NOTE 5 — INVESTMENTS

Investment in convertible bond - On September 28, 2020, the Company entered into a convertible bond purchase agreement pursuant to which it purchased at face value a convertible bond of Telcon in the principal amount of approximately $26.1 million which matures on October 16, 2030 and bears interest at the rate of 2.1% per year, payable quarterly. Beginning October 16, 2021, the Company became entitled on a quarterly basis to call for early redemption of all or any portion of the principal amount of the convertible bond. The convertible bond is convertible at the holder’s option at any time and from time to time into common shares of Telcon at an initial conversion price of KRW9,232, or approximately $8.00 per share. The initial conversion price is subject to downward adjustment monthly based on the volume-weighted average market price of Telcon shares as reported on Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations Market and in the event of the issuance of Telcon shares or share equivalents at a price below the market price of Telcon shares and to customary antidilution adjustments upon a merger or similar reorganization of Telcon or a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend or similar event. The conversion price as of June 30, 2023 is set forth in the “Investment in convertible bond” table below. The convertible bond and any proceeds therefrom, including proceeds from any exercise of the early redemption right described above or the call option described below, are pledged as collateral to secure the Company’s obligations under the revised API Supply Agreement with Telcon described in Notes 6 and 11.

Concurrent with the purchase of the convertible bond, the Company entered into an agreement dated September 28, 2020 with Telcon pursuant to which Telcon or its designee is entitled to repurchase, at par, up to 50% in principal amount of the convertible bond at any time and from time to time commencing October 16, 2021 and prior to maturity.

The investment in convertible bond is classified as an available for sale security and remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs, with any changes in the fair value option recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). The fair value and any changes in fair value in the convertible bond is determined using a binomial lattice model. The model produces an estimated fair value based on changes in the price of the underlying common stock over successive periods of time.

The revised API agreement with Telcon provides for target annual revenue of more than $5 million and annual “profit” (i.e., sales margin) to Telcon of $2.5 million. To the extent these targets are not met, which management refers to as a “target shortfall,” Telcon may be entitled to payment of the target shortfall or to settle the target shortfall by exchange of principal and interest on the Telcon convertible bond and proceeds thereof that are pledged as a collateral to secure the Company’s obligations under the API Supply Agreement and the revised API Agreement. In February 2022, the Company agreed to the exchange of KRW3.5 billion, or approximately $2.9 million, principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Telcon convertible bond and KRW400 million, or approximately $310,000, in cash proceeds of the convertible bond to satisfy the target shortfall for the years ended 2021 and 2020. As a result, the Company realized a net loss on investment in convertible bond of $126,000, which previously was classified as unrealized loss on debt securities available-for-sale in the other comprehensive loss, and other income of $41,000.

In April 2023, Telcon offset KRW2.9 billion, or approximately $2.2 million, against the principal amount of the Telcon convertible bond and release of KRW307 million, or approximately $236,000, in cash proceeds to Telcon in satisfaction the target shortfall for the year ended 2022. The offset is reflected as a sale of the convertible bond in the “Investment in convertible bond” table below. As a result, the Company realized a net loss on investment in convertible bond of $106,000, which previously was classified as unrealized loss on debt securities available-for-sale in the other comprehensive loss.

Equity method investment – In 2018, the Company and Japan Industrial Partners, Inc., or JIP, formed EJ Holdings, Inc., or EJ Holdings, to acquire, own and operate a former amino acids manufacturing facility in Ube, Japan. In connection with the formation, the Company invested approximately $32,000 in exchange for 40% of EJ Holdings’ voting shares. JIP owns 60% of EJ Holdings voting shares. In October 2018, the Company entered into a loan agreement with EJ Holdings under which the Company made an unsecured loan to EJ Holdings in the amount of $13.6 million. The loan proceeds were used by EJ Holdings to purchase the Ube facility in December 2019 and pay related taxes. The loan matures on September 30, 2028 and bears interest at the rate of 1%, payable annually. The parties also contemplated that the Ube facility will eventually supply the Company with the facility’s output of amino acids, that the operation of the facility would be principally for the Company’s benefit and, as such, that major decisions affecting EJ Holdings and the Ube facility would be made by EJ Holdings’ board of directors, a majority of which are representatives of JIP, in consultation with the Company. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company made $2.2 million of loans to EJ Holdings. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the loans receivable from EJ Holdings with foreign currency revaluation were approximately $24.7 million and $25.0 million, respectively, as reflected in equity method investment on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

EJ Holdings is engaged in seeking to refurbish and phase in the Ube facility to eventually obtain regulatory clearance for the manufacture of PGLG in accordance with cGMP. EJ Holdings has had no substantial revenues since its inception, has depended on loans from the Company to acquire the Ube facility and fund its operations and will continue to be dependent on loans from the Company or other financing unless and until its plant is activated and it can secure customers, including the Company, for its products. There is no assurance the Company can continue to provide needed funding to EJ Holdings, or that needed funding will be available from other sources. EJ Holdings has no commitments or understandings regarding any additional funding. If EJ Holdings fails to obtain needed funding, it may need to suspend activities at the Ube plant. Under the asset purchase agreement by which EJ Holdings purchased the Ube plant, the seller has the right to repurchase the plant at the purchase price, plus certain taxes, paid by EJ Holdings if the plant does not become operational within a reasonable period of time (not to exceed five years, December 25, 2024). In such event, it is likely that the Company would lose some or all of its investment.

The Company has determined that EJ Holdings is a variable interest entity, or VIE, based upon its dependence on loan financing provided by the Company to acquire the Ube facility and to carry on EJ Holdings’ activities and that the EJ Holdings’ activities are principally for the Company’s benefit. JIP, however, owns 60% of EJ Holdings and is entitled to designate a majority of the directors of EJ Holdings as well as its Chief Executive Officer and outside auditors, and, as such, controls the management, business, and operations of EJ Holdings. Accordingly, the Company accounts for its variable interest in EJ Holdings under the equity method.

The Company’s share of the losses reported by EJ Holdings are classified as net losses on equity method investment. The investment is evaluated for impairment if facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, an impairment charge would be recorded.