U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1
to
Form 10-KSB
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________ to ________________
Commission file no. 0-24921
Surgical Safety Products, Inc.
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(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
New York 65-0565144
- ------------------------------- -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
2018 Oak Terrace
Sarasota, Florida 34231
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Issuer's telephone number (941) 927-7874
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Name of each exchange on
Title of each class which registered
None
- ----------------------------- ------------------------
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock, $.001 par value
-----------------------------------
(Title of class)
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Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
- ---- -----
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item
405 of Regulation S-B contained in this form, and no disclosure will be
contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB
or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [X]
State issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year. $42,393.
Of the 10,786,973 shares of voting stock of the registrant issued and
outstanding as of December 31, 1998, 5,309,587 shares are held by
non-affiliates. The Company trades on the OTC under the symbol "SURG". As of
March 29, 1999, the average of the bid and asked price was $.656. Accordingly,
the aggregate market value based of the non-affiliate shares based upon this
average as of March 29, 1999 was $3,483,089.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
<S> <C> <C>
Item 1. Description of Business 2
Item 2. Description of Property 47
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 48
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 48
PART II
Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters 49
Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation 50
Item 7. Financial Statements - Commencing on 56
Item 8. Changes and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
And Financial Disclosure 58
PART III
Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons;
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act 58
Item 10. Executive Compensation 65
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and 75
Management
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 76
Item 13. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8K 80
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PART I
Item 1. Description of Business.
(a) Business Development
Surgical Safety Products, Inc. (the "Company" or "Surgical") is
incorporated in the State of New York and qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation in the State of Florida. Surgical Safety Products, Inc. originally
was incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida on May 15, 1992. On
November 28, 1994 the Company merged into Sheffeld Acres Inc., a New York shell
corporation which had approximately 1,100 shareholders, but had never commenced
operations. Although Sheffeld Acres, Inc. was technically the surviving entity,
the Company changed its name after the merger to Surgical Safety Products, Inc.
Articles of Merger were filed with the State of Florida on October 12, 1994 and
a Certificate of Merger was filed with the State of New York on February 8,
1995. The Company filed to do business as a foreign corporation on April 11,
1995 in the State of Florida. The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the OTC
Bulletin Board under the symbol "SURG". The Company's executive offices are
presently located at 2018 Oak Terrace, Sarasota, Florida 34231, its telephone
number is (941) 927-7874 and its facsimile number is (941) 925-0515.
The Company is filing this Form 10-KSB in compliance with the
effectiveness of its filing on Form 10-SB which was on a voluntary basis so that
the public will have access to the required periodic reports on the Surgical's
current status and financial condition. The Company will file periodic reports
in the event its obligation to file such reports is suspended under the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act".)
The Company was formed for the initial purpose of combating the
potential spread of bloodborne pathogen infections, such as HIV and hepatitis.
The founding philosophy arose from a concern regarding the occupational risks of
healthcare workers in the operating room. Since inception, the Company has
broadened its mission to include the research, development and production of
innovative products and services which create and maintain a safe surgical
environment for medical and hospital staff, healthcare workers and patients, as
well as enhance the level of surgical care available to patients.
The Company is engaged in product development, sales and services
for the medical industry. The Company is currently engaged in one line of
business which is divided into three (3) divisions each of which is involved
with specialty medical product research and development: (1) a division which
develops various medical-related services to be marketed to healthcare
facilities, including an entire family of computer software applications
designed to evaluate, track, organize and manage infection control data for
healthcare facilities and to provide multi-media information centers for a
facility's healthcare workers ("Data Systems Division"); (2) a division which
researches and develops medical products for sale in the marketplace ("Medical
Products Division"); and (3) a division which provides confidential consultation
services to third party developers of medical products, usually physicians and
healthcare technicians ("Medical Products Consultation Division"). The common
thread interwoven into each area requires medical research, education and a
commitment to safety issues. It is the Company's intention to gradually make the
transition from a research and development-oriented medical device company into
a multi-product device manufacturer and distributor.
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In addition to its current activities, the Company also had
operated a diagnostic clinic specializing in women's health. On September 28,
1994 the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Women's Diagnostic Center,
Inc. ("WDC") under the laws of the State of Florida. WDC immediately acquired
certain personnel and assets, consisting of a diagnostic clinic specializing in
women's health, the Women's Ambulatory Services, Inc., a Florida corporation.
WDC catered exclusively to women and their specific healthcare needs. Patients
were attended to by an all female staff in order to provide a uniquely personal
and caring atmosphere while emphasizing women's healthcare education and
awareness. WDC specialized in mammography, ultrasounds, osteoporosis testing,
chest x-rays and comprehensive laboratory testing.
To focus the Company's growth efforts in the medical products and
services industry, the equipment, furniture, accounts receivable, trade name and
goodwill, net of related liabilities of WDC, were sold to Sarasota Memorial
Hospital on June 13, 1996. All business operations of WDC had ceased and the
corporation liquidated by December 31, 1996.
On May 30, 1995, the Company completed the preparation of a
self-directed private placement memorandum offering shares of the Company's
Common Stock and Warrants. This offering was conducted pursuant to Section 4(2)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and Rule 506 of
Regulation D promulgated thereunder ("Rule 506"). The offering was amended on
October 30, 1995. Initially, the offering required a minimum investment of
$5,000 in exchange for which an investor would receive 5,000 shares of common
stock, $.001 par value per share (the "Common Stock") and three-year warrants to
purchase 2,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of
$1.50. Pursuant to this offering, the Company received gross proceeds in the
amount of $37,500, $5,000 of which was subsequently refunded. This refund was
made because certain paperwork and signatures were not properly executed. By
agreement with the investors, in lieu of the unit arrangement, the investors
each acquired shares at $.50 per share. A total of 65,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock were issued pursuant to this offering.
On December 8, 1997, the Company acquired all of the assets of
Endex Systems, Inc., d/b/a Interactive PIE ("Endex"), a Florida corporation. The
assets of Endex were valued at approximately $14,000 for which the Company
issued 250,000 shares of restricted common stock. Endex was a medical multimedia
software company, experienced in computer graphics related to the medical
industry. The acquisition was made to implement the Company's Data Systems
Division's development of its surgical safety, touch-screen network known as
OASiS. The President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of Endex, Donald
Lawrence, became the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the Company. Mr.
Lawrence has an employment contract with the Company which is renewable
annually.
From March through June 1998, the Company received gross proceeds
in the amount of $999,000 from the sale or exchange for services of a total of
920,000 shares of Common Stock in four (4) offerings . The Company undertook its
first offering of 400,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 504 of
Regulation D ("Rule 504") on March 1, 1998, exchanging shares with
Stockstowatch.com, Inc. ("Stockstowatch") and its legal advisor in exchange for
services, 300,000 shares and 100,000 shares respectively; its second offering of
400,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 504 on April 1, 1998 upon the
exercise of an option granted pursuant to a Stock Option Agreement; its third
offering of 60,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 504 on June 8, 1998;
and its fourth offering of 60,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 504 on
June 18, 1998. While no offering memorandum was used in connections with these
offerings, the business plan of the Company, which was disclosed to each
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prospective investor, was for the provision of product development, sales and
services for the medical industry. The Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") has brought an action against Stockstowatch alleging that it violated
the anti-fraud and anti-touting provisions of the federal securities laws with
reference to shares which it received for services to the Company.
In April 1998, the Company issued 2,500 shares of restricted
stock subject to Rule 144 of the Act to an outside consultant in exchange for
computer consulting services valued at $4,375. The Company relied upon an
exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act.
In October 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with T.T.
Communications, Inc. to provide investor relations services for the Company.
T.T. Communications, Inc.'s receives monthly compensation and was granted
options to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise
price of $1.50. The agreement continues on a month to month basis. The Company
issued these shares and granted these options pursuant to Section 4(2) of the
Act and Rule 506.
In November 1998, the Company entered into a seven (7) year
collaborative agreement with Dr. William B. Saye, the Medical Director and CEO
of the Advanced Laparoscopy Training Center in Marietta, Georgia ("ALTC") under
which the Company acquired the "digital rights" of ALTC and the resulting
amalgam as it relates to surgical education and marketing rights to the ALTC
database. Under this agreement, Dr. Saye became a member of the Company's Board
of Directors and agreed to act as the Medical Director of ALTC VirtualLabs. Dr.
Saye is to be compensated for travel expenses and will be paid an honorarium of
$2,500 per day when his services are requested by Surgical. In addition, Dr.
Saye was awarded stock options to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock over the period, options for 300,000 of which were issued
upon the execution of the agreement, and the balance of which are issuable
monthly.
In April 1999 the Company commenced a self-directed private
placement offering of its restricted Common Stock and warrants for which it
received gross proceeds of $475,000. Pursuant to such offering, 950,000 shares
of restricted Common Stock were issued and warrants to purchase 475,000 shares
of the Company's restricted Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.00
exercisable within five (5) years were granted. Three directors purchased shares
under this offering. The Company conducted this offering pursuant to Section
4(2) of the Act and Rule 506. No offering memorandum was used in connection with
this offering. Rather investors were provided with access to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 10-SB, as amended, its Form 10-K and its Form 10Q
for the 1st Quarter 1999, all of which are filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC").
In April, 1999, the Company executed a Consulting and Assistance
Agreement with Koritz Group LLC., a Connecticut limited liability company
("Koritz") to identify sources of capital or potential business relationships
and to assist the Company in (i) raising equity or debt financing in the amount
of $15,000,000 (ii) arranging for trade financing for production, sale, lease,
rental or other disposal of the Company's products; and (iii) arranging for the
sale, merger, or consolidation of the Company or for joint ventures or strategic
alliances with other appropriate business. This agreement was terminated on July
30, 1999.
In April 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with KJS
Investment Corporation of Tampa Florida ("KJS") to provide consulting services.
KJS agreed to accept 7,000 shares of the Company's common stock valued at the
current bid price of $.50 as part of an initial retainer with the balance of
$1,500 to be paid in cash at such time as KJS introduces the Company to five
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institutional funding sources. The issuance was made pursuant to Section 4(2) of
the Act and Rule 506.
In April 1999, the Company issued 2,000 shares each to two
consultants of the Company for services relating to their production of a CD-Rom
disc to be used to promote OASiS. Such 4000 shares were valued at $2,250 which
was based upon the closing price for the shares on the dates the services were
due to be paid. Such issuance was made in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Act
and Rule 506.
In May 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with Ten Peaks
Capital Corp. of Berkeley, California ("Ten Peaks") to pay a finder's fee for
successfully securing specifically defined financing for the Company. Ten Peaks
agreed to accept 6,000 shares of the Company's common stock in lieu of a
retainer provided such stock had a fair market value as reported on Bloomberg,
LLP on the date of execution of not less than $.66. The issuance was made
pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Act and Rule 506.
In May 1999, the Company issued a total of 46,000 shares of its
restricted Common Stock to Frank Clark and David Collins and 11,400 shares of
its restricted Common Stock to three (3) other employees in lieu of salary and
consulting fees due from the Company to each of them, which salary and
consulting fees were valued at $31,222 in the case of Mr. Clark and Mr. Collins
and at $7,832 in the case of the three (3) employees. The Company issued such
shares pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Act and Rule 506.
See (b) "Business of Issuer" immediately below for a description
of the Company's business.
(b) Business of Issuer.
General
The Company was formed in 1992, and until 1996, was primarily
engaged in women's healthcare, medical research and product development with a
focus on safety-related products geared to the reduction of occupational risks
to healthcare workers. To date, the Company has received four (4) patents on two
(2) products, is seeking patent protection on other products and is in the
process of developing or acquiring the rights to approximately nine (9)
additional medical products intended to be marketed to the healthcare community.
The concepts and designs of the additional medical products are at various
stages of development or negotiation. The Company has an exclusive five (5) year
manufacturing and supply agreement for a line of protective prescription
eyeglasses. The Company markets its product lines under the trademark,
Compliance Plus.
The Company's premiere product in the Compliance Plus line,
marketed under the trade name, SutureMate(R), is a disposable Food and Drug
Administration ("FDA") approved, multi-function, suturing safety device for
surgery. Three (3) of the patents apply to this product. The original instrument
and its developmental variations facilitate advanced surgical techniques, which
increase surgical efficiency and reduce the occupational risk of exposure to
bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis. The original product is
currently being re-released. The product has been re-engineered and updated
after feedback from over 4,000 surgeons and surgical technologists. New clinical
advantages and significantly lower manufacturing costs create potential for this
patented, disposable surgical assist device which was originally designed to
facilitate the preferred one-handed suturing technique.
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The Company intends to market under the trade name,
Prostasert(R), a FDA listed product which was developed to improve the
preparation of pregnant patients for labor by providing a mechanism for applying
and maintaining a pharmaceutical gel to the cervix and vagina. One (1) of the
patents applies to this product.
The Company has an exclusive marketing and supply agreement for a
semi- disposable, custom-made prescription protective eyewear for healthcare
workers which it markets under the trademark, MediSpecs Rx(TM), the initial term
of which terminates in September 2000. In addition, the Company intends to
market an infection control equipment kit for healthcare workers under the
trademark, IcePak(TM).
The Company has two (2) additional products in the development
stage: Prepwiz(TM), which is a revolutionary surgical prep and drape system and
FingerSafe(TM), which is a multi-featured surgical thimble.
The Company aggressively protects its intellectual properties
through patents, trademarks and copyrights, as well as by proprietary software
designs (flow charts, algorithms, reports and databases). In addition to the
utility and design patents already issued to the Company, the Company has many
other products in various stages of development which have patent potential.
The Company had executed distributorship agreements for
SutureMate(R) with (1) Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty., Ltd with respect to the
territories of Australia, New Zealand, Papua, New Guinea in April 1995; (2)
Medicor Corporation with respect to the Netherlands in March 1995; and (3) ISC
Group, a company organized under the laws of the country of Saudi Arabia, with
respect to Saudi Arabia and the so-called GCC Nations (comprising of Oman,
Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait) in December 1994. None
of these agreements are currently active since the original distribution was
thwarted by the high manufacturers suggested retail price. With the
re-engineering of the product and the lower cost of goods, it is anticipated to
receive a more favorable market response. In December 1996, the Company executed
an exclusive seven (7) year distribution agreement for SutureMate(R) for the
European market with Noesis Capital Group ("Noesis") under which Noesis was to
recruit, hire and train European master distributors and distributor/dealer
networks throughout the European continent. This agreement is technically in
force but is currently inactive for the same reasons as the other
distributorship agreements. The inactivity of these agreements reduces the
current revenue potential of the Company. Based upon the relative number of
surgical procedures performed in the United States and overseas annually, it is
estimated that the domestic market for SutureMate(R) is 15 to 20 million units
and that the foreign markets could represent 70% to 80% of the domestic market.
In August, 1997, the Company entered into a distribution agreement for the State
of Florida for its MediSpecs Rx(TM) prescriptive eyewear with Hospital News of
Florida. Hospital News of Florida sold no MediSpecs Rx(TM) units under the
agreement and is no longer a publication. Since the Company is disappointed with
MediSpecs Rx(TM) sales, it is considering dropping the product line.
In October 1996, the Company entered into a staff/client leasing
agreement whereby Staff Leasing II, L.P. ("Staff") leases all existing and new
employees to the Company. The initial term of the agreement was for one (1)
year. The agreement is automatically renewable on a monthly basis until renewed
for a fixed term or terminated. The agreement remains open on a monthly basis.
All of the persons described herein to be employees of the Company are covered
by this agreement.
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In 1997, the Company focused on the creation and establishment of
an information system for multiple applications within healthcare. Formerly
named Surgical Safety Network, this information system is now marketed under the
name OASiS which is the acronym for Occupational Automated Services Information
System. In April 1998, the Company filed for two (2) patents on this system, one
related to this touch-access information system and the other related to a
technology transfer application. This touch access system has developed into a
platform for initially managing three areas of need: (1) exposure (to bloodborne
pathogen) management; (2)healthcare training; and (3) healthcare risk
management. Effective January 30, 1998, the Company entered a ten (10) year
lease arrangement with a leading Florida medical facility, the Sarasota Memorial
Hospital ("SMH"), under which four (4) OASiS kiosks were installed at the
healthcare site.
In January 1998, the Company entered into a clinical products
testing agreement with SMH whereby such facility will provide clinical testing
of designated products of the Company for a term of five (5) years.
In February 1998, the Company executed a letter of intent to
joint venture with U.S. Surgical Corporation ("U S. Surgical"), a major
manufacturer of surgical products which distributes its products worldwide, for
the marketing of the OASiS system. The parties executed a final agreement dated
October 28, 1998 (the "Short Term Agreement"). On October 1, 1998, Tyco
Healthcare Group LP ("Tyco") consummated a merger with US Surgical. On July 30,
1999 Surgical entered into a private partner network agreement with US Surgical.
Under the July agreement, Surgical is to supply up to four hundred (400) OASiS
systems to US Surgical under licenses calling for installation in nominated
hospitals (the "Long Term Agreement").
In March 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with
Stockstowatch to provide investor relations services as a media consultant to
the Company. Stockstowatch was issued 300,000 shares of the Company's stock in
exchange for these services.
In June 1998, the Company executed a letter of intent with
Ad-vantagenet, Inc. for the development of Version 2.0 software for the OASiS
system.
In October 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with T.T.
Communications, Inc. to provide investor relations services for the Company.
In November 1998, the Company committed to purchase twenty (20)
OASiS units from Kiosk Information Systems, Inc.
The Company's other products and concepts in development
generally fall into the categories of occupational safety, infection control,
obstetrics and gynecology, and new "minimally invasive" surgery devices and
techniques. Most of these development projects originated from within the
Company, although several are being co-developed with outside third party
inventors who are mainly physicians and medical technicians for whom the Company
provides consulting services in new product development.
The FDA lists Surgical as a medical device specifier. Under FDA
Registration No. 1056687, as a medical device specifier, Surgical is permitted
to control the specifications of its products. The Company spent its formative
years in research and development and in obtaining patent protection on its core
products and services. Tangential to its core competency, the Company had found
it necessary to diversify its offerings, but has, over the past twelve (12) to
sixteen (16) months, refocused its efforts towards the commercialization of its
existing product lines. Additionally, the Company has enhanced its product lines
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with the development of the touch-access information system, OASiS.
Surgical efficiency is highly valued in today's healthcare
climate. With the looming threat of bloodborne diseases such as HIV and
hepatitis, safety issues are also of critical importance. Hospitals and surgical
teams have required, and now demand, constant improvement in available products
and technology. In this rapidly growing market, new options for personal
protective equipment are not only valued by the surgical team and appreciated by
patients, but mandated by government agencies such as the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration ("OSHA").
The changing healthcare environment requires aggressive measures
to improve efficiency in medical care. This is especially true in high-tech
areas such as surgery, obstetrics, and emergency care. Time saving products and
techniques that improve patient care quality are of extreme value.
Surgical's medical device lines are designated for wholesaling to
international distributors. These products are focused on improved efficiency
and safety. Clinical research on the original Compliance Plus product,
SutureMate(R), has demonstrated dramatic reductions in sharps injuries (sharps
injuries are injuries to healthcare workers or patients caused by suture
needles, syringes, intravenous catheters, scalpels, screws, wires and other
sharp instruments in the operating room) and a 60% to 85% decrease in bloodborne
pathogen exposure, while at the same time improving procedure efficiency. This
study was conducted by Donna Haiduven, BSN, MSN, CIC, a member of the Company's
OASiS Medical Advisory Panel.
Surgical is attempting to secure a research-backed, OSHA mandate
status for its OASiS information system which would make the availability of
Compliance Plus required in hospitals and other medical facilities. The
Company's plan is to accumulate enough research on product lines to demonstrate
statistically their significant safety advantages to support such products
inclusion in OSHA requirements for workplace safety compliance. There can be no
assurance that such statistics will demonstrate such facts, or even if
demonstrated, that such products will be included in OSHA requirements.
Fourteen (14) OASiS unit are now installed in seven (7)
hospitals. Lease payments from OASiS currently are made directly to Surgical
from the customer hospital but may be made, in the future, through a third party
leasing intermediary. In the case of the third party intermediary, Surgical is
paid a lump sum at the front end of the lease and the hospital then makes its
payments to the leasing company. Selection of the leasing arrangements is made
based upon Surgical's current financial status and based upon the financial
strength of the hospital involved. SutureMate(R) was originally sold in limited
quantities and had limited success due to the high manufacturers suggested
retail price. New manufacturing arrangements will allow sales in the $5 to $6
range, more in keeping with disposable products. Due to limited sales, the
Company is considering dropping the MediSpecs Rx(TM) product line. Consulting
fees are derived from the Medical Consultation Division on an as needed basis.
The Company now is positioned to commercialize Compliance Plus product lines and
its proprietary OASiS system through its alliance with U.S. Surgical and their
full size international sales force. The Company is preparing other alliances
with one or more established industry leaders in healthcare. The Company
believes that recurring multiple revenue streams and a "cookie cutter" program
and network will allow for potentially rapid growth in the number of OASiS
system installations. When the OASiS system reaches the appropriate size, the
Company will consider the spin-off of a separate subsidiary for managing this
Internet-based healthcare information network and subsequently an initial public
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offering related to the spun off subsidiary. If the Company grows and attains
its projected earnings, it intends to apply for listing on the NASDAQ Quotation
System where it believes the market would apply an appropriate multiple to the
earnings per share. At such time, the Company will position itself as an
acquisition target for major medical or information system entities.
The Company is seeking debt or equity financing in the amount of
between $2,000,000 and $5,000,000. In the event the Company is successful in
securing equity financing, the Company is unable to project the number of
additional shares of its Common Stock which will be required to secure such
financing. As of December 31, 1998, the Company has no short term debt. During
the first quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company drew down on its line of credit of
$100,000. In the event that the Company is successful in securing debt
financing, the amount of such financing, depending upon its terms, would
increase either the short or long term debt of the Company or both. The Company
has entered into consulting agreements with several potential funding sources;
however, to date, has not concluded terms for any financing which it feels
appropriately meets the requirements of the Company. In the event additional
debt is raised, it will incur future interest expense. In the event additional
equity is raised, management may be required to dilute the interest of existing
shareholders or forgo a substantial interest in revenues, if any. In the event
that the Company is successful in securing debt financing, the amount of such
financing, depending upon its terms, would increase either the short or long
term debt of the Company or both.
Subject to the availability of additional financing, of which
there can be no assurance, the Company plans (1) to facilitate implementation of
its sales strategies, (2) to apply additional funding to existing new
technology; and (3) to apply additional funding to complimentary products and
services through corporate acquisition and exclusive licensing.
The Company currently employ, under the agreement with Staff and
on a full-time basis, seven (7) people, including its President, Vice President,
Treasurer and personnel added in 1998 to perform sales and marketing functions.
Total employee salaries for the year ending December 31, 1998 were $397,210 of
which $266,530 was paid as Executive Compensation, including salaries and the
value of Common Stock and Options issued and granted to such executives. The
Company's executive officers and directors devote such time and effort as are
necessary to participate in the day-to-day management of the Company. During the
fourth quarter of 1998, the Company employed one (1) additional individual in
the area of computer systems and continues to seek another individual in the
same area. Subject to the availability of additional funding, of which there can
be no assurance, the Company plans to add personnel as needed to implement the
Long Term Agreement with US Surgical and other growth plans.
The Company is dependent upon the services of three of its
officers and directors. Dr. G. Michael Swor, the founder and Chairman of the
Board and the Treasurer of the Company, is responsible for inventing all four
(4) of the patents, which patents were assigned to the Company in exchange for
stock. Dr. Swor is responsible for the overall corporate policy and the
financing activities of the Company. The Company is the beneficiary of a
"key-man" insurance policy currently owned by Dr. Swor. In addition to his
duties with the Company, Dr. Swor is a board certified, practicing physician
with a specialty in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Frank M. Clark, a Director and
President and Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for the day to day
management of the Company and new product development and the manufacturing of
the Company's products. In addition, he manages new ventures for the Company
including, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and
licensing/distribution agreements. After a nineteen (19) year career with
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Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Clark became the president of R. P. Scherer and then went
on to become a senior partner in a consulting firm with responsibilities for
business development with Fortune 100 corporations. Donald K. Lawrence, a
Director and Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, is responsible for
sales management, market planning, advertising for the Company and acts as the
Executive Director of OASiS. Mr. Lawrence in addition to nearly ten (10) years
in medical device sales, has extensive experience in computer graphics,
multi-media and computer equipment leasing programs. The Company plans to
continue to use to its advantage the reputations and skills of these three
officers in the medical industry. Nevertheless, while these officers have been
successful in the past, there can be no assurance that they will be successful
in the continued development of the Company which is needed for a successful
operation of the Company. The Company has employment agreements with each of
these individuals.
Data Systems Division
In 1997, the Company saw an opportunity to establish a landmark
information system for multiple applications within the healthcare industry.
This proprietary surveillance network, called OASiS, was originally designed to
export and track occupational safety emergencies such as needlesticks and fluid
exposures. The new Version 2 OASiS provides information consolidation in a
secure network of touchports located throughout a health care facility. At each
on-site location, a healthcare worker has touch access to multi-media
information. The OASiS system at its current level of development, is designed
to function in three areas: (1) exposure (to bloodborne pathogens) management;
(2) healthcare training; and (3) healthcare risk management.
In the area of exposure management, the healthcare industry is in
need of a standardized, efficient method for tracking, managing and analyzing
occupational safety emergencies such as needlesticks and other fluid exposures.
Standardized and accurate reporting methods result in superior prevention
controls and better post-exposure management for follow-up and counseling.
Information relating to the spread of bloodborne pathogens through exposures
varies widely and OASiS allows for cross-facility standardization. Healthcare
workers need and are now insisting they receive accurate, timely information
relating to exposures.
Sharps injuries and other exposures occur frequently.
Current reporting protocols incorporated into the OASiS system
involve a typical chain of events necessary to create an estimated risk
assessment and to provide access to testing, treatment and follow-up.
Under current non-computerized protocols, after an exposure, the
injured worker may be required to complete an incident report (provided by risk
management), meet with a supervisor and then leave the worksite to seek
evaluation, testing and treatment at an employee health facility or the
emergency room. Evaluation techniques, testing and available treatment and
follow-up recommendations are inconsistent, inefficient, not timely and breach
the employee's confidentiality due to the multiple points of contact which are
involved.
With the use of OASiS, the injured worker is provided with
confidential access to information, statistics and a preliminary risk
assessment. The healthcare worker begins the reporting process by "touching"
their way through a very detailed, yet easy to use, Occupational Safety
Emergency Report. Data collection for the exposure incident is mutually
exclusive and exhaustive. The system calculates the risk level based on data
inputted into the system directly by the healthcare worker. The worker receives
a printed data sheet with risk assessment (weighted towards higher risk) and
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a recommended testing, treatment and follow-up plan. The worker then is directed
to employee health or emergency care for direct, complete and thorough
assessment by a facility staff member designated in that capacity. If the worker
decides not to proceed, full confidentiality is maintained while critical
information for decision making is provided to the healthcare facility and
documented for it. If the worker proceeds, then complete incident data is
already collected in the system, sent to the appropriate locations within the
facility and printed for use by the provider of counseling and treatment.
In the area of employee training, current training systems
involve a number of methods including small groups, large groups, video and
other audiovisuals. Staff training on required courses is commonly done in small
groups. New surgical equipment and techniques are typically done by way of small
groups by product representatives or other trainers and often are enhanced or
reinforced with printed materials or videotapes. This procedure requires the
worker to arrange his or her schedule around a predesignated time.
Practice also requires annual training on various subjects such
as modes of disease transmission, information on the epidemiology of disease,
procedures to follow in the event of a potential exposure, use of personal
protective equipment and standard precautions. Training is provided at the time
of job entry, at annual re-training and whenever tasks are modified which alter
the hazards posed. The person conducting the training must be knowledgeable, not
only on the subject matter, but also on how it relates to the emergency response
personnel. This procedure also requires rescheduling to a pre-designated time.
The Association of Operating Room Nurses ("AORN") regularly
issues a list of training recommendations on its website (AORN.org) or in the
AORN monthly journal. One such recommendation was a proposal to develop and
evaluate continuing education requirements to assure the continuing competence
of regulated healthcare professionals. Because of the rapid development of
technologic and scientific advances, AORN believes that one of the greatest
challenges is ensuring the continued competence of the workers providing nursing
care. The competent use of technology involves not only the understanding of the
equipment but also the decision making/critical thinking skills needed to use
the equipment effectively, safely and appropriately.
Inadequate training has been implicated as a common cause of
patient safety incidents. This issue has gained increased publicity among
consumer advocacy groups. Recent surveys by the National Patient Safety
Foundation presented in or about August 1998 at the American Medical Association
("AMA") indicate that 42% of those surveyed said they were involved in
situations where a medical mistake was made. Of these mistakes, 22% were made
during a medical procedure. The causes cited by the respondents included what
they believed to be carelessness, improper training and poor communications. The
survey was commissioned by the AMA to evaluate the need for initiatives to
reduce errors in the healthcare industry.
With the use of OASiS, the worker has access to a directory of
various succinct multimedia interactive training modules on the job and
available when the worker can assign the time to do the training. The Company
produces these modules using multimedia material provided by outside agencies,
organizations and product suppliers. Quick reference is accessible to important
safety-related features and key user information on medical devices and new
techniques. The system was designed to decrease the need for personal training
and to improve patient and worker safety by increasing the availability of
critical information. Improved awareness of new techniques and devices by
healthcare workers has shown improvement in the quality of care provided by the
facility.
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The Company believes that the use of the OASiS system benefits
device distributors and critical care departments and that better trained users
of devices should lower the rate of incidents occurring due to misuse of a
device. The system also provides a mechanism whereby alleged defective products
may be efficiently reported to the facility and manufacturer. This aspect is
expected to assist product distributors and manufacturers with field reporting.
OASiS training programs are designed to provide not only a thorough and cost
effective method for employee training, but also to provide the documentation of
the learner's comprehension of the subject. Further, an established network of
OASiS terminals within a facility also acts as a point-of-sale for the Company's
other medical devices such as SutureMate(R) and MediSpecs Rx(TM) semi disposable
prescription eye protection and for other medical providers' devices.
Each OASiS system involves "touch access" to a computer terminal
designed as a stand-alone kiosk. In essence, kiosks are computers equipped with
software designed to guide people to information, help them accomplish a task,
or effect a transaction. Kiosks can provide text information, graphical
presentations, and video and sound clips.
Each OASiS touch point is located strategically within the
hospital environment and is linked to a main center for accumulation of hospital
data. The system is designed to provide healthcare workers with previously
unavailable access to a wide variety of pertinent information. Unlike
traditional systems which require a certain level of computer aptitude (even if
only using a mouse or keyboard), OASiS' distinct advantage is its foundational
design in a "touch access" format. Virtually every command or task on OASiS is
performed by touching a user friendly icon driven interface. In other words, if
one can point to and touch a picture on a screen, then one has access to a world
of valuable and potentially life saving information through the OASiS network.
By using Apple Quicktime VR(TM) at an OASiS touchpoint, the system allows the
user to touch an image on OASiS, drag their finger on the screen and view the
image from multiple angles. The Company markets this feature under the name
"Virtual Touch Reality".
Upon approaching OASiS, the healthcare worker may select from a
menu of icon based options including exposure reporting, hospital exposure
policies, device inservices, safety training, communicable disease information
and safety news and events. Each of these areas is accessed and navigated by a
simple touch of the screen. The graphic design of the system is designed to
accommodate workers with minimal reading skills and little computer experience.
The uniqueness of OASiS is not only the fact that it is a touch
access system, but that it is the first nationwide network for healthcare which
is totally independent of the facility's existing information system. Once
thought to be a disadvantage, the absence of integration into the facility's
existing systems is actually one of the features of OASiS which has gained
praise for the system from the Information Systems Department of SMH, the first
installation of OASiS.
The Company has applied for two (2) patents on the OASiS system
which cover propriety aspects of the software, algorithms and reports, as well
as the inservice training modules which are owned by the Company. OASiS is
powered by a Windows NT platform with full-multimedia, Pentium 233 processors
operating at each station. The stations connect to the OASiS server by way of
the Internet and send and receive data at prescheduled times. This allows the
OASiS server to send new information, training or updates to single stations or
on a broadcast basis to the entire network.
Hospitals employing OASiS will use an average of one (1) to three
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(3) units initially. The units are strategically placed in varying hospital
departments. Pricing is structured so as to simplify the hospital's approval
process. The OASiS system can be leased to the hospitals on a three-year
contract arranged through Rockford Industries, Inc. of Santa Ana, California
("Rockford"), which acts as the third party lessor. After early stage
discounting to the hospital, the Company expects that leasing fees, industry
content production and use fees and software subscription fees will combine for
a per unit revenue of approximately $1,500 per month. After the three-year
period expires, the residual value of each OASiS will be added to the Company's
assets. The OASiS system will be upgraded at that time and it is anticipated
that additional gross revenue for each unit in place.
Under the leasing arrangement with Rockford, lease approval will
be based upon the credit-worthiness of the lessee hospital. Once approved, the
Company, as the supplier of the equipment, receives a discounted present value
of the lease income stream in advance. It is these funds which the Company will
use to cover the acquisition costs of the OASiS hardware delivered to the
lessee.
Fees also are anticipated in the future on a percentage of the
product sales made through the OASiS platform and on information sales of
generic occupational safety data. Market share is expected to increase for the
Company as it brings on additional facility users, additional industry content
providers and added on plug-in program modules developed by the Company in house
or through Company acquisitions.
As an information system, OASiS production consists of an
integration of proprietary software with hardware from original equipment
manufacturers ("OEM's"). The Company designed and is the sole owner of the
software portion of OASiS. This was as a result of approximately three (3) years
of research and development. The software presentation consists of the frontline
user interface, the programs and all supporting database gathering programs and
administrative "back office" facilities. The software exists as a user ready or
standardized foundation with widespread adaptability as the system is installed
at the hospital's facility. As of January 1998, Version 1.1 was fully
operational at the initial installation at SMH and was ready for installation in
additional facilities. OASiS Version 1 worked acceptably for accident reporting,
but was unacceptable for constant updating of content and from the
administrative monitoring standpoint. Version 2, now operational, uses nothing
from Version 1. Plans for additional upgrades to Version 2 are in progress and
are being adapted to the needs of the end-user market as they are discovered.
Within the original site installation, OASiS is being used for
exposure reporting, inservices and new technology, communicable disease
information, news and events, safety education and hospital policies. New
installations will add user identification log on capability, additional levels
of news and events and training with certification. Since Version 2.0 has become
operational, the Company has expanded the system with software plug-in
integrations and advanced data reporting and management.
In initially designing a system for a hospital facility, the
Company completes a site survey to determine the needs of the facility regarding
OASiS and system installation, as well as other pertinent information related to
station location within the facility and available telecommunication resources.
The site survey also includes details for customizing the software for the
specific facility's application.
The Company has determined that the most economical way to
deliver the integrated hardware/software product to the customer is through a
full service integration specialist (the "Integration Specialist"). The
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services and responsibilities covered by such specialist will be: (1) hardware
installation into the OASiS kiosk and configuring the components; (2) software
installation; (3) software configuration; (4) 24-hour "burn in" and testing; (5)
hardware disassembly, packing and shipping; (6) on-site installation; (6)
on-site testing; and (7) three-year 24 hour turn around warranty on all
hardware. Many potential integrators exist and the Company had entered into
preliminary agreements with two initial candidates which were never reduced to
writing. Rather the Company operates on a purchase order basis with Kiosk
Information System and already has purchased units from them. The Company
expects to use no fewer than two integrators on a regular basis to ensure the
quality, service and performance required in a competitive situation.
The production cycle begins at the end of the initial sales cycle
with the completion of the site survey. Information regarding communications
availability, station location and on-site coordinator data is integrated into
the customization process. A purchase order is placed with the Integration
Specialist who in turn orders components from the various OEM's. The site survey
is then used by the integration house for coordination of on-site services such
as station location, service subcontractors and others.
Effective January 30, 1998, the Company entered into a Prepaid
Capital Lease Agreement with Community Health Corporation (the "Lessee"), a
Florida not-for-profit corporation which acts in support of SMH ( the "SMH Lease
Agreement"). Since delivery under this agreement was in December 1997, the SMH
Lease Agreement was treated as income in 1997. SMH is the site of the initial
OASiS installation. Pursuant to the terms of the SMH Lease Agreement, SMH leased
four (4) OASiS kiosks and accompanying software and technical support for a term
of ten (10) years commencing on a date which was to follow an initial trial
period. The Company was required to install the kiosks within five (5) days of
the execution of the SMH Lease Agreement. SMH was entitled to review the
performance of the installations for a period of thirty (30) days after
installation. Provided the systems performed in accordance with pre-established
standards during such trial period, the SMH Lease Agreement term would commence
at the time of acceptance. Pursuant to the SMH Agreement, at acceptance, the
Lessee agreed to prepay all rent payments for the term of the SMH Lease
Agreement, which sum amounted to $250,000. All modifications, improvements,
additions and enhancements ("Modifications") which result from this installation
belong to the Company; however, in the event a Modification is proposed by SMH
and the Company incorporates it into the OASiS system, the Company will pay SMH
one half of one percent (.5%) of any net revenue the Company receives
attributable to such Modification. SMH has proposed no Modifications to date.
The Company is obligated during the term of the SMH Lease Agreement to provide
software maintenance, improvements and updates to the OASiS system and training
for the use of the units to SMH's personnel. In addition, the Company is
required to carry comprehensive general and products liability insurance in the
amount of $2,000,000 covering the use of the OASiS system and naming SMH and the
Lessee as co-insured parties. And further, the Company agreed to indemnify the
Lessee and SMH against any liens, liabilities or other damages incurred by the
Lessee or SMH as a result of the installation or use of the OASiS system. At the
end of the term, the Lessee has an option to purchase the four (4) OASiS kiosks
for the sum of $1. Neither party to the SMH Lease Agreement may assign nor
delegate any of the rights or obligations contained in the agreement The units
were installed and are operational. At the current time the SMH Lease Agreement
is in full force and effect. The Company received the payment due under the SMH
Lease Agreement on January 30, 1998.
Following a presentation before the Association of Infection
Control Professionals and Epidemiologist ("APIC") in May, 1998, the Company
received nearly a dozen applications from multi-facility hospital systems
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wanting to be a part of the next wave of OASiS installations and inquires for at
least four times that many facilities seeking more information about the
development of OASiS. To date, none of these inquiries has resulted in an OASiS
installation agreement.
From March 31st through April 2nd, 1998, the Company, in
conjunction with U S Surgical, demonstrated the OASiS touch-access information
system at the AORN convention in Orlando, Florida. This is the largest nursing
convention in the world. OASiS accounted for over 21% of all leads generated by
US Surgical at AORN. Based upon the evaluation forms completed by the nurses, it
was found that (1) the most useful section of OASiS, as it now exists, is the
device inservices; (2) most of the nurses characterized the system as a
convenient way to receive inservices, while a few of them viewed it as a sales
and marketing tool for device manufacturers; (3) an overwhelming number of the
nurses who responded stated that they would rely on OASiS on a daily basis; (4)
the most requested additional features were a Surgeons' Preference Card which is
scheduled for Version 3.x testing, electronic PDR and Latex sensitivity which is
under development; and (5) most of the nurses would recommend OASiS for their
operating room.
Following the AORN convention, the Company and US Surgical agreed
to terms for the further presentation of OASiS. On October 28, 1998, the parties
executed the Short Term Agreement for a term of three years under which US
Surgical was to arrange for the installation of ten (10) OASiS systems in
hospital facilities which US Surgical defines as "Centers of Excellence."
"Centers of Excellence" refers to US Surgical's designation given to their prime
hospital customers which are usually teaching facilities with a national
reputation. Following the merger in October 1998, US Surgical became a division
of Tyco Healthcare Group LP ("Tyco"). Tyco is a limited partnership organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware and having its principal office in
Norwalk, Connecticut.
Under the Short Term Agreement, each system installed includes
thirty (30) inservice training modules. Following an initial nine (9) month
trial at each of these facilities and subject to satisfactory performance by the
system and the technical support group, US Surgical has the right to have
additional systems installed in other healthcare facilities nationwide. US
Surgical financed the development and installation of the ten (10) systems. No
decision has been made as to which party will pay for such additional systems as
US Surgical elects to have installed. If it is the Company, additional capital
may be needed, the securing of which on favorable terms to the Company cannot be
assured. The Company receives a fee in the amount of $36,000 for the initial ten
(10) installations during the testing period and a fee in the amount of $108,000
for the balance of a three (3) year term for such initial installations. In
addition, the Company can generate profits on the sales of its products through
the point-of-sale facility in the OASiS system and from the fees it receives
from other device providers and training companies through the use of the
inservice modules. Provided US Surgical is not in default on any payment, at the
end of the term, they have the option to purchase the OASiS hardware at a price
of $8,500 for each Model 1062 unit. Although ten (10) units were to be installed
in November 1998, due to a delay caused by the acquisition of US Surgical by
Tyco and a strategic decision by them to delay the commencement of the
installations until after the holiday season, the Company has thus far installed
six (6) units in five (5) hospitals. The balance were to be completed in the
third quarter of 1999; however, such additional installations have been merged
into the Long Term Agreement.
On June 30, 1998, the Company executed a letter of intent with
Ad-vantagenet Inc. of Sarasota, Florida ("Ad-vantagenet"). Under the terms of
the letter of intent, Ad- vantagenet assisted in the creation of Version 2.0
OASiS software, including creating the art and graphics. Version 2.0 is designed
to allow for more dynamic features on the system including instant updates,
information-gathering and editing features. The Company chose Ad-vantagenet to
complete Version 2.0 after unsatisfactory results were achieved by Gambit, Inc.,
d/b/a MediaWorks. The functions Ad-vantagenet incorporated into Version 2.0
include features which had been requested of MediaWorks but were not provided.
The total projected cost of the Ad- vantagenet project was one-fourth of the
cost which MediaWorks projected. The Company was in litigation with MediaWorks
over the termination of their agreement. (See Part II, Item 2. "Legal
Proceedings.") Subject to the successful completion of the letter of intent
project with Ad-vantagenet, the Company intends to enter into a more structured,
long-term agreement for further OASiS development with Ad-vantagenet or a
similar company.
In November 1998, the Company entered into a seven (7) year
collaborative agreement with Dr. William B. Saye, the Medical Director and CEO
of the Advanced Laparoscopy Training Center in Marietta, Georgia ("ALTC") under
which the Company acquired the "digital rights" of ALTC and the resulting
amalgam as it relates to surgical education and marketing rights to the ALTC
database. Under this agreement, Dr. Saye became a member of the Company's Board
of Directors and agreed to act as the Medical Director of ALTC VirtualLabs. Dr.
Saye is compensated for travel expenses and paid an honorarium of $2,500 per day
when his services are requested by Surgical. In addition, Dr. Saye was awarded
stock options to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
over the term of the agreement, options for 300,000 of which were issued upon
the execution of the agreement, and the balance of which are issuable monthly.
The intention of the agreement is that any educational activity involving ALTC
or Dr. Saye on the Internet or other digital presence would become the property
of and under the control of Surgical. The purpose of the agreement is to shift
traditional training methods in advanced surgical techniques to a new
distance-based approach delivered through OASiS, the Internet and emerging
mediums. The goal is to educate and train a wide audience on safe and efficient
surgical techniques and procedures through the expansion of the OASiS network.
Dr. Saye has an existing agreement with Ethicon Endo- Surgery, a division of
Ethicon, Inc., which the parties do not believe will conflict with this
agreement.
In November 1998, the Company committed to purchase twenty (20)
stand alone kiosk OASiS units from Kiosk Information Systems, Inc. for a total
purchase price of $133,000 plus freight charges This commitment was in the form
of a purchase order from the Company. By December 31, 1998, the Company had paid
$66,500 and received a partial delivery under the agreement. To date, the
Company has paid $130,000 and is holding back the balance pending repairs on two
(2) of the units.
In November 1998, the Company announced a planned enhancement to
the OASiS system called "Vendor Watch". Currently in development and testing,
this program is expected to aid the hospital administration in monitoring the
presence of vendors and sales representatives visiting the hospital. Also, it is
planned as a communications tool for sending messages to the vendors. Beta
testing is planned for late 1999.
OASiS Version 2.0 became operational at SMH in February, 1999.
For the installation, Surgical has outsourced Internet services to Verio, Inc.
("Verio") , a provider of Internet services such as broadband connectivity, WEB
hosting solutions, virtual private networks, e-commerce and other enhanced
Internet services. Verio provides OASiS with fast, reliable and secure access to
the Internet via Tier 1 connectivity. In February 1999, Surgical entered into an
agreement with Verio for access service at SMH. The agreement required payment
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of a set up fee of $60 and monthly charges of $199. Surgical is responsible for
paying the monthly charges. A comparable agreement with Verio or other provider
is contemplated for each hospital at which OASiS is installed.
In February 1999, Surgical completed negotiations which had
commenced in the summer of 1998 to install OASiS units as a test site in St.
Francis Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey ("St. Francis Hospital"). Three units
with Version 2.0 software were installed in February. The Company has an oral
arrangement with St. Francis Hospital under which the hospital pays Surgical
$200 per month per unit as a monthly software license fee and pays $50 per month
per unit for "hot swap" maintenance service based upon a monthly invoice.
In February 1999, the first installations under the US Surgical
agreement became operational, each with Version 2.0 software. One OASiS system
was installed at Atlanticare Hospital in Massachusetts and two OASiS systems
were installed at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. In addition, US
Surgical inservice modules were installed in the SMH system and in the system
installed at St. Francis Hospital.
In March 1999, the Company installed additional units under the
US Surgical agreement at the California Pacific Medical Center and the Kaiser
Permeante Medical Center, both in San Francisco, California.
In April, 1999, the Company shipped and did the preliminary
installation at three more US Surgical sites, a second California Pacific
Medical Center in San Francisco, the California Pacific Medical Center in Los
Angeles, California and the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
In April 1999, the Company attended the AORN convention where it
experienced more acceptance from potential content providers and users partly
because of the commencement of the arrangement with US Surgical.
In June 1999, the Company completed the installation and Internet
connection on the unit at the University of Washington in Seattle. The
preliminary preparations were completed for the units under the US Surgical
agreement at theCalifornia Pacific Medical Center sites in San Francisco and Los
Angeles. To date, these last two sites are not installed fully and are not
connected to the Internet.
On July 30, 1999, the Company entered into the Long Term
Agreement with US Surgical which is a private partner network agreement. Under
the Long Term Agreement, Surgical is to supply up to four hundred (400) OASiS
systems to US Surgical under licenses calling for installation in nominated
hospitals. Each license is for a term of three (3) years commencing with
"substantial installation: of such unit. "Substantial installation" is defined
as delivery of the OASiS unit to the hospital and connection to the Internet.
Under the terms of the Long Term Agreement, US Surgical must
license two hundred (200) units within the first year, and subject to certain
obligations on the part of Surgical to license units to third parties, must
license an additional two hundred (200) units by the end of the second year to
third parties. Previously installed units under the Short Term Agreement are
counted toward the minimum units required. On August 10, 1999 US Surgical paid
Surgical $100,000.00 as an advance for such licenses. The first 200 licenses are
$1,500 each and additional licenses are $1,000 each.
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The Long Term Agreement further provides that neither Surgical,
nor any third party other than US Surgical, may place OASiS units in any of the
"protected departments" of the hospitals, unless it is installed prior to
receipt of a purchase order from US Surgical or unless US Surgical does not
exercise its right of first refusal after notice from Surgical for such
hospital. The Long Term Agreement defines "protected departments" as Operating
Room, Labor and Delivery, Emergency Room, Ambulatory/Same Day Surgery /
Outpatient, Nuclear Medicine, Intensive Care, Orthopedic / Ortho Casting Room,
and Dialysis. US Surgical is required to have each hospital bear the entire risk
of loss and damage to any OASiS system except if such is caused by the
negligence or wilful misconduct of Surgical. US Surgical must maintain casualty
insurance in amounts and with companies acceptable to Surgical on the OASiS
units and its related amenities with Surgical as the loss payee. US Surgical may
elect to have the OASiS systems installed in hospitals it nominates co-branded
with its name. Surgical has the discretion to select the content, related
services and in-service products for the OASiS systems installed under this
agreement; however, during the term of the agreement, US Surgical is required to
pay for and maintain a minimum of one hundred forty (140) product in-services
modules in an average of at least 80% of all OASiS systems installed in the
United States whether or not covered by this agreement and 100% on those that
are covered by the agreement. US Surgical's product-based modules produced by
Surgical become the property of US Surgical. Surgical retains the right to
display such modules on other OASiS units. All other modules remain the property
of Surgical. Surgical receives a fee for production of the modules. If Surgical
installs additional OASiS units in a designated hospital, US Surgical receives a
10% commission. Surgical receives a monthly maintenance fee for each unit, of
$149, unless paid a year in advance in which case it may be discounted up to
10%.
The Company expected to complete the installation of the balance
of the US Surgical sites under the Short Term Agreement in 1999's third calendar
quarter; however, such installations have been merged into the Long Term
Agreement.
The Company knows of only one other system which is designed to
accumulate exposure data which is called Epinet, a single system designed to
track and report bloodborne pathogen exposure in the healthcare setting. The
Company believes that OASiS is the superior product and that it represents the
leader in the industry at this time. The basis for this belief is that Epinet is
a software only product and that the OASiS system can be adapted to accept
Epinet.
Medical Products Division
Compliance Plus is the designation under which all the Company's
products are developed. The Company trademarked this term in order to indicate
that the criteria used in the research and development of every Surgical product
and service meets or exceeds compliance mandates set forth by the OSHA, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") and other governing bodies.
It is the goal of the Company to exceed existing standards in order to assume a
leadership role in the area of medical prevention and safety products.
The Compliance Plus Exposure Prevention Program includes several
safety engineered products dedicated to reducing exposure and cross
contamination in the operating room. These exposure prevention products are
designed to maximize surgical efficiency while reducing bloodborne pathogen
exposure to healthcare workers and improving patient care in a wide range of
applications. The Company has already introduced the first two Compliance Plus
products into the market - MediSpecs Rx(TM) and SutureMate(R). These are the
only two Compliance Plus products which it currently markets. Both of these
products meet OSHA and CDC mandates. There is no current time table for the
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release of additional Compliance Plus products. The remainder of the proposed
Compliance Plus line will be added through further in-house development and
acquisitions, which are already in process.
The Compliance Plus devices include: SutureMate(R), a patented
single-patient-use surgical assist device for safe and efficient suturing;
MediSpecs Rx(TM), a disposable prescription protective eyewear for healthcare
workers; Prostasert(TM), a patented obstetrics/gynecology ("OB/GYN")
pharmaceutical applicator; IcePak(TM), an infection control equipment kit for
healthcare workers; PrepWiz(TM), a revolutionary surgical preparation and drape
system (in development); and FingerSafe(TM), a multi-featured surgical thimble
(in development).
The Company believes that the use of Surgical's Compliance Plus
exposure prevention strategy provides numerous direct and indirect benefits.
These benefits relate to a significant reduction in bloodborne pathogen exposure
from needlesticks and glove perforations, as well as improved procedural
efficiency. The Company believes that prevention through the use of its products
reduces expenditures in employee health post-exposure work-up and treatment, and
lost employee time. The Company further believes that there are also benefits
from improved employee morale, community relations, and reduced liability and
workers' compensation costs.
In January 1998, the Company executed a clinical products testing
agreement with SMH for a term of five (5) years. Under the terms of the
agreement, Surgical will submit ten (10) surgical and medical products to SMH
for clinical testing (the "SMH Clinical Testing Agreement.") Surgical will
reimburse SMH for certain designated budgeted costs and pay a fixed amount of
$25,000 for each study, payable in monthly increments over the term of each
study. Further, the agreement provides that Surgical is obligated to pay SMH
$250,000 over the term of the agreement in the event Surgical determines not to
have SMH perform the clinical testing. In addition, SMH will receive one half of
one percent (.5%) of the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the
products tested. The products to be tested include SutureMate(R),
Prostasert(TM), PrepWiz(TM), FingerSafe(TM) and five (5) other products in
various stages of development.
SutureMate(R)
SutureMate(R), a patented, disposable, surgical assist device,
was initially introduced in 1993. Its unique design facilitates the highly
recommended one-handed suturing technique which is advocated by occupational
safety experts. When one-handed suturing is not used, extra steps are required
by the surgeon or the assistant in cutting the needle free of the suture thread
and extra time and hand movements are required of the surgeon in manually
adjusting needles while using a needle holder in most suturing processes.
SutureMate(R) allows the surgeon to use a safer, more efficient method of
surgical stitching. The product has features which include a foam
needle-cushion, and a suture cutting slot.
SutureMate(R) can be used in a wide variety of specialties,
including surgery, OB/GYN, emergency room treatment, plastic surgery, podiatry
and dentistry. It was designed by Dr. Swor, the Company's Chairman, who is a
surgeon himself for use by surgeons and surgical assistants. The Company is not
aware of any comparable product on the market. New applications for its use are
being devised regularly and several variations of the original product are in
development, including a laparoscopic version, for use in the fast growing field
of minimally invasive surgery.
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The product acts as a needle bank for temporarily "parking"
suture needles, and has a cutting slot for removing the needle from the suture
thread. Using the SutureMate(R) device enables the user to "free-up" the
non-dominant hand to engage in additional tasks such as holding instruments and
exposing tissues.
Data from the CDC indicates that seventy-seven percent (77%) of
sharps injuries are caused by suture needles. In one-third of all injuries to
surgeons, the sharp instrument was re-exposed to the patient. When one-handed
suturing is not used, the surgeon's non-dominant hand is particularly
vulnerable. Sixty-six (66%) percent of all suture needlesticks occur to the
first two fingers of the non-dominant hand. This is where SutureMate(R)'s
application is most significant.
Clinical data suggests that SutureMate(R) dramatically decreases
needlestick injuries and other exposures such as glove perforations. The cutting
slot feature enables the user to efficiently remove the needle from the suture
thread without the need for an assistant, and with greater efficiency than
traditional methods.
SutureMate(R) has been cited by safety advocates and infection
control specialists in several publications and manuals. A study from Canada by
Drs. Bebbington and Treissman was published in the October 1996 issue of the
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Volume 175, No. 1, Part I. This
study was supported by the Company. The study concluded that there was a 71%
reduction in glove perforations when SutureMate(R)n was used and stated that the
"surgical assist device [SutureMate(R)] appeared to be useful in decreasing
glove perforations regardless of the degree of training and expertise of the
operator." The study concluded that the "use of this device significantly
reduced the number of glove perforations that occurred during vaginal repair
after delivery. Therefore it can be of benefit to the safety of operators during
an all-too-frequent procedure in obstetrics. This is especially true when
universal precautions are being advocated for all patients. A decrease in glove
perforations deceases the exposure to potential pathogens." The study did state
that the reduction in glove perforations may not have been exclusively related
to the use of the device.
The need for sharps management in surgery has generated a number
of articles. In an article by Dr. Mark Davis which was published in the April
1995 issue of Infection Control & Sterilization Technology, Volume 1, No. 1, Dr.
Davis stated that "most percutaneous injuries can be prevented by the use of
currently available safety-engineered devices and by the application of known
safety protocols and techniques...Other techniques such as double gloving and
suturing with a device requiring one hand, offers some protection against the
growing threat of HIV, and hepatitis B and C." The one-handed suturing device
discussed in the article is SutureMate(R) which was being evaluated by the
surgical and OB/GYN staff at Dr. Davis' institution. Dr. Davis served on the
Scientific Advisory Board of the Company.
SutureMate(R) research findings have been presented to several
major medical organizations including: the American College of Surgeons and
Center of Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") at a joint meeting on the
prevention of bloodborne pathogens in surgery and obstetrics which was held in
Atlanta, Georgia in February 1994 (the "February 1994 Conference"); at the
annual meeting of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologist of America in Santa
Clara, California in March 1994; at the annual meeting of the Association of
Surgical Technologists in Atlanta, Georgia in May 1995; at the annual meeting of
the Society of Perinatal Obstetricians in Vancouver, Canada in February 1996; at
the annual meeting of the Association of Surgical Technologists in Atlanta,
Georgia in June 1996 and at the annual meeting of the ACORN in Atlanta, Georgia
in April 1997.
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The February 1994 Conference was the first joint conference of
the American College of Surgeons and the CDC. Donna J. Haiduven, an infection
control specialist and a member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board, and
Dr. Maria D. Allo of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center presented an abstract
entitled "Evaluation of a one-handed surgical suturing device to decrease
intraoperative needlestick injuries and glove perforations." The study concluded
that the "[u]se of "Suture Mate" facilitates one-handed suturing technique,
resulting in less likelihood of glove perforations and intra-operative
needlestick injuries" and "[t]he "Suture Mate" device obviates the need for
two-handed suturing and provides a safe place to "bank" needles on the surgical
field."
The use of SutureMate(R) eliminates the need for the more
expensive "control release-type" sutures. By virtue of improved surgical safety
efficiency, the Company believes that the patient will experience significant
savings through reduced anesthesia and operating room time. In addition, the
Company believes that this product reduces the potential for cross contamination
which can save expenses related to surgical wound infection.
SutureMate(R) was recently re-released in late 1998. The product
was re- engineered and updated after feedback from over 4,000 surgeons and
surgical technologists who used or reviewed the product since its inception. As
a result of the re-design, the Company believes that there will be new clinical
advantages and that the product can be produced at a significantly lower
manufacturing cost. These beliefs are based on the fact that the re-design
includes a tent-like configuration with a hidden cutting device contained
between the adhesive base and the holding device. This allows the surgeon to
separate the needle from the suture without a scrub nurse intervening with a
scissor. The cost reduction will result from the fact that the original version
cost approximately $6.00 per unit while the new version costs approximately
$1.10 per unit including packaging and sterilization, allowing it to be marketed
in the $5 to $6 range which is more in keeping with pricing for a disposable
product.
Currently, the re-designed SutureMate(R) is manufactured by the
Hansen Plastic Division of Tuthill Corporation at their plant located in
Clearwater, Florida ("Tuthill"). Tuthill manufactures each non-sterile unit at a
cost of $.902 per unit. The non-sterile product is then shipped to Gamma
Services, Inc. in Lakeland, Florida for sterilization. The cost per unit for the
sterilization process is $.172. This results in a total cost per unit of $1.074.
The Company currently is considering other manufacturing sources.
MediSpecs Rx(TM)
MediSpecs Rx(TM) is a prescription protective eyewear which
Surgical co- developed for use in the operating room and related areas. The
Company has an exclusive, renewable 5-year, distribution agreement which covers
the United States with Morrison International, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation
with its principal place of business in Sarasota, Florida ("Morrison"). The
initial term expires in September 2000. Under the terms of the agreement with
Morrison executed in September, 1996, the Company acquired the right to
purchase, promote, resell and distribute Morrison's trademarked glasses under
the Company's private label trademark, MediSpecs Rx(TM). The price for the
product is fixed for the initial five-year term and requires minimum purchases
which are scaled over the first five-year period from 2,750 units the first year
to 56,000 the fifth year. Under the agreement, the Company its entitled to
distribute the product either directly or through other dealers. Although the
Company is not reaching its quotas, it has not been found in default by
Morrison. Due to poor sales, Morrison discontinued the manufacturing of this
product; however it has substantial inventory on hand for sale.
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MediSpecs Rx(TM) are featherweight prescription glasses with
OSHA- recommended protective side shields. A proprietary manufacturing and
assembling process minimizes the cost of production and allows healthcare
workers to purchase prescription protective eyeglasses for dedicated use in an
occupational setting. The Company believes that users will purchase multiple
pairs of glasses. It is anticipated that each pair will have an average life of
approximately 50-100 uses. While an average pair of prescription eyeglasses
costs over $150, MediSpecs Rx(TM) glasses are being sold for approximately $25 a
pair and can be ordered by mail. The cost to the Company under the Morrison
agreement is $6.98 per pair.
MediSpecs Rx(TM) glasses protect against splashing of blood and
bodily fluids into the user's eyes, thus reducing exposure risk. Medi-Specs
Rx(TM) are ultra lightweight, making it unnecessary to the user to wear the more
cumbersome eyewear currently available for eye protection.
In August 1997, the Company entered into a distribution agreement
for the sale of MediSpecs Rx(TM) in the State of Florida. This agreement was
with Hospital News, a Florida corporation with its principal place of business
in Tampa, Florida ("Hospital News"). SMH and Doctors Hospital of Sarasota were
excluded from the agreement and remain under the distributorship of the Company.
The initial term of the Hospital News agreement was through December 1997, and
was renewable by the parties for successive one (1) year periods. The price for
the product was fixed for the initial term at $12.95 per pair and requires
minimum purchases which was scaled over the first six (6) months from 0 units
the first month to 800 the sixth month. Under the agreement, Hospital News was
entitled to distribute the product either directly or through other dealers.
Although Hospital News had not met its quota, the Company elected to extend this
arrangement for an additional one (1) year period. Hospital News sold no units
and is no longer a publication. The Company is disappointed with MediSpec Rx(TM)
sales and is considering dropping the product line.
Due to the price at which MediSpecs Rx(TM) may be offered to
users and the prevention of cross-case contamination, the Company believed that
there would be a large national and international market available for the use
of this product; however, such market has not materialized.
Prostasert(TM)
Prostasert(TM), originally named LaborMate, is a patented,
disposable, obstetrical/gynecological specialty device with many potential uses,
including use for patients undergoing the induction of labor. The product
provides a vaginal application of a precise dosage of pharmaceutical gel which
is designed to shorten and improve the labor and delivery process. Although
simple in design, the Company believes that Prostasert(TM) is unique in that it
differs from its competitors by allowing for a more site-specific application
and improved maintenance of the pharmaceutical gel used. Prostasert(TM), a FDA
listed device, is a specially designed medication delivery and maintenance
system which allows a physician to deliver the proper dosage and maintain that
dosage precisely. With over four (4) million births annually in the United
States alone, the Company estimates the potential market for obstetrical use of
this product to be approximately 200,000 to 400,000 cases annually. These
estimates are based on the fact that 10% to 20% of the four (4) million births
annually are induced (labor stimulated medically) and that such numbers of
induced births are increasing because of the lower risks and patient/doctor
convenience factors. Alternate uses and other applications for this product are
under development including treatment for cervical infections and PAP smear
abnormalities for which the market is estimated to be 1,000,000 cases per year.
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No FDA clearance was needed for this product because it is
assembled from FDA approved parts. The product was listed by the FDA in June
1994. Prostasert(TM) was approved for clinical research by the Institutional
Review Board of the SMH where it has been undergoing clinical trials for the
past four (4) years to document the clinical usefulness of the product. Testing
continues and results are expected in Year 2000. Once such trials are completed
and provided additional funding is available (of which there can be no
assurance), the Company intends to make final engineering adjustments and plans
to market this product under a licensing arrangement with an independent company
for initial market entry in the United States. However, no timetable for this
entry into the market has been established. The Company is seeking a
distribution outlet for such licensing arrangement while the clinical trials are
being conducted.
Icepak(TM)
The Company is researching patent protection for this specialty
product and its accessory components. This product is a belt which is designed
to carry various infection control-related products providing healthcare workers
with easy access to personal protective supplies. The belt itself is a durable,
reusable product with consumable supplies attached. The Company intends to
market and sell this product primarily through catalogs, with a focus on
distribution to nurses. The Company will be required to develop arrangements
with suppliers of the consumable supplies to be used in the belt. A prototype
has been manufactured and the product is expected to enter the market if the
required agreements with potential manufacturers/suppliers have been completed
and if additional funding is available (of which there can be no assurance).
Accordingly, no timetable for release of this product has been set. There is no
requirement for regulatory approval of this product.
Research and Development
The Company previously engaged in extensive research and
development of new medical technology. Many product concepts and partially
developed designs have been accumulated from internal and external sources. As
funding becomes available, of which there can be no assurance, new products will
be brought through the development process. Initial products in development
include:
RD91862: PrepWiz(TM): This is a multiple product for preparing
the patient's surgical site. The Company anticipates that this product will
potentially solve major efficiency, costs and safety problems. The Company
currently plans to co-develop this product line with a major medical
manufacturer and subsequently license it for sales and distribution. Currently,
pattern designs are in process and the Company received non-sterile samples
which it is currently evaluating. The samples were provided to a contract
converter who produced non-sterile disposable samples to be used in finalization
of the design.
RD121096: Finger-Safe(TM) Surgical Thimble: The Company is
seeking patent protection on this fingertip protection device. It is expected
that this product can be added to the Compliance Plus product line in the event
that Company secures additional capital, of which there can be no assurance.
This product is used much like a thimble for sewing, but has special features
that facilitate the suturing technique and also has special safety features and
a storage component. The product is designed to reduce further the risk of
needlesticks and glove perforations to the non-dominant hand.
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Both RD91862 and RD121096 require regulatory approval from the
FDA. PrepWiz(TM) is in the development phase and no application under 501(K)
will be undertaken until final designs and approvals have been executed.
Finger-Safe(TM) Surgical Thimble is on the shelf and no development activity is
currently underway.
Advanced Surgical Techniques
The Company has several products in development that are designed
to contribute to the rapidly growing market of "minimally invasive" surgery with
increasing emphasis on small incisions, laparoscopy, laser treatment, and more
efficient post-surgery convalescence. The Company believes that there is a
significant demand for improved technology to facilitate these newly developed
procedures. The Company has several concepts and projects in development related
to this type of surgery, and many of the new product ideas presented to the
Medical Products Consultation Division by third parties are included in this
group.
Medical Consultation Division
The Medical Consultation Division previously provided consulting
services to individual inventors on a fee basis. Dr. Swor, Mr. Clark and Mr.
Stuart, a Director of the Company, have provide such services depending upon the
type of expertise required. The principal function of the division is to find
new ideas and potential products which compliment the Company's product mix.
This division has been retained to conduct several research
evaluations of various proprietary medical products and has completed two such
projects, one for London International U.S. Holdings, Inc. (a study to determine
the spermicidal activity of several concentrations of nonoxynol-9 lubricated
condom products) and another for Purely Cotton (a study of a tissue made from
cotton rather than paper to determine whether the product was less irritating to
people with chronic skin conditions). Based upon the initial evaluation of these
products, the Company believes that one or more could be very successful and
lead to additional business for the Company.
Business Strategy
The Company's business strategy, which is dependent upon its
obtaining sufficient additional financing with which to enhance the
commercialization of existing and future products of the Compliance Plus
exposure prevention and surgical efficiency product line and the OASiS
information system (of which there is no assurance), is to provide innovative
products and services which create and maintain a safe surgical environment for
medical and hospital staff, healthcare workers and patients, as well as to
enhance the level of surgical care available to patients. The Company's revenues
are based upon lease payments and fees for display of inservice modules from its
Data Systems Division, sale of its products and distribution fees from the
Medical Products Division and consulting fees earned by the Medical Consultation
Division. The Company's revenues are dependent on the volume of sales from its
products.
Revenues from sales are recognized in the period in which sales
are made. The Company's gross profit margin will be determined in part by its
ability to estimate and control direct costs of manufacturing and its ability to
incorporate such costs in the price charged to clients.
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The Company's objective is to become a dominant provider of
medical devices and systems which improve occupational safety, advance surgical
techniques and provide greater efficiency. To achieve this objective, and
assuming that sufficient operating capital becomes available, the Company
intends to: (i) develop international distribution channels and co- marketing
alliances for the Company's products and services; (ii) continue research and
development and acquisitions of synergistic products and software programs; and
(iii) frequently fine tune market strategies based upon ongoing evaluations of
customer needs, capital budgeting opportunities and market economy fluctuations.
Management believes that Surgical is poised to lead in the ever
developing surgical and medical safety market and plans to capitalize on the
opportunity while providing significant benefits to its customers and improving
overall patient care. Management expects, in the event Surgical continues to
achieve product acceptance, to increase the Company's market penetration through
additional acquisitions and potential merger opportunities with appropriate
bases of business development. However, such expansion presents certain
challenges and risks and there could be no assurance that Surgical, even if it
were successful in acquiring other bases of business development, would be
successful in profitably penetrating these potential markets.
Sales and Marketing
The following discussion of the medical industry, as it relates
to the Company's objectives, is of course pertinent only if the Company is
successful in obtaining sufficient debt and/or equity financing to commercialize
its existing products and OASiS, to add additional key personnel when needed and
to supplement new product and software program development. In addition, the
Company must be able to generate significant profits from operations (which are
not expected in the foreseeable future) and/or additional financing to continue
expanding the business and/or to fund the anticipated growth, assuming
Surgical's proposed expanded business is successful. There can be no assurance
such financing can be obtained or that the Company's proposed expanded business
will be successful.
Background
According to the World Health Organization, forty (40) million
people will be infected with HIV by the year 2000. There are nearly ten (10)
million people worldwide currently infected, including close to one (1) million
children. Over four (4) million Americans carry the HIV virus. Approximately ten
percent (10%) of individuals will contract this very serious illness when
exposed by way of a sharps injury.
Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome ("AIDS") is now the top killer of
men age 17 to 54 in the United States. The CDC and the National Institutes of
Health ("NIH") have focused a great deal of effort and research into improving
occupational safety and decreasing the risk of bloodborne pathogens in the
healthcare setting. The American Hospital Association reports that needlestick
injuries are the most common injury to healthcare workers and represent the
greatest risk of occupational exposure to AIDS, Hepatitis, and other viral
diseases. There are over two (2) dozen diseases that have been involved in
documented transmission by way of exposure. Over one and a quarter million
(1,250,000) Americans have chronic Hepatitis B and when their blood is exposed
to a healthcare worker's intact skin, the transmission rate is thirty percent
(30%). Since operating room personnel and surgeons are in particular high risk
categories, the Company has committed itself to developing products and
techniques to decrease the potential for deadly viral transmission to and from
healthcare workers and patients.
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Market Overview, Size and Occupational Safety
Healthcare workers need secure and safe working conditions. The
Company seeks to provide solutions to meet that need in the critical care
setting. Value is built into Surgical's products by reducing costs of
inefficient surgery, occupational exposures and patient risks. Exposure to
bloodborne diseases occurs in up to fifty percent (50%) of surgical cases, with
needlesticks and other sharps injuries magnifying the risk. (See G. Pugliese,
RN, MS, Blood Exposures in the Operating Room: Risk and Prevention Strategies,
APIC Journal of Infection Control 1993; pps. 21 and 337-42; and Jagger J,
Blackwell B, Fowler M, Carter K, Funderburk S, Bradshaw E, Swapp J.,
Percutaneous injury surveillance in a 58-hospital network, Tenth international
conference on AIDS, Yokohama, Japan, 8/9/94.) Up to 75% of sharps injuries in
the operating room are related to suturing. (See Journal of the American Medical
Association, June 1992; Journal of the American Medical Association, September
25, 1991; and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Volume 77, 1991.) Currently used safety
measures are inadequate, with an unbelievable 23% exposure rate documented even
in known or suspected HIV cases. (See G. Michael Swor, M.D., A Touch Information
System for Healthcare Worker Exposure, Risk, and Training Management, Surgical
Technology International VII. 1998: pps. 48-56; and Tokars JI, Bell DM, Culver
DH, et al., Percutaneous injuries during surgical procedures, Journal of the
American Medical Association 1992; ppgs. 262-288 and 904.) Hepatitis C is a new,
incurable threat and HIV is now the number one cause of death in 25 to 44
year-olds in the United States. (See Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,
Center for Disease Control, November 19, 1993/Vol 42/No 45.) Significant
resources are devoted to occupational risks, with over $3 billion expended
annually in the United States on sharps injuries and bloodborne exposures.
According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, treating one HIV-infected
healthcare worker may cost in excess of $500,000. In addition to the risk of
exposure, significant pressures have been made to reduce costs in surgery and in
critical care units.
With the increased prevalence of HIV, hepatitis and other deadly
diseases, OSHA has set increasingly strong standards. Despite the standard use
of protective gloves and clothing, operating room personnel and surgeons are at
a particularly high risk. According to the United States Department of Health
and Human Services, healthcare workers contract more than 15,000 bloodborne
infections from occupational exposure per year, resulting in 300 deaths and
thousands of illnesses. Surgical wound infections are relatively common and
result in increased costs, longer hospital stays and increased morbidity in
patients. A Yale University study found that visible contact with patient's
blood occurred in 63% of surgical cases and sharps injury rates range from 7% to
50%, depending on the type of case. At current rates, researchers from major
medical institutions have estimated the lifetime career risk of occupational HIV
infractions for surgeons as high as 20%, depending on the patient population.
Despite this data, HIV is overshadowed by Hepatis B and C which are 100 times
more infectious.
Due to increased awareness of these problems, there has been a
movement from healthcare workers themselves for facilities to provide adequate
protection and safety engineered technology. Hospitals also benefit from
improved technology and can significantly decrease postexposure follow-up and
treatment.
A large body of research and statistical evidence has been
accumulated over the last ten (10) years regarding the significant risk of
bloodborne diseases to healthcare workers. Similar kinds of risks exist
regarding the transmission of disease from health workers to patients. Since the
AIDS virus was discovered and blood testing became available in 1985, even
greater awareness has been focused on these problems. The Company has focused
its efforts on identifying occupational risks in the healthcare industry and
seeking to provide solutions to various problems regarding these risks.
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As noted, the bloodborne pathogens which have received the most
attention are AIDS and Hepatitis. There are an estimated ten (10) million people
infected with the AIDS virus worldwide, and because of the nature of the
disease, it is impossible to determine infected individuals with certainty, even
with blood tests. (See Centers for Disease Control, Estimates of HIV prevalence
and projected AIDS cases, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 1990; pps. 39
and 110-119; World Health Organization, In Point of Fact, No. 74. Geneva, World
Health Organization, May 1991; Piot P, Plummer F, Mhalu FS, et al, AIDS: An
international perspective, Science 1998; pps. 239 and 573-579; and Palca J., The
Sobering Geography of AIDS, Science 1991; pps. 252 and 373.) Hepatitis is even
more widespread and, according to medical experts, much more contagious. These
diseases and others are transmitted by contact with blood or bodily fluids and
reports of infection through needlesticks, sharps injuries, and skin to skin
contact are accumulating. The American Hospital Association, in 1992, reported
over 800,000 occupational needlestick injuries in the United States each year,
and estimated that approximately 16,000 were contaminated by HIV. They also
estimated that as many as 60 healthcare workers may become infected annually
with HIV as a result of occupational exposure. There have been estimates as high
as 12,000 Hepatitis B infections annually to healthcare workers. (See Applegate
EJ., The Anatomy and Physiology Learning System, Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders
Company; 1995, p.241.) A newer form of Hepatitis, Hepatitis C, is rapidly
becoming even more important and more serious.
OSHA now has strict guidelines for personal protective equipment,
such as gloves, gowns, and eyewear. However, with a reported rate of glove
perforation in surgery of up to 50%, sharps injuries of up to 25% and concerns
regarding the prevention of bloodborne pathogen transmission, healthcare
professionals, workers and patients are requesting more protection. Most
professionals agree that many sharps injuries in surgery are preventable with
changes in techniques and the use of new devices and protective equipment.
The cost of these types of exposures is also a significant factor
in the Company's business. The direct financial burden that facilities bear for
medical evaluation and follow-up after a single needlestick injury is estimated
to be $200 to $1,300 ($3 billion in the United States as reported in Nursing
Economics, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 208-214 (1994) based upon 1987 date regarding the
cost of diagnosis and treatment of needlestick injuries in the United States).
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the
average cost of treating an accidental needlestick is $1,300. This figure does
not include indirect costs such as time lost from work, medical expense and
potential liability loss. With annual expenditures in the United States on
medical and surgical supplies estimated by current medical journals at more than
$6 billion annually, there would appear to be a large budget for safety-related
products. Surprisingly, there have been few significant advances in new
technology regarding bloodborne pathogens. The Company is focusing its research
and development efforts directly on improvements in this area with operating
room, infection control and reporting, and personal safety equipment product
lines.
The Company's initial product, SutureMate(R), was designed
primarily to reduce the risk of needlestick and glove perforation during
suturing. Infection can also be transmitted by skin to skin (mucocutaneous)
contact, and the Company's Infection Control Equipment Pack (IcePak(TM)) product
was developed from the need to reduce this hazard. The Company's OASiS system is
designed primarily for accident reporting and training. Customer demand for the
Company's' products and services is expected to be stimulated further by recent
scientific data suggesting that the risks related to these hazards were
originally underestimated. In addition, new serious viral diseases are
discovered regularly.
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With an estimated 25 million surgical procedures and 4 million
births annually in the United States alone (See Statistics published on health
and nutrition from the American Hospital Association's Hospital Statistics
Annual, Chicago, IL, 1990.), and a fertile international market as well, the
Company is focused upon the development of innovative reporting and training
equipment, efficiency related instruments, and cost efficient supplies for
furthering the concept for cost conscious safety in healthcare.
Hospitals are under increasing pressure to evaluate and adopt the
use of safetyrelated technology, especially with regards to sharps injuries. New
regulations, hospital policies, and federal guidelines will encourage any
efficient means of improving safety, especially with regard to HIV transmission.
Because of the size and demands of these markets, the Company believes that this
is an area of potentially significant growth if it can continue to strengthen
the market niche it has created.
Markets
The primary medical industry markets include hospitals,
healthcare facilities, surgeons, nurses, and technologists in procedure-oriented
specialties, including obstetricians, dentists, emergency room personnel and
other medical professionals.
The potential global market for Surgical's products (devices and
information systems) is estimated at over $1.3 billion. This data was presented
in an article written by Dr. Swor which appeared in Surgical Technology
International, Vol. II where Dr. Swor was referencing an article from the
Florida Healthcare Report and Hospital News which appeared in December 1997.
The initial target market areas for the product side of the
Company's business are in the major metropolitan centers in the United States
and abroad that presently have large teaching programs, higher disease
prevalence and acute problem awareness. Entry into these target areas is
expected by the Company to significantly ease general market penetration.
The Company plans to export its products worldwide to markets
including Europe, South America and Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim.
Previously it had exclusive distributorship agreements with Johnson & Johnson
Medical Pty. Ltd. with respect to the territories of Australia, New Zealand,
Papua, New Guinea and Fiji, with Medicor Corp. with respect to the Netherlands
and with ISC Group with respect to Saudi Arabia and the so-called GCC Nations
which agreements expired principally due to the Company's financial inability to
sustain sufficient levels of production under prior manufacturing arrangements.
Although technically in force, the agreement with Noesis relative to Europe is
inactive. The Company believes that it will be able to reactivate these
distribution arrangements with the re-designed SutureMate(R) under the
manufacturing arrangement with Tuthill or other suitable suppliers under
consideration, provided additional funding is available to the Company to
manufacturer adequate inventory. The basis of this belief is that initial
marketing efforts were thwarted by the high manufacturers suggested retail price
and in discussions with one of these distributors, it has been indicated that
such distributor would reinstate its agreement when adequate inventory is
available. There can be no assurance that such distribution arrangements can be
re-established or that there will be additional funding available to the
Company.
OASiS has been foundationally designed to accept multi-lingual
applications. The Company expects that this will not only facilitate acceptance
in the cosmopolitan markets within the United States, but also will enable
instant adaptations to international markets which traditionally follow the
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United States leadership in developments of safety and exposure guidelines.
A major portion of the safety products and services currently
ready for marketing by the Company, including both device and information
services, are unique and are without apparent competition by design since they
were specified and designed by the Company to create previously unavailable
products and services. In most cases, Surgical's state-of-the-art products,
techniques and services position the Company as a pioneer in new markets. This
is a direct result of the Company's election to avoid the typical commodity
sales of gloves, gowns, shields, and other products of that type and to focus on
innovative, safety related products such as SutureMate(R), which was the first
device of its kind to provide for lower risk, one-handed suturing.
The market for Surgical's products is divided into three (3)
segments: end users, healthcare risk managers and medical-related companies.
The primary end user market for the products and services of
Surgical include 8,000 hospitals, 100,000 surgeons and over 1,000,000 surgical
nurses and technologists. Secondary end user markets include out-patient
clinics, dental offices, emergency medical services, fire and rescue
organizations, medical offices and laboratories. This segment of the Company's
market will be the ultimate user of both the medical devices and OASiS and it is
particularly defined by the need for protection against bloodborne diseases from
body fluids and sharps injuries, such as needlesticks.
The healthcare risk manager market is defined by similar
statistics as the end user market. The major difference is that this segment is
represented at an administrative level. Additionally, it encompasses insurance
companies and other parties interested in capturing safety and occupational
injury data. This segment of the market focuses on ensuring a safer, more
efficient workplace for the healthcare worker and in obtaining previously
unavailable information about actual occurrences of bloodborne pathogen exposure
and the management thereof.
The market segment for medical-related companies consists of
approximately 11,600 medical device manufacturers, 360 pharmaceutical companies
and 1,260 training and educational organizations. The Company believes that this
is a significant segment for them for three reasons. First, these companies will
be enlisted as content providers (a content provider supplies OASiS with device
information and other educational components) ("Content Providers"). Content
Providers are potential customers for the Company because they pay a reoccurring
fee to broadcast their information on OASiS. Secondly, this market segment is
desirous of the data collected by OASiS as it relates to the information
surrounding exposure occurrences. The Company already has received requests for
access to this (yet-to-be collected) data. The third reason the Company believes
this segment to be significant is that these companies are a key component to
the Company's sales strategy for its medical devices. The Company believes that
its relationship with US Surgical as a strategic partner is based on the
integration of OASiS and the Company's Compliance Plus line of products and the
venue potential for US Surgical products.
The Company believes that the criteria for another appropriate
strategic partner for an alliance with the Company would have a worldwide
presence, maintain a dedicated, highly trained sales force with access to the
operating room, be a respected and an acknowledged leader in the industry, be
among the Fortune 500 companies or equivalent and have an interest in
diversification of its existing product lines. In this regard, the Company
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believes that its long term arrangements with US Surgical establishes a
strategic alliance with a company which meets these criteria.
Distribution of Products
SutureMate(R), MediSpecs Rx(TM) and OASiS are currently the
Company's only products in the marketplace. With reference to such products, the
Company has entered into a number of agreements regarding their distribution.
See Part I, Item 1. "Description of Business (b) Business of Issuer - Risk
Factors."
In December 1994, the Company entered into a distributorship
agreement for a period of one (1) year with ISC Group, a corporation organized
under the laws of the country of Saudi Arabia, for the exclusive right to
purchase, inventory, promote and re-sell SutureMate(R) in Saudi Arabia and the
GCC Nations. An initial order was placed and shipped.
In March 1995, the Company entered into a distribution agreement
with Medicor Corporation for the exclusive right to purchase and sell
SutureMate(R) in the Netherlands. An initial order was shipped pursuant to this
agreement in April 1995. The agreement had no term and the parties were awaiting
evaluation of the product in the marketplace.
In April 1995, the Company entered into a distributorship
agreement with Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty. Ltd. ("J&J") to exclusively sell
SutureMate(R) in Australia, New Zealand, Papua, New Guinea and Fiji. An initial
order was placed. Under the terms of the agreement, J&J had no sales quota for
the first ninety (90) days and the parties were to agree by July 1995 as to the
sales quota for the remaining term. J&J had a right to terminate this agreement
on sixty (60) days notice.
ISC Group, Medicor Corporation and Johnson & Johnson Medical
Pty., Ltd. are not currently distributing Surgical's product. The Company has
not actively pursued additional business from these companies since it has
placed such business on hold pending further developments in the Company. The
Company believes that it can reinstate these agreements and has discussed
reinstatement with one of these former distributors which advised that the
agreement can be reinstated when adequate inventory is available. However, there
can be no assurance that such distribution agreements can be re-activated.
Further, since each of these companies distribute many other products, there can
be no assurance that they will agree to distribute SutureMate(R) at such time as
the Company is ready for such additional distribution. And further, although the
Company currently plans to proceed with attempting to re-establish these
relationships at such time as the Company has sufficient funding to fully supply
the re- engineered SutureMate(R), there can be no assurance that such funding
will be available to it.
In December 1996, the Company entered into an exclusive
distribution agreement with Noesis Capital Corporation ("Noesis"), a Florida
corporation, for a term of seven (7) years for the European market under which
Noesis was to recruit, hire and train European master distributors and
distributor/dealer networks throughout the Continent for sales of SutureMate(R).
Under the terms of the agreement, the parties were to set minimum annual
quantities which had to be sold. The price per unit to Noesis was set at the
greater of $1.50 or, in the event of a cost increased to the Company for
manufacturing, 150% of the Company's revised cost. Although still technically in
force, this contract is not currently active and has been placed on hold by the
Company pending further developments, including the availability of the
re-designed SutureMate(R) currently being manufactured by Tuthill.
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In July 1997, the Company entered into a distribution agreement
with Hospital News of Florida, a Florida corporation ("HNF"). Pursuant to this
agreement, HNF was granted the exclusive distributorship of the MediSpecs Rx(TM)
eyewear in the State of Florida. SMH was specifically excluded from this
agreement. The original agreement was to terminate on December 31, 1997, but
could be renewed if the parties so agreed for successive one (1) year periods.
The price of each pair of eyewear was set at $19.95 plus $4.95 for shipping and
handling. The Company agreed to pay HNF $7.00 for each pair sold and no
commission was due to HNF for any subsequent re-orders from an existing
customer. The agreement required HNF to generate 800 orders by December 1997.
HNF was responsible for soliciting, collecting and delivering completed order
forms on the form designated by the Company. Although HNF did not achieve its
initial quota, the Company elected to extend this arrangement. Hospital News
made no sales and is no longer a publication. Morrison has discontinued the
manufacturing of this product and is selling off existing inventory. The Company
is considering dropping this product line.
In February 1998, the Company executed a Letter of Intent with
United States Surgical Corporation ("U S Surgical"). Pursuant to such letter, U
S Surgical stated that, after investigation of the Company, it intends to pursue
a joint venture or equity buy-in relationship, subject to due diligence review.
Part of such due diligence review was to be observation of the healthcare
workers' reactions to the OASiS presentation at the AORN 1998 meeting. The
Company granted U S Surgical status as a Charter Sponsor of OASiS and a 33%
discount off the proposed retail value of services provided at the AORN meeting.
OASiS accounted for over 21% of all leads generated by US Surgical at AORN
meeting.
In July 1998, the parties agreed to terms of under the Short Term
Agreement which was executed October 28, 1998. Under the terms of the Short Term
Agreement, US Surgical obligated itself to arrange for the installation of ten
(10) OASiS systems in hospital facilities which US Surgical defines as "Centers
of Excellence", including initially Harvard and Yale. US Surgical continued to
change the centers and Harvard was replaced with Northwestern University Medical
Center. Each system includes thirty (30) inservice training modules with US
Surgical products. In addition, the Company is permitted to include modules for
other manufacturers subject to the approval of US Surgical. Following an initial
nine (9) month trial at each of these facilities and subject to satisfactory
performance by the system and the technical support group, US Surgical has the
right to have additional systems installed in other healthcare facilities
nationwide. US Surgical agreed to finance the development and installation of
the ten (10) systems. No decision has been made as to which party will pay for
the additional installations which US Surgical elects to have installed. In the
event the Company is required to pay, additional financing may be required from
outside sources, the securing of which cannot be assured. The Company receives a
fee in the amount of $36,000 for the initial ten (10) installations during the
testing period and a fee in the amount of $108,000 for the balance of a three
(3) year term for such initial installations. In addition, the Company is able
to earn profits on the sales of its products through the point-of-sale facility
in the OASiS system and from the fees it receives from other device providers
and training companies through the use of the inservice modules. Provided US
Surgical is not in default in any payment, at the end of the term, they have the
option to purchase the OASiS hardware at a price of $8,500 for each Model 1062
unit. Although ten (10) units were to be installed in November 1998, due to a
delay caused by the acquisition of US Surgical by Tyco and a strategic decision
by them to delay the commencement of the installations until after the holiday
season the Company has thus far installed six (6) units in five (5) hospitals.
The balance were to be completed in the third quarter of 1999; however, these
installations have been merged into the Long Term Agreement..
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On July 30, 1999, the Company entered the Long Term Agreement,
a private partner network agreement, with US Surgical. Under the Long Term
Agreement, Surgical is to supply up to four hundred (400) OASiS systems to US
Surgical under licenses calling for installation in nominated hospitals. Each
license is for a term of three (3) years commencing with "substantial
installation" of such unit. "Substantial installation" is defined as delivery of
the OASiS unit to the hospital and connection to the Internet.
Under the terms of the Long Term Agreement, US Surgical must
license two hundred (200) units within the first year, and subject to certain
obligations on the part of Surgical to license units to third parties, must
license an additional two hundred (200) units by the end of the second year to
third parties. Previously installed units under the October 1998 agreement are
counted toward the minimum units required. On August 10, 1999 US Surgical paid
Surgical $100,000.00 as an advance for such licenses. The first 200 licenses are
$1,500 each and additional licenses are $1,000 each.
The Long Term Agreement further provides that neither Surgical,
nor any third party other than US Surgical, may place OASiS units in any of the
"protected departments" of the hospitals, unless it is installed prior to
receipt of a purchase order from US Surgical or unless US Surgical does not
exercise its right of first refusal after notice from Surgical for such
hospital. The Long Term Agreement defines "protected departments" as Operating
Room, Labor and Delivery, Emergency Room, Ambulatory/Same Day Surgery /
Outpatient, Nuclear Medicine, Intensive Care, Orthopedic / Ortho Casting Room,
and Dialysis. US Surgical is required to have each hospital bear the entire risk
of loss and damage to any OASiS system except if such is caused by the
negligence or wilful misconduct of Surgical. US Surgical must maintain casualty
insurance in amounts and with companies acceptable to Surgical on the OASiS
units and its related amenities with Surgical as the loss payee. US Surgical may
elect to have the OASiS systems installed in hospitals it nominates co-branded
with its name. Surgical has the discretion to select the content, related
services and in-service products for the OASiS systems installed under this
agreement; however, during the term of the agreement, US Surgical is required to
pay for and maintain a minimum of one hundred forty (140) product in-services
modules in an average of at least 80% of all OASiS systems installed in the
United States whether or not covered by this agreement and 100% on those that
are covered by the agreement. US Surgical's productbased modules produced by
Surgical become the property of US Surgical. Surgical retains the right to
display such modules on other OASiS units. All other modules remain the property
of Surgical. Surgical receives a fee for production of the modules. If Surgical
installs additional OASiS units in a designated hospital, US Surgical receives a
10% commission. Surgical receives a monthly maintenance fee for each unit, of
$149, unless paid a year in advance in which case it may be discounted up to
10%.
Methods of Distribution
Whether or not the Company is successful in raising additional
capital (of which there can be no assurance), since Surgical was successful in
completing the alliance with US Surgical, the Company intends to provide sales
support to such partner. The partner will manage the primary sales functions
with the Company acting as an additional resource for sales support. As to the
OASiS system, Surgical and its strategic partner will complete a site survey for
each customer facility. The Company also will seek additional strategic partners
for these functions. Surgical will coordinate the necessary follow-through with
the Integration Specialist.
Notwithstanding the US Surgical contract and until such time as
the Company establishes alliances with additional strategic partners, Surgical
will continue to rely on a significant database and network of consultants,
international business contacts, researchers, medical advisors and potential
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distributors, suppliers and manufacturers for sales of its products. The Company
has accumulated over 3,000 sales leads and customer contacts, with a majority
being United States based surgeons and operating room technologists. The Company
will continue to sell its products direct to hospitals and other medical care
providers.
In addition to sales by U.S. Surgical and distributors, the
Company also solicits orders through direct mail sales, trade publications and
advertising by targeting specific market groups. Since joining the Company, Mr.
Clark has begun an active campaign to establish repeat markets for Surgical's
products. Customer follow-up is currently handled by in-house sales staff of
which there are five (5). Orders obtained can be shipped from in-house inventory
or warehousing arrangements. The Company has the original SutureMate(R) and
MediSpecs Rx(TM) in stock and is finalizing manufacturing, sterilization and
inspection procedures for the re-designed SutureMate(R) so that inventory can be
established. Customers may return defective merchandise for a full refund,
credit or replacement. In recent years, such returns have been insignificant.
Status of Publicly Announced Products and Services
Based upon feedback from surgeons and operating room
technologists since the introduction of SutureMate(R) in 1993, this product has
been re-engineered and is currently ready for distribution, subject to the
availability of additional funding, of which there can be no assurance. The
original SutureMate(R) is available and on the market. The Company is seeking
additional distribution channels for this product.
MediSpecs Rx(TM) currently is available; however, the Company is
considering dropping the line due to poor sales.
Once trials are completed and subject to the availability of
additional funding, the Company intends to make final engineering adjustments to
Prostasert(TM) and then commence manufacturing for initial market entry in the
United States. There is no current timetable for such entry.
The OASiS system is fully operational at its initial sight at SMH
in Sarasota, Florida, at five (5) hospitals under the arrangements with US
Surgical and at St. Francis in Trenton, New Jersey. Although the Company
expected to complete the balance of the installations under the Short Term
Agreement with US Surgical installations in the third quarter 1999, such
installations have been merged into the Long Term Agreement. The Company is
ready for additional installations at other locations as soon as agreements can
be completed. Version 2.0 is being installed at the US Surgical sites and is in
final stages of test trials.
A prototype of IcePak(TM) has been manufactured and the product
is expected to enter the market if the required agreements with potential
manufacturers/suppliers have been completed and additional funding is available.
There is no current timetable for such entry.
Competition
There is intense competition in the markets in which the Company
engages in business. However, the Company believes that there is relatively
little competition for its products at this time.
Notwithstanding its innovative product line, there are many major
companies which could compete with the Company due to their size and market
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share in the medical products area. These include such companies as U S
Surgical, Ethicon, Inc. ("Ethicon"), a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary and
Sherwood-Davis & Geck, a division of American Home Products Corporation, all of
which have a wider range of other medical products and dominate much of the
markets for these other products. These companies focus on sutures and related
suturing devices. Traditionally such companies have not focused on safety
related products but they are now modifying the design of some sutures to reduce
needlesticks. Several medical products firms, including Johnson & Johnson and
Graphics Controls, Inc. ("Graphics Control") have operations in the surgical
safety product niche. Graphics Control sells approximately 50% of all safety
devices to the medical industry. The Company believes that these major companies
will continue their efforts to develop and market competitive devices. It is for
this reason that the Company has sought to align itself with a strategic partner
and has entered into the Long Term Agreement with US Surgical.
A major purveyor of safety devices is Devon Industries ("Devon")
which commands about 75% of this market. Devon's product line includes
approximately one hundred "me-too" type products; that is products designed to
copy or which copy products already in the market. Specialized Health Products
International, Inc. ("SHPI") designs and develops products to minimize the risk
of accidental needlesticks in order to reduce the spread of bloodborne diseases
in heathcare workers. SHPI's strategy is to become a single source provider for
needle protection devices. Many other device companies market these same
products with only slight variations. However, the Company believes that one of
the major pitfalls with these types of companies is that they have no
distinctive new product concepts to distinguish themselves from other companies
in their industry. The Company believes that its product line does distinguish
Surgical from other medical device providers. For example: (1) SutureMate(R) is
the only device of its kind which allows for one-handed suturing and its
tent-like configuration, combined with the adhesive backing and the hidden
cutting device, separates it from all competitive products; and (2) MediSpecs
Rx(TM) is the only low-cost, ultra-light prescriptive eyewear specifically
designed to protect against splashing blood and bodily fluids.
There is intense competition in sales of products for use in
gynocological, spinal, vascular, cardiovascular, interventional cardiology,
breast biopsy, urologic, orthopedic and oncological procedures. A broad range of
companies presently offer products or are developing products for the use in
such procedures. Many of these companies have significantly greater capital than
the Company and are expected to devote substantial resources to the development
of newer technologies which would be competitive with products which the Company
may offer. There are also a number of smaller companies which offer such
products which present additional competition.
Many of the large chemical companies market solvents that are
claimed to be useful as a barrier protection to bloodborne pathogen infection.
Some of these companies are being scrutinized by the FDA because of a lack of
proper clinical research and statistics to substantiate barrier effectiveness.
The market for products for minimally invasive surgery is highly
competitive. The Company believes if it enters this market that it could gain a
significant share of the market as the result of its innovative efforts and
superior products. This is principally due to the Company's involvement with Dr.
Saye and the ALTC which is currently training surgeons in advanced laparoscopic
surgery since it is felt that if the Company develops a suitable product, it
could be incorporated into this training program. Ethicon, through a division
known as Ethicon Endo- Surgery, markets a line of endoscopic instruments
directly competitive with the Company's contemplated products and this company
would be Surgical's principal competitor in minimally invasive surgery. Ethicon
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Endo-Surgery has an agreement with Dr. Saye. However, Dr. Saye's agreement with
the Company specifically provides that it will not compete with the Ethicon
agreement. Dr. Saye's agreement with Ethicon calls for him to travel to various
sites to conduct seminars and to provide teaching services for physicians. His
agreement with Surgical conveys to Surgical the right to market his Advanced
Laparoscopy Trauma Center database. Therefore it is believed that the two
arrangements do not compete. The Company understands that Ethicon devotes
considerable resources to research and development and sales efforts in this
field. Numerous other companies manufacture and distribute single use endoscopic
instruments. In addition, Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp. (a subsidiary
of Richard Wolf, GmbH) and Karl Storz Endoscopy-America, Inc. (a subsidiary of
Karl Storz, GmbH), would compete directly with the Company in this area.
Surgical faces competition in its data service line by a system
developed by the University of Virginia and promoted by the International
Healthcare Worker Safety Center. Designated EpiNet, this is a single system
designed to track and report bloodborne pathogen exposures in the healthcare
setting. It is installed in approximately seventy (70) healthcare facilities;
however, Company research indicates that EpiNet is actually used in only a
fraction of those facilities. This research was assembled by interviewing
healthcare workers who were users of the system at the American College of
Surgeons annual meeting and by interviews with members of the Medical Advisory
Panel who are familiar with the system. This system has been analyzed by
infection and systems control experts and has been found to be "non-user
friendly". That is because it is a DOS based systems which requires a
sophisticated user, it is limited to bloodborne pathogen programs and content,
it requires keyboard interface and is research based rather than user
information based. Although this system has been available for several years, it
has not achieved large market acceptance most likely because of the
characteristics which make it "non-user friendly". The Company is encouraged by
the fact that EpiNet has been installed in so many facilities as evidence that
computer aided reporting and services are desired by the healthcare community
and notwithstanding EpiNet's failure to gain large market acceptance, believes
that the Company's OASiS system could find greater acceptance because of its
ease of use due to the touch access concept and the broader availability of
information which OASiS can provide on site.
There are approximately two hundred (200) companies with at least
some products designed to facilitate healthcare training. With a technology
shift toward computer based training ("CBT"), this market is undergoing some
redefinition. Certain companies are shifting from a VCR/booklet format to
multimedia applications. Other companies are new and were formed specifically to
develop CBT programs for healthcare training. The Company believes that these
competitors are relying upon the healthcare facility to provide the delivery
system, a personal computer, for such training programs. The Company believes
that OASiS, which offers a complete system, software and hardware, in a touch
access format, will have greater market attraction.
The Company's principal methods of competing are the development
of innovative products, the performance and breadth of its products, its
technically trained sales force, and its educational services, including
sponsorship of training programs. Most of the Company's potential major
competitors have greater financial resources than the Company. Some of its
potential competitors, particularly Ethicon, have engaged in substantial price
discounting and other significant efforts to gain market share, including
bundled contracts for a wide variety of healthcare products with group
purchasing organizations. In the current healthcare environment, cost
containment has become a significant factor in purchasing decisions by
hospitals. Additional cost effectiveness was one of the principle factors in the
redesign of SutureMate(R) and a principle consideration in the lease pricing
structure for OASiS.
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Surgical's sales force is being trained on an ongoing basis to
focus on healthcare worker safety issues. In the ten (10) years prior to joining
the Company, its President, Mr. Clark, was instrumental in assisting three (3)
companies in establishing sales organizations within the healthcare industry. He
has recruited, trained and supervised these sales organizations. For these
reasons, the Company believes that it has the management expertise to have its
sales force distinguish itself from the competition. More specifically, the
Company is developing a clear and concise understanding of the inherent safety
risks associated with the healthcare worker's everyday work place. This
understanding is accomplished through its personnel which has extensive
experience in the healthcare industry, medical expertise, engineering
capabilities, communications skills with customers, as well as an understanding
of the medical marketplace and a variety of manufacturing practices. The Company
believes that the end result is that it is able to provide the customer with a
unique product or service specifically developed with individualized safety and
utility in mind, while providing that product or service to the customer so that
its value exceeds its cost.
One of the biggest attractions to the Company of a strategic
alliance with US Surgical is the fact that U S Surgical collaborates with some
of the most prestigious academic medical centers in the world to establish
Centers of Excellence for training in many diverse disciplines. These centers
are devoted to teaching residents and surgeons in the use of new
instrumentation, developing new technologies, conducting preclinical trials and
other research projects. Under the terms of the joint venture between the
Company and U S Surgical, the OASiS system was to be installed in a total of ten
(10) of these Centers of Excellence for an initial nine (9) month trial period.
Although such trials have not been completed, U S Surgical has entered into an
additional agreement for 200 units and a potential of 200 more. In today's
managed care environment, these multi-center installations are expected to bring
into sharper focus the cost benefits of a wide range of the Company's products.
The Company believes that the advantages of its various products
and its customer assistance programs will continue to provide the best value to
its customers. However, there is considerable competition in the industry and no
assurance can be given as to the Company's competitive position. The impact of
competition will likely have an effect on sales volumes and on prices charged by
the Company. In addition, increased cost consciousness has revived competition
from reusable instruments to some extent. The Company believes that single use
instruments are safer and more cost efficient for hospitals and the healthcare
system than reusable instruments, but it cannot predict the extent to which
reusable instruments will competitively impact the Company. The Company also
offers semi-disposable instruments, components of which may be reused a certain
number of times, to respond to the preferences of its customers.
Current and future customers were interviewed at major medical
organization exhibits. Overall statistics indicate that 50% of vascular,
thoracic and general surgeons found the Compliance Plus products to be useful,
safe and potentially cost effective. OB/GYN's urologists and plastic surgeons
gave a 90% favorable evaluations, while over 90% of surgical technologists gave
"high" to "very high" ratings to SutureMate(R) and MediSpecs Rx(TM). The Company
believes that it has chosen a developing market with no well-established
industry leaders at this time. Further it believes that its products are unique
and that by maintaining a relatively narrow market focus, combined with
technical expertise, that it can achieve rapid growth.
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Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
Raw materials necessary for the hardware requirements of the
OASiS system are available from numerous third-party OEM's. The software
integrated into the assembled system is proprietary to the Company.
Raw materials necessary for the manufacturer of parts, components
and packaging supplies for all of the Company's products manufactured by the
Medical Products Division are readily available from numerous third-party
suppliers.
The Company does not rely on any principal suppliers for any of
its raw materials. However, with regard to MediSpecs Rx(TM), the Company entered
into a manufacturing agreement with Morrison, the initial term of which expires
in September 2000 and, with regard to SutureMate(R), the Company has received a
price quotation from Tuthill for the manufacture of the redesigned
SutureMate(R).
Dependence on Major Customers
At the current time, Surgical is reliant upon a few major
customers for several of its products. For the fiscal year ending December 31,
1997, the Company derived approximately 99% of its revenue from sales of its
OASiS to SMH. For fiscal year ending December 31, 1998, the Company derived
approximately 93% of its revenue from technical services it provided to US
Surgical during a medical products convention.
With regard to the OASiS system, the Company is reliant upon its
agreement for the installation at SMH, its agreements with US Surgical for sales
revenues and further exploitation of the system, its arrangement with Rockford
for the financing of the leasing to facilities and its arrangement with
Ad-vantagenet for completion of the Version 2.0 software.
SutureMate(R) sales are currently principally reliant upon
in-house distribution and re-establishment of various distribution arrangements
for generating revenues for this product.
Due to the failure of the sales efforts by Hospital News of
Florida, the Company is reliant on in-house sales efforts for it MediSpecs
Rx(TM) product line and is considering dropping the line due to poor sales.
Subject to the availability of additional funding, of which there
can be no assurance, the Company believes that it can increase its customer base
so that the loss of any one client will not adversely impact upon the financial
condition of Surgical.
Research and Development
The Company believes that research and development is an
important factor in its future growth. The Company has engaged in extensive
product research and development. The Company's research and development group
(currently consisting of three (3) persons) has at least four (4) additional
products for the medical and healthcare community, all of which are in various
stages of development, from prototype to patent. The Company has in the past,
and subject to the availability of additional funding may devote a substantial
amount of time to the research and development of products within distinct
product lines. Substantially all of the products in research and development
have been designed, drawn, had preliminary market research conducted and have
been submitted for review to the Company's patent counsel.
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As a natural by-product of an active research and development
department, some product concepts have been generated which do not fit the
Company's chosen focus. Several surgical and obstetrical devices have been
designed and either will be licensed or sold outright to appropriate corporate
entities.
Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks
Patents are significant to the conduct of the Company's business.
The Company owns four (4) patents on two (2) products. Dr. Swor was the inventor
who originally secured the patents which he later assigned to the Company in
exchange for stock.
The Company's first medical device patent is United States Patent
No. 4,969,893, issued on November 13, 1990 for SutureMate(R), The patent was
filed on June 16, 1989 and covers a unique surgical suturing device for its
suture cutting and needle rest utility. Additional patents (U. S. Patent No.'s
Des. 353,672 and 5,385,569) were issued on December 20, 1994 and January 31,
1995 and both were filed on May 21, 1993. The additional patents are for
surgical accessories to SutureMate(R) for both design and utility. Patents
number 4969893 and 353,672 are for a term of seventeen (17) years from the
issuance date; while patent number 5,385,569 is for a term of fourteen (14)
years from the issuance date.
Prostasert(TM) is the Company's second medical device on which a
patent was issued. This patent, United States Patent No. 5,364,375, was issued
on November 15, 1994 and filed on September 24, 1993. The patent covers a unique
device designed to introduce and maintain a precise amount of pharmaceutical
material to the uterine cervix and upper vagina. This patent is for a term of
seventeen (17) years from the issuance date.
The Company filed a Section 501(k) notification of intent to
market SutureMate(R) with the FDA. On May 19, 1998, the Company was granted
permission by the FDA to market this device. Prostasert(TM) was listed with the
FDA under its original name, LaborMate on June 2, 1994. No FDA clearance was
required because the components were all FDA approved prior to assembly in the
Prostasert(TM) format.
On June 1, 1998, the Company filed for two (2) patents on the
OASiS system which includes propriety aspects of the software, algorithms and
reports, as well as the inservice training modules which are owned by the
Company. Neither of these patents have been issued to date.
The Company currently has the rights to several new product
concepts in various stages of development. These products are surgical and
obstetrical devices for which patent protection is in progress or will be
initiated in the near future.
The patents held by the Company have expiration dates ranging
from eight (8) to thirteen (13) years.
The Company has an extensive library of copyrighted educational
and training material related to occupational safety and surgical techniques.
These include the Surgical Safety Manual published in 1994, which was revised in
1996.
The Company filed on July 1, 1993 for trademark registration with
the United States Patent and Trademark Office for SutureMate(R). This trademark
was registered on April 5, 1994.
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The Company applied for trademark registration on the Compliance
Plus on December 6,1996. It was published for opposition on June 23, 1998. The
Company received an opposition and decided to withdraw its application.
The Company applied for trademark registration for the OASiS
Touch Access Information on April 29, 1998 and the examination of this
application is pending.
The Company applied for trademark registration for TouchPort and
VirtualTouch Reality on November 16, 1998. Examination of these applications are
pending.
The Company is not a party to any actions claiming patent
infringement of any of its products.
Governmental Regulation
FDA Approval
Regulation by governmental authorities in the United States and
foreign countries is a significant factor in the development, manufacture and
marketing of the Company's proposed products and services and in its ongoing
research and product development activities. It is anticipated that virtually
all of the products developed by the Company's Medical Products Division will
require regulatory approval by governmental agencies prior to commercialization.
It is expected that many of the Company's products, as presently
contemplated, will be regulated as medical devices. Prior to entering commercial
distribution, all medical devices must undergo FDA review under one or two basic
review procedures: a Section 510(K) premarket notification ("510(K)") or a
premarket approval application ("PMA").
A 510(K) notification is generally a relatively straightforward
filing submitted to demonstrate that the device in question is "substantially
equivalent" to another legally marketed device. The term "substantially
equivalent" for 501(K) purposes does not mean that a product is not unique.
Rather it means that a product can be categorized with existing products for
sterilization and safety purposes. Pursuant to 21 C.F.R. 807.100(b), the "FDA
will determine that a device is substantially equivalent to a predicate device
using the following criteria: (1) [t]he device has the same intended use as the
predicate device; and (2) [t]he device: (i) [h]as the same technological
characteristics as the predicate device; or (ii)(A) [h]as different
technological characteristics, such as a significant change in the materials,
design, energy source, or other features of the device from those of the
predicate device; (B) [t]he data submitted establishes that the device is
substantially equivalent to the predicate device and contains information,
including clinical data if deemed necessary by the Commissioner, that
demonstrates that the device is as safe and as effective as a legally marketed
device; and (C) [d]oes not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness
than the predicate device." Approval under this procedure is typically granted
within ninety (90) days if the product qualifies, however, this procedure may
take longer.
When the product does not qualify for approval under the 510(K)
procedure, the manufacturer must file a PMA which shows that the product is safe
and effective based on extensive clinical testing among several diverse testing
sites and population groups, and shows acceptable sensitivity and specificity.
This requires much more extensive prefiling testing than does the 510(K)
procedure and involves a significantly longer FDA review after the date of
filing.
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In the past, the Company's products have been cleared by the FDA
under the 501(K) expedited form of pre-market review or have not required FDA
approval. While the industry had for several years experienced lengthy delays in
the FDA approval process, more recently, the timeliness of the FDA's review has
improved. Timely product approval is important to the Company's maintaining
and/or obtaining a technological competitive advantage. Other than FDA product
approval waiting periods, the Company has not encountered any other unusual
regulatory impediments to the introduction of new products.
To the extent the Company develops products for use in more
advanced surgical procedures, the regulatory process may be more complex and
time consuming. Some of the Company's potential future products may require
lengthy human clinical trials and the PMA application relating to class III
medical devices. The Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able
to obtain regulatory approval for its products, to the extent efficacy, safety
and other standards can be demonstrated, but the lengthy approval process will
require additional capital (of which there is no assurance that the Company will
be able to secure), risk of entry by competitors and risk of changes in the
marketplace prior to market approvals being obtained.
Overseas, the degree of government regulation affecting the
Company varies considerably among countries, ranging from stringent testing and
approval procedures in certain locations to simple registration procedures in
others, while in some countries there is virtually no regulation of the sale of
the Company's products. In the past, when the Company had active foreign
distribution agreements, it had not encountered material delays or unusual
regulatory impediments in marketing its products internationally. Establishment
of uniform regulations for European Economic Area nations took place on January
1, 1995. The new regulations subject the Company to a single regulatory scheme
for all of the participating countries. Once the Company's domestic channels are
satisfied, Surgical will commence its program for meeting regulatory
requirements internationally. The Company expects that it will be able to market
its products in Europe with a single registration applicable to all
participating countries. The Company also is establishing procedures to respond
to various local regulatory requirements existing in all other international
markets in which it intends to market its products should adequate financing be
available.
By letter dated May 19, 1993, the Company received notifications
from the FDA that the 510(K) notification of intent to market device related to
SutureMate(R) had been received and reviewed, and the FDA had determined that
the device was substantially equivalent to the devices marketed in interstate
commerce prior to May 28, 1976. The receipt of this letter allowed the Company
to immediately begin marketing and selling SutureMate(R). The Prostasert device
was listed with the FDA on June 2, 1994 under its original name, LaborMate.
OSHA Mandatory Reporting of Illness and Injury
Federal rules administered by the OSHA require healthcare workers
to report if they have been accidentally stuck with a needle previously used by
a patient, or splashed by blood or bodily fluids.
On February 11, 1997, in the Federal Register, OSHA issued a
final rule, effective March 13, 1997, that amended the Occupational Injury and
Illness Reporting Regulation (29 CFR Part 1904) established in 1971. Under the
1971 regulation, employers were required to collect and maintain injury and
illness data and have it available for OSHA to examine when they came on site
for an inspection. It was determined that OSHA needed a separate provision for
collection of data by mail.
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The final rule requires, employers, upon request, to report to
OSHA their illness and injury data, in addition to the number of workers and the
number of hours worked in a designated period. It establishes a mechanism for
OSHA to conduct an annual survey of ten (10) or more employers by mail or other
remote transmittal. The specific request may come directly from OSHA or its
designee, e.g., the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
("NIOSH").
The rule was finalized since OSHA believed that this
comprehensive data on worker injury and illness would provide more reliable data
suited to OSHA's needs than any other available source. The data also is planned
to provide information to target OSHA activities, including workplace
inspections; to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs; and to
determine the need for additional standards.
Under the finalized rule, employers have thirty (30) days to
submit their data after the request is received. Regulations set forth the type
of information which needs to be collected. Much of the initial injury and
illness information reported was taken from records which employers already were
required to create, maintain, and post.
The finalized rule provides an additional incentive for
healthcare facilities to implement worker safety and health programs and to
provide the necessary safety equipment and supplies to reduce the risk of
occupational illness and injuries. Those healthcare facilities which have good
health and safety programs will likely benefit from this rule.
OSHA also initiated a number of partnerships with other federal
and national organizations in an effort to reduce the increasing number of
occupational illnesses and injuries among workers. This effort was prompted, in
part, by OSHA's inability to inspect and enforce worker safety in the
approximately five million (5,000,000) work sites in the United States and to
collect accurate worker injury and illness data to assist in targeting the
approximately 8,000 annual inspections in the face of continuing shrinking
budgets.
In August 1996, OSHA and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations ("JCAHO") announced a three-year partnership to reduce
the increasing number of healthcare worker-related illnesses and injuries. The
announced goal of this partnership is to foster improvement in the management of
safety and health issues in healthcare organizations. The result is that
healthcare organizations face an additional authority testing OSHA compliance.
This partnership does not transfer any authority for enforcement
of OSHA standards to JCAHO. Rather, JCAHO continues to survey a healthcare
organization's performance against JCAHO's standards. JCAHO surveyors monitor
how compliance with JCAHO meshes with OSHA's expectations related to heath and
safety of employees. When deficiencies are identified, the JCAHO surveyor
provides guidance and educational materials.
A specific recommendation based on a JCAHO standard can be made
only when an OSHA citation has already been issued and the healthcare
organization has failed to take corrective action to clear the citation. If an
immediate threat to a worker's safety is found during a survey, the facility is
cited by JCAHO under their application standards. A determination is made
regarding the organization receiving conditional accreditation status in
accordance with JCAHO policies and procedures.
Most hazards to workers in healthcare organizations that have
been identified by both OSHA and JCAHO resulted from injuries and illness
related to patient handling; exposures to bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis,
hazardous drugs and anesthetic gases; workplace violence; and fire and
electrical hazards.
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Example of JCAHO requirements that are linked to OSHA standards
for worker safety include many of the components of the Environment of Care
Standards (safety, hazardous material and waste, emergency preparedness, life
safety, medical equipment, utility systems) and the Infection Control Standards.
The 1997 JCAHO Accreditation Manual for hospitals includes a number of
OSHA-related examples of implementation of JCAHO standards to assist healthcare
organizations with compliance.
Healthcare organizations are able to demonstrate compliance with
JCAHO standards by advising the surveyors how they meet both OSHA and JCAHO
requirements and by showing them OSHA documents and reports such as the OSHA 200
log of occupational illness and injury, lockout/tag-out procedures, bloodborne
pathogen exposure control plans and records of Hepatitis B vaccination among
workers exposed to blood and body fluids.
In August 1996, OSHA also announced a seven-state initiative to
protect workers in nursing homes and personal care facilities, one of the
nation's largest growing industries. The seven states include Florida, Illinois,
Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Nationwide there are
1.6 million nursing home workers in more than 21,000 facilities. It is
anticipated that by the year 2005, the nursing home and personal care facilities
will be one of the largest industries in the United States. Potential nursing
home hazards include back injuries from incorrect and/or strenuous lifting of
residents, slips and falls, workplace violence and risks from bloodborne
pathogens, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.
State and Local Licensing Requirements
Other than the governmental regulatory schemes listed above, the
Company is not subject to any other state or local regulations which apply to
the operation and business of the Company.
Effect of Probable Governmental Regulation on the Business
The Company is not currently engaged in the development of any
product which would be categorized as therapeutic. Under the current regulatory
scheme, in the event any product of the Company were defined as therapeutic,
then such therapeutic product will be subject to regulation by the FDA and will
require FDA approval before it may be commercially marketed for human
therapeutic use in the United States. The Company believes that any therapeutic
products to be developed by it will be regulated either as biological products
or as new drugs. New drugs are subject to regulation under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the "FFDC Act"), and biological products, in addition to
being subject to certain provisions of the FFDC Act, are regulated under the
Public Health Service Act. Both statutes and the regulations promulgated
thereunder govern, among other things, the testing, manufacturing, safety,
efficacy, labeling, storage, recordkeeping, advertising and other promotional
practices involving biologics or new drugs as the case may be. FDA approval or
other clearances must be obtained before clinical testing, and before
manufacturing and marketing, of biologics or other products. At the FDA, the
Center for Biological Evaluation and Research ("CBER") is responsible for the
regulation of new biologics and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
("CDER") is responsible for the regulation of new drugs.
Obtaining FDA approval for therapeutic products has historically
been a costly and time consuming process. Generally, in order to gain approval
from the FDA, a developer first must conduct preclinical studies in the
laboratory and in animal model systems to gain preliminary information on a
product's efficacy and to identify any major safety problem. The results of
these studies are submitted as part of an Investigational New Drug ("IND")
application, which the FDA must review before human clinical trials of an
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investigational drug can start. The IND application includes a detailed
description of the clinical investigations to be undertaken.
In order to commercialize any therapeutic products, the Company
would be required to prepare and to file an IND application. It must act as the
sponsor of product testing and will be responsible for planning, initiating and
monitoring human clinical studies which must be adequate to demonstrate safety
and efficacy. The Company will be responsible for selecting well-trained
physicians as clinical investigators to supervise the administration and
evaluation of new products. The Company, however will bear the responsibility
for monitoring the studies to ensure that they are conducted in accordance with
the general investigational plan and protocols contained in the IND. Human
clinical trials are normally done in three phases. Phase I trials, which are
concerned primarily with the safety and preliminary effectiveness of the drug,
involve fewer than 100 subjects, and may take from six months to over a year.
Phase II trials normally involve a few hundred patients and are designed
primarily to demonstrate effectiveness in treating or diagnosing the disease or
condition for which the drug is intended, although short-term side effects and
risks in people whose health is impaired may also be examined. Phase III trials
are expanded clinical trials with larger numbers of patients which are intended
to gather the additional information on safety and effectiveness needed to
clarify the drug's benefit-risk relationship, discover less common side effects
and adverse reactions, and generate information for proper dosage and labeling
of the drug. Human clinical trials generally take four to six years, but may
take longer, to complete.
The FDA receives reports on the progress of each phase of human
clinical testing, and it may require the modification, suspension, or
termination of clinical trials if an unwarranted risk is presented to patients.
There can be no assurance as to the length of the clinical trial period or the
number of patients the FDA will require to be enrolled in the clinical trials in
order to establish the safety, efficacy, and potency of the products. In
addition, it is uncertain that the clinical data generated in these studies will
be acceptable to the FDA to support marketing approval.
After completion of clinical trials of a new therapeutic product,
FDA marketing approval must be obtained. If the product is regulated as a new
biologic, CBER will require the submission and approval of both a Product
License Application ("PLA") and an Establishment License Application ("ELA")
before allowing commercial marketing of the biologic. If the product is
classified as a new drug, the Company must file a New Drug Application ("NDA")
with CDER and receive approval before commercial marketing of the drug. The NDA
or PLA must include results of product development, preclinical studies and
clinical trials. The testing and approval processes require substantial time and
effort and there can be no assurance that any approval will be granted on a
timely basis, if at all. NDA's and PLA's submitted to the FDA can take, on
average, two years to receive approval. If questions arise during the FDA review
process, approval can take longer. Notwithstanding the submission of relevant
data, the FDA may ultimately decide that the NDA or PLA does not satisfy its
regulatory criteria for approval and require additional clinical studies. Even
if FDA regulatory clearances are obtained, a marketed product is subject to
continual review, and later discovery of previously unknown problems or failure
to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements may result in restrictions
on the marketing of a product or withdrawal of the product from the market as
well as possible civil or criminal sanctions.
Other than the government regulations previously discussed with
reference to FDA and OSHA, the Company does not believe that there are any other
effects from probable government regulation, including state or local laws, on
the business.
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Cost of Research and Development
For fiscal years 1997 and 1998, the Company expended $113,740 and
$34,536 of its revenues, respectively, on research and development. These
expenditures represented 44.5% and 81.5%, respectively, of the total revenues of
the Company for such fiscal years. The principal decrease in the cost of
research and development for fiscal 1998 from 1997 was the reduction in cost,
time and expenses incurred through the use of Ad-Vantagenet as opposed to
MediaWorks for the enhancement of the OASiS system and the completion of Version
2.0.
At the current time, none of the costs associates with research
and development are bourne directly by the customer; however there is no
guarantee that such costs will not be bourne by customers in the future and, at
the current time, the Company does not know the extent to which such costs will
be bourne by the customer, if at all.
Cost and Effects of Compliance with Environmental Laws
The Company's business also could be subject to regulation under
the state and Federal laws regarding environmental protection and hazardous
substances control, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the
Environmental Protection Act, and Toxic Substance Control Act. In 1992, the
United States Congress expressed increasing interest in the issues of sharp
injuries. The House Subcommittee on Regulation held hearings regarding
needlestick injuries and the implementation of mandated guidelines on safer
medical devices. However, the Company is unaware of any bills currently pending
in Congress on this issue. The Company believes that it is in material
compliance with the current and other applicable laws and that its continual
compliance therewith will not have a material adverse effect on its business.
Employees and Consultants
As of December 31, 1998, the Company employed seven (7) persons,
under its arrangement with Staff, on a full time basis, including personnel
added in 1998 to perform sales and marketing functions. None of these employees
are represented by a labor union for purposes of collective bargaining. The
Company considers its relations with its employees to be excellent.
In October 1996, the Company entered into a staff/client leasing
agreement whereby Staff leases all existing and new employees to the Company.
The initial term of the agreement was for one (1) year. The agreement is
automatically renewable on a monthly basis until renewed for a fixed term or
terminated. The agreement remains open on a monthly basis. All of the persons
described herein to be employees of the Company are covered by this agreement,
since Staff and the Company treat these employees as co-employees.
Staff is licensed by the Florida Department of Business
Regulation as an Employee Leasing Company. Under the Florida Employee Leasing
Licensing Act of 1991 (the "Florida Licensing Act"), not only must the employee
leasing company be licensed but their controlling persons must be as well. The
Florida Licensing Act mandates reporting requirements, allocates several
employer responsibilities and requires the payment of an annual licensing fee
based upon gross payroll amounts. The Florida Licensing Act also requires
employee leasing companies such as Staff to: (i) reserve the right of direction
and control over leased employees, (ii) enter into written agreements with their
clients, (iii) pay wages to leased employees, (iv) pay and collect payroll
taxes, (v) maintain authority to hire, terminate, discipline and reassign
employees, and (vi) reserve the right to direct and control the management of
safety, risk and hazard control at the worksite, including the right to perform
safety inspections, to promulgate and administer employment and safety policies,
and to manage Workers' Compensation claims, claims filings, and related
procedures. A recently enacted statutory provision allows employee leasing
companies to eliminate certain liability for acts of the employees who are under
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the actual control of their client by assigning such actual control to the
client.
Under the terms of the written agreement between Staff and the
Company, Staff pays the employees, collects and pays the payroll taxes,
maintains the authority to hire, terminate, discipline and reassign employees
and reserves the right to direct and control the employee, except for those acts
which have been specifically assigned pursuant to the amendment executed in
September 1999.
On March 30, 1998, the Company entered into a Consulting
Agreement with Stockstowatch whereby Stockstowatch agreed to provide investor
relations services as a media consultant to the Company in exchange for issuance
of 300,000 share of the Company's Common Stock. The agreement was for a term of
six (6) months which was renewable at the option of the Company for an
additional six (6) months. The services were provided on a non-exclusive basis
since Stockstowatch is in the business of providing such services to companies.
After an initial due diligence period, Stockstowatch was responsible for all
costs associated with providing the services required under the agreement. The
SEC brought an action against Stockstowatch alleging that they violated the
anti-fraud and anti-touting provisions of the federal securities laws with
reference to the shares which it received from the Company for services. No
allegations have been made that the Company acted improperly with regard to the
alleged charges. The Company has terminated its dealing with this firm.
On June 30, 1998, the Company executed a letter of intent with
Ad-vantagenet. Under the terms of the letter of intent, Ad-vantagenet assisted
in the creation of version 2.0 OASiS software, including creating the art and
graphics. Version 2.0 is designed to allow for more dynamic features on the
system including instant updates, information-gathering and editing features.
The Company chose Ad-vantagenet to complete Version 2.0 after unsatisfactory
results were achieved by Gambit, Inc., d/b/a MediaWorks. The functions
Ad-vantagenet is currently incorporating into Version 2.0 include features which
had been requested of MediaWorks but were not provided. The total projected cost
of the Ad-vantagenet project is one-fourth of the cost which MediaWorks
projected. The Company was in litigation with MediaWorks over the termination of
their agreement. (See Part II, Item 2. "Legal Proceedings.") Subject to the
successful completion of the letter of intent project with Ad-vantagenet, the
Company intends to enter into a more structured, long-term agreement for further
OASiS development with Ad- vantagenet or similar company.
In October 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with T.T.
Communications, Inc. to provide investor relations services for the Company.
T.T. Communications, Inc.'s function is to contact investment and media people
throughout the United States and to participate in the preparation of
communication packages including annual and quarterly reports, news and press
releases and publicity and corporate profiles. The initial agreement was for a
period of three (3) months for which T.T. Communications, Inc. received $2,000
per month and reimbursement of out of pocket expenses. In addition, T.T.
Communications, Inc. was granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.50. In the event T. T.
Communications, Inc. introduces the Company to a suitable financing source, they
will be compensated by a cash finder's fee equal to 1.5% on the initial
financing and .75% on any subsequent financing. The agreement is cancelable by
either party with 30 days written notice. The Company continues to use T.T.
Communications, Inc. on a month to month basis.
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In April, 1999, the Company executed a Consulting and Assistance
Agreement with Koritz Group LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company
("Koritz"). The company exercised its right to cancel the agreement on July 30,
1999. Under the terms of this agreement, Koritz was engaged to identify sources
of capital or potential business relationships and to assist the Company in (i)
raising equity or debt financing in the amount of $15,000,000 (ii) arranging for
trade financing for production, sale, lease, rental or other disposal of the
Company's products; and (iii) arranging for the sale, merger, or consolidation
of the Company or for joint ventures or strategic alliances with other
appropriate business. This agreement was non-exclusive. In the event Koritz was
successful, the Company was to pay compensation to Koritz equal to 2.5% for any
trade financing and 10% of the value of each business arrangement. In the event
Investment Financing was secured, the Company was to pay compensation equal to
10% for any investment financing to the person or entity placing such
investment; provided such person or entity was qualified to receive such
compensation in the state of residence of the investor. The Company was free to
reject any offered financing or arrangements; however, in the event that the
Company entered any arrangement within 180 days of its written rejection, on
terms less favorable to the Company, Koritz was to receive a flat fee of
$100,000. In addition to the cash compensation, in the event the Company secured
investment financing, then the qualified, placing person or entity was to
receive warrants to purchase the Company's Common Stock exercisable for 36
months after the closing at the same price as the investment financing source
received, the number of which warrants would be equal to the amount of the
financing divided by the exercise price. Such warrants were to have
anti-dilution and piggy-back registration rights. In the event the Company
"shopped" any offer of financing presented to it to other potential sources and
accepted such other financing, the Koritz was entitled to a success fee. Koritz
was to be reimbursed pre-approved disbursements and expenses. The agreement
provided for confidentiality and cross-indemnification . The agreement was
subject to cancellation by either party with five (5) days written notice. It
was under this provision that the Company terminated this agreement on July
30,1999. Any disputes under the agreement were required to be submitted to
arbitration, with costs payable by the losing party.
In April 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with KJS to
provide consulting services. The agreement is on a non-exclusive basis and has
no defined term. The agreement provides for such services to be performed in two
phases. Under phase one, KJS is to assist in the development of a comprehensive
business plan and assist the Company in positioning such plan with the capital
markets with a view towards finding potential business combinations, mergers and
compressed time tables for the Company's business strategy. The estimated cost
of this phase is $5,000. Under phase two, KJS is to identify appropriate
financial institutions and distribute the plan, analyze the initial feedback,
arrange meetings, evaluate all proposals, provide management with each proposal
and assist in the negotiations. Upon execution, the Company was required to
commit to pay a $5,000 retainer to cover the estimated phase one costs. KJS
agreed to accept 7,000 shares of the Company's common stock valued at the
current bid price of $.50 as part of such retainer and with the balance of
$1,500 to be paid in cash at such time as KJS introduces the Company to five
institutional funding sources. Phase two compensation will be paid in the form
of common stock equal to 1.5% of the funds raised from the capital markets in
the form of a spin-off of the OASiS division and 10% of any mezzanine financing
from any source introduced by KJS.
In April 1999, the Company issued 2,000 shares each to David Utz
and Robert Wingate, two consultants of the Company, in lieu of cash, for
services relating to their production of a CD-Rom disc to be used promote OASiS
in lieu of cash. Such 4000 shares were valued at $2,250 which was based upon the
closing price for the shares on the dates the services were dut to be paid. Such
offering was made in reliance to Section 4(2) of the Act and Rule 506.
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In May 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with Ten Peaks
to pay a finder's fee for successfully securing specifically defined financing
for the Company. Such financing included finding a strategic partner and/or
financial partner who secures equity in the Company or a stake in future
revenues. Ten Peaks was to provide advice on long-term business, financial and
strategic decisions. The term of the agreement was for three (3) months from the
execution date and it expired on August 13, 1999. Upon execution of the
agreement, the Company was required to commit to pay a retainer of $4,000 to
cover all anticipated out of pocket expenses during the term. Ten Peaks agreed
to accept 6,000 shares of the Company's common stock in lieu of such retainer
provided such stock had a fair market value as reported on Bloomberg, LLP on the
date of execution of not less than $.66. In the event the Company's shares were
trading for less, the difference between $4,000 and the value of the shares was
to be paid in cash. In the event the Company receives gross proceeds of up to
$2,000,000, Although obligated to issue such shares, the Company does not intend
to deliver them to Ten Peaks since the Company believes that Ten Peaks failed to
perform as agreed. Ten Peaks was to receive an amount equal to 5% of such
proceeds in the form of cash, equity or some combination thereof. Thereafter,
Ten Peaks was to receive a sliding scale equal to 4% of the next million, 3% of
the fourth million, 2% of the fifth million and 1% for each additional million.
In the event the Company entered into a transaction as a result of this
agreement, it was to enter into a consulting agreement with Ten Peaks for a term
of six months under which Ten Peaks was receive $5,000 in cash or equity.
Other than the commitments relative to the initial retainers, no
other payments have been made to either KJS or Ten Peaks. Since execution of the
KJS agreement the Company has been advised that fees and commissions related to
transactions in securities may only be paid to those legally qualified to
receive such payments in accordance with regulations under Federal and state
securities laws. The Company is in the process of modifying this agreement such
that only appropriate payments will be made in the event of placement of any
equity in the Company from sources identified by KJS. The Ten Peaks agreement
expired without any additional payments.
Item 2. Description of Property
The Company's executive offices are located at 2018 Oak Terrace,
Sarasota, Florida 34231. Its telephone number is (941) 927-7874 and its
facsimile number is (941) 925-0515.
The Company pays rent in the amount of $3500 per month which consists of
3,500 square feet of office space. The lease is for a term of two (2) years and
is automatically renewable for an additional year. The initial term of the lease
expires in May 2000. The property is owned by Savannah Leasing which is owned by
Dr. and Mrs. Swor. The Company first rights of refusal on surrounding properties
owned by Savannah Leasing and therefore believes that the leased space and the
property under the first rights of refusal will be sufficient for its corporate
offices for the next ten (10) years.
The Company owns no real property and its personal property consists of
furniture, fixtures and equipment, prototype molds and leasehold improvements
with an original cost of $155,930 on December 31, 1998.
The Company currently employs its capital reserves in a money market
sweep account. Activity is monitored on a daily basis and for a month commencing
on August 1, 1999, had returned on average 4.1% on assets employed.
Additionally, Surgical has acquired stock in two (2) privately owned companies,
25,000 shares in ParView Inc. as part of its acquisition of Endex Systems Inc.,
46
<PAGE>
and 3,750 shares in Linters Inc. which was received as partial compensation for
clinical products research completed by the Medical Consultants Division. It is
the Company's strategy to engage in transactions which minimize dilution of the
Company's equity.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
In August 5, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with
Gambit, Inc., d/b/a MediaWorks ("MediaWorks") as a producer of record of the
Surgical Safety Network, now known as OASiS. Pursuant to the agreement,
MediaWorks estimated the cost of its work on the project at no more than
$217,000, a portion of which was to be paid over a three (3) month period
against billable hours, with the balance less $60,000 payable after the third
payment at an amount equal to not less than fifty percent (50%) of Surgical's
revenue stream after operating expenses, sales, marketing and hardware equipment
costs for all installations after the SMH contract. Subject to on-time delivery
of the work to be performed, Surgical agreed to pay, as a performance bonus,
unrestricted Common Stock equal to twenty five percent (25%) of the total cost
of the SMH project, with the number of shares determined by the value of the
Company's Common Stock at the time of issuance. Further, it was understood that
all material and production rights, including source codes and related
documentation, upon completion of the presentation and payment of the
outstanding balance, would become the property of Surgical.
On July 13, 1998, the Company was served with a Summons and
Complaint for an action brought against it by MediaWorks. (Gambit, Inc. d/b/a
MediaWorks v. Surgical Safety Products, Inc., Circuit Court of the Twelfth
Judicial Circuit, Sarasota County, Florida, Case No. 98-4022-CA-01) The
Complaint sets forth three (3) causes of action: an action for specific
performance demanding that Surgical issue 289,720 shares unrestricted shares
based upon the twenty five percent (25%) of the cost of the SMH installation
divided by the share price on February 20, 1998 of the Company's Common Stock;
in the alternative seeking damages in the amount of $732,993 which was the
number of shares determined by the formula multiplied by the share price on July
1, 1998 of the Company's Common Stock; and seeking an accounting based upon a
dissolution of the partnership which MediaWorks alleges was formed with
Surgical.
On or about July 31, 1998, the Company filed Motions to Dismiss
and for a More Definite Statement of Count II of the Company. The purpose of the
Motion for a More Definite Statement was so that the plaintiff will clarify how
they contended they are entitled to the stock bonus so that Surgical could frame
its defense and show defects, delays and deficiencies in the performance by
MediaWorks. Surgical believed that MediaWorks failed to perform on the contract
since the OASiS version 1 software had problems and that MediaWorks failed to
meet performance and delivery requirements as agreed. Therefore, the Company
believed that it had just and meritorious defenses and counterclaims to this
action. Pursuant to a settlement agreement dated December 1, 1998, the Company
agreed to make two types of payments in exchange for dismissal of the action
with prejudice: (1) to pay MediaWorks $50,000 and (2) to issue 40,000 shares of
Rule 144 stock. See Part II, Item 4. "Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities."
MediaWorks was permitted to remove its software from SMH and agreed to return a
computer to the Company. The suit was dismissed with prejudice and each party
paid their own costs of the case.
The Company knows of no other legal proceedings to which it is a
party or to which any of its property is the subject which are pending,
threatened or contemplated or any unsatisfied judgments against the Company.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
47
<PAGE>
There were no matters submitted to the vote of the security holders
during the fourth quarter 1998.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
(a) Market Information.
The Common Stock of the Company is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board
under the symbol "SURG". The high and low bid information for each quarter for
the years ending December 31, 1996, December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998 and
for the first two quarters of 1999 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarter High Bid Low Bid Average Bid
<S> <C> <C> <C>
First Quarter 1996 1/4 3/16 .218
Second Quarter 1996 3/4 1/8 .445
Third Quarter 1996 1/4 1/8 .177
Fourth Quarter 1996 1/4 1/8 .176
First Quarter 1997 1/4 3/32 .135
Second Quarter 1997 1/4 3/32 .106
Third Quarter 1997 3/8 1/8 .183
Fourth Quarter 1997 9/64 1/8 .132
First Quarter 1998 29/32 9/64 .215
Second Quarter 1998 3-1/8 11/16 2.299
Third Quarter 1998 2-9/64 1-9/64 1.646
Fourth Quarter 1998 31/32 17/32 .750
</TABLE>
The quotations may reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail
mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not reflect actual transactions.
(b) Holders.
As of December 31, 1998, the Company has 1,080 shareholders of
record of its 10,786,973 outstanding shares of Common Stock, 6,244,290 of which
are restricted Rule 144 shares and 4,542,683 of which are free-trading. As of
the date hereof, the Company has outstanding options to purchase 5,557,764
shares of Common Stock (without regard to the additional options to Dr. Saye
which accrue at the rate of 8,333 per month). Of the Rule 144 shares, 5,177,386
shares have been held by affiliates of the Company for more than one (1) year.
(c) Dividends.
The Company has never paid or declared any dividends on its
Common Stock and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.
There are no limitations on the ability of the Company to declare
dividends; except those set forth in New York Statute 510 which prohibits
dividends if the Company is insolvent or would be made insolvent by the
48
<PAGE>
declaration of a dividend and all dividends must be made out of surplus only.
Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
Discussion and Analysis
The Company was founded in 1992 to combat the potential spread of
bloodborne pathogenic infections such as HIV and hepatitis. It has broadened its
mission to research, develop, manufacturing, marketing and selling medical
products and services to the healthcare community.
The Company was in the development stage until 1993 when it began
commercial shipments of SutureMate(R), its first product. From inception in
June, 1992 through December 31, 1998, the Company generated revenues of
approximately $1,100,000 from a limited number of customers. Since inception
through December 31, 1998, the Company has generated cumulative losses of
approximately $1,690,000. Although the Company has experienced a significant
percentage growth in revenues from fiscal 1992 to fiscal 1998, the Company does
not believe prior growth rates are indicative of future operating results,
especially in light of the contract with US Surgical to assist in the
introduction of OASiS. Due to the Company's operating history and limited
resources, among other factors, there can be no assurance that profitability or
significant revenues on a quarterly or annual basis will occur in the future.
Moreover, the Company expects to continue to incur operating losses through at
least the first half of 2000, and there can be no assurance that losses will not
continue after such date. The Company had commitments for installations in a
total of 12 hospitals on or before June 30, 1999, ten of which related to the
agreement with US Surgical and two are a result of the Company's sales
department. As of the date hereof the Company has completed installations of
fourteen (14) units in seven (7) hospitals, five (5) of which are under the
Short Term Agreement. Installation of the remaining units under the US Surgical
Short Term Agreement have been merged into the Long Term Agreement.
With the implementation of its agreement with US Surgical and in
the event of the reactivation of its various distribution agreements and/or with
the establishment of one or more strategic alliances in addition to US Surgical,
the Company expects to experience a period of growth, which requires it to
significantly increase the scale of its operations. This increase will include
the hiring of additional personnel in the areas of (i) customer service to
provide technical support for the hospitals where installations are located and
(ii) technical staff to make changes requested by those hospitals. This will
result in significantly higher operating expenses. The increase in operating
expenses is expected to be partially funded by an increase in revenues. However,
the Company's net loss may continue to increase. Expansion of the Company's
operations may cause a significant strain on the Company's management, financial
and other resources. The Company's ability to manage recent and any possible
future growth, should it occur, will depend upon a significant expansion of its
sales and marketing, research and development, accounting and other internal
management systems and the implementation and subsequent improvement of a
variety of systems, procedures and controls. There can be no assurance that
significant problems in these areas will not occur. Any failure to expand these
areas and implement and improve such systems, procedures and controls in an
efficient manner at a pace consistent with the Company's business could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. As a result of such expected expansion and the
anticipated increase in its operating expenses, as well as the difficulty in
forecasting revenue levels, the Company expects to continue to experience
significant fluctuations in its revenues, costs and gross margins, and therefore
its results of operations.
49
<PAGE>
The Company's plan of operations for the next twelve months is to
focus on building revenue from the installation of the OASiS system in the
hospitals designated by US Surgical under the Short Term Agreement and to
install additional OASiS systems in hospitals not under the US Surgical
agreement but with whom the Company has begun negotiations and in some cases
reached a commitment. Additionally, the Company intends to install the inservice
modules from US Surgical and other medical product manufacturers at both the US
Surgical and the other hospitals. The Company also is aggressively seeking
strategic alliances with targeted industry partners such as manufacturers of
devices, manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, professional organizations such as
nursing associations and hospital group purchasing organizations and integrated
health networks.
The Company estimates that if it is successful in consummating
new strategic alliances, the agreements will provide for infusion of sufficient
capital to fund ongoing operations for the balance of the year. The Company
estimates revenues from an expanded base of content providers and individual
installations may grow to the level where they can support ongoing operations.
The Company estimates that revenues will be sufficient to fund
ongoing operations at the current level when the number of OASiS installations
reaches approximately 100 to 125 and the total number of inservice modules
reaches approximately 150. The Company has purchased 20 OASiS units from Kiosk
Information Systems, Inc., which were installed under the US Surgical agreements
and at St. Francis Hospital. Based upon potential additional commitments, the
Company believes that if it were to order 20 more units, that all such units
would be placed by the end of 1999. The Company already has 32 inservice modules
under the US Surgical agreement and is in discussion with various manufacturers
interested in using OASiS to inservice more than 50 of their products. The
Company believes that each of the initial installations should have a position
as to long term acceptance within three (3) to six (6) months and that this
initial time is the test period to determine the potential for market acceptance
at that hospital. In the case of US Surgical hospitals under the Short Term
Agreement, this period will be for nine (9) months by contract. At the end of
such test period, the Company believes it will be in a position to execute three
(3) year leases and finance such leases through a leveraged leasing arrangement
with Rockford or a similar funding source.
In the short term, to fund operations through the fourth quarter,
1999, the Company will be required to seek additional funds from strategic
alliances with potential clients its shareholders, from a limited number of
accredited investors in a private placement of its restricted securities, from
additional third party financing or seek third party debt or equity financing
other than those planned by the current anticipated private placement. In the
event no such funding is available or only partial funding is available, the
Company will be required to scale back operations and to reduce its breakeven
point by such measures as salary reductions, staffing cuts, or the licensing or
sale of some of the Company's assets or product lines to third parties. Provided
such funding or scale back is successful, the Company believes that it can meet
its capital needs through the testing period and until such time as the Company
has sufficient additional long-term capital to expand. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in these efforts.
Once the testing period is over, the Company will require between
$2 and $5 million in additional capital in the form of debt or equity to fund
the continued expansion of the OASiS system and its development to meet
increased demand and to implement its plans for increased marketing of its
medical device products. The Company has met with several venture capital firms,
investment bankers, factoring companies and traditional lending sources, each of
whom have expressed early interest and many of whom are awaiting the conclusion
of the testing period. The Company has accepted no definite offer. There can
50
<PAGE>
be no assurance that such long-term financing will be available to the Company
or that it will be on terms that the Company may seek.
Results of Operations - Full Fiscal Years
Revenues
To date, a limited number of customers and distributors have
accounted for substantially all of the Company's revenues with respect to
product sales. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997, the Company derived
approximately 99% of its revenue from sales of its OASiS to SMH. For fiscal year
ending December 31, 1998, the Company derived approximately 93% of its revenue
for product sales from technical services it provided to US Surgical during a
medical products convention.
The Company anticipates that the main focus of its selling
efforts will be to focus on the US Surgical arrangement and to continue to sell
its products to a relatively small group of medical products distributors with
the objective of having its products distributed on a large national and
international scale. Although the Company had entered into an exclusive
distributorship agreement with Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Ltd. to sell its
SutureMate(R) product (in the territories of Australia, New Zealand, Papua, New
Guinea and Fiji), Noesis for sales in Europe, and with two other distributors to
sell such product in Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, none of these
arrangements are currently active. And, although the Company is currently
engaged in a joint marketing agreement with US Surgical, there is no assurance
that the Company will be able to obtain adequate distribution of its products to
the intended end user. Most medical product distributors carry an extensive line
of products (some of which they manufacture themselves) which they make
available to end users (hospitals, surgeons, healthcare workers) and various of
these products may compete with each other as to function, price or other
factors. In addition, numerous medical product distributors are not themselves
well capitalized and their financial condition may impact their ability to
properly distribute the Company's products.
The Company's ability to achieve revenues in the future will
depend in significant part upon its ability to obtain orders from, maintain
relationships with and provide support to, existing and new customers, as well
as the condition of its customers. As a result, any cancellation, reduction or
delay in orders by or shipments to any customer or the inability of any customer
to finance its purchases of the Company's products may materially adversely
affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that the Company's revenues will increase in the
future. In addition, the Company expects that the average selling price of a
particular product line will also decline as such products mature, and as
competition increases in the future. Accordingly, the Company's ability to
maintain or increase revenues will depend in part upon its ability to increase
unit sales volumes of its products and to introduce and sell products at prices
sufficient to compensate for reduced revenues resulting from declines in the
average selling price of the Company's more mature products.
Net Sales
For the year ended December 31, 1997, net sales and cost of sales
of $248,760 and $22,002 respectively, related primarily to the sale of four (4)
units of the OASiS system to one customer. Net sales for the year ended December
31, 1998 of $16,545 are comprised of sales of the Company's proprietary
SutureMate(R) products, MediSpecs Rx(TM) eyewear and technical services provided
to US Surgical. Product sales and related cost of sales amounted to $1,203 and
$5,560, respectively for the year ended December 31, 1998. Cost of sales
includes a write-down of approximately $4,500 for defective units of the
51
<PAGE>
re-designed SutureMate(R). There were no sales of the OASiS system during 1998
due to the Company's focus on enhancements to the product design and development
of a new version of the product.
The Company has an ongoing program to reduce the costs of
manufacturing its products. As part of this program, the Company has been
attempting to achieve cost reductions principally through engineering and
manufacturing improvements, product economies and utilization of third party
subcontractors for the manufacture of the Company's products. Notwithstanding a
delivery of defective units, to date, it has been successful in substantially
reducing such costs by redesigning SutureMate(R). The success of these cost
reduction programs will not be known until production volumes are scaled up.
There can be no assurance that the Company's ongoing or future programs can be
accomplished or that they will increase gross profits.
To the extent the Company is unable to reduce its production
costs or introduce new products with higher margins, the Company's results of
operations could be materially adversely affected. The Company's results may
also be affected by a variety of other factors, including mix of products and
services sold; production, reliability or quality problems; price competition;
and warranty expenses and discounts.
Operating Expenses
Sales and Marketing: These expenses consist of advertising,
meetings and conventions and entertainment related to product exhibitions and
the related travel expenses. Since inception, the Company has spent
approximately $359,000 on sales and marketing expenses. For the years ended
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998, sales and marketing expenses were
$62,028 and $265,261, respectively. In 1998, the Company increased its
advertising particularly with reference to OASiS and hired additional sales and
marketing personnel during 1998. The Company has invested significant resources
to expand its sales and marketing effort, including the hiring of additional
personnel and establishing the infrastructure necessary to support future
operations. The Company expects that such expenses in 1999 will increase in
absolute dollars as compared to 1998.
General and Administrative. These expenses consist primarily of
the general and administrative expenses for salaries, contract labor and other
expenses for management and finance and accounting, legal and other professional
services including ongoing expenses as a publicly owned Company related to
legal, accounting and other administrative services and expenses. Since
inception, the Company has spent approximately $1,562,000 on general and
administrative expenses. For the years ended December 31, 1997 and December 31,
1998, general and administrative expenses were $182,787 and $517,189,
respectively. The increase of $334,402 is due primarily to higher executive
compensation, legal and accounting fees associated with the Company's SEC
filings, higher depreciation and amortization and additional rent for the
Company's headquarters. The Company expects general and administrative expenses
to increase in absolute dollars in 1999 as compared to 1998, as the Company
continues to expand its operations.
Research and Development
These expenses consist primarily of costs associated with
personnel and equipment costs and field/clinical trials. The Company's research
and development activities include the development of the OASiS system and more
than six (6) operating room, OB/GYN, advanced surgical and protective related
products including SutureMate(R) and MediSpecs Rx(TM).
52
<PAGE>
Since inception, the Company has spent approximately $156,000 on
research and development. For the years ended December 31, 1997 and December 31,
1998, research and development expenses were approximately $113,740 and $34,536,
respectively. During 1997, research and development expenses were significant as
the Company concentrated on the OASiS System. The Company made enhancements to
the software for the OASiS system in 1998, and the majority of these related
costs were capitalized and will be amortized over a period not to exceed five
(5) years. The Company intends to continue to invest significant resources to
continue the development of new products and expects that research and
development expenses in 1999 will increase in absolute dollars as compared to
1998.
Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net
Interest and other income (expense), net consists primarily of
interest expenses accrued on the direct loan to the Company under a line of
credit agreement for $100,000, interest related to loans from the majority
stockholder, miscellaneous income and underwriting costs. In May 1997, the
Company established a line of credit in the amount of $100,000 with a financial
institution at 1.5% above the prime rate, interest only payments are due monthly
with an expiration date of May 2, 2017. The line is due on demand and is secured
by inventory, accounts receivable and equipment. There was no outstanding
balance as of December 31, 1998. The outstanding balance as of December 31, 1997
was $100,000. The interest rate at December 31, 1997 was 10.0%.
The line of credit is personally guaranteed by Dr. Swor.
The Company did not report any foreign currency gains or losses
for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998 since there were no contracts
negotiated in foreign currencies for those periods. In the event its contract
with Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty. Ltd., Noesis and the Company's distribution
arrangements in the Netherlands and in Saudi Arabia are reactivated, the Company
may in the future be exposed to the risk of foreign currency gains or losses
depending upon the magnitude of a change in the value of a local currency in an
international market. The Company does not currently engage in foreign currency
hedging transactions, although it may implement such transactions in the future.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 1998, the Company had assets totaling $373,514
and liabilities totaling $55,331. Since its inception in June of 1992, the
Company has financed its operations and met its capital requirements through
sales of its products, fees from OASiS, proceeds from the sale of or exchange
for common stock aggregating approximately $1,405,000, through borrowing from
current shareholders and through the $100,000 line of credit with the financial
institution which is guaranteed by Dr. Swor.
Operating activities used net cash of $216,991 and $441,458 in
1997 and 1998, respectively.
At December 31, 1998, the Company had a working capital of
approximately $73,000, including $41,000 of cash, $58,700 of deposits and
$26,898 of inventory. This represents an increase of approximately $315,000 over
a working capital deficiency of $242,411 at December 31, 1997.
At December 31, 1998, the Company's outstanding indebtedness
consisted of accounts payable in the amount of $35,262 and accrued expenses of
$20,069.
53
<PAGE>
The Company's principal commitments for capital expenditures are
(1) those associated with the arrangement with US Surgical under which the
Company will provide an additional number of units; (2) the Company's obligation
to pay SMH $25,000 for each of ten (10) studies or $250,000 over the term of the
clinical testing agreement if the Company determines not to have SMH perform
clinical testing; and (3) the Company's obligations to pay the balance due on
the order of twenty (20) OASiS units from Kiosk Information Systems, Inc. Since
December 31, 1998, the Company paid all but $3,000 of the amount due to Kiosk
Information Systems, Inc. The sources of funds to meet these commitments has
been partially made through cash on hand from the prior year, use of the line of
credit, a loan from Dr. Swor, revenues generated by the Long Term Agreement with
US Surgical, private placement funds and other revenues which the Company
believes it will generate over the five (5) year term.
The Company's future capital requirements will depend upon many
factors, including the continued development of OASiS, its current products and
new products and services, the extent and timing of acceptance of the Company's
products and services in the market, requirements to maintain adequate
manufacturing arrangements, the progress of the Company's research and
development efforts, expansion of the Company's marketing and sales efforts, the
Company's results of operations and the status of competitive products and
services. In the short term, it is likely that the Company will require
additional financing. In addition, the Company may require additional financing
after such date to fund its operations. There can be no assurance that any
additional financing will be available to the Company on acceptable terms, or at
all, when required by the Company. If additional funds are raised by issuing
equity securities, further dilution to the existing stockholders will result. If
additional funds are raised by issuing debt securities future interest expense
will be incurred. If adequate funds are not available, the Company may be
required to delay, scale back the development of OASiS or scale back or
eliminate one or more of its research and development or manufacturing programs
or obtain funds through arrangements with partners or others that may require
the Company to relinquish rights to certain of its products or potential
products or other assets that the Company would not otherwise relinquish.
Accordingly, the inability to obtain such financing could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Impact of the Year 2000 Issue
The Year 2000 Issue is the result of potential problems with
computer systems or any equipment with computer chips that use dates where the
date has been stored as just two digits (e.g. 98 for 1998). On January 1, 2000,
any clock or date recording mechanism including date sensitive software which
uses only two digits to represent the year, may recognize the date using 00 as
the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could result in a system failure
or miscalculations causing disruption of operations, including among other
things, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage
in similar activities.
Management has reviewed its current internal systems and is in
the process of upgrading its accounting system to be Year 2000 compliant. The
Company purchased new hardware in 1998 that is Year 2000 compliant. Its internal
systems are Year 200 compliant and the Company expects the testing of such
systems to be completed in the fourth quarter of 1999. Management does not
anticipate any significant additional costs that would relate to upgrading its
systems to support the Year 2000.
Further, management does not believe the Year 2000 will impact
the operation of the OASiS system since the software for this system does not
rely on legacy applications or subsystems. OASiS is designed to handle dates in
the form of a two digit month and day and a four digit year, thus avoiding the
Year 2000 problem
54
<PAGE>
The Company believes that it has disclosed all required
information relative to Year 2000 issues relating to its business and
operations. However, there can be no assurance that the systems of other
companies on which the Company's systems rely also will be converted in a timely
manner or that any such failure to convert by another company would not have an
adverse affect on the Company's business, operations or financial condition.
Item 7. Financial Statements
SURGICAL SAFETY PRODUCTS, INC.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT,
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
55
<PAGE>
CONTENTS
Page
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT F-1
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Balance Sheets F-2
Statements of Operations F-3
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) F-4
Statements of Cash Flows F-5
Notes to Financial Statements F-6
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Independent Auditors' Report on Supplementary Information F-15
Schedules of Operating Expenses F-16
56
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Surgical Safety Products, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Surgical Safety Products,
Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related statements of operations,
changes in stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for the years then
ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Surgical Safety Products, Inc.
as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 10 to the
financial statements, the Company's significant operating losses raise
substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's
plans regarding those matters are also described in Note 10. These financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of
this uncertainty.
/s/ Kerkering, Barberio & Co.
- -------------------------------
KERKERING, BARBERIO & CO., PA
Sarasota, Florida
March 12, 1999
F-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SURGICAL SAFETY PRODUCTS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
Assets 1998 1997
------ ------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Current Assets
Cash $ 41,191 $
Trade receivables 250,125
Other receivables 1,941
Deposits 58,700
Inventory 26,898 11,742
------ ------
Total current assets 128,730 261,867
------- -------
Furniture and equipment, net 92,429 71,368
------ ------
Other Assets
Deferred loan costs, net 317 412
Intangible assets, net 48,915 45,102
Software development costs, net 92,873 52,486
Investments 9,750 13,500
Deposits 500 500
--- ---
Total other assets 152,355 112,000
------- -------
Total Assets $ 373,514 $ 445,235
= ======= = =======
</TABLE>
-1-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) 1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Current Liabilities
Bank overdraft $ $ 13,984
Line of credit 100,000
Notes payable - related parties 233,720
Accounts payable 35,262 117,776
Accrued expenses 20,069 21,131
Accrued interest 17,667
------
Total current liabilities 55,331 504,278
------ -------
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Common stock, $.001 par value,
20,0000,000 shares authorized;
10,786,973 and 9,774,473 shares
issued and outstanding in 1998
and 1997, respectively 10,787 9,775
Additional paid-in capital 1,998,242 824,366
Accumulated deficit (1,690,846) (893,184)
---------- --------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) 318,183 (59,043)
------- -------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) $ 373,514 $ 445,235
======= =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these financial statements.
F-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SURGICAL SAFETY PRODUCTS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenue
Net sales $ 16,545 $ 248,760
Other income 16,564 6,626
Interest income 9,284
-----
Total revenue 42,393 255,386
------ -------
Costs and expenses
Cost of medical products sold 5,560 22,002
Operating expenses 782,450 244,815
Research and development expenses 34,536 113,740
Interest expense 13,759 15,651
Other 3,750
Underwriting costs 7,600
-----
Total costs 840,055 403,808
------- -------
Net loss before income taxes (797,662) (148,422)
-------- ---------
Provision for income taxes - -
------ ------
Net loss $ (797,662) $ (148,422)
========= ========
Net loss per share $ (0.076) $ (0.016)
======= =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SURGICAL SAFETY PRODUCTS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 1998 AND 1997
Common Stock
Shares Amount
<S> <C> <C>
Balances - December 31, 1996 9,524,473 $ 9,525
Issuance of common stock for acquisition of assets 250,000 250
Net loss
Balances - December 31, 1997 9,774,473 9,775
Issuance of common stock for cash 520,000 520
Issuance of common stock for services 492,500 492
Stock options granted to employees
Net loss
Balances - December 31, 1998 10,786,973 $ 10,787
========== = ======
</TABLE>
F-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total
Additional Stockholders'
Paid-in Accumulated Equity
Capital Deficit (Deficit)
<S> <C> <C>
$ 810,959 $ (744,762) $ 75,722
13,407 13,657
(148,422) (148,422)
824,366 (893,184) (59,043)
938,476 938,996
144,287 144,779
91,113 91,113
(797,662) (797,662)
$ 1,998,242 $ (1,690,846) $ 318,183
= ========= = =========== = =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SURGICAL SAFETY PRODUCTS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss $ (797,662) $ (148,422)
-------- --------
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash
used in operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 57,461 20,557
Common stock issued for services 144,779
Stock option compensation expense 91,113
Write-down of investments 3,750
Gain on disposal of assets (396)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets
Receivables 250,125 (220,553)
Other receivables (1,941)
Inventory (15,156) (6,658)
Deposits (58,700)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities
Bank overdraft (13,984) 13,984
Accounts payable (82,514) 103,747
Accrued expenses (1,062) 15,131
Accrued interest (17,667) 10,619
Stock subscription proceeds (5,000)
------
Total Adjustments 356,204 (68,569)
------- -------
Net cash used in operating activities (441,458) (216,991)
-------- --------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from disposal of assets 1,100
Furniture and equipment purchased (57,294) (65,958)
Software development additions (56,256) (55,248)
Patent and trademark costs (9,077) (2,386)
------ ------
Net cash used in investing activities (122,627) (122,492)
-------- --------
Cash Flow From Financing Activities
Proceeds from related party loans 23,000 233,720
Advances/(repayments) on line of credit, net (100,000) 100,000
Repayment of stockholder loans (256,720)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 938,996
-------
Net cash provided by financing activities 605,276 333,720
------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash 41,191 (5,763)
Cash at beginning of year - 5,763
------ -----
Cash at end of year $ 41,191 $ -
= ====== = ======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
1998 1997
-------- --------
Supplemental Cash flow Information:
Cash paid for interest $ 31,426 $ 5,032
= ====== = =====
</TABLE>
For purposes of the statement of cash flows, management considers all deposits
and financial instruments with original maturities of less than three months to
be cash and cash equivalents.
Material non-cash transactions not reflected in the statement of cash flows
include:
Year Ended December 31, 1998
There were no material non-cash transactions not reflected in the statements
of cash flows during the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998.
Year Ended December 31, 1997
Purchase of assets of Endex Systems, Inc. through issuance of stock valued at
$13,657.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE>
SURGICAL SAFETY PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business Activities
Surgical Safety Products, Inc. (Company) is engaged in product development,
sales and services for the medical industry. The Company is primarily focused on
medical research and product development. It has developed a product, OASiS,
designed to reduce the occupational risks of bloodborne diseases in the
operating room and other related areas. In 1997, the Company enhanced its OASiS
system for multiple applications within health care, including exposure
management, health care training, and health care risk management. Its medical
products are sold to health care providers within the United States.
Financial Statements
The financial statements and notes are representations of the Company's
management who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. The
accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles and have
been consistently applied in the preparation of the financial statements.
Preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles requires the use of management's estimates. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist of amounts due from customers. There were no
outstanding accounts receivable from customers at December 31, 1998. The balance
of $250,125 at December 31, 1997 was due primarily from one customer in the
amount of $250,000.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market (net
realizable value) and consists of finished goods.
Investments
Investments are valued at cost and represent shares of common stock in
privately-held companies. Management believes the value of the investments are
not below cost. Fair market value is not determinable.
Property and Equipment
Purchases of property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for
maintenance and repairs which extend the useful life are charged to operations
as incurred. Depreciation is provided on an accelerated method over the assets'
useful lives which range from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are
being amortized over the life of the lease term which is two years.
F-7
<PAGE>
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets subject to amortization include goodwill, organization costs,
trade names and patent costs. Organization costs are being amortized on the
straight-line method over five years. Patent costs are being amortized on the
straight-line method over seventeen years from the granting of the patent. The
other assets are being amortized on the straight-line method over fifteen years.
Software Development Costs
Certain software development costs are capitalized when incurred. Capitalization
of software development costs begins upon the establishment of technological
feasibility. The establishment of technological feasibility and the ongoing
assessment of recoverability of capitalized software development costs require
considerable judgement by management with respect to certain external factors,
including, but not limited to, anticipated future revenues, estimated economic
life, and changes in software and hardware technologies.
Amortization of capitalized software development costs is calculated using the
straight-line method over a period of five years. All other research and
development costs are charged to expense in the period incurred.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes."
Long-Lived Assets
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of LongLived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of,"
requires that long-lived assets, including certain identifiable intangibles, and
the goodwill related to those assets, be reviewed for impairment whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value amount of the asset
in question may not be recoverable. Management has reviewed the Company's
long-lived assets and has determined that there are no events requiring
impairment loss recognition.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue at the point of passage of title of inventory,
which is generally at the time of shipment to the customer. Revenue related to
services is recognized at the point the service has been rendered.
F-8
<PAGE>
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Net Loss Per Share
Net loss per share has been computed in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (FASB) No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," by dividing net loss
by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Common
stock equivalents have not been included in the computation of weighted average
number of shares outstanding since the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
Stock Based Compensation
The Company grants stock options for a fixed number of shares to employees and
consultants. The Company accounts for stock option grants in accordance with APB
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25) and related
Interpretations because the company believes the alternative fair value
accounting provided under FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation," requires the use of option valuation models that were not
developed for use in valuing employee stock options. Under APB 25, the Company
only recognized compensation expense to the extent that the fair value of the
shares exceeds the exercise price of the stock option at the date of grant.
The Company recorded compensation expense related to the issuance of stock
options in the amount of $91,113 for the year ended December 31, 1998. There
were no stock options issued during the year ended December 31, 1997.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." The Company expects to adopt the new
Statement effective January 1, 2000. The Statement will require the Company to
recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. This Statement is
not applicable to the Company as of December 31, 1998.
Note 2 - Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Property and equipment $ 90,703 $ 38,982
Prototype molds 59,652 82,778
Leasehold improvements 5,575
-----
155,930 121,760
Less accumulated depreciation 63,501 50,392
------ ------
Furniture and equipment, net $ 92,429 $ 71,368
= ====== = ======
</TABLE>
Total depreciation and amortization expense amounted to $36,234 and $14,014 for
1998 and 1997, respectively.
Note 3 - Line-of-Credit
Effective May 1997, the Company had established a line-of-credit in the amount
of $100,000 with a financial institution at 1.5% above the prime rate, interest
only payments are due monthly with an expiration date of May 2, 2017. The line
is due on demand and is secured by inventory, accounts receivable, and
equipment. The outstanding balance at December 31, 1998 and 1997 was $0 and
F-9
<PAGE>
$100,000, respectively. The interest rate at December 31, 1997 was 10.00%. The
line-of-credit is personally guaranteed by the major stockholder.
Note 4 - Related Party Transactions
At December 31, 1997, the Company was indebted to the major stockholder in the
amount of $197,720. In addition, the Company was indebted to an affiliated
company owned by the major stockholder. The amount owed at December 31, 1997 was
$36,000. Interest on the notes was 10.00%. At December 31, 1997, interest
payable on these loans totaled $17,667. During fiscal 1998, an additional
$23,000 was loaned to the Company by the major stockholder. The balance of the
notes payable was repaid during fiscal 1998, and at December 31, 1998 there are
no amounts due to related parties. Interest expense relating to these notes
amounted to $9,882 and $15,314 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
The Company leases office space from an entity owned by a major stockholder. See
Note 13.
Note 5 - Software Development Costs
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the Company focused its efforts
in developing the software for its major product, OASiS. The company engaged the
services of a software development company, and incurred significant costs
related to the design and development of the software. The Company achieved
technological feasibility in its development of the software in fiscal 1997.
For the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company incurred and capitalized
expenditures relating to the enhancement of the software in the amount of
$56,256. For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company incurred expenditures
related to software development of $162,409, of which $54,653 was capitalized,
and the remainder of $107,756 was expensed. Amortization expense of software
development costs amounted to $21,227 and $6,543 for the years ended December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
F-10
<PAGE>
Note 6 - Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consisted of the following at December 31:
<TABLE>
1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Goodwill $ 32,762 $ 32,762
Organization costs 11,502 11,502
Trademarks 11,658 6,917
Patents 16,328 11,995
------ ------
72,250 63,176
Less: Accumulated amortization 23,335 18,074
------ ------
Intangible assets, net $ 48,915 $ 45,102
= ====== = ======
</TABLE>
Note 7 - Stock Option Plans
Options granted under the 1994 and 1998 stock option plans are exercisable only
after the respective vesting period which is two years from the date of grant
under the 1994 plan, and determined by the Company's stock option committee
under the 1998 plan. Options expire seven years from the date of grant.
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by
Statement 123, and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for its
stock options under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair value for
these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option
pricing model with the following assumptions for 1998: risk-free interest rate
of 5.0%; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factor of the expected market price of
the Company's common stock of .20; and a weighted-average expected life of the
option of three years. There were no options granted during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because
the Company's stock options have characteristics significantly different from
those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions
can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the
existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair
value of its stock options.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options
is charged to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's pro forma
information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 is as follows:
Proforma net loss $ (827,315)
- ---------
Pro forma earnings per common share:
Basic $ (0.079)
- -------
Note 7 - Stock Option Plans (Continued)
A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information for the
years ended December 31 follows:
F-11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
-------------------- --------------------
Weighted Weighted
Average Average
Exercise Exercise
Options Price Options Price
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at the beginning
of the year 4,512,431 $ 0.38 4,512,431 $ 0.38
Granted 1,129,000 1.49
Exercised 400,000 1.75
------- ----
Outstanding at the end
of the year 5,241,431 $ 0.57 4,512,431 $ 0.38
========= = ==== ========= = ====
Exercisable at the end of
the year 4,512,431 $ 0.38 4,512,431 $ 0.38
========= = ==== ========= = ====
Weighted-average fair value of
options granted during the
year $ 1.51 $ -
= ==== = ======
</TABLE>
The weighted-average exercise price and weighted-average fair value of options
granted during 1998 was $1.37 and $0.85, respectively, for options whose
exercise price exceeded the market price of the stock on the grant date. The
weighted average exercise price and weighted-average fair value of options
granted during 1998 was $1.75 and $2.33, respectively, for options whose
exercise price was less than the market price of the stock on the grant date.
The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding at
December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted
Average
Remaining Weighted
Number Contractual Average
Exercise Price Outstanding Life Exercise Price
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0.32 to 0.48 4,511,931 2.50 years $ 0.32
0.50 54,000 6.00 years 0.50
0.90 to 1.00 300,500 6.87 years 1.00
1.50 to 1.75 375,000 6.53 years 1.73
------- ----
0.32 to 1.75 5,241,431 3.07 years $ 0.57
========= = =====
</TABLE>
Note 8 - Common Stock Issuance
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Company issued 492,500
shares of common stock in exchange for legal, computer hardware and software
consulting services, and public relations services. Of the total issued, 90,000
shares were restricted stock. The value of the shares issued ranged from $0.15 -
$1.75 per share based on either the fair market value of the shares at the time
the agreement for services was executed, or the value of the services received,
whichever was more estimable.
The Company also issued 520,000 shares of common stock in exchange for cash. The
value of the shares issued ranged from $1.75 - $2.19 per share based on the fair
market value of the shares at the time of issuance.
F-12
<PAGE>
During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company issued 250,000 shares of
restricted common stock in exchange for the acquisition of the assets of Endex
Systems, Inc. (See Note 9). The shares could not be sold for a period of two
years; therefore the shares issued were valued at $.06 per share based on the
value of the assets received.
Note 9 - Income Taxes
At December 31, 1998, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $1,300,000 which expire during the years 2008 through 2012. The
1998 and 1997 tax benefits relating to the losses incurred in each year amounted
to approximately $158,000 and $29,800, respectively. Based on the Company's
financial history, there is no basis to conclude that the tax benefits will be
realized. Therefore, the tax benefit that has been recorded in the accompanying
financial statements for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 has been
offset by an allowance equal to the benefit.
Note 10 - Asset Purchase
On December 8, 1997, the Company purchased the assets of Endex Systems, Inc. for
which it issued 250,000 shares of restricted common stock based on the fair
value of the assets received. The Company purchased furniture, equipment and
investments valued at approximately $14,000.
Note 11 - Realization of Assets
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles, which contemplate the continuation of
the Company as a going concern. The Company has sustained substantial losses and
has minimal revenues for the current fiscal year.
In view of the matters described in the preceding paragraph, recoverability of a
major portion of the recorded asset amounts shown in the accompanying balance
sheet is dependent upon the Company's ability to achieve profitable operations
and to obtain additional sources of funds. Management believes the Company's
prospects for profitability are significant, based on the development of OASiS,
a proprietary product. The Company has aggressively promoted this
Note 11 - Realization of Assets (Continued)
product during fiscal year 1998 and anticipates revenues in fiscal 1999 related
to the leasing of these units to medical facilities. Management is considering
both equity and debt financing in the range of $2 to $5 million. Management
believes these factors will provide the basis for significant growth and
profitability in the near term.
Note 12 - Commitments
On January 30, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with a health care
provider in which the provider will perform clinical testing of ten surgical or
medical products submitted by the Company. The agreement is for a term not to
exceed five years and requires the Company to pay the health care provider a
fixed amount of $25,000 for each of the ten studies. The agreement further
provides that the Company is obligated to pay the provider $250,000 over the
term of the agreement in the event the Company determines not to have the
provider perform the clinical testing. The Company did not submit any products
for clinical testing during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
F-13
<PAGE>
In November 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with a vendor to
manufacture 20 units of it OASiS system for a total of $133,000. At December 31,
1998, the Company had paid 50% or $66,500 to the vendor and received a partial
shipment of units. The remaining balance of $66,500 is payable upon receipt of
the remaining units.
Note 13 - Concentrations
During the year ended December 31, 1998, the company derived 93% of its revenue
from technical services provided to one customer. The Company derived 99% of its
revenues from the sale of medical products sold to one customer during the year
ended December 31, 1997.
Note 14 - Lease Commitments
On June 1, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement to lease office space
from an affiliated entity. The lease term expires on May 21, 2000 with automatic
one year renewals. Minimum lease payments are as follows for the fiscal years
ending:
1999 $ 42,000
2000 $ 17,500
Rent expense for the fiscal years ending December 31, 1998 and 1997 amounted to
$30,750 and $6,912, respectively.
The Company also leases office equipment. The lease term is for 60 months and
expires October 2003. Monthly payments are $344.
Note 14 - Lease Commitments (Continued)
Minimum lease payments are as follows for the fiscal years ending:
1999 $ 4,128
2000 4,128
2001 4,128
2002 4,128
2003 3,440
Note 15 - Year 2000 Issue
The Year 2000 Issue is the result of potential problems with computer systems or
any equipment with computer chips that use dates where the date has been stored
as just two digits (e.g. 98 for 1998). On January 1, 2000, any clock or date
recording mechanism, including date sensitive software which uses only two
digits to represent the year, may recognize the date, using 00, as the year 1900
rather than the year 2000. This could result in a system failure or
miscalculations causing disruption of operations, including among other things,
a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage in
similar activities.
Management has reviewed its current internal systems and is in the process of
upgrading its accounting system to be Year 2000 compliant. The Company purchased
new hardware in 1998 that is Year 2000 compliant. Management does not anticipate
any significant additional costs that would relate to upgrading its systems to
support the Year 2000.
F-14
<PAGE>
Further, management does not believe the Year 2000 will impact the operation of
the OASiS system since the software for this system does not rely on legacy
applications or subsystems. OASiS is designed to handle dates in the form of a
two digit month and day and a four digit year, thus avoiding the Year 2000
problem.
The Company believes it has disclosed all required information relative to Year
2000 issues relating to its business and operations. However, there can be no
assurance that the systems of other companies on which the Company's systems
rely also will be timely converted or that any such failure to convert by
another company would not have an adverse affect on the Company's operations or
financial condition.
F-15
<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The Board of Directors
Surgical Safety Products, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Surgical Safety
Products, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, and
have issued our report thereon dated March 12, 1999. Our audits were made for
the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole.
The supplementary schedules of operating expenses are presented for purposes of
additional information and are not a required part of the financial statements.
Such information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the
examination of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in
all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.
/s/ Kerkering Barberio & Co.
- -------------------------------
KERKERING, BARBERIO & CO., PA
Sarasota, Florida
March 12, 1999
F-16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SURGICAL SAFETY PRODUCTS, INC.
SCHEDULES OF OPERATING EXPENSES
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
1998 1997
-------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Accounting and legal $ 58,260 $ 16,761
Advertising 103,281 12,507
Contract labor 28,950 2,137
Meetings/conventions 27,694 9,749
Depreciation and amortization 57,461 20,557
Salaries and related expenses 368,417 115,193
Travel and entertainment 18,087 8,426
Postage 4,953 5,772
Insurance 11,542 9,479
Equipment rental 7,724 3,778
General and administrative 18,201 11,428
Rent 30,750 6,912
Repairs and maintenance 4,188 5,467
Samples and supplies 3,195
Supplies 22,606 8,416
Taxes 1,615 998
Telephone 15,526 6,397
Utilities 838
---
$ 782,450 $ 244,815
= ======= = =======
</TABLE>
F-17
<PAGE>
Item 8. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
The Company has used the accounting firm of Kerkering, Barberio & Co.,
P.A. since 1993. There address is 1858 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida
34236. This firm began providing audited financial statements for the Company in
1994. There has been no change in the Company's independent accountant during
the period commencing with the Company's retention of Kerkering, Barberio & Co.,
P.A. through the date hereof.
PART III
Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons; Compliance
with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
(a) Set forth below are the names, ages, positions, with the Company and
business experiences of the executive officers and directors of the Company.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Name Age Position(s) with Company
Dr. G. Michael Swor 41 Chairman and Treasurer
4485 S. Shade Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34237
Frank M. Clark (1) 67 Director, CEO and President
7313 Oak Leaf Way
Sarasota, FL 34241
Donald K. Lawrence (1) 37 Director, Executive Vice
716 Edgemer Lane President and Secretary
Sarasota, FL 34242
David Collins (1) 58 Director and Acting Chief
6210 Sun Boulevard Financial Officer (2)
St. Petersburg, FL 33715
James D. Stuart 42 Director
880 Jupiter Park Drive
Suite 14
Jupiter, FL 33458
Irwin Newman 51 Director
1515 SW 22nd Avenue Circle
Boca Raton, FL 33486
</TABLE>
58
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Sam Norton 39 Director
1819 Main Street
Suite 610
Sarasota, FL 34236
David Swor 67 Director
6385 Presidential Court
Suite 104
Fort Meyers, FL 33919
Tom DeCesare (3) 66 Director
15316 Gulf Boulevard
#802
Madiera Beach, FL 33708
Dr. William B.Saye (1) 60 Director & Medical Director
4614 Chattahoochee Crossing of ALTC VirtualLabs
Marietta, GA 30067
</TABLE>
(1) Except for Mr. Clark, Mr. Lawrence, Dr. Saye and Mr. Collins, who had no
role in founding or organizing the Company, the above-named persons may be
deemed to be "promoters" and "parents" of the Company, as those terms are
defined under the Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Act.
(2) Mr. Collins is not engaged as a full time employee of the Company. He is
devoting and will continue to devote such time as required to fulfill the
obligations as the Company's Acting Chief Financial Officer. At such time
as the Company has sufficient additional revenue or is successful in
securing additional funding from outside sources, it is intended that Mr.
Collins will be employed by the Company as the Chief Financial Officer and
that he will devote his full time to the business of the Company.
(3) Mr. DeCesare resigned as a Director on May 4, 1999 due to personal
considerations.
All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of the Company's
shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualify. Officers
serve at the pleasure of the Board of Director. The officers and directors will
devote such time and effort to the business and affairs of the Company as may be
necessary to perform their responsibilities as executive officers and/or
directors of the Company.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between or among the executive officers
and directors of the Company except that David Swor is Dr. G. Michael Swor's
father and Tom DeCesare is Dr. Swor's father-in-law.
59
<PAGE>
Business Experience
G. Michael Swor, M.D., M.B.A, age 41, has served as Chairman of the Board
and Medical/Technical Advisor of the Company since its inception in 1992 and has
served as Treasurer to the Company since June, 1998.
Dr. Swor, a board certified, practicing physician with a specialty in
OB/GYN, is the founder of Surgical. From 1992 until June 12, 1998, Dr. Swor also
served as President and CEO. With a Masters in Business Administration, Dr.
Swor's duties for the Company include investor relations, corporate financing,
and overall corporate policy and management. He is a clinical assistant
professor in the OB/GYN department at University of South Florida. Dr. Swor was
the inventor of SutureMate(R) and Prostasert(TM) and the original holder of the
patents issued to each of these products. Dr. Swor has written numerous
articles, published the "Surgical Safety Handbook," and given numerous lectures
on safety and efficiency in the surgical environment. His professional
affiliations include American College of Surgeons, American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Florida Medical Association. From 1996 until
the present, Dr. Swor has acted as an independent consultant for Concise Advise
which provides consulting services related to product development, patent,
research, distribution, joint venture, mergers and other business issues. From
1994 through 1996, Dr. Swor oversaw the operation of WDC. From 1987 through
1995,Dr. Swor was the managing partner of Women's Care Specialists/Physicians
Services Inc. where he oversaw four (4) physicians, two (2) practitioners and a
staff of over twenty five (25). From 1987 through 1992, Dr. Swor was a partner
and board member of Women's Ambulatory Services, Inc., a diagnostic testing
facility. From 1982 through 1985, Dr. Swor was the President of University of
Florida at Jacksonville, Health Sciences Center resident staff association with
over 200 members. Dr. Swor received a B.A degree in 1978 from the University of
South Florida, a M.D. degree from the University of South Florida College of
Medicine in 1981, and an M.B.A. degree from the University of South Florida in
1998. From 1981 through 1985 he received his training in OB/GYN from the
University of Florida Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Jacksonville,
Florida. He has received several special achievement awards including being
honored by the University of South Florida in May, 1998 with the Alumni Award
for Professional Achievement.
Frank M. Clark, age 67, has served as a Director, CEO and President since
June, 1998.
Mr. Clark is responsible for the day to day operations of the Company and
is responsible for new product development and manufacturing and manages new
business ventures, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic
alliances and licensing/distribution agreements for the Company. Mr. Clark also
serves on the Board of GenSci Regeneration Sciences, Inc. From 1991 to 1997, Mr.
Clark was Chairman and CEO of Corporate Consulting Services Group where his
primary activities were providing consulting services to start-up companies,
under- performing companies and training people in career transitions. From 1984
to 1991, Mr. Clark was COO and Executive Vice President of Right Associates, a
consulting firm with responsibilities for business development with Fortune 100
corporations for which he acted. He acquired a Los Angeles based consulting firm
and became the Managing Principal. From 1981 to 1984, Mr. Clark was a Vice
President of National Medical Care, a subsidiary of W.R. Grace, Inc. where his
innovative marketing leadership helped the company recapture a dominant share of
the dialysis market. From 1978 to 1981, Mr. Clark served as President, Corporate
Vice President and a Director of R.P. Scherer, Inc., the world's leading
producer of soft gelatin capsules where he was in charge of worldwide
businesses. From 1959 to 1978, Mr. Clark was employed by Johnson & Johnson,
Inc., first with Ethicon, Inc. where he served as a Vice President and Director,
then with Ethnor Medical Products where he was a Vice President, General Manager
and a Director and then with Stimulation Technology, where he served as
60
<PAGE>
Executive Vice President and a Director. From 1956 to 1958, Mr. Clark was
employed by Federated Department stores in the executive training program at
Bloomingdales in New York City. Mr. Clark received a certificate from Teachers
College in Connecticut in 1955.
Donald K. Lawrence, age 37, has served as a Director, Vice President, Sales
& Marketing and Secretary since May, 1997 and Executive Vice President since
January, 1998.
Mr. Lawrence's responsibilities include sales management, market planning,
advertising, and management for Compliance PlusTM products and most recently he
has become the Executive Director of OASiS. His arrival to the Company was
facilitated by the Company's acquisition in 1997 of InterActive PIE Multimedia,
Inc., of which Mr. Lawrence was founder and Chief Executive Officer. From
February 1996 until February 1997, Mr. Lawrence was the CEO of InterActive PIE.
From December 1991 until February 1996, Mr. Lawrence was employed by Ethicon
Endo-Surgery/Johnson & Johnson as a surgical sales representative. From July
1989 until December 1991, Mr. Lawrence acted as a surgical sales representative
for Davis and Geck. Prior to entering the area of medical device sales, from
February 1985 until July 1989, Mr. Lawrence was an account executive with DHL
Worldwide Express. During college, Mr. Lawrence was an independent dealer for
Southwestern Publishing Co. Mr Lawrence received a B.S degree in Marketing and
Communications in 1984 from Appalachian State University.
David Collins, age 58, has served as a Director since January 1999 and its
Acting Chief Financial Officer since March 1999.
Mr. Collins responsibilities include overseeing the financial affairs of
the Company on a part time basis and he is currently engaged as a consultant to
the Company. Mr. Collins devotes such time as is necessary to fulfill his duties
to the Company. During 1997 and 1998, Mr. Collins was Controller for the Sales
and Marketing Division for GES Exposition Services, a subsidiary of the NYSE
listed Viad Corporation. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Collins was General Manager and
Chief Financial Officer of Spectra Services Corporation. From 1989 to 1992, Mr.
Collins was a Partner and Consultant to Quantum Corporation, a venture capital
firm. From 1977 to 1988, Mr. Collins rose from Controller to Vice President of
Finance (1982) and then to Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(1984) of R.P. Scherer Corporation, a NYSE listed company. From 1975 to 1977,
Mr. Collins was Vice President and Controller of Wheelhorse Products, a
subsidiary of American Motors/Chrysler. From 1971 to 1975, Mr. Collins rose from
Controller of the Midwest Dental Division to Vice President and Controller of
the American Hospital Division of American Hospital Supply Corporation (1974).
From 1969 to 1971, Mr. Collins was a Senior Auditor and Consultant in Public
Accounting with Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Collins received a BSBA from Northwestern
University in 1964 and a MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at
Northwestern University in 1967. He became a Certified Public Accountant in the
State of Illinois in 1971.
James D. Stuart, age 42, has served as a Director since 1993, initially
acting as Director of Marketing and Sales.
Mr. Stuart served as Executive Vice President from 1993 until June, 1998
and initially acted as the Director of Marketing and Sales. During his time as
an officer of the Company, Mr. Stuart was responsible for new product
development and manufacturing and manages new business ventures, including
mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and
61
<PAGE>
licensing/distribution agreements for the Company. From November 1994 until July
1996, Mr. Stuart acted as President and CEO of WDC and was responsible for
managing and operating the facility. From March 1986 until May 1993, Mr. Stuart
was employed by Liquid Air Corporation, Buld Gases Division first as a Business
Manager for South Florida and then as a Program Manager for Food Freezing. From
February 1981 until February 1986, Mr. Stuart was employed by NCR Corporation in
the Systemedia Division initially as a Territory Manager and then as a Senior
Account Manager. Mr. Stuart received a B.A. degree in marketing in 1980 from the
University of South Florida.
Irwin Newman, age 51, has served as a Director since 1993
Currently, Mr. Newman provides financial advisory services to the Board of
Directors. From 1993 until the present, Mr. Newman served as the Senior Vice
President of Finance for Falcon Marketing & Management, Inc. From 1993 to the
present, Mr. Newman has served as the President of Jenex Financial Services,
Inc. ("Jenex"), an affiliate of Falcon Marketing & Management Inc. Mr. Newman is
the principal of Jenex. Mr. Newman is and has been a practicing attorney since
1973. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Newman served as Vice President and General Counsel
for Boca Raton Capital Corporation, a publicly owned, NASDAQ listed investment
holding company where he completed an Initial Public Offering for a $4 million
subsidiary, completed a $3.5 million secondary offering and was responsible for
shareholder and investor relations. From 1983 to 1988, Mr. Newman served with
the New York Stock Exchange firms of Gruntal & Co. and Butcher and Signer,
specializing in common and preferred stocks, options, municipal and corporate
bonds and GNMA's. During this period, he broadcast a daily television market
comments program over the Financial News Network. Mr. Newman received a B.S.
degree in Business Administration from Syracuse University in 1970 and a J.D.
degree from the University of Florida in 1973.
Sam Norton, age 39, has served as a Director since 1992.
Mr. Norton provides business and legal advisory services to the Board of
Directors. Mr. Norton is an attorney with the firm Norton, Gurley, Hammersley &
Lopez, P.A. in Sarasota, Florida. Mr. Norton practices primarily in the areas of
real estate, banking, corporate and business transactions and is a Florida Bar
board certified real estate specialist, having earned such certification in
1991. He has practiced law in Sarasota since 1985 and is the past Chairman of
the Joint Committee of the Sarasota Board of Realtors/Sarasota County Bar
Association. Mr. Norton is active in Sarasota civic organizations and currently
serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Sarasota Bank. Mr. Norton
graduated from the University of Florida in 1981 and earned a J.D. degree from
Stetson University School of Law in 1984 where he graduated Cum Laude. While in
law school, Mr. Norton was chosen to serve on the Law Review. He was admitted to
the Florida Bar in 1985.
David Swor, age 67, has served as a Director since 1992.
Mr. Swor, who is the father of Dr. Swor, provides business advisory
services for the Board of Directors. From 1985 until the present, Mr. Swor had
been engaged in the real estate brokerage business as the owner of Swor, Inc.
The firm specializes in the development of commercial real estate properties
along with operating other related business interest, holdings and investment
properties. From 1992 to the present, Mr. Swor has been a member of the Board of
Directors of SunTrust Bank in Sarasota, Florida. From 1974 until 1985, Mr. Swor
was a co-owner of the real estate firm of Swor & Santini, Inc. which specialized
in commercial real estate and investments. From 1973 until 1975, Mr. Swor was
62
<PAGE>
a realtor with Russ Gorgone, Inc.. From 1971 until 1973, Mr. Swor was Vice
President and co-owner of Carroll Oil Company, which operated a Texaco
distributorship in Fort Myers, Florida. From 1959 until 1971, Mr. Swor was a
salesman for Texaco and from 1958 until 1959, Mr. Swor was in advertising sales
for the Orlando Sentinel Star. Mr. Swor received a B.A. degree from the
University of Kentucky in 1955 and holds teaching certificates from the states
of Kentucky and Florida.
Tom DeCesare, age 66, served as a Director from 1992 until May 1999.
Mr. DeCesare, who is the father in law of Dr. Swor, provides business
advisory services for the Board of Directors. Mr. DeCesare has been the Mayor of
Madeira Beach, Florida since August 1993. Prior to that time, he served as Vice
Mayor from April 1993 and as a Commissioner from April 1991 until April 1993.
From 1967 until 1987, was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company where
he ended his career as a Vice President. Mr. DeCesare received a Bachelor of
Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1959.
William B. Saye, MD, FACOG, FACS, age 60, has served as Medical
Director of ALTC VirtualLabs since November 1998 and as a Director since
January, 1999.
Dr. Saye is the founder, CEO and Medical Director of ALTC. ALTC was started
in 1990. Dr. Saye is also the Clinical Assistant Professor of OB/GYN for Emory
University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Saye, with another
pioneering surgeon, made medical history when he performed the first
laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removal of the gall bladder) in the United States.
In the past nine (9) years, Dr. Saye has been instrumental in training more than
15,000 surgeons in various laparoscopic techniques and spearheaded the
development of a new minimally invasive therapy, laparoscopic Doderlien
hysterectomy. Dr. Saye received a BS from Georgia Institute of Technology in
1962 and his MD degree from Tulane University Medical School in 1965. Dr. Saye
is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Advance Operative
Paparoscopy. Dr. Saye is the author of numerous articles on laparoscopic surgery
and techniques.
Scientific Advisory Board
In addition to the officers and directors of the Company,
Surgical has a scientific advisory board which has provided advisory input on
products, research and educational projects for the Company. Inactive members of
this board can be called on to address issues which arise in ongoing research
and development projects. Active/Inactive status depends upon the level of
participation in the Company's current activities. Scientific Advisory Board
members receive no salaries for their services but are compensated for any
reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Company. Included on
such board are the following:
Mark Davis, M.D.
OB/GYN Physician & Safety Consultant
DeKalb Medical Center
Atlanta, Georgia
Donna Haiduven, RN/C.I.C.
Infection Control Specialist
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
San Jose, California
63
<PAGE>
Robert Morrison, M.D.
Optometrist/Chairman, Morrison International
New York, New York
Gail Lebovic, M.D. (Inactive)
Breast Surgeon
Co-Founder, Bay Area Breast Center
Palo Alto, California
Sharon Tolhurst, RN, MBA
Director, Cape Surgery Center
Sarasota, Florida
John Nora, M.D.
General Surgeon
Sarasota, Florida
George Maroulis, M.D. (Inactive)
Professor, University of South Florida
College of Medicine, Department of OB/GYN
Marguerite Barnett, M.D. (Inactive)
Plastic Surgeon
Venice, Florida
Ruth Dyal, M.D. (Inactive)
OB/GYN, Women's Care Specialists
Sarasota, Florida
Neil Pollack, M.D.
OB/GYN, Women's Care Specialists
Sarasota, Florida
Michael Shroder, M.D.
OB/GYN, Women's Care Specialists
Sarasota, Florida
Galen Swartzendruber, M.D.
OB/GYN, Women's Care Specialists
Sarasota, Florida
Phyliss Barber
FDA Compliance Consultant
Sarasota, Florida
Anne Johnson, O.R.T.
Surgical Technician
Columbus, Ohio
64
<PAGE>
Andrew Garlisi, M.D.
Emergency Medicine
LaPorte, Indiana
Dr. Nathan Belkin
Former Researcher and Author in the infection control field
Scott Silverstein, M.D.
Occupational Health and Information Systems Specialist
Wilmington, Delaware
Gail Vallone
Operating Room Technologist
Las Vegas, Nevada
OASiS Medical Advisory Panel
In addition to the officers and directors of the Company,
Surgical has a medical advisory panel which approves, edits and contributes to
content information for the OASiS system. Medical Advisory Panel members receive
no salaries for their services but are compensated for any reasonable out of
pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Company. Included on such panel are
the following:
Michael Abidin, MD
Nathan Belkin, PhD
Trish Carlson, RN, CEN, CFRRN Dorothy Corrigan, RN Mark Davis, MD Donna
Haiduven, BSN, MSN, CIC Pamela Hart, CLS Richard Howard, MD James Li, MD Mark
Lipman, MD James A. McGregor, MD CM Trista Negele, MD Heidi M. Stephens, MD Pam
Tenaerts, MD Steven Weinstein, MT
(b) Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
No Director, Officer, Beneficial Owner of more than ten percent
(10%) of any class of equity securities of the Company failed to file on a
timely basis reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the
most recent fiscal year or prior fiscal years.
Item 10. Executive Compensation
65
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long Term Compensation
------------------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
--------------------------------- --------------- ----------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i)
Other Restricted Securities
Name and Annual Stock Underlying All Other
Principal Compen- Award(s) Options/ LTIP Compen-
Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) sation ($) ($) SARs (f) Payouts sation ($)
(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G. 1996 - 5,280
Michael 1997 - 4,877
Swor, 1998 32,500 5,400
Chairman
of the
Board
and
Treasurer
(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank M. 1996 -
Clark 1997 -
President 1998 32,731 50,000 70,417
and CEO
(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald 1996 -
K. 1997 16,675 13,657
Lawrence 1998 57,278 17,604
Executive
Vice
President
(4)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James D. 1996 49,536 8,944
Stuart 1997 47,166 5,676
Former 1998 6,000 4,020
Executive
Vice
President
(5)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) All other compensation includes certain health and life insurance
benefits paid by the Company on behalf of its employee.
(2) Dr. Swor did not receive any salary prior to June 1998 at which time the
Company and he executed an Employment Agreement for a salary of $60,000
per year. Other compensation includes life insurance paid by the
Company.
66
<PAGE>
(3) Mr. Clark executed an Employment Agreement with the Company in June 1998
for an annual salary of $60,000. As a signing bonus, Mr. Clark received
50,000 shares of restricted stock in the Company which is valued at
$50,000 and options to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock at an exercise price of $1.75 per share. The Company's options
have no current trading value.
(4) Mr. Lawrence executed an Employment Agreement with the Company in May
1997 for an annual salary of $50,000. Effective in January 1998, the
salary of Mr. Lawrence was increased to $100,000 per year; however, he
agreed to defer receipt of the additional amounts until a mutually
agreed date. The Company began installment payments of the deferred
amount on September 1, 1999. As consideration for the acquisition of the
assets of Endex, Mr. Lawrence received 250,000 shares of restricted
stock in the Company. Such shares were valued at the asset value of
$13,657. In June 1998, the Company granted Mr. Lawrence options to
purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise
price of $1.75 per share. The Company's options have no current trading
value.
(5) Mr. Stuart acted as the Executive Vice President of the Company until
June, 1998. Other compensation includes a portion of his health
insurance premiums which were paid by the Company and life insurance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Exercised Value Realized No. of Value of
Unexercised Unexercised
Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Unexercisable Unexercisable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G. Michael 0 0 3,850,686/ 473,634/
Swor 0 0
Frank M. Clark 0 0 200,000/ 0/
0 0
Donald K. 0 0 100,000/ 0/
Lawrence 0 0
James D. Stuart 0 0 (1) (1)
</TABLE>
(1) Mr. Stuart was not an executive officer at the year end 1998 and the number
of unexercised exercisable/unexercised and the value of unexercised
exercisable/unexercised options were not included in this table.
67
<PAGE>
In November 1998, the Company entered into a seven (7) year collaborative
agreement with Dr. William B. Saye, the Medical Director and CEO of the Advanced
Laparoscopy Training Center in Marietta, Georgia ("ALTC") under which the
Company acquired the "digital rights" of ALTC and the resulting amalgam as it
relates to surgical education and marketing rights to the ALTC database. Under
this agreement, Dr. Saye became a member of the Company's Board of Directors and
agreed to act as the Medical Director of ALTC VirtualLabs. Dr. Saye is to be
compensated for travel expenses and will be paid an honorarium of $2,500 per day
when his services are requested by Surgical. In addition, Dr. Saye was awarded
stock options to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
over the period, 300,000 of which were issued upon the execution of the
agreement, and the balance of which are issuable monthly. The intention of the
agreement is that any educational activity involving ALTC or Dr. Saye on the
Internet or other digital presence would be the property of and under the
control of Surgical.
Except for certain shares of the Company's Common Stock issued and sold and
options granted to the ten (10) executive officers and/or directors of the
Company in consideration for various cash, loans and services performed for the
Company by each of them, and rent paid to a company controlled by Dr. Swor for
the Company's facility, cash or non-cash compensation in the amount of $276,083
was awarded to, earned by or paid to executive officers or directors of the
Company for all services rendered in all capacities to the Company since January
1, 1996.
The Company has adopted an Employee Stock Option Plan and a Consultant
Stock Option Plan.
Employee Contracts and Agreement
The Company has entered into Employee Agreements with Dr. Swor, Mr. Clark
and Mr. Lawrence.
The agreement with Dr. Swor was entered into on June 15, 1998. Dr. Swor is
employed as the Treasurer and Medical Director of the Company at an annual
salary of $60,000. The agreement is for a term of one (1) year, which term is
renewable year to year unless either party provides notice to the other within
fourteen (14) days prior to the expiration that it seeks to terminate the
agreement. Dr. Swor is required to devote such time as is required to fulfill
his duties to the Company. Dr. Swor is reimbursed reasonable and necessary
expenses incurred on behalf of the Company. Prior to the execution of this
agreement, Dr. Swor received no salary for his services to the Company since its
inception.
The agreement with Mr. Clark was entered into on June 15, 1998. Mr. Clark
is employed as the President and CEO of the Company for a term of one (1) year
at a salary of $60,000, which term is renewable year to year unless either party
provides notice to the other within fourteen (14) days prior to the expiration
that it seeks to terminate the agreement. Mr. Clark is required to devote such
time as is required to fulfill his duties to the Company. Mr. Clark is
reimbursed reasonable and necessary expenses incurred on behalf of the Company.
Mr. Clark received a signing bonus of 50,000 shares of restricted stock in the
Company and was granted options to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.75 per share.
68
<PAGE>
The agreement with Mr. Lawrence was entered into on April 1, 1997. Mr.
Lawrence is employed as the Marketing Director of the Company for a term of one
(1) year at a salary of $50,000, which term is renewable year to year unless
either party provides notice to the other within fourteen (14) days prior to the
expiration that it seeks to terminate the agreement. Effective in January 1998,
the salary of Mr. Lawrence was increased to $100,000 per year; however, he
agreed to defer receipt of the additional amounts until a mutually agreed date.
The Company began installment payments of the deferred amount on September 1,
1999. Commencing January 1, 1998, Mr. Lawrence became the Executive Vice
President of the Company. Mr. Lawrence is required to devote such time as is
required to fulfill his duties to the Company. Mr. Lawrence is reimbursed
reasonable and necessary expenses incurred on behalf of the Company.
Key Man Life Insurance
The Company currently does not maintain key-man life insurance coverage on
any of its officers or directors. However, the Company is the named beneficiary
of a key-man life insurance policy currently owned by Dr. Swor.
Employee and Consultants Stock Option Plans
Employee Stock Option Plans
On July 21, 1994, the Board of Directors adopted an Employee Stock Option
Plan which is available to employees and Directors of the Company ("ESOP").
Pursuant to the ESOP, employees are given the opportunity to purchase a
designated number of shares of the Company's common stock at a pre-set flat
rate. The options are granted for a period of seven (7) years and are not
transferable except by will or laws of descent and distribution. The options may
not be exercised unless the Company has filed an effective registration
statement on Form S-8 relating to the shares underlying the option. As to
employees who are not also directors, such employees must agree to remain with
the Company for a period of two (2) years from the date the option is granted.
In the event that such employee is terminated during such two (2) year period
for cause or at the request of the employee, to the extent any options have not
been exercised, the options terminate immediately upon the termination of the
employee. If termination is for any other reason, the employee has two (2)
months from the date of termination to exercise. In the case of death, the
options must be exercised within the lesser of (i) three (3) years from the date
of death or (ii) five (5) years from the option issuance date. In the case of
the capital restructure of the Company, the options are effective as if
exercised prior to the capital restructuring event. The employee is limited to
exercise the equivalent of $100,000 of Common Stock in the Company in any
calendar year.
In January, 1998, the Board of Directors revised the term of the ESOP
("1998 Revised ESOP"). Under the revised plan, the term is now determined by a
Committee consisting of Frank Clark and Sam Norton (the "Stock Option
Committee"). The Stock Option Committee is evaluating recommendations for
adjusting stock compensation for the Company employees and consultants.
In January, 1999, the Board of Directors further revised the ESOP ("1999
Revised ESOP"). Under the further revised plan which is designated the "Surgical
Safety Products 1999 Stock Option Plan", employees qualify for issuance of
Incentive Stock Options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, as
amended, Non-incentive Stock Options and Reload Options. Directors, consultants
and advisors who are issued options under the plan only qualify for Non-
incentive Stock Options and Reload Options. All of the options under this plan
terminate ten (10) years (except those issued to 10% or more shareholders, in
which case they terminate in five (5) years) from issuance and vest for
employees at the rate of one-third each year for three (3) years and vest as
established by the Stock Option Committee for Directors, Consultants and
Advisors. The plan is overseen by the Board of Directors or the Stock Option
Committee and all issuances are at fair market value as defined in the plan (and
110% of fair market value in the case of a 10% or more shareholder). The plan
provides the exercise rights on death, disability or termination of employment.
The Company may, at its option, provide change of control rights to designated
persons and if granted, the option holder is entitled to certain cash payments
on all options granted whether or not vested if the Company changes control.
Pursuant to the ESOP, the Company has granted options to purchase 4,166,316
shares of the Company's Common Stock representing proceeds on exercise of
$1,320,000 under the 1994 ESOP, 683,330 shares of the Company's Common Stock
representing proceeds on exercise of $683,330 under the 1998 Revised ESOP
(without regard to the additional options to Dr. Saye which accrue at the rate
of 8,333 per month) and 30,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock representing
proceeds on exercise of $30,000 under the 1999 Revised ESOP to date as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Employee Date Option No. of Shares Exercise Price Term
Granted subject to Years
Exercise
1994 ESOP (1)(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
G. Michael Swor (3) 07/21/94 3,850,686 $.317 7
Irwin Newman (4) 07/21/94 63,126 $.317 7
James D. Stuart 07/21/94 63,126 $.317 7
Samuel Norton 07/21/94 63,126 $.317 7
David Swor 07/21/94 63,126 $.317 7
Thomas DeCesare (5) 07/21/94 63,126 $.317 7
1998 Revised ESOP(2)
Frank M. Clark (6) 06/15/98 200,000 $1.00 7
Donald L. Lawrence (6) 06/15/98 100,000 $1.00 7
William B. Saye (7) 11/20/98 383,330 $1.00 7
1999 Revised ESOP (2)
G. Michael Swor (3) 01/01/99 10,000 $1.00 10
Frank M. Clark 01/01/99 10,000 $1.00 10
</TABLE>
69
<PAGE>
Donald L. Lawrence 01/01/99 10,000 $1.00 10
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The options granted under the 1994 ESOP have been adjusted to reflect the
new conversion rate in accordance with the capital restructuring provision
which came into effect when Surgical Safety Products, Inc. of Florida
merged into Sheffeld Acres, Inc., the surviving New York corporation.
(2) The Company relied upon Section 4(2) of the Act, Section 517.061(11) of the
Florida Code and Section 10-5-9 (13) of the Georgia Code for the grant of
these options.
(3) Dr. Swor received options for 63,126 shares of the Company's Common Stock
as a Director and options for 3,787,560 shares of the Company's Common
Stock in exchange for transfer of patents and rights to existing patent
concepts. Dr. Swor was granted Non Incentive Stock Options under the 1999
Revised ESOP.
(4) In addition to the options granted to Mr. Newman for 63, 126 shares of the
Company's Common Stock as a Director of the Company, options to purchase up
to 315,630 shares of the Company's Common Stock were granted to Jenex
Financial Services, Inc., a company of which Mr. Newman is the principal.
Jenex is a financial service company which was issued the options under the
Company's 1994 CSOP.
(5) Mr. DeCesare resigned as director on May 4, 1999 due to personal
considerations.
(6) Each of these persons received their options as a bonus; Mr. Clark's as an
additional incentive to join the Company as its CEO and Mr. Lawrence in
consideration of outstanding services to the Company for the prior year.
Although the options granted to Mr. Clark Aand Mr. Lawrence were
exercisable at $1.75 per share, the Board of Directors on January 20, 1999
voted to reduce the exercise price to $1.00. Since the change was made
after December 31, 1998, the original exercise price was used in the
financial statements for purposes of determining weighted averages. In
addition, the Board of Director at the January 1999 meeting increased the
term of Mr. Clark's options from one (1) to seven (7) years.
(7) Dr. Saye received 300,000 issued on November 20, 1998. Dr. Saye receives
additional 100,000 options per year on a monthly basis. Accordingly, 8,333
options are attributable for the each month from December 1998 through
September 1999. The exercise price for the options is $1.00 for year one,
$1.50 for year two, $2.00 for year three and $2.50 for years 4 through 7.
Consultant Stock Option Plans
On July 21, 1994, the Board of Directors also adopted a Consultant Stock
Option Plan which is available to certain consultants who provide services to
the Company ("CSOP"). Pursuant to the CSOP, consultants are given the
opportunity to purchase a designated number of shares of the Company's common
stock at a pre-set flat rate. The options are granted for a period of seven (7)
years and are not transferable except by will or laws of descent and
distribution. The options may not be exercised unless the Company has filed an
effective registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the shares underlying
the option. In the event the consultant's services are terminated,
70
<PAGE>
such consultant has two (2) months from the date of termination in which to
exercise and in the case of death, the estate has the lesser of (i) three (3)
years from the date of death or (ii) five (5) years from the option issuance
date in which to exercise. In the case of the capital restructure of the
Company, the options are effective as if exercised prior to the capital
restructuring event. There are no yearly limitation on the amount of options
which may be exercised by consultants.
In January, 1998, the Board of Directors revised the term of the CSOP
("1998 Revised CSOP"). Under the revised plan, the term is now determined by the
Stock Option Committee. The 1998 CSOP requires that the options are not
exercisable for a period of two (2) years from issuance
In January, 1999, the Board of Directors adopted the 1999 Revised ESOP
which covers consultants and advisors to the Company.
Pursuant to the CSOP, the Company has granted options to purchase
346,115 shares of the Company's Common Stock representing proceeds of $110,700
to the Company under the 1994 CSOP, options to purchase 129,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock representing proceeds of $114,500 to the Company under
the 1998 Revised CSOP and 278,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
representing proceeds of $278,000 under the 1999 Revised ESOP to date as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Employee Date Option No. of Shares Exercise Price Term
Granted subject to Years
Exercise
1994 ESOP (1)(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Danielle Chevalier 07/21/94 3,156 $.317 7
For marketing assistance
at conventions
Donna Haiduven 07/21/94 15,782 $.317 7
For medical advisory
and clinical studies
Jenex Financial Services
Inc. (3) 07/21/94 315,630 $.317 7
For financial advisory
and corporate financing
consulting services
Leann Swor 07/21/94 6,313 $.317 7
For marketing assistance
at conventions
Loren Schuman 07/21/94 4,734 $.480 7
For marketing consulting
services
Bruce Cohen 01/24/95 500 $0.90 7
Performed business
valuations of acquisition
candidates
</TABLE>
71
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
1998 Revised CSOP (2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Danielle Chevalier 01/01/98 2,000 $0.50 7
For marketing assistance
at conventions
Leann Swor 01/01/98 2,000 $.050 7
For marketing assistance
at conventions
Stacy Quaid (4) 01/01/98 50,000 $0.50 7
For assistance in
becoming a reporting
company
Mike Williams (4) 08/03/98 50,000 $1.00 7
As a signing bonus
T.T. Communications 10/15/98 25,000 $1.50 7
For investor relations
services
1999 Revised ESOP (2)
David Collins (5) 01/01/99 10,000 $1.00 10
For financial consulting
services
Mike Williams (6) 01/01/99 5,000 $1.00 10
As a performance bonus
Mike Williams (6) 01/08/99 50,000 $1.00 10
As a performance bonus
Leann Lafko-Spofford (6) 01/01/99 5,000 $1.00 10
As a performance bonus
Leann Lafko-Spofford (6) 01/08/99 50,000 $1.00 10
As a performance bonus
Stacy Quaid (6) 01/01/99 3,500 $1.00 10
As a performance bonus
Stacy Quaid (6) 01/08/99 21,500 $1.00 10
As a performance bonus
Eric Hill (6) 01/01/99 3,000 $1.00 10
As a performance bonus
</TABLE>
72
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Eric Hill (6) 01/08/99 25,000 $1.00 10
As a performance bonus
Scott Heap, Ad-Vantagenet 01/8/99 20,000 $1.00 10
For OASiS development
services
Ray Villares, 01/8/99 20,000 $1.00 10
Ad-Vantagenet
For OASiS development
services
David Collins (5) 01/19/99 65,000 $1.00 10
For financial consulting
services
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The options granted under the 1994 CSOP have been adjusted to reflect the
new conversion rate in accordance with the capital restructuring provision
which came into effect when Surgical Safety Products, Inc. of Florida
merged into Sheffeld Acres, Inc., the surviving New York corporation.
(2) The Company relied upon Section 4(2) of the Act and Section 517.061(11) of
the Florida Code for the grant of these options.
(3) These options were granted to Jenex in exchange for certain financial
services provided to the Company. Mr. Newman, a Director of the Company, is
the principal of Jenex. Mr. Newman is deemed the beneficial owner of these
options.
(4) Each of these persons received their options as a bonus; Ms. Quaid in
consideration of outstanding services to the Company for the prior year in
assisting with the Company's registration as a reporting company and Mr.
Williams as an additional incentive to join the Company as the Sales
Manager. Although the options granted to Mr. Williams were exercisable at
$1.75 per share, the Board of Directors on January 20, 1999 voted to reduce
the exercise price to $1.00. Since the change was made after December 31,
1998, the original exercise price was used in the financial statements for
purposes of determining weighted averages.
(5) David Collins received these options as a consultant to the Company prior
to his election to the Board of Directors on January 20, 1999.
(6) Each of these persons is covered by the Staff agreement and is treated as a
co-employee; however, for purposes of qualification under the 1999 Revised
ESOP, such person has been treated as a consultant and advisor to the
Company who qualifies for non-incentive stock options.
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<PAGE>
Compensation of Directors
The Company has no standard arrangements for compensating the directors of
the Company for their attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors.
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 1998,
regarding the ownership of the Company's Common Stock by each shareholder known
by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of its
outstanding shares of Common Stock, each director and all executive officers and
directors as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the shareholders
has sole voting and investment power with respect to the share of Common Stock
beneficially owned.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address of Title of Amount and Nature of Percent of
Beneficial Owner Class Beneficial Owner Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Dr. G. Michael Swor Common 3,792,890 (1) 35.16
Frank M. Clark Common 50,000 .47
Donald K. Lawrence Common 250,000 2.32
James D. Stuart Common 848,182 (2) 7.86
Irwin Newman Common -0- -0-
Sam Norton Common 53,400 .50
David Swor Common 473,445 4.39
Tom DeCesare Common 9,469 .09
Dr. William B. Saye - - -
David Collins - - -
All Executive Officers and Directors
as a Group (ten (10) persons) 5,477,386 (3) 50.78 (3)
- ----------
</TABLE>
(1) This includes 631,260 owned by Dr. Swor's wife of which he is deemed the
beneficial owner
(2) This include 31,563 which Mr. Stuart owns jointly with his brother and
816,619 which Mr. Stuart received as a gift from Dr. Swor in 1996.
(3) In addition to the shares owned by the Executive Officers and Directors as
a group, said officers and directors own (including those beneficially
held) options to purchase 5,278,094 shares of the Company's Common Stock
(without regard to the additional options to Dr.
74
<PAGE>
Saye which accrue at the rate of 8,333 per month) pursuant to Employee and
Consultant Stock Option Plans adopted in 1994, 1998 and 1999. In the event
all such options to purchase were exercised, this group would own a total
of 10,755,480 shares of the Company's Common Stock which would represent
66.95% of the total shares of Common Stock outstanding.
There are no arrangements which may result in the change of control of the
Company.
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
On June 1, 1992, the Company issued 11,300 shares of the Company's
restricted stock to Dr. Swor and 2,000 shares to Mrs. Swor (of which Dr. Swor is
deemed the beneficial owner) each in exchange for services rendered to Surgical
valued at a total of $1,400. Following the merger with Sheffeld Acres, Inc.,
these shares were converted into 4,197,879 shares in the restructured company.
In July 1996, Dr. Swor received options to purchase 63,126 of the Company's
Common Stock as a Director and options to purchase 3,787,560 shares of the
Company's Common Stock in exchange for transfer of patents and rights to
existing patent concepts. In 1996, Dr. Swor received 478,630 shares of
restricted stock as payment of debt and related interest on loans which Dr. Swor
made to the Company totaling $239,315. In 1996, Dr. Swor gifted 816,619 of his
shares to James D. Stuart. In September, 1996 Savannah Leasing purchased the
Company's executive office building at 2018 Oak Terrace with cash from Dr. Swor
and 50,000 shares of his stock which were valued at $0.50 per share. These
shares were transferred to the third party seller. At December 31, 1997, the
Company was indebted to Dr. Swor in the amount of $197,720. In addition, the
Company was indebted to Savannah Leasing, a company owned by Dr. and Mrs. Swor.
The amount owed at December 31, 1997 was $36,000. Interest on the notes was
10.0%. At December 31, 1997, interest payable on these loans totaled $17,667.
Out of the proceeds of the sale of the Company's Common Stock during the period
of March 1998 through June 1998, the Company made repayment of principal and
interest on the 1997 indebtedness. During fiscal 1998, Dr. Swor loaned the
Company an additional $23,000. The balance of these notes payable was repaid
during fiscal 1998 and at December 31, 1998, there were no amounts due to Dr.
Swor. Interest expense relating to these notes amount to $9,882 and $15,314 for
the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 respectively. The Company has a line
of credit in the amount of $100,000 which expires in May 2017 and is guaranteed
by Dr. Swor and his wife. In fiscal 1999, the line of credit has been used to
fund operations on a short term basis and $20,000 is currently outstanding. Dr.
Swor has a year to year employment contract with the Company.
On June 1, 1992, the Company issued 1,500 shares of restricted stock to
David Swor for which it received $15,000. Following the merger with Sheffeld
Acres, Inc., these shares were converted into 473,445 shares in the restructured
company.
On November 5, 1992, the Company issued 120 shares of the Company's
restricted stock to Sam Norton for which it received $6,000. On March 1, 1993,
the Company issued 34 shares of the Company's restricted stock to Sam Norton for
which it received $2,000. Following the merger with Sheffeld Acres, Inc., these
shares were converted into 48,607. In 1996, the Company issued 4,793 shares of
the Company's restricted stock to Mr. Norton as payment for legal services
valued at $4,793.
On March 1, 1993, the Company issued 100 shares of the Company's restricted
75
<PAGE>
stock to James D. Stuart and David Stuart jointly for which it received $6,000.
On May 9, 1993, the Company issued 100 shares of the Company's restricted stock
to Mr. Stuart in exchange for services rendered valued at par. Following the
merger with Sheffeld Acres, Inc., each 100 shares was converted to 31,563 for a
total of 63,126 shares. In 1996, Mr. Stuart received 816,619 shares of
restricted stock from Dr. Swor as a gift.
On March 1, 1993, the Company issued 30 shares of the Company's restricted
stock to Tom DeCesare (then a Director), in exchange for services rendered
valued at par. Following the merger with Sheffeld Acres, Inc., these shares were
converted into 9,469.
On July 21, 1994, the Board of Directors adopted the 1994 ESOP and awarded
options to purchase the post-merger equivalent of 63,126 shares of the Company's
Common Stock to each of the Company's six (6) directors at an exercise price of
$.317. There was no value attached to the grant of such options. At the same
time, the Company awarded Dr. Swor options to purchase 3,787,560 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $.317 in exchange for the
transfer of certain patents and rights to previously patented concepts to the
Company, which patents and rights were valued at approximately $1,200,000.
On July 21, 1994, the Board of Directors also adopted the 1994 CSOP under
which it awarded options to purchase the post-merger equivalent of a total of
346,115 shares of the Company's Common Stock. These options were granted to
consultants in consideration of services valued; however, there was no value
attached to the grant of such options.
On December 8, 1997, the Company acquired all of the assets of Endex
Systems, Inc., d/b/a InterActive PIE ("Endex"), a Florida corporation. The
assets of Endex were valued at approximately $14,000 for which the Company
issued 250,000 shares of restricted common stock. Endex was a medical multimedia
software company, experienced in computer graphics related to the medical
industry. The acquisition was made to implement the Company's Data Systems
Division's development of its surgical safety, touch-screen network known as
OASiS. The President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of Endex, Donald
Lawrence, became the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the Company. Mr.
Lawrence has a year to year employment contract with the Company. (See Part I,
Item 6. "Executive Compensation - Employee Contracts".) In consideration of
outstanding service to the Company in 1997, Mr. Lawrence was granted an option
to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price of $1.75
under the 1998 Revised ESOP. In January 1999, the Board voted to reduce the
exercise price on the option to $1.00 per share. There was no value attached to
the grant of such options.
In March 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Stockstowatch,
whereby Stockstowatch agreed to provide investor relations services as a media
consultant to the Company in exchange for issuance of 300,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock valued at $45,000. On October 27, 1998, the SEC brought
an action against Stockstowatch and its principal, Steven A. King, for
injunctive and other relief to enjoin the defendants from touting and "scalping"
securities in violation of the anti-fraud and anti-touting provisions of the
federal securities laws (Securities and Exchange Commission v. Stockstowatch.com
and Steven A. King, United States District Court, Middle District of Florida,
Tampa Division, Case No. 98-2198-CIV-T-26B). The SEC alleges that since October
1997, the defendants touted the securities of at least five "microcap"
companies, one of which is Surgical, over the Internet through e-mail sent to
over 200,000 subscribers and on the defendant's website. The SEC has taken no
action against Surgical nor has it made any allegations that the Company
directly or indirectly acted improperly in this matter or was in any way
involved in the alleged violations.
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<PAGE>
In the Stockstowatch complaint, the SEC further alleges that almost every
stock touted by the defendants (1) the volume and/or price increased sharply,
sometimes as much as 200% shortly after the defendants' buy recommendations; and
(2) the defendants took advantage of the market interest they created by selling
into the inflated market large amounts of the stock they received in
consideration of their promotional services. Further the SEC alleges that the
defendants realized profits in excess of $1 million from sales of these
securities. The SEC alleges that the defendants failed to disclose that they had
received stock as compensation from the issuers of the securities they touted
and did not disclose that they intended to sell the stock in contravention of
their buy recommendations which is a fraudulent practice known as "scalping".
The SEC is seeking permanent injunctive and equitable relief, including an
accounting, disgorgement of gains with pre- judgement interest and civil
penalties against each defendant. The SEC alleges, with reference to Surgical,
that Surgical entered into a consulting agreement with Stockstowatch on March
19, 1998 in which Stockstowatch agreed to profile Surgical in exchange for
300,000 free-trading shares of its Common Stock. On the date the contract was
executed, Surgical's Common Stock was trading at $.145. The shares were received
by Stockstowatch on April 9, 1998, on which date Surgical's Common Stock closed
at $.87. According to the Complaint, on April 21, 1998, Stockstowatch e- mailed
the Surgical Profile to its subscribers. In the profile, Stockstowatch stated
that Surgical "represents the most positive upside potential of any company we
have profiled." This profile continued: "[a]s a result of our own independent
due diligence, our industry insiders believe this stock will be a $20.00 stock
within 18 months." The SEC states in its complaint that there was a small print
disclaimer which accompanied the profile which stated that Stockstowatch had
entered into a compensation agreement valued at $43,500, but that such
disclaimer did not disclose that Stockstowatch received Surgical's Common Stock
and that it intended to sell the stock after the profile.
In March 1998, the Company issued 100,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock valued at $15,000 to Mintmire & Associates in exchange for legal services.
In April 1998, the Company issued 2,500 shares of restricted stock to
Xavier Calderon in exchange for computer consulting services valued at $4,375.
On June 15, 1998, the Company engaged Frank M. Clark to act as the
President of the Company. As such he received 50,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock as a signing bonus valued at $50,000 and options to purchase up to
200,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price of $1.75 per share under
the 1998 Revised ESOP. In January 1999, the Board voted to reduce the exercise
price on the option to $1.00 per share and to increase the exercise term. Mr.
Clark's shares were valued at $50,000 and there was no value attached to the
grant of his options. Mr. Clark has a year to year employment contract with the
Company.
In October 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with T.T.
Communications, Inc. to provide investor relations services for the Company.
T.T. Communications, Inc.'s function is to contact investment and media people
throughout the United States and to participate in the preparation of
communication packages including annual and quarterly reports, news and press
releases and publicity and corporate profiles. The initial agreement was for a
period of three (3) months for which T.T. Communications, Inc. receives $2,000
per month and reimbursement of out of pocket expenses. In addition, T.T.
Communications, Inc. was granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of the
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<PAGE>
Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.50. In the event T. T.
Communications, Inc. introduces the Company to a suitable financing source, they
will be compensated by a cash finder's fee equal to 1.5% on the initial
financing and .75% on any subsequent financing. The agreement is cancelable by
either party with 30 days written notice. The agreement continues on a month to
month basis.
In November 1998, the Company entered into a seven (7) year collaborative
agreement with Dr. William B. Saye, the Medical Director and CEO of the Advanced
Laparoscopy Training Center in Marietta, Georgia ("ALTC") under which the
Company acquired the "digital rights" of ALTC and the resulting amalgam as it
relates to surgical education and marketing rights to the ALTC database. Under
this agreement, Dr. Saye became a member of the Company's Board of Directors and
agreed to act as the Medical Director of ALTC VirtualLabs. Dr. Saye is to be
compensated for travel expenses and will be paid an honorarium of $2,500 per day
when his services are requested by Surgical. In addition, Dr. Saye was awarded
stock options to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
over the period, 300,000 of which were issued upon the execution of the
agreement, and the balance of which are issuable monthly. The intention of the
agreement is that any educational activity involving ALTC or Dr. Saye on the
Internet or other digital presence would be the property of and under the
control of Surgical.
Pursuant to a settlement agreement dated December 1, 1998 with MediaWorks,
a former consultant to the Company, relative to the litigation between the
parties, the Company agreed to make two types of payments in exchange for the
dismissal of the action with prejudice: (1) to pay MediaWorks $50,000 and (2) to
issue 40,000 shares of Rule 144 stock.
In April 1999 the Company commenced a self-directed private placement
offering of its restricted Common Stock and warrants for which it received gross
proceeds of $475,000, for which Directors Sam Norton, David Swor and Dr. Saye
each purchased 50,000 shares and were granted warrants to purchase 25, 000
shares on the same terms as outside investors. Pursuant to such offering, a
total of 950,000 shares of restricted Common Stock were issued and warrants to
purchase 475,000 shares of the Company's restricted Common Stock at an exercise
price of $1.00 exercisable within five (5) years were granted.
In April 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with KJS to provide
consulting services. KJS agreed to accept 7,000 shares of the Company's common
stock valued at the current bid price of $.50 as part of an initial retainer
with the balance of $1,500 to be paid in cash at such time as KJS introduces the
Company to five institutional funding sources.
In April 1999, the Company issued 2,000 shares each to David Utz and Robert
Wingate, two consultants of the Company in lieu of cash for services relating to
their production of a CD-Rom disc to be used to promote OASiS. Such 4000 shares
were valued at $2,250 which was based upon the closing price for the shares on
the dates the services were due to be paid.
In May 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with Ten Peaks to pay a
finder's fee for successfully securing specifically defined financing for the
Company. Ten Peaks agreed to accept 6,000 shares of the Company's common stock
in lieu of a retainer provided such stock had a fair market value as reported on
Bloomberg, LLP on the date of execution of not less than $.66. Although
obligated to issue such shares, the Company has decided not to deliver such
shares since it believes that Ten Peaks did not perform as required.
78
<PAGE>
In May 1999, the Company issued a total of 46,000 shares of its restricted
Common Stock to Frank Clark and David Collins and 11,400 shares of its
restricted Common Stock to three (3) other employees in lieu of salary and
consulting fees due from the Company to each of them, which salary and
consulting fees were valued at $31,222 in the case of Mr. Clark and Mr. Collins
and at $7,832 in the case of the three (3) employees.
Item 13. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
Item No. Description
- ---------------------------------
3.(I).1 Articles of Incorporation of Surgical Safety Products, Inc., a
Florida corporation filed May 15, 1992
3.(I).2 Articles of Amendment filed December 9, 1992
3.(I).3 Articles of Amendment filed July 19, 1994
3.(I).4 Articles of Amendment filed October 11, 1994
3.(I).5 Articles of Incorporation of Sheffeld Acres, Inc., a New York
Corporation filed May 7, 1993
3.(I).6 Articles of Merger filed in the State of Florida October 12, 1994
3.(I).7 Certificate of Merger filed in the State of New York
February 8, 1995
3.(I).8 Certificate to Do Business in the State of Florida
filed April 11, 1995
3.(I).9 Certificate of Amendment filed May 1, 1998
3.(II).1 Bylaws of Sheffeld Acres, Inc., now known as Surgical Safety
Products, Inc.
3.(II).2 Amended Bylaws of Surgical Safety Products, Inc.
10.1 Acquisition of Endex Systems, Inc. d/b/a/ InterActive PIE
dated December 8, 1997
10.2 Prepaid Capital Lease Agreement with Community Health Corporation
relative to Sarasota Medical Hospital OASiS Installation
dated January 30, 1998
10.3 Letter of Intent with United States Surgical Corporation
dated February 12, 1998
10.4 Form of Rockford Industries, Inc. Rental Agreement and Equipment
Schedule to Master Lease Agreement
10.5 Ad-Vantagenet Letter of Intent dated June 19, 1998
10.6 Distribution Agreement with Morrison International Inc.,
dated September 30, 1996
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<PAGE>
10.7 Distribution Agreement with Hospital News dated August 1, 1997
10.8 Clinical Products Testing Agreement with Sarasota Memorial
Hospital dated January 30, 1998
10.9 Real Estate Lease for Executive Offices effective June 1, 1998
10.10 Employment Agreement with Donald K. Lawrence dated April 1, 1997
10.11 Employment Agreement with G. Michael Swor dated June 15, 1998
10.12 Employment Agreement with Frank M. Clark dated June 15, 1998
10.13 Agreement for Consulting Services with Stockstowatch.com Inc.,
dated March 30, 1988
10.14 Form of Employee Option Agreement dated July 1994
10.15 Form of Employee Option Agreement dated 1998
10.16 Form of Consultants Option Agreement dated July 1994
10.17 Form of Consultants Option Agreement dated 1998
10.18 Confidential Private Offering Memorandum dated May 30, 1995
10.19 Supplement to Private Offering Memorandum dated October 30, 1995
10.20 Stock Option Agreement with Bay Breeze Enterprises LLC
dated April 9, 1998
10.21 Revolving Loan Agreement, Revolving Note, Security Agreement
with SouthTrust Bank dated May 2, 1997
10.22 Agreement between the Company and T. T. Communications, Inc.,
dated October 15, 1998
10.23 Agreement between the Company and U.S. Surgical Corporation
dated October 28, 1998.
10.24 Collaborative Agreement between the Company and
Dr. William B. Saye dated November 16, 1998.
10.25 Kiosk Information System, Inc. Purchase Order
dated November 3, 1998
10.26 Surgical Safety Products 1999 Stock Option Plan
adopted January 1999
10.27 Form of the Employee Option Agreement under the Surgical Safety
Products 1999 Stock Option Plan dated January 1999
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<PAGE>
10.28 Form of the Director, Consultant and Advisor Option Agreement
under the Surgical Safety Products 1999 Stock Option Plan
dated January 1999
10.29 Verio, Inc. Access Service Agreement dated February 16, 1999.
10.30 Form of Investor Subscription Documents and Agreements relative
to the April 1999 Self Directed Private Placement Offering
under Rule 506 of Regulation D.
10.31 Form of the Warrant issued pursuant to the April 1999 Self
Directed Private Placement Offering under Rule 506 of Regulation
D.
10.32 Consulting Agreement dated April 1999 with Koritz Group, LLC.
10.33 Agreement dated April 1999 with KJS Investment Corporation.
10.34 Agreement dated May 1999 with Ten Peaks Capital Corp.
10.35 Private Partner Network Agreement dated July 30, 1999
with US Surgical
10.36 Staff/Client Leasing Agreement dated October 16, 1999,
as amended September 15, 1999
27.1 Financial Data Sheet
- ----------------
( All of the above Exhibits previously have been filed with the Company's Form
10-SB, Amendment No. 1 to the Form 10-SB or Amendment No. 2 to the Form 10-SB)
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the last quarter
covered by this report.
SIGNATURE
In accordance with Section 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Registrant
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
Surgical Safety Products, Inc.
(Registrant)
Date: October 13, 1999 By:/s/ Frank M. Clark
--------------------
Frank M. Clark, President and CEO
By:/s/ Donald K. Lawrence
----------------------
Donald K. Lawrence
Vice President and Secretary
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<PAGE>
By:/s/ G. Michael Swor
----------------------
G. Michael Swor
Treasurer
By:/s/ David Collins
----------------------
David Collins
Acting Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
- - --------- ----- ----
/s/ G. Michael Swor Chairman of the Board October 13, 1999
- - ------------------ and Treasurer
G. Michael Swor
/s/ Frank M. Clark . President and Chief Executive October 13, 1999
- - ------------------ Officer and Director
Frank M. Clark
/s/ David Collins Acting Chief Financial Officer October 13, 1999
- - ----------------- and Director
David Collins (principal financial
or accounting officer)
/s/ Donald K. Lawrence Secretary, Vice President and October 13, 1999
- - --------------------- Director
Donald K. Lawrence
/s/ James D. Stuart Director October 13, 1999
- - -------------------
James D. Stuart
/s/ Sam Norton Director October 13, 1999
- ---------------------
Sam Norton
/s/ David Swor Director October 13, 1999
- ---------------------
David Swor
/s/ William B. Saye Director October 13, 1999
- ---------------------
William B. Saye
[SIGNATURE PAGE 10-KSB/A 12/31/98]
82
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001063530
<NAME> Surgical Safety Products, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
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