable prior period. The approximate $1.5 million decrease in cash used by operating activities was primarily attributable to the following (all of which are approximated): a $5.6 million increase in net loss, an increase in non-cash expenses of $8.9 million (explained by an increase of stock issued for services of $8.6 million, lower debt discount amortization of $(400,000), and lower amortization of deferred R&D obligations of $700,000), and cash used to fund changes is assets and liabilities of $1.8 million (mostly explained by a reduction in accrued liabilities of $(800,000), a decrease in accounts payable of $(925,000), a decrease in accounts payable to related parties of $(175,000), partially offset by an increase of $100,000 in prepaid expenses).
Cash Flows from Investing Activities. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no investing activities.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2024, we generated $5.6 million in cash from financing activities; primarily from several board approved fund raising programs to sell unregistered common stock via private placements. These programs raised $4.3 million from accredited investors, and an additional $1.3 million from related parties. In the year ending December 31, 2023 the Company had financing activities that raised a total of $4.3 million through the sales of unregistered common stock of $485,000 to related parties, and an additional $155,000 to accredited investors. The Company also sold through a single transaction registered common stock with proceeds of $3.6 million.
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The following table shows a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
Twelve months ended December 31,
Net cash provided by (used in):
Investing activities - -
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ 1,268,062 $ (1,524,883 )
We estimate that we would require approximately $5 million in cash over the next 12 months in order to fund our basic operations, excluding our R&D initiatives. Based on this cash requirement, we have a near-term need for additional funding to continue to develop our products and intellectual property. Historically, we have had substantial difficulty raising funds from external sources. If we are unable to raise the required capital, we will be forced to curtail our business operations, including our R&D activities.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. In accordance with GAAP, we base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances at the time such estimates are made. Actual results may differ materially from our estimates and judgments under different assumptions or conditions. We periodically review our estimates in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. The effects of material revisions in estimates are reflected in our financial statements prospectively from the date of the change in estimate.
While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Report, we believe the following are the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements that require significant estimates and judgments.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We account for fair value measurements of assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis adhering to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
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As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, fair values of cash, prepaid, other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximated their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these assets or liabilities. We elected to account for the convertible notes while they were outstanding on a fair value basis under ASC 825 to comprehensively value and streamline the accounting for the embedded conversion options. The fair value of these convertible notes were based on both the fair value of our common stock, discount associated with the embedded redemption features, and cash flow models discounted at current implied market rates evidenced in recent arms-length transactions representing expected returns by market participants for similar instruments and are based on Level 3 inputs.
Complex Financial Instruments
We evaluate all conversion and redemption features contained in a debt instrument to determine if there are any embedded derivatives that require separation from the host debt instrument. An embedded derivative that requires separation is bifurcated from its host debt instrument and a corresponding discount to the host debt instrument is recorded. The discount is amortized and recorded to interest expense over the term of the host debt instrument using the straight-line method which approximates the effective interest method. The separated embedded derivative is accounted for separately on a fair market value basis. We record the fair value changes of a separated embedded derivative at each reporting period in the consolidated statements of operations as a fair value change in derivative and warrant liabilities.
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for share‐based compensation in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. Accordingly, compensation costs related to equity instruments granted are recognized at the grant‐date fair value. The Company records forfeitures when they occur. Share‐based compensation arrangements to non‐employees are accounted for in accordance with the applicable provisions of ASC 718.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted
The Company continually assesses new accounting pronouncements to determine their applicability. When it is determined a new accounting pronouncement affects the Company’s financial reporting, the Company undertakes a review to determine the consequences of the change to its consolidated financial statements and assures there are sufficient controls in place to ascertain the Company’s consolidated financial statements properly reflect the change.
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting—Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosure requirements for significant segment expenses. The improved disclosure requirements apply to all public entities that are required to report segment information, including those with only one reportable segment. The Company adopted the guidance in the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024 and there was no impact on the Company’s reportable segments identified.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which updates income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. This ASU also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is in the process of determining the effect this ASU will have on the disclosures contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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In February 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04 — Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments. This update is intended to improve the relevance and consistency in application of the induced conversion guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 470-20, Debt —Debt with Conversion and Other Options. Current generally accepted accounting principles provide guidance for determining whether a settlement of convertible instruments at terms different from the original conversion terms should be accounted for as an induced conversion (as opposed to a debt extinguishment). The amendments in the ASU clarify requirements for determining whether certain settlements of convertible debt instruments, including convertible debt instruments with cash conversion features or convertible debt instruments that are not currently convertible, should be accounted for as an induced conversion. This new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of determining the effect this ASU will have on the disclosures contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASC 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which is intended to provide more detailed information about specified categories of expenses (purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and amortization) included in certain expense captions presented on the consolidated statement of operations. This new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments may be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for periods after the effective date of this ASU or (2) retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
See “Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in this Report regarding the impact of certain recent accounting pronouncements on our financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Reference is made to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Reports thereon, and the Notes thereto, commencing on page F-1 of this report, which Consolidated Financial Statements, Reports, Notes and data are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
Not applicable.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as our principal financial and accounting officer, have reviewed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K and, based on their evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of such date due to material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, described below.
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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 Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our 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 generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not detect or prevent misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management utilized the criteria established in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) to conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. As previously reported, we identified material weaknesses that continued to exist at December 31, 2024.
A material weakness is 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 our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management has determined that the Company had the following material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting.
Control Environment, Risk Assessment, and Monitoring
Management did not design and maintain appropriate entity-level controls impacting the control environment, risk assessment procedures, and monitoring activities to prevent or detect material misstatements to the consolidated financial statements. These deficiencies were attributed to: (i) lack of structure and responsibility, insufficient number of qualified resources, and inadequate oversight and accountability over the performance of controls, (ii) ineffective identification and assessment or risks impacting internal control over financial reporting, and (iii) ineffective evaluation and determination as to whether the components of internal control were present and functioning.
Control Activities and Information and Communication
These material weaknesses contributed to the following additional material weaknesses within certain business processes and the information technology environment:
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Based on the assessment and identification of the material weaknesses described above, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective and could lead to a material misstatement of account balances or disclosures. Accordingly, management has concluded that these control deficiencies constitute material weaknesses.
However, after giving full consideration to these material weaknesses, and the additional analyses and other procedures that we performed to ensure that our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, our management has concluded that our consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods disclosed in conformity with U.S. GAAP.
Remediation
Management has been implementing and continues to implement measures designed to ensure that control deficiencies contributing to the material weaknesses are remediated, such that these controls are designed, implemented, and operating effectively. The remediation actions include:
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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Except for the material weaknesses discussed above, there was no other change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Incorporated by reference to “Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors - Management,” “Information with Respect to the Board of Directors,” and “Management” in the Registrant’s 2025 Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days after the Registrant’s fiscal year end.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Incorporated by reference to “Executive Compensation” in the Registrant’s 2025 Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days after the Registrant’s fiscal year end.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Incorporated by reference to “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters” in the Registrant’s 2025 Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days after the Registrant’s fiscal year end.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes information, as of December 31, 2024, relating to compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance.
(a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders 0 n/a 429,510
(1) These securities are available under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. Incentive awards may include, but are not limited to, Incentive Stock Options, Non-statutory Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, RSU Awards, and Performance Awards.
(2) The 2021 Equity Incentive Plan includes an "evergreen" provision for calculating the number of shares issuable under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. The aggregate shares of common stock issuable automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2021 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2030, in an amount equal to 5% of the total number of shares of the common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding year; provided, however, that the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of the common stock.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Incorporated by reference to “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors” in the Registrant’s 2025 Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days after the Registrant’s fiscal year end.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Incorporated by reference to “Proposal No. 2 - Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Registrant’s 2025 Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days after the Registrant’s fiscal year end. Information about aggregate fees billed to us by our principal accountant, BDO USA, P.C. (PCAOB ID No. 243) will be included under the caption “Independent Auditor Fees” in the 2025 Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated by reference herein.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) (1) (2) Financial Statements.
Financial Statements begin on page F-1 of this report.
All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, or the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits.
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
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19* Insider Trading Policy
21.1* Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1* Consent of BDO USA, P.C.
101.INS* Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
____________
* Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith.
+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.
†Certain schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule and/or exhibit will be furnished to the SEC upon request.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ZIVO BIOSCIENCE, INC.
By: /s/ Keith R. Marchiando
Keith R. Marchiando
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ John B. Payne
John B. Payne,
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (principal executive officer)
By: /s/ Keith R. Marchiando
Keith R. Marchiando
By: /s/ Christopher D. Maggiore
Christopher D. Maggiore,
Director
By: /s/ Nola E. Masterson
Nola E. Masterson,
Director
By: /s/ Alison A. Cornell
Alison A. Cornell,
Director
By: /s/ Laith Yaldoo
Laith Yaldoo,
Director
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Zivo Bioscience, Inc.
Troy, Michigan
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Zivo Bioscience, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern Uncertainty
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred net losses since inception, experienced negative cash flows from operations and has an accumulated deficit that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
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Consolidated Financial Statements – Impact of Control Environment and Information Technology General Controls
As disclosed in management’s report on internal control over financial reporting, the Company identified material weaknesses as of December 31, 2024. These material weaknesses included ineffective (i) entity-level controls impacting the control environment, risk assessment procedures, and monitoring activities, (ii) information technology general controls (ITGCs), (iii) control activities over substantially all of the company's business processes, and (iv) controls over the accounting, classification, and application of United States Generally Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”) relating to certain transactions.
We identified a critical audit matter over the completeness and accuracy of the consolidated financial statements. Designing the appropriate procedures and evaluating audit evidence to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the consolidated financial statements with an ineffective control environment required especially challenging and subjective auditor judgment due to the increased extent of audit effort including the need to modify the nature and extent of audit evidence obtained.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
/s/ BDO USA, P.C.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.
Troy, Michigan
March 18, 2025
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ZIVO BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, December 31,
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
OTHER ASSETS:
Operating lease - right of use asset - 98,280
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term operating lease - 106,342
Convertible debentures payable - 240,000
Current portion of note payable 138,164 -
LONG TERM LIABILITIES:
Long-term note payable, net of current portion 116,197 -
Total long-term liabilities 116,197 -
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT):
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) $ 1,643,122 $ 555,715
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ZIVO BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the year endedDecember 31,2024 For the year endedDecember 31,2023
REVENUE:
COST OF GOODS SOLD
OPERATING EXPENSES:
OTHER (EXPENSE):
Amortization of debt discount - (439,594 )
Interest expense - related parties - (50,785 )
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE $ (4.23 ) $ (4.60 )
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ZIVO BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023
Additional
Common Stock Paid in Accumulated
Shares Amount Capital Deficit Total
Employee and director equity-based compensation - - 867,359 - 867,359
Debt discount for related party loan warrants - - 439,594 - 439,594
Fractional Shares from Split (290 ) - - - -
Common stock issued on prefunded warrant exercise 78,021 78 (31 ) - 47
Additional
Common Stock Paid in Accumulated
Shares Amount Capital Deficit Total
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ZIVO BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended For the Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Amortization on debt discount - 439,594
Employee and director equity-based compensation expense 9,473,513 867,359
Amortization of operating lease - right of use asset 98,280 91,002
Amortization of deferred R&D obligations - participation agreements - (701,332 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Security deposits 24,378 -
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash (used) in investing activities $ - $ -
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Proceeds of loans payable, related party - 1,150,000
Payment of loans payable, related party - (1,150,000 )
Proceeds from private placement of registered securities, net - 3,634,963
Exercise of common stock warrants - 47
Payment of term debt (20,697 ) -
Proceeds from direct sale of common stock, related party 1,318,882 485,000
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes $ - $ -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024:
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company had no non-cash investing or financing transactions.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023:
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company had no non-cash investing or financing transactions.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ZIVO BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
The business model of Zivo Bioscience, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Health Enhancement Corporation, HEPI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Zivo Bioscience, LLC, Wellmetrix, LLC, WellMetris, LLC, Zivo Biologic, Inc., ZIVOLife, LLC, and Zivo Zoologic, Inc. (collectively the “Company”)) is to derive future income from licensing and selling natural bioactive ingredients derived from their proprietary algae cultures to animal, human and dietary supplement and medical food manufacturers.
NOTE 2 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Going Concern
The Company has incurred net losses since inception, experienced negative cash flows from operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and has an accumulated deficit of $137.0 million. The Company has historically financed its operations primarily through the issuance of common stock, warrants, and debt.
The Company expects to continue to incur operating losses and net cash outflows until such time as it generates a level of revenue to support its cost structure. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve profitable operations, and, if achieved, whether it will be sustained on a continued basis.
These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued. The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of continuity of operations, realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business; no adjustments have been made relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company not continue as a going concern.
The Company intends to fund ongoing activities by utilizing its current cash on hand and by raising additional capital through equity or debt financings. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising that additional capital or that such capital, if available, will be on terms that are acceptable to the Company. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient additional capital, the Company may be compelled to reduce the scope of its operations.
NOTE 3 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Zivo Bioscience, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Health Enhancement Corporation, HEPI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wellmetrix, LLC, Wellmetris, LLC, Zivo Bioscience, LLC, Zivo Biologic, Inc., ZIVOLife, LLC, and Zivo Zoologic, Inc. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
Accounting Estimates
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements and reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results could differ from those estimates. Management uses its best judgment in valuing these estimates and may, as warranted, solicit external professional advice and other assumptions believed to be reasonable.
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Cash
For the purpose of the statements of cash flows, cash equivalents include time deposits, certificates of deposit and all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents balances at financial institutions and are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. At times, balances in certain bank accounts may exceed the FDIC insured limits. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any cash equivalents.
Leases
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases, requires the recognition of a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset over the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments resulting from the lease agreement. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized on commencement of the lease agreement.
ROU assets are included within operating lease right-of-use assets, and the corresponding operating lease liabilities are recorded as current portion of long-term operating lease, and within long-term liabilities as long-term operating lease, net of current portion on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. Generally, we do not consider any additional renewal periods to be reasonably certain of being exercised, as comparable locations could generally be identified within the same trade areas for comparable lease rates. Because the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate of return, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments. We have elected the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components for all of our building leases.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 606, which utilizes five steps to determine whether revenue can be recognized and to what extent: (i) identify the contract with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligation(s); (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) determine the recognition period. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied when control of the product is transferred according to agreed shipping terms, and revenue is recognized at that single point in time.
Significant judgments exercised by management include the identification of performance obligations, and whether such promised goods or services are considered distinct. The Company evaluates promised goods or services on a contract-by-contract basis to determine whether each promise represents a good or service that is distinct or has the same pattern of transfer as other promises. A promised good or service is considered distinct if the customer can benefit from the good or service independently of other goods/services either in the contract or that can be obtained elsewhere, without regard to contract exclusivity, and the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contact. If the good or service is not considered distinct, the Company combines such promises and accounts for them as a single combined performance obligation.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company had only one product for sale, and one customer accounted for 100% of the revenue for its products.
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Research and Development
Research and development (“R&D”) costs are expensed as incurred. The Company’s R&D costs, including internal expenses, consist of clinical study expenses as it relates to the therapeutic (biotech) business and the development and growing of algae as it relates to the nutrition (agtech) business. External clinical studies expenses were approximately $20,000 and $900,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Internal expenses, composed of staff salaries of approximately $3.1 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These costs were offset by the amortization of the R&D obligation of $0 and approximately $700,000 for the years ending December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively; of which, $175,427, for the year ended December 31, 2023, was attributable to related parties (see “Note 8 - Deferred R&D Obligations - Participation Agreements”).
Income Taxes
The Company follows the authoritative guidance for accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes are determined using the asset and liability 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 bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. 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 tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were primarily attributable to net operating loss carry forwards. Since the Company has a history of losses, and it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a full valuation allowance has been established. In addition, utilization of net operating loss carry-forwards is subject to a substantial annual limitation due to the “change in ownership” provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The annual limitation may result in the expiration of net operating loss carry-forwards before utilization.
Stock Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. Under the provisions of FASB ASC 718, stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The Company, from time to time, issues common stock or grants common stock options to its employees, consultants and board members. At the date of grant, the Company determines the fair value of the stock option award and recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period. Issuances of common stock are valued at the closing market price on the date of issuance and the fair value of any stock option or warrant awards is calculated using the Black Scholes option pricing model and employing the simplified term method as the Company does not have a historical basis to determine the term. The Company records forfeiture of options when they occur.
The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option-pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. In considering the expected term of the options, the Company employs the simplified method. The Company uses this method as it does not have a history of option exercises to establish a robust estimated term based on experience. The simplified term is used for the determination of expected volatility as well as the identification of the risk-free rate.
Income (Loss) Per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the Company’s net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period presented. Diluted loss per share is based on the treasury stock method and includes the effect from potential issuance of common stock such as shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of options and warrants and conversions of debentures. Potentially dilutive securities as of December 31, 2024, consisted of and 1,031,425 shares of common stock underlying outstanding options and 1,171,662 warrants. Potentially dilutive securities as of December 31, 2023, consisted of 8,746 shares of common stock from convertible debentures and related accrued interest and 1,459,881 shares of common stock underlying outstanding options and warrants. For 2024 and 2023, diluted and basic weighted average shares were the same, as potentially dilutive shares are anti-dilutive.
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Segment Reporting
The Company manages the business activities on a consolidated basis and operates in one reportable segment, research and development of micro algae for applications in both the therapeutic and nutritional sectors. As the Company has one reportable segment, sales, cost of sales, research and development, and general and administrative expenses are equal to consolidated results. Financial results for the Company's reportable segment have been prepared using a management approach, which is consistent with the basis and manner in which financial information is evaluated by the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") in allocating resources and in assessing performance. The Company's CODM is the Chief Executive Officer. The measurement of segment profit or loss that the CODM uses to evaluate the performance of the Company's segment is net income attributable to Zivo Bioscience, Inc. Financial budgets and actual results used by the CODM to assess performance and allocate resources, as well as strategic decisions related to headcount and other expenditures are reviewed on a consolidated basis.
Warrants
The Company accounts for warrants issued on June 2, 2021 in connection with a public offering of commons stock and common stock warrants, and traded on the OTC Pink under the symbol ZIVOW, (“Public Warrants”) and Private Placement Warrants issued in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, see Note 9 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT), (collectively “Warrants”) as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the specific terms of the Warrants and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASC 815-40”). The assessment considers whether the Warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815-40, including whether the Warrants are indexed to the Company’s own stock and whether the events where holders of the warrants could potentially require net cash settlement are within the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. The fair value of Warrants is estimated using Black Scholes modeling. Inputs under the model include the Company’s Common Share price, the risk-free interest rate, the expected term, the volatility, and the dividend rate. Warrants that are determined to require liability classifications are measured at fair value upon issuance and are subsequently remeasured to their then fair value at each subsequent reporting period with changes in fair value recorded in current earnings. Warrants that are determined to require equity classifications measured at fair value upon issuance and are not subsequently remeasured unless they are required to be reclassified.
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We account for fair value measurements of assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis adhering to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, fair values of cash, prepaid expenses, accounts receivable, other assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities approximated their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these assets or liabilities. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023 the fair value of the notes and convertible notes approximated their carrying value. We elected to account for the notes and the convertible notes while they were outstanding on a fair value basis under ASC 825 to comprehensively value and streamline the accounting for the embedded conversion options. The fair value of these convertible notes were based on both the fair value of our common stock, discount associated with the embedded redemption features, and cash flow models discounted at current implied market rates evidenced in recent arms-length transactions representing expected returns by market participants for similar instruments and are based on Level 3 inputs.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents. The Company has historically maintained cash balances at financial institutions which exceed the current FDIC limit of $250,000 at times during the year.
The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted
The Company continually assesses new accounting pronouncements to determine their applicability. When it is determined a new accounting pronouncement affects the Company’s financial reporting, the Company undertakes a review to determine the consequences of the change to its consolidated financial statements and assures there are sufficient controls in place to ascertain the Company’s consolidated financial statements properly reflect the change.
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting—Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosure requirements for significant segment expenses. The improved disclosure requirements apply to all public entities that are required to report segment information, including those with only one reportable segment. The Company adopted the guidance in the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024 and there was no impact on the Company’s reportable segments identified. Additional required disclosures have been added in Note 13.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which updates income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. This ASU also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is in the process of determining the effect this ASU will have on the disclosures contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
In February 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04 — Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments. This update is intended to improve the relevance and consistency in application of the induced conversion guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 470-20, Debt —Debt with Conversion and Other Options. Current generally accepted accounting principles provide guidance for determining whether a settlement of convertible instruments at terms different from the original conversion terms should be accounted for as an induced conversion (as opposed to a debt extinguishment). The amendments in the ASU clarify requirements for determining whether certain settlements of convertible debt instruments, including convertible debt instruments with cash conversion features or convertible debt instruments that are not currently convertible, should be accounted for as an induced conversion. This new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of determining the effect this ASU will have on the disclosures contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, requiring additional disclosures about specified categories of expenses included in certain expense captions presented on the face of the income statement. This standard will be effective for the Company as of and for the year ending December 31, 2027, and may be applied either prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date of this ASU or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 4 - LEASES
The Company leases a facility that contains office, warehouse, lab and R&D space in Ft. Myers Florida. Rent was $2,261 per month for calendar 2023, and $2,200 per month for calendar 2024. The lease expired December 31, 2024.
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The Company leases office space for its headquarters in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Rent was $7,466 for the months of January 2023 through November 2023, and $7,668 for the months of December 2023 through the lease term, November 2024. The Company entered into a month-to-month rental agreement, paying $7,668 per month, for December 1, 2024, through January 10, 2025, when the Company moved to a different facility.
The balances for our operating lease where we are the lessee are presented as follows within our consolidated balance sheet:
Operating leases:
Operating lease right-of-use asset $ - $ 98,280
Liabilities:
Current portion of long-term operating lease $ - $ 106,342
Long-term operating lease, net of current portion - -
The components of lease expense are as follows within our consolidated statement of operations:
For the Year ended
Other information related to leases where we are the lessee is as follows:
For the Year ended
Weighted-average remaining lease term:
Operating leases 0.00 Years 0.94 Years
Discount rate:
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Supplemental cash flow information related to leases where we are the lessee is as follows:
For the Year ended
Non-cash investment in ROU asset - -
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has no remaining operating lease liabilities.
On September 13, 2024, the Company entered into a 63-month lease agreement for office space in Troy, Michigan. On January 6, 2025, the Company moved its headquarters to this location. The lease agreement commenced on January 1, 2025, and ends on March 31, 2030. The lease agreement provided for a total rent of $298,135 over the period. Occupancy of the property commenced on January 1, 2025. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The parties negotiated a three-month rent holiday from January 1, 2025, through March 31, 2025. Rent is $4,681 per month from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, $4,820 from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, $4,964 from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2028, $5,113 from April 1, 2028, to March 31, 2029, and $5,267 from April 1, 2029, to March 31, 2030. The Company has reviewed the terms of the agreement and will classify the lease as an operating lease under ASC 842.
On January 21, 2025, the Company entered into a 36-month lease agreement for a facility that contains office, warehouse, lab and R&D space in Ft. Myers, Florida. The lease agreement commenced on January 1, 2025, and ends on December 31, 2027. The lease agreement provided for a total rent of $111,817 over the period. Occupancy of the property commenced on January 1, 2025. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rent is $3,000 per month from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, $3,105 from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, and $3,213 from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027. The Company has the option to extend the lease for one three-year period during which the monthly lease rate will increase at a rate of 3.5% per year. The Company has reviewed the terms of the agreement and will classify the lease as an operating lease under ASC 842.
NOTE 5 - LOAN PAYABLE, RELATED PARTIES
Payne Bridge Loan
On April 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “Subscriber”), pursuant to which the Company, in a private placement (the “Private Placement”), agreed to issue and sell to the Subscriber a 10% promissory note with a principal amount of $1 million (the “Payne Note”) and a warrant (the “Payne Warrant”) to purchase 65,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”). The Company had the ability to prepay all or a portion of the outstanding Payne Note principal and accrued and unpaid interest without any prepayment fee.
Each warrant is exercisable for a period of three years from issuance at a per-share exercise price equal to $17.46. The exercise price and number of shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercising the Payne Warrant will be subject to adjustment in the event of any stock dividends and splits, reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, or similar transaction, as described therein.
The allocation of fair value between the Payne Note and the Payne Warrant was recorded at the issuance date using a relative fair value allocation method of which $439,954 was allocated to the Payne Warrant and debt discount the remaining proceeds were recorded as debt.
The Payne Warrant, which qualified for the derivatives scope exception, met equity classification, and was recognized as a component of permanent stockholders’ equity within additional paid-in-capital and as a debt discount on the consolidated balance sheet.
The Payne Note matured on October 2, 2023, and bore interest at an annual rate of 10.0%. The debt discount was amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the Payne Note. The effective interest rate on the Payne Note, including the amortization of the discount was 49.0% as of October 2, 2023. In the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $489,594 of interest expense related to the Note, which included $439,594 of non-cash amortization of the loan discount. The Payne Note was satisfied in full on October 2, 2023.
HEP Investments, LLC
On November 16, 2023, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with the HEP Investments, LLC a greater than 10% shareholder of the Company (the “November Subscriber”), pursuant to which the Company, in a private placement (the “Private Placement”), agreed to issue and sell to the November Subscriber a 10% promissory note with a principal amount of $150,000 (the “November Note”). The Company had the ability to prepay all or a portion of the outstanding November Note principal and accrued and unpaid interest without any prepayment fee.
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On December 5, 2023 the Company repaid the principal in full and $784 of accrued interest to satisfy the November Note in full.
As of December 31, 2024, there were no Loans Payable to related parties.
NOTE 6 - DEBT
On November 12, 2024, the Company entered into a Debt Settlement Agreement (“Debt Settlement Agreement”) with each of Howard Shapiro, Merger Masters Pension Fund, and Financial Trading Consultants Pension Fund (each a “Creditor”) to restructure certain debt of the Company. Each Creditor agreed to settle the Company’s existing debt in exchange for the Company issuing each Creditor an unsecured promissory note (each a “Note,” collectively, the “Notes”) pursuant to the terms agreed upon in each Debt Settlement Agreement. The Company issued a Note to each of Howard Shapiro, Merger Masters Pension Fund, and Financial Trading Consultants Pension Fund in the principal amount of $185,497, $40,331, and $51,426, respectively. The Notes have an aggregate principal amount of $277,254.
Each Note is payable in 24 equal monthly installments beginning November 30, 2024, and bears interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum. Each Note is subject to customary events of default, the occurrence of which will trigger, at the option of the respective Creditor, the unpaid principal balance of the Note becoming immediately due and payable. The principal balance may be prepaid at any time without penalty. As of December 31, 2024 the remaining principal balance was $254,361.
NOTE 7 - NOTE PAYABLE
Short Term Loans
On March 5, 2024, the Company entered into a short-term, unsecured loan agreement to finance a portion of the Company’s directors’ and officers’, and employment practices liability insurance premiums. The note in the amount of $517,560 carries an 8.5% annual percentage rate and will be paid down equal monthly payments of $59,563, which payment began March 10, 2024. The loan was fully paid off, and there was no remaining principal balance as of December 31, 2024.
On February 14, 2023, the Company entered into a short-term, unsecured loan agreement to finance a portion of the Company’s directors’ and officers’, and employment practices liability insurance premiums. The note in the amount of $605,600 carries an 8.4% annual percentage rate and will be paid down equal monthly payments of $69,666, which payment began March 10, 2023. The loan was fully paid off, and there was no remaining principal balance as of December 31, 2023.
NOTE 8 - DEFERRED R&D OBLIGATIONS - PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS
During 2020 and 2021 the Company entered into twenty-one (21) License Co-Development Participation Agreements (the “Participation Agreements”) with certain investors (“Participants”) for aggregate proceeds of $2,985,000. The Participation Agreements provide for the issuance of warrants to such Participants and allows the Participants to participate in the fees (the “Fees”) from licensing or selling bioactive ingredients or molecules derived from ZIVO’s algae cultures. Specifically, ZIVO has agreed to provide to the Participants a 44.78% “Revenue Share” of all license fees generated by ZIVO from any licensee (See the Table below).
According to the terms of the Agreements, and pursuant to ASC 730-20-25 the Company has bifurcated the proceeds of $2,985,000 as follows: 1) the 17,712 warrants sold were attributed a value of $953,897 based on the Black Scholes pricing model using the following assumptions: volatilities ranging from 129.13% to 154.26%; annual rate of dividends 0%; discount rates ranging from 0.26% to 0.87%, and recorded as Additional Paid In Capital; 2) the remaining $2,031,103 was recorded as Deferred R&D Obligation - Participation Agreements. Since the Company believes there is an obligation to perform pursuant to ASC 730-20-25, the Deferred R&D Obligation are amortized ratably based on expenses incurred as the Company develops the technology for bioactive ingredients or molecules (including its TLR4 Inhibitor molecule) derived from the Company’s algae cultures. In the year ending December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $701,332 as a contra R&D expense related to personnel and third-party expenses to develop the subject technology. $175,427 of this total contra R&D expense was attributed to deferred R&D obligations funded by a related party. As of December 31, 2023, the R&D obligation has been fully amortized, and no balance remains.
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The Participation Agreements allow the Company the option to buy back the right, title and interest in the Revenue Share for an amount equal to the amount funded plus a minimum payment threshold, as applicable. Once this minimum threshold is met, the Company may exercise its option by delivering written notice to a Participant of its intent to exercise the option, along with repayment terms of the amount funded, which may be paid, in the Company’s sole discretion, in one lump sum or in four (4) equal quarterly payments. If the Company does not make such quarterly payments timely for any quarter, then the Company shall pay the prorated Revenue Share amount, retroactive on the entire remaining balance owed, that would have been earned during such quarter until the default payments have been made and the payment schedule is no longer in default. See below a summary of the Participation Agreements:
Buy-back Buy-back
Minimum Premium % Premium %
Agreement Date of Amount Exercise Revenue Payment pre-18 post 18
# Funding Funded Warrants Term Price Share Threshold mos. mos.
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Certain of the Participation Agreements are owned by related parties. Participation Agreement numbers 8, 14, and 19 totaling $265,000 are owned by HEP Investments, Participation Agreement 21 in the amount of $45,000 is owned by MKY MTS LLC an entity controlled by the owners of HEP Investments, and Participation Agreement 13 in the amount of $500,000 is owned by an investment company owned by a significant shareholder Mark Strome (“Strome”). Certain of these Participation Agreements were amended subsequent to year end 2024. (see “Note 13 – Subsequent Events - DEFERRED R&D OBLIGATIONS - PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS”)
NOTE 9 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
June 2023 Registered Direct Offering and 2023 Private Placement Warrants
On July 5, 2023, the Company, closed on a Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 30, 2023 (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a single institutional investor (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Investor agreed to purchase from the Company, in a registered direct offering (the “Registered Offering”), (i) an aggregate of 171,666 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share at a price of $16.02 per share, (ii) an aggregate of 78,021 pre-funded warrants to purchase 78,021 shares of Common Stock, at an offering price of $16.0194 per pre-funded warrant at an exercise price of $0.0006 per share, with a term of exercise of five years (collectively, the “Registered Offering Securities”). The gross proceeds to the Company from the Registered Offering and concurrent private placement described below were approximately $4,000,000 (before deducting the placement agent’s fees and other offering expenses paid by the Company approximately $365,000).
As additional consideration for the purchase of the Private Placement Securities, we agreed to issue to the Investors Series A Warrants to purchase 249,688 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $16.80 per share, and Series B Warrants to purchase 249,688 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $16.80 per share (collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants”). The exercise price of the Private Placement Warrants is $16.80 per share, however, is subject to adjustment 100% of the highest VWAP during the period beginning on the trading day immediately preceding a public announcement of an applicable fundamental transaction and ending within 30 trading days following the fundamental transaction. In such event, the Investor shall have the right to receive, for each Private Placement Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, at the option of the Investor, the number of Shares of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable as a result of such fundamental transaction by a holder of the number of Shares for which this Private Placement Warrant is exercisable. Further, if the Company is given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a fundamental transaction, then the Investor shall be given the same choice as to the alternate consideration it receives upon any exercise of these Private Placement Warrants following such fundamental transaction.
All the pre-funded warrants associated with the Registered Offering and the Series A and Series B warrants have been classified and accounted for in equity. The net proceeds of the offering, including the fair value assigned to the Private Placement Warrants were recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity within additional paid-in-capital.
Recapitalization - Reverse Stock Split
On October 26, 2023, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to its articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State of Nevada (the “Certificate of Amendment”), to (i) effectuate a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of its issued and outstanding shares of common stock and treasury shares on a 1-for-6 basis and (ii) decrease the number of total authorized shares of common stock of the Company from 150,000,000 to 25,000,000 shares.
As of the Effective Time, every 6 shares of issued and outstanding common stock were converted into one share of common stock. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, a holder of record of old common stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time who would otherwise have been entitled to a fraction of a share was entitled to receive cash in lieu thereof.
The Company’s transfer agent, Issuer Direct Corporation, acted as the exchange agent for the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split did not alter the par value of the Company’s common stock or modify any voting rights or other terms of the common Stock. In addition, pursuant to their terms, a proportionate adjustment was made to the per share exercise price and number of shares issuable under all of the Company’s outstanding stock options and warrants to purchase shares of common Stock, and the number of shares authorized and reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plan will be reduced proportionately.
All issued and outstanding common stock and per share amounts contained in the financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented. In addition, a proportionate adjustment was made to the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and warrants to purchase shares of common stock. A proportionate adjustment was also made to the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive compensation plans to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.
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Stock Sales and Issuances
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the Company sold and issued a total of 793,489 shares of common stock for proceeds $5,602,269. Included in these sales of stock were the sale of 598,054 shares of common stock for $4,283,387 to unrelated private investors, and 195,435 shares of common stock to related parties for $1,318,882 including $1,240,781 in cash and $78,101 in related party accounts payable owed to those individuals.
During the year ended December 2023, the Company sold and issued 563,016 shares of common stock for proceeds of $640,000 to various investors in private placements. Included in those amounts were issuances of 437,692 shares of common stock for proceeds of $485,000 to two related parties.
Stock Warrants Issued
In the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase 30,924 shares of common stock to investors under a board approved private fund raising program. Included in the total were warrants for 6,185 shares issued to related parties.
In the year months ended December 31, 2023, the Company issued warrants to purchase 642,397 shares of common stock. Included in the total were warrants for 65,000 shares issued to a related party, pre-funded warrants to purchase 78,021 shares of common stock, and warrants to purchase 499,376 shares of common stock to a single investor in a private transaction.
Stock Warrants Exercised
In the year ended December 31, 2024, no stock warrants were exercised by any investor holding warrants.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Prefunded Warrants in connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 30, 2023, were exercised on a cash basis. The Company received $47 in exchange for the issuance of 78,021 shares of common stock. See NOTE 9 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) - June 2023 Registered Direct Offering and 2023 Private Placement Warrants.
Equity Based Compensation
The Company compensates executives, employees, directors, and some service providers from time-to-time with equity as a component of compensation for employment and other services. These equity awards are issued under established plans.
Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors
On May 31, 2024, the Board of Directors adopted the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “Director Equity Plan”). Material features of the Director Equity Plan are:
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Non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the Director Equity Plan. As of December 31, 2024, 429,510 shares remain available to be issued under the Director Equity Plan.
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
On October 12, 2021, after approval from the stockholders at the Company’s 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company adopted the 2021 Plan for the purpose of enhancing the Company’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified directors, officers, key employees and other persons and to motivate such persons to improve the business results and earnings of the Company by providing an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in the operations and future success of the Company. The 2021 Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Board who will, amongst other duties, have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the 2021 Plan. Pursuant to the 2021 Plan, the Company may grant options, share appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, unrestricted shares and dividend equivalent rights. The 2021 Plan has a duration of 10 years.
Subject to adjustment as described in the 2021 Plan, the aggregate number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan is initially set at 1,000,000 shares; this number is automatically increased through an evergreen provision each January 1st by an amount equal to 5% of the number of common stock shares outstanding at that date, resulting in an increase in available shares under the 2021 Plan. On May 31, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the 2021 Plan such that the total number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan would be 1,000,000 as of that date, an additional increase of 789,324 shares.
On June 5, 2024, pursuant to a proposed equity compensation exchange approved by the Board of Directors, various option awards underlying 292,515 shares of common stock were forfeited by employees and members of the Board of Directors in exchange for replacement equity awards as approved by the Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2024, 1,031,425 options have been issued under the 2021 Plan, and 261,090 shares remained available for issuance.
2019 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan
Prior to the adoption of the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company maintained a 2019 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). Following the approval by the shareholders of the 2021 Plan, no additional awards have been or will be made under the 2019 Plan. As of June 30, 2024, all options issues under the 2019 Plan have been forfeited and no options remain outstanding. On May 31, 2024 the Company’s Board of Directors formally terminated the 2019 Plan.
Equity Based Compensation Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized a total stock based compensation expense of $9,473,513 for equity compensation to members of the Board of Directors and certain employees for restricted stock awards and option grants. $2,222,806 of the total expense for the year was related to R&D and the remaining $7,250,707 was for general and administrative expenses (G&A). During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded compensation expense for new equity grants in the present period plus equity awards from prior periods of $867,359, of which $232,920 of the total expense for the year was related to R&D and the remaining $634,439 was for general and administrative expenses (G&A).
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Board of Directors Equity Based Fees
On June 12, 2023, our Board of Directors awarded options pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy. The Board granted to each of the three non-employee directors $50,000 in value of common stock options. The Company used the Black Scholes option pricing model to determine the number of shares that would derive a value of $50,000 for each non-employee director. The Black Scholes pricing model used the following assumptions: term of 5.31 years; volatility 112.25%; annual rate of dividends 0%; discount rate 3.88%. The model yielded an award grant of 10,878 total options, 3,626 for each of the three non-employee directors. The Company recorded directors’ fees related to equity compensation of $337,682 for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing the expense associated with the common stock options awarded in 2023 and years prior.
On June 11, 2024, the Company restructured the Board of Directors compensation to award Restricted Stock Awards to the non-employee members of the Board and curtailed the practice of awarding common stock options to the non-employee Board members.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Board of Directors awarded 445,490 Restricted Stock Awards (RSA) to the non-employee directors of the Company under the Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The Company recorded directors’ fees related to equity compensation of $3,258,311 for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing the expense associated with the Restricted Stock Awards and vesting of common stock option awards from prior years.
Board Annual Service
The equity compensation for the year ended December 31, 2024, for normal board annual service equity awards per the Company’s amended Board Compensation Policy of $187,673 included the value of 18,819 Restricted Stock Awards (RSA) issued in 2024 and compensation expense related to vesting of options issued in years prior. On, June 11, 2024 pursuant to the Amended Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy for annual service on the Board of Directors whereby each non-employee director received $50,000 in value of RSA calculated from the closing price of the Company’s common stock on that day. The RSAs, issued at $7.97 per share, vest 25% on each of the 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month anniversaries of the award, and 25% on the day prior to the Company's 2025 annual shareholder meeting.
The remaining 426,671 RSA and $3,070,638 of directors’ fees related to equity compensation is due to the following one-time compensation awards and events.
Director Stock Option Replacement Program
From 2021 to 2023, the Company had issued stock options to its non-employee directors pursuant to the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan provides that the Board may cancel outstanding options and make a substitute grant of new options or other equity-based awards under the 2021 Plan or another equity plan of the Company (the “Director Stock Option Replacement Program”). On June 5, 2024, pursuant to the Director Stock Option Replacement Program, 127,364 shares of restricted stock were granted under the Director Equity Plan to replace all 62,451 outstanding options that were previously granted to non-employee directors under the 2021 Plan. Replacement shares were granted under the newly established Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The RSA vested immediately on the date of the grant. The Company recognized $671,998 of compensation expense related to this award in the year ended December 31, 2024.
Stock Award Grant
On May 31, 2024, the Board granted common stock RSAs with a value of $299,996 under the Director Equity Plan to director Alison Cornell. The 37,688 RSA shares awarded were determined based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant of $7.96 per share. The RSA shares vested immediately upon issuance. The Board determined that this award to Ms. Cornell is an award for special or extraordinary services and was exempt from the annual limitation on awards to non-employee directors set forth in the Director Equity Plan.
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Stock Award in Lieu of Unpaid Directors’ Fees
On May 31, 2024, the Board approved a Stock in Lieu of Unpaid Director's fees that would allow for the granting of a total of 261,619 common stock RSAs to the non-employee Board members in lieu of accrued but unpaid non-employee director service fees earned during the calendar year ending December 31, 2023. In aggregate the Company owed the three non-employee board members at the time $172,670 in fees. Upon Board approval, these unpaid amounts were grossed up for taxes at an assumed tax rate of 45% and the number of shares was determined based on the Company’s closing stock price on December 29, 2023, of $1.20 per share.
The value of the shares granted to the non-employee directors pursuant to this exchange of stock in lieu of unpaid cash fees were exempted from the annual limitation of awards to non-employee directors set forth in the Director Equity Plan. These shares awards were issued under the Director Equity Plan and are subject to provisions thereof. The RSAs issued under this program vested 50% immediately on the date of grant, and the remaining 50% vested on January 1, 2025.
The Company determined the value of these awards based on the market price on the grant date of $7.96 per share and recognized $2,077,523 of expense in the year ended December 31, 2024, for the vested portion of these awards in lieu of unpaid directors’ fees, and at the same time wrote off $172,670 in related party accounts payable.
Undermarket Equity Purchases
Between July 24, 2024 and October 16, 2024 the Company sold common stock to non-employee board members at prices that were less than the fair value on the day of the transactions. The difference between fair value and the purchase price was $21,121 and was recognized as compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Employee Stock Based Compensation
Common Stock Options
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company awarded options underlying 1,031,425 shares of common stock to executives and employees under the 2021 Plan. The Company recognized compensation expense for these awards and options that were previously granted to executives and employees of $6,215,202 for the year ended December 31, 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred compensation expenses for equity awards to executives and employees of $867,359.
CEO 2023 Equity Award
On June 5, 2024, the Board awarded 50,251 common stock options to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in exchange for a prior agreed to cash payment yet unpaid in the amount of $400,000. The strike price of $7.96 was set as the closing market price on the grant date and the options vested immediately upon issuance. The Company used the Black Scholes option pricing model to determine the compensation expense of $338,819 for the award grant. The Black Scholes pricing model used the following assumptions: assumed term of 5.1 years; volatility 122.46%; annual rate of dividends 0%; discount rate 4.29%.
Employee Stock Option Replacement Program
On June 5, 2024, pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Replacement Program, 981,174 common stock option shares were approved by the Board of Directors from the 2021 Plan to replace all 230,064 outstanding options that were previously granted to executives and employees under both the 2019 Plan and the 2021 Plan. Replacement shares were granted under the existing 2021 Plan. The total expense for options awards made to various employees for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $5,849,520. The Company used the Black Scholes option pricing model to determine the compensation expense for these award grants issued in the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company valued the new awards using the Black Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions: option agreement expected term of 5.1 years; volatility 122.46%; annual rate of dividends 0%; discount rate 4.29%. The Company determined the new options awarded under the Employee Stock Option Replacement Program to be modifications of existing awards and as such the Company will account for the awards by continuing to expense the original option awards as well as expensing the value of the new awards less the value of the old awards revalued at the conditions at the time of new awards.
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The fair value of options was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the following weighted average assumptions:
Year Ended December 31,
Expected dividends 0 % 0 %
Expected term 5.1 years 5.3 years
Undermarket Equity Purchases
On October 15, 2024 the Company sold common stock to the CEO of the Company at a price that was less than the fair value on the day of the transaction. The difference between fair value and the purchase price was $26,863 and was recognized as employee compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Common Stock Options
A summary of the status of the Company’s options issued under the Company’s equity incentive plans is presented below. Based on the closing market price of $21.50 per share on December 31, 2024 the total intrinsic value of all the Company’s outstanding options was $14.0 million.
Options outstanding and exercisable by price range as of December 31, 2024 were as follows:
Outstanding Options Exercisable Options
As of December 31, 2024, there was $133,257 of remaining unrecognized compensation expense related to common stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.3 years.
Common Stock Restricted Stock Awards (RSA)
The total RSA expense recorded in 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
The 2024 RSA activity is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Non-vested Stock Awards Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested as of December 31, 2023 - $ -
Forfeited - -
As of December 31, 2024, there was $31,135 of remaining unrecognized compensation expense related to RSAs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.2 years.
The total fair value of RSAs vested during the years ended December 31, 2024 was $2,507,934. The fair value was determined based on the closing price of shares of our common stock on the dates the awards vested.
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Common Stock Warrants - Unregistered
A summary of the status of the Company’s unregistered warrants is presented below. Based on the closing market price of $21.50 per share on December 31, 2024 the total intrinsic value of all the Company’s unregistered warrants was $2.9 million.
Cancelled - - - -
Unregistered warrants outstanding and exercisable by price range as of December 31, 2024 were as follows:
Outstanding Warrants Exercisable Warrants
Common Stock Warrants - Registered
A summary of the status of the Company’s registered warrants is presented below:
Issued - - - -
Exercised - - - -
Cancelled - - - -
Expired - - - -
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Registered warrants outstanding and exercisable by price range as of December 31, 2024, were as follows:
Outstanding Registered Warrants Exercisable Registered Warrants
NOTE 10 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Alimenta Supply Agreement
In July 2023, the Company, through its ZIVOLife LLC subsidiary and Alimenta Algae SAC, a Peruvian company, signed a binding Contract Manufacturing Term Sheet (the “Term Sheet”). This binding Term Sheet commits ZIVOLife to purchase all of the ZivolifeTM product produced by Alimenta at the site subject to certain capacity growth plans and overall capacity limitations. The purchase commitment will end on August 31, 2028. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company purchased $108,268 of product subject to this agreement, and in the year ended December 31, 2023, $16,040 of product subject to this agreement was purchased by the Company. As of December 31, 2024, no products were available that we were obligated to purchase.
Legal Contingencies
We may become a party to litigation in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, there are no legal matters involving us that would have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.
NOTE 11 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Loan Payable - Related Party
See “Note 5 - Loan Payable, Related Parties” for disclosure of loans payable to related parties.
Employment Agreement
The company presently has in place employment agreements with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.
Accounts Payable
On December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had accounts payable to related parties of $194,762 and $172,670, respectively. These amounts due were the result of the Company’s delayed payment of cash service fees to the non-employee directors of the Company per the Non Employee Directors Compensation Policy.
Stock and Warrant Sales and Issuances
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued 195,435 shares of common stock for total proceeds of $1,318,882 including $1,240,781 in cash and $78,101 in accounts payable to four related parties. In addition to the issued common stock, warrants for 6,185 shares were issued to related parties with no additional proceeds to the Company.
During the year ended December 2023, the Company sold and issued 437,692 shares of common stock for proceeds of $485,000 to two related parties.
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NOTE 12 - INCOME TAXES
The following table presents the components of net loss before income taxes:
Years Ended December 31,
There was no income tax for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company’s tax expense differs from the “statutory” tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 as noted below:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Return to provision adjustments - 0.0 % 5,968 (0.1 )%
Total income tax provision $ - 0.0 % $ - 0.0 %
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (a) temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, and (b) operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company’s deferred taxes were as follows:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)
Operating leases - 1,973
Other deferred tax liabilities $ (176 ) (178 )
Total deferred income taxes $ - $ -
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ASC 740 Income Taxes requires that the tax benefit of net operating losses (“NOLs”), temporary differences and credit carryforwards be recorded as an asset to the extent that management assesses that realization is “more likely than not.” Realization of the future tax benefits is dependent on the Company’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period. Management believes that realization of the deferred tax assets arising from the above-mentioned future tax benefits from operating loss carryforwards is currently not more likely than not and, accordingly, has provided a valuation allowance. The valuation allowance increased by $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and increased by $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023 the Company’s deferred tax asset contains the tax effect of approximately $48.3 million and $41.4 million of Federal NOLs, respectively. The Federal NOLs generated prior to December 31, 2017 were written off of the deferred tax asset, in 2022, while NOLs generated subsequent to this date remain. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, all Federal NOLs incurred after December 31, 2017 are carried forward indefinitely for Federal tax purposes.
Total expiring operating losses (incurred prior to December 31, 2017) - -
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has no uncertain tax positions. It is the Company’s policy to account for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as interest expense and general and administrative expense, respectively in its statements of operations. No interest or penalties have been recorded related to the uncertain tax positions.
It is not expected that there will be a significant change in uncertain tax positions in the next 12 months. The Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income tax as well as to income tax in multiple state jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by tax authorities. As of the date of the financial statements, there are no tax examinations in progress. The statute of limitations for tax years ended after December 31, 2020, are open for federal and state tax purposes.
In the ordinary course of its business the Company incurs costs that, for tax purposes, may be qualified research expenditures within the meaning of IRC Code Sec. 41 and, therefore, may be eligible for the Increasing Research Activities credit under IRC Code Sec. 41. The Company has not claimed a credit pursuant to IRC Code Sec. 41 on its federal returns, i.e. no deferred tax asset is recorded on the books.
The 2017 Tax Act amended Section 174 of the Internal Revenue Code which affects the Federal tax treatment of research and experimental (R&E) expenditures. Preceding this law change, R&E expenditures were expensed as incurred for Federal Income Tax purposes. In taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021, R&E expenditures must be capitalized and amortized over 5 years for expenditures incurred in the United States, or 15 years for expenditures incurred outside the United States. Due to the nature of the Company’s operations, R&E expenditures are a significant portion of total expenditures. The Company calculated an estimated amount for income tax provision purposes based on guidance available to determine the capitalized amount.
NOTE 13 - SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company manages the business activities on a consolidated basis and operates in one reportable segment. The Company's reportable segment is microalgae technology. The segment is research and development operating in both the therapeutic and nutritional sectors, with an intellectual property portfolio comprised of proprietary algal and bacterial strains, biologically active molecules and complexes, production techniques, cultivation techniques and patented or patent-pending inventions for applications in human and animal health. As the Company has one reportable segment, sales, cost of sales, research and development, and general and administrative expenses are equal to consolidated results.
Financial results for the Company's reportable segment have been prepared using a management approach, which is consistent with the basis and manner in which financial information is evaluated by the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") in allocating resources and in assessing performance. The Company's CODM is the Chief Executive Officer. The measurement of segment profit or loss that the CODM uses to evaluate the performance of the Company's segment is net income attributable to Zivo Bioscience, Inc. Financial budgets and actual results used by the CODM to assess performance and allocate resources, as well as strategic decisions related to headcount and other expenditures are reviewed on a consolidated basis. The CODM considers the impact of the significant segment expenses in the table below on net income when deciding where and when to make expenditures.
Year ended December 31,
Total interest and other (expense), net (22,939 ) (514,172 )
NOTE 14 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
2021 Plan Evergreen Provision
On January 1, 2025, 181,066 shares were added to the 2021 Plan as a result of the evergreen provision.
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Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors Evergreen Provision
On January 1, 2025, 181,066 shares were added to the Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors as a result of the evergreen provision.
Short Term Loan
On February 21, 2025, the Company entered into a short-term unsecured loan agreement to finance a portion of the Company's directors' and officers', and employment practices liability insurance premiums. The note in the amount of $488,198 carries a 7.85% annual percentage rate and will be paid down in ten equal monthly payments of $50,593 beginning on March 10, 2025.
Directors Stock Awards
On January 1, 2025 the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors awarded 38,378 RSA shares to the four non-employee members of the Boards in three separate actions.
From January 1, 2024 through June 10, 2024 the Company accrued payments to the non-employee board members pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors Compensation Policy in place at the time. The total amount accrued for that time period was $69,827. The Compensation Committee agreed the non-employee members of the board would forgo the accrued cash payment in lieu of RSA shares. The Compensation Committee determined the fair exchange price would be $16.74 per share resulting in the Company issuing an aggregate of 4,170 shares in exchange for the $69,827 of accrued cash. The restricted shares have been issued to the non-employee board members and will vest in full on March 31, 2025.
Additionally, from June 11, 2024 through December 31, 2024 the Company accrued payments to the non-employee board members in total of $124,934 for board service. The Compensation Committee agreed the non-employee members of the board would forgo the accrued cash payment in lieu of RSA shares. The Compensation Committee also considered the Company’s cash position going forward and awarded the non-employee board members RSA shares for the remainder of the members’ service through the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders in lieu of cash payments. This future amount would have been $104,819. The Compensation Committee determined the fair exchange price would be $7.97 per share resulting in the Company issuing an aggregate of 28,826 shares in exchange for the $229,753 of accrued and future cash payments. The restricted shares have been issued to the non-employee board members and will vest in full on June 10, 2025.
The Compensation Committee awarded Laith Yaldoo 5,382 RSA shares for his pro-rata share of the annual RSA award based on his appointment to the Board of Directors on July 12, 2024. The restricted shares have been issued to Mr. Yaldoo, 2,691 shares vested immediately on the date of the award, 1,345 shares will vest on March 11, 2025, and 1,346 shares will vest on the day prior to the 2025 annual stockholder meeting.
Deferred R&D Obligations – Participant Agreements
From January 9, 2025, through March 10, 2025, the Company has entered into a series of Exchange Agreements (“Exchange Agreements”) with Participants to the Participation Agreements described in "Note 8 - Deferred R&D Obligations - Participation Agreements". Under the Participation Agreements, the Company had a buy-out option pursuant to which it could purchase the Investors’ right, title and interest in the revenue share for an aggregate minimum purchase price of $5,306,500. The Exchange Agreements would provide for the cancellation of the Purchase Agreements and accompanying forfeiture of each Investor’s right to earn certain cash from the revenue share and buy-out option in exchange for the Company’s common stock. To date, the Company has completed an exchange with fourteen of the Participants for a total of 124,180 shares of Common Stock of the Company in exchange for $3,104,500 of the aggregate minimum purchase price.