Skip to main content

CRYO CELL INTERNATIONAL INC

For the period ended Aug 31, 2024. Filed Oct 15, 2024.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Aug 31, 2024 · Filed Oct 15, 2024

CCEL$4.89-1.2%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Risk Factors?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-Q

Period ended 2024-05-31; filed 2024-07-15.

0000950170-24-083637

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Current report: 10-Q

Period ended 2024-08-31; filed 2024-10-15.

0000950170-24-114762

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 129 previous paragraphs and 133 current paragraphs.

119 unchanged; 8 reworded; 5 added; 2 removed; 0 previous and 1 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 8 previous and 8 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Added paragraphs (5)

Current report

limitations directly caused by, or restrictions imposed in response to, the COVID-19 pandemic, including our ability to conduct research and development and clinical trials, to engage or continue to engage with third-party contractors and suppliers or to comply with regulatory obligations relating to our business;

Current report

There is uncertainty with regard to the outcome of the Duke Arbitration Demand.

Current report

As discussed in Note 12, on October 4, 2024, the Company filed a demand for arbitration (the “Arbitration Demand”) against Duke with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), alleging, among other things, that Duke breached the Duke License Agreement, breached the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraudulently induced the Company to enter the Duke License Agreement, and violated North Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act. In connection therewith, the Company has requested that the arbitrator enter an award in the Company’s favor and against Duke for damages in an amount to be proved at a final hearing, interest, attorneys’ fees, and arbitration fees and costs, along with all other relief to which the Company is entitled at law or in equity. As of October 15, 2024, Duke has not responded to the Arbitration Demand. The Company cannot currently predict the outcome of the arbitration or Duke’s response thereto, or the timing thereof. It is possible that Duke could assert affirmative defenses and counterclaims against the Company and that there could be an unfavorable outcome or resolution of any claims asserted, which could negatively and materially impact the Company’s business, consolidated financial position and results of operations. Litigation is inherently uncertain and expensive and there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail or how long such proceedings may last. The Company is not currently including an estimate of legal fees and other related litigation costs in its estimate of loss contingencies.

Current report

On February 22, 2024, the Company formed its wholly owned Delaware subsidiary, Celle Corp., to hold certain assets of Cryo-Cell not directly associated with the recurring revenue stream from privately banked, umbilical cord blood specimens. The Duke License Agreement has been transferred to Celle Corp. and other assets and liabilities were expected to be transferred to Cell Corp. in connection therewith. As previously disclosed, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the spin-off of Celle Corp. to the Company’s shareholders and to explore all strategic alternatives for the Company (post spin-off) to maximize shareholder value. As discussed further in Note 12, on October 4, 2024, the Company filed the Arbitration Demand against Duke, alleging that Duke fraudulently induced Cryo-Cell to enter the Duke License Agreement and breached the agreement on various occasions. As result of the Arbitration Demand against Duke, there can be no assurance that any such the spinoff or any contemplated strategic alternatives will take place. Furthermore, as further discussed in Note 12, there can be no assurances the Company will be able to commercialize the rights licensed under the Duke License Agreement or otherwise obtain the benefits of the Duke License Agreement. Nor can there be any assurances it will open the Cryo-Cell Institute for Cellular Therapies.

Current report

We are not assured of recouping our damages related to the Arbitration Demand against Duke nor our investment in the Duke License Agreement.
Removed paragraphs (2)

Previous report

From time to time, the Company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits, contract disputes and other claims in the normal course of its business.

Previous report

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. We believe that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by an unauthorized override of the controls. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in our control system, misstatements or insufficient disclosures due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Reworded paragraphs (8)

Previous wording

The Company anticipates that its cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and cash flows from operation, together with external sources of capital will be sufficient to fund its known cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, cash flows from operations will depend primarily upon increasing revenues from sales of its umbilical cord blood and cord tissue cellular storage services, developing its infusion services at the Cryo-Cell Institute for Cellular Therapy and managing discretionary expenses. Additionally, the Company will require capital to pay for the startup expenses relating to the planned infusion clinic, to finance clinical trials related to the Duke Agreement, to develop biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities related to MSCs and for capital expenditures for software enhancements and purchases of equipment and obligations under the Duke Agreement. We currently anticipate that over $50 million will be needed over the next 5 years to fund these activities. The Company anticipates funding these capital expenditures with cash-on-hand, cash flows from future operations, the Company’s revolving line of credit (see Note 5), potential additional debt financing and potential equity sales. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to obtain such additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms or at all. If expected increases in revenues are not realized, or if expenses are higher than anticipated, or if the Company is unable to obtain additional financing, the Company will be required to reduce or defer cash expenditures or otherwise manage its cash resources during the next 12 months so that they are sufficient to meet the Company’s cash needs for that period. Any reductions in expenditures, if necessary, may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business operations, including sales activities and the development of new services and technology. In the future, the Company anticipates using a substantial amount of cash to fund clinical trials related to the Patent and Technology License Agreement with Duke University (see Note 12) and to develop its biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities related to mesenchymal stromal cells derived from umbilical cord tissue.

Current wording

The Company anticipates that its cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and cash flows from operations, together with external sources of capital will be sufficient to fund its known cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, cash flows from operations will depend primarily upon revenues from sales of its umbilical cord blood and cord tissue cellular storage services and managing discretionary expenses. Additionally, depending in part on the outcome of the Duke Arbitration Demand, the Company may require capital to pay for the startup expenses relating to its planned infusion clinic, to finance clinical trials related to the Duke License Agreement, to develop biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and for capital expenditures for software enhancements and purchases of equipment and obligations under the Duke License Agreement. While the Company previously anticipated that over $50 million would be needed over the next 5 years to fund its activities related to the Duke License Agreement, as result of the Company’s Arbitration Demand against Duke, as discussed further in Note 12, the Company currently is unable to predict its funding needs for those activities. Until the Duke arbitration claims are resolved, the Company does not anticipate making further investments (other than the completion of a comparability study estimated to cost less than $350,000 in additional capital) in activities related to the Duke License Agreement. However, if required to continue to invest in the Duke License Agreement, the Company anticipates funding the related capital expenditures with cash-on-hand, cash flows from future operations, the Company’s revolving line of credit (see Note 5), potential additional debt financing and potential equity sales. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to obtain such additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms or at all. If expected increases in revenues are not realized, or if expenses are higher than anticipated, or if the Company is unable to obtain additional financing, the Company will be required to reduce or defer cash expenditures or otherwise manage its cash resources during the next 12 months so that they are sufficient to meet the Company’s cash needs for that period. Any reductions in expenditures, if necessary, may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business operations, including sales activities and the development of new services and technology.

Previous wording

In August 2011, the Company introduced its advanced new cord tissue service, which stores a section of the umbilical cord tissue. Approximately six inches of the cord tissue is procured and transported to the Company’s laboratory for processing, testing and cryopreservation for future potential use. Umbilical cord tissue is a rich source of MSCs. It is believed that MSCs have many unique functions including the ability to inhibit inflammation following tissue damage, to secrete growth factors that aid in tissue repair, and to differentiate into many cell types including neural cells, bone cells, fat cells and cartilage. MSCs are increasingly being researched in regenerative medicine for a wide range of conditions are currently being used in many clinical trials. While there is much promise related to MSCs, we may fail to successfully or profitably manufacture and store MSCs, including as a result of negative results in clinical trials for efficacy. The outcome of clinical trials is inherently uncertain.

Current wording

In August 2011, the Company introduced its advanced new cord tissue service, which stores a section of the umbilical cord tissue. Approximately six inches of the cord tissue is procured and transported to the Company’s laboratory for processing, testing and cryopreservation for future potential use. Umbilical cord tissue is a rich source of mesenchymal stromal cells (“MSCs”). It is believed that MSCs have many unique functions including the ability to inhibit inflammation following tissue damage, to secrete growth factors that aid in tissue repair, and to differentiate into many cell types including neural cells, bone cells, fat cells and cartilage. MSCs are increasingly being researched in regenerative medicine for a wide range of conditions are currently being used in many clinical trials. While there is much promise related to MSCs, we may fail to successfully or profitably manufacture and store MSCs, including as a result of negative results in clinical trials for efficacy. The outcome of clinical trials is inherently uncertain.

Previous wording

Our public blood bank research involves clinical testing, which is expensive, complex and lengthy, and subject to various regulations, including the “Common Rule.” The Common Rule is a rule of ethics in the United States regarding biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects. It governed Institutional Review Boards for oversight of human research. It is encapsulated in the 1991 revision to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Title 45 CFR 46 Subparts A, B, C and D. Subpart A. The outcome of clinical trials is inherently uncertain. There is a high rate of attrition for product candidates proceeding through clinical trials and most investigational medicines that commence clinical trials are never approved as products. We may not be able to initiate, may experience delays in, or may have to discontinue clinical trials for our investigational treatments. We and our strategic collaborators, including Duke, also may experience unforeseen events during, or as a result of, any clinical trials that we or they conduct that could delay or prevent us or them from successfully developing our investigational medicines and gaining approval from regulators. Delays or other events that might prevent us from proceeding with clinical trials include:

Current wording

Our public blood bank research involves clinical testing, which is expensive, complex and lengthy, and subject to various regulations, including the “Common Rule.” The Common Rule is a rule of ethics in the United States regarding biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects. It governed Institutional Review Boards for oversight of human research. It is encapsulated in the 1991 revision to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Title 45 CFR 46 Subparts A, B, C and D. Subpart A. The outcome of clinical tries is inherently uncertain. There is a high rate of attrition for product candidates proceeding through clinical trials and most investigational medicines that commence clinical trials are never approved as products. We may not be able to initiate, may experience delays in, or may have to discontinue clinical trials for our investigational treatments. We and our strategic collaborators, including Duke, also may experience unforeseen events during, or as a result of, any clinical trials that we or they conduct that could delay or prevent us or them from successfully developing our investigational medicines and gaining approval from regulators. Delays or other events that might prevent us from proceeding with clinical trials include:

Previous wording

Our future success depends upon our ability to retain our key management and other personnel and will also depend in large part on our ability to attract and retain additional qualified software developers, bioinformaticists, operations personnel, sales and marketing personnel, and business development personnel. Competition for these types of employees is intense due to the limited number of qualified professionals and the high demand for them, particularly in the Tampa Bay are of Florida, where our headquarters are located. We have in the past experienced difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel, especially in the area of sales. Failure to attract, assimilate, and retain personnel would have a material adverse effect on our business and potential growth.

Current wording

Our future success depends upon our ability to retain our key management and other personnel and will also depend in large part on our ability to attract and retain additional qualified doctors, nurses, scientists, software developers, bioinformaticists, operations personnel, sales and marketing personnel, and business development personnel. Competition for these types of employees is intense due to the limited number of qualified professionals and the high demand for them, particularly in the Tampa Bay are of Florida, where our headquarters are located. We have in the past experienced difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel, especially in the area of sales. Failure to attract, assimilate, and retain personnel would have a material adverse effect on our business and potential growth.

Previous wording

Our future success depends upon our ability to retain our key management and other personnel and will also depend in large part on our ability to attract and retain additional qualified software developers, bioinformaticists, operations personnel, sales and marketing personnel, and business development personnel. Competition for these types of employees is intense due to the limited number of qualified professionals and the high demand for them, particularly in the Tampa Bay are of Florida, where our headquarters are located. We have in the past experienced difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel, especially in the area of sales. Failure to attract, assimilate, and retain personnel would have a material adverse effect on our business and potential growth.

Current wording

Our future success depends upon our ability to retain our key management and other personnel and will also depend in large part on our ability to attract and retain additional qualified software developers, bioinformaticists, operations personnel, sales and marketing personnel, and business development personnel. Competition for these types of employees is intense due to the limited number of qualified professionals and the high demand for them, particularly in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, where our headquarters are located. We have in the past experienced difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel, especially in the area of sales. Failure to attract, assimilate, and retain personnel would have a material adverse effect on our business and potential growth.

Previous wording

The Company believes that the resolution of these matter should not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, consolidated financial position or results of operations. It is possible, however, that there could be an unfavorable outcome or resolution of claims currently asserted and those which may be asserted in the future, which could negatively and materially impact the Company’s business, consolidated financial position and results of operations. Litigation is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail. See, Item 1 Legal Proceedings.

Current wording

On October 4, 2024, the Company filed the Arbitration Demand against Duke with the AAA, alleging, among other things, that Duke is in breach of the Duke License Agreement, breached the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraudulently induced the Company to enter into the Duke License Agreement, and violated North Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act. In connection therewith, the Company has requested that the arbitrator enter an award in the Company’s favor and against Duke for damages in an amount to be proved at a final hearing, interest, attorneys’ fees, and arbitration fees and costs, along with all other relief to which the Company is entitled at law or in equity. Cryo-Cell has notified Duke that it believes such damages exceed $100 million. The Company cannot currently predict the outcome of the arbitration or Duke’s response thereto. It is possible that Duke could assert affirmative defenses and counterclaims against the Company and that there could be an unfavorable outcome or resolution of any claims asserted, which could negatively and materially impact the Company’s business, consolidated financial position and results of operations. Litigation is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail. The Company may not be able to recover all or any of its damages or all or any of its investment in the Duke License Agreement.

Previous wording

We incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses to meet our obligations as a publicly traded company. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing requirements of the NYSE and other applicable securities rules and regulations impose various requirements on public companies, including establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and corporate governance practices. Stockholder activism, the current political environment and the current high level of government intervention and regulatory reform may lead to substantial new regulations and disclosure obligations, which may lead to additional compliance costs and impact the manner in which we operate our business in ways that are not currently anticipated. Our management and other personnel need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, these rules and regulations may make it difficult and expensive for us to maintain director and officer liability insurance coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as our executive officers, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and could cause our business or stock price to suffer.

Current wording

We incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses to meet our obligations as a publicly traded company. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and other applicable securities rules and regulations impose various requirements on public companies, including establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and corporate governance practices. Stockholder activism, the current political environment and the current high level of government intervention and regulatory reform may lead to substantial new regulations and disclosure obligations, which may lead to additional compliance costs and impact the manner in which we operate our business in ways that are not currently anticipated. Our management and other personnel need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, these rules and regulations may make it difficult and expensive for us to maintain director and officer liability insurance coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as our executive officers, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and could cause our business or stock price to suffer.

Previous wording

Based upon shares of common stock outstanding as of May 31, 2024, our executive officers, directors, 5% stockholders (known to us through publicly available information) and their affiliates beneficially owned approximately 53% of our voting stock. Therefore, these stockholders have the ability to substantially influence us through this ownership position. For example, these stockholders, if they choose to act together, may be able to influence the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets, or other major corporate transaction. This concentration of voting power could delay or prevent an acquisition of our company on terms that other stockholders may desire.

Current wording

Based upon shares of common stock outstanding as of August 31, 2024, our executive officers, directors, 5% stockholders (known to us through publicly available information) and their affiliates beneficially owned approximately 52% of our voting stock. Therefore, these stockholders have the ability to substantially influence us through this ownership position. For example, these stockholders, if they choose to act together, may be able to influence the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets, or other major corporate transaction. This concentration of voting power could delay or prevent an acquisition of our company on terms that other stockholders may desire.
Rearranged current paragraphs (1)

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

There is uncertainty with regard to whether we will be able to maximize shareholder value through the Duke License Agreement.