<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
______________
FORM 10-KSB
ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997
Commission file number 1-9431
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION
----------------------------------------------
(Name of Small Business Issuer in Its Charter)
Delaware 94-3012230
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
Suite 605, 1075 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
--------------------------------------------- ----------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(206) 901-3595
------------------------------------------------
(Issuer's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
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 past 90 days.
Yes X No
----- -----
Check if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation
S-B is not 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. / /
Issuer's revenues for its fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 were
$3,000.
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held
by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity
was sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of a
specified date within the past 60 days. $7,343 as of October 31, 1998 (no
such transactions occurred after October 31, 1998).
<PAGE>
Check whether the issuer has filed all documents and reports required to be
filed by Section 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the distribution of
securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes X No
----- -----
The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock as of December 15,
1998 was 73,402,516 shares.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one):
Yes No X
----- -----
PART I
ITEM 1 - Business Description
Formed in 1986, ESCAgenetics Corporation ("the Company") was organized to
develop and commercialize high-value, plant derived products for the
agricultural and pharmaceutical markets. The Company actively conducted its
business between 1987 and the early part of 1995. In January 1995, the Company
scaled back its business activities and became largely a dormant business.
During 1995, the Company disposed of most of its technology rights including the
rights to its corn hybrids and synthetic taxol programs. In January 1996, the
Company filed a bankruptcy petition for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, the Company retained
rights to certain plant extracts and related patents, its date palm inventory
and related technology and patents and its hybrid true potato seed inventory and
related technology and patents. The Company sold the plant extracts and related
patents and its date palm inventory as part of the bankruptcy reorganization.
The Company's amended plan of reorganization (the "Amended Plan of
Reorganization") was conditionally confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on July 10,
1996 and became effective on August 22, 1996. Under the Amended Plan of
Reorganization, GFL Ultra Fund, Ltd. ("Ultra"), the Company's largest debt
holder, received 25% of the cash available to unsecured creditors and 90% of the
Company's common stock. The remaining cash was distributed proportionately to
the remaining unsecured creditors and the remaining 10% of the Company's common
stock remained owned by its previous shareholders. The bankruptcy proceeding
was officially closed effective March 31, 1997.
On December 27, 1996, the Company sold 100% of the common stock outstanding of
its wholly owned subsidiary, Potato Products International, Ltd. (formerly known
as TPS Products Company) to an affiliate of Ultra for $175,000. Prior to the
sale, the Company transferred to Potato Products International, Ltd. title to
all of its tangible and intangible assets other than cash on hand and the stock
of PHYTOpharmaceuticals, Inc. (an inactive majority owned subsidiary), SRE
ESCAgenetics Corporation (an inactive wholly owned subsidiary) and Potato
Products International, Ltd. The Company used the proceeds from the sale to
repay amounts owed to Ultra for cash advances and to pay for the costs
associated with preparing the Company for a business combination or other
strategic transaction.
With the exception of closing the bankruptcy proceeding and selling Potato
Products International, Ltd., the Company has been dormant during the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1997. The Company has had no employees since November
1996. The Company does not plan to continue the business activities that it
previously conducted. It plans to pursue a business combination or other
strategic transaction. No candidate for such a transaction has been identified.
The Company believes its status as a public company may be attractive to a
private company wishing to avoid an initial public offering but there is no
guarantee that a business combination or other strategic transaction will be
consummated.
The Company applied "fresh start" reporting in connection with its bankruptcy
filing and Ultra's acquisition of 90% of the Company's outstanding shares of
common stock. Accordingly, the Company's balance sheet as of August 22, 1996,
the effective date of the Plan of Reorganization, was adjusted to
2
<PAGE>
reflect the current value of the Company as of that date. Fresh start
reporting requires that purchase accounting principles be applied. This
means that the operating statements of the "old" Company are not included in
the financial statements of the "new" Company; that the "purchase price"
(current value) must be allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities
assumed; and that retained earnings are fixed at zero.
The purchase price was determined based on the December 1997 sales price of
Potato Products International, Inc. less the expenses incurred by the Company on
behalf of that entity between the reorganization date and the date of sale.
This value, which amounted to $134,000, was assigned to the Company's investment
in Potato Products International, Inc. The Company's bankruptcy disclosure
statement placed a value of $150,000 on the inventory of true potato seed and
the related technology and patents but the Company was unable to find a buyer
for the inventory of true potato seed or the related technology and patents
during the bankruptcy proceeding at that or any other value.
ITEM 2 - Description of Property
The Company leases approximately 200 square feet of storage space in Gilroy,
California.
ITEM 3 - Legal Proceedings
None.
ITEM 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of the shareholders during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997.
PART II
ITEM 5 - Market for Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters
The Company's Common Stock trades under the symbol "ESNG" on the OTC Bulletin
Board. The market for the Company's Common Stock is limited, sporadic and
highly volatile. The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices per
share of the Company's Common Stock since August 22, 1996 (reorganization date),
as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board. These prices reflect inter-dealer
prices, without retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions, and may not
necessarily represent actual transactions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
High Low
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
August 22, 1996 to September 30, 1996 $0.010 $0.005
Fiscal 1997
First Quarter 0.660 0.001
Second Quarter 0.005 0.002
Third Quarter 0.002 0.002
Fourth Quarter 0.100 0.005
</TABLE>
The number of shareholders of record as of August 21, 1996 was 434.
3
<PAGE>
It is the present policy of the Company not to pay cash dividends. Any payment
of cash dividends in the future will depend upon the amount of funds legally
available for that purpose, the Company's earnings, financial condition, capital
requirements and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
ITEM 6 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
Since the August 22, 1996 reorganization date, the Company has adopted a
September 30 fiscal year.
The Company has had no revenues from operations since the reorganization date.
The Company does not plan to continue the business activities that it previously
conducted. It plans to pursue a business combination or other strategic
transaction. No candidate for such a transaction has been identified. The
Company believes its status as a public company may be attractive to a private
company wishing to avoid an initial public offering but there is no guarantee
that a business combination or other strategic transaction will be consummated.
The Company expects to fund its expenses during fiscal 1998 with advances from
its majority shareholder, Ultra. These advances are expected to total
approximately $15,000. The Company expects Ultra to continue to fund its
expenses until a business combination or other strategic transaction is
consummated. There is no guarantee that the Company is a viable party for a
business combination or other strategic transaction. If a business combination
or other strategic transaction is not consummated in a timeframe suitable to
Ultra or cannot be consummated due to excessive cost or for any other reason,
Ultra will cease to advance funds to the Company.
The Company has no employees and no fixed assets. The Company does not
anticipate hiring any employees or purchasing any assets until such time as a
business combination or other strategic transaction is consummated or is
imminent.
ITEM 7 - Financial Statements
The financial statements of the Company are included in this report commencing
on page F-1.
ITEM 8 - Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
On October 22, 1998, the Company engaged the firm of Bader Martin Ross & Smith,
P.S. as its independent auditors for all periods subsequent to the
reorganization date. The Company's Board of Directors has approved the
engagement.
The Company had engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP on November 29, 1996 as the
Company's independent auditors to report on the Company's financial statements
for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996. These fiscal
years ended prior to the August 22, 1996 bankruptcy reorganization date. The
audits were not completed due to excessive cost resulting primarily from the
lack of continuity of personnel and the fact that certain accounting records and
inventory were located in Chile.
Deloitte & Touche LLP was notified of the change of auditors on December 18,
1998. There have been no disagreements with Deloitte & Touche LLP.
4
<PAGE>
PART III
ITEM 9 - Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons;
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Executive Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each person who was
serving as an executive officer or director of the Company at September 30,
1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Office
- ----------------- --- ------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Michelle Kline 39 President, Treasurer, Secretary, Director
Kristi J. La-Band 33 Director
</TABLE>
Ms. Kline and Ms. La-Band were each appointed as an officer and/or director as
of August 23, 1996 in accordance with the Company's Amended Plan of
Reorganization. The Amended Plan of Reorganization required all directors and
officers of the Company to resign and to be replaced by persons designated by
Ultra. Ms. Kline and Ms. La-Band have been employees of Genesee Services Corp.,
an affiliate of Ultra, since 1990 and 1992, respectively.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent
of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC"). Officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are
required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all such
reports they file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports received by the
Company, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended September
30, 1997 and prior fiscal years, all filing requirements applicable to its
officers and directors, and all of the persons known to the Company to own
more than ten percent of its Common Stock, were complied with by such
persons, except that (i) Ms. Kline filed late her initial report
of beneficial ownership on Form 3, (ii) Ms. La-Band and Ultra did not file
such reports, and (iii) none of such persons filed a Form 5 reporting the late
filings.
ITEM 10 - Executive Compensation
The Company has had no employees since November 1996 and did not compensate its
officer or directors during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997. Their
employer compensates Ms. Kline and Ms. La-Band for services rendered to their
employer. No portion of their compensation is specifically attributable to
their service as officer or director of the Company.
ITEM 11 - Security Ownership of Beneficial Owners and Management
The table below sets forth information as to the beneficial owner of record that
was known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the 73,402,516
shares of issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company as of September 30,
1997.
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Title of Class Name and Address of Amount and Nature of Percent
Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership of Class
- -------------- ------------------- -------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock GFL Ultra Fund Ltd. 66,060,000 shares 90%
Kaya Flamboyan 9
P.O. Box 812
Willemstad, Curacao
Netherlands Antilles
</TABLE>
Neither Ms. Kline nor Ms. La-Band beneficially owns any shares of the Company or
an interest in Ultra.
ITEM 12 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
At September 30, 1997, the Company owed $39,000 to Ultra for loans provided to
finance the Company's business activities. The loans are convertible into
equity at the rate of 130 shares per dollar at Ultra's option. Ultra has waived
its right to receive interest on the loans through September 30, 1997.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, the Company paid $37,000 to an
affiliate of Ultra for general and administrative expenses consisting primarily
of accounting and administrative services.
ITEM 13 - Exhibits, Lists and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this report
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Exhibit Title
----------- -------------
<S> <C>
3.1 * Articles of incorporation
3.2 * By-laws
16 Letter on change in certifying accountant
21 Subsidiaries of registrant
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
* Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-QSB for the quarter
ended December 31, 1996.
(b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997.
6
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION
By /s/ Michelle Kline
- -----------------------------------------------
Michelle Kline, President
Dated: January 12, 1999
---------------------
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
By /s/ Michelle Kline
----------------------------------------------
Michelle Kline, Principal Executive, Financial
and Accounting Officer and Director
Date January 12, 1999
------------------------
By /s/ Greg L. Key
----------------------------------------------
Greg L. Key, Director
Date January 12, 1999
------------------------
7
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
Board of Directors and Shareholders
ESCAgenetics Corporation and Subsidiaries
Bellevue, Washington
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of ESCAgenetics
Corporation and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the year ended
September 30, 1997, and the period August 22, 1996 (fresh start date) to
September 30, 1996. 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 ESCAgenetics Corporation and
Subsidiaries as of September 30, 1997, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for the year ended September 30, 1997, and the period August
22, 1996, (fresh start date) to September 30, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
BADER MARTIN ROSS & SMITH, P.S.
Seattle, Washington
December 18, 1998
F1
<PAGE>
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash $ 0
---------
Total assets $ 0
---------
---------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 3,000
Due to GLF Ultra Fund, Ltd. 39,000
---------
Total liabilities 42,000
---------
Shareholders' equity (deficiency):
Common stock 7,000
Additional paid-in capital 134,000
Accumulated deficit (183,000)
---------
Total shareholders' equity (deficiency) (42,000)
---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficiency) $ 0
---------
---------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
F2
<PAGE>
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the period
August 22, 1996
(fresh start date)
Year ended through
September 30, September 30,
1997 1996
------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Miscellaneous $ 3,000 $ 0
---------- ----------
Operating expenses:
Accounting and legal 134,000 5,000
General and administrative 37,000 10,000
---------- ----------
Total expenses 171,000 15,000
---------- ----------
Net loss (168,000) (15,000)
Accumulated deficit, beginning of year (15,000) 0
---------- ----------
Accumulated deficit, end of year $ (183,000) $ (15,000)
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Net loss per share $ (0.00) $ (0.00)
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Weighted average common shares outstanding 73,402,516 73,402,516
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
F3
<PAGE>
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the period
August 22, 1996
(fresh start date)
Year ended through
September 30, September 30,
1997 1996
------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $(168,000) $ (15,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivable from disposition of assets 158,000
Accounts payable 3,000
Amounts due to pre-petition creditors (216,000) (101,000)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities (381,000) 42,000
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additional investment in Potato Products
International, Ltd. prior to sale (27,000) (7,000)
Proceeds from sale of Potato Products
International, Ltd. 175,000
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by investing activities 148,000 (7,000)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Advances from GLF Ultra Fund, Ltd. 144,000 30,000
Repayments to GLF Ultra Fund, Ltd. (135,000)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities 9,000 30,000
--------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash (224,000) 65,000
Cash at beginning of year 224,000 159,000
--------- ---------
Cash at end of year $ 0 $ 224,000
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
F4
<PAGE>
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Summary of significant accounting policies
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
ESCAgenetics Corporation (the "Company") and its majority and wholly
owned subsidiaries, PHYTOpharmaceuticals, Inc. and SRE ESCAgenetics
Corporation, after elimination of all significant intercompany
accounts and transactions. The Company's subsidiaries did not have
any significant operating activities during the periods presented.
OPERATIONS
Formed in 1986, the Company was organized to develop and commercialize
high-value, plant-derived products for the agricultural and
pharmaceutical markets. In January 1995, the Company scaled back its
business activities and became largely a dormant business. In January
1996, the Company filed a bankruptcy petition for protection under
Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
The Company proposed an amended plan of reorganization (the "Amended
Plan of Reorganization") that was conditionally confirmed by the
Bankruptcy Court on July 10, 1996, and became effective on August 22,
1996. Under the Amended Plan of Reorganization, GFL Ultra Fund, Ltd.
("Ultra"), a creditor holding approximately 59.5% of the Company's
unsecured claims, received 90% of the Company's common stock and the
right to 25% of the cash available to unsecured creditors. The
remaining 10% of the Company's common stock remained owned by its
previous shareholders. The bankruptcy proceeding was officially
closed effective March 31, 1997.
Subsequent to the reorganization date, the Company adopted a September
30 fiscal year.
Currently, all operating expenses are being funded by Ultra through a
line of credit (Note 3). During the year ended September 30, 1997,
the Company paid $37,000 to an affiliate for general and
administrative expenses consisting primarily of accounting and
administrative services.
The Company does not plan to continue the business activities that it
previously conducted. It plans to pursue a business combination or
other strategic transaction. No candidate for such a transaction has
been identified. Ultimately, the continuation of the Company as a
going concern is dependent upon the establishment of profitable
operations. Management believes Ultra will continue to fund
expenditures until such time as a business combination or other
strategic transaction is consummated.
Because the achievement of these plans is dependent upon future
events, there can be no assurance that future profitable operations
will occur as planned.
F5
<PAGE>
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results and values could
differ from those estimates.
FRESH START REPORTING
Paragraph 36 of AICPA Statement of Position 90-7 requires that the
Company use "fresh start" reporting in connection with its bankruptcy
filing and Ultra's acquisition of 90% of the Company's outstanding
shares of common stock. The Company's balance sheet as of August 22,
1996, the effective date of the Plan of Reorganization, has been
adjusted to reflect the current value of the Company's assets,
liabilities and shareholders' equity as of that date. Fresh start
reporting requires that purchase accounting principles be applied.
This means that the operating statements of the "old" Company are not
included in the financial statements of the "new" Company; that the
"purchase price" (current value) must be allocated to the assets
acquired and the liabilities assumed; and that retained earnings are
fixed at zero. The current value of $134,000 was assigned to the
Company's only significant remaining tangible asset: the investment in
Potato Products International, Ltd. (see Note 4). Consequently, these
consolidated financial statements are not comparable to and should not
be compared to the Company's consolidated financial statements for any
periods prior to August 22, 1996.
NET LOSS PER SHARE
Net loss per share is calculated on the basis of weighted average
number of common shares outstanding. Common stock equivalents are
excluded from the computation, as their effect is antidilutive.
2. Shareholders' equity
COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK
The Company has authorized 101,000,000 shares of Common Stock with a
par value of $.0001 per share and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock
with a par value of $.01 per share. There were 73,402,516 shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 1997. No shares
of Preferred Stock are outstanding.
F6
<PAGE>
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Shareholders' equity (continued)
OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
The Company had several employee and non-employee stock option plans.
All of the plans were terminated prior to the effective date of the
Amended Plan of Reorganization.
At September 30, 1997, the Company had warrants for 467,500 shares
outstanding. These warrants expire at various dates through July 1999
and have exercise prices ranging from $1.75 to $7.20 per share.
3. Due to Ultra
At September 30, 1997, the Company owed $39,000 to Ultra for loans
provided to finance the Company's business activity. The loans are
convertible into equity at the rate of 130 shares per dollar at
Ultra's option. Ultra has waived its right to receive interest on the
loans through September 30, 1997.
4. Sale of Potato Products International, Ltd.
On December 27, 1996, ESCAgenetics Corporation sold 100% of the common
stock outstanding of Potato Products International, Ltd. ("PPI") to an
affiliate of Ultra for $175,000. Prior to the sale, ESCAgenetics
Corporation transferred to Potato Products International, Ltd. Title
to all of its tangible and intangible assets other than cash and cash
equivalents and the stock of PHYTOpharmaceuticals, Inc., SRE
ESCagenetics Corporation and PPI. Cash was collected from the sale on
January 31, 1997. Substantially all of the proceeds from the sale
were used to repay amounts owed to Ultra.
In its financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 1996,
the Company incorrectly reported a gain of $58,000 on the sale of
Potato Products International, Ltd. Had the investment in PPI Been
properly recorded at net realizable value on the "fresh start" date of
August 22, 1996 (note 1), no gain or loss would have been recorded on
the sale of PPI in December 1996. Based upon the subsequent sale,
management determined that the fair value of PPI Was understated.
Accordingly, the investment in PPI was retroactively adjusted to net
realizable value at August 22, 1996. The effect of this adjustment
was to eliminate the gain and increase the loss previously reported in
the quarter ended December 31, 1996 by $24,000 to a net loss of
$97,000.
F7
<PAGE>
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Income taxes
The Company has accumulated significant net operating loss
carryforwards. Subsequent to its August 22, 1996 reorganization date,
the Company accumulated net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $23,000 that are available to offset future taxable
income, if any, through 2012. Due to the change in the ownership of
the Company and the nature of the Company's operations, realization of
the net operating loss carryforwards is remote. Accordingly,
management has recorded a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax
assets associated with net operating loss carryforwards to zero at
September 30, 1997.
F8
<PAGE>
Exhibit 16
Letter on change in certifying accountant
December 18, 1998
Securities and Exchange Commission
Mail Stop 9-5
450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Dear Sirs/Madams:
We have read and agree with the comments in the second and third paragraph of
Item 8 of each of the Form 10-KSB's of ESCAgenetics Corporation for the fiscal
years ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.
Yours truly,
\Deloitte & Touche LLP\
<PAGE>
ESCAGENETICS CORPORATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibit 21
Subsidiaries of Registrant
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of Subsidiary State of Incorporation Doing Business As
- ------------------ ---------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
PHYTOpharmaceuticals, Inc. California PHYTOpharmaceuticals, Inc. *
SRE ESCAgenetics Corporation California SRE ESCAgenetics Corporation *
</TABLE>
* This company is currently dormant
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED WITH THE COMPANY'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US $
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 0
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 42,000
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 7,000
<OTHER-SE> (49,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 0
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,000
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 171,000
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (168,000)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (168,000)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (168,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
