LEGAL
Disclaimer
This website has been prepared by Innovate PhytoTechnologies Inc. (the “Company”) for information purposes only. It does not purport to contain all the information that a prospective investor may require in connection with any potential investment in the Company. You should not treat the contents of this presentation, or any information provided in connection with it, as financial advice, financial product advice or advice relating to legal, taxation or investment matters. You should seek advice from your own independent tax advisor, legal counsel and/or other advisor concerning such matters. No representation or warranty (whether express or implied) is made by the Company or any of its directors, officers, advisers, agents or employees as to the accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or fitness for a particular purpose of the information, statements, opinions or matters (express or implied) arising out of, contained in or derived from this presentation or provided in connection with it, or any omission from this presentation, nor as to the attainability of any estimates, forecasts or projections set out in this presentation.
This presentation is provided expressly on the basis that you will carry out your own independent inquiries into the matters contained in the presentation and make your own independent decisions about the affairs, financial position or prospects of the Company. The Company reserves the right, but is not obligated, to update, amend or supplement the information at any time in its absolute discretion without notice to you. Neither the Company, nor its related bodies corporate, directors, officers, their advisers, agents and employees accept any responsibility or liability to you or to any other person or entity arising out of this presentation including pursuant to the general law (whether for negligence, under statute or otherwise), or under the Ontario Securities Commission or any of the corresponding provision of any Canadian provincial or territory legislation (or the law of any similar legislation in any other jurisdiction), or similar provision under any applicable law. Any such responsibility or liability is, to the maximum extent permitted by law, expressly disclaimed and excluded. Nothing in this material should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. It does not include all available information and should not be used in isolation as a basis to invest in the Company. No securities regulatory authority or regulator has assessed the merits of the Company or reviewed this website.
Future Matters
The information provided on this website, including information incorporated by reference, may contain “forward-looking statements” about Innovate Phytotechnologies Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, made by the Company that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that include words such as “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “believes”, “estimates”, “projects”, “potential”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “targeted”, “continues”, “forecasts”, “designed”, “goal”, or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. Forward-looking statements may relate to future financial conditions, results of operations, plans, objectives, performance or business developments. These statements speak only as at the date they are made and are based on information currently available and on the then current expectations of the party making the statement and assumptions concerning future events, which are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from that which was expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: the availability of financing opportunities, risks associated with economic conditions, dependence on management and conflicts of interest; other risks described in this website and described from time to time in documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities; and the regulation of the cannabis industry in Canada. The forward-looking statements contained in this website are based on certain key expectations and assumptions, including: (i) expectations and assumptions concerning the timing of receipt of required regulatory approvals, and the receipt of required licenses and third party consents, if any; and (ii) expectations and assumptions concerning the success of the operations of the Company. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this website, although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements, because no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to: the availability of sources of income to generate cash flow and revenue; the dependence on management and directors; risks relating to the receipt of the required licenses, risks relating to federal and provincial regulations applicable to the production and sale of cannabis, risks relating to additional funding requirements; due diligence risks; exchange rate risks; risks relating to non-controlling interests; potential conflicts of interest; and potential transaction and legal risks, as more particularly described under the “Risk Factors” set out in this website. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made in this website are qualified by such cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the anticipated results or developments will actually be realized or, even if realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on the Company. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this website should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that the Company and/or persons acting on its behalf may issue. The Company has no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required under securities legislation.
US Disclosure
This website does not constitute any part of any offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of any “US person” as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1993 (“Securities Act”). The Company’s shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to any US person without being so registered or pursuant to an exemption from registration including an exemption for qualified institutional buyers.
Right of Action for Ontario Purchasers
Section 130.1 of the Securities Act (Ontario) provides that every purchaser of securities pursuant to an offering memorandum (such as this website) shall have a statutory right of action for damages or rescission against the issuer and any selling security holder in the event that the offering memorandum contains a Misrepresentation. Where used herein, “Misrepresentation” means an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make any statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made. A purchaser who purchases securities offered by the offering memorandum during the period of distribution has, without regard to whether the purchaser relied upon the Misrepresentation, a right of action for damages or, alternatively, while still the owner of the securities, for rescission against the issuer and any selling security holder provided that:
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if the purchaser exercises its right of rescission, it shall cease to have a right of action for damages as against the issuer and the selling security holders, if any;
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the issuer and the selling security holders, if any, will not be liable if they prove that the purchaser purchased the securities with knowledge of the Misrepresentation;
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the issuer and the selling security holders, if any, will not be liable for all or any portion of damages that it proves do not represent the depreciation in value of the securities as a result of the Misrepresentation relied upon; and
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in no case shall the amount recoverable exceed the price at which the securities were offered.
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Section 138 of the Securities Act (Ontario) provides that no action shall be commenced to enforce these rights more than:
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in the case of an action for rescission, 180 days after the date of the transaction that gave rise to the cause of action; or
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in the case of an action for damages, the earlier of:
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180 days after the date that the purchaser first had knowledge of the facts giving rise to the cause of action; or
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three years after the date of the transaction that gave rise to the cause of action.
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This Investor Presentation is being delivered in reliance on the exemption from the prospectus requirements contained under section 73.3 of the Securities Act (Ontario) (the “accredited investor exemption”). The rights referred to in section 130.1 of the Securities Act (Ontario) do not apply in respect of an offering memorandum (such as this website) delivered to a prospective purchaser in connection with a distribution made in reliance on the accredited investor exemption if the prospective purchaser is:
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a Canadian financial institution or a Schedule III bank (each as defined in NI 45-106);
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the Business Development Bank of Canada incorporated under the Business Development Bank of Canada Act (Canada); or
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a subsidiary of any person referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b), if the person owns all of the voting securities of the subsidiary, except the voting securities required by law to be owned by directors of that subsidiary.
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RISK FACTORS
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Risks Related to the Operations of the Company
The following information is a summary only of certain risk factors to the operations of the Company. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones the Company is facing. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company, or that it currently deems immaterial, may also impair its operations. If any such risks actually occur, the business, financial condition, liquidity and results of the Company’s operations could be materially adversely affected. The risk factors described in this website should be carefully considered by each person, including investors considering a purchase of securities of the Company.
An investment in securities of the Company should only be made by persons who can afford a significant or total loss of their investment.
Regulatory Risks
The Company operates in a new industry which is highly regulated and is in a market that is very competitive and evolving rapidly. The proposed activities of the Company will be subject to regulation by governmental authorities, including, but not limited to, Health Canada’s Office of Controlled Substances. The Company’s business objectives are contingent upon, in part, compliance with regulatory requirements enacted by these governmental authorities and obtaining all regulatory approvals, where necessary, for the sale of its products. The Company cannot predict the time required to secure all appropriate regulatory approvals for its products, or the extent of testing and documentation that may be required by governmental authorities. Any delays in obtaining, or failure to obtain regulatory approvals would significantly delay the development of markets and products and could have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations and financial condition of the Company. Although the operations of the Company are currently carried out in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, no assurance can be given that new rules and regulations will not be enacted or that existing rules and regulations will not be applied in a manner which could limit or curtail the Company’s ability to produce or sell medical cannabis. Amendments to current laws and regulations governing the importation, distribution, transportation and/or production of medical cannabis, more stringent implementation thereof or other unanticipated events could have a material adverse impact on the business, financial condition and operating results of Company.
Governmental Regulations and Risks
Any license will be subject to environmental regulation. These regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation. They also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect the Company’s operations. Government approvals and permits are currently, and may in the future, be required in connection with the Company’s operations. To the extent such approvals are required and not obtained, the Company may be curtailed or prohibited from its proposed production of medical cannabis or from proceeding with the development of its operations as currently proposed.
Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. The Company may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of its operations and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations. Furthermore, amendments to current laws, regulations and permits governing the production of medical cannabis, or more stringent implementation thereof, could have a material adverse impact on the Company and cause increases in expenses, capital expenditures or production costs or reduction in levels of production or require abandonment or delays in development.
Change in Laws, Regulations and Guidelines
The Company’s operations are subject to various laws, regulations and guidelines relating to the manufacture, management, packaging/labelling, advertising, sale, transportation, storage and disposal of medical cannabis, as well as laws and regulations relating to drug, controlled substances, health and safety, the conduct of operations and the protection of the environment. The industry is subject to extensive controls and regulations, which may significantly affect the financial condition of market participants. The marketability of any product may be affected by numerous factors that are beyond the Company’s control and which cannot be predicted, such as changes to government regulations, including those relating to taxes and other government levies which may be imposed. Changes in government levies, including taxes, could reduce the Company’s earnings and could make future capital investments or the Company’s operations uneconomic.
Volatile Stock Price
Assuming the Company completes the reverse takeover transaction with Ross River Minerals Inc. (the “RTO”), the stock price of the Company is expected to be highly volatile and will be drastically affected by governmental and regulatory regimes and community support for the medical cannabis industry. The Company cannot predict the results of its operations expected to take place in the future. The results of these activities will inevitably affect the Company’s decisions related to future operations and will likely trigger major changes in the trading price of the Company shares.
Risks Inherent in an Agricultural Business
The Company’s business may, in the future, involve the growing of medical cannabis, an agricultural product. Such business will be subject to the risks inherent in the agricultural business, such as insects, plant diseases and similar agricultural risks. Although all such growing is expected to be completed indoors under climate controlled conditions, there can be no assurance that natural elements will not have a material adverse effect on any such future production. In addition, if the Company cannot successfully develop its products, or if the Company experiences difficulties in the development process, such as quality control problems or other disruptions, the Company may not be able to develop market-ready commercial products at acceptable costs, which would affect its ability to successfully enter the market.
Energy Costs
The Company’s medical cannabis growing operations will consume considerable energy, which will make it vulnerable to rising energy costs. Accordingly, rising or volatile energy costs may, in the future, adversely impact the business of the Company and its ability to operate profitably.
Factors related to a Facility which may prevent realization of business objectives
Any adverse changes affecting the development or construction of a facility and commencement of production could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and prospects. There is a risk that these changes or developments could adversely affect any facility by a variety of factors, including some that are discussed elsewhere in these risk factors and the following: delays in obtaining, or conditions imposed by, regulatory approvals; plant design errors; environmental pollution; non-performance by third party contractors; increases in materials or labour costs; construction performance falling below expected levels of output or efficiency; breakdown, aging or failure of equipment or processes; contractor or operator errors; labour disputes, disruptions or declines in productivity; inability to attract sufficient numbers of qualified workers; disruption in the supply of energy and utilities; or major incidents and/or catastrophic events such as fires, explosions, earthquakes or storms. It is also possible that the costs of commencing production may be significantly greater than anticipated by the Company’s management, and may be greater than funds available to the Company, in which circumstance the Company may curtail, or extend the timeframes for completing its business plans. This could have an adverse effect on the financial results of the Company.
Reliance on Management
Another risk associated with the production and sale of medical cannabis is the loss of important staff members. The Company is currently in good standing with all high level employees and believes that with well managed practices it will remain in good standing. The success of the Company will be dependent upon the ability, expertise, judgment, discretion and good faith of its senior management and key personnel. While employment agreements are customarily used as a primary method of retaining the services of key employees, these agreements cannot assure the continued services of such employees. Any loss of the services of such individuals could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results or financial condition. In addition, the Company’s future success depends on its continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees. Qualified individuals are in high demand, and the Company may incur significant costs to attract and retain them.
Insurance and Uninsured Risks
The Company’s business is subject to a number of risks and hazards generally, including adverse environmental conditions, accidents, labour disputes and changes in the regulatory environment. Such occurrences could result in damage to assets, personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in operations, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Any insurance the Company maintains will not cover all the potential risks associated with its operations. The Company may also be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance coverage may not continue to be available or may not be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Moreover, insurance against risks such as environmental pollution or other hazards encountered in the operations of the Company is not generally available on acceptable terms. The Company might also become subject to liability for pollution or other hazards which may not be insured against or which the Company may elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons. Losses from these events may cause the Company to incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect upon its financial performance and results of operations.
The Company Will Be an Entrant Engaging in a New Industry
The medical cannabis industry is fairly new. Assuming the RTO completes, there can be no assurance that an active and liquid market for the common shares of the Company will develop and shareholders may find it difficult to resell their shares. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the Company will be successful in the long term.
Dependence on Suppliers and Skilled Labour
The ability of the Company to compete and grow will be dependent on it having access, at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner, to skilled labour, equipment, parts and components. No assurances can be given that the Company will be successful in maintaining its required supply of skilled labour, equipment, parts and components. This could have an adverse effect on the financial results of the Company.
Difficulty to Forecast
The Company must rely largely on its own market research to forecast sales as detailed forecasts are not generally obtainable from other sources at this early stage of the medical cannabis industry in Canada. A failure in the demand for its products to materialize as a result of competition, technological change or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations and financial condition of the Company.
Additional Financing
There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to execute on its strategy. The continued development of the Company may require additional financing. The failure to raise such capital could result in the delay or indefinite postponement of current business strategy or the Company ceasing to carry on business. There can be no assurance that additional capital or other types of financing will be available if needed or that, if available, the terms of such financing will be favourable to the Company. In addition, from time to time, the Company may enter into transactions to acquire assets or the shares of other companies. These transactions may be financed wholly or partially with debt, which may temporarily increase the Company’s debt levels above industry standards. Any debt financing secured in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for the Company to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions.
Management of Growth
The Company may be subject to growth-related risks including capacity constraints and pressure on its internal systems and controls. The ability of the Company to manage growth effectively will require it to continue to implement and improve its operational and financial systems and to expand, train and manage its employee base. The inability of the Company to deal with this growth may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Dilution
The Company may issue equity securities to finance its activities, including future acquisitions. If the Company was to issue common shares existing holders of such shares may experience dilution in their holdings. Moreover, when the Company’s intention to issue additional equity securities becomes publicly known, the Company’s share price may be adversely affected.
Litigation
The Company may become party to litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of business which could adversely affect its business. Should any litigation in which the Company becomes involved be determined against the Company such a decision could adversely affect the Company’s ability to continue operating and the market price for the common shares and could use significant resources. Even if the Company is involved in litigation and wins, litigation can redirect significant resources of the Company.
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RISKS RELATED TO THE MEDICAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY
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Legislative or Regulatory Reform
The Company’s operations will be subject to a variety of laws, regulations, guidelines and policies relating to the manufacture, import, export, management, packaging/labeling, advertising, sale, transportation, storage and disposal of medical cannabis but also including laws and regulations relating to drugs, controlled substances, health and safety, the conduct of operations and the protection of the environment. While to the knowledge of the Company’s management, the Company is currently in compliance with all such laws, changes to such laws, regulations and guidelines due to matters beyond the control of the Company, may cause adverse effects to its operations and financial condition.
The commercial medical cannabis industry is a new industry and the Company anticipates that such regulations will be subject to change.
Unfavourable Publicity or Consumer Perception
Management of the Company believes the medical cannabis industry is highly dependent upon consumer perception regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of the medical cannabis produced. Consumer perception of the Company’s proposed products may be significantly influenced by scientific research or findings, regulatory investigations, litigation, media attention and other publicity regarding the consumption of medical cannabis products. There can be no assurance that future scientific research, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other research findings or publicity will be favourable to the medical cannabis market or any particular product, or consistent with earlier publicity. Future research reports, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other publicity that are perceived as less favourable than, or that question, earlier research reports, findings or publicity could have a material adverse effect on the demand for the Company’s proposed products and the business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the Company. The Company’s dependence upon consumer perceptions means that adverse scientific research reports, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other publicity, whether or not accurate or with merit, could have a material adverse effect on the Company, the demand for the Company’s proposed products, and the business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the Company.
Further, adverse publicity reports or other media attention regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of medical cannabis in general, or the Company’s proposed products specifically, or associating the consumption of medical cannabis with illness or other negative effects or events, could have such a material adverse effect. Such adverse publicity reports or other media attention could arise even if the adverse effects associated with such products resulted from consumers’ failure to consume such products appropriately or as directed.
Competition
The introduction of a recreational model for cannabis production and distribution may impact the medical cannabis market. The impact of this potential development may be negative for the Company and could result in increased levels of competition in its existing medical market and/or the entry of new competitors in the overall cannabis market in which the Company operates.
There is potential for the Company to face intense competition from other companies, some of which have longer operating histories and more financial resources, industry, manufacturing and marketing experience than the Company. Additionally, there is potential that the industry will undergo consolidation, creating larger companies that may have increased geographic scope and other economies of scale. Increased competition by larger and better-financed competitors with geographic and other structural advantages could materially and adversely affect the proposed business, financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Because of the early stage of the industry in which the Company operates, the Company expects to face additional competition from new entrants. If the number of users of medical cannabis in Canada increases, the demand for products will increase and the Company expects that competition will become more intense, as current and future competitors begin to offer an increasing number of diversified products. To remain competitive, the Company will require a continued high level of investment in research and development, marketing, sales and client support. The Company may not have sufficient resources to maintain research and development, marketing, sales and client support efforts on a competitive basis which could materially and adversely affect the business, financial condition and results of the Company.
Client Acquisition and Retention
The Company’s success will depend to a substantial extent on the willingness of new patients to try or migrate to its service. If patients do not perceive the benefits of its services, then the market for these services may not develop at all, or it may develop more slowly than expected, either of which would significantly adversely affect operating results. In addition, as a new company in this competitive market, the Company has limited insight into trends that may develop and affect its business. The Company may make errors in predicting and reacting to relevant economic and currency-related trends, which could harm its business. There are many factors which could impact the Company’s ability to attract and retain patients, including but not limited to, desirable and effective product, the successful implementation of a patient-acquisition plan and the continued growth in the number of patients selecting cannabis as a treatment option and other companies producing and supplying similar products.
Strategic Partnerships
The Company’s business plan contemplates several strategic partnerships or relationships that may not necessarily materialize in the course of the Company’s business, particularly with respect to its proposed cultivation facility.
Transportation Risks
Due to the perishable nature of its proposed products, the Company will depend on fast and efficient third party transportation services to distribute its product. Any prolonged disruption of third party transportation services could have an adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Market Unpredictability
The current medical cannabis industry is relatively undeveloped. There is no certainty that the market of patients or recreational users will expand as sufficiently as industry analysts predict.