PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

BioCardia, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                                                   

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any and all statements contained in this Quarterly Report that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Terms such as “may,” “might,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “project,” “estimate,” “pro-forma,” “predict,” “potential,” “strategy,” “anticipate,” “attempt,” “develop,” “plan,” “help,” “believe,” “continue,” “intend,” “expect,” “future” and terms of similar import (including the negative of any of the foregoing) may be intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements may contain one or more of these identifying terms. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report may include, without limitation, statements regarding (i) the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including plans or objectives relating to the development of our cell therapy systems and our clinical trials, (ii) a projection of income (including income/loss), earnings (including earnings/loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items, (iii) our ability to raise additional capital, (iv) our future financial performance, including any such statement contained in a discussion and analysis of financial condition by management or in the results of operations included pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and (vi) the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described in points (i) – (iv) above. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, those listed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward

Overview

We are a clinical-stage company focused on developing cellular and cell-derived therapeutics for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases with large unmet medical needs. We are committed to applying our expertise in the fields of autologous and allogeneic cell-based therapies to improve the lives of patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. Our CardiAMP cell therapy platform provides an autologous bone marrow derived cell therapy (using a patient’s own cells) for the treatment of two clinical indications: heart failure that develops after a heart attack (BCDA-01) and chronic myocardial ischemia (BCDA-02). Our allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapy platform, derived from donor cells and intended to be provided “off the shelf,” is also being advanced for two indications, heart failure (BCDA-03) and for the pulmonary indication of acute respiratory distress that has developed from COVID-19 (BCDA-04).

Our Helix™ Biotherapeutic Delivery System platform, or Helix, delivers therapeutics into the heart muscle with a helical needle from within the heart. It enables local delivery of cell, gene and protein-based therapies, including our own cell therapies to treat cardiac indications. The Helix system is CE marked in Europe and under investigational use in the United States. We selectively partner with firms developing other cell, gene and protein therapies utilizing the Helix and other biotherapeutic delivery systems that we have developed.  

Our AVANCE™ product offering for transseptal cardiac procedures has begun early commercialization activities in the United States through commission-only 1099 sales representatives. 

CardiAMP Cell Therapy for Heart Failure and Chronic Myocardial Ischemia

The Company’s lead platform, CardiAMP cell therapy, is an autologous cell therapy being advanced for two indications in pivotal clinical trials: heart failure and chronic myocardial ischemia.

The CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial is a Phase III, multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study of up to 260 patients at 40 centers nationwide, which includes a 10-patient roll-in cohort. The Phase III pivotal trial is designed to provide the primary support for the safety and efficacy of the CardiAMP Cell Therapy System for heart failure which develops after a patient has a heart attack (BCDA-01). The trial is active at 26 clinical sites and 111 patients have been enrolled to date, with 7 additional control patients having crossed over to receive therapy.  

In January 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Device Designation for the CardiAMP Cell Therapy System for the treatment of heart failure. This Breakthrough Device Program is designed to expedite FDA approval of certain novel devices or device-led combination products (i.e., products that combine drugs, devices or biological products) that have the potential to provide more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions. It is believed that the CardiAMP Cell Therapy System is the first cardiac cell therapy to receive an FDA Breakthrough designation.  

In February 2022, the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) completed a prespecified data review, including a risk-benefit assessment. Following the review, the DSMB indicated that it had no significant safety concerns and recommended that the study continue as designed. Also in February 2022, Health Canada, the country’s health services agency, sent BioCardia a No Objection Letter, allowing the CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial to expand into Canada. Four world-class Canadian clinical sites are currently working through the activation process to begin enrolling patients in the near future.

Enrollment in the CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial remains our primary focus. We expect enrollment to improve in the months ahead due to:

The CardiAMP Chronic Myocardial Ischemia Trial is a Phase III, multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study of up to 343 patients at up to 40 clinical sites. The Phase III pivotal trial is designed to provide the primary support for the safety and efficacy of the CardiAMP Cell Therapy System for the indication of chronic myocardial ischemia (BCDA-02). This therapeutic approach uses many of the same novel aspects as the CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial and is expected to leverage our experience and investment in the heart failure trial. The trial has been activated and one patient has been treated. 

The Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, has designated that both CardiAMP pivotal trials qualify for Medicare national coverage. The covered costs under Medicare include patient screening, the CardiAMP Cell Therapy System and procedure, and clinical follow-up at one and two years after the procedure. Private insurance plans covering 50 million insured Americans follow the CMS reimbursement policy and are similarly anticipated to cover these costs. This coverage significantly reduces our cost of conducting these pivotal trials. In March of 2022, the United States Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new reimbursement code (designated C9782) for the CardiAMP Cell Therapy procedures. The code is for a blinded procedure for NYHA class II or III heart failure, or Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III or IV chronic refractory angina; transcatheter intramyocardial transplantation of autologous bone marrow cells or placebo control, autologous bone marrow harvesting and preparation for transplantation, left heart catheterization including ventriculography, all laboratory service and all imaging with or without guidance, performed in approved IDE study. This new CMS code was available to submitting hospitals performing the CardiAMP cell therapy procedure beginning on April 1, 2022, enabling clear reimbursement for the study procedure for both the treatment and control arms of both pivotal cell therapy trials.

ALLOGENEIC Cell Therapy for Cardiac and Pulmonary Disease (BCDA-03 and BCDA-04)

Our second therapeutic platform is our investigational culture expanded bone marrow derived allogeneic, Neurokinin-1 Receptor Positive mesenchymal stem cells (NK1R+ MSC). This “off the shelf” mesenchymal cell therapy is being advanced for cardiac and pulmonary disease. 

We are working to secure FDA acceptance of an IND application for a Phase I/II trial to deliver these allogeneic cells for the treatment of ischemic systolic heart failure. We have completed the manufacturing validation runs and stability testing for the Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls section of the IND and have initiated the preclinical pharmacology toxicology animal testing. Should the results be in line with our previous results, we expect to submit the IND application promptly thereafter.

In April 2022, the FDA approved the Company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) for a Phase I/II trial for the use of this allogeneic cell therapy for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19 (BCDA-04). This allows the Company to initiate its First-in-Human Phase I/II trial in adult patients recovering from ARDS due to COVID-19, with trial initiation expected in the third quarter of 2022. The first part of the clinical trial will evaluate increasing dosages of the NK1R+ MSCs and the optimal dose will be taken to Phase II in a randomized study in adult patients recovering from ARDS due to COVID-19.

Recent Developments

COVID-19 Update

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced significant disruption to the Company’s business and in delays in the Company’s development programs and regulatory and commercialization timelines, including adversely impacting operations at certain clinical sites involved in our ongoing clinical studies. The COVID-19 pandemic could continue to adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity in the future. These adverse impacts could include delayed or slowed enrollment of our, or our collaborators’, planned or ongoing clinical trials, delayed or cancelled clinical site initiations, delayed regulatory review for regulatory approvals, delayed commercialization of one or more of our product candidates, if approved, and workforce shortages. Our production capabilities, or those of our partners or suppliers, and our supply chains could also be adversely impacted.

Additionally, while the potential continuing economic impact brought by, and the duration of, the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult to assess or predict, the impact of COVID-19 on the global financial markets may reduce the Company’s ability to access capital, which could negatively impact the Company’s liquidity and ability to raise the capital to complete its preclinical and clinical studies on a timely basis, or at all. In addition, a recession, market correction or depression resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or the response to it, could materially affect our business and the value of our common stock.

Financial Overview

Revenue

We currently have a portfolio of enabling and delivery products, from which we have generated modest revenue. Net product revenues include commercial sales of our Morph vascular access system in the US and EU and collaboration agreement revenues include revenue from partnering agreements with corporate and academic institutions. Under these partnering agreements, we provide our Helix biotherapeutic delivery system and customer training and support for use in preclinical and clinical studies.

Research and Development Expenses

Our research and development expenses consist primarily of:

We expense all research and development costs in the periods in which they are incurred. Costs for certain development activities are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress of completion of specific tasks using information and data provided to us by our vendors and clinical sites. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in future periods for use in research and development activities are deferred and capitalized. The capitalized amounts are then expensed as the related goods are delivered and the services are received. 

We plan to increase our research and development expenses for the foreseeable future as we continue the pivotal CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial, advance the pivotal CardiAMP Chronic Myocardial Ischemia Trial, and further develop our autologous and allogeneic cell therapy candidates. We typically use our employee and infrastructure resources across multiple research and development programs, and accordingly, we have not historically allocated resources specifically to our individual programs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs for employees in executive, finance and administration, sales, corporate development and administrative support functions, including share-based compensation expenses and benefits. Other selling, general and administrative expenses include sales commissions, rent, accounting and legal services, obtaining and maintaining patents, the cost of consultants, occupancy costs, insurance premiums and information systems costs.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income and expense consist primarily of interest income we earn on our cash and cash equivalents. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP in the United States. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various judgements that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not clear from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The full extent to which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will directly or indirectly impact our business, results of operations and financial condition, including revenues, expenses, reserves and allowances, manufacturing, clinical trials and research and development will depend on future developments that continue to remain highly uncertain at this time. As events continue to evolve and additional information becomes available, our estimates may change materially in future periods.

We define our critical accounting policies as those that require us to make subjective estimates and judgments about matters that are uncertain and are likely to have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations as well as the specific manner in which we apply those principles. Our critical accounting policies are described in Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. 

Results of Operations

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands): 

Revenue.   Revenue increased to $60,000 in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to $46,000 in the first quarter of 2021. The amount and timing of collaboration revenues is largely dependent on our partners clinical activities and may be inconsistent and create significant quarter-to-quarter variation in our revenues.

Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses increased by $345,000 to $2,186,000 during the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to increased clinical service provider costs and clinical site expenses in conducting the CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial.  

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2022 remained relatively consistent at $1,201,000 compared to $1,177,000 in the first quarter of 2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have incurred net losses each year since our inception and as of March 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $132.0 million. We anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses for the next several years.

We have funded our operations principally through the sales of equity and convertible debt securities. As of March 31, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $9.9 million. 

The following table shows a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated (in thousands): 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities. The increase in overall spending for operating activities of approximately $1.0 million through the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021 related primarily to the timing of advance payments from collaboration partners coupled with increased research and development expenses.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities of $29,000 and $27,000 during the first quarter of 2022 and 2021 respectively, consists of purchases of property and equipment, primarily lab and office equipment.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities of approximately $2.0 million during the first quarter of 2021 consisted primarily of gross proceeds from the sale of common stock in March 2021. 

Lincoln Park Capital Stock Purchase Agreement

In March 2021, we and Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (Lincoln Park) entered into a purchase agreement (the Purchase Agreement) and a registration rights agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement), pursuant to which we have the right to sell to Lincoln Park shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $20 million, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, at the time we signed the Purchase Agreement, we sold 373,832 shares of our common stock at a price of $5.35 per share pursuant to the Purchase Agreement for gross proceeds of $2 million (and issued 80,000 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park as consideration for its commitment to purchase shares of our common stock, which consisted of 75,000 shares for Lincoln Park’s initial commitment and 5,000 shares issued on a pro rata basis in respect of Lincoln Park’s initial purchase of 373,832 shares). Thereafter, as often as every business day from and after one business day following the date of the Initial Purchase and over the 36-month term of the Purchase Agreement, we have the right, from time to time, at our sole discretion and subject to certain conditions, to direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to 100,000 shares of common stock, with such amount increasing as the closing sale price of the common stock increases; provided Lincoln Park’s obligation under any single such purchase will not exceed $2 million, unless we and Lincoln Park mutually agree to increase the maximum amount of such single purchase (each, a Regular Purchase). If we direct Lincoln Park to purchase the maximum number of shares of common stock it then may sell in a Regular Purchase, then in addition to such Regular Purchase, and subject to certain conditions and limitations in the Purchase Agreement, we may direct Lincoln Park in an Accelerated Purchase to purchase an additional amount of common stock that may not exceed the lesser of (i) 300% of the number of shares purchased pursuant to the corresponding Regular Purchase or (ii) 30% of the total number of shares of our common stock traded during a specified period on the applicable purchase date as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. Under certain circumstances and in accordance with the Purchase Agreement, we may direct Lincoln Park to purchase shares in multiple Accelerated Purchases on the same trading day. We expect to use the proceeds from this agreement for general corporate purposes and working capital. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had not made any sales of common stock to Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement other than the Initial Purchase.

Cantor Fitzgerald ATM Offering

On April 12, 2022, we entered into a Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Cantor”) as the sales agent, pursuant to which we may offer and sell, from time to time, through Cantor, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $10.5 million (the “ATM Offering”). We are not obligated to sell any Shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we will pay Cantor a commission of 3% of the aggregate proceeds from the sale of shares and reimburse certain legal fees. In April 2022, we sold 575,000 shares of common stock under the ATM Offering at then-market prices for total gross proceeds of approximately $1.5 million.

Future Funding Requirements

To date, we have generated modest revenue from sales of our approved products. We do not know when, or if, we will generate any revenue from our development stage biotherapeutic programs. We do not expect to generate any revenue from sales of our autologous and allogeneic cell therapy candidates unless and until we obtain regulatory approval. At the same time, we expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing development activities, particularly as we continue the research, development and clinical trials of, and seek regulatory approval for, our therapeutic candidates. In addition, subject to obtaining regulatory approval for any of our therapeutic candidates and companion diagnostic, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses for product sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution. We anticipate that we will need additional funding in connection with our continuing operations.     

Based upon our current operating plan, we believe that the cash and cash equivalents of $9.9 million as of March 31, 2022 and the $1.5 million received in April from the ATM Offering are not sufficient to fund our planned expenditures and meet our obligations beyond the first quarter of 2023. In order to continue development of our therapeutic candidates beyond the first quarter of 2023, we plan to raise additional capital, potentially including non-dilutive collaboration and licensing arrangements, debt or equity financing, or a combination from these sources. We have based our estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we may use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of our therapeutic candidates, we are unable to estimate the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures necessary to complete the development of our therapeutic candidates.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

Until such time that we can generate meaningful revenue from the sales of approved therapies and products, if ever, we expect to finance our operating activities through public or private equity or debt financings, government or other third-party funding, marketing and distribution arrangements, and other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or a combination of these approaches. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interests of our common stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include conversion discounts or covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through government or other third-party funding, marketing and distribution arrangements or other collaborations, or strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs, products, or therapeutic candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.

Our condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2022 have been prepared on the basis that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. Due to the factors described above, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date these financial statements are issued. Our ability to continue as a going concern will depend in a large part, on our ability to raise additional capital. If adequate funds are not available, we may be required to reduce operating expenses, delay or reduce the scope of our product development programs, obtain funds through arrangements with others that may require us to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies or products that we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize ourselves, or cease operations. While we believe in the viability of our strategy to raise additional funds, there can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms and in the amounts necessary to fully fund our operating needs.

The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. If we are unable to continue as a going concern, we may be forced to liquidate assets. In such a scenario, the values received for assets in liquidation or dissolution could be significantly lower than the values reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the periods presented, we did not have, nor do we currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 of our notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements that are of significance or potential significance to us.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in our market risks during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Our exposure to market risk is currently limited to our cash and cash equivalents, all of which have maturities of less than three months. The goals of our investment policy are preservation of capital, maintenance of liquidity needs, and fiduciary control of cash and investments. We also seek to maximize income from our investments without assuming significant risk or departing from our investment policy. We currently do not hedge interest rate exposure. Because of the short-term nature of our cash equivalents, we do not believe that an increase in market rates would have a material negative impact on the value of our portfolio.

Interest Rate Risk

As of March 31, 2022, based on current interest rates and total borrowings outstanding, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would have an immaterial pre-tax impact on our results of operations.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risks

We are a U.S. entity and our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. The vast majority of our revenues were derived from sales in the United States. We have business transactions in foreign currencies; however, we believe we do not have significant exposure to risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates at this time. We do not currently engage in hedging or similar transactions to reduce our foreign currency risks. We will continue to monitor and evaluate our internal processes relating to foreign currency exchange, including the potential use of hedging strategies.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as of March 31, 2022, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2022, our disclosure controls and procedures were, in design and operation, effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company may be subject to various claims, complaints, and legal actions that arise from time to time in the normal course of business. Management does not believe that the Company is party to any current pending legal proceedings. There can be no assurance that existing or future legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business or otherwise will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.  

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results. The risks described in this report, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed periodically with the SEC are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.  

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

We expect to hold our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2022 Annual Meeting”) on June 10, 2022, and we filed our proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting on April 27, 2022.

ITEM 6. EXHIBIT INDEX

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.