EX-99.33 34 exhibit99-33.htm EXHIBIT 99.33 Burcon NutraScience Corporation: Exhibit 99.33 - Filed by newsfilecorp.com

 

Burcon NutraScience Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

Three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited)

(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

 


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

As at September 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020

(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

    September
30,
2020

$
    March
31,
2020

$
 
             
ASSETS            
             
Current assets            
  Cash and cash equivalents   12,398,727     15,030,988  
  Amounts receivable (notes 3 and 9)   244,358     332,248  
  Inventory   283,565     132,142  
  Prepaid expenses   143,075     289,278  
    13,069,725     15,784,656  
             
Property and equipment   998,395     470,504  
Deferred development costs - net of accumulated amortization of $nil (2019 - $nil)   2,757,013     1,554,584  
Investment in and loan to Merit Functional Foods Corporation (note 3)   17,407,769     12,204,538  
Goodwill   1,254,930     1,254,930  
             
    35,487,832     31,269,212  
             
LIABILITIES            
Current liabilities            
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 9)   1,084,082     1,067,251  
  Deferred revenue   275,578     275,578  
  Lease liability   47,281     -  
  Accrued interest (note 4)   -     249,310  
    1,406,941     1,592,139  
             
Lease liability   8,912     -  
Convertible debentures (note 4)   -     6,731,350  
             
    1,415,853     8,323,489  
             
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (note 5)            
Capital stock   108,737,432     98,046,103  
Contributed surplus   14,058,654     9,030,861  
Options   5,039,684     9,673,821  
Warrants   1,619,783     1,792,168  
Convertible debentures (note 4)   -     2,762,927  
Deficit   (95,383,574 )   (98,360,157 )
             
    34,071,979     22,945,723  
             
    35,487,832     31,269,212  

Approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

"Douglas Gilpin"   "David Ju"
Director   Director

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    September 30     September 30  
             
    2020
$
    2019
$
    2020
$
    2019
$
 
                         
REVENUE                        
Royalty income (note 1(b))   131     7,055     8,646     22,691  
                         
EXPENSES                        
Research and development (note 6)   50,753     160,719     151,243     516,850  
Intellectual property   173,444     190,045     312,219     551,305  
General and administrative (note 7)   827,124     422,378     1,484,072     819,456  
                         
    1,051,321     773,142     1,947,534     1,887,611  
                         
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS   (1,051,190 )   (766,087 )   (1,938,888 )   (1,864,920 )
                         
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (notes 3 and 9)   219,109     19,005     368,670     25,063  
                         
MANAGEMENT FEE INCOME (notes 3 and 9)   54,232     145,665     163,547     150,884  
                         
GAIN ON DILUTION OF INVESTMENT IN MERIT FOODS (note 3)   6,384,942     -     6,384,942     -  
                         
SHARE OF LOSS IN MERIT FUNCTIONAL FOODS CORP. (note 3)   (948,972 )   (95,742 )   (1,331,148 )   (142,504 )
                         
INTEREST EXPENSE (note 4)   (280,206 )   -     (668,229 )   (117,258 )
                         
WARRANT VALUATION ADJUSTMENT   -     -     -     (85,421 )
                         
OTHER   (632 )   (478 )   (2,311 )   4,539  
                         
INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD   4,377,283     (697,637 )   2,976,583     (2,029,617 )
                         
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE (note 8)   0.04     (0.01 )   0.03     (0.03 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

(Unaudited)

For the six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

    Number of
fully paid
common
shares 
    Capital
stock
$
    Contributed
surplus
$
    Options
$
    Warrants
$
    Convertible debentures
$ 
    Deficit
$
    Total
shareholders'
equity
$
 
                                                 
Balance - March 31, 2019   43,941,536     73,361,133     9,001,467     9,184,852     199,117     -     (93,726,663 )   (1,980,094 )
                                                 
Loss and comprehensive loss for the year   -     -     -     -     -           (2,029,617 )   (2,029,617 )
                                                 
Shares issued   44,083,203     15,429,121     -     -     -     -     -     15,429,121  
                                                 
Issue costs   -     (159,753 )   -     -     -     -     -     (159,753 )
                                                 
Options exercised   171,667     116,854     -     (46,703 )   -     -     -     70,151  
                                                 
Warrant valuation adjustment   -     -     -     -     85,421     -     -     85,421  
                                                 
Stock-based compensation expense   -     -     -     72,044     -     -     -     72,044  
                                                 
Balance - September 30, 2019   88,196,406     88,747,355     9,001,467     9,210,193     284,538     -     (95,756,280 )   11,487,273  
                                                 
Balance, March 31, 2020   96,799,638     98,046,103     9,030,861     9,673,821     1,792,168     2,762,927     (98,360,157 )   22,945,723  
                                                 
Income and comprehensive income for the year   -     -     -     -     -     -     2,976,583     2,976,583  
                                                 
Shares issued   9,405,101     10,695,613     -     -     (171,600 )   (2,762,927 )   -     7,761,086  
                                                 
Issue costs   -     (4,284 )   -     -     (785 )   -     -     (5,069 )
                                                 
Options expired   -     -     5,027,793     (5,027,793 )   -     -     -     -  
                                                 
Stock-based compensation expense   -     -     -     393,656     -     -     -     393,656  
                                                 
Balance - September 30, 2020   106,204,739     108,737,432     14,058,654     5,039,684     1,619,783     -     (95,383,574 )   34,071,979  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

For the six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

     2020
$
    2019
$
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
Income (loss) for the period   2,976,583     (2,029,617 )
Items not affecting cash            
Amortization of property and equipment   53,931     19,215  
Unrealized foreign exchange loss    2,138     153  
Interest accretion   (149,437 )   -  
Interest expense   314,735     -  
Change in fair value of derivative liability   -     (5,384 )
Gain on dilution of investment in Merit Functional Foods Corporation   (6,384,942 )   -  
Share in loss of Merit Functional Foods Corporation   1,331,148     142,504  
Loss on disposal of equipment   -     747  
Warrant valuation adjustment   -     85,421  
Stock-based compensation expense   292,461     57,175  
    (1,563,383 )   (1,729,786 )
Changes in non-cash working capital items            
Amounts receivable   87,890     (271,975 )
Inventory   (151,423 )   (84,348 )
Prepaid expenses   146,203     186,718  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   311,555     169,883  
Accrued interest   (249,310 )   (564,251 )
    (1,418,468 )   (2,293,759 )
             
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES            
Investment in Merit Functional Foods Corporation   -     (8,000,001 )
Development costs deferred   (1,048,117 )   (493,953 )
Acquisition of property and equipment   (700,211 )   (4,141 )
    (1,748,328 )   (8,498,095 )
             
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES            
Issue of capital stock   715,000     15,499,271  
Share issue costs   (234,520 )   (158,070 )
Lease liability   56,193     -  
Short-term loan   -     250,000  
Repayment of convertible note   -     (1,990,687 )
Repayment of short-term loan   -     (1,500,000 )
    536,673     12,100,514  
             
FOREIGN EXCHANGE LOSS ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (2,138 )   (153 )
             
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (2,632,261 )   1,308,507  
             
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD   15,030,988     489,215  
             
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD   12,398,727     1,797,722  
             
INTEREST RECEIVED   135,103     28,855  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

1. Nature of operations

Burcon NutraScience Corporation ("Burcon" or the "Company") is an incorporated entity headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Burcon is a research and development company that has developed plant protein extraction and purification technology in the field of functional, renewable plant proteins.  The Company has an extensive portfolio of composition, application and process patents covering novel plant-based proteins derived from pea, canola, soy, hemp, sunflower seed and more. 

a) Peazazz®, Peazac®, Puratein®, Supertein® and Nutratein®

Burcon has developed novel pea proteins that it has branded Peazazz® and Peazac®.  In 2017, Peazazz® and Peazac® pea proteins achieved US self-affirmed GRAS ("Generally Recognized As Safe") status, and the US Food and Drug Administration ("US-FDA") formally acknowledged receipt of Burcon's GRAS notification for Peazazz® and Peazac® in October 2019.

Burcon has developed three canola protein products, Puratein®, Supertein® and Nutratein®.  In 2008, Puratein® and Supertein® achieved US self-affirmed GRAS status, and the US-FDA formally acknowledged receipt of Burcon's GRAS notification for Puratein® and Supertein® in 2010.

On May 23, 2019, Burcon, entered into a shareholders' agreement with two other entities to become shareholders of Merit Functional Foods Corporation ("Merit Foods"), to build a new commercial production facility in Western Canada to produce its pea and canola protein  products.  See note 3 for further details.

On May 23, 2019, Burcon entered into a license agreement with Merit Foods granting Merit Foods an exclusive, royalty-bearing, worldwide license to use and exploit Burcon's pea, pulse, and canola protein technologies required to produce, market and sell Burcon's pea, pulse and canola proteins (collectively the "Products").  See note 3 for further details.

b) CLARISOY®

Burcon had a license and production agreement (the "Soy Agreement") with Archer Daniels Midland Company ("ADM") to license its CLARISOY® technology to ADM on an exclusive basis to produce market and sell CLARISOY® soy protein worldwide.  On August 7, 2020, Burcon and ADM agreed to terminate the Soy Agreement.  As part of the agreement to terminate the exclusive license, the CLARISOY trademark reverted back to Burcon. 

c) COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020.  Globally, governments worldwide have focused on containment of the outbreak and the prevention of further spread.  Since the outbreak, global economies have been impacted as governments have imposed restrictions such as travel bans, self-imposed quarantines, social distancing and temporary closures of non-essential businesses.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Burcon implemented measures to ensure the safety of work conditions for its staff at the Winnipeg Technical Centre and at its head office in Vancouver.  To-date, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had significant adverse effect on Burcon's business.


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

2. Significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements, including International Accounting Standards ("IAS") 34, Interim Financial Reporting, and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") on a basis consistent with those accounting policies followed in the most recent annual consolidated financial statements.  These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and were approved and authorized for issue by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors on November 12, 2020.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2020. 

Principles of consolidation

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, Burcon NutraScience (MB) Corp. ("Burcon-MB") and Burcon NutraScience Holdings Corp. ("Burcon Holdings").  A subsidiary is an entity in which the Company has control, directly or indirectly.  Under IFRS 10, an investor controls an investee if and only if the investor has power over the investee, exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee, and the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor's returns.  All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation.

Details of the Company's subsidiary at September 30, 2020 are as follows:

    Place of
incorporation
  Interest
%
  Principal activity
             
Burcon NutraScience (MB) Corp.   Manitoba, Canada   100   Research and development
Burcon NutraScience Holdings Corp.   Canada   100   Investment holding


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

3. Investment in and loan to Merit Functional Foods Corporation

On May 23, 2019, Burcon, through a new wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated on May 22, 2019, Burcon Holdings, entered into a shareholders' agreement (the "Shareholders' Agreement") with two other entities (the "Partners") to become shareholders of Merit Foods, to build and own a new commercial production facility in Western Canada to produce, sell, market and distribute Burcon's Peazazz® and Peazac® pea proteins, Burcon's Puratein®, Supertein® and Nutratein® canola proteins, as well as Burcon's new pea and canola protein blends that it has branded Nutratein-PS and Nutratein-TZ

On inception, Burcon Holdings held 40% of the issued and outstanding shares of Merit Foods, and the two other parties held 40% and 20%, respectively.  Each shareholder made its respective capital loan advances in June, September, December 2019 and February 2020 by way of shareholder loans totalling $32.5 million (the "Merit Shareholder Loans").

On August 27, 2020, Bunge Limited ("Bunge") made an investment of $30 million into Merit Foods. In addition to purchasing equity directly from Merit Foods, Bunge purchased additional shares and debt from the other shareholders of Merit Foods.  As a result of these transactions, Bunge became a 25% shareholder in Merit Foods and Burcon's ownership interest in Merit Foods is now at 33.3%.  As a result of the dilution in Burcon's ownership interest in Merit Foods, Burcon has recorded a dilution gain of $6,384,942.

Summary financial position for Merit Foods as at September 30, 2020

    As at September 30, 2020     As at March 31, 2020  
    $     $  
             
Current assets   35,402,061     5,828,739  
Non-current assets   103,823,711     36,056,689  
Current liabilities   15,680,203     11,369,931  
Non-current liabilities   74,507,800     6,653,724  

Summary financial results for Merit Foods

    Three months ended     Period ended  
    September 30     September 30  
                         
    2020
$
    2019
$
    2020
$
    2019
$
 
                         
Total revenue   100,098     -     638,642     -  
                         
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period   (2,610,822 )   (239,353 )   (3,566,262 )   (356,259 )


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

To-date, Burcon Holdings has made capital loan advances of $13.0 million to Merit Foods in the form of shareholder loans.

    Investment in Share capital
$
    Capital Contribution
$
    Loan receivable
$
    Total net investment
$
 
                         
From inception to December 31, 2019   1     -     11,000,000     11,000,001  
Modification to loan terms         8,871,512     (8,871,512 )   -  
Capital loan advance, February 2020   -     1,613,002     386,998     2,000,000  
Share of loss in Merit Foods   -     (939,806 )   -     (939,806 )
Interest accretion   -     -     144,343     144,343  
                         
Net Investment in Merit Foods, March 31, 2020   1     9,544,708     2,659,829     12,204,538  
                         
Share of loss in Merit Foods   -     (1,331,148 )   -     (1,331,148 )
Gain on dilution of Investment in Merit Foods   -     6,384,942     -     6,384,942  
Interest accretion   -     -     149,437     149,437  
                         
Net Investment in Merit Foods, September 30, 2020   1     14,598,502     2,809,266     17,407,769  

From inception to December 2019, the Merit Shareholder Loans were recorded as loan receivable.  In December 2019, the terms of the Merit Shareholder Loans were finalized.  The loans are non-interest bearing, unsecured, subordinated to Merit Foods' other secured and unsecured debts, have a term of 15 years, and may be repaid by Merit Foods, without penalty or bonus, on a pro-rata basis based on the proportionate share of each shareholder's loan outstanding in relation to the other shareholders of Merit Foods applied to the outstanding principal amounts.  As a result, Burcon recalculated the fair value at that date, resulting in a reduction of the fair value of the loan receivable that was transferred to a capital contribution account.  Notional interest is accruing on the loan receivable at 11% per annum, which is considered to be the market rate of interest.  For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, the Company has recorded interest accretion of $75,628 and $149,437, respectively (2019 - $nil).

Burcon has a license agreement (the "License Agreement") with Merit Foods for an exclusive, royalty-bearing, worldwide license to use and exploit Burcon's Products.  As part of the Bunge transaction, Bunge, Burcon and the Partners have amended the License Agreement (the "Amended License Agreement") and Burcon, Bunge and the Partners have also amended the Shareholders Agreement (the "Amended Shareholders Agreement").  Under the Amended License Agreement and Amended Shareholders Agreement, Burcon, Bunge and the Partners have agreed to certain contractual rights, including a right, but not an obligation, of Burcon, in certain circumstances, to participate in a sale of all but not less than all of its shares in Merit Foods, and that in certain circumstances, Merit Foods will have the right to buy out from Burcon the Amended License Agreement for an amount representing the discounted future royalties over the life of the Amended License Agreement.


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

Burcon has a services agreement (the "Services Agreement") with Merit Foods to provide technical, administrative and general management services, research and analytical services and sample production services based on rates set out in the Services Agreement.  For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, included in management fee income are $53,638 and $158,238, respectively, (2019 - $141,734 and $142,694) for services provided and $132,204 and $212,144, respectively, (2019 - $24,725 and $24,725) for samples sold to Merit Foods, of which $80,541 was included in amounts receivable at September 30, 2020 (March 31, 2020 - $110,594).

Merit Foods also provides certain technical and consulting services to Burcon.  For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, Burcon recorded professional fee expense of $2,320 and $10,720 (2019 - $nil), respectively, of which $nil was outstanding as at September 30, 2020.

In May 2020, Burcon announced that Merit Foods had secured a debt financing package of up to $85 million of capital from a syndicate of lenders including Export Development Canada ("EDC"), Farm Credit Canada ("FCC") and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.  All of Merit Foods' shareholders, including Burcon Holdings, have pledged their shares in Merit Foods as security under the loan facilities with EDC and FCC.  In connection with the loan facilities from EDC, Merit Foods must fulfill various obligations, including the establishment and maintenance of a cost overrun account in a prescribed amount in connection with the costs related to the construction of the Flex Production Facility.  Of the prescribed amount, $6.5 million is permitted to be funded by way of a letter of credit ("LC").  To assist Merit Foods to fulfill this obligation, Burcon Holdings obtained the LC from HSBC Bank Canada ("HSBC") in April 2020, which was secured by a term deposit with HSBC in the same amount.  The LC was released on August 28, 2020.

In connection with the LC, Burcon Holdings entered into a short-term loan agreement (the "Merit Loan Agreement") with Merit Foods in the amount of $6.5 million (the "Merit Loan").  The Merit Loan bore interest at 5% per annum, compounded annually, payable by way of a lump sum balloon payment at the end of the term.  As the LC was terminated on August 28, 2020, the Merit Loan Agreement was also terminated on August 28, 2020.  For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, Burcon recorded interest income of $52,534 and $120,205, respectively, (2019 - $nil) related to the Merit Loan, of which $nil was outstanding as at September 30, 2020 (March 31, 2020 - $nil).

In addition, Burcon provided a guarantee to EDC and FCC in connection with the $85 million financing package (the "Guarantees"), pursuant to which Burcon agreed to guarantee all of the indebtedness, liabilities and obligations to Merit Foods under the loan agreements between EDC, FCC and Merit Foods.  The aggregate maximum liability of Burcon under the Guarantees was limited to $4.0 million.  As part of the investment by Bunge into Merit Foods, EDC and FCC released the Guarantees on August 28, 2020.

In June 2020, Burcon announced that Merit Foods had secured additional debt financing of $10 million in the form of a 10-year interest-free loan from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (the "AIP Loan").  Burcon Holdings and the Partners provided a guarantee for the AIP Loan (the "AIP Guarantee").  The obligations of the AIP Guarantee are joint and several.  However, Burcon Holdings and the Partners (the "AIP Guarantors") have entered into a reciprocal indemnity agreement (the "Indemnity Agreement').  Under the Indemnity Agreement, if any AIP Guarantor (each, a "Paying Guarantor") is required to make payment under the AIP Guarantee and any other AIP Guarantor (each, a "Contributing Guarantor") has not made a corresponding payment equal to its share based on its shareholdings in Merit Foods ("Contributive Share"), such Contributing Guarantor(s) shall pay the Paying Guarantor such amounts so that, after payment, all obligations and liabilities under the AIP Guarantee will have been borne by the AIP Guarantors in their respective shareholding percentage in Merit Foods.


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

4. Convertible debentures

Convertible debentures

On December 10, 2019, the Company issued convertible debentures (the "Debentures") through a non-brokered private placement for an aggregate principal amount of $9.5 million.  Certain directors and an officer of the Company subscribed for Debentures totalling $2 million in principal amount.  Each Debenture consisted of $1,000 principal amount, bore interest at a rate of 8.5% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears and was unsecured.  The principal amount outstanding under the Debentures and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon were to be payable in cash on December 10, 2022.  The Company incurred issue costs of $228,432, of which $156,600 were finder's fees at 4.5% of the gross proceeds received from investors introduced to the Company by the finders. 

The Debentures were convertible at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, into common shares of the Company at a conversion price of $1.05 per share.  During the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, the holders of the Debentures converted principal amounts of $744,500 and $1,704,500, respectively, for the issuance of 709,044 and 1,623,327 common shares, respectively, of the Company. 

Burcon had the right, at its sole discretion, to force the conversion of the Debentures if the shares traded at or above $2.15 for a period of 14 consecutive trading days.  The Company determined it had met this condition between August 12 to August 31, 2020 and issued a notice to the holders of the Debentures for conversion of the Debentures to common shares on September 8, 2020.  As a result of the conversion of $7,795,500 of outstanding principal amount of the Debentures, an aggregate of 7,424,274 common shares were issued to the holders of the Debentures.

The Debentures were a level 3 financial liability with an embedded conversion feature.  The debt and equity components were bifurcated, and the instrument valued to par at the issuance date.  The value assigned to the liability at December 10, 2019 was the present value of the contractually determined stream of future cash flows discounted at 24%, being the rate estimated to be equivalent to that which the market would apply to an instrument with comparable credit status and provide substantially the same cash flows, on the same terms, but without the conversion option.  From the date of issuance, the liability component was accreted up to its principal value using the effective interest method, with the charge recorded in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).  The initial fair value of the debt as at December 10, 2019 was estimated to be $6,508,641.  The residual amount of $2,762,927 was recognized within equity as the value of the conversion option.  For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded interest expense of $262,198 and $637,522, respectively (2019 - $nil).


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

5. Shareholders' equity

a) Capital stock

Authorized

Unlimited number of common shares without par value

Equity Offering

On February 19, 2020, the Company completed a bought deal equity offering of 7,419,800 units (the "Units") at a price of $1.55 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $11.5 million (the "Offering") and net proceeds of $10.3 million.

Each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant").  Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share (a "Warrant Share") until February 19, 2022 at an exercise price of $2.00 per Warrant Share.  The fair value of the Warrants was estimated at $1,780,752 using the Black-Scholes pricing model and has been included in Warrants.  During the three months ended September 30, 2020, Warrants were exercised for 357,500 common shares of the Company.  As at September 30, 2020, 3,871,786 Warrants were outstanding.  Subsequent to September 30, 2020, 6,000 Warrants were exercised.

The agents received a cash commission of 7% of the gross proceeds and compensation options (Agents' Warrants) entitling the agents to purchase up to 519,386 common shares.  Each Agent's Warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $2.00 per share until February 19, 2022.  The fair value of the Agents' Warrants was estimated at $249,305 using the Black-Scholes pricing model and has been included in Warrants.  At September 30, 2020, all of the Agents' Warrants were outstanding.

In addition to the Agents' Warrants, the Company incurred total issue costs of $1.2 million related to the Offering.

b) Contributed surplus

Contributed surplus comprises the value ascribed to expired warrants and options and forfeited vested options, previously categorized in either warrants or options, as applicable, within shareholders' equity. 


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

c) Options

The Company has a stock option plan in which all directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiary are eligible to participate.

At September 30, 2020, 3,852,106 (March 31, 2020 - 4,507,606) options to purchase common stock are outstanding from the stock option plan.  These options, when vested under the terms of the plan, are exercisable at prices ranging between $0.23 and $8.05 per common share.  An additional 6,768,367 (March 31, 2020 - 5,172,357) options may be granted in future years under this plan.  Unless otherwise determined by the board of directors, the options have a term of 10 years from the date of grant.  The vesting terms are determined at the discretion of the board of directors at the time of grant.  All grants are recognized using graded vesting, with each vesting tranche being valued separately, and the fair value of each tranche recognized over its respective vesting period.

    Six months ended Sep. 30, 2020     Year ended March 31, 2020  
                         
    Number of
options
 
    Weighted
average
exercise
price

$
    Number of
options
 
    Weighted
average
exercise
price

$
 
                         
Outstanding - Beginning of period   4,507,606     3.32     3,953,739     3.46  
                         
Granted   62,000     2.47     757,000     1.88  
Exercised   -     -     (173,000 )   0.41  
Expired   (717,500 )   9.51     -     0.41  
Cancelled   -     -     (30,133 )   1.96  
                         
Outstanding - End of period   3,852,106     2.15     4,507,606     3.32  

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2020:

      Options outstanding     Options exercisable  
Range of
exercise prices

$
    Number
outstanding
at Sep. 30,
2020
    Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life

(years)
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
$
    Number
exercisable
at Sep.30,
2020
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
$
 
                                 
0.23 - 0.69     926,333     7.95     0.41     508,992     0.46  
1.88 - 4.16     2,825,773     5.83     2.54     2,336,773     2.67  
6.78 - 8.05     100,000     1.07     7.54     100,000     7.54  
                                 
      3,852,106     6.22     2.15     2,945,765     2.46  


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

The fair value of each option is estimated as at the date of grant or other measurement date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following weighted average assumptions:

    Six months
ended
September 30,
2020
  Year ended
March 31, 2020
         
Dividend yield   0.0%   0.0%
Expected volatility   74.4%   75.1%
Risk-free interest rate   0.5%   1.3%
Expected forfeitures   7.4%   7.7%
Expected average option term (years)   8.3   7.9

The expected volatility and expected forfeitures are based on historical volatility and forfeitures. The risk-free rate of return is the yield on a zero-coupon Canadian treasury bill of a term consistent with the expected average option term. The expected average option term is the average expected period to exercise, based on the historical activity patterns for each individually vesting tranche.

The weighted average fair value of the options granted during the six months ended September 30, 2020 was $1.78 per option (year ended March 31, 2020 - $1.36).

For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, included in research and development expenses (salaries and benefits) is $nil and $nil, respectively, (2019 - $nil and $16,757) (note 6) of stock-based compensation and included in general and administrative expenses (salaries and benefits) is $191,000 and $240,375, respectively, (2019 - $17,009 and $33,151) (note 7) of stock-based compensation.  Included in deferred development costs is $151,855 (March 31, 2020 - $50,660) of stock-based compensation.

6. Research and development

    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2020
$
    2019
$
    2020
$
    2019
$
 
Salaries and benefits   44,366     129,338     131,943     379,194  
Laboratory operation   3,207     20,870     8,770     77,668  
Rent   2,692     9,932     8,086     29,276  
Amortization of property and equipment   488     579     2,444     13,141  
Analyses and testing   -     -     -     17,571  
    50,753     160,719     151,243     516,850  


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

7. General and administrative

    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    September 30     September 30  
                         
    2020
$
    2019
$
    2020
$
    2019
$
 
                         
Salaries and benefits   458,534     217,589     918,138     444,091  
Professional fees   195,571     57,279     287,998     123,964  
Investor relations   77,366     42,374     112,083     64,080  
Office supplies and services   41,461     39,800     84,494     80,936  
Transfer agent and filing fees   26,894     14,089     30,820     17,538  
Financing expense   13,883     368     23,790     3,499  
Other   13,415     20,983     26,726     40,888  
Travel and meals   -     29,896     23     44,460  
                         
    827,124     422,378     1,484,072     819,456  

8. Basic and diluted income (loss) per share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    September 30     September 30  
                         
    2020
$
    2019
$
    2020
$
    2019
$
 
                         
Income (loss) for the period, being
   loss attributable to common
   shareholders - basic and diluted
  4,377,283     (697,637 )   2,976,583     (2,029,617 )
                         
    Shares     Shares     Shares     Shares  
                         
Weighted average common shares
- basic
  100,124,413     88,195,754     98,658,098     67,661,230  
Weighted average common shares
- diluted
  107,848,305     88,195,754     106,381,990     67,661,230  
                         
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share   0.04     (0.01 )   0.03     (0.03 )

For the three and six months ended September 30, 2019, the Company excluded all potential common share equivalents from the diluted loss per share calculation as they were anti-dilutive.

9. Related party transactions

The Company engaged an entity that is related by virtue of common officers for the following related party transactions:


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

Included in general and administrative expenses (office supplies and services) for the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 is $nil and $4,584, respectively, (2019 - $18,752 and $37,503) for office space rental.

For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, included in general and administrative expenses (management fees) are $691 and $1,339 (2019 - $29 and $488), for services provided to the Company.  At September 30, 2020, $183 (March 31, 2020 - $11) of this amount is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.  For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, included in interest and other income is $594 and $5,310, respectively (2019 - $3,931 and $8,190) for management services provided by the Company.  At September 30, 2020, $196 (March 31, 2020 - $1,785), of this amount is included in amounts receivable. 

Burcon has a services agreement (the "Services Agreement") with Merit Foods to provide technical, administrative and general management services, research and analytical services and sample production services based on rates set out in the Services Agreement.  Merit Foods also provides certain technical and consulting services to Burcon.  See note 3 for details.

In connection with the LC, Burcon Holdings entered the Merit Loan Agreement with Merit Foods in the amount of $6.5 million.  During the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, Burcon recorded interest income of $52,534 and $120,205, respectively, (2019 - $nil) related to the Merit Loan, of which $nil was included in amounts receivable as at September 30, 2020 (March 31, 2020 - $nil).

Certain directors and an officer subscribed for $2.0 million of the Debentures.  During the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, the Company made total convertible debenture interest payments of $41,803 and $126,803, respectively, to these directors and officer.

10. Key management compensation

Key management includes the Company's CEO.  Remuneration of directors and key management personnel comprises:

    Six months ended  
    September 30  
             
    2020
$
    2019
$
 
             
Short-term benefits   290,089     164,676  
Option-based awards   134,052     10,572  
             
    424,141     175,248  

Short-term benefits comprise salaries, director fees and employment benefits.

Option-based awards represent the cost to the group of senior management and directors' participation in the incentive stock option plan, as measured by the fair value of instruments granted accounted for in accordance with IFRS 2, Share-based Payment.  For details of these plans refer to note 5 to these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)

11. Financial instruments

Credit risk

The financial instruments that expose the Company to a concentration of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents and amounts receivable.  The Company's cash and cash equivalents may comprise interest-bearing savings instruments with Canadian chartered banks.  The Company limits its exposure to credit loss by placing its cash and cash equivalents with two Canadian chartered banks.

Interest rate risk

All of the Company's financial instruments are non-interest bearing except for cash and cash equivalents that earn interest at variable market rates, and the loan to Merit Foods that bore interest at a fixed interest rate.  Burcon's cash and cash equivalents are held at two Canadian chartered banks to maximize interest and to diversify risk.  For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020, the weighted average interest rate earned on the Company's cash and cash equivalents was 0.32% and 0.27%, respectively, per annum (2019 - 2.19% and 2.15% per annum).  The impact of a 1% strengthening or weakening of interest rates on the Company's cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2020 is estimated to be a $124,000 increase or decrease in interest income per year.

Liquidity risk

The Company manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure (note 12). It also manages liquidity risk by monitoring actual and forecasted cash flows taking into account current and planned operations. The Company's estimated minimum contractual undiscounted cash flow requirement for its financial liabilities at September 30, 2020 is $1,084,082, all of which is within the next 12 months. 

Fair value

The fair value of the Company's short-term financial assets and financial liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, amounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and accrued interest approximates their carrying values due to the short-term maturities of these financial instruments.

The fair value of the shareholder loans to Merit approximates the carrying value as at September 30, 2020 given the risk profile of Merit Foods has not changed substantially since the issue date of the loans.

The carrying values and fair values of financial instruments, by class, are as follows as at September 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020: 


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)


As at September 30, 2020                        
    At fair value
through profit
or loss
    Financial
assets at
amortized
cost
    Financial
liabilities at
amortized
cost
    Fair value  
    $     $     $     $  
Financial assets                        
Cash and cash equivalents   -     12,398,727     -     12,398,727  
Amounts receivable   -     244,358     -     244,358  
Loan to Merit Foods    -     2,809,267     -     2,809,267  
Total   -     15,452,352     -     15,452,352  
                         
Financial liabilities                        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   -     -     1,084,082     1,084,082  
Total   -     -     1,084,082     1,084,082  

 
As at March 31, 2020
                       
                         
    At fair value
through profit
or loss
    Financial
assets at
amortized
cost
    Financial
liabilities at
amortized
cost
    Fair value  
Financial assets   $     $     $     $  
Cash and cash equivalents   -     15,030,988     -     15,030,988  
Amounts receivable   -     332,248     -     332,248  
Loan to Merit Foods   -     2,659,830     -     2,659,830  
Total   -     18,023,066     -     18,023,066  
Financial liabilities                        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   -     -     1,067,251     1,067,251  
Accrued interest   -     -     249,310     249,310  
Convertible debentures   -     -     6,731,350     6,731,350  
Total   -     -     8,047,911     8,047,911  

Currency risk

The Company has not hedged its exposure to currency fluctuations.  As at September 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company is exposed to currency risk through the following assets and liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars:


BURCON NUTRASCIENCE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
(Prepared in Canadian dollars)


    September 30, 2020     March 31, 2020  
U.S. Dollars             
Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,213   $ 21,819  
Amounts receivable   97     2,528  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (9,922 )   (40,556 )
Net exposure $ 15,388   $ (16,209 )
             
Canadian dollar equivalent  $ 20,526   $ (22,996 )

Based on the above net exposure at September 30, 2020, a 10% appreciation or depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar would have resulted in an increase/decrease of approximately $2,000 (March 31, 2020 - $2,000) in the Company's income (loss) from operations.

12. Capital disclosures

The Company considers its capital to be its shareholders' equity.

The Company manages its capital structure to have sufficient resources available to meet day-to-day operating requirements, continue as a going concern and fund its research and development program.  The Company is dependent on non-operating sources of cash, primarily from issuing equity and debt, to fund its operations and research development programs.  The Company monitors its capital and the expected cash flows required to achieve its business objectives to determine its future financing needs. It seeks additional capital when deemed appropriate, but there is no assurance that it will be able to secure the necessary capital when required. 

The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements and there has been no change with respect to the overall capital risk management strategy during the six months ended September 30, 2020.