Form 7 Monthly Progress Report December 2023
Name of Listed Issuer:
Trading Symbol:
Number of Outstanding Listed Securities:
Date:
BioMark Diagnostics Inc. (the “Issuer”)
BUX
90,886,229
January 1, 2024
This Monthly Progress Report must be posted before the opening of trading on the fifth trading day of each month. This report is not intended to replace the Issuer’s obligation to separately report material information forthwith upon the information becoming known to management or to post the forms required by Exchange Policies. If material information became known and was reported during the preceding month to which this report relates, this report should refer to the material information, the news release date and the posting date on the Exchange website.
This report is intended to keep investors and the market informed of the Issuer’s ongoing business and management activities that occurred during the preceding month. Do not discuss goals or future plans unless they have crystallized to the point that they are “material information” as defined in the Policies. The discussion in this report must be factual, balanced and non-promotional.
General Instructions
Prepare this Monthly Progress Report using the format set out below. The sequence of questions must not be altered, nor should questions be omitted or left unanswered. The answers to the items must be in narrative form. State when the answer to any item is negative or not applicable to the Issuer. The title of each item must precede the answer.
The term “Issuer” includes the Issuer and any of its subsidiaries.
Terms used and not defined in this form are defined or interpreted in Policy 1 – Interpretation and General Provisions.
Report on Business
Provide a general overview and discussion of the development of the Issuer’s business and operations over the previous month. Where the Issuer was inactive disclose this fact.
The Issuer continued its business of developing proprietary, non-invasive, and accurate cancer diagnostic solutions which can help detect, monitor, and assess treatment for cancer early, accurately and cost effectively. The Company continues to hold regular management meetings regarding all aspects of the Company’s business plan and executes action items that result from these meetings.
Management’s primary areas of focus continue to include:
Accelerating commercialization efforts of its lab-developed test (LDT) for early lung cancer detection following promising interim data presented at various oncology conferences across N. America and Europe. That includes the European Society of Medical Oncology in Paris France on September 10, 2022, and the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) annual conference in New Orleans, United States, on March 10th. 2023. The ESMO data was derived from an independent large scale retrospective study for early lung cancer with expanded control. In a poster presentation at the USCAP meeting in New Orleans, LA held in March 2023, BioMark’s research team were able to detect neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) from plasma samples using its innovative liquid biopsy technology. The study included a total of 120 plasma samples from patients with biopsy-confirmed NET and 227 control patients and is one of the largest ever reported. Abstract and poster were presented during the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting that took place in Chicago, Illinois. The poster entitled “Large retrospective validation study of metabolomic biomarkers for resectable lung cancer detection and risk assessment”. The poster was presented by senior author, Dr Andrew Maksymiuk. The objectives of the study were to validate whether BioMark’s panel of metabolomic biomarkers improved early lung cancer detection in over 800 plasma samples from patients that underwent lung cancer resection, and to better understand the potential role and intersection between lung cancer and other lung diseases as it relates to screening for at-risk populations.
These results were statistically significant and continued to generate interest from leading institutions in the US, France, and South America which the company intends to pursue post launching our assay later in Q4 2023 following certification of its Quebec-based lab.
Preparation for lab certification and accreditation to meet initially international ISO 15189:2012 standard for the Canadian operation and later secure CLIA and CAP approval to provide lab services in the U.S.
Seek collaborations with several high-profile USA medical institutions and introduce the company to insurance companies (payers), regulatory experts, and bio-pharma partners as its early lung cancer LDT commercialization efforts gather momentum. The US market is strategic due to its large addressable lung cancer screening market for at-risk populations (Estimated at over 16 million annually). The market remains mostly untapped as there’s only a 5-6% penetration of the image-based screening for the population at risk of developing lung cancer.
Continue to seek additional funding including non-dilutive resources for its lab operations, certification of its clinical lab, U.S. expansion, business development, and clinical studies from both Canadian and US agencies and foundations to develop the platform for other cancers and assess response to treatment.
Provide a general overview and discussion of the activities of management.
Businesses are still facing strong inflationary headwinds with a stiff interest rate, financial system instability due to evolving risk, rapid rise in adoption of systemic AI and automation, geopolitical tensions, and skilled labour shortages, especially in recruiting bioinformatics and laboratory technicians. Challenges in financing biotechnology companies continue. There are increased consolidation activities in the biotech arena. Management is taking measures to counteract any negative impact of these factors by instituting agile strategies with resilient operational and financial systems/processes. The company is building a strong AI infrastructure necessary to leverage the power of advanced analytics.
On December 8th, 2023, BioMark Chief Scientific Officer Jean-François Haince presented the poster entitled “Early Detection of Breast Cancer using Targeted Plasma Metabolomic Profiling” during the Spotlight Poster Session 5 at San Antonio Brest Cancer Symposium (SABCS) held in San Antonio, Texas. The poster elicited a strong reception from leading global BioPharma and diagnostics companies.
On December 8th, 2023, BioMark filed a provisional patent application for “EARLY BREAST CANCER DETECTION USING BLOOD-BASED METABOLOMIC PROFILING” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent application protects its discovery related to its assay for early detection of breast cancer and the determination of several subtypes.
On December 19th, 2023, BioMark submitted an application to participate in the competitive Medical Alley’s 2023 Cancer X Accelerator Program. Of interest to Cancer X program mandate are companies pushing the boundaries of early cancer detection platforms. MassChallenge Cancer X is a highly competitive accelerator program offered at Moffit Cancer Centre, and only 8% of the applicants qualify for this 4-month program. Details will be shared with progressive development.
Advanced discussions continue with Siemens Healthineers’ senior management group following BioMark’s participation in the challenging global “Eureka Investment Readiness Programme – 2023 Online session with Siemens Healthineers which was held on September 26th, 2023. The deeper dive into understanding BioMark’s technology platform is ongoing after signing a mutually accepted 2-way NDA. The outcome of any advancements will be duly reported as progress is made.
The company has completed the recruitment of patients enrolled under its measuring response to immunotherapy for the advanced-stage lung cancer trial that is being conducted at IUCPQ with Dr. P. Joubert as the principal investigator. Full results are expected by June/July of 2024. The first samples will be shipped by March 2024. This sponsored research is funded by a grant from the hospital Foundation. Sample analysis will be conducted at BioMark’s lab in Quebec. A positive outcome of the studies will further demonstrate BioMark’s diagnostic assay in differentiating patients who respond vs non-responders faster to immunotherapy treatment, which ultimately leads to better quality-of-life treatment selection for patients and overall cost savings. BioMark’s assay is intended to monitor response faster and more accurately.
The multimodal large early lung cancer patient recruitment conducted at IUCPQ under Dr. Joubert will be concluded by the end of December 2023. Over 50% (> 2500 samples) have been analyzed at BioMark’s Quebec-based labs. Full data readout is expected by the end of Q1 2024.
The Company successfully held its Annual General Meeting on December 22, 2023, at 9:00 am (Vancouver Time) from its head office in Richmond, BC. All the motions were passed.
The management team engaged with a new financing group based in Europe to support the company’s future capital requirements. The group has access to European banks and family offices.
BioMark was invited to apply to participate in the AstraZeneca Health Innovation Hub in Mexico open challenge competition. The Health Innovation Hub in Mexico and AstraZeneca have launched a call to entrepreneurs, startups, and technology companies that have innovative solutions that could help improve primary care, solving challenges of the health system and impacting the patient and doctor journey at all stages. BioMark’s technology platform offers an accessible, affordable, and accurate early lung cancer detection capability that Mexico can deploy to better manage screening. A successful outcome would set the stage for a vibrant expansion of the company’s lung cancer assay franchise. The selection decision is expected by February 2024.
On December 29th, 2023, BioMark announced that it has closed a financing round to accelerate the commercialization of its liquid biopsy technology. The financing round included a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $1,900,000 wherein BioMark issued 7,600,000 units at a price of $ 0.25 per unit. The securities issued under the private placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day. Each unit consists of one common share of BioMark and one-full purchase warrant. One whole share purchase warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of BioMark at $0.45 per share for a period of three years from the closing date of the private placement, subject to an acceleration clause. A debt conversion consisting of 1,032,261 units in settlement of the indebtedness in the aggregate amount of $ 258,065.25 to pay for Due to the Related Party. No Finders’ fees were payable on the private placement.
BioMark continued to entertain discussions with various financial institutions, individuals, and government agencies to secure non-dilutive funding, favorable loans, and equity investments to accelerate the commercialization of its early lung cancer liquid biopsy franchise, to advance its expansion strategy in the USA and internationally as well as for general corporate purposes.
Mexico’s Health Innovation Hub – AstraZeneca First Open Challenge
The Health Innovation Hub in Mexico drives and promotes the convergence of actors within the health ecosystem to improve the quality of life of patients through early prevention, diagnosis, and treatment with new technologies and disruptive processes.
It is an initiative of AstraZeneca Mexico and A.Catalyst Network, AstraZeneca’s interconnected network, which seeks to work hand in hand with startups that have technological and innovative solutions to solve some of the current and future challenges facing primary care. in the health system in the country.
The Hub’s primary mission is to improve patient care, follow-up, and care through the use of innovative technologies, while creating a significant impact on their lives.
Describe and provide details of any new products or services developed or offered. For resource companies, provide details of new drilling, exploration or production programs and acquisitions of any new properties and attach any mineral or oil and gas or other reports required under Ontario securities law.
Not applicable.
Describe and provide details of any products or services that were discontinued. For resource companies, provide details of any drilling, exploration or production programs that have been amended or abandoned.
Not applicable.
Describe any new business relationships entered into between the Issuer, the Issuer’s affiliates or third parties including contracts to supply products or services, joint venture agreements and licensing agreements, etc. State whether the relationship is with a Related Person of the Issuer and provide details of the relationship.
Not applicable.
Describe the expiry or termination of any contracts or agreements between the Issuer, the Issuer’s affiliates or third parties or cancellation of any financing arrangements that have been previously announced.
Not applicable.
Describe any acquisitions by the Issuer or dispositions of the Issuer’s assets that occurred during the preceding month. Provide details of the nature of the assets acquired or disposed of and provide details of the consideration paid or payable together with a schedule of payments if applicable, and of any valuation. State how the consideration was determined and whether the acquisition was from, or the disposition was to a Related Person of the Issuer and provide details of the relationship.
Not applicable.
Describe the acquisition of new customers or loss of customers.
Not applicable.
Describe any new developments or effects on intangible products such as brand names, circulation lists, copyrights, franchises, licenses, patents, software, subscription lists and trademarks.
On December 8th, 2023, BioMark filed the patent application for “EARLY BREAST CANCER DETECTION USING BLOOD-BASED METABOLOMIC PROFILING” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a provisional patent application.
The Issuer continues to file trademarks and patents in specific jurisdictions for all its patents. Review of the filings and opinions from patent offices are being reviewed as needed.
Report on any employee hiring, terminations or lay-offs with details of the anticipated length of lay-offs.
Not applicable.
Report on any labour disputes and resolutions of those disputes if applicable.
Not applicable.
Describe and provide details of legal proceedings to which the Issuer became a party, including the name of the court or agency, the date instituted, the principal parties to the proceedings, the nature of the claim, the amount claimed, if any, if the proceedings are being contested, and the present status of the proceedings.
Not applicable.
Provide details of any indebtedness incurred or repaid by the Issuer together with the terms of such indebtedness.
Provide details of any securities issued and options or warrants granted.
Not applicable.
Provide details of any loans to or by Related Persons.
Not applicable.
Provide details of any changes in directors, officers, or committee members.
Not applicable.
Discuss any trends which are likely to impact the Issuer including trends in the Issuer’s market(s) or political/regulatory trends.
The trends and risks which are likely to impact the Issuer are discussed in the Form 51-102F1 Management’s Discussion & Analysis Annual Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2023.
Certificate Of Compliance
The undersigned hereby certifies that:
The undersigned is a director and/or senior officer of the Issuer and has been duly authorized by a resolution of the board of directors of the Issuer to sign this Certificate of Compliance.
As of the date hereof there where is no material information concerning the Issuer which has not been publicly disclosed.
The undersigned hereby certifies to the Exchange that the Issuer is in compliance with the requirements of applicable securities legislation (as such term is defined in National Instrument 14-101) and all Exchange Requirements (as defined in CNSX Policy 1).
All of the information in this Form 7 Monthly Progress Report is true.
Dated January 1st, 2024
Rashid Ahmed Maula Bux______
Name of Director or Senior Officer
“Rashid Ahmed Maula Bux”____
Signature
President & CEO
Official Capacity
Issuer Details Name of Issuer BioMark Diagnostics Inc. |
For Month End December 31, 2023 |
Date of Report YY/MM/DD 2023/12/04 |
---|---|---|
Issuer Address 130 3851 Shell Road |
||
City/Province/Postal Code Richmond, BC, V6X 2W2 |
Issuer Fax No. N/A |
Issuer Telephone No. (604) 370-0779 |
Contact Name Rashid Ahmed Bux |
Contact Position CEO |
Contact Telephone No. (604) 370-0779 |
Contact Email Address [email protected] |
Web Site Address www.biomarkdiagnostics.com |