The loss of our key executives could have a significant impact on us.
Our success depends in large part upon the abilities and continued service of our executive officers and other key employees. Our employment agreements with our executive officers are terminable by either party on short notice and could result in substantial severance obligations payable to such executives that would otherwise be necessary for ongoing operations. The loss of key employees has and may continue to result in a significant loss in the knowledge and experience that we, as an organization, possess, and could cause significant delays in, or outright failure of, the management of our supply chain, our research and development initiatives, analytical, and consulting services business and/ or, our development of future products and product candidates. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified and talented senior management personnel, our business may suffer.
Our acquisition of companies or technologies could prove difficult to integrate and may disrupt our business and harm our operating results and prospects.
Potential acquisitions will likely involve risks associated with our assumption of some or all of the liabilities of an acquired company, which may be liabilities that we were or are unaware of at the time of the acquisition, potential write-offs of acquired assets and potential loss of the acquired company’s key employees or customers.
We may encounter difficulties in successfully integrating our operations, technologies, services, and personnel with that of the acquired company, and our financial and management resources may be diverted from our existing operations. For instance, we diverted some resources from our existing technologies under development to focus on the InMotion robots acquired from IMT in April 2016. We have consolidated accounting, finance, and administration in Watertown, Massachusetts office. If we elect to further consolidate our facilities, we may lose key personnel unwilling to relocate to the consolidated facility, may have difficulty hiring appropriate personnel at the consolidated facility and may have difficulty providing continuity of service through the consolidation.
End-user satisfaction or performance problems with any acquired business, technology, service, or device, including the InMotion robots, could also have a material adverse effect on our reputation. Additionally, potential disputes with the seller of an acquired business or its employees, suppliers or customers and amortization expenses related to intangible assets could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition. If we fail to properly evaluate and execute acquisitions, our business may be disrupted, and our operating results and prospects may be harmed.
We can give no assurance that our commercialization schedule will be met as we concentrate our efforts on capital raising.
Product defects could adversely affect the results of our operations.
The design, manufacture and marketing of our products involves certain inherent risks. Manufacturing or design defects, unanticipated use of our products, or inadequate disclosure of risks relating to the use of our products can lead to injury or other adverse events. These events could lead to recalls or safety alerts relating to our products (either voluntary or required by the FDA, Health Canada or similar governmental authorities in other countries), and could result, in certain cases, in the removal of a product from the market. A recall could result in significant costs, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products. Personal injuries relating to the use of our products could also result in product liability claims being brought against us. The Company has product liability insurance to mitigate this risk. In some circumstances, such adverse events could also cause delays in new product approvals.
We could be exposed to significant liability claims if we are unable to obtain insurance at acceptable costs and adequate levels or otherwise protect ourselves against potential product liability claims.
The testing, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of medical devices entail the inherent risk of liability claims or product recalls. The Company currently maintains product liability insurance; however, product liability insurance is expensive and may not be available on acceptable terms in the future, if at all. A successful product liability claim, or product recall could inhibit or prevent the successful commercialization of our products, cause a significant financial burden on the Company, or both, which in either case could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Although we carry product liability insurance, there is no guarantee that our insurance will adequately cover us against potential liability. If not, the results of our operations could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, any product liability claims brought in connection with any alleged defect of our products, whether with or without merit, could increase our product liability insurance rates or prevent us from securing continuing coverage at rates we could afford.