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Nuvo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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FY2017 Annual Report · Nuvo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Dear Nuvo Shareholders, 

With 2017 behind us, we now have time to reflect on a year of challenges, as well as our many positives 
and opportunities for growth in 2018.   

As many of you know, Nuvo’s U.S. Pennsaid® 2% revenue is generated by commercial bottle and physician 
sample sales from our Varennes, Québec manufacturing facility to our U.S. distribution partner Horizon 
Pharma plc (Horizon).  Nuvo records revenue upon product shipments to Horizon. Horizon’s orders are 
significantly influenced by Pennsaid 2% U.S. prescription trends.   

U.S. prescriptions for Pennsaid 2% stabilized through the year, despite the changes Horizon made to its 
primary  care  business  commercial  strategy.    Total  prescriptions  for  2017  were  434,000  compared  to 
457,000 in 2016.  Horizon’s U.S. Pennsaid 2% business faced increased managed care challenges, which 
lead to portfolio-wide changes in their inventory management, a modest reduction in the number of sales 
representatives and an approximately 50% decrease in their physician sample purchases –  a change that 
will impact our sample production in 2018 and possibly beyond.  In 2017, these factors, together with a 
planned shutdown of our Varennes manufacturing facility to install new “serialization” equipment driven 
by the implementation of new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, resulted in Horizon 
drawing  down  its  existing  commercial  bottle  and  product  sample  inventories  at  the  expense  of  new 
production  orders  to  Nuvo.    Despite  its  commercial  strategy  changes,  Horizon  continues  to  actively 
support  the  Pennsaid  2%  business  with  an  approximately  250  representative  national  sales  force.  
Pennsaid 2% remains the number two revenue generating product in Horizon’s overall portfolio and the 
number one product in its primary care portfolio.  The bottom line is that Pennsaid 2% remains a very 
important product for Horizon and an important source of revenue for Horizon and for Nuvo. 

In 2017, we announced two new international Pennsaid 2% partners:  Sayre Therapeutics (Sayre) in India 
and Gebro Pharma (Gebro) in Switzerland.  In December Sayre submitted their Pennsaid 2% registration 
dossier in India and anticipate an approximate 12-month review window with the Drug Controller General 
of India, the Indian regulatory approval organization.  Gebro anticipates meeting with Swissmedic, the 
Swiss  regulatory  approval  organization,  towards  the  end  of  Q2  or  early  Q3  2018  for  scientific  advice 
regarding an application for Swiss regulatory approval.  We are very pleased with the progress Sayre and 
Gebro  are  making  and  will  update  shareholders  as  our  partners  proceed  through  their  respective 
regulatory processes.  Furthermore, we continue to believe that the global Pennsaid 2% opportunity is 
very attractive and anticipate completing additional licensing deals in 2018.   

Despite the challenges we faced in 2017, which were out of our control, Nuvo maintained a profitable 
business throughout the year on a trailing-twelve months basis and we continue to operate debt free and 
with significant cash on our balance sheet.   

In May, we announced the successful outcome of Horizon’s patent litigation against the generic company, 
Actavis Laboratories UT, Inc. (Actavis), which involved the challenge of one of Horizon’s U.S. Pennsaid 2% 
patents.  The judge’s decision upheld the validity of the patent and subject to appeal, secured this revenue 
stream for Nuvo until the patent’s expiration in 2027.  It is important to note that there are 18 additional 
issued patents in the FDA Orange Book that protect the U.S. Pennsaid 2% franchise that were not the 
subject of this litigation - the longest of which extends to 2030.  This was a major victory for Horizon and 
Nuvo and is evidence of the exceptional Pennsaid 2% patents that were developed by the Nuvo team.  

Identical and/or similar patents have been issued throughout key ex-U.S. jurisdictions, a notable product 
attribute that supports our Pennsaid 2% out-licensing efforts worldwide. 

In August, we secured a $6.0 million operating loan facility with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) (Facility).  
The Facility can be accessed by Canadian dollar denominated loans and U.S. dollar denominated loans 
that will bear interest at a low, single-digit premium to RBC's Prime Rate or RBC's U.S. Base Rate.  While 
we have not yet drawn any amounts under the Facility, it gives us the flexibility to deploy our existing cash 
toward product and business acquisitions that meet our criteria. 

On November 28, 2017, Nuvo's common shares commenced trading on the OTCQX® market in the United 
States.  This listing provides Nuvo shareholders in the U.S. with simplified access to trade Nuvo shares, 
with no material increase in our public company costs. 

Towards the end of the  year, we incorporated Nuvo Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Limited (Nuvo Ireland).  
Historically Nuvo has had an E.U. affiliate in the U.K. which held our E.U. marketing authorizations for 
Pennsaid.  However, the decision by the U.K. to exit the E.U. common market (Brexit) required us to make 
changes to our E.U. business structure to remain in compliance with E.U. regulations.  This wholly owned 
subsidiary of Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. was established to be the future operational hub for Nuvo’s ex-
Canadian business and to hold our E.U. marketing authorizations within an E.U. member state.  

In November, we received Toronto Stock Exchange approval to proceed with a normal course issuer bid 
(NCIB) that allows us to use our existing cash to buy back Nuvo common shares.  We believe that Nuvo 
shares are currently undervalued.  The NCIB gives us the opportunity to strategically acquire shares for 
cancellation  at  an  advantageous  price  with  a  view  to  increasing  the  value  of  the  remaining  shares 
outstanding. 

As  the  year  came  to  a  close,  we  were  excited  to  announce  we  had  completed  the  acquisition  of  the 
Resultz®  ex-U.S.  royalty stream,  along  with  all  intellectual  property  and  product  rights  from  Piedmont 
Pharmaceuticals  LLC  (Piedmont).    Resultz  is  a  best  in  class,  non-pesticide  treatment  for  head  lice 
infestation in humans with over one million treatments sold annually outside of the U.S.  The product’s 
five-minute treatment claim and 100% efficacy when used as directed differentiates it in the global head 
lice market.  This transaction marked a significant new product acquisition for Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. 
and demonstrates our commitment  to grow  and diversify our product  portfolio and revenue  streams.  
Resultz was an ideal acquisition for Nuvo, as it met all our product acquisition criteria.  Namely, Resultz is 
currently generating revenue via a US$1.5 million annual royalty stream from the net sales of Resultz in 
select international markets by Reckitt Benckiser and other licensees, Resultz is approved throughout the 
E.U. and therefore ready for commercialization once we have suitable commercial partners in place for 
markets not currently partnered, Resultz is protected by patents into 2023, and most importantly, it is a 
product that we can produce at our manufacturing facility.  On closing of this transaction, we paid US$7.0 
million upfront from cash on hand.  Nuvo will also pay to Piedmont, the original developer of Resultz, a 
low single digit royalty on net sales in new territories, as well as certain sales-based milestones.  We will 
incur some one-time closing and transition expenses in 2018, but these should taper off in the second half 
of the year.   

We quickly followed the ex-U.S. Resultz acquisition with the acquisition of the U.S. rights to Resultz in 
January 2018.  On closing of the U.S. acquisition, we paid US$1.5 million to Piedmont and will pay a single-

digit royalty on net sales through 2034.  Resultz was cleared by the FDA for marketing in May 2017, but 
has yet to be commercially launched.   

After  these  two  transactions,  Nuvo  now  owns  the  global  product  and  intellectual  property  rights  to 
Resultz, a best in class head lice  treatment. To date, Resultz has been commercialized in 11 countries 
where it has been a very successful product achieving market share of anywhere between 15-35%.  We 
believe that with its category leading 5-minute treatment and 100% efficacy, we are well positioned to 
partner Resultz in many new markets.  Our number one priority is to enter the U.S. market, which has an 
annual retail value of approximately US$250 million, along with key markets in the E.U. such as Germany 
and  Italy.    The  combined  annual  retail  value  of  the  unpartnered  E.U.  and  U.S.  head-lice  markets  are 
approximately  US$400  million.    Most  importantly,  the  U.S.  market  is  dominated  by  ineffective  and 
dangerous pesticide-based treatments which presents a very timely and potentially lucrative opportunity 
for our highly effective and safe product. 

Another key priority for Nuvo in 2018 is our continued progress towards an E.U. regulatory submission for 
Pennsaid  2%.    We  had  previously  indicated  that  Nuvo  would  be  presenting  a  new  “meta-analysis”  of 
existing Pennsaid data to select E.U. regulatory authorities at meetings to be held towards the end of Q1 
2018.    These  meetings  have  been  arranged  and  we  anticipate  providing  a  further  update  to  our  E.U. 
registration  strategy  during  Q2  2018.    Our  strategy  is  to  present  clinical  data  relating  to  the  safe  and 
effective use of Pennsaid 2% for osteoarthritis, an indication that is aligned with our approved labelling in 
the U.S. for Pennsaid 2%, and the approved labelling for Pennsaid in the E.U. and Canada.  The global 
market for topical diclofenac (the active ingredient in Pennsaid 2%) is sizeable, with sales of approximately 
$1.0 billion annually outside of the U.S.  This is a market we want to access and we are working diligently 
to make this a reality. 

Business development will remain a key focus for Nuvo in 2018.  We have high expectations for our Resultz 
and Pennsaid 2% partnering activities in 2018 and anticipate announcing new collaborations throughout 
the  year.    We  continue  to  seek  new  product  and  business  acquisition  opportunities.    Finding  product 
acquisition opportunities is relatively straightforward, but finding the right products at the right price is 
much more challenging.  We approach business development with not only financial discipline, but also 
with consideration for commercial, scientific and legal synergies and future growth opportunities.  As a 
company  that  will  be  relying  on  business  development  for  pipeline  and  portfolio  growth,  we  are 
committed to making the right deals for the right products and businesses at the right price. 

We appreciate the continued support of our shareholders and look forward to continuing to execute on 
our growth plans to enhance shareholder value.  I would also like to thank all Nuvo employees and our 
Board of Directors for their hard work and support over the past year.   

Sincerely, 

Jesse Ledger 
President & CEO 
Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc.  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) 

March 22, 2018 / The following information should be read in conjunction with the Nuvo Pharmaceuticals™ Inc. 
(Nuvo or the Company)  Consolidated Financial  Statements for  the  year  ended  December 31, 2017  which were 
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  Additional information about the 
Company, including the Consolidated Financial Statements and Annual Information Form (AIF), can be found on 
SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 

All amounts in the MD&A, the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes are expressed in Canadian 
dollars, unless otherwise noted. 

Forward-looking Statements  

This MD&A contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking 
statements  can  be  identified  by  words  such  as:  “anticipate,”  “intend,”  “plan,”  “goal,”  “seek,”  “believe,”  “project,” 
“estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods.  

Forward-looking  statements  are  neither  historical  facts  nor  assurances  of  future  performance.  Instead,  they  are 
based only on the Company’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of its business, 
future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. 
Because  forward-looking  statements  relate  to  the  future,  they  are  subject  to  inherent  uncertainties,  risks  and 
changes  in  circumstances  that  are  difficult  to  predict  and  many  of  which  are  outside  of  the  Company’s  control. 
Nuvo’s  actual  results  and  financial  condition  may  differ  materially  from  those  indicated  in  the  forward-looking 
statements. Therefore, readers should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that 
could cause Nuvo’s actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-
looking statements include, among others, the risk factors included in Nuvo’s most recent Annual Information Form 
dated March 22, 2018 under the heading “Risks Factors”, and as described from time to time in the reports and 
disclosure documents filed by Nuvo with Canadian securities regulatory agencies and commissions. These and 
other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on Nuvo’s forward-looking 
statements. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, no assurance can be given as to any such future results, 
levels of activity or achievements and none of Nuvo or any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy 
and completeness of these forward-looking statements.  

Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this MD&A is based only on information currently available 
to it and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, Nuvo 
undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be 
made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. 

Overview   

Nuvo  is  a  publicly  traded,  global,  commercial  healthcare  company  with  a  portfolio  of  commercial  products  and 
pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.  Nuvo has four commercial products that are available in a number of 
countries:  Pennsaid®  2%,  Pennsaid,  Resultz®  and  the  heated  lidocaine/tetracaine  patch  (HLT  Patch).    Nuvo 
manufactures Pennsaid 2% for the U.S. market, Pennsaid for the global market and the bulk drug product for the 
HLT Patch at its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada and E.U. approved manufacturing facility 
in Varennes, Québec.     

As at December 31, 2017, the Company employed a total of 49 full-time employees at its manufacturing facility in 
Varennes, Québec and its head office in Mississauga, Ontario.  

Corporate Reorganization 

On  March  1,  2016,  the  Company  completed  a  transaction  (the  Reorganization)  pursuant  to  which  Nuvo  was 
reorganized into two separate, publicly traded companies, the Company and Crescita Therapeutics Inc. (Crescita).  
Detailed  information  regarding  the  Reorganization  and  its  effects,  including  a  description  of  certain  risks  and 
uncertainties in respect of the Reorganization and the operation of the Company and Crescita as separate, publicly 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
traded companies, are included in the Nuvo Reorganization Circular that is available under the Company’s profile 
at www.sedar.com. 

Prior to the Reorganization, Nuvo operated two distinct business units: Nuvo and Crescita.  Nuvo is a commercial 
healthcare company with a portfolio of commercial products and pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.  Prior 
to the Reorganization, Crescita was a drug development business.  

The  information  presented  herein  reflects  the  completion  of  the  Reorganization,  with  Crescita  presented  as 
discontinued operations.   

Growth Strategy 

The Company’s focus, in the short-term, is to continue to maximize the value of Pennsaid 2% and Resultz through 
out-licensing to commercial partners in international markets, identifying new opportunities to acquire  additional, 
accretive,  late-stage  products  or  businesses  to  further  diversify  the  Company’s  existing  product  portfolio  and 
revenue streams, and to better utilize the Company’s manufacturing facility in Varennes, Québec. 

Significant Transactions 

2017 

Acquisition of Global, ex-U.S. Rights to Resultz 
In December 2017, the Company acquired the global, ex-U.S. product and intellectual property rights to Resultz 
(50%  isopropyl  myristate,  50%  cyclomethicone  D5  topical  solution  lice  and  egg  removal  kit)  from  Piedmont 
Pharmaceuticals LLC (Piedmont).   The transaction included existing royalty streams in France, Spain, Portugal, 
Belgium, Ireland and the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Australia and Israel (collectively the Royalty Markets), 
generated from a network of existing global licensees and license agreements that were assumed by Nuvo.  Current 
global licensees include Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc., Lapidot Medical and Takeda 
Belgium.  Resultz is also pending registration in Japan, where the local license is held by Sato Pharmaceutical Co. 
Ltd.  Resultz is protected by a portfolio of 40 issued patents globally.  Resultz is currently approved for sale under 
its European Conformity (CE) mark as a class 1 medical device, but not yet partnered or generating revenue in all 
remaining E.U. territories.  Under the terms of the agreement, Nuvo paid US$7.0 million ($8.8 million) on close to 
Piedmont.  The transaction also included a single-digit royalty payable by Nuvo on net sales generated from non-
Royalty Markets through 2023 and potential added future consideration in the form of payments for achieving certain 
aggregate  annual  net  sales-based  milestones.   The  accounting  details  are  disclosed  in  Note  4,  “Acquisition  of 
Resultz Product and Intellectual Property Rights” of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year 
ended December 31, 2017. 

Pennsaid 2% Out-licensing 
In December 2017, the Company entered into a license and distribution agreement with Gebro Pharma AG (Gebro 
Pharma) for the exclusive right to register, distribute, market and sell Pennsaid 2% in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.  
The Company is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on net sales of Pennsaid 2% in Switzerland 
and Liechtenstein and will earn product revenue from Gebro Pharma pursuant to an exclusive supply agreement 
from its manufacturing facility in Varennes, Québec. 

In March 2017, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Sayre Therapeutics PVT Ltd. (Sayre 
Therapeutics) to distribute, market and sell Pennsaid 2% in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal (the Territory).  
Nuvo received an upfront payment and is eligible to receive milestone payments and a double-digit royalty on net 
sales.  Nuvo will supply Pennsaid 2% to Sayre Therapeutics on an exclusive basis from its manufacturing facility. 

2016 

Corporate Reorganization 
On March 1, 2016, Nuvo completed a corporate reorganization that reorganized Nuvo into two  separate publicly 
traded companies: Nuvo and Crescita.  See “Corporate Reorganization” and the Nuvo Reorganization Circular filed 
on SEDAR for information on this transaction.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pennsaid 2% U.S. Supply Agreement  
In connection with the October 2014 Pennsaid 2% U.S. Sale Agreement, the Company also entered into a long-
term supply agreement with Horizon.  Pursuant to the supply agreement, the Company agreed to supply Pennsaid 
2% to Horizon from its Varennes, Québec manufacturing facility for commercialization in the U.S.  The initial term 
of  the  supply  agreement  would  have  expired  on  December 31,  2022  and,  unless  terminated,  would  have 
automatically renewed for  successive two-year terms, thereafter.  In February 2016,  the supply  agreement was 
amended  (Amended  Supply  Agreement)  to  extend  the  term  of  the  agreement  to  December  31,  2029  and  to 
introduce volume tiered pricing.  The transfer price is subject to semi-annual adjustments based on Nuvo’s raw 
material  costs  and  annual  adjustments  based  upon  changes  in  a  national  manufacturing  cost  index  for 
pharmaceutical products.  The supply agreement may be terminated earlier by either party for any uncured material 
breach  or  other  customary  conditions.    Under  the  Amended  Supply  Agreement,  Nuvo  is  obligated  to  supply 
Pennsaid  2%  to  Horizon  and  Horizon  is  obligated  to  obtain  all  of  its  requirements  for  Pennsaid  2%  from  Nuvo, 
subject  to  Horizon  being  able  to  obtain  up  to  10%  of  its  requirements  from  a  third-party  alternative  supplier  of 
Pennsaid 2%.  Specifically, the supply agreement as amended provides for the selection and qualification of  an 
alternate  supplier  of  Pennsaid  2%  and  an  alternative  supplier  of  the  active  pharmaceutical  ingredient  (API).  
Following the approval by the FDA of a selected alternate supplier, and subject to certain limitations, the Company 
is required to enter into a supply agreement with the alternate supplier with respect to Pennsaid 2% or its API.  To 
the  extent  that  maintaining  regulatory  approvals  for  an  alternative  supplier  requires  the  Company  to  purchase 
minimum quantities of drug product or API from the alternate supplier, the Company is obligated to purchase such 
minimum quantities, subject to Horizon’s obligation to reimburse the Company for any excess cost compared to the 
cost to otherwise obtain such drug product or API.  To-date, a third-party alternative supplier of Pennsaid 2% has 
not been qualified to manufacture the product. 

Key Developments  

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, and up to the date of this MD&A:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

According to IMS Health, for the  year ended December 31, 2017,  U.S.  prescriptions of Pennsaid  2%  were 
434,000 compared to 457,000 for the  year ended December 31,  2016.  U.S. prescriptions of Pennsaid 2% 
were 110,000 in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 108,000 prescriptions in the third quarter of 2017; 

In  January  2018,  the  Company’s  wholly  owned  subsidiary,  Nuvo  Pharmaceuticals  (Ireland)  Limited  (Nuvo 
Ireland)  acquired  the  U.S.  rights  to  Resultz  from  Piedmont.    The  acquisition  included  all  U.S.  product  and 
intellectual property rights.  Resultz was cleared as a Class 1 medical device by the FDA in May 2017 and has 
not yet been commercially launched in the U.S.  Nuvo anticipates commercializing Resultz in the U.S. through 
a  licensing  partner  and  has  already  initiated  discussions  with  potential  licensees.    Under  the  terms  of  the 
agreement, US$1.5 million ($1.9 million) was paid to Piedmont.  The transaction includes a single-digit royalty 
payable  by  Nuvo  Ireland  on  net  sales  through  2034.    Nuvo,  through  its  Nuvo  Ireland  subsidiary,  has  also 
obtained a right of first refusal to license or acquire certain related assets from Piedmont targeting other human 
indications;   

In  December  2017,  the  Company  acquired  the  global,  ex-U.S.  product  and  intellectual  property  rights  to 
Resultz from Piedmont (See “Significant Transactions - Acquisition of Global, ex-U.S. Rights to Resultz”);  

In December 2017, the Company entered into a license and distribution agreement with Gebro Pharma for the 
exclusive  right  to  register,  distribute,  market  and  sell  Pennsaid  2%  in  Switzerland  and  Liechtenstein  (See 
“Significant Transactions - Pennsaid 2% Out-licensing”);      

In November 2017, the Company announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) had approved its notice 
of intention to make a normal course issuer bid for a portion of its outstanding common shares as appropriate 
opportunities arise from time-to-time.   Pursuant to the notice, Nuvo is authorized to acquire up to a maximum 
of 919,819 of its common shares, or approximately 10% of the public float of 9,198,191 as of  November 30, 
2017, for cancellation over the next 12 months.  Nuvo believes that the repurchase of a portion of outstanding 
common shares is an appropriate use of available cash and is in the best interest of Nuvo and its shareholders; 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  On November 28, 2017, the Company's common shares commenced trading on the OTCQX® market in the 
United States under the symbol "NRIFF".  Nuvo's common shares will continue to trade on the Toronto Stock 
Exchange under the symbol "NRI"; and   

• 

In November 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed Jesse Ledger to the position of President 
& Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Ledger had previously held the position of President.  Mr. Ledger assumed the 
CEO role from John London who was appointed the Company's Executive Chairman and continues to serve 
on its board of directors.   

Commercial Products 

Resultz 
Resultz is a commercial-stage, over-the-counter (OTC) product intended to kill head lice and remove their eggs 
from hair with as little as a 5-minute treatment.  It is a pesticide-free, topical solution that contains only two common 
cosmetic ingredients - 50% isopropyl myristate and 50% cyclomethicone D5.  It is clinically proven to achieve 100% 
effectiveness when used as directed.  

The following table summarizes  where the  Company’s partners have commercialized  Resultz or  are  working to 
obtain regulatory approval: 

Brand 
Resultz 

Therapeutic 
Area 
Treatment of 
Head Lice 

Licensee or  
Distributor 
Aralez/Medical 
Futures 

Licensed  
Territories 
Canada 

Takeda 

Belgium 

Intellectual Property  
Two patents granted in Canada expiring in 
2023. 

Two patents granted in Belgium expiring in 
2023. 

Reckitt-Benckiser 

United Kingdom, Ireland, 
France, Spain, Russia, 
Belarus, Portugal, 
Australia 

Two patents granted in each of the United 
Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, and 
Australia expiring in 2023. 

Lapidot 

Palestine, Israel 

Pennsaid 2% 
Pennsaid 2% is a follow-on product to original Pennsaid.  Pennsaid 2% is a topical pain product that combines a 
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) based transdermal carrier with 2% diclofenac sodium, a leading NSAID, compared to 
1.5% for original Pennsaid (described below).  It is more viscous than original Pennsaid, is supplied in a metered 
dose  pump  bottle  and  has  been  approved  in  the  U.S.  for  twice  daily  dosing  compared  to  four  times  a  day  for 
Pennsaid.  This provides Pennsaid 2% with potential advantages over Pennsaid and other competitor products and 
with patent protection. 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table summarizes where the Company’s partners have commercialized Pennsaid 2% or are working 
to obtain regulatory approval: 

Brand 
Pennsaid 2% 

Therapeutic 
Area 
Osteoarthritis 
of the knee 

Licensee or  
Distributor 
Horizon Pharma plc 

Licensed  
Territories 
United States 

Paladin Labs Inc.(1 ) 

Canada 

Intellectual Property  
Nineteen granted U.S. patents listed in the 
FDA’s Orange Book with latest expiry in 2030.  

One patent granted in Canada expiring in 2027. 
Pending patent application through 2033.  

NovaMedica LLC(2) 

Russia; some 
Community of 
Independent States 

Two patents granted in Russia with latest 
expiring in 2033. 

Sayre Therapeutics 
PVT Ltd.(3) 

India, Sri Lanka, 
Bangladesh and Nepal 

One patent granted in India expiring in 2027. 
Pending patent application through 2027. 

Gebro Pharma AG 

Switzerland and 
Liechtenstein 

One patent granted in Switzerland expiring in 
2027. Pending patent application in Europe 
through 2033. 

(1)  Regulatory approval not yet received in territory. 
(2) 

In February 2017, the Company received notification from NovaMedica LLC that the marketing authorization for Pennsaid 2% had been 
granted by the Russian Ministry of Health.  The marketing authorization is inclusive of the non-prescription, human use of Pennsaid 2% 
in treating back pain, joint pain, muscle pain and inflammation and swelling in soft tissue and joints associated with trauma and rheumatic 
conditions (See “Pennsaid 2% - Russia”). 

(3)  Partner is working to obtain regulatory approval in licensed territory. 

Pennsaid 2% - United States 
Pennsaid 2% was approved on January 16, 2014 in the U.S. for the treatment of the pain of osteoarthritis (OA) of 
the  knee.    OA  is  the  most  common  joint  disease  affecting  middle-age  and  older  people.    It  is  characterized  by 
progressive damage to the joint cartilage and causes changes in the structures around the joint.  These changes 
can include fluid accumulation, bony overgrowth and loosening and weakness of muscles and tendons, all of which 
may limit movement and cause pain and swelling.  In the U.S., the rights to Pennsaid 2% were sold to Horizon 
Pharma plc (Horizon) for US$45.0 million in October 2014 (October 2014 Pennsaid 2% U.S. Sale Agreement).  The 
Company earns revenue from product sales to Horizon under an exclusive manufacturing agreement that ends in 
2029.  In January 2015, Horizon launched its commercial sale and marketing of Pennsaid 2% in the U.S.   

Nuvo records revenue when it ships Pennsaid 2% product samples and commercial bottles to Horizon for Horizon’s 
sale into the U.S. market.  The amount earned by Nuvo is based on a defined transfer price for each commercial 
bottle  and  product  sample  shipped  to  Horizon  pursuant  to  its  long-term,  exclusive  supply  agreement  with 
Horizon.   Nuvo’s  transfer  price  for  Pennsaid  2%  commercial  bottles  and  product  samples  is  not  affected  by 
Horizon’s  net  selling  price  for  prescriptions  filled  in  the  U.S.   The  timing  of  Nuvo  shipments  to  Horizon  do  not 
necessarily align with when U.S. patients fill prescriptions written by their physicians.  

For several weeks during 2017, Nuvo’s manufacturing facility in Varennes, Québec did not produce any commercial 
bottles of Pennsaid 2% for Horizon.  This was part of a plan developed with Horizon to install new Pennsaid 2% 
packaging  equipment  and  software  systems.    The  new  equipment  was  required  to  put  Nuvo  and  Horizon  in 
compliance with new Federal Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) rules that mandate all manufacturers of 
drug products sold in the U.S. to serialize each individual package to enhance drug traceability in the event of an 
adverse event and to prevent drug counterfeiting.  During this period of reduced production, Horizon was drawing 
down on their non-serialized inventory  of Pennsaid 2% commercial  bottles  that  had previously  been shipped to 
them.  On June 30, 2017, the Company was advised that the FDA was extending the serialization compliance date 
by one year - from November 17, 2017 to November 17, 2018.  As a result of this change, Horizon requested that 
the Company deliver non-serialized commercial bottles to them before  the equipment and software qualification 
process was completed.  The Company completed its qualification and was fully compliant with the DSCSA rules 
during the fourth quarter.  

Pennsaid 2% - Russia  
In  February  2017,  the  Company  received  notification  from  NovaMedica  LLC  (NovaMedica)  that  the  marketing 
authorization for Pennsaid 2% had been granted by the Russian Ministry of Health.  Pennsaid 2% is approved for 
the non-prescription, human use in treating back pain, joint pain, muscle pain and inflammation and swelling in soft 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
tissue and joints associated with trauma and rheumatic conditions.  Since the approval of Pennsaid 2% in Russia, 
the Company has been in ongoing discussions with NovaMedica regarding its commercialization plans for Pennsaid 
2%.    The  approval  of  Pennsaid  2%  in  Russia  as  a  non-prescription  product,  combined  with  the  continued 
devaluation of the Ruble and the changing economic and competitive environment in Russia have made conditions 
for  a  successful  commercial  launch  of  Pennsaid  2%  by  NovaMedica  difficult.    NovaMedica  has  advised  the 
Company  that  it  may  not  be  in  a  position  to  commercially  launch  Pennsaid  2%  in  Russia  as  a  result  of  these 
challenging market conditions without the participation of a commercial partner.  The Company and NovaMedica 
are  in  discussions  regarding  potential  pathways  forward  which  may  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  partnering 
Pennsaid  2%  with  NovaMedica  and  another  third-party  in  Russia  and/or  termination  of  the  existing  license 
agreement between the Company and NovaMedica and a return of marketing authorization rights to the Company.    

Pennsaid 2% - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal 
In March 2017, the Company announced an exclusive license agreement with  Sayre Therapeutics to distribute, 
market and sell Pennsaid 2% in the Territory.  Sayre Therapeutics filed their application for regulatory approval with 
the  Drug  Controller  General  of  India  in  December  2017.    If  regulatory  approval  is  obtained  as  anticipated,  the 
Company expects commercial launches of Pennsaid 2% will commence in late 2018 or early 2019.  The Company 
received an upfront payment and is eligible to receive milestone payments and a double-digit royalty on net sales.  
Nuvo  will  supply  Pennsaid  2%  to  Sayre  Therapeutics  on  an  exclusive  basis  from  its  manufacturing  facility  in 
Varennes, Québec. 

Pennsaid 2% - Switzerland and Liechtenstein  
In December 2017, the Company announced it had entered into a license and distribution agreement with Gebro 
Pharma for the exclusive right to register, distribute, market and sell Pennsaid 2% in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.  
Gebro anticipates meeting with Swissmedic, the Swiss regulatory approval organization, towards the end of Q2 or 
early Q3 2018 for scientific advice regarding an application for Swiss regulatory approval.  The Company is eligible 
to receive milestone payments and royalties on net sales of Pennsaid 2% in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and will 
earn product revenue from Gebro Pharma pursuant to an exclusive supply agreement. 

Pennsaid 2% - Unlicensed Territories  
The following table summarizes intellectual property for unlicensed Pennsaid 2% territories: 

Product 
Pennsaid 2% 

Therapeutic  
Areas 
Osteoarthritis of 
the knee and/or  
acute strains 
and sprains 

Intellectual Property 
Patents granted in Australia, Canada, Germany, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, India, 
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia Federation, 
South Africa, expiring in 2027.  Applications pending in 5 countries. Issued Russian patent and 
pending patent applications in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Europe, Hong Kong, 
Israel, Japan, and Mexico through 2033. 

Additional  clinical  and  non-clinical  trials  may  be  required  to  support  applications  for  the  regulatory  approval  of 
Pennsaid 2% in other countries in which the Company, or other licensees and distributors, could potentially market 
the product.  The Company was advised by regulatory authorities in Canada and the U.K. that the data from the 
Phase 2 trial conducted by its former U.S. licensee was insufficient to support approval of Pennsaid 2% in their 
respective countries and that additional clinical trials would be required.  There can be no assurance that trials will 
yield successful results or that the required regulatory approvals will be obtained. 

The Company believes that many jurisdictions will base their regulatory approval of Pennsaid 2% on its U.S. FDA 
approval and will not require additional clinical trials.  A separate registration procedure will be required in these 
respective countries before a licensing partner can launch the sale and marketing of Pennsaid 2%.  

2016 Pennsaid 2% Phase 3 Clinical Trial  
In May 2017, the Company announced that its 2016 Pennsaid 2% Phase 3 Clinical Trial (2016 Pennsaid 2% Trial) 
did not meet its primary endpoint. 

The 2016 Pennsaid 2% Trial was conducted in Germany and enrolled 134 patients (the full analysis set or FAS) of 
which 122 patients followed the protocol (the per protocol set or PP) who had suffered a grade I or grade II ankle 
sprain as assessed by the investigator within 12 hours of injury.  Patients were randomly assigned on a double-
blind basis to an active arm or a control arm and applied either Pennsaid 2% or a control consisting of a topical 
vehicle that included all the constituent ingredients of Pennsaid 2%, except its active ingredient diclofenac sodium 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(the Control) to their injured ankle twice a day for 8 days.  The 2016 Pennsaid 2% Trial commenced in November 
2016 and was fully enrolled in March 2017.  Results were tabulated for both the FAS and PP groups. 

Primary Endpoint 
The primary endpoint for the 2016 Pennsaid 2% Trial was reduction in pain on movement (POM) at day 3 in the 
FAS group.  On average, patients treated with Pennsaid 2% had a larger reduction in POM scores over the course 
of the study.  For the FAS group, the difference vs. Control was not statistically significant at the primary time point 
at day 3 (p=0.5074) or the secondary time point at day 5 (p=0.1642); however, was statistically significant at the 
secondary time point at day 8 (p=0.0099).   In the PP group, the Pennsaid 2% group did not show a statistically 
significant improvement at day 3 (p=0.6996) or day 5 (p=0.1865), but did show a statistically significant improvement 
at day 8 (p=0.0154). 

After  reviewing  the  2016  Pennsaid  2%  Trial  results  in  detail,  the  Company  met  with  its  scientific  advisors  and 
regulatory consultants to determine what its next steps should be in relation to regulatory submissions of Pennsaid 
2% in Canada, Australia and the E.U.  At present, the Company has no plans to conduct another trial similar to the 
2016 Pennsaid 2% Trial.  The Company intends to pursue Pennsaid 2% registrations in select territories that will 
accept the existing clinical and technical data package.  To support these activities, the Company will be seeking 
scientific  advice  from  select  regulatory  agencies  in  Europe  during  the  first  half  of  2018.    The  outcome  of  these 
meetings will help to determine if the significant body of evidence supporting the safe and effective use of Pennsaid 
and Pennsaid 2% will be sufficient to support the registration of Pennsaid 2% in select E.U. countries. 

Pennsaid 
Pennsaid, the Company’s first commercial topical pain product, is used to treat the signs and symptoms of OA of 
the  knee.    Pennsaid is  a  combination  of  a  DMSO-based  transdermal  carrier and 1.5%  diclofenac  sodium  and 
delivers the  active  drug through the skin at the site of pain.   .   Pennsaid no  longer has patent protection in the 
territories  where  it  is  currently  marketed  by  the  Company’s  partners.    In  Canada,  Pennsaid  is  available  by 
prescription only and multiple generic versions of Pennsaid have launched that have negatively impacted sales.  In 
the other regions where Pennsaid is available, a prescription is not required (except the U.K.). 

Pennsaid Commercial Partners  
The following table summarizes where the Company’s partners have commercialized Pennsaid or are working to 
obtain regulatory approval:  

Brand 
Pennsaid 

Therapeutic  
Area 
Osteoarthritis of the knee 

Licensee or  
Distributor 
Paladin Labs Inc. 

Vianex S.A. 

Recordati S.p.A. 

Movianto UK Limited 

Licensed  
Territories(1) 
Canada 

Greece 

Italy 

U.K. 

(1)  The Company’s patents associated with Pennsaid have expired. 

Heated Lidocaine/Tetracaine Patch 
The HLT Patch is a topical patch that combines lidocaine, tetracaine and heat, using proprietary Controlled Heat-
Assisted Drug Delivery (CHADD™) technology.  The CHADD unit generates gentle heating of the skin, and in a 
well-controlled clinical trial, demonstrated that it contributes to the efficacy of the HLT Patch by improving the flux 
rate  of  lidocaine  and  tetracaine  through  the  skin.    The  HLT  Patch  resembles  a  small  adhesive  bandage  in 
appearance and is applied to the skin 20 to 30 minutes prior to painful medical procedures, such as venous access, 
blood draws, needle injections and minor dermatologic surgical procedures.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HLT Patch Commercial Partners: 
The following table summarizes where the Company’s partners have commercialized the HLT Patch or are working 
to obtain regulatory approval:  

Brand 
Synera(1) 

Therapeutic 
Area 
Local Dermal 
Analgesia 
(Patch) 

Licensee or  
Distributor 
Galen US 
Incorporated 

Licensed  
Territories 
United States 

Rapydan(1) 

Eurocept B.V. 

Europe, Russia(2), 
Turkey(2), Israel(2) and 
People’s Republic of 
China(2) 

Intellectual Property  
One granted U.S. patent listed in the FDA’s 
Orange Book expiring in 2020. 
Method of manufacturing patent that expires 
2019 (U.S.). 

Granted European patent expiring in 2019.   

(1)  Synera and Rapydan are the brand names for the HLT Patch in their respective jurisdiction. 
(2)  Partner is responsible for obtaining regulatory approval in licensed territory. 

The Company holds the sales and marketing rights for the HLT Patch in Mexico, South America, Australia, Africa 
and most regions in Asia, although it is not approved in any of these territories. 

Under certain licensing agreements, the Company is required to make royalty payments to two companies for a 
combined 2.5% of annual net sales of the HLT Patch. 

Product Pipeline 

Foam Technology 
In  March  2017,  the  Company  acquired  a  U.S.  patent  with  an  expiry  date  of  November  22,  2031  and  pending 
applications  in  Canada,  Europe  and  the  U.S.  covering  DMSO-based  foamable  formulations  for  nominal 
consideration.  The purchase agreement also included a commitment to remit a small portion of royalty payments, 
milestone payments or upfront payments received by the Company for out-licensing of products using the Foam 
Technology until the end of the applicable patent term provided the out-licensed products continue to be covered 
by a valid claim. 

The  Company  is  in  the  process  of  meeting  with  its  scientific  advisors  and  regulatory  consultants  to  determine 
opportunities to extend its commercial product pipeline using the Foam Technology. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected Financial Information 

in thousands, except per share data 
Operations 
Product sales 
Royalties 
Contract revenue 
Total revenue 

Total operating expenses 
Other expenses 
Income before income taxes 
Income tax expense  
Net income from continuing operations 
Net loss from discontinued operations 
Net income  
Other comprehensive income (loss)  
Total comprehensive income  

Share Information 

Net income from continuing operations per common share 

- basic  
- diluted 

Average number of common shares outstanding  

- basic  
- diluted 

Financial Position 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term investments 
Total assets 
Other obligations, including current portion 
Total liabilities 
Total equity 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
$ 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
$ 

16,338  
816  
369  
17,523  

15,649 
292 
1,582    

1 
1,581 
- 
1,581 
(3) 
1,578 

0.14 
0.12 

11,550 
11,723 

8,398 
2,000 
29,918 
1,633 
4,767 
25,151 

24,824 
1,023 
1,192 
27,039 

19,307 
323 
7,409 
- 
7,409 
(3,180) 
4,229 
50 
4,279 

0.65 
0.63 

11,455 
11,711 

9,589 
8,000 
26,516 
9 
3,655 
22,861 

Non-IFRS Financial Measures  
The Company discloses non-IFRS measures that do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS, but are 
considered  useful  by  management,  investors  and  other  financial  stakeholders  to  assess  the  Company’s 
performance and management from a financial and operational standpoint.  Total operating expenses is defined as 
the sum of: cost of goods sold (COGS), research and development (R&D) expenses, general and administrative 
(G&A) expenses and net interest income.  EBITDA refers to net income from continuing operations determined in 
accordance with IFRS, before depreciation and amortization, net interest income and income tax expense.  EBITDA 
is used by management and many investors to determine the ability of an issuer to generate cash from operations.  
Adjusted  EBITDA  refers  to  EBITDA,  plus  stock-based  compensation  (SBC)  expenses.    Management  believes 
Adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure from which to determine the Company’s ability to generate 
cash available for working capital, capital expenditures and income taxes.  

Fluctuations in Operating Results  
The Company anticipates that its quarterly and annual results of operations will be impacted for the foreseeable 
future  by  several  factors  including:  the  level  of  product  sales  to  the  Company’s  customers,  licensees  and 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
distributors,  the  timing  and  amount  of  royalties,  milestones  and  other  payments  made  or  received  pursuant  to 
current and future licensing arrangements and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company earned 87% [December 31, 2016 - 92%] of its product 
revenue  from  a  single  customer,  Horizon.  The  Company  earns  product  revenue  from  the  sale  of  Pennsaid  2% 
commercial bottles and Pennsaid 2% samples to Horizon pursuant to a long-term, exclusive supply agreement.  It 
is possible that quarterly and annual results of operations will be impacted for the foreseeable future by Horizon’s 
demand for Pennsaid 2%  products due to  Horizon’s  promotional strategies, demand for the product in the U.S. 
market and how Horizon chooses to manage its internal inventory (See “Risk Factors - Dependency on Horizon”). 

The Company’s product revenue from Horizon is denominated in U.S. dollars.  Fluctuations in the exchange rate 
of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar could result in the Company realizing a higher or lower profit margin 
on sales of its product to Horizon.   

Prior to March 1, 2016, the Company’s discontinued operations included allocations of certain transactions reported 
in the accounts of Nuvo.  Management believes both the assumptions and allocations underlying the discontinued 
operations are reasonable.  However, as a result of the combined carve-out methodology used to determine the 
results  of  Crescita,  the  discontinued  operations  may  not  necessarily  be  indicative  of  the  operating  results  and 
financial position that would have resulted had Crescita historically operated as a stand-alone entity.  As a result, it 
is possible that quarterly and annual results of the Company’s continuing operations may fluctuate when compared 
to periods prior to March 1, 2016.  

Due to these factors, the Company believes that the period-to-period comparisons of its operating results are not 
necessarily a good indicator of future performance. 

Results of Operations 

Product Sales  

in thousands 

Pennsaid 2%  
Pennsaid  

HLT bulk  

Total product sales 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

$ 

14,242 
1,966 

130 

16,338 

$ 

22,806 
1,558 

460 

24,824 

Product sales, which represent the Company’s sales to customers, licensees and distributors, were $16.3 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $24.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. 

Pennsaid 2%  
Under the terms of the October 2014 Pennsaid 2% U.S. Sale Agreement, the Company earns revenue from product 
sales of Pennsaid 2% to Horizon.  All Pennsaid 2% product sales relate to the U.S. market.  The Company believes 
Horizon’s orders are influenced by Horizon’s management strategies and inventory levels, as well as U.S. market 
demand for commercial product. 

Pennsaid 2% product sales were $14.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $22.8 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2016.  In the current year, product sales included $10.2 million of the commercial 
format  and  $4.0  million  of  the  physician  sample  format.    In  the  comparative  year,  product  sales  included  $14.6 
million of the commercial format and $8.2 million of the physician sample format.  The decrease in sales for the 
year  ended  December  31,  2017  related  to  Horizon’s  decision  to  draw  down  on  its  existing  inventory  previously 
supplied by the Company and for several weeks during 2017, the manufacturing facility in Varennes, Québec did 
not  produce  any  commercial  bottles  of  Pennsaid  2%  for  Horizon  due  to  the  installation  and  qualification  of  the 
Company’s new commercial and sample production equipment.  The Company completed its qualification on its 
commercial equipment and was fully compliant with the DSCSA rules before the year ended December 31, 2017. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
According  to  IMS  Health,  approximately  434,000  Pennsaid  2%  prescriptions  were  dispensed  in  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2017 compared to 457,000 prescriptions in the year ended December 31, 2016.  Based on this data, 
Pennsaid 2% continues to be actively prescribed by physicians.  

Pennsaid  
Product sales of Pennsaid were $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $1.6 million for 
the year ended December 31, 2016.   

In the current year, the $0.4 million increase in Pennsaid product sales was primarily attributable to a $0.8 million 
increase in sales to the  Company’s partner in Greece, partially  offset by a $0.4 million decrease in sales to the 
Company’s partner in Italy.  Geographically, for the year ended December 31, 2017, all Pennsaid product sales 
were generated from the Company’s partners in the E.U. and Canada. 

HLT Bulk 
HLT bulk sales were $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to sales of $0.5 million for the 
year  ended  December  31,  2016.    HLT  bulk  sales  relate  to  Nuvo’s  sale  of  the  bulk  drug  product  that  is  used  in 
manufacturing the HLT Patch for both the U.S. and E.U. markets.  The bulk drug product is shipped to a contract 
manufacturing organization in the U.S. that manufactures the HLT Patch. 

Significant Customers 
As the Company sells product in a limited number of markets through exclusive agreements, it receives most of its 
product sales from a limited number of customers.  Product sales, derived from the Company’s current four largest 
customers, are illustrated in the following table: 

in thousands, except percentages 

Four largest customers 
% of total product sales 

    Largest customer as % of total product sales 

Other Revenue 

in thousands 

Royalties 
Contract revenue 

Total other revenue 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
$ 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
$ 

16,038 
98% 
87% 

24,282 
98% 
92% 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

$ 

816 
369 

1,185 

$ 

1,023 
1,192 

2,215 

Royalties 
The Company receives royalty revenue from: Paladin Labs Inc. (Paladin), its Canadian licensee for Pennsaid and 
the authorized generic of Pennsaid; Eurocept B.V. (Eurocept), its European licensee for Rapydan; and Galen US 
Incorporated (Galen), its U.S. licensee for Synera.  Royalties from each licensee are determined using agreed upon 
formulas based on either a definition of the licensee’s net sales or gross profits as defined in each agreement.  The 
Company recognizes royalty revenue based on either the net sales or gross profits of each licensee.   

Royalty revenue decreased to $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $1.0 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2016.   

Contract Revenue 
Contract revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased to $0.4 million compared to $1.2 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2016.  Contract revenue was mainly derived from development services provided by the 
Company to its partners. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses 

in thousands 

Cost of goods sold 

Research and development expenses 

General and administrative expenses  

Net interest income 

Total operating expenses 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

$ 

8,115 

571 

7,120 

(157) 

15,649 

$ 

11,357 

1,417 

6,677 

(144) 

19,307 

Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $15.6 million, a decrease from $19.3 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2016.   

Cost of Goods Sold  
COGS  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017  was  $8.1  million  compared  to  $11.4  million  for  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2016.    COGS  decreased  in  the  current  year  due  to  decreased  product  sales.    Gross  margin  on 
product sales was $8.2 million or 50% for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to a gross margin of $13.5 
million or 54% for the year ended December 31, 2016.  

The Company’s gross margin on product sales was impacted by the volume and mix of products sold during the 
year.  The Company’s gross margin was also impacted by the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar, the currency 
in which it sources certain Pennsaid 2% and Pennsaid raw materials. 

Research and Development 
R&D  expenses  were  $0.6  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017  compared  to  $1.4  million  for  the  year 
ended December 31, 2016.  The Company completed the 2016 Pennsaid 2% Trial in May of 2017.  See “Overview 
- Pennsaid 2%” for a summary of the 2016 Pennsaid 2% Trial.  R&D expenses incurred in the comparative year 
included costs attributable to both the 2016 Pennsaid 2% Trial and the 2015 Pennsaid 2% Trial to support regulatory 
applications  for  marketing  approval  of  Pennsaid  2%  for  the  treatment  of  acute  pain  in  the  E.U.,  Canada  and 
Australia.   

General and Administrative 
G&A  expenses  were  $7.1  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017  compared  to  $6.7  million  for  the  year 
ended  December  31,  2016.    The  net  increase  in  the  current  year  of  $0.4  million  was  primarily  attributable  to 
employee  head  count  which  resulted  from  the  strengthening  of  the  executive  and  senior  management  team  to 
facilitate the Company’s growth strategy, offset by a reduction in SBC.  

Net Interest Income 
Net interest income was $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $0.1 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2016.  The Company earns interest income on its short-term investments and its high interest 
savings account. 

Foreign Currency Loss 
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company experienced a net foreign currency loss of $0.3 million which 
is  consistent  with  the  comparative  year’s  loss  of  $0.3  million.   Foreign  currency  gains  or  losses  are  recognized 
based on movements in the Canadian dollar against U.S. dollar and euro denominated cash, receivables, payables 
and other obligations 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income and Total Comprehensive Income  

in thousands 

Net income before income taxes from continuing operations 

Income tax expense 

Net income from continuing operations 

Net loss from discontinued operations 

Net income  

Unrealized gain (loss) on translation of foreign operations 

Total comprehensive income 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

$ 

1,582    

1  

1,581  

-    

1,581  

(3)  

1,578  

$ 

7,409 

- 

7,409 

(3,180) 

4,229 

50 

4,279 

Net Income from Continuing Operations 
Net income from continuing operations was $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $7.4 
million for the year ended December 31, 2016.  In the current year, the decrease was primarily attributable to a $5.2 
million decrease in gross margin on product sales, a $1.0 million decrease in royalties and contract revenue and a 
$0.4 million increase in G&A expenses, partially offset by a $0.8 million decrease in R&D expenses. 

Net Loss from Discontinued Operations 
Prior  to  the  Reorganization,  Nuvo  operated  two  distinct  business  units:  Nuvo  and  Crescita.    Crescita  has  been 
presented as discontinued operations.  The operating results of the discontinued operations are presented below.   

in thousands 

Discontinued Operations 
Product sales 
Royalties 

Total revenue 

Total operating expenses 
Foreign currency (gain) loss 

Net loss from discontinued operations 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

$ 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

$ 

45 
14 

59 

3,247 
(8) 

(3,180) 

Net loss from discontinued operations was $nil for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to a $3.2 million 
loss for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The decrease was attributable to the timing of the Reorganization, 
which was effective March 1, 2016.  

Net Income 
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $1.6 million compared to $4.2 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2016.  In the current year, the decrease was primarily attributable to a $5.2 million decrease in gross 
margin on product sales, a $1.0 million decrease in royalties and contract revenue and a $0.4 million increase in 
G&A  expenses,  partially  offset  by  a  $0.8  million  decrease  in  R&D  expenses.    In  the  comparative  year,  the 
Company’s  net  income  from  continuing  operations  was  offset  by  the  two-month  net  loss  from  discontinued 
operations of $3.2 million. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Per Common Share 

share figures in thousands 
Net income from continuing operations per common share 
      - basic 
      - diluted 
Average number of common shares outstanding  
(in thousands) 
      - basic 
      - diluted 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

 $  

0.14 
0.12 

11,550 
11,723 

$ 

0.65 
0.63 

11,455 
11,711 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company reported net income from continuing operations of $0.14 per 
common share compared to $0.65 per common share for the comparative year.  On a diluted basis, for the year 
ended December 31, 2017, net income from continuing operations per common share was $0.12 compared to net 
income from continuing operations of $0.63 for the comparative year. 

The weighted average number of common shares outstanding on a basic and diluted basis was 11.6 million and 
11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 11.5 million and 11.7 million on a basic and diluted basis 
for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2016.    The  increase  in  average  basic  number  of  shares  outstanding  was 
attributable to employee stock options exercised.  For the year ended December 31, 2017, the weighted average 
number of common shares on a diluted basis included a 143,000 share adjustment for the dilutive impact of stock 
options and a 30,000 share adjustment for the dilutive impact of Share Appreciation Rights (SARs).  For the year 
ended December 31, 2016, the weighted average number of common shares on a diluted basis included a 235,000 
share  adjustment  for  the  dilutive  impact  of  stock  options,  a  1,000  share  adjustment  for  the  dilutive  impact  of 
warrants, a 9,000 share adjustment for the dilutive  impact of Deferred Share  Units (DSUs) and  a 11,000 share 
adjustment for the dilutive impact of SARs.  

Segments 
IFRS 8 - Operating Segments, requires operating segments to be determined based on internal reports that are 
regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of allocating resources to the segment 
and for assessing its performance.  With the completion of the Reorganization on March 1, 2016, operating results 
have been restated to reflect Crescita as discontinued operations.  Accordingly, the Company now operates in one 
segment. 

Geographic Information 
The Company’s revenue from continuing operations is derived from sales to, and licensing revenue derived from, 
external customers located in the following geographic areas: 

in thousands 
United States 
Europe 
Canada 
Other 

Total revenue 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

 $  
15,084 
1,875 
551 
13 

17,523 

$ 
24,528 
1,712 
799 
- 

27,039 

Adjusted EBITDA 
EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure.  The term EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS 
and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.  The Company defines 
Adjusted EBITDA as net income from continuing operations before net interest income, plus income tax expense, 
depreciation, amortization and SBC.  Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure 
from which to determine the Company’s ability to generate cash available for working capital, capital expenditures 
and income taxes. 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following is a summary of how EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are calculated. 

in thousands 

Net income from continuing operations 
Add back: 

Net interest income 
Income tax expense 
Depreciation and amortization 

EBITDA 
Add back: 

Stock-based compensation 

Adjusted EBITDA 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

$ 

1,581 

(157) 
1 
258 

1,683 

486 

2,169 

 $  

7,409 

(144) 
- 
225 

7,490 

1,383 

8,873 

Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $8.9 million for 
the year ended December 31, 2016.  The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA for the current year was primarily related 
to a decrease in gross margin, royalties and contract revenue, partially offset by a combined decrease in G&A and 
R&D expenses. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources  

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

in thousands 

Net income from continuing operations  
Net loss from discontinued operations 

Net income  
Items not involving current cash flows 

Cash provided by operations 
Net change in non-cash working capital 

Cash provided by operating activities 
Cash used in investing activities 
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities 

Effect of exchange rates on cash 

Net change in cash during the year 
Cash, beginning of the year 
Cash, end of the year 

Short-term investments 

Cash and short-term investments 

$ 

1,581 
- 

1,581 
1,252 

2,833 
1,658 

4,491 
(5,403) 
5 

(284) 

(1,191) 
9,589 
8,398 

2,000 

10,398 

$ 

7,409 
(3,180) 

4,229 
2,132 

6,361 
(2,493) 

3,868 
(8,368) 
(34,708) 

117 

(39,091) 
48,680 
9,589 

8,000 

17,589 

Cash and Short-term Investments  
Cash and short-term investments were $10.4 million  as at December 31, 2017  compared to $17.6 million  as at 
December  31,  2016.    The  decrease  was  primarily  related  to  the  US$7.0  million  ($8.8  million)  that  was  paid  to 
Piedmont to acquire the ex-U.S. product and intellectual property rights to Resultz. 

Operating Activities 
Cash provided by operations was $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $6.4 million for 
the year ended December 31, 2016.  In the current year, the decrease in cash provided by operations was primarily 
due to a decrease in revenue.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overall  cash  provided  by  operating  activities  increased  to  $4.5  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017 
compared to $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.  In the current year, the decrease in cash provided 
by operations was offset by a $4.2 million recovery in working capital.  In the current year, the $1.7 million recovery 
of non-cash working capital was primarily attributable to a $0.5 million decrease in accounts receivable due to lower 
product sales in the fourth quarter of 2017, a $1.3 million decrease in inventories and a $1.1 million decrease in 
other current assets due to the installation of the Company’s new commercial and sample production equipment, 
partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.  In the comparative year, the 
$2.5 million investment in non-cash working capital was attributable to a $3.2 million decrease in accounts payable 
and accrued liabilities, primarily the result of the settlement of DSUs on March 1, 2016 and the revaluation of SBC, 
a $1.8 million increase in inventories due to increased raw material purchases to meet the safety-stock inventory 
requirements  as  part  of  the  Horizon  supply  agreement,  slightly  offset  by  a  $2.8  million  decrease  in  accounts 
receivable.  

Investing Activities 
Net cash used in  investing activities was $5.4 million  for the  year ended December 31, 2017  compared to $8.4 
million for the year ended December 31, 2016.   In both the current and comparative years, cash used in investing 
activities  included  the  acquisition  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  for  production  and  laboratory  equipment 
acquired by the Company’s manufacturing facility  in Varennes, Québec.  In the current  year, $6.0 million of the 
Company’s short-term investments matured and were not re-invested by the end of the year.  In the comparative 
year, the Company purchased $8.0 million of short-term investments.   

In  the  current  year,  Nuvo  acquired  the  global,  ex-U.S.  product  and  intellectual  property  rights  to  Resultz  from 
Piedmont.  Under the terms of the agreement, Nuvo paid US$7.0 million ($8.8 million) on close to Piedmont from 
cash on hand.   

Financing Activities 
Net cash provided by financing activities was $5,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to net cash 
used in financing activities of $34.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.  In the comparative year, the 
Company transferred $35.0 million to Crescita as part of the Reorganization of the Company.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected Quarterly Information 

The following is selected quarterly financial information for the Company’s continuing operations over the last eight 
quarterly reporting periods.  

in thousands, except per share data 
Product sales 
Royalties 
Contract revenue 
Cost of goods sold 
Research and development 

expenses 

General and administrative expense 
Net interest income 
Other expenses (income) 
Net income  
Net income per common share 

- basic  
- diluted 

Product sales 
Royalties 
Contract revenue 
Cost of goods sold 
Research and development expenses 
General and administrative expense 
Net interest income 
Other expenses (income) 
Net income  
Net income per common share 

- basic  
- diluted 

Q1 2017 
$ 
6,653 
222 
107 
2,772 

311 
1,671 
(38) 
70 
2,196 

0.19 
0.19 

Q1 2016 
$ 
7,325 
309 
208 
3,135 
208 
2,091 
(56) 
536 
1,928 

0.17 
0.15 

Q2 2017 
$ 
2,786 
176 
138 
1,451 

Q3 2017 
$ 
2,700 
199 
57 
1,615 

Q4 2017 
$ 
 4,199  
 219  
 67  
 2,277  

2017 Total 
$ 
 16,338  
 816  
 369  
 8,115  

186 
1,644 
(34) 
56 
(203) 

(0.02) 
(0.02) 

Q2 2016 
$ 
7,317 
134 
655 
3,159 
211 
2,260 
(22) 
7 
2,491 

38 
1,445 
(46) 
129 
(226) 

(0.02) 
(0.02) 

Q3 2016 
$ 
4,988 
323 
207 
2,535 
394 
1,462 
(29) 
(95) 
1,251 

36  
 2,360  
(39) 
37 
(186) 

(0.02) 
(0.02) 

Q4 2016 
$ 
5,194 
257 
122 
2,528 
604 
864 
(37) 
(125) 
1,739 

 571  
 7,120  
(157) 
292 
1,581 

0.14 
0.12 

2016 Total 
$ 
24,824 
1,023 
1,192 
11,357 
1,417 
6,677 
(144) 
323 
7,409 

0.22 
0.21 

0.11 
0.10 

0.15 
0.12 

0.65 
0.63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter Results 

in thousands 

Product sales 

Royalties 

Contract revenue 

Total revenue 

Cost of goods sold 

Research and development  

General and administrative expenses 

Net interest income 

Total operating expenses 

Other expenses (income) 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations 

Net loss from discontinued operations 

Net income (loss) 

Other comprehensive income (loss)  

Total comprehensive income (loss) 

Three months ended 
December 31, 2017  

Three months ended 
December 31, 2016 

$ 

4,199  

219  

67  

4,485  

2,277  

36  

2,360  

(39) 

4,634 

37 

(186) 

-    

(186) 

(2)  

(188) 

$ 

5,194 

257 

122 

5,573 

2,528 

604 

864 

(37) 

3,959 

(125) 

1,739 

- 

1,739 

4 

1,743 

Operating Results  
Total revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was $4.5 million compared to $5.6 million for the 
three months ended December 31, 2016.  The decrease in revenue was primarily related to a $1.2 million decrease 
in Pennsaid 2% product sales. 

Total operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased to $4.6 million compared to 
$4.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  The increase in operating expenses was primarily 
attributable to an increase in G&A, partially offset by a decrease in COGS and R&D expenses. 

COGS for the three months ended  December  31, 2017  was $2.3 million compared to $2.5 million for the three 
months ended December 31, 2016.  The decrease in COGS was primarily related to a decrease in Pennsaid 2% 
product sales.  The decrease in product sales reduced the gross margin on product sales to $1.9 million or 46% for 
the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $2.7 million or 51% for the three months ended December 
31, 2016. 

R&D expenses decreased to $36,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $0.6 million for 
the three months ended December 31, 2016.  The decrease in the quarter related to costs associated with the 2016 
Pennsaid 2% Trial for the treatment of acute ankle sprains which were recognized in the comparative period.  The 
2016 Pennsaid 2% Trial was completed in May of 2017 and the majority of the costs were previously recognized.  

G&A expenses increased to $2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $0.9 million 
for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  The increase in the current quarter of $1.5 million was primarily 
related to a $0.6 million increase in SBC expense  and increased employee head count which resulted  from the 
strengthening of the executive and senior management team to facilitate the Company’s growth strategy. 

Net interest income was $39,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $37,000 for the 
three months ended December 31, 2016.   

Other  expenses  (income)  primarily  consists  of  net  foreign  currency  gains  or  losses  in  both  the  current  and 
comparative quarter which will vary based on fluctuations in foreign currency rates.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss from continuing operations was $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to 
net  income  from  continuing  operations  of  $1.7  million  for  the  three  months  ended  December  31,  2016.    The 
decrease  in net income from continuing  operations  was primarily related to a decrease in gross margin  and an 
increase in G&A expenses. 

Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was $0.2 million compared to a net income of $1.7 million 
for the three months ended December 31, 2016.   

Liquidity  

in thousands 

Net income (loss) 

Items not involving current cash flows 

Cash provided by operations 

Net change in non-cash working capital 

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities 

Cash used in investing activities 

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities 

Effect of exchange rates on cash 

Net change in cash 

Cash, beginning of period 

Cash, end of period 

Three months ended  
December 31, 2017 

Three months ended  
December 31, 2016 

$ 

(186) 

239 

53 

3,015 

3,068 

(10,432) 

(1) 

(7,365) 

34 

(7,331) 

15,729 

8,398 

$ 

1,739 

(42) 

1,697 

(1,731) 

(34) 

(57) 

165 

74 

109 

183 

9,406 

9,589 

Cash was $8.4 million as at December 31, 2017, a decrease of $7.3 million compared to $15.7 million at September 
30, 2017.  The decrease was primarily related to the US$7.0 million ($8.8 million) that was paid to Piedmont to 
acquire the ex-U.S. product and intellectual property rights to Resultz. 

Cash provided by operating activities was $3.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared 
to  cash  used  in  operating  activities  of  $34,000  for  the  three  months  ended  December  31,  2016.   In  the  current 
quarter,  a  decrease  in  cash  provided  by  operations  was  offset  by  a  $4.7  million  recovery  in  non-cash  working 
capital.   

In the current quarter, the $3.0 million recovery in non-cash working capital was primarily related to a $1.0 million 
decrease in accounts receivable due to lower product sales in the fourth quarter of 2017 and a $0.5 million decrease 
in inventories.  Additionally, other current assets decreased by $0.8 million and accounts payable increased $0.7 
million.  In the comparative quarter, the $1.7 million investment in non-cash working capital was primarily related to 
an increase in inventories due to increased raw material purchases to meet safety-stock inventory requirements as 
part of the Horizon supply agreement, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, primarily due to the 
settlement of termination SARs and the revaluation of SARs, slightly offset by a $0.6 million decrease in accounts 
receivable.  

Net cash used in investing activities was $10.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared 
to $57,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  In both the current and comparative quarters, cash 
used in investing activities included the acquisition of property, plant and equipment for production and laboratory 
equipment acquired by the Company’s manufacturing facility in Varennes, Québec. 

In the current quarter, Nuvo acquired the global, ex-U.S. product and intellectual property rights to Resultz from 
Piedmont.  Under the terms of the agreement, Nuvo paid US$7.0 million ($8.8 million) on close to Piedmont from 
cash on hand.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities was $1,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to net 
cash  provided  by  financing  activities  of  $0.2  million  for  the  three  months  ended  December  31,  2016.    In  the 
comparative quarter, the Company received $0.2 million in proceeds for the issuance of common shares.   

Financial Instruments 

IFRS  7  -  Financial  Instruments:  Disclosures  requires  disclosure  of  a  three-level  hierarchy  that  reflects  the 
significance of the inputs used in making fair value measurements.  Fair values of assets and liabilities included in 
Level 1 are determined by reference to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.  Assets 
and liabilities in Level 2 include those where valuations are determined using inputs other than quoted prices for 
which  all  significant  outputs  are  observable,  either  directly  or  indirectly.    Level  3  valuations  are  those  based  on 
inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.   

Assets  and  liabilities  are  classified  based  on  the  lowest  level  of  input  that  is  significant  to  the  fair  value 
measurements.  The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis.  Changes to the 
ability to observe valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value 
hierarchy.  The Company did not have any transfer of assets and liabilities between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 of 
the fair value hierarchy during the year ended December 31, 2017. 

The Company has determined the estimated fair values of its financial instruments based on appropriate valuation 
methodologies.    However,  considerable  judgment  is  required  to  develop  these  estimates.    Accordingly,  these 
estimated  values  are  not  necessarily  indicative  of  the  amounts  the  Company  could  realize  in  a  current  market 
exchange.    The  estimated  fair  value  amounts  can  be  materially  affected  by  the  use  of  different  assumptions  or 
methodologies.   

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring 
basis as at December 31, 2017: 

in thousands 
Assets: 
Short-term investments 
Total assets 
Liabilities: 
Share appreciation rights 
Contingent and variable 

consideration related to the 
Resultz acquisition 

Total liabilities 

Total 
$ 

2,000 
2,000 

74 

1,626 
1,700 

Using Quoted Prices 
in Active Markets for 
Identical Assets 
(Level 1) 
$ 

Using Significant 
Other Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 2) 
$ 

Using Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3) 
$ 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

2,000 
2,000 

74 

- 
74 

- 
- 

- 

1,626 
1,626 

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring 
basis as at December 31, 2016: 

in thousands 
Assets: 
Short-term investments 
Total assets 
Liabilities: 
Share appreciation rights 
Total liabilities 

Total 
$ 

8,000 
8,000 

1,031 
1,031 

Using Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets 
(Level 1) 
$ 

Using Significant 
Other Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 2) 
$ 

Using Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3) 
$ 

- 
- 

- 
- 

8,000 
8,000 

1,031 
1,031 

- 
- 

- 
- 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2 assets include guaranteed investment certificates held by the Company that are valued at fair value and 
the fair value approximates the carrying value due to the short-term nature. 

Level 2 liabilities include obligations of the Company for the SARs Plan.  The fair values of each tranche of SARs 
issued and outstanding are revalued at each reporting period using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The 
Company accrued $0.1 million for SARs as at December 31, 2017 [December 31, 2016 - $1.0 million]. 

Level 3 liabilities include the fair value of contingent and variable consideration related to the acquisition of the ex-
U.S. rights to Resultz.  The fair value is estimated using a present value technique disclosed in Note 4, “Acquisition 
of Resultz Product and Intellectual Property Rights” of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the 
year ended December 31, 2017.  The fair value of $1.6 million is estimated by probability weighting the estimated 
future cash outflows, adjusting for risk and discounting at rates ranging from 20% - 30%. The probability-weighted 
cash outflows reflect management’s estimates of a 0% - 25% probability that various milestones will be achieved.  
For the variable consideration, the estimated future cash flows are not probability weighted as the consideration is 
based on a percentage of net sales in certain markets, not on specific milestones.  The discount rate used is based 
on the Company’s risk-adjusted estimated weighted average cost of capital at the reporting date.  The effects on 
the fair value of risk and uncertainty in the future cash flows are dealt with by adjusting the estimated cash flows 
rather than adjusting the discount rate.  The contingent consideration is driven by the anticipated sales volumes of 
Resultz in certain markets.  A 10%  decrease  in the projected sales  volumes of Resultz in these markets would 
decrease the fair value of the contingent consideration liability by $0.4 million. 

Rates currently available to the Company for long-term obligations, with similar terms and remaining maturities, 
have been used to estimate the fair value of the finance lease and other obligations.  These fair values approximate 
the carrying values for all instruments. 

Financial Risk Management 

The following is a discussion of liquidity risk, credit risk and market risk and related mitigation strategies that have 
been identified.  This is not an exhaustive list of all risks nor will the mitigation strategies eliminate all risks listed. 

Liquidity Risk  
While the Company had $8.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $2.0 million in short-term investments as at 
December 31, 2017, it was dependent on a single customer for substantially all of its revenue.  During the year 
ended December 31, 2017, the Company earned 87% [December 31, 2016 - 92%] of its product revenue from a 
single customer, Horizon.  The Company earns product revenue from Horizon pursuant to a long-term, exclusive 
supply agreement, as well as contract service revenue.  The loss of this customer would have a material adverse 
effect on the Company’s revenue, operating results and cash flows.  The Company continues to seek business 
opportunities to diversify its customer base in order to help mitigate this concentration risk.  On December 29, 2017, 
the Company acquired the global, ex-U.S. product and intellectual property rights to Resultz from Piedmont which 
includes  existing royalty streams in the  Royalty  Markets.  The  benefits of the acquisition  include expanding the 
Company’s  portfolio  of  commercial  products  and  Resultz  can  be  produced  at  Nuvo’s  Varennes,  Québec 
manufacturing facility. 

The  Company  has  contractual  obligations  related  to  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities,  purchase 
commitments and other obligations of $3.3 million that are due in less than a year and $1.0 million of contractual 
obligations that are payable from 2019 to 2023. 

Credit Risk 
The  Company’s  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  short-term  investments  subject  the  Company  to  a  concentration  of 
credit  risk.    As  at  December  31,  2017,  the  Company  had  $8.4  million  invested  with  two  financial  institutions  in 
various  bank  accounts.    These  financial  institutions  are  major  Canadian  banks,  which  the  Company  believes 
lessens the degree of credit risk.  Additionally, the Company maintains $2.0 million in short-term investments with 
a creditworthy Canadian insurance company.    

The Company, in the normal course of business, is exposed to credit risk from its global customers, most of whom 
are in the pharmaceutical industry.  The accounts receivable are subject to normal industry risks in each geographic 
region  in  which  the  Company  operates.    The  Company  attempts  to  manage  these  risks  prior  to  the  signing  of 
distribution or licensing agreements by dealing with creditworthy customers; however, due to the limited number of 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
potential customers in each market, this is not always possible.  In addition, a customer’s creditworthiness may 
change, subsequent to becoming  a  licensee or  distributor, and  the terms and conditions  in the  agreement may 
prevent  the  Company  from  seeking  new  licensees  or  distributors  in  these  territories  during  the  term  of  the 
agreement.  As at December 31, 2017, the Company’s largest customer represented 76% [December 31, 2016 - 
73%] of accounts receivable.  

Pursuant to their collective terms, accounts receivable were aged as follows: 

in thousands 
Current 
0 - 30 days past due 
31 - 60 days past due 
Over 60 days past due 

December 31, 2017 
$ 
1,731 
128 
7 
9 
1,875 

December 31, 2016 

$   

2,159 
11 
216 
- 
2,386 

Interest Rate Risk 
All finance lease obligations are at fixed interest rates. 

Currency Risk 
The Company operates globally, which gives rise to a risk that income and cash flows may be adversely affected 
by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  The Company is primarily exposed to the U.S. dollar and euro, 
but also transacts in other foreign currencies.  The Company currently does not use financial instruments to hedge 
these risks.  The significant balances in foreign currencies were as follows:  

in thousands 

Cash 
Accounts receivable 
Other current assets 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

     Euros 

    U.S. Dollars 

December 31,  
 2017 
€ 

December 31,  
 2016 
€ 

December 31,  
 2017 
$ 

December 31,  
 2016 
$ 

621 
- 
- 
(32) 

589 

242 
- 
- 
(305) 

(63) 

1,290 
1,378 
- 
(751) 

1,917 

3,929 
1,636 
- 
(289) 

5,276 

Based on the aforementioned net exposure as at December 31, 2017, and assuming that all other variables remain 
constant, a 10% appreciation or depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar would have an effect of 
$0.2 million on total comprehensive income and a 10% appreciation or depreciation of the Canadian dollar against 
the euro would have an effect of $0.1 million on total comprehensive income.   

In terms of the euro, the Company has two significant exposures:  its euro denominated-cash held in its Canadian 
operations and sales of Pennsaid by the Canadian operations to European distributors.  In terms of the U.S. dollar, 
the Company has three significant exposures:  its U.S. dollar-denominated cash held in its Canadian operations, 
the cost of purchasing raw materials either priced in U.S. dollars or sourced from U.S. suppliers that are needed to 
produce Pennsaid 2%, Pennsaid or other products at the Canadian manufacturing facility and revenue generated 
in U.S. dollars from agreements with Horizon, Galen and Eurocept.   

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company did not hold an investment in active foreign operations. 

The  Company  does  not  currently  hedge  its  euro  cash  flows.    Sales  to  European  distributors  for  Pennsaid  are 
primarily contracted in euros.  The Company receives payments from the distributors in its euro bank accounts and 
uses these funds to pay euro denominated expenditures.  Periodically, the Company reviews the amount of euros 
held, and if they are excessive compared to the Company’s projected future euro cash flows, they may be converted 
into U.S. or Canadian dollars.  If the amount of euros held is insufficient, the Company may convert a portion of 
other currencies into euros. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company does not currently hedge its U.S. dollar cash flows.  The Company’s U.S. expenditures are funded 
using the Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated cash  and payments received under the terms of the agreements 
with Horizon, Galen and Eurocept.  Periodically, the Company reviews its projected future U.S. dollar cash flows 
and if the U.S. dollars held are insufficient, the Company may convert a portion of its other currencies into U.S. 
dollars.    If  the  amount  of  U.S.  dollars  held  is  excessive,  they  may  be  converted  into  Canadian  dollars  or  other 
currencies as needed for the Company’s other operations. 

Contractual Obligations 

The  following  table  lists  the  Company’s  contractual  obligations  for  the  twelve  months  ending  December  31  as 
follows:   

in thousands 
Finance lease obligations 
Operating leases 
Other obligations(1) 

(1)  Other obligations include accounts payable and accrued liabilities. 

Litigation  

2018 

$ 
3  
162   
 3,134  
3,299  

2019 

$ 
 3  
198 
- 
201 

2020 and 
thereafter 

$ 
 3  
828 

 -    

831 

Total 

$ 
9  
 1,188  
3,134 
4,331  

From time-to-time, during the ordinary course of business, the Company may be threatened with, or may be named 
as, a defendant in various legal proceedings including lawsuits based upon product liability, personal injury, breach 
of contract and lost profits or other consequential damage claims. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements  

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. 

Related Party Transactions 

Crescita Therapeutics Inc. 
Subsequent  to  the  Reorganization,  Nuvo  and  Crescita  were  related  parties  due  to  shared  key  management 
personnel.  Effective March 1, 2016, Nuvo and Crescita entered into a reciprocal transitional services agreement 
with a term of 18 months.  Under the transitional services agreement, (a) Nuvo provided Crescita corporate-level 
employee services, quality assurance support and facility rental, and (b) Crescita provided Nuvo corporate-level 
employee services, R&D, legal support and facility and equipment rental.  

As a result of the restructuring of key management personnel, Nuvo and Crescita are no longer related parties.  

For the year ended December 31, 2016, services provided to Crescita were $0.3 million and services received from 
Crescita were $0.4 million.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key Management Compensation 
Key  management  personnel  are  those  persons  having  authority  and  responsibility  for  planning,  directing  and 
controlling the activities of the Company, including directors.  Key management includes five executive officers and 
five non-employee directors.  Compensation for the Company’s key management personnel was as follows: 

Short-term wages, bonuses and benefits (i) 
Share-based payments 

Total key management compensation 

Included in: 
Research and development expenses 
General and administrative expenses 

Total key management compensation 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
$ 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
$ 

2,133 
457 

2,590 

- 
2,590 

2,590 

1,772 
968 

2,740 

11 
2,729 

2,740 

(i)  For the year ended December 31, 2017, certain officers of the Company were assessed on the achievement of corporate objectives.  The 

Company expects the achievement of these targets to be determined during the first quarter of 2018. 

Outstanding Share Data 

The number of common shares outstanding as at December 31, 2017 was 11.6 million unchanged from September 
30, 2017.  

As at December 31, 2017, there were 1,029,000 options outstanding of which 515,000 have vested.   

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates  

The  preparation  of  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  in  conformity  with  IFRS  requires  management  to  make 
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent 
assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenue 
and expenses during the reporting periods.  Management has identified the following accounting estimates that it 
believes  are  most  critical  to  understanding  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  those  that  require  the 
application  of  management’s  most  subjective  judgments,  often  requiring  the  need  to  make  estimates  about  the 
effect  of  matters  that  are  inherently  uncertain  and  may  change  in  subsequent  periods.    The  Company’s  actual 
results could differ from these estimates and such differences could be material.  All significant accounting policies 
are disclosed in Note 3, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Company’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. 

Use of Estimates and Judgments  
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenue  and  expenses  during  the  reporting 
periods.  Actual results could differ from these estimates, and such differences could be material. 

Key areas of estimation or use of managerial assumptions are as follows:  

(i) Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets and Goodwill: 
The purchase price allocation process resulting from a business combination requires management to estimate the 
fair value of identifiable assets acquired including intangible assets and liabilities assumed including any contingent 
and variable consideration.  The Company uses valuation techniques to determine fair values, which are generally 
based on forecasted future net cash flows discounted to present value.  These valuations are closely linked to the 
assumptions used by management on the future performance of the related assets and the discount rates applied.   
See  Note  4,  “Acquisition  of  Resultz  Product  and  Intellectual  Property  Rights”  of  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 for the assumptions used by management and the 
discount rates applied. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company’s accounting policy relating to transactions or other events considered to be a business combination 
is described in Note 3, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Business Combinations” of the Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements for the  year ended December 31, 2017.  In applying this policy, judgment is 
used  when  determining  whether  such  transactions  should  be  treated  as  an  asset  acquisition  or  a  business 
combination.  During the year ended December 31, 2017, management concluded that the acquisition of the ex-
U.S. product and intellectual property rights to Resultz was a business combination in the scope of IFRS 3, Business 
Combinations, as the acquired assets met the definition of a business. 

(ii) Discontinued Operations: 
The Company’s discontinued operations reflect Crescita on a combined carve-out basis as if it had always operated 
as a stand-alone entity.  Prior to March 1, 2016, Nuvo paid certain costs for Crescita and performed certain activities 
on behalf of Crescita.  As a result, the Company’s discontinued operations include allocations of certain transactions 
reported  in  the  accounts  of  Nuvo.    These  cost  allocations  have  been  determined  on  a  basis  considered  by  the 
Company to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to Crescita.  Compensation-related 
costs have been allocated using methodologies primarily based on proportionate time spent on Nuvo and Crescita’s 
respective activities.   

Management believes both the assumptions and allocations underlying the discontinued operations are reasonable.  
However, as a result of the combined carve-out methodology in determining the results of Crescita, the discontinued 
operations may not necessarily be indicative of the operating results and financial position that would have resulted 
had Crescita historically operated as a stand-alone entity. 

(iii) Share-based Payments:  
The  Company  measures  the  cost  of  share-based  payments,  either  equity  or  cash-settled  with  employees  by 
reference to the fair value of the equity instrument or underlying equity instrument at the date on which they are 
granted.  In addition, cash-settled, share-based payments are revalued to fair value at every reporting date.  

Estimating fair value for share-based payments requires management to determine the most appropriate valuation 
model for a grant, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of each grant.  In valuing certain types of stock-
based  payments,  such  as  incentive  stock  options  and  stock  appreciation  rights,  the  Company  uses  the  Black-
Scholes option pricing model. 

Several assumptions are used in the underlying calculation of fair values of the Company’s stock options and stock-
appreciation rights using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, including the expected life of the option, stock-
price volatility and forfeiture rates.   

(iv) Revenue Recognition: 
As is typical in the pharmaceutical industry, the Company’s royalty streams are subject to a variety of deductions 
that  are  generally  estimates  and  recorded  in  the  same  period  that  the  revenues  are  recognized  and  primarily 
represent rebates, discounts, incentives and product returns.  These deductions represent estimates of the related 
obligations.  Amounts recorded for sales deductions can result from a complex series of judgments about future 
events and uncertainties and can rely on estimates and assumptions. 

(v) Impairment of Non-financial Assets:  
The Company reviews the carrying value of non-financial assets for potential impairment when events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  However, goodwill and indefinite life 
intangible assets are tested for impairment annually at December 31st.  The impairment test on cash-generating 
units  (CGUs)  is  carried  out  by  comparing  the  carrying  amount  of  the  CGU  and  its  recoverable  amount.    The 
recoverable amount  of a CGU is the  higher  of fair value,  less costs to sell,  and its value in  use.   This complex 
valuation process entails the use of methods, such as the discounted cash flow method, which requires numerous 
assumptions to estimate future cash flows.  The recoverable amount is impacted significantly by the discount rate 
selected to be used in the discounted cash flow model, as well as the quantum and timing of expected future cash 
flows and the growth rate used for the extrapolation. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Applied 
Certain new standards, interpretations, amendments and improvements to existing standards were issued by the 
IASB or IFRS Interpretations Committee that are mandatory for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.  
The standards impacted that may be applicable to the Company are as follows: 

IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments 
In  July  2014,  the  IASB  issued  IFRS  9  -  Financial  Instruments  (IFRS  9),  which  will  replace  IAS  39  -  Financial 
Instruments and all previous versions of IFRS 9.  IFRS 9 establishes principles for the financial reporting of financial 
assets and financial liabilities that will present relevant and useful information to users of financial statements for 
their  assessment  of  the  amounts,  timing  and  uncertainty  of  an  entity’s  future  cash  flows.    This  new  standard  is 
effective for the Company’s interim and annual Consolidated Financial Statements commencing January 1, 2018. 
The Company  has completed  its  assessment of the standard  and does  not anticipate significant changes to its 
current recognition policies.  

IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (IFRS 15), which covers principles 
for reporting about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with 
customers.   IFRS  15  is  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  January  1,  2018.   The  Company  will 
transition applying the modified retrospective approach - i.e. by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying 
IFRS  15  as  an  adjustment  to  the  opening  balance  of  equity  at  January  1,  2018.   The  Company  completed  its 
assessment of all customer contracts in existence as at December 31, 2017, excluding contracts assumed from 
the  Resultz  acquisition  (See  Note  4,  “Acquisition  of  Resultz  Product  and  Intellectual  Property  Rights”  of  the 
Company’s  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017”).   Based  on  this 
assessment, the Company does not anticipate significant adjustments to the opening balance of equity.  Due to the 
timing of the Resultz acquisition, which closed on December 29, 2017, the Company is currently in the process of 
assessing the quantitative and qualitative implications of the customer contracts acquired under IFRS 15.  

IFRS 15 requires an entity to disclose additional quantitative and qualitative information about its contracts with 
customers;  therefore,  there  will  be  significant  changes  to  the  Company’s  financial  statement  disclosures.   The 
Company  will  be  providing more  disaggregated  information  about  revenue  and  additional  disclosures  about  the 
Company’s remaining performance obligations as at the reporting date. 

Amendments to IFRS 2 - Share-based Payments 
In June 2016, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 2 - Share-based Payments (IFRS 2), clarifying how to account 
for certain types of share-based payment transactions.  The amendments provide requirements on the accounting 
for: the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the measurement of cash-settled share-based payments; 
share-based payment transactions with a net settlement feature for withholding tax obligations; and a modification 
to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment that changes the classification from cash-settled to equity-
settled.  The amendments to IFRS 2 are effective prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 
2018.  The Company has completed its assessment of the standard and does not anticipate significant changes to 
its current recognition policies.  

IFRS 16 - Leases 
In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16 - Leases (IFRS 16), its new leases standard that requires lessees to 
recognize  assets and  liabilities for most leases on their balance sheets.  Lessees applying IFRS 16  will have a 
single accounting model for all leases, with certain exemptions.  Lessor accounting is substantially unchanged.  The 
new standard will be effective on or after January 1, 2019, with limited early application permitted.  The Company 
is in the process of reviewing the standard to determine the impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Other  accounting  standards  or  amendments  to  existing  accounting  standards  that  have  been  issued,  but  have 
future effective dates, are either not applicable or are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s 
annual Consolidated Financial Statements. 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Responsibility for Financial Reporting  

Disclosure controls and procedures (DCP) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required 
to  be  disclosed  by  the  Company  in  its  filings  under  Canadian  securities  legislation  is  recorded,  processed, 
summarized and reported in a timely manner.  The system of DCP includes, among other things, the Company’s 
Corporate Disclosure and Code of Conduct and Business Ethics policies, the review and approval procedures of 
the Corporate Disclosure Committee and continuous review and monitoring procedures by senior management. 

Management  is  also  responsible  for  the  design  of  internal  controls  over  financial  reporting  (ICFR)  within  the 
Company,  in  order  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.   

Due to its inherent limitations, DCP and ICFR may not prevent or detect all misstatements, errors and fraud.  In 
addition, the design of any system of control is based upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events 
and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all future events, 
no  matter  how  remote  or  that  the  degree  of  compliance  with  the  policies  or  procedures  may  not  deteriorate.  
Accordingly, even effective DCP and ICFR can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the 
control objectives for financial and other reporting. 

There were no material changes to the Company’s ICFR that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2017.   

Risk Factors 

Prospects for companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry generally may be regarded as uncertain 
given  the  nature  of  the  industry  and,  accordingly,  investments  in  biotechnology  and  pharmaceutical  companies 
should be regarded as speculative.    An  investor should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described 
below, as well as other information contained in this MD&A, in addition to the broader risk factors discussed in the 
Company’s  AIF.    The  risks  and  uncertainties  described  below  are  not  an  exhaustive  list.    Additional  risks  and 
uncertainties  not  presently  known  to  the  Company  or  that  the  Company  believes  to  be  immaterial  may  also 
adversely affect the Company’s business.  If any one or more of the following risks occur, the Company’s business, 
financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed.  Further, if the Company fails to meet the 
expectations of the public market in any given period, the market price of the Company’s common shares could 
decline.  Before making an investment decision, each prospective investor should carefully consider the risk factors 
set out below and those included in the AIF and other public documents. 

Economic Environment 

Economic conditions may limit the Company’s ability to access capital or may cause the Company’s suppliers to 
increase their prices, reduce their output or change their terms of sale.  If the Company’s customers’ or suppliers’ 
operating and financial performance deteriorates or if they are unable to make scheduled payments or obtain credit, 
its customers may not be able to pay or may delay payment of accounts receivable owed and its suppliers may 
restrict credit or impose different payment terms.  Any inability of customers to pay the Company for its products or 
any demands by suppliers for different payment terms, may adversely affect its earnings and cash flow.   

The Company  has no control  over changes in  inflation and interest rates, foreign currency  exchange rates and 
controls or other economic factors affecting its businesses or the possibility of political unrest, legal and regulatory 
changes in jurisdictions in which the Company operates. These factors could negatively affect the Company’s future 
results of operations in those markets.   

Dependence on Sales and Marketing Partnerships 

The Company has limited sales and marketing experience and lacks financial and other resources necessary to 
undertake  marketing  and  advertising  activities  worldwide.    Accordingly,  the  Company  relies  on  marketing 
arrangements,  including  joint  ventures,  licensing  or  other  third-party  arrangements,  to  distribute  its  products  in 
jurisdictions where it lacks the resources or expertise.  The Company faces, and will continue to face, significant 
competition in seeking appropriate partners and distributors.  Moreover, collaboration and distribution arrangements 
are complex and time consuming to negotiate, document and implement.  Therefore, there can be no assurance 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
that the Company will be able to find additional marketing and distribution partners in any jurisdiction or be able to 
enter into any marketing and distribution arrangements on any terms, acceptable or not.  Moreover, there can be 
no  assurance  that  its  partners  will  dedicate  the  resources  needed  to  successfully  market  and  distribute  the 
Company’s products and maximize sales.  In addition, under these arrangements, disputes may arise with respect 
to payments that the Company or its partners believe are due under such distribution or marketing arrangements, 
a partner or distributor may develop or distribute products that compete with the Company’s products or they may 
terminate the relationship. 

The Company has no influence in sales and marketing activities for Pennsaid 2% and Pennsaid in the markets in 
which they are currently available.  Decisions impacting sales and marketing efforts are made by the Company’s 
partners for their respective territories.  If one of the  Company’s partners is unable to successfully sell or  stops 
selling its respective product, for any reason, it could have an adverse effect on the Company’s product sales and 
cash resources, as well as royalties earned in Canada.   

The Company has licensed the rights for the HLT Patch to Galen for the U.S. and Eurocept for the E.U. and certain 
other territories and has no influence on sales and marketing activities for this product in the licensed territories.   

The Company depends on all of its partners and licensees to comply with all government legislation and regulations 
relating to selling the Company’s products in their respective territories.  If any of the Company’s partners do not 
comply, this could materially adversely impact the cash flows of the Company. 

Dependency on Horizon 

The  Company  currently  derives  substantially  all  of  its  revenue  from  Pennsaid  2%  U.S.  commercial  bottle  and 
sample product sales to Horizon pursuant to a long-term, exclusive supply agreement.  It is possible that quarterly 
and  annual  results  of  operations  will  be  impacted  for  the  foreseeable  future  by  Horizon’s  demand  for  Nuvo’s 
Pennsaid 2% products which is a function of Horizon’s management strategies and inventory levels, as well as U.S. 
market demand for commercial product.  If Horizon was unable to successfully sell or reduces or stops sampling or 
selling Pennsaid 2%, for any reason, it could materially adversely impact the Company’s product sales and cash 
resources.  

Horizon  indicated  in  its  Q1  2017  disclosures  that  it  had  been  experiencing  some  reimbursement  and  pricing 
pressures from insurance companies for its primary care products, including Pennsaid 2%, which had reduced the 
profitability of that portion of its business.  Due to its primary care group’s decreased profitability, Horizon noted that 
it is reallocating resources to better align its costs and profits.  This reallocation of resources included a reduction 
in  its  primary  care  sales  force.   The  Company  expects  Horizon’s  cost  reallocation  initiatives  to  also  result  in  a 
decrease in the number of product samples Horizon distributes to physicians.  A reduction in sample product orders 
from Horizon will have a negative impact on the Company’s future financial results.   

For several weeks during 2017, our manufacturing facility in Varennes, Québec did not produce any commercial 
bottles of Pennsaid 2% for Horizon.  This was part of a plan developed with Horizon to install new Pennsaid 2% 
packaging  equipment  and  software  systems.    The  new  equipment  was  required  to  put  Nuvo  and  Horizon  in 
compliance with new DSCSA rules that mandate all manufacturers of drug products sold in the U.S. to serialize 
each  individual  package  to  enhance  drug  traceability  in  the  event  of  an  adverse  event  and  to  prevent  drug 
counterfeiting.  During this period of reduced production, Horizon was drawing non-serialized inventory of Pennsaid 
2% commercial bottles that we had previously shipped to them.  On June 30, 2017, the FDA announced that it was 
extending the serialization compliance date by one year - from November 17, 2017 to November 17, 2018.  As a 
result  of  this  change,  Horizon  requested  that  we  deliver  non-serialized  commercial  bottles  to  them  before  we 
completed the equipment and software qualification process.  The Company completed its qualification and was 
fully compliant with the DSCSA rules during the fourth quarter.  If product sales to Horizon do not increase now that 
the  Company’s  serialization  equipment  is  operational,  the  Company’s  sales,  earnings  and  cash  flow  will  be 
negatively impacted.  

Generic Drug Manufacturers  

Regulatory approval for competing generic drugs can be obtained without investing in the same level of costly and 
time-consuming  clinical  trials  that  the  Company  has  conducted  or  might  conduct  in  the  future.    Due  to  the 
substantially reduced development costs, generic drug manufacturers are often able to charge much lower prices 

 
 
 
 
 
for their products than the original developer.  The Company faces competition from manufacturers of generic drugs 
on some of its products that are commercial, since a number of the Company’s patents have expired, or if not yet 
expired, may be ignored by generic drug manufacturers who choose to launch their products “at risk” of a possible 
patent infringement lawsuit brought by the Company or its licensing partners.  Generic competition may impact the 
prices at which the Company’s products are sold, the royalty rates the Company receives and the volume of product 
sold which may substantially reduce the Company’s overall revenues.   

The Company’s partner in Canada has launched an authorized generic version of Pennsaid to compete with the 
generic version of Pennsaid and protect market share.  The Company earns revenue in the form of product sales 
to Paladin and a royalty on Canadian net sales of the generic.  In February 2014, Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, 
Ltd.  received  approval  in  Canada  for  a  generic  version  of  Pennsaid  which  they  launched  in  March  2014.    This 
generic impacted the net sales that Paladin earns from Pennsaid, thereby reducing the Company’s royalty income.  
There are currently five generic versions of Pennsaid approved in Canada, including the authorized generic.  Three 
of the generics have launched. 

In the U.S., under the Hatch-Waxman Act, the FDA can approve an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for 
a  generic  version  of  a  branded  drug  or  a  variation  of  an  existing  branded  drug,  without  undertaking  the  clinical 
testing necessary to obtain approval to market a new drug.  This is referred to as the “ANDA process”.  In place of 
such clinical studies, an ANDA applicant usually needs to submit data and information demonstrating that its product 
has the same active ingredient(s) and is bioequivalent to the branded product, in addition to, for example, any data 
necessary  to  establish  that  any  difference  in  inactive  ingredients  does  not  result  in  different  safety  or  efficacy 
profiles, as compared to the reference drug.  The Hatch-Waxman Act, in addition to providing brand-name drug 
manufacturers  with  periods  of  marketing  exclusivity,  such  as  three-year  “new  clinical  investigation”  exclusivity, 
requires an applicant for a drug that relies, at least in part, on the FDA’s findings of safety or effectiveness for a 
branded drug, to notify the sponsor of the branded drug of their application and potential infringement of any patents 
listed in the FDA Orange Book.  Upon receipt of this notice, the sponsor of the branded drug has 45 days to bring 
a patent infringement suit in federal district court against the applicant seeking approval of a product covered by 
the patent.  If such a suit is commenced and the ANDA was filed after the patent had been listed in the FDA Orange 
Book, then the FDA is generally prohibited from granting approval of the ANDA or Section 505(b)(2) NDA, a type 
of NDA that relies on information for which the applicant does not have a right of reference, until the earliest of 30 
months from the date the FDA accepted the application for filing (the 30-Month Stay), or the conclusion of patent 
infringement litigation in the generic’s favour or expiration of the patent.  If an ANDA was filed before the patent had 
been listed in the FDA Orange Book, the 30-Month Stay does not apply and it is possible that the ANDA holder 
may launch its generic product “at risk” of patent infringement proceedings initiated by the innovator drug company.  
If  the  litigation  is  resolved  in  favour  of  the  applicant  or  the  challenged  patent  expires  during  the  30-month  stay 
period,  the  stay  is  terminated  and  the  FDA  may  thereafter  approve  the  application  based  on  the  standards  for 
approval  of  ANDAs  and  Section 505(b)(2)  NDAs.    Frequently,  the  unpredictable  nature  and  significant  costs  of 
patent litigation leads the parties to settle out of court.  Settlement agreements between branded companies and 
generic applicants may allow, among other things, a generic product to enter the market prior to the expiration of 
any or all of the applicable patents covering the branded product, either through the introduction of an authorized 
generic or by providing a license to the patents in suit.   

In the U.S., Pennsaid 2% is protected by multiple patents listed in the FDA Orange Book (Pennsaid 2% Orange 
Book Patents) and received 3-year  exclusivity  under  the Hatch-Waxman Act.   All  of the  intellectual property for 
Pennsaid  2%  for  the  U.S.  is  owned  by  Horizon  and  it  is  their  responsibility  to  litigate  any  claims  against  these 
patents from generic companies.  Patent litigation is currently pending in the United States District Court for the 
District of New Jersey against several companies intending to market a generic version of Pennsaid 2% prior to the 
expiration of certain Pennsaid 2% Orange Book Patents.  These cases involve the following sets of defendants: (i) 
Actavis Laboratories UT, Inc., formerly known as Watson Laboratories, Inc., Actavis, Inc. and Actavis plc; and (ii) 
Lupin Limited and Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  

Horizon Pharma Ireland Limited, et al v. Actavis Laboratories UT, Inc., C.A. No. 14-cv-7992-NLH-AMD, a bench 
trial was held in March 2017.  In May 2017, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey upheld 
the validity of one of the claims in one of Horizon’s U.S. patent covering Pennsaid 2%.  Actavis Laboratories UT, 
Inc. has appealed this decision.  

No trial date has been set in any other pending Pennsaid 2% cases.  

 
 
 
 
 
The approval or launch of generic versions of Pennsaid 2% in the U.S. market could materially adversely impact 
the Company’s future revenue from product sales.  

Obtaining Government and Regulatory Approvals  

The research, testing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, approval, storage, selling, marketing and distribution of 
drug products are subject to extensive regulation in the U.S. by the FDA, in Canada by the TPD and by similar 
regulatory authorities in the E.U., Japan and elsewhere, and regulations and requirements differ from country-to-
country.  Despite the time and expense exerted by the Company, failure can occur at any stage.   

The process of completing a drug development program and obtaining regulatory approval for a drug can be long 
and may involve significant delays despite the Company’s best efforts and can require substantial cash and people 
resources.  Even after initial approval has been obtained, further research, including post-marketing studies, may 
be required to expand indications covered under the product approvals and labelling.  Also, regulatory agencies 
require post-marketing surveillance programs to monitor side effects.  Results of post-marketing programs may limit 
or expand additional marketing of the drug.  Moreover, regulations are rigorous, time consuming and costly and the 
Company  cannot  predict  the  extent  to  which  it  may  be  affected  by  changes  in  regulatory  developments  and  its 
ability  to  meet  such  regulations.    There  is  also  a  risk  that  the  Company’s  products may  be  withdrawn  from  the 
market and the required approvals suspended as a result of non-compliance with regulatory requirements.  

Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the regulators will not require modification to any submissions, which 
may result in delays or failure to obtain regulatory approvals.  Any delay or failure to obtain regulatory approvals 
could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and operational results.  Further, there can be 
no assurance that the Company’s products will prove to be safe and effective in clinical trials or receive the requisite 
regulatory approval in any market. 

In addition to the regulatory product approval framework, pharmaceutical companies are subject to a number of 
other  regulations  covering  occupational  safety,  laboratory  practices,  environmental  protection  and  hazardous 
substance  control.    They  may  also  be  subject  to  existing  and  future  local,  provincial,  state,  federal  and  foreign 
regulation, including possible future regulation of the overall industry. 

Failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, the restriction, suspension or revocation of existing approvals or 
any  other  failure  to  comply  with  regulatory  requirements,  could  materially  adversely  impact  the  Company’s 
business, financial condition and operational results. 

United States Regulation 

The FDA has substantial discretion in the drug approval process.  The FDA may delay, limit or deny approval of a 
drug candidate for many reasons including:  

•  a drug candidate may not be deemed safe or effective; 
• 
• 
• 

the FDA may find the data from preclinical studies, CMC and clinical trials insufficient; 
the FDA may change its approval policies or adopt new regulations; or 
third-party products may enter the market and change approval requirements. 

Even  once  drug  candidates  are  approved,  these  approvals  may  be  withdrawn  if  compliance  with  regulatory 
standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market.  The FDA may require further 
testing  and  surveillance  programs  to  monitor  the  pharmaceutical  product  that  has  been  commercialized.    Non-
compliance  with  applicable  requirements  can  result  in  fines  and  other  judicially  imposed  sanctions,  including 
product seizures, injunction actions and criminal prosecutions.   

The process of receiving FDA approval has become more difficult with the requirement to submit a Risk Evaluation 
and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) as part of the drug application for certain classes of drugs and some individual 
drug products.  In addition, the FDA may require REMS after approving a covered application, including applications 
approved before the REMS program was initiated.   

 
 
 
In  addition,  the  FDA  has  the  authority  to  regulate  the  claims  the  Company’s  partners  make  in  marketing  its 
prescription drug products to ensure that such claims are true, not misleading, supported by scientific evidence and 
consistent  with  the  product’s  approved  labelling.    Failure  to  comply  with  FDA  requirements  in  this  regard  could 
result in, among other things, suspensions or withdrawal of approvals, product seizures and injunctions against the 
manufacture, holding, distribution, marketing and sale of a product, civil and criminal sanctions.  

Canada Regulation 

The TPD may deny issuance of a NOC for an NDS if applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied or may require 
additional testing.  Product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained 
or if problems occur after the product reaches the market.  The TPD may require further testing and surveillance 
programs to monitor a pharmaceutical product which has been commercialized.  Non-compliance with applicable 
requirements  can  result  in  fines  and  other  judicially  imposed  sanctions,  including  product  seizures,  injunction 
actions and criminal prosecutions. 

Additional Regulatory Considerations 

There  is  no  assurance  that  problems  will  not  arise  that  could  delay  or  prevent  the  commercialization  of  the 
Company’s products currently under development or that the TPD, FDA or other foreign regulatory agencies will be 
satisfied with the information submitted by the Company, including results of clinical trials, to approve the marketing 
of  such  products.    In  addition  to  the  regulatory  approval  process,  pharmaceutical  companies  are  subject  to 
regulations  under  local,  provincial,  state  and  federal  law,  including  requirements  regarding  occupational  safety, 
laboratory  practices,  environmental  protection  and  hazardous  substance  control  and  may  be  subject  to  other 
present and future local, provincial, state, federal and foreign regulations, including possible future regulations of 
the pharmaceutical industry.  The Company cannot predict the time required for regulatory approval or the extent 
of clinical testing and documentation that is required by regulatory authorities.  Any delays in obtaining, or failure to 
obtain regulatory approvals in Canada, the U.S., the E.U. or other foreign countries, would significantly delay the 
development of the Company’s markets and the receipt of revenues from the sale of its products. 

Changes in Government Regulation 

The business of the Company may be adversely affected by such factors as changes in the regulatory environment 
with  respect  to  intellectual  property,  regulation,  export  controls,  import  controls,  tariffs  and  taxes  or  product 
marketing approvals.  Such changes remain beyond the Company’s control and have an unpredictable impact. 

Risks Related to Unexpected Product Safety or Efficacy Concerns 

Unexpected safety or efficacy concerns can arise with respect to marketed products, whether or not scientifically 
justified, leading to product recalls, withdrawals or declining sales, as well as potential product liability, consumer 
fraud or other claims.  Any of such occurrences could materially adversely impact the Company’s business, financial 
condition and results of operations. 

Manufacturing and Supply Risks   

The Company purchases key raw materials necessary for the manufacture of its products and finished products 
from  a  limited  number  of  suppliers  around  the  world  and  in  some  cases  relies  on  its  licensing  partners  to 
manufacture its products.   

In the case of Pennsaid 2% and Pennsaid, the Company has a supply agreement with a single supplier based in 
the U.S. to purchase all of the Company’s requirements for pharmaceutical grade DMSO (one of the key ingredients 
in Pennsaid 2% and Pennsaid) until December 31, 2022 using the supplier’s patented process.  It may be difficult 
to find another manufacturer if the supplier is unable to supply the Company with a sufficient amount of DMSO or 
if the Company is forced for any other reason to find another supplier.  It could take another supplier a significant 
period of time to develop and certify the necessary processes to manufacture the product on terms acceptable to 
the Company or the related regulatory authority.  There may not be suppliers who are able to meet the Company’s 
volume or quality requirements at a price that is as favourable as the current supplier.  Any operating, production 

 
 
 
or  quality  problems  experienced  by  these  suppliers  that  result  in  a  reduction  or  interruption  in  supply  could 
significantly delay the manufacture and sale of the Company’s products. 

If the relationships with any of the single-sourced suppliers is discontinued or if any manufacturer is unable to supply 
or  produce  required  quantities  of  product  on  a  timely  basis,  or  at  all,  or  if  a  supplier  ceases  production  of  an 
ingredient or component, the operations would be negatively impacted and the business would be harmed.   

For the HLT Patch, Galen and Eurocept are responsible for manufacturing the patch and both rely on the same 
CMO  in  the  U.S.    The  Company  does  and  will  depend  on  Galen  and  Eurocept  to  ensure  the  CMO  remains  a 
qualified supplier of the product for all global markets and will have limited ability, if any, to control the manufacturing 
process.    The  HLT  Patch  also  contains  the  active  drugs  lidocaine  and  tetracaine  and  in  the  past,  the  form  of 
tetracaine  used  in  the  product  has,  at  times,  been  difficult  to  procure.    The  Company  is  reliant  on  Galen  and 
Eurocept to ensure that the CMO maintains the facility at which it manufactures the HLT Patch in compliance with 
FDA, EMA, state and local regulations and other regulatory agencies.  If the CMO fails to maintain compliance with 
FDA,  EMA  or  other  critical  regulations,  they  could  be  ordered  to  cease  manufacturing  which  could  materially 
adversely impact the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.  In addition to 
FDA  regulations,  violation  of  standards  enforced  by  the  United  States  Environmental  Protection  Agency,  the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and their counterpart agencies at the state level, could slow down 
or curtail operations of the CMO. 

For  Resultz,  the  Company’s  current  license  partners,  Reckitt  Benckiser,  Aralez,  Lapidot  and  Takeda,  are  all 
responsible for manufacturing the product and rely on either CMOs or their own internal manufacturing to supply 
their needs.  The Company depends on these license partners to ensure their internal manufacturing or external 
CMOs remain qualified suppliers of the Resultz for the respective markets and Nuvo will have limited ability, if any, 
to control the manufacturing process.  The Company is reliant on the license partners to ensure that the CMOs or 
license partners maintain the facilities where Resultz is manufactured in compliance with FDA, EMA, state and local 
regulations and other regulatory agencies.  If the CMOs or license partners fail to maintain compliance with FDA, 
EMA or other critical regulations, they could be ordered to cease manufacturing which could materially adversely 
impact the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.   

In  addition,  the  FDA  and  other  regulatory  agencies  require  that  raw  material  manufacturers  comply  with  all 
applicable regulations and standards pertaining to the manufacture, control, testing and use of the raw materials 
as appropriate.  For the Active API or critical raw materials depending on the drug product, this means compliance 
to current GMPs for APIs and submission of all data related to the manufacture, control and testing of the API for 
quality,  purity,  identity  and  stability,  as  well  as  a  complete  description  of  the  process,  equipment,  controls  and 
standards used for the production of the API.  This is usually submitted to the FDA in the form of a Drug Master File 
(DMF) by the manufacturer and referenced by the sponsor of the NDA.  The DMF information and data is reviewed 
by the FDA as a critical component of the approvability of the NDA. 

As a result, in the case where only one supplier of a particular API or critical raw material meets all of the FDA’s (or 
other regulatory agencies) requirements and has a DMF (or similar filing) on file with the FDA, the Company is at 
risk should a supplier violate GMP, fail an FDA inspection, terminate access to its DMF, be unable to manufacture 
product, choose not to supply the Company or decide to increase prices.  For DMSO and tetracaine, the Company 
has only one approved supplier for all jurisdictions in which Pennsaid and the HLT Patch has been approved.  For 
Pennsaid 2% and Pennsaid’s API, diclofenac sodium, the Company has two approved suppliers for Canada, the 
E.U. and the U.S.  For some of the Company’s other raw materials required to manufacture Pennsaid 2%, Pennsaid, 
Resultz  and  the  bulk  substance  for  the  HLT  Patch,  the  Company  currently  has  only  one  approved  supplier.  
However, in the case of Resultz, all of the critical raw materials used in the manufacture of the product are currently 
commercially available from more than one supplier. 

In addition, the Company could be subject to various import duties applicable to both finished products and raw 
materials and it may be affected by other import and export restrictions, as well as developments with an impact on 
international trade.  Under certain circumstances, these international trade factors could affect manufacturing costs, 
which  will  in  turn,  affect  the  Company’s  margins,  as  well  as  the  wholesale  and  retail  prices  of  manufactured 
products.  

The Company’s current internal manufacturing capabilities are limited to its site in Varennes, Québec, which is the 
sole manufacturing site of Pennsaid 2%, Pennsaid and the bulk drug product for the HLT Patch for all markets.  

 
 
The Company has never achieved full capacity utilization in this facility.  This exposes the Company to the following 
risks, any of which could delay or prevent the commercialization of its products, result in higher costs or deprive it 
of potential product revenues:  

•  The Company may encounter difficulties in achieving volume production, quality control and quality 
assurance, as well as relating to shortages of qualified personnel.  Accordingly, the Company might 
not be able to manufacture sufficient quantities to meet its clinical trial needs or to commercialize its 
products;  

•  The  Company’s  manufacturing  facilities  are  required  to  undergo  satisfactory  current  GMP 
inspections prior to regulatory approval and are obliged to operate in accordance with FDA, E.U. and 
other  nationally  mandated  GMP,  which  govern  manufacturing  processes,  stability  testing,  record 
keeping and quality standards.  Failure to establish and follow GMPs and to document adherence to 
such practices, may lead to significant delays in the  availability of material for clinical studies and 
may delay or prevent filing or approval of marketing applications for the Company’s products; and 
•  Changing manufacturing locations would be difficult and the number of potential manufacturers is 
limited.    Changing  manufacturers  generally  requires  re-validation  of  the  manufacturing  processes 
and  procedures  in  accordance  with  FDA,  E.U.  and  other  nationally  mandated  GMPs.    Such  re-
validation may be costly and would be time consuming.  It would be difficult or impossible to quickly 
find replacement manufacturers on acceptable terms, if at all. 

The Company’s manufacturing facilities are subject to ongoing periodic unannounced inspection by the FDA and 
corresponding agencies, including E.U. and Canadian agencies, and may be subject to inspection by local, state, 
provincial  and  federal  authorities  from  various  jurisdictions  to  ensure  strict  compliance  with  GMPs  and  other 
government regulations.  Failure by the Company to comply with applicable regulations could result in sanctions 
being  imposed  on  it,  including  fines,  injunctions,  civil  penalties,  failure  of  the  government  to  grant  review  of 
submissions  or market  approval  of  drugs,  delays,  suspension  or  withdrawal  of  approvals,  seizures  or  recalls  of 
product, operating restrictions, facility closures and criminal prosecutions, any of which could materially adversely 
impact the Company’s business.  

The  Company  may  encounter  manufacturing  failures  that  could  impede  or  delay  commercial  production  of  its 
products.  Any failure in the Company’s manufacturing operations could cause the Company to be unable to meet 
the demand for its products and lose potential revenue and harm its reputation.  The Company’s manufacturing 
operations  may  encounter  difficulties  involving,  among  other  things,  production  yields,  regulatory  compliance, 
quality control and quality assurance and shortages of qualified personnel. 

Impact of demand fluctuations outside our ability to control or influence 

In  general,  the  Company’s  marketing  partners  are  required  to  provide  12  to  24-month  rolling  forecasts  of  their 
demand on a quarterly basis, and are also required to place firm purchase orders based on the near-term portion 
of those forecasts.  If wholesaler or market demand for these products is lower than forecasted, the Company’s 
marketing partners or their wholesaler customers may accumulate excess inventory.  If such conditions persist, the 
Company’s marketing partners may sharply reduce subsequent purchase orders for a sustained period of time until 
such  excess  inventory  is  consumed,  if  ever.    Significant  and  unplanned  reductions  in  our  manufacturing  orders 
have occurred in the past and the Company’s results of operations were adversely affected.  If such reductions 
occur again in the future, the Company’s revenues will be negatively impacted, economies of scale will be lost, and 
revenues may be insufficient to fully absorb overhead costs, which could result in net losses.  Conversely, if the 
Company’s  marketing  partners  promote  significantly  increased  demand,  the  Company  may  not  be  able  to 
manufacture  such  unplanned  increases  in  a  timely  manner,  especially  following  prolonged  periods  of  reduced 
demand.  As the Company has no control over these factors, purchase orders could fluctuate significantly from 
quarter-to-quarter, and the results of operations could fluctuate accordingly. 

Impact of natural disasters or other events that disrupt our business operations 

Nuvo’s manufacturing facilities  are  located  in Varennes, Québec,  where natural disasters or similar  events, like 
blizzards, fires or explosions or large-scale accidents or power outages, could severely disrupt our operations, and 
materially adversely  impact  our business, results of operations, financial condition and  prospects.  If a disaster, 
power outage or other event occurred that prevented Nuvo from using all or a significant portion of this facility, that 

 
 
damaged  critical  infrastructure  or  that  otherwise  disrupted  operations,  it  may  be  difficult  or,  in  certain  cases, 
impossible for Nuvo to continue our business for a substantial period of time. 

Patents, Trademarks and Proprietary Technology  

There  can  be  no  assurance  as  to  the  breadth  or  degree  of  protection  that  existing  or  future  patents  or  patent 
applications  may  afford  the  Company  or  that  any  patent  applications  will  result  in  issued  patents  or  that  the 
Company’s patents or trademarks will be upheld if challenged.  It is possible that the Company’s existing patent or 
trademark rights may be deemed invalid.  Although the Company believes that its products do not, and will not, 
infringe  valid  patents  or  trademarks  or  violate  the  proprietary  rights  of  others,  it  is  possible  that  use,  sale  or 
manufacture of its products may infringe on existing or future patents, trademarks or proprietary rights of others.  If 
the Company’s products infringe the patents or proprietary rights of others, the Company may be required to stop 
selling or making its products, may be required to modify or rename its products or may have to obtain licenses to 
continue using, making or selling them.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so in a 
timely  manner,  upon  acceptable  terms  and  conditions,  or  at  all.    The  failure  to  do  any  of  the  foregoing  could 
materially  adversely  impact  the  Company.    In  addition,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  the  Company  will  have 
sufficient financial or other resources to enforce or defend a patent infringement or proprietary rights violation action.  
Moreover,  if  the  Company’s  products  infringe  patents,  trademarks  or  proprietary  rights  of  others,  the  Company 
could, under certain circumstances, become liable for substantial damages which could materially adversely impact 
the Company. 

Regardless of the validity of the Company’s patents, there can be no assurance that others will be unable to obtain 
patents or develop competitive non-infringing products or processes that permit such parties to compete with the 
Company.  The Company may not be able to protect its intellectual property rights throughout the world as  filing, 
prosecuting  and  defending  patents  and  trademarks  on  all  of  the  Company’s  product  candidates,  products  and 
product names, when and if they exist, in every jurisdiction would be prohibitively expensive and can take several 
years.    Competitors  may  manufacture,  sell  or  use  the  Company’s  technologies  and  use  its  trademarks  in 
jurisdictions where the Company or its partners have not obtained patent and trademark protection.  These products 
may compete with the Company’s products, when and if it has any, and may not be  covered by any of its or its 
partners’ patent claims or other intellectual property rights. 

The laws of some countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of Canada and 
the U.S. and many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending such rights in 
foreign jurisdictions.  The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favour 
the  enforcement  of  patents,  trademarks  and  other  intellectual  property  protection,  particularly  those  protections 
relating to biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, which could make it difficult for the Company to stop the infringement 
of its patents.  Proceedings to enforce patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial cost and divert 
efforts and attention from other aspects of the business. 

The discovery, trial and appeals process in patent litigation can take several years. Should the Company commence 
a lawsuit against a third party for patent infringement or should there be a lawsuit commenced against the Company 
with  respect  to  the  validity  of  its  patents  or  any  alleged  patent  infringement  by  the  Company,  the  cost  of  such 
litigation,  as  well  as  the  ultimate  outcome  of  such  litigation,  if  commenced,  whether  or  not  the  Company  is 
successful, could materially adversely impact its business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. 

Inability to Achieve Drug Development Goals within Expected Time Frames  

From  time-to-time,  the  Company  sets  targets  and  makes  public  statements  regarding  its  expected  timing  for 
achieving drug development goals.  These include targets for the commencement and completion of preclinical and 
clinical trials, studies and tests and anticipated regulatory filing and approval dates.  These targets are set based 
on a number of assumptions that may not prove to be accurate.  The actual timing of these forward-looking events 
can vary dramatically from the Company’s estimates or they might not be achieved at all, due to factors such as 
delays  or  failures  in  clinical  trials  or  preclinical  work,  scheduling  changes  at  Contract  Research  Organizations 
(CROs), the need to develop additional data required by regulators as a condition of approval, the uncertainties 
inherent  in  the  regulatory  approval  process,  delays  in  achieving  manufacturing  or  marketing  arrangements 
necessary  to  commercialize  product  candidates  and  limitations  on  the  funds  available  to  the  Company.    If  the 

 
 
 
Company  does  not  meet  these  targets,  including  those  which  are  publicly  announced,  the  ultimate 
commercialization of its products may be delayed and, as a result, its business could be harmed. 

Also, there can be no assurance that such trials and studies will be sufficient for regulatory authorities or that the 
required regulatory approvals will be obtained.   

Uncertainty of Drug Research and Development  

There can be no assurance that any of the Company’s product candidates will be successfully developed in a timely 
manner or that they will prove to be more effective than products based on existing or new technologies or that a 
sufficient number of medical professionals will recommend their use.  The risk that a product candidate may fail 
clinical trials, the Company may be unable to successfully complete development or a decision for financial or other 
reasons  to  halt  development  of  any  product  candidate,  particularly  in  instances  where  significant  capital 
expenditures have already been made, could materially adversely impact the Company. 

There  can  be  no  assurance  that  preclinical  or  clinical  testing  of  the  Company’s  product  candidates  will  yield 
sufficiently positive results to enable progress toward commercialization and any such trials will take significant time 
to  complete.    Unsatisfactory  results  may  prompt  the  Company  to  reduce  or  abandon  future  testing  or 
commercialization of particular product candidates and this could materially adversely impact the Company.   

Due to the inherent risk associated with R&D efforts in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly with respect to new 
drugs, the Company’s R&D expenditures may not result in the successful introduction of government approved new 
pharmaceutical products.  Also, after submitting a drug candidate for regulatory approval, the regulatory authority 
may require additional studies, and as a result, the Company may be unable to reasonably predict the total R&D 
costs to develop a particular product.  

Risk Related to Clinical Trials  

The Company and its drug development partners must demonstrate, through preclinical studies and clinical trials, 
that the product being developed is safe and efficacious before obtaining regulatory approval for the commercial 
sale of such product.  The results of preclinical studies and previous clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of 
future results and the Company’s current product candidates may not have favourable results in later testing or 
trials.  Preclinical tests and Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials are primarily designed to test safety, to study PK 
and pharmacodynamics and to understand the side effects of products at various doses and schedules.  Success 
in preclinical or animal studies and early clinical trials does not ensure that later large-scale efficacy trials will be 
successful and such success is not necessarily predictive of final results.  Favourable results in early trials may not 
be  repeated  in  later  trials  and  positive  interim  results  do  not  ensure  success  in  final  results.    Even  after  the 
completion  of  Phase  3  clinical  trials,  the  FDA,  TPD,  EMA  or  other  regulatory  authorities  may  disagree  with  the 
clinical trial design and interpretation of data and may require additional clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy of 
product candidates. 

A  number  of  companies  in  the  biotechnology  and  pharmaceutical  industry  have  suffered  significant  setbacks  in 
advanced clinical trials, even after achieving promising results in earlier trials and preclinical studies.  The Company 
suffered a similar setback with the results of its 2016 Pennsaid 2% ankle sprain Trial.  In many cases where clinical 
results were not favourable, were perceived negatively or otherwise did not meet expectations, the share prices of 
these  companies  declined  significantly.    Failure  to  complete  clinical  trials  successfully  and  to  obtain  successful 
results on a timely basis could have an adverse effect on the Company’s future business and its common share 
price 

Reliance on Third Parties to Conduct Clinical and Preclinical Studies  

The  Company  and  its  drug  development  partners  rely  on  third  parties  such  as  CROs,  medical  institutions  and 
clinical investigators to enroll qualified patients, conduct, supervise and monitor its clinical trials, conduct preclinical 
studies and complete CMC work.  The reliance on these third parties for clinical development activities reduces its 
control over these activities.  The reliance on these third parties; however, does not relieve the Company or its drug 
development partners of their regulatory responsibilities, including ensuring that its clinical trials are conducted in 
accordance with GCPs and that its preclinical studies are conducted in accordance with GLPs.  Furthermore, these 
third parties may have relationships with other entities, some of which may be competitors.  In addition, they may 

 
 
 
not  complete  activities  on  schedule  or  may  not  conduct  preclinical  studies  or  clinical  trials  in  accordance  with 
regulatory  requirements  or  the  Company’s  trial  design.    If  these  third  parties  do  not  successfully  carry  out  their 
contractual duties or meet expected  deadlines, the Company’s ability to obtain regulatory approvals for product 
candidates may be delayed or prevented. 

Competition 

The pharmaceutical industry is characterized by evolving technology and intense competition.  The Company is 
engaged in areas of research where developments are expected to continue at a rapid pace.  Many companies, 
including  major  pharmaceutical  and  specialized  biotechnology  companies,  are  engaged  in  activities  focused  on 
medical conditions that are the same as or similar to those targeted by the Company.  The Company’s success 
depends upon maintaining its competitive position in the R&D and commercialization of its products.  Competition 
from  pharmaceutical,  chemical  and  biotechnology  companies,  as  well  as  universities  and  research  institutes,  is 
intense and is expected to increase.  Many of these organizations have substantially greater R&D, experience in 
manufacturing, marketing,  financial and managerial resources and they represent significant competition.  If the 
Company fails to compete successfully in any of these areas, its business, results of operations, financial condition 
and cash flows could be adversely affected.  

The intensely competitive environment of the branded products business requires an ongoing, extensive search for 
medical  and  technological  innovations  and  the  ability  to  market  products  effectively,  including  the  ability  to 
communicate  the  effectiveness,  safety  and  value  of  branded  products  for  their  intended  uses  to  healthcare 
professionals in private practice, group practices and managed care organizations.  There can be no assurance 
that the Company and its drug development partners will be able to successfully develop medical or technological 
innovations or that the Company and its licensing partners will be able to effectively market the Company’s existing 
products or any future products. 

The Company’s  branded products may face competition from generic versions.   Generic versions are  generally 
significantly cheaper than the branded version, and, where available, may be required or encouraged in preference 
to  the  branded  version  under  third-party  reimbursement  programs  or  substituted  by  pharmacies  for  branded 
versions by law.  The entrance of generic competition to the Company’s branded products generally reduces the 
market  share  and  adversely  affects  the  Company’s  profitability  and  cash  flows.    Generic  competition  with  the 
Company’s branded products could materially adversely impact the Company’s sales and profitability. 

Additionally,  the  Company  competes  to  acquire  the  intellectual  property  assets  that  are  required  to  continue  to 
broaden its product portfolio.  The Company seeks to acquire rights to new intellectual property through corporate 
acquisitions, asset acquisitions, licensing and joint venture arrangements.  Competitors with greater resources may 
acquire assets  that the Company seeks, and even  if  the  Company  is successful, competition may increase the 
acquisition price of such assets.  If the Company fails to compete successfully, its growth may be limited.  

Competition for Pennsaid 2% and Pennsaid  

Several  major  pharmaceutical  companies  have  developed  oral  COX-2  selective  NSAIDs  designed  to  reduce 
gastrointestinal side effects associated with other types of NSAIDs.  Some of these products have been taken off 
the  market  or  drug  development  has  stopped  in  response  to  safety  concerns.    Those  that  remain  represent 
competition  for  market  share.   While  the  Company  believes  that  topical  administration  gives  Pennsaid  2%  and 
Pennsaid a better safety profile than all oral NSAIDs, including those with PPIs and COX-2 selective medications, 
it may be subject to regulations and regulatory decisions of governing bodies, such as the FDA in the U.S., including 
label warnings that apply to NSAIDs generally or diclofenac specifically. 

Pennsaid  2%  faces  competition  in  the  U.S.  from  at  least  two  other  topically  applied  diclofenac  drug  products 
available by prescription that were approved for marketing by the FDA, as well as numerous OTC products.  The 
FLECTOR  Patch,  which  contains  the  NSAID  diclofenac  epolamine  was  approved  by  the  FDA  for  the  topical 
treatment of acute pain due to minor strains, sprains and contusions and is marketed by Pfizer Inc.  The second 
drug product, GSK’s Voltaren Gel which contains the NSAID diclofenac sodium was approved by the FDA for the 
relief of the pain of OA of joints amenable to topical treatment, such as the knees and those of the hand and is 
marketed by Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.  Both of these topical products have achieved respectable sales levels and 
they provide significant competition for market share.  If patients and practitioners believe these competing products 
provide pain relief, it may be difficult for our partner to convince them to use Pennsaid 2%.  Conversely, if they do 

 
 
not believe that they provide pain relief, this may create a perception that all topically applied products have similar 
efficacy, making it more difficult to convince physicians and their patients of the value of Pennsaid 2%. 

In Canada, there are five generic versions of Pennsaid approved in the market.  The first generic was launched in 
2014.  In addition, our partner launched an authorized generic to protect market share.  The launch of these generic 
versions of Pennsaid had an adverse impact on the Company’s revenue from Canada.  A topical diclofenac product, 
GSK’s  Voltaren  Emulgel  (1.16%  w/w  diclofenac  diethylamine)  has  been  available  in  Canada  as  an  OTC  since 
October  2008.    In  August  2014,  Voltaren  Emulgel  Extra  Strength  (2.32%  w/w  diclofenac  diethylamine)  was 
approved in Canada as an OTC product and was launched by GSK in October 2014.  In the E.U., several major 
pharmaceutical companies market oral and topical NSAIDs that compete against Pennsaid in countries where it is 
marketed.   

In addition to recently approved products, there may be other companies that are developing other products to treat 
the pain caused by OA, including topical NSAID products for the U.S. and other markets that may present additional 
competition in the future.  Like Pennsaid 2% and Pennsaid, these drugs may be efficacious yet reduce the incidence 
of some of the side effects associated with traditional oral NSAIDs. 

The  impact  of  competitive  branded  products  and  generic  products  could  have  a  significant  adverse  effect  on 
Pennsaid 2% product sales in the U.S. market, as well as the resulting level of royalties earned and product sales 
in Canada from Pennsaid sales.   

Competition for Resultz   

Resultz faces competition in all markets from other topically applied head lice solutions such as pesticide-based 
products (including pyrethrin, permethrin, malathion etc.), non-pesticide-based products (including dimethicone or 
other  siloxanes)  and  homeopathic  remedies  (including  tea  tree  oil,  coconut  oil  and  other  naturally  sourced 
ingredients). 

Key pesticide-based brands are Rid (Bayer), Nix (Prestige Brands), Sklice (Arbor), and Ovide (Taro).  Key non-
pesticide  brands  are  Nix  Ultra  (Prestige  Brands),  Nyda  (Pohl  Boshkamp),  Hedrin  (Stada),  Linicin  (Meda)  and 
Paranix (Omega).  Key homeopathic remedies are Vamousse (TyraTech). 

The impact of present or future competitive branded prescription or OTC products could have a significant adverse 
effect on Resultz product sales in global markets. 

Competition for the HLT Patch 

The HLT Patch faces competition in all markets from other topically applied local anaesthetic drug products such 
as compounded anaesthetic creams that are available from certain pharmacies, EMLA Cream (a eutectic mixture 
of lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%), and L.M.X 4 and L.M.X.5 Anorectal Creams that are available OTC. 

Products May Fail to Achieve Market Acceptance 

Any products successfully developed, acquired or licensed by the Company may not achieve market acceptance 
and,  as  a  result,  may  not  generate  significant  revenues.    Market  acceptance  of  the  Company’s  products  by 
physicians or patients will depend on a number of factors, including: 

•  availability, cost and effectiveness of products when compared to competing products and alternative 

treatments; 
relative convenience and ease of administration; 
the prevalence and severity of any adverse side effects; 
the acceptance of competing products; 

• 
• 
• 
•  pricing, which may be subject to regulatory control; 
•  effectiveness of marketing and distribution partners’ sales and marketing strategies; and 
• 

the ability to obtain sufficient third-party insurance coverage or reimbursement. 

 
 
If any product commercialized by the Company does not provide a treatment regimen that is as beneficial as the 
current standard of care or otherwise does not provide patient benefit, there is the potential that it will not achieve 
market acceptance.  This may result in a shortfall in revenues and an inability to achieve or maintain profitability. 

Publications of Negative Study or Clinical Trial Results  

The publication of negative results of studies or clinical trials related to the Company’s products, or the therapeutic 
areas  in  which  its  products  compete,  may  adversely  affect  sales,  the  prescription  trends  for  the  products,  the 
reputation of the products and the price of the Company’s common shares.  From time-to-time, studies or clinical 
trials on various aspects of pharmaceutical products are conducted by the Company, academics or others, including 
government agencies.  The results of these studies or trials, when published, may have a dramatic effect on the 
market for the pharmaceutical product that is the subject of the study.  In the event of the publication of negative 
results of studies or clinical trials related to the Company’s marketed products or the therapeutic areas in which 
these products compete, the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company 
may be adversely affected.  

Reimbursement and Product Pricing  

There  can  be  no  assurance  that  Pennsaid  2%,  Pennsaid,  Resultz  or  the  HLT  Patch  will  be  successfully 
commercialized in current markets or that the additional regulatory approvals necessary to commercialize Pennsaid 
2%, Pennsaid, Resultz and the HLT Patch in markets where they are not currently approved will be obtained.   

In  Canada,  private  health  coverage  insurers  have  generally  approved  reimbursement  of  Pennsaid  costs,  but 
government health authorities have not approved such reimbursement.  Obtaining reimbursement approval for a 
product from each government or other third-party payer is a time consuming and costly process that could require 
the Company to provide supporting scientific, clinical and cost effectiveness data for the use of its products to each 
payer.  In certain territories, this process is the responsibility of the licensee and the Company will have little financial 
impact from this process except to the extent the licensees are forced to provide significant discounts or  rebates 
which would affect the level of net sales of the product and reduce the amount of royalties the Company earns.  
The Company may not have or be able to provide data sufficient to gain acceptance with respect to reimbursement.  
Even when a payer determines that a product is eligible for reimbursement, they may impose coverage limitations 
that preclude payment for some approved uses or that full reimbursement may not be available for the Company’s 
products. 

Furthermore, even after approval for reimbursement for the Company’s products is obtained from private health 
coverage insurers or government health authorities, it may be removed at any time.  Significant uncertainty exists 
as to the reimbursement status of newly approved healthcare products and there can be no assurance that third-
party coverage will be sufficient to give the Company an appropriate return on its investment in developing existing 
or new products.  Increasingly, government and other third-party payers are attempting to contain expenditures for 
new therapeutic products by limiting or refusing coverage, limiting reimbursement levels, imposing high co-pays, 
requiring  prior  authorizations  and  implementing  other measures.    Inadequate  coverage  or  reimbursement  could 
adversely  affect  market  acceptance  of  the  Company’s  products.    Third-party  payers  increasingly  challenge  the 
pricing of pharmaceutical  products.   Moreover, the trend toward managed  healthcare in the U.S.,  the growth of 
organizations  such  as  health  maintenance  organizations  and  reforms  to  healthcare  and  government  insurance 
programs, could significantly influence the purchase of healthcare services and products, resulting in lower prices 
and reduced demand for the Company’s products.   

In the U.S., each third-party payer plan is organized into tiers and the number of tiers will vary.  Each tier represents 
a different reimbursement level.  There is no guarantee that the Company’s products will be reimbursed even at 
tiers where the reimbursement amounts are minimal. 

In some countries, particularly the countries of the E.U., the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals is subject to 
government control.  In these countries, pricing negotiations with governmental authorities can take considerable 
time and delay the introduction of a product to the market.  To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval in some 
countries, the Company may be required to conduct a clinical trial that compares the cost effectiveness of its product 
candidate to other available therapies.  If reimbursement of the Company’s product is unavailable or limited in scope 
or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, its business could be adversely affected.  In addition, any 
country  could  pass  legislation  or  change  regulations  affecting  the  pricing  of  pharmaceuticals  before  or  after  a 

 
 
regulatory  agency  approves  any  of  its  product  candidates  for marketing  in  ways  that  could  adversely  affect  the 
Company.    While  the  Company  cannot  predict  the  likelihood  of  any  legislative  or  regulatory  changes,  if  any 
government  or  regulatory  agency  adopts  new  legislation  or  new  regulations,  the  Company’s  business  could  be 
harmed.  

Potential Product Liability 

The Company may be subject to product liability claims associated with the use of its products either after their 
approval or during clinical trials and there can be no assurance that liability insurance will continue to be available 
on commercially reasonable terms or at all.  Product liability claims might also exceed the amounts or fall outside 
of such coverage.    Product liability claims against the Company, regardless of their merit or  potential outcome, 
could be costly and divert management’s attention from other business matters or adversely affect its reputation 
and the demand for its products.  

In addition, certain drug retailers and distributors require minimum liability insurance as a condition of purchasing 
or  accepting  products  for  retail  or  wholesale  distribution.    Failure  to  satisfy  such  insurance  requirements  could 
impede the ability of the Company or its potential partners in achieving broad retail distribution of its products, which 
could materially adversely impact the Company.  

There can be no assurance that a product liability claim or series of claims brought against the Company would not 
materially adversely impact the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  If any 
claim is brought against the Company, regardless of the success or failure of the claim, there can be no assurance 
that the Company will be able to obtain or maintain product liability insurance in the future on acceptable terms or 
with adequate coverage against potential liabilities or the cost of a recall. 

Quarterly Fluctuations 

The Company’s quarterly and annual operating results are likely to fluctuate in the future.  These fluctuations could 
cause the Company’s stock price to decline.  The nature of the Company’s business involves variable factors, such 
as the timing of launch and market acceptance of the Company’s products, the timing and costs associated with 
the research, development and regulatory submissions of the Company’s products in development, the costs of 
maintaining manufacturing facilities operating below capacity and the costs associated with public company and 
other  regulatory  compliance.    As  a  result,  in  some  future  quarters  or  years,  the  Company’s  clinical,  financial  or 
operating results may not meet the expectations of securities analysts and investors which could result in a decline 
in the price of Nuvo’s stock. 

Acquisition and Integration of Complementary Technologies or Businesses  

The  Company  may  pursue  product  or  business  acquisitions  that  could  complement  or  expand  its  business.  
However, it may not be able to identify appropriate acquisition candidates in the future.  If an acquisition candidate 
is identified, the Company may not be able to successfully negotiate the terms of any such acquisition or finance 
such acquisition.  Any such acquisition could result in unanticipated costs or liabilities, diversion of management’s 
attention from the core business, the expenditure of resources and the potential loss of key employees, particularly 
those  of  the  acquired  organizations.    In  addition,  the  Company  may  not  be  able  to  successfully  integrate  any 
businesses, products, technologies or personnel that it might acquire in the future, which may harm its business.  

To the extent the Company issues common shares or other rights to finance any acquisition, existing shareholders 
may be diluted.  In connection with an acquisition, the Company may acquire goodwill and other long-lived assets 
that are subject to impairment tests, which could result in future impairment charges. 

Inability to Achieve Expected Savings from Restructurings 

The Company may, from time-to-time, seek to restructure its operations, which may require it to incur restructuring 
charges  and  it  may  not  be  able  to  achieve  the  level  of  benefits  that  it  expects  to  realize  from  any  restructuring 
activities or it may not be able to realize these benefits within the expected time frames.  Furthermore, upon the 
closure of any facilities in connection with restructuring efforts, the Company may not be able to divest such facilities 
at a fair price or in a timely manner.  Changes in the amount, timing and nature of charges related to restructurings 

 
 
and the failure to complete or a substantial delay in completing any restructuring plan could  materially adversely 
impact the Company’s business. 

Losses Due to Foreign Currency Fluctuations  

The Company anticipates that the majority of the revenue from commercialization of its product candidates may be 
in currencies other than Canadian dollars.  Fluctuation in the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar relative to these 
other currencies could result in the Company realizing a lower profit margin on sales of its product candidates than 
anticipated at the time of entering into such commercial agreements.  Adverse movements in exchange rates could 
materially adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. 

Taxes 

Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s provision for income taxes and claims for investment 
tax credits (ITCs) related to qualifying Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) expenditures 
in Canada.  Various internal and external factors may have favourable or unfavourable effects on future provisions 
for income taxes and the Company’s effective income tax rate.  These factors include, but are not limited to, changes 
in tax laws, regulations and/or rates, results of audits by tax authorities, changing interpretations of existing tax laws 
or regulations, changes in estimates of prior years’ items, future levels of R&D spending and changes in overall 
levels  of  income  before  taxes.    Furthermore,  new  accounting  pronouncements  or  new  interpretation  of  existing 
accounting pronouncements could materially adversely impact the Company’s effective income tax rate. 

Prior to the Reorganization, the Company was a multinational corporation with global operations.  As such, it is 
subject to the tax laws and regulations of Canadian federal, provincial and local governments, the U.S. and many 
international jurisdictions, including transfer pricing laws and regulations between many of these jurisdictions.  

The Company could be impacted by certain tax treatments for various revenue streams in different tax jurisdictions.  
The Company was subject to withholding taxes on certain of its revenue streams.  The withholding tax rates that 
were used were based on the interpretation of specific tax acts and related treaties.  If a tax authority has a different 
interpretation  from  the  Company’s,  it  could  potentially  impose  additional  taxes,  penalties  or  fines.    This  would 
potentially reduce the amounts of revenue ultimately received by the Company. 

The Company, from time-to-time, has executed multiple reorganization transactions impacting its tax structure.  If 
a  tax  authority  has  a  different  interpretation  from  the  Company’s,  it  could  potentially  impose  additional  taxes, 
penalties or fines. 

Volatility of Share Price  

Market prices for pharmaceutical related securities, including those of the Company, have been historically volatile 
and  subject  to  substantial  fluctuations.    The  stock  market,  from  time-to-time,  experiences  significant  price  and 
volume  fluctuations  unrelated  to  the  operating  performance  of  particular  companies.    Future  announcements 
concerning  the  Company  or  its  competitors,  including  the  results  of  testing,  technological  innovations,  new 
commercial  products,  marketing  arrangements,  government  regulations,  developments  concerning  regulatory 
actions affecting the Company’s products and its competitors’ products in any jurisdiction, developments concerning 
proprietary rights, litigation, additions or departures of key personnel, cash flow, public concerns about the safety 
of the Company’s products and economic conditions and political factors in the U.S., E.U., Canada or other regions 
may have a significant impact on the market price of the common shares.  In addition, there can be no assurance 
that the common shares will continue to be listed on the TSX. 

The market price of the Company’s common shares could fluctuate significantly for many other reasons, including 
for reasons unrelated to our specific performance, such as reports by industry  analysts, investor perceptions or 
negative announcements by our customers, competitors or suppliers regarding their own performance, as well as 
general economic and industry conditions.  For  example, to the  extent  that  other companies  within our  industry 
experience declines in their stock price, the share price of the Company’s common shares may decline as well.  In 
addition, when the market price of a company’s shares drops significantly, shareholders may institute securities 
class action lawsuits against the company.  A lawsuit against the Company could result in substantial costs and 
could divert the time and attention of the Company’s management and other resources. 

 
 
Ability to Have Access to Additional Financing and Capital and Dilution  

The Company may consider issuing debt or equity securities in the future to fund potential acquisitions or for general 
corporate  purposes.  If  the  Company  raises  additional  funding  or  completes  an  acquisition  or  merger  by  issuing 
additional equity securities, such issuance may substantially dilute the interests of shareholders of the Company 
and reduce the value of their investment.  The market price of the Company’s common shares could decline as a 
result  of  issuances  of  new  shares  or  sales  by  existing  shareholders  of  common  shares  in  the  market  or  the 
perception that such sales could occur.  Sales by shareholders might also make it more difficult for the Company 
itself  to  sell  equity  securities  at  a  time  and  price  that  it  deems  appropriate.  If  the  Company  incurs  debt,  it  may 
increase its leverage relative to its earnings or to its equity capitalization, requiring the Company to pay interest 
expenses. The Company may not be able to market such issuances on favourable terms, or at all, in which case, 
the Company may not be able to execute its business plan. 

Active Trading Market for Common Shares 

The Company’s common shares are listed for trading on the TSX and the OTCQX.  There can be no assurance 
that an active trading market in the Company’s common shares on the TSX and the OTCQX will be sustained.   

Securities Industry Analyst Research Reports 

The trading market for the Company’s common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry  or 
securities analysts publish about the Company or any of its partners.  If covered, a decision by an analyst to cease 
coverage of the Company or failure to regularly publish reports on the Company, could cause the Company to lose 
visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the stock price or trading volume to decline.  Moreover, 
if an analyst who covers the Company or any of its partners downgrades its, or its partner’s stock or if operating 
results do not meet analysts’ expectations, the stock price could decline.  Currently, to the Company’s knowledge, 
there is one analyst who publishes research reports about the Company.  The Company and its products have also 
been discussed in analyst research reports published about its partners and competitors.  

Compliance with Laws and Regulations Affecting Public Companies 

Any future changes to the laws and regulations affecting public companies, compliance with existing provisions of 
Multilateral Instrument 52-109 – Certification of Disclosure in Issuer’s Annual and Interim Filings of the Canadian 
Securities Administrators and the other applicable Canadian securities laws and regulation and related rules and 
policies,  may  cause  the  Company  to  incur  increased  costs  as  it  evaluates  the  implications  of  new  rules  and 
implements any new requirements.  Delays or a failure to comply with the new laws, rules and regulations could 
result in enforcement actions, the assessment of other penalties and civil suits. 

Any  new  laws  and  regulations  may  make  it  more  expensive  for  the  Company  to  provide  indemnities  to  the 
Company’s  officers  and  directors  and  may  make  it  more  difficult  to  obtain  certain  types  of  insurance,  including 
liability  insurance for directors and officers.  Accordingly, the Company may be  forced to accept reduced policy 
limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage.  The impact of these 
events could also make it more difficult for the Company to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on its Board 
of  Directors  or  as  executive  officers.    The  Company  may  be  required  to  hire  additional  personnel  and  utilize 
additional outside legal, accounting and advisory services, all of which could cause general and administrative costs 
to  increase  beyond  what  the  Company  currently  has  planned.    The  Company  is  continuously  evaluating  and 
monitoring developments with respect to these laws, rules and regulations and it cannot predict or estimate the 
amount of the additional costs it may incur or the timing of such costs. 

The Company is required annually to review and report on the effectiveness of its internal control over financial 
reporting  in  accordance  with  Multilateral  Instrument  52-109  –  Certification  of  Disclosure  in  Issuer’s  Annual  and 
Interim Filings of the Canadian Securities Administrators.  The results of this review are reported in the Company’s 
Annual Report and in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.  
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are required to report on the effectiveness of 
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  

 
 
Management’s  review  is  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance,  not  absolute  assurance,  that  all  material 
weaknesses  existing  within  the  Company’s  internal  controls  are  identified.    Material  weaknesses  represent 
deficiencies existing in the Company’s internal controls that may not prevent or detect a misstatement occurring 
which could have a material adverse effect on the quarterly  or annual financial statements of the Company.  In 
addition, management cannot provide assurance that the remedial actions being taken by the Company to address 
any  material  weaknesses  identified  will  be  successful,  nor  can  management  provide  assurance  that  no  further 
material weaknesses will be identified within its internal controls over financial reporting in future years. 

If the Company fails to maintain effective internal controls over its financial reporting, there is the possibility of errors 
or omissions occurring or misrepresentations in the Company’s disclosures which could materially adversely impact 
the Company’s business, its financial statements and the value of the Company’s common shares. 

Additional Risks 
Additional risks that could  materially adversely affect the Company’s  business or an  investment in  the common 
shares include, but are not limited to:   

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Ability to protect know how and trade secrets 
Rapid technological change could make products or drug delivery technology obsolete 
Prolonged development time 
Hazardous materials and environmental 
Security and Cyber Security Breaches 
Accumulated deficit 
Personnel 
Information technology infrastructure 
Litigation and regulation 
Issue of preferred shares 
Absence of dividends 
Shareholders’ rights plan 
Public company requirements may strain resources 
Management of growth 

Additional Information 

Additional  information  relating  to  the  Company,  including  the  Company’s  most  recently  filed  AIF  and  Nuvo 
Reorganization Circular, can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 

 
 
 
 
Management’s Report  

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by management and approved by the 
Board of Directors of the Company.  Management is responsible for the information and representations contained 
in  these  financial  statements  and  the  accompanying  Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis.    The  financial 
statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS).    The 
significant  accounting  policies  followed  by  the  Company  are  set  out  in  Note  3  to  these  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements. 

To assist management in discharging these responsibilities, the Company maintains a system of procedures and 
internal  controls  which  are  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  its  assets  are  safeguarded,  that 
transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, and that the financial records form a 
reliable base for the preparation of accurate and timely financial information. 

The Company’s external auditors are appointed by the shareholders.  They independently perform the necessary 
tests  of  accounting  records  and  procedures  to  enable  them  to  report  their  opinion  as  to  the  fairness  of  the 
consolidated financial statements and their conformity with IFRS. 

The  Board  of  Directors  ensures  that  management  fulfills  its  responsibilities  for  financial  reporting  and  internal 
control.    The  Board  of  Directors  exercises  this  responsibility  through  an  Audit  Committee  composed  of  three 
Directors, all of whom are not involved in the day-to-day operations of the Company.  The Audit Committee meets 
quarterly with management, and with external auditors to review audit recommendations and any matters that the 
auditors  believe  should  be  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Board  of  Directors.  The  Audit  Committee  reviews  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis and recommends their approval to 
the Board of Directors.  

/s/ Jesse F. Ledger 

/s/ N. Nicole Rusaw 

Jesse F. Ledger 
President & Chief Executive Officer 
March 22, 2018 

N. Nicole Rusaw 
Interim Chief Financial Officer 
March 22, 2018 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To the Shareholders of Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”), which 
comprise  the  consolidated  statements  of  financial  position  as  at  December  31,  2017  and  2016  and  the  consolidated 
statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 
and 2016, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information. 

Management's Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements 
Management  is  responsible  for  the  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  these  consolidated  financial  statements  in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting  Standards, and for such internal control as management  determines is 
necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error. 

Auditors’ Responsibility 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our 
audits in accordance with Canadian generally  accepted auditing standards. Those  standards require that we comply with 
ethical  requirements  and  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  consolidated 
financial statements are free from material misstatement. 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated 
financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgment, including the assessment of the risks of 
material  misstatement  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error.  In  making  those  risk 
assessments,  the  auditors  consider  internal  control  relevant  to  the  entity's  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  the 
consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for 
the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating 
the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as 
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 
audit opinion. 

Opinion 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nuvo 
Pharmaceuticals Inc. as at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and their financial performance and cash flows for the years ended 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. 

March 22, 2018 
Toronto, Canada 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NUVO PHARMACEUTICALS INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION 

(Canadian dollars in thousands) 

Notes 

$ 

$ 

As at  
December 31, 2017 

As at 
 December 31, 2016 

ASSETS 

CURRENT 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Short-term investments 

Accounts receivable  

Inventories  

Other current assets 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 

NON-CURRENT 

Property, plant and equipment 

Intangible assets 

Goodwill 

TOTAL ASSETS 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 

CURRENT 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Current portion of other obligations  

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Other obligations  

TOTAL LIABILITIES 

EQUITY 

Common shares  

Contributed surplus  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) 

Deficit 

TOTAL EQUITY 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY  

Commitments (Note 16) 
See accompanying Notes. 

On behalf of the Nuvo Board of Directors: 

17 

17 

17 

5 

6 

7 

4, 8 

4 

10, 20 

4 

4 

9 

9, 10 

8,398 

2,000 

1,875 

2,502 

437 

9,589 

8,000 

2,386 

3,817 

1,500 

15,212 

25,292 

4,283 

9,236 

1,187 

29,918 

3,134 

332 

3,466 

1,301 

4,767 

185,266 

14,763 

(1) 

1,224 

- 

- 

26,516 

3,646 

2 

3,648 

7 

3,655 

185,255 

14,062 

2 

9 

(174,877) 

(176,458) 

25,151 

29,918 

22,861 

26,516 

/s/ Anthony E. Dobranowski 

/s/ Robert Harris 

Anthony E. Dobranowski 
Director 

Robert Harris 
Director 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NUVO PHARMACEUTICALS INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND  
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

Year ended  
December 31, 2017 

Year ended  
December 31, 2016 

(Canadian dollars in thousands, except per share  
and share figures) 

Notes 

$ 

REVENUE 

Product sales  

Royalties 

Contract revenue 

Total revenue 

OPERATING EXPENSES 

Cost of goods sold 

Research and development expenses 

General and administrative expenses  

Net interest income 

Total operating expenses 

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)  

Foreign currency loss  

Other income 

19 

19 

19 

                16,338 

                      816 

                      369 

                17,523 

5, 10, 12 

10, 12 

10, 12, 20 

8,115 

571 

7,120 

(157) 

15,649 

Gain on asset disposal 
Net income before income taxes from continuing 
operations 

Income tax expense 

NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

NET LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

NET INCOME 
Other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified to 

net income in subsequent periods 

Unrealized gain (loss) on translation of foreign operations 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
Net  income  from  continuing  operations  per  common 

share   

- basic  

- diluted 

Net loss from discontinued operations per common share 

- basic and diluted 

Net income per common share 

- basic  

- diluted 

Average number of common shares outstanding  

(in thousands) 
- basic 

- diluted 

See accompanying Notes. 

14 

15 

11 

11 

11 

11 

11 

                      336 

(44) 

-                      

                          1,582 

                           1 

                  1,581 

                          - 

                  1,581 

(3) 

1,578 

0.14 

0.12 

- 

0.14 

0.12 

11,550 

11,723 

$ 

24,824 

1,023 

1,192 

27,039 

11,357 

1,417 

6,677 

(144) 

19,307 

348 

- 

(25) 

7,409 

- 

7,409 

(3,180) 

4,229 

50 

4,279 

0.65 

0.63 

(0.28) 

0.37 

0.36 

11,455 

11,711 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NUVO PHARMACEUTICALS INC. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

(Canadian dollars in thousands, except for 
number of shares) 

Notes 

Balance, December 31, 2015 
Warrants exercised 
Stock option compensation expense 
Unrealized gain on translation of foreign 

operations 

Common shares issued under DSU Plan 
Common shares cancelled on execution 

Common Shares 

(000s) 
9,10 
11,145 
54 
- 

$ 
9,10 
234,763 
177 
- 

- 
288 

- 
1,599 

of the Arrangement 

(11,487) 

(236,539) 

New common shares issued on execution 

of the Arrangement 

Unrealized income on translation of 
foreign operations transferred to 
Crescita Therapeutics Inc. (Crescita) 

Distribution of Crescita 
Stock options exercised 
Employee contributions to Share  

Purchase Plan 

Employer’s portion of Share Purchase  

Plan 
Net income 
Balance, December 31, 2016 
Stock option compensation expense 
Unrealized loss on translation of foreign 

operations 

Stock options exercised 
Net income 
Balance, December 31, 2017 

See accompanying Notes. 

11,487 

184,926 

- 
- 
53 

3 

- 
- 
293 

18 

3 
- 
11,546  
- 

- 
5 
- 
11,551 

18 
- 
185,255  
- 

- 
11 
- 
185,266 

Contributed 
Surplus 

AOCI 

Deficit 

Total 

$ 
9,10 
13,956 
(19) 
231 

$ 
9 
1,059 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

50 
- 

- 

- 

$ 

$ 

(200,059) 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

49,719 
158 
231 

50 
1,599 

(236,539) 

184,926 

- 
- 
(106) 

(1,107) 
- 
- 

- 
19,372 
- 

(1,107) 
19,372 
187 

- 

18 

- 

- 
- 
14,062  
705 

- 
(4) 
- 
14,763 

- 

- 
- 
2  
- 

- 
4,229 
(176,458)  
- 

(3) 
- 
- 
(1) 

- 
- 
1,581 
(174,877) 

18 
4,229 
22,861  
705 

(3) 
7 
1,581 
25,151 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NUVO PHARMACEUTICALS INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

Notes 

15 

7, 12 

10 

5 

13 

7 

8 

4 

1 

9 

9 

10 

(Canadian dollars in thousands) 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Net income from continuing operations 

Net loss from discontinued operations 

Items not involving current cash flows: 

Depreciation and amortization 

Equity-settled stock-based compensation  

Unrealized foreign exchange loss  

Inventory write-down 

Interest and accretion of long-term other obligations 

Other 

Net change in non-cash working capital  

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Disposal (acquisition) of short-term investments 

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 

Development of intangible assets 

Resultz acquisition 

CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES  

FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Cash transferred to Crescita 

Issuance of common shares 

Exercise of warrants 

Repayment of capital lease and other obligations 

Exercise of stock options 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 

Net change in cash during the year 

Cash, beginning of year 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR 

See accompanying Notes. 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information: 
Interest received1 
Income taxes paid1 

$ 

1,581 

- 

258 

705 

274 

15 

- 

- 

2,833 

1,658 

4,491 

6,000 

(2,606) 

(16) 

(8,781) 

(5,403) 

- 

- 

- 

(2) 

7 

5 

(284) 

(1,191) 

9,589 

8,398 

155 

1 

$ 

7,409 

(3,180) 

233 

1,848 

41 

- 

7 

3 

6,361 

(2,493) 

3,868 

(8,000) 

(368) 

- 

- 

(8,368) 

(35,016) 

205 

158 

(55) 

- 

(34,708) 

117 

(39,091) 

48,680 

9,589 

65 

- 

1.  Amounts received for interest and paid for income taxes were reflected as operating cash flows in the Consolidated Statements of Cash 

Flows. 

Total Cash and Short-term Investments 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term investments 

December 31, 2017 

December 31, 2016 

$ 
8,398 
2,000 
10,398 

$ 
9,589 
8,000 
17,589 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NUVO PHARMACEUTICALS™ INC. 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (audited) 

Unless  noted  otherwise,  all  amounts  shown  are  in  thousands  of  Canadian  dollars,  except  per  share 
amounts. 

1. NATURE OF BUSINESS  

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nuvo or the Company) is a commercial healthcare company with a portfolio of products 
and pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.  Nuvo has four commercial products that are available in a number 
of  countries:  Pennsaid®  2%,  Pennsaid,  Resultz®  and  the  heated  lidocaine/tetracaine  patch  (HLT  Patch).    The 
Company’s  registered  office  and  principal  place  of  business  is  located  at  6733  Mississauga  Road,  Suite  610, 
Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 6J5. 

Pennsaid 2% 
Pennsaid 2% is the follow-on product to original Pennsaid (described below).  Pennsaid 2% is a topical pain product 
that combines a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) based transdermal carrier with 2% diclofenac sodium, a leading NSAID, 
compared to 1.5% for original  Pennsaid.  Pennsaid 2% is more viscous than  original Pennsaid, is supplied in a 
metered dose pump bottle  and has been approved  in the  United States for twice-daily  dosing compared to four 
times a day for Pennsaid.  On January 16, 2014, Pennsaid 2% was approved in the U.S. for the treatment of the 
pain  of  osteoarthritis  (OA)  of  the  knee.    The  sales  and  marketing  rights  in  the  U.S.  were  originally  licensed  to 
Mallinckrodt Inc. (Mallinckrodt).  In September 2014, the Company reached a settlement related to its litigation with 
Mallinckrodt.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Mallinckrodt paid US$10.0 million to settle the claims 
and returned the sales and marketing rights for Pennsaid 2% and Pennsaid to Nuvo.  In October 2014, the Company 
sold the U.S. rights to Pennsaid 2% to Horizon Pharma plc (Horizon) for US$45.0 million.  In January 2015, Horizon 
launched its commercial sale and marketing of Pennsaid 2% in the U.S.  Pennsaid 2% is currently manufactured 
by the Company for sale to Horizon.   

Pennsaid 
Pennsaid is  a  combination  of  a  DMSO-based  transdermal  carrier and 1.5%  diclofenac  sodium  and  delivers  the 
active drug through the skin at the site of pain.  It is used to treat the signs and symptoms of OA of the knee.  It is 
approved for sale and marketing in several countries, including Canada, where it is licensed to Paladin Labs Inc.  
As  a  result  of  the  litigation  settlement  with  Mallinckrodt,  the  U.S.  sales  and  marketing  rights  to  Pennsaid  were 
returned to the Company.  Under the terms of the agreement with Horizon for the sale of the Pennsaid 2% rights, 
the Company agreed to discontinue the manufacture, sale and marketing of Pennsaid in the U.S.   

HLT Patch 
The HLT Patch is a topical patch that combines lidocaine, tetracaine and heat, using Nuvo’s proprietary Controlled 
Heat-Assisted Drug Delivery (CHADD™) technology.  The HLT Patch is approved in the U.S. to provide local dermal 
analgesia for superficial venous access and superficial dermatological procedures and is marketed by Galen US 
Incorporated (Galen) under the brand name Synera.  In Europe, the HLT Patch is approved for surface anaesthesia 
of  normal  intact  skin  and  is  marketed  by  the  Company’s  European-based  licensee,  Eurocept  International  B.V. 
(Eurocept) under the brand name Rapydan.   

Resultz Acquisition 
In December 2017, the Company acquired the global, ex-U.S. product and intellectual property rights to Resultz 
from  Piedmont  Pharmaceuticals  LLC  (Piedmont).   The  transaction  included  existing  royalty  streams  in  France, 
Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland and the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Australia and Israel (collectively the 
Royalty Markets), generated from a network of existing global licensees and license agreements that were assumed 
by Nuvo.  Under the terms of the agreement, Nuvo paid US$7.0 million ($8.8 million) on close to Piedmont.  The 
transaction also included a single-digit royalty payable by Nuvo on net sales generated from non-Royalty Markets 
through  2023  and  potential  added  future  consideration  in  the  form  of  payments  for  achieving  certain  aggregate 
annual net sales-based milestones (See Note 4, Acquisition of Resultz Product and Intellectual Property Rights). 

In January 2018, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Nuvo Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Limited (Nuvo Ireland) 
acquired the U.S. rights to Resultz from Piedmont.  Resultz was cleared as a Class 1 medical device by the U.S. 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2017 and has not yet been commercially launched in the U.S.  (See 
Note 22, Subsequent Event - Resultz U.S. Asset Purchase). 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Resultz is a commercial-stage, over-the-counter (OTC) product intended to kill head lice and remove their eggs 
from hair with as little as a 5-minute treatment.  It is a pesticide-free, topical solution that contains only two common 
cosmetic ingredients - 50% isopropyl myristate and 50% cyclomethicone D5.  It is clinically proven to achieve 100% 
effectiveness when used as directed.     

Nuvo Reorganization 
On March 1, 2016, Nuvo completed a transaction (the Reorganization) pursuant to which Nuvo was  reorganized 
into two separate publicly traded companies, Nuvo and Crescita Therapeutics Inc. (Crescita).  The Reorganization 
proceeded by way of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the Arrangement).  Per the terms 
of the Arrangement, Nuvo transferred $35.0 million to Crescita and changed its name from “Nuvo Research Inc.” to 
“Nuvo  Pharmaceuticals  Inc.”    Detailed  information  regarding  the  Reorganization  and  its  effects,  including  a 
description of certain risks and uncertainties in respect of the Reorganization and the operations of the Company 
and  Crescita  as  separate  publicly  traded  companies,  is  included  in  the  Management  Information  Circular  dated 
December  31,  2015  (Nuvo  Reorganization  Circular)  that  is  available  under  the  Company’s  profile  at 
www.sedar.com. 

Prior to the Reorganization, Nuvo operated two distinct business units: Nuvo and Crescita.  Nuvo is a commercial 
healthcare company with a portfolio of commercial products and pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.  Prior 
to  the  Reorganization,  Crescita  was  a  drug  development  business.    The  operations  related  to  Crescita  are 
accounted for as a discontinued operation (See Note 15, Discontinued Operations). 

2. BASIS OF PREPARATION 

Statement of Compliance  
These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by management in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).   

The  policies  applied  to  these  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  are  based  on  IFRS,  which  have  been  applied 
consistently to all periods presented.  These Consolidated Financial Statements were issued and effective as at 
March 22, 2018, the date the Board of Directors approved these Consolidated Financial Statements. 

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

Basis of Measurement 
These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the 
revaluation of certain financial assets and financial liabilities to fair value.  Items included in the financial statements 
of each consolidated entity in the Company are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment 
in which the entity operates (the functional currency).  These Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in 
Canadian dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency. 

Use of Estimates and Judgments  
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenue  and  expenses  during  the  reporting 
periods.  Actual results could differ from these estimates and such differences could be material. 

Key areas of estimation or use of managerial assumptions are as follows:  

(i) Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets and Goodwill: 
The purchase price allocation process resulting from a business combination requires management to estimate the 
fair value of identifiable assets acquired including intangible assets and liabilities assumed including any contingent 
and variable consideration.  The Company uses valuation techniques to determine fair values, which are generally 
based on forecasted future net cash flows discounted to present value.  These valuations are closely linked to the 
assumptions used by management on the future performance of the related assets and the discount rates applied.  
See  Note  4,  Acquisition  of  Resultz  Product  and  Intellectual  Property  Rights  for  the  assumptions  used  by 
management and the discount rates applied. 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company’s accounting policy relating to transactions or other events considered to be a business combination 
is described in Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Business Combinations.  In applying this policy, 
judgment  is  used  when  determining  whether  such  transactions  should  be  treated  as  an  asset  acquisition  or  a 
business combination.  During the year ended December 31, 2017, management concluded that the acquisition of 
the ex-U.S. product and intellectual property rights to Resultz was a business combination in the scope of IFRS 3, 
Business Combinations, as the acquired assets met the definition of a business. 

(ii) Discontinued Operations: 
The Company’s discontinued operations reflect Crescita on a combined carve-out basis as if it had always operated 
as a stand-alone entity.  Prior to March 1, 2016, Nuvo paid certain costs for Crescita and performed certain activities 
on behalf of Crescita.  As a result, the Company’s discontinued operations include allocations of certain transactions 
reported  in  the  accounts  of  Nuvo.    These  cost  allocations  have  been  determined  on  a  basis  considered  by  the 
Company to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to Crescita.  Compensation-related 
costs have been allocated using methodologies primarily based on proportionate time spent on Nuvo and Crescita’s 
respective activities.   

Management believes both the assumptions and allocations underlying the discontinued operations are reasonable.  
However, as a result of the combined carve-out methodology in determining the results of Crescita, the discontinued 
operations may not necessarily be indicative of the operating results and financial position that would have resulted 
had Crescita historically operated as a stand-alone entity. 

(iii) Share-based Payments:  
The  Company  measures  the  cost  of  share-based  payments,  either  equity  or  cash-settled  with  employees  by 
reference to the fair value of the equity instrument or underlying equity instrument at the date on which they are 
granted.  In addition, cash-settled, share-based payments are revalued to fair value at every reporting date.  

Estimating fair value for share-based payments requires management to determine the most appropriate valuation 
model for a grant, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of each grant.  In valuing certain types of stock-
based  payments,  such  as  incentive  stock  options  and  stock  appreciation  rights,  the  Company  uses  the  Black-
Scholes option pricing model. 

Several assumptions are used in the underlying calculation of fair values of the Company’s stock options and stock-
appreciation rights using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, including the expected life of the option, stock-
price volatility and forfeiture rates.   

(iv) Revenue Recognition: 
As is typical in the pharmaceutical industry, the Company’s royalty streams are subject to a variety of  deductions 
that  are  generally  estimates  and  recorded  in  the  same  period  that  the  revenues  are  recognized  and  primarily 
represent rebates, discounts, incentives and product returns.  These deductions represent estimates of the related 
obligations.  Amounts recorded for sales deductions can result from a complex series of judgments about future 
events and uncertainties and can rely on estimates and assumptions. 

(v) Impairment of Non-financial Assets:  
The Company reviews the carrying value of non-financial assets for potential impairment when events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  However, goodwill and indefinite life 
intangible assets are tested for impairment annually  at December 31st.  The impairment test on cash-generating 
units  (CGUs)  is  carried  out  by  comparing  the  carrying  amount  of  the  CGU  and  its  recoverable  amount.    The 
recoverable  amount  of  a  CGU  is  the  higher  of  fair  value,  less  costs  to  sell,  and  its  value  in  use.    This  complex 
valuation process entails the use of methods, such as the discounted cash flow method, which requires numerous 
assumptions to estimate future cash flows.  The recoverable amount is impacted significantly by the discount rate 
selected to be used in the discounted cash flow model, as well as the quantum and timing of expected future cash 
flows and the growth rate used for the extrapolation. 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis of Consolidation 
These Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries as follows: 

Dimethaid (UK) Ltd. 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Limited 

% Ownership 

100% 

100% 

The Company controls its subsidiaries with the power to govern its financial and operating policies.  All significant 
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.   

Business Combinations 
The  Company  applies  the  acquisition  method  in  accounting  for  business  combinations.  The  consideration 
transferred by the Company is calculated as the total of the acquisition-date fair values of assets transferred and 
liabilities  incurred  by  the  Company to  gain control  of the acquiree,  which  includes the fair value of any  asset or 
liability  arising  from  a  contingent  consideration  arrangement.    Acquisition  costs  are  expensed  as  incurred  and 
included in general and administrative (G&A) expenses.  Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at 
their acquisition-date fair values.   

Foreign Currency Translation  
The Company and its subsidiary companies each determine their functional currency based on the currency of the 
primary economic environment in which they operate.  The Company’s functional currency is the Canadian dollar 
and its subsidiary companies’ functional currencies are either the British pound or the euro. 

(i)  Transactions 

Transactions  denominated  in  a  currency  other  than  the  functional  currency  of  an  entity  are  translated  at 
exchange rates prevailing at the time the transaction occurred.  The resulting exchange gains and losses are 
included in each entity’s net income (loss) in the period in which they arise.   

(ii)  Translation into Presentation Currency 

The  Company’s  foreign  operations  are  translated  into  the  Company’s  presentation  currency,  which  is  the 
Canadian dollar, for inclusion in these Consolidated Financial Statements.  Foreign-denominated monetary 
and non-monetary assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at exchange rates in effect at the 
end of the reporting period, and revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the 
period (as this is considered a reasonable approximation to actual rates).  The resulting translation gains and 
losses are included in other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) with the cumulative gain or loss reported in 
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI).  

When the Company disposes of its entire interest in a foreign operation or loses control or influence over a foreign 
operation, the foreign currency gains or losses in AOCI related to the foreign operation are recognized in profit or 
loss.    If  the  Company  disposes  of  part  of  an  interest  in  a  foreign  operation  that  remains  a  subsidiary,  the 
proportionate amount of foreign currency gains or losses in AOCI related to the subsidiary are reallocated between 
controlling and non-controlling interests. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash includes cash on hand and current balances with banks and cash equivalents include money market mutual 
funds.  These are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and have an insignificant risk of changes in value.  
Cost approximates fair value. 

Short-term Investments 
Short-term investments are held in highly liquid instruments such as guaranteed investment certificates, with an 
original term to maturity of more than three months and expected to be realized in less than one year. 

Inventories 
Inventories include raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods.  Raw materials are stated at the lower of 
cost and replacement cost with cost determined on a first-in, first-out basis.  Manufactured inventory (finished goods 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and work-in-process) is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value determined on a first-in, first-out basis.  
Manufactured inventory cost includes the cost of raw materials, direct labour, an allocation of overhead and the 
cost to acquire finished goods.  The Company monitors the shelf life and expiry of finished goods to determine when 
inventory values are not recoverable and a write-down is necessary. 

Property, Plant and Equipment 
Property, plant and equipment (PP&E) is recorded at cost.  Assets acquired under finance leases are carried at 
cost, which is the present value of minimum lease payments after deduction of any executory costs. 

The Company allocates the amount initially recognized in respect of an item of PP&E to its significant parts and 
amortizes separately each such part.  Depreciation of PP&E is provided for over the estimated useful lives from the 
date the assets become available for use as follows: 

Buildings 
Leasehold improvements 
Furniture and fixtures 
Computer equipment and software 
Production, laboratory and other equipment  

10 - 25 years 
Term of lease 
5 years 
1 - 3 years 
3 - 12 years 

Straight-line 
Straight-line 
Straight-line 
Straight-line 
Straight-line 

Residual  values,  method  of  depreciation  and  useful  lives  of  the  assets  are  reviewed  annually  and  adjusted  if 
appropriate. 

Intangible Assets  
Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recognized separately from goodwill at their fair value at 
the date of acquisition, which is considered to be cost.  Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at 
cost, less any accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.  Amortization commences when the 
intangible asset is available for use and for patented assets is computed on a straight-line basis over the intangible 
asset’s  estimated  useful  life,  which  cannot  exceed  the  lesser  of  the  remaining  patent  life  and  20  years.    The 
estimated useful lives are as follows: 

Brand 
Patents 

Indefinite life 
5 - 20 years 

- 
Straight-line 

Goodwill 
Goodwill  represents  the  future  economic  benefits  arising  from  a  business  combination  that  are  not  individually 
identified and separately recognized.  Goodwill is initially measured at cost, as the excess of the aggregate of the 
consideration transferred over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  After initial recognition, 
Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.  See Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting 
Policies - Impairment of Non-financial Assets for a description of impairment testing procedures. 

Impairment of Non-financial Assets 
The Company reviews the carrying value of non-financial assets for potential impairment when events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  CGUs to which goodwill and indefinite 
life intangible assets have been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually.  For the purpose of measuring 
recoverable amounts, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows 
or CGUs.  The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use (being 
the present value of the expected future cash flows of the relevant asset or CGU).  An impairment loss is recognized 
for the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount.  Goodwill is allocated to the 
CGU that is expected to benefit from synergies of a related business combination and represent the lowest level 
within  the  Company  at  which management monitors  goodwill.    The  Company  has  recognized  goodwill  from  the 
Resultz acquisition as disclosed in Note 4, Acquisition of Resultz Product and Intellectual Property Rights.  Goodwill 
associated with the acquisition is generated from the expected net cash inflows for the ex-U.S. Resultz product, 
which management considers to be the CGU for purposes of testing impairment.  

For non-financial assets other than goodwill, a previously recognized impairment loss is reversed only if there has 
been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss 
was recognized.  If this is the case, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount, but 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for 
the asset in prior years.  An impairment reversal is recognized as other income. 

Leases 
Leases  are  classified  as  finance  leases  whenever  the  terms  of  the  lease  transfer  substantially  all  the  risks  and 
rewards of ownership to the Company.  All other leases are classified as operating leases.  The capitalized finance 
lease  obligation reflects the present  value of future lease payments,  discounted at the appropriate interest rate.  
Assets  under  finance  leases  are  amortized  over  the  term  of  the  lease.    All  other  leases  are  accounted  for  as 
operating leases with rental payments being expensed on a straight-line basis. 

Financial Instruments 
All  financial  instruments  are  classified  into  one  of  the  following  five  categories:  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss 
(FVTPL), held-to-maturity investments, loans and receivables, available-for-sale assets or other financial liabilities.  
All financial instruments, including derivatives, are included on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position 
and are measured at fair market value upon inception.  Subsequent measurement and recognition of changes in 
the  fair  value  of  financial  instruments  depend  on  their  initial  classification.    FVTPL  financial  investments  are 
measured  at  fair  value,  and  all  gains  and  losses  are  included  in  operations  in  the  period  in  which  they  arise.  
Available-for-sale financial instruments are measured at fair value with revaluation gains and losses included in OCI 
until  the  asset  is  removed  from  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Financial  Position.    Loans  and  receivables, 
instruments held-to-maturity and other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest 
method.  Gains and losses upon inception, impairment write-downs and foreign exchange translation adjustments 
are recognized immediately. 

The Company classifies its financial instruments as follows:  

•  Cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable are classified as loans and receivables and are measured 

at amortized cost.  Interest income is recorded in net income (loss), as applicable. 
•  Short-term investments are classified as held for trading and are measured at FVTPL. 
•  Accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities  are  classified  as  other  financial  liabilities  and  are  measured  at 
amortized cost using the effective interest method.  Interest expense is recorded in net income (loss), as 
applicable. 

Impairment of Financial Assets 
As  at  each  reporting  date,  the  Company  assesses  whether  there  is  objective  evidence  that  a  financial  asset  is 
impaired.  If such evidence exists, the Company recognizes an impairment loss.  For financial assets carried at 
amortized cost, the loss is the difference between the amortized cost of the loan or receivable and the present value 
of the estimated future cash flows, discounted using the instrument’s original effective interest rate.  The carrying 
value of the asset is reduced by this amount either directly or indirectly through the use of an allowance account. 

Comprehensive Income  
Comprehensive income is the change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-
shareholder sources.  Other comprehensive income refers to items recognized in comprehensive income, but that 
are  excluded  from  net  income  calculated  in  accordance  with  IFRS.    The  resulting  changes  from  translating  the 
financial  statements  of  foreign  operations  into  the  Company’s  presentation  currency  of  Canadian  dollars  are 
recognized in comprehensive income for the year. 

Revenue Recognition 
The Company recognizes revenue from product sales, royalties, contract service and licensing arrangements, which 
may include multiple elements.  Revenue arrangements with multiple elements are reviewed, in order to determine 
whether  the  multiple  elements  can  be  divided  into  separate  units  of  accounting,  if  certain  criteria  are  met.    If 
separable,  the  consideration  received  is  allocated  amongst  the  separate  units  of  accounting  based  on  their 
respective fair values, and the applicable revenue recognition criteria is applied to each of the separate units.  If not 
separable,  the  applicable  revenue  recognition  criteria  are  applied  to  combined  elements  as  a  single  unit  of 
accounting. 

Product Sales 
Revenue from product sales is recognized upon shipment of the product to the customer, provided transfer of title 
to  the  customer  occurs  upon  shipment  and  provided  the  Company  has  not  retained  any  significant  risks  of 
ownership  or  future  obligations  with  respect  to  the  product  shipped,  the  price  is  fixed  and  determinable  and 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
collection is reasonably assured.  Where applicable, revenue from product sales is recognized net of reserves for 
estimated sales discounts and allowances, returns, rebates and chargebacks. 

Royalties 
Revenue  arising  from  royalties  is  recognized  when  reasonable  assurance  exists  regarding  measurement  and 
collectability.  Royalties are typically calculated as a percentage of net sales realized by the Company’s licensees 
of  its  products  (including  their  sublicensees),  as  specifically  defined  in  each  agreement.    The  licensees’  sales 
generally  consist  of  revenue  from  product  sales  of  the  Company’s  pharmaceutical  products  and  net  sales  are 
determined  by  deducting  the  following:    estimates  for  chargebacks,  rebates,  sales  incentives  and  allowances, 
returns  and  losses  and  other  customary  deductions  in  each  region  where  the  Company  has  licensees.    The 
Company only recognizes as revenue when reasonable assurance exists regarding measurement and collectability.  
Royalty revenue from the launch of a product in a new territory, for which the Company or its licensee are unable 
to develop the requisite historical data on which to base estimates of returns, may be deferred until such time that 
a reasonable estimate can be made and once the product has achieved market acceptance. 

Licensing Arrangements 
The Company may enter into licensing agreements for supply and distribution for its commercial products.  The 
terms of the agreements may include non-refundable signing and licensing fees, milestone payments and royalties 
on any product sales derived from collaborations.  These multiple-element arrangements are analyzed to determine 
whether the deliverables can be separated or whether they must be accounted for as a single unit of accounting.  
License fees are recognized as revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or 
determinable, delivery or performance has been substantially completed and collection is reasonably assured.  If 
there are no substantive performance obligations over the life of the contract, the upfront non-refundable payment 
is recognized when the underlying performance obligation is satisfied.  If substantive contractual obligations are 
satisfied over time or over the life of the contract, revenue may be deferred and recognized over the performance.  
The  term  over  which  upfront  fees  are  recognized  is  revised  if  the  period  over  which  the  Company  maintains 
substantive contractual obligations changes. 

Milestone payments are immediately recognized as licensing revenue when the condition is met, if the milestone is 
not a condition to future deliverables and collectability is reasonably assured.  Otherwise, they are recognized over 
the remaining term of the agreement or the performance period. 

Contract Revenue 
Revenues  from  contracted  services  are  generally  recognized  as  the  contracted  services  are  performed  and  the 
related expenditures are incurred pursuant to the terms of the agreement and provided collectability is reasonably 
assured.   

Research and Development 
Research costs, other than capital expenditures, are charged to operations as incurred.  Expenditures on internally 
developed products are capitalized, if it can be demonstrated that: 

it is technically feasible to develop the product for it to be sold; 

• 
•  adequate resources are available to complete the development; 
• 
• 
• 
•  expenditure on the project can be measured reliably. 

there is an intention to complete and sell the product; 
the Company is able to sell the product; 
sale of the product will generate future economic benefits; and 

Development expenses are charged to operations as incurred unless such costs meet the criteria for deferral and 
amortization.   

Government Assistance 
Government  assistance  received  under  incentive  programs  is  accounted  for  using  the  cost  reduction  method; 
whereby, the assistance is netted against the related expense or capital expenditure to which it relates when there 
is reasonable assurance that the credits will be realized. 

Government  assistance  received  under  reimbursement  or  funding  programs  is  accounted  for  using  the  cost 
reduction method; whereby, a receivable is set up as the costs are incurred based on the terms of reimbursement 
or funding program and the expected recoveries are netted against the related expense. 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income or Loss Per Common Share 
Basic net income or loss per common share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares 
outstanding during the year. 

Diluted net income or loss per common share is calculated assuming the weighted average number of common shares 
outstanding during the year is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been 
outstanding  if  the  dilutive  potential  shares  had  been  issued.    The  dilutive  effect  of  warrants,  stock  options  and 
performance share units is determined using the treasury-stock method.  The treasury-stock method assumes that 
the proceeds from the exercise of warrants and options are used to purchase common shares at the volume weighted 
average market price during the year.  The dilutive effect of convertible securities is determined using the “if-converted” 
method.  The “if-converted” method assumes that the convertible securities are converted into common shares at the 
beginning of the period and all income charges related to the convertible securities are added back to income. 

Income Taxes 
Income taxes on profit or loss include current and deferred taxes.  Income taxes are recognized in profit or loss except 
to the extent that they relate to business combinations or items recognized directly in equity or in OCI.  Current taxes 
are the expected income taxes payable or recoverable on the taxable income or loss for the period, using tax rates 
enacted or substantively enacted, at the reporting date and any adjustment to income taxes payable in respect of 
previous years.  The Company is subject to withholding taxes on certain forms of income earned under its in-licensing 
agreements from foreign jurisdictions. 

Deferred income taxes are generally recognized in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes.  Deferred income 
taxes are measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they are reversed, 
based on the tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted in the relevant jurisdiction by the reporting 
date. 

Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  recognized,  where  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  or  a  liability  in  the 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position differs from its tax base, except for differences arising on: 

• 
• 

• 

the initial recognition of goodwill; 
the initial recognition of an asset or a liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and at the 
time of the transaction affects neither accounting or taxable profit; and 
investments in subsidiaries, branches and associates, and interests in joint ventures where the Company is 
able to control the timing of the reversal of the difference and it is probable that the difference will not reverse 
in the foreseeable future. 

A deferred tax asset is recognized for unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences to the extent 
it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which they can be utilized.  Deferred tax assets are 
reviewed as at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent it is no longer probable the related tax benefit will be 
realized.  Within the scope of IAS 12, Income Taxes, the Company recognizes its investment tax credits as a reduction 
against current income tax expense. 

Stock-based Compensation and Other Stock-based Payments 
The Company has four stock-based compensation plans: the Share Option Plan, the Share Purchase Plan and the 
Share Bonus Plan, each a component of the Company’s Share Incentive Plan and the Share Appreciation Rights 
(SARs) Plan.  As part of the Arrangement, the Deferred Share Unit (DSU) Plan for non-employee directors and the 
DSU  Plan  for  employees  was  terminated  and  settled  in  shares  on  March  1,  2016.    See  Note  10,  Stock-based 
Compensation and Other Stock-based Payments.   

Share Incentive Plan  
The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for the  Share Incentive Plan based  on the fair 
value of the common shares or options issued. 

Under the Share Option  Plan, the Company issues either fixed awards or performance-based options.   Options 
vest  either  immediately  upon  grant  or  over  a  period  of  one  to  four  years  or  upon  the  achievement  of  certain 
performance-related measures or milestones.  Each tranche in an award is considered a separate award with its 
own vesting period and grant date fair value.  Fair value of each tranche is measured at the date of grant using the 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black-Scholes option pricing model.  Compensation expense is recognized over the tranche’s vesting period based 
on the number of awards expected to vest, by increasing contributed surplus.  When options are exercised, the 
proceeds  received  by  the  Company,  together  with  the  fair  value  amount  in  contributed  surplus,  are  credited  to 
common shares. 

Under the Share Purchase Plan, consideration paid by employees on the purchase of common shares is credited 
to common shares when the shares are issued.  The fair value of the Company’s matching contribution, determined 
based upon the trading price of the common shares, is recorded as compensation expense.  These expenses are 
included in stock-based compensation expense and credited to common shares. 

Under the Share Bonus Plan, the fair  value of the direct award of common shares, determined based upon the 
trading price of the common shares, is recorded as compensation expense.  These expenses are included in stock-
based compensation expense and credited to contributed surplus over the vesting period, until the common shares 
are issued and the value is transferred from contributed surplus to common shares. 

Deferred Share Unit Plan 
The DSU Plan consisted of two plans: one for non-employee directors and one for employees.  Under the DSU 
Plan, non-employee directors could allot and elect to receive a portion of their annual retainers, and other Board-
related compensation, in the form of DSUs and employees could elect to have a portion of their quarterly earnings 
issued in units of the DSU Plan.  One DSU had a cash value equal to the market price of one of the Company’s 
common shares.  Upon issuance, the fair value of the DSUs was recorded as compensation expense and the DSU 
accrual was established.  As at all subsequent reporting dates, the DSU accrual was adjusted to the market value 
of the underlying shares and the adjustment was recorded as compensation cost.   

Share Appreciation Rights Plan 
SARs are issued to directors, officers, employees or designated affiliates to provide incentive compensation based 
on the appreciation in value of the Company’s common shares.  Under the SARs Plan, participants receive, upon 
vesting, a cash amount equal to the difference between the SARs’ fair market value and the grant price value, also 
known as the intrinsic value.  Fair market value is determined by the closing price of the Company’s common share 
on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) on the day preceding the exercise date.  SARs vest in tranches prescribed 
at grant date, and each tranche is considered a separate award with its own vesting period and fair value.  Until 
SARs vest, compensation expense is measured based on the fair value of the SARs at the end of each reporting 
period, using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The fair value of the liability is remeasured at the end of each 
reporting date and adjusted at the settlement date, when the intrinsic value is realized.  The SARs accrual is included 
in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. 

Issuance Costs of Equity Instruments 
The Company records issuance costs of equity instruments against the equity instrument that was issued. 

Accounting Standards Adopted 
There were no new accounting standards adopted by the Company during 2017. 

Significant Accounting Policies 
The policies applied in these Consolidated Financial Statements are based on IFRS issued and outstanding as at 
December 31, 2017.   

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Applied 
Certain new standards, interpretations, amendments and improvements to existing standards were issued by the 
IASB or IFRS Interpretations Committee that are mandatory for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.  
The standards impacted that may be applicable to the Company are as follows: 

IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments 
In  July  2014,  the  IASB  issued  IFRS  9  -  Financial  Instruments  (IFRS  9),  which  will  replace  IAS  39  -  Financial 
Instruments and all previous versions of IFRS 9.  IFRS 9 establishes principles for the financial reporting of financial 
assets and financial liabilities that will present relevant and useful information to users of financial statements for 
their  assessment  of  the  amounts,  timing  and  uncertainty  of  an  entity’s  future  cash  flows.    This  new  standard  is 
effective for the Company’s interim and annual Consolidated Financial Statements commencing January 1, 2018. 
The  Company  has  completed  its  assessment  of  the  standard  and  does  not  anticipate  significant  changes  to  its 
current recognition policies.  

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (IFRS 15), which covers principles 
for reporting about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with 
customers.   IFRS  15  is  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  January  1,  2018.   The  Company  will 
transition applying the modified retrospective approach - i.e. by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying 
IFRS  15  as  an  adjustment  to  the  opening  balance  of  equity  at  January  1,  2018.   The  Company  completed  its 
assessment of all customer contracts in existence as at December 31, 2017, excluding contracts assumed from the 
Resultz acquisition (See Note 4,  Acquisition of Resultz Product and Intellectual Property Rights).  Based on this 
assessment, the Company does not anticipate significant adjustments to the opening balance of equity.  Due to the 
timing of the Resultz acquisition, which closed on December 29, 2017, the Company is currently in the process of 
assessing the quantitative and qualitative implications of the customer contracts acquired under IFRS 15.  

IFRS 15 requires an entity to disclose additional quantitative  and  qualitative information about its contracts with 
customers;  therefore,  there  will  be  significant  changes  to  the  Company’s  financial  statement  disclosures.   The 
Company  will  be  providing  more  disaggregated  information  about  revenue  and  additional  disclosures  about  the 
Company’s remaining performance obligations as at the reporting date. 

Amendments to IFRS 2 - Share-based Payments 
In June 2016, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 2 - Share-based Payments (IFRS 2), clarifying how to account 
for certain types of share-based payment transactions.  The amendments provide requirements on the accounting 
for: the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the measurement of cash-settled share-based payments; 
share-based payment transactions with a net settlement feature for withholding tax obligations and a modification 
to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment that changes the classification from cash-settled to equity-
settled.  The amendments to IFRS 2 are effective prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 
2018.  The Company has completed its assessment of the standard and does not anticipate significant changes to 
its current recognition policies.  

IFRS 16 - Leases 
In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16 - Leases (IFRS 16), its new leases standard that requires lessees to 
recognize assets and  liabilities for most leases on their balance sheets.   Lessees applying IFRS 16  will have  a 
single accounting model for all leases, with certain exemptions.  Lessor accounting is substantially unchanged.  The 
new standard will be effective on or after January 1, 2019, with limited early application permitted.  The Company 
is in the process of reviewing the standard to determine the impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Other accounting standards or amendments to existing accounting standards that have been issued, but have future 
effective dates, are either not applicable or are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s annual 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

4. ACQUISITION OF RESULTZ PRODUCT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS  

Global Ex-U.S. Product and Intellectual Property Rights 
On December 29, 2017, the Company acquired control of the global ex-U.S. product and intellectual property rights 
to  Resultz,  a  topical  solution  lice  and  egg  removal  kit.    The  transaction  included  all  existing  royalty  streams  in 
France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland and the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Australia, and Israel which are 
generated from a network of existing global licensees and license agreements that were assumed by Nuvo.  The 
transaction  also  included  rights  to  Resultz  in  the  ex-U.S.  non-partnered  markets.    The  transaction  has  been 
accounted for as a business combination in the scope of IFRS 3, Business Combinations, as the acquired assets 
met the definition of a business. 

The benefits of the acquisition include expanding the Company’s portfolio of commercial products and Resultz can 
be produced at Nuvo’s Varennes, Québec manufacturing facility. 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The consideration for the acquisition and preliminary purchase price allocation, in accordance with IFRS 3, Business 
Combinations, are estimated as follows:  

Fair value of consideration transferred 
Amount settled in cash 
Fair value of contingent and variable consideration 
Total consideration transferred 
Recognized amounts of identifiable net assets 
Patents 
Brand 
Total identifiable net assets 
Goodwill on acquisition 
Acquisition costs charged to general and administrative expenses 

$ 
8,781 
1,626 
10,407 

8,430 
790 
9,220 
1,187 
69 

The Company has not yet finalized the purchase price allocation, including goodwill, and therefore, the information 
disclosed above for identifiable assets acquired, and the fair value of the contingent and variable consideration, is 
subject to fair valuation changes. 

Consideration Transferred  
The acquisition of the global  ex-U.S. rights to  Resultz  was settled in  US$7.0 million ($8.8 million) from cash on 
hand.  The purchase agreement included additional contingent consideration related to meeting certain milestones 
in partnered markets, payable only if those targets are achieved, as well as variable consideration based on annual 
royalties earned in the non-partnered markets.  The additional milestone consideration is expected to be paid in 
2019 and 2022, while the royalty consideration will be paid annually from the acquisition date until 2028.  The $1.6 
million fair value of the contingent and variable consideration initially recognized represents the present value of the 
Company’s probability-weighted estimate of the cash outflow.  The contingent consideration reflects management’s 
estimate that certain targets will be achieved and the variable consideration is based on managements projected 
royalty income in non-partnered markets.  The discount rates used range from  20% - 30% based on the risk of 
achieving the forecasted sales in the partnered and non-partnered markets. 

As at December 31, 2017, there have been no changes in the estimate of the probable cash outflow, due to the 
close  proximity  of  the  transaction  to  year-end.    In  the  absence  of  a  change  in  fair  value,  no  accretion  expense 
related to this consideration has been recognized in total comprehensive income for 2017.  

Acquisition-related costs amounting to $69 are recognized as part of G&A expenses for the year ended December 
31, 2017 and are not included as part of consideration transferred.  

Identifiable Net Assets  
The identifiable net assets were valued using an income approach and discounted using rates of 22% and 25%.  
The relief from royalty method was chosen as the most appropriate valuation methodology and was determined by 
estimating the after-tax royalty fee avoided by the Company through ownership of the patent and brand.  

Goodwill 
Goodwill of $1.2 million is primarily related to growth expectations, particularly within the non-partnered markets 
and expected future profitability from royalty streams in both the partnered and non-partnered markets.  Goodwill 
recognized will be deductible for income tax purposes going forward. 

Contribution to the Company Results  
If the transaction had closed on January 1, 2017, revenue of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017 
would have increased by $1.9 million, and net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 would have decreased 
by $0.9 million.  The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 would be largely attributable 
to $1.6 million in amortization expense of the acquired patents  and $1.2 million of operational costs, the bulk of 
which are non-recurring.  

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. INVENTORIES 

Inventories consist of the following as at: 

Raw materials 
Work in process 
Finished goods 

December 31, 2017 
$ 
2,162 
24 
316 
2,502 

December 31, 2016 
$ 
3,026 
75 
716 
3,817 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, inventories in the amount of $6.7 million were recognized as cost of 
goods  sold  [December  31,  2016  -  $9.6  million].    During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017,  inventories  in  the 
amount of $15 were written down [December 31, 2016 - $nil] and there were no reversals of prior year write-downs 
during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.   

6. OTHER CURRENT ASSETS 

Other current assets consist of the following as at: 

Deposits(i) 
Prepaid expenses 
Other receivables 

December 31, 2017 
$ 
117 
234 
86 
437 

December 31, 2016 
$ 
995 
276 
229 
1,500 

(i)  As at December 31, 2017, deposits included $nil [December 31, 2016 - $932] for deposits on production equipment. 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
                                                       
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
 
  
 
 
 
 
7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

PP&E consists of: 

Cost 

Balance, December 31, 2015 
Additions 
Disposals 
Transferred to Crescita 

Balance, December 31, 2016 
Additions(ii) 
Disposals 
Balance, December 31, 2017 

Accumulated depreciation 

Balance, December 31, 2015 
Depreciation expense 
Disposals 
Transferred to Crescita 

Balance, December 31, 2016 
Depreciation expense 
Disposals 

Balance, December 31, 2017 
Net book value as at  
December 31, 2016 
Net book value as at  
December 31, 2017 

Land 
$ 

Buildings 
$ 

42 
- 
- 
- 

42 

- 
- 
42 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

42 

42 

2,334 
- 
- 
(901) 

1,433 

58 
- 
1,491 

1,685 
68 
- 
(901) 

852 
65 
- 

917 

581 

574 

Leasehold 
Improvements 

$ 

114 
- 
- 
(114) 

- 

194 
- 
194 

114 
- 
- 
(114) 

- 
3 
- 

3 

- 

191 

Furniture 
& Fixtures 
$ 

Computer 
Equipment 
& Software 
$ 

Production, 
Laboratory & 
Other 
Equipment(i) 
$ 

274 
- 
- 
(214) 

60 

72 
- 
132 

272 
- 
- 
(213) 

59 
- 
- 

59 

1 

73 

1,065 
- 
- 
(903) 

162 

49 
- 
211 

1,015 
6 
- 
(861) 

160 
6 
- 

166 

2 

45 

Total 
$ 

7,601 
368 
(79) 
(3,060) 

4,830 

3,317 
(25) 
8,122 

6,421 
233 
(79) 
(2,969) 

3,606 
258 
(25) 

3,839 

3,772 
368 
(79) 
(928) 

3,133 

2,944 
(25) 
6,052 

3,335 
159 
(79) 
(880) 

2,535 
184 
(25) 

2,694 

598 

1,224 

3,358 

4,283 

(i)  Production,  laboratory  and  other  equipment  as  at  December  31,  2017,  included  a  cost  of  $11  [December  31,  2016  -  $35]  and 

accumulated depreciation of $5 [December 31, 2016 - $27] for assets under finance leases.   

(ii)  During the year ended December 31, 2017, $711 of total PP&E additions were recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. 

8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS  

Intangible assets consist of the following as at: 

Cost 

Balance, December 31, 2016 
Acquired in Resultz acquisition (Note 4) 
Additions 

Balance, December 31, 2017 

Accumulated depreciation 

Balance, December 31, 2016 
Amortization expense 

Balance, December 31, 2017 
Net book value as at  
December 31, 2016 
Net book value as at  
December 31, 2017 

Patents 
$ 
- 

8,430 
- 

8,430 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Brand 
$ 
- 

790 
- 

790 

- 
- 

- 

- 

Development 
Costs 
$ 
- 

- 
16 

16 

- 
- 

- 

- 

Total 
$ 
- 

9,220 
16 

9,236 

- 
- 

- 

- 

8,430 

790 

16 

9,236 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. CAPITAL STOCK  

Authorized 

•  Unlimited  first  and  second  preferred  shares,  non-voting,  non-participating,  issuable  in  series,  number, 
designation,  rights,  privileges,  restrictions  and  conditions  are  determinable  by  the  Company’s  Board  of 
Directors. 

•  Unlimited common shares, voting, without par value. 

Reorganization 
In connection with the Reorganization of Nuvo into two separate publicly traded companies and under the terms of 
the Arrangement (See Note 1, Nature of Business), each Nuvo share certificate existing on March 1, 2016 became 
a common share of Nuvo and the right to receive a Crescita common share.  

To determine Nuvo’s share capital amount after the Arrangement, Nuvo’s stated capital immediately prior to the 
Arrangement  was split based on the  butterfly  proportion, as  defined in the Nuvo Reorganization Circular,  of the 
Nuvo  and  Crescita  common  shares  at  the  effective  date  of  the  Arrangement.    The  butterfly  proportion  was 
determined to be 78.18% for Nuvo and 21.82% for Crescita.  The butterfly proportion was based on the volume 
weighted average prices (VWAP) of the Crescita common shares and the Post-Arrangement Nuvo common shares 
during the five-trading days during the period from March 7, 2016 to March 11, 2016. 

As a result of the Arrangement, on March 1, 2016, 11,487,184 Nuvo common shares, with a stated capital of $236.5 
million, were cancelled and 11,487,184 Nuvo common shares, with a stated capital of $184.9 million, were issued.  
The  amount  of  Nuvo’s  net  investment  in  Crescita  at  the  effective  date  of  the  Arrangement  of  $19.4  million  was 
deducted from Nuvo’s deficit and the unrealized income on translation of foreign operations transferred to Crescita 
in the amount of $1.1 million was deducted from Nuvo’s AOCI (loss). 

Private Placement 
On March 31, 2014, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement (Private Placement), pursuant to 
which an aggregate of 1,390,000 units of the Company were issued at a price of $2.25 per unit for gross proceeds 
of $3.1 million ($2.9 million net of issuance costs).  Each unit consisted of one common share of the Company and 
one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company.  The Company issued 695,000 common share 
purchase warrants (Private Placement Warrants).   

A Private Placement Warrant entitled the holder to purchase one common share of Nuvo at a price of $3.00 for a 
24-month period.   

In connection with the Private Placement, the Company issued 78,233 broker warrants at a price of $2.54 per unit 
(Broker Warrants).  Each Broker Warrant unit entitled the holder to purchase one common share of the Company 
at a price of $2.54 and included one half of one Private Placement Warrant.   

The Private Placement Warrants were subject to an acceleration feature where the Company, at its option, could 
force the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants if the ten-day volume weighted share price for the Company’s 
common  shares  was  equal  to,  or  exceeded,  $3.50  on  the  TSX  at  any  time  during  the  warrant  term.   If  the 
acceleration  feature  was  used,  any  Private  Placement  Warrants  that  were  not  exercised  during  this  period 
expired.  The Company exercised its acceleration feature on November 30, 2015 and accelerated the expiry date 
of the outstanding warrants to January 15, 2016.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016, 4,200 Broker 
Warrants and 49,044 Private Placement Warrants, inclusive of 2,100 Private Placement Warrants that were issued 
on  exercise  of  the  Broker  Warrants,  were  exercised  for  proceeds  of  $0.2  million  and  12,252  Private  Placement 
Warrants expired.  

10.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND OTHER STOCK-BASED PAYMENTS 

The Company has four stock-based compensation plans:  the Share Option Plan, the Share Purchase Plan and the 
Share Bonus Plan, each a component of the Company’s Share Incentive Plan and the SARs Plan.  As part of the 
Arrangement,  the  DSU  Plan  for  non-employee  directors  and  the  DSU  Plan  for  employees  were  terminated  and 
settled in shares on March 1, 2016.   

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share Incentive Plan  
Under the Company’s Share Incentive Plan, there are three sub plans: (i) the  Share Option  Plan, (ii) the  Share 
Purchase Plan, and (iii) the Share Bonus Plan.  On May 11, 2017, shareholders of Nuvo approved a resolution 
affirming, ratifying and approving the Share Incentive Plan and approving all of the unallocated common shares 
issuable pursuant to the Share Incentive Plan.  The TSX requires that the Company’s Share Incentive Plan, along 
with any unallocated options, rights or other entitlements, receive shareholder approval at the Company’s annual 
meeting every three years.   

The maximum number of common shares that will be reserved for issuance under the Share Incentive Plan shall 
be 15% of the total number of common shares outstanding from time-to-time.  The allocation of such maximum 
percentage among the three sub plans comprising the Share Incentive Plan shall be determined by the Board of 
Directors (or a committee thereof) from time-to-time (provided that the maximum number of common shares that 
may be issued under the Share Bonus Plan shall not exceed a fixed number of common shares equal to 3% of the 
number of common shares outstanding immediately following the Arrangement, which was 344,615).   

As at December 31, 2017, the number of common shares available for issuance under the Share Incentive Plan 
was 703,164. 

Share Option Plan 
Under the Share Option Plan, the Company may grant options to purchase common shares to officers, directors, 
employees or consultants of the Company or its affiliates.  Options issued under the Share Option Plan are granted 
for a term not exceeding ten years from the date of grant.  All options issued to-date have a life of ten years.  In 
general,  options  have  vested  either  immediately  upon  grant  or  over  a  period  of  one  to  four  years  or  upon  the 
achievement of certain performance-related measures or milestones.  Under the provisions of the Share Option 
Plan, the exercise price of all stock options shall not be less than the closing price of the common shares on the 
last trading date immediately preceding the grant date of the option. 

The following is a schedule of the options outstanding as at: 

Balance, December 31, 2015 

Cancelled on Reorganization 
Issued on Reorganization 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 
Expired 

Balance, December 31, 2016 

Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 
Expired 

Balance, December 31, 2017 

Number 
of Options 
000s 
751 
(751) 
751 
207 
(53) 
(46) 
(10) 
849 
369 
(5) 
(18) 
(166) 
1,029 

Range of  
Exercise Price  
$ 
1.96 - 24.05 
1.96 - 24.05 
1.53 - 18.80 
5.42 
1.53 - 6.35 
2.65 - 5.42 
6.35 - 18.80 
1.53 - 12.70 
3.80 - 5.75 
1.53 
4.32 - 6.35 
6.86 - 12.70 
1.53 - 12.70 

Weighted Average  
Exercise Price  
$ 
6.18 
6.18 
4.83 
5.42 
3.48 
4.41 
11.35 
5.01 
5.50 
1.53 
5.18  
7.01 
4.88 

The  fair  value  of  each  tranche  is  measured  at  the  date  of  grant  using  the  Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model.  
Options are valued with a calculated forfeiture rate of 7.0% [December 31, 2016 - 7.0%], and the remaining model 
inputs for options granted during the year ended December 31, 2017 were as follows: 

Options 
(000s) 
314 
22 
33 

Grant Date 

March 7, 2017 
May 19, 2017 
November 17, 2017 

Share  
Price 
$ 
5.75 
4.45 
3.80 

Exercise 
Price 
$ 
5.75 
4.45 
3.80 

Risk-free  
Interest Rate 
% 
1.02 - 1.42 
0.94 - 1.27 
1.90 

Expected  
Life 
(years) 
5 - 7 
5 - 6 
5 - 7 

Volatility  
Factor 

67 - 71 
66 - 70 
65 - 68 

Fair Values 
$ 
3.28 - 3.66 
2.46 - 2.76 
2.13 - 2.42 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table summarizes the outstanding and exercisable options held by directors, officers, employees and 
consultants as at December 31, 2017: 

Exercise  
Price Range 
$ 
1.53 - 4.45 
5.08 - 5.75 
6.35 - 11.18 

Number  
of Options  
(000s) 
354 
612 
63 
1,029 

Outstanding 
Remaining 
Contractual Life  
(years) 
6.39 
7.83 
1.88 
6.97 

Weighted Average  
Exercise Price 
$ 
2.89 
5.52 
9.85 
4.88 

Exercisable 

Vested 
 Options 
(000s) 
262 
190 
63 
515 

Weighted Average  
Exercise Price 
$ 
2.71 
5.21 
9.85 
4.47 

Share Appreciation Rights Plan 
On October 30, 2013,  the  Company  established the  SARs Plan for directors, officers, employees or designated 
affiliates to provide incentive compensation based on the appreciation in value of the Company’s common shares.  
Under the SARs Plan, participants receive, upon vesting, a cash amount equal to the difference between the SARs 
fair market value and the grant price value, also known as the intrinsic value.  Fair market value is determined by 
the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the TSX on the day preceding the exercise date.  SARs vest 
in  tranches  prescribed  at  the  grant  date  and  each  tranche  is  considered  a  separate  award  with  its  own  vesting 
period and grant date fair value.  Until SARs vest, compensation expense is measured based on the fair value of 
the SARs at the end of each reporting period using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The fair value of the 
liability is remeasured at the end of each reporting date and adjusted at the settlement date when the intrinsic value 
is realized.  The SARs accrual is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. 

The fair values of each tranche issued  and outstanding in the  period  were measured as at December 31, 2017 
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following inputs: 

SARs 
(000s) 
67 
104 

Grant Date 

April 4, 2014 
January 7, 2015 

Exercise 
Price 
$ 
2.65 
5.63 

Risk-free 
Interest Rate 
% 
1.41 
1.41 

Expected Life 
(years) 
1 
1 

Volatility  
Factor 
% 
34 
34 

Fair Values 
$ 
1.05 
0 - 0.08 

The following table summarizes the outstanding SARs and related accrual as at December 31, 2017: 

Balance, December 31, 2015 
  Vested  
  Adjustment to market value at Reorganization 
  Cancelled on Reorganization 
  Issued on Reorganization 
  Cancelled  
  Termination  
  Adjustment to market value  
Balance, December 31, 2016 
  Vested 
  Adjustment to market value  
Balance, December 31, 2017(i) 

Number of  
SARs  
000s 
788 
(293) 
- 
(495) 
495 
(20) 
(58) 
- 
417 
(246) 
- 
171 

Fair  
Values  
$ 
0.00 - 3.45 
0.00 - 3.36 
- 
0.72 - 4.48 
0.56 - 3.50 
1.86 - 5.91 
1.73 - 5.91 
- 
0.02 - 4.21 
0.00 - 4.21 
- 
0.00 - 4.21 

Accrual 
$ 
1,328 
(654) 
255 
(929) 
726 
(73) 
(248) 
626 
1,031 
(738) 
(219) 
74 

(i)  On January 1, 2018, 119,000 SARs vested and $70 was paid to SARs Plan participants. 

Deferred Share Unit Plan 
Under the DSU Plan, non-employee directors could allot and elect to receive a portion of their annual retainers and 
other Board-related compensation in the form of DSUs.  One DSU had a cash value equal to the market price of 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
one of the Company’s common shares and the number of DSUs issued to a director’s DSU account for any payment 
was determined using the five-day VWAP of the Company’s common shares immediately preceding the payment 
date.   

Under the employee DSU Plan, employees could elect to have a portion of their quarterly earnings issued in units 
of the DSU Plan.  Consistent with non-employee directors, one DSU had a cash value equal to the market price of 
one of the Company’s common shares.    The number of units  to be credited to an  employee  was calculated by 
dividing the elected portion of the compensation payable to the employee by the five-day VWAP of the Company’s 
common shares immediately preceding the close of each quarter.   

Upon execution of the Reorganization on March 1, 2016, all outstanding DSUs for directors and employees were 
settled  in shares of Nuvo  net  of the cash tax obligation that  was  paid by Nuvo.  Nuvo settled the DSU  Plan  by 
issuing  288,226  common  shares  to  settle  451,111  outstanding  DSUs.    The  shares  issued  were  restricted  from 
trading for twelve months.  The common shares were issued net of the cash tax obligation that was payable by the 
Company.    The  DSU  Plan  for  employees  was  terminated  March  1,  2016.    There  was  no  DSU  accrual  as  at 
December 31, 2017 [December 31, 2016 - $nil]. 

Summary of Stock-based Compensation 
Stock-based compensation from continuing operations is as follows: 

Stock option compensation expense under the Share Option Plan 
Shares issued to employees under the Share Purchase Plan 
DSUs - issued for settlement of directors’ fees 
DSUs - adjustment to market value 
SARs compensation expense 
Stock-based compensation expense(i) 

Recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive 
Income as follows: 
   Cost of goods sold 
   Research and development expenses 
   General and administrative expenses 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
 $  
705 
- 
- 
- 
(219) 
486 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
 $  
202 
18 
120 
384 
659 
1,383 

29 
- 
457 
486 

17 
12 
1,354 
1,383 

(i)  During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017,  the  Company’s  discontinued  operations  included  $nil  of  stock-based  compensation 

[December 31, 2016 - $288]. 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE 

Income (loss) per share is computed as follows: 

Basic income (loss) per share: 

Net income  
Average number of shares outstanding during the year 
Basic income per share 
Basic income per share from continuing operations 
Basic loss per share from discontinued operations 

Net income, assuming dilution 
Net income from continuing operations, assuming dilution 

Average number of shares outstanding during the year 
Dilutive effect of: 
     Stock options 
     Warrants 
     Deferred share units 
     Share appreciation rights 
Weighted average common shares outstanding,  
     assuming dilution 

Diluted income per share 
Diluted income per share from continuing operations 
Diluted loss per share from discontinued operations 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
$  

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
 $  

1,581 
11,550 
0.14 
0.14 
- 

1,455 
1,455 

11,550 
143 
- 
- 
30 

11,723 

0.12 
0.12 
- 

4,229 
11,455 
0.37 
0.65 
(0.28) 

4,194 
7,374 

11,455 
235 
1 
9 
11 

11,711 

0.36 
0.63 
(0.28) 

The following table presents the maximum number of shares that would be outstanding if all dilutive and potentially 
dilutive instruments were exercised or converted as at: 

Common shares issued and outstanding  
Stock options outstanding (Note 10)  
Share appreciation rights outstanding (Note 10)  

December 31, 2017 
 000s  

December 31, 2016 
000s 

11,551 
1,029 
171 

12,751 

11,546 
849 
417 

12,812 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12. EXPENSES BY NATURE 

The Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income include the following expenses by nature: 

(a)  Employee costs from continuing operations: 

Short-term employee wages, bonuses and benefits 
Share-based payments 
Total employee costs 

Included in: 
Cost of goods sold 
Research and development expenses 
General and administrative expenses 
Total employee costs 

(b)   Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations: 

Cost of goods sold 
Research and development expenses  
General and administrative expenses  
Total depreciation and amortization (i) 

Year ended  
December 31, 2017 
 $  
5,667 
396 
6,063 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
 $  
5,320 
983 
6,303 

2,831 
- 
3,232 
6,063 

3,710 
25 
2,568 
6,303 

Year ended  
December 31, 2017 
$ 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
$ 

251 
- 
7 
258 

197 
28 
- 
225 

(i)  During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company’s discontinued operations included $nil of depreciation expense [December 31, 

2016 - $8]. 

13. NET CHANGE IN NON-CASH WORKING CAPITAL  

The net change in non-cash working capital consists of: 

Accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Other current assets 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Net change in non-cash working capital 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
$ 
514 
1,300 
1,063 
(1,219) 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
$ 
2,775 
(1,847) 
(213) 
(3,208) 

1,658 

(2,493) 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14. INCOME TAXES 

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities 
Deferred  income  taxes  represent  the  net  tax  effects  of  temporary  differences  between  the  carrying  amounts  of 
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  The following 
represents deferred tax assets that have not been recognized in these Consolidated Financial Statements: 

Canadian Scientific Research and Experimental Development expenditure 

pool carryforward 

Investment tax credits 

Tax basis of PP&E and intangible assets in excess of accounting value 

Financing costs, deferred revenue and other 

Deferred tax assets not recognized 

Year ended  
December 31, 2017 

Year ended  
December 31, 2016 

 $  

- 

1,573 

2,275 

9 

3,857 

 $  

358 

1,993 

2,479 

19 

4,849 

A reconciliation between the Company’s statutory and effective tax rates is presented below: 

Statutory rate 

Items not deducted for tax 
Revaluation of deferred taxes as a result of enacted tax rate  
    changes and other 

Utilization of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets 

Other 

Year ended  
December 31, 2017 

Year ended  
December 31, 2016 

% 

26.7 

8.6 

- 

(35.3) 

- 

- 

% 

26.8 

8.2 

0.6 

(39.0) 

3.4 

- 

The  Company  has  approximately  $nil  [December  31,  2016  -  $1.3  million]  of  Canadian  Scientific  Research  and 
Experimental  Development  (SR&ED)  expenditures  for  federal  tax  purposes  that  are  available  to  reduce  taxable 
income in future years and have an unlimited carryforward period, the benefit of which has not been reflected in 
these  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.    SR&ED  expenditures  are  subject  to  audit  by  the  tax  authorities  and 
accordingly, these amounts may vary. 

The Company has net capital losses of $48.1 million in Canada available to offset net taxable capital gains in future 
years which have not been recognized. 

Government Assistance  
A  portion  of  the  Company’s  research  and  development  (R&D)  expenditures  are  eligible  for  Canadian  federal 
investment  tax  credits  that  it  may  carry  forward  to  offset  any  future  Canadian  federal  income  taxes  payable  as 
follows: 

Year of Credit 

December 31, 2006 

December 31, 2007 
December 31, 2008 

December 31, 2009 
December 31, 2010 

December 31, 2011 
December 31, 2012 

December 31, 2015 

Amount 
$ 

298 

335 
225 

142 
395 

208 
43 

494 

2,140 

Year of Expiry 

2026 

2027 
2028 

2029 
2030 

2031 
2032 

2035 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The benefits of these non-refundable Canadian federal investment tax credits have not been recognized in these 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

15. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

On  March  1,  2016,  the  Company  completed  the  Reorganization  of  Nuvo  into  two  separate  publicly  traded 
companies, Nuvo and Crescita, each  initially  owned  100% by Nuvo’s shareholders.  With the completion  of the 
Reorganization  on  March  1,  2016,  operating  results  have  been  restated  to  reflect  Crescita  as  a  discontinued 
operation.  Accordingly, Crescita is no longer presented in Note 19, Segmented Information. 

The following table presents the effect of the discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income 
and Comprehensive Income: 

(In thousands, except per share figures) 
REVENUE 
Product sales  
Royalties 

Total revenue 

OPERATING EXPENSES 
Cost of goods sold 
Research and development expenses 
General and administrative expenses 
Interest expense 
Total operating expenses 

OTHER INCOME  
Foreign currency gain 
NET LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

Net loss from discontinued operations per common share  

- basic and diluted 

Average number of common shares outstanding  

- basic 
- diluted 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
$ 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
$ 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

45 
14 

59 

96 
648 
2,498 
5 
3,247 

(8) 
(3,180) 

(0.28) 

11,455 
11,711 

The  following  table  presents  the  effect  of  the  discontinued  operations  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash 
Flows: 

Cash used in operating activities 
Cash provided by investing activities 
Cash provided by financing activities 
Net cash inflow 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
$ 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
$ 
(5,203) 
4,801 
34,963 
34,561 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16.  COMMITMENTS  

The Company has minimum future rental payments under operating leases for the twelve months ending December 
31 as follows: 

2018 
2019 
2020 and thereafter 

Operating  
Leases 
$ 

162 
198 
828 

1,188 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, payments under operating leases totalled $0.2 million [December 31, 2016 
- $46]. 

Under the terms of the Pennsaid 2% U.S. Asset Sale with Horizon, Nuvo is contractually obligated to manufacture 
Pennsaid 2% for the U.S. market to December 2029 and, unless terminated, the supply agreement will renew for 
successive  two-year  terms,  thereafter.    The  agreement  provides  for  tiered  pricing  based  on  volumes  of  product 
shipped.  The Company is also required to maintain certain raw material inventory levels. 

The  Company  has  additional  long-term  supply  contracts  where  the  Company  is  contractually  obligated  to 
manufacture Pennsaid 2% and Pennsaid for its customers. 

The Company has a long-term supply agreement with a third-party manufacturer for the supply of dimethyl sulfoxide, 
one  of  its  key  raw  materials  in  Pennsaid  2%  and  Pennsaid,  which  expires  in  December  2022.    The  agreement 
automatically renews for successive three-year terms, unless terminated in writing by either party at least 12 months 
prior to the expiration of the current term.  The agreement requires the Company to purchase 100% of its dimethyl 
sulfoxide  requirements  from  the  third  party  at  specified  pricing,  but  does  not  contain  any  minimum  purchase 
commitments.   

Under certain licensing agreements, the Company is required to make royalty payments to two companies for a 
combined 2.5% of annual net sales of the HLT Patch. 

Guarantees  
The Company periodically enters into service, licensing, distribution or supply agreements with third parties that 
include  indemnification  provisions  that  are  customary  in  the  industry.    These  guarantees  generally  require  the 
Company to compensate the other party for certain damages and costs incurred as a result of third-party intellectual 
property claims or damages arising from these transactions.  In some cases, the maximum potential  amount of 
future payments that could be required under these indemnification provisions is unlimited.  These indemnification 
provisions  generally  survive  termination  of  the  underlying  agreements.    The  nature  of  the  intellectual  property 
indemnification obligations prevents the Company from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential 
amount it could be required to pay.  Historically, the Company has not made any indemnification payments under 
such agreements and no amount has been accrued in these Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to 
these indemnification obligations. 

17. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT 

IFRS  7  -  Financial  Instruments:  Disclosures  requires  disclosure  of  a  three-level  hierarchy  that  reflects  the 
significance of the inputs used in making fair value measurements.  Fair values of assets and liabilities included in 
Level 1 are determined by reference to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.  Assets 
and liabilities in Level 2 include those where valuations are determined using inputs other than quoted prices for 
which  all  significant  outputs  are  observable,  either  directly  or  indirectly.    Level  3  valuations  are  those  based  on 
inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.   

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets  and  liabilities  are  classified  based  on  the  lowest  level  of  input  that  is  significant  to  the  fair  value 
measurements.  The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis.  Changes to the 
ability to observe valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value 
hierarchy.  The Company did not have any transfer of assets and liabilities between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 of 
the fair value hierarchy during the year ended December 31, 2017. 

The Company has determined the estimated fair values of its financial instruments based on appropriate valuation 
methodologies.    However,  considerable  judgment  is  required  to  develop  these  estimates.    Accordingly,  these 
estimated  values  are  not  necessarily  indicative  of  the  amounts  the  Company  could  realize  in  a  current  market 
exchange.    The  estimated  fair  value  amounts  can  be  materially  affected  by  the  use  of  different  assumptions  or 
methodologies.   

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring 
basis as at December 31, 2017: 

Assets: 
Short-term investments 
Total assets 
Liabilities: 
SARs 
Contingent and variable 

consideration related to the 
Resultz acquisition (Note 4) 

Total liabilities 

Total 
$ 

2,000 
2,000 

74 

1,626 
1,700 

Using Quoted Prices 
in Active Markets for 
Identical Assets 
(Level 1) 
$ 

Using Significant 
Other Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 2) 
$ 

Using Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3) 
$ 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

2,000 
2,000 

74 

- 
74 

- 
- 

- 

1,626 
1,626 

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring 
basis as at December 31, 2016: 

Assets: 
Short-term investments 
Total assets 
Liabilities: 
SARs 
Total liabilities 

Total 
$ 

8,000 
8,000 

1,031 
1,031 

Using Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets 
(Level 1) 
$ 

Using Significant 
Other Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 2) 
$ 

Using Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3) 
$ 

- 
- 

- 
- 

8,000 
8,000 

1,031 
1,031 

- 
- 

- 
- 

Level 2 assets include guaranteed investment certificates held by the Company that are valued at  fair value and 
the fair value approximates the carrying value due to the short-term nature. 

Level  2  liabilities  include  obligations  of  the  Company  for  the  SARs  Plan  described  in  Note  10,  Stock-based 
Compensation and Other Stock-based Payments.  The fair values of each tranche of SARs issued and outstanding 
are revalued at each reporting period using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The Company accrued $0.1 
million for SARs as at December 31, 2017 [December 31, 2016 - $1.0 million]. 

Level 3 liabilities include the fair value of contingent and variable consideration related to the acquisition of the ex-
U.S. rights to Resultz.  The fair value is estimated using a present value technique described in Note 4, Acquisition 
of  Resultz  Product  and  Intellectual  Property  Rights.    The  fair  value  of  $1.6  million  is  estimated  by  probability 
weighting the estimated future cash outflows, adjusting for risk and discounting at rates ranging from 20% - 30%. 
The  probability-weighted  cash  outflows  reflect  management’s  estimates  of  a  0%  -  25%  probability  that  various 
milestones  will  be  achieved.    For  the  variable  consideration,  the  estimated  future  cash  flows  are  not  probability 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
weighted as the consideration is based on a percentage of net sales in certain markets, not on specific milestones.  
The discount rate used is based on the Company’s risk-adjusted estimated weighted average cost of capital at the 
reporting date.  The effects on the fair value of risk and uncertainty in the future cash flows are dealt with by adjusting 
the  estimated cash flows rather  than  adjusting the discount rate.   The contingent consideration  is driven  by  the 
anticipated sales volumes of Resultz in certain markets.  A 10% decrease in the projected sales volumes of Resultz 
in these markets would decrease the fair value of the contingent consideration liability by $0.4 million. 

Rates currently  available to the Company for long-term obligations,  with similar terms and remaining maturities, 
have been used to estimate the fair value of the finance lease and other obligations.  These fair values approximate 
the carrying values for all instruments. 

Risk Factors  
The following is a discussion of liquidity risk, credit risk and market risk and related mitigation strategies that have 
been identified.  This is not an exhaustive list of all risks nor will the mitigation strategies eliminate all risks listed. 

Liquidity Risk  
While the Company had $8.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $2.0 million in short-term investments as at 
December 31, 2017, it was dependent on a single customer for substantially all of its revenue.  During the year 
ended December 31, 2017, the Company earned 87% [December 31, 2016 - 92%] of its product revenue from a 
single customer, Horizon.  The Company earns product revenue from Horizon pursuant to a long-term, exclusive 
supply agreement, as well as contract service revenue.  The loss of this customer would have a material adverse 
effect on the Company’s revenue, operating results and cash flows.   The Company continues to seek business 
opportunities to diversify its customer base in order to help mitigate this concentration risk.  On December 29, 2017, 
the Company acquired the global, ex-U.S. product and intellectual property rights to Resultz from Piedmont which 
includes existing royalty streams in the Royalty Markets (See Note 4, Acquisition of Resultz Product and Intellectual 
Property Rights).  The benefits of the acquisition include expanding the Company’s portfolio of commercial products 
and Resultz can be produced at Nuvo’s Varennes, Québec manufacturing facility. 

The  Company  has  contractual  obligations  related  to  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities,  purchase 
commitments and other obligations of $3.3 million that are due in less than a year and $1.0 million of contractual 
obligations that are payable from 2019 to 2023. 

Credit Risk 
The  Company’s  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  short-term  investments  subject  the  Company  to  a  concentration  of 
credit  risk.    As  at  December  31,  2017,  the  Company  had  $8.4  million  invested  with  two  financial  institutions  in 
various  bank  accounts.    These  financial  institutions  are  major  Canadian  banks,  which  the  Company  believes 
lessens the degree of credit risk.  Additionally, the Company maintains $2.0 million in short-term investments with 
a creditworthy Canadian insurance company.    

The Company, in the normal course of business, is exposed to credit risk from its global customers, most of whom 
are in the pharmaceutical industry.  The accounts receivable are subject to normal industry risks in each geographic 
region  in  which  the  Company  operates.    The  Company  attempts  to  manage  these  risks  prior  to  the  signing  of 
distribution or licensing agreements by dealing with creditworthy customers; however, due to the limited number of 
potential customers in each market, this is not always possible.  In addition, a  customer’s creditworthiness may 
change,  subsequent  to  becoming  a  licensee  or  distributor,  and  the  terms  and  conditions  in  the  agreement may 
prevent  the  Company  from  seeking  new  licensees  or  distributors  in  these  territories  during  the  term  of  the 
agreement.    The  Company  has  not  recognized  any  bad  debts  in  comprehensive  income  for  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2017  [December  31,  2016  -  $nil].    As  at  December  31,  2017,  the  Company’s  largest  customer 
represented 76% [December 31, 2016 - 73%] of accounts receivable.  

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to their collective terms, accounts receivable were aged as follows: 

Current 
0 - 30 days past due 
31 - 60 days past due 
Over 60 days past due 

December 31, 2017 
$ 
1,731 
128 
7 
9 
1,875 

December 31, 2016 

$   

2,159 
11 
216 
- 
2,386 

Interest Rate Risk 
All finance lease obligations are at fixed interest rates. 

Currency Risk 
The Company operates globally, which gives rise to a risk that income and cash flows may be adversely affected 
by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  The Company is primarily exposed to the U.S. dollar and euro, 
but also transacts in other foreign currencies.  The Company currently does not use financial instruments to hedge 
these risks.  The significant balances in foreign currencies were as follows:  

Cash 
Accounts receivable 
Other current assets 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

     Euros 

    U.S. Dollars 

December 31,  
 2017 
€ 

December 31,  
 2016 
€ 

December 31,  
 2017 
$ 

December 31,  
 2016 
$ 

621 
- 
- 
(32) 

589 

242 
- 
- 
(305) 

(63) 

1,290 
1,378 
- 
(751) 

1,917 

3,929 
1,636 
- 
(289) 

5,276 

Based on the aforementioned net exposure as at December 31, 2017, and assuming that all other variables remain 
constant, a 10% appreciation or depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar would have an effect of 
$0.2 million on total comprehensive income and a 10% appreciation or depreciation of the Canadian dollar against 
the euro would have an effect of $0.1 million on total comprehensive income.   

In terms of the euro, the Company has two significant exposures:  its euro denominated-cash held in its Canadian 
operations and sales of Pennsaid by the Canadian operations to European distributors.  In terms of the U.S. dollar, 
the Company has three significant exposures:  its U.S. dollar-denominated cash held in its Canadian operations, 
the cost of purchasing raw materials either priced in U.S. dollars or sourced from U.S. suppliers that are needed to 
produce Pennsaid 2%, Pennsaid or other products at the Canadian manufacturing facility and revenue generated 
in U.S. dollars from agreements with Horizon, Galen and Eurocept.   

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company did not hold an investment in active foreign operations. 

The  Company  does  not  currently  hedge  its  euro  cash  flows.    Sales  to  European  distributors  for  Pennsaid  are 
primarily contracted in euros.  The Company receives payments from the distributors in its euro bank accounts and 
uses these funds to pay euro denominated expenditures.  Periodically, the Company reviews the amount of euros 
held, and if they are excessive compared to the Company’s projected future euro cash flows, they may be converted 
into U.S. or Canadian dollars.  If the amount of euros held is insufficient, the Company may convert a portion of 
other currencies into euros. 

The Company does not currently hedge its U.S. dollar cash flows.  The Company’s U.S. expenditures are funded 
using the Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated cash and payments received under the terms of the agreements with 
Horizon, Galen and Eurocept.  Periodically, the Company reviews its projected future U.S. dollar cash flows and if 
the U.S. dollars held are insufficient, the Company may convert a portion of its other currencies into U.S. dollars.  If 
the amount of U.S. dollars held is excessive, they may be converted into Canadian dollars or other currencies  as 
needed for the Company’s other operations. 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18.  CAPITAL MANAGEMENT  

The  Company  currently  defines  its  capital  to  include  its  cash,  short-term  investments  and  shareholders’  equity 
excluding AOCI.   

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are: 

(a) to allow the Company to respond to changes in economic and marketplace conditions; 

(b) to give shareholders sustained growth in shareholder value by increasing equity; and 

(c) to maintain a flexible capital structure that optimizes the cost of capital at acceptable levels of risk. 

In the past, the Company has financed its business primarily through its operations, the net proceeds received from 
the  sale  of  common  shares  and  warrants,  issuance  of  secured  debt  and  convertible  debentures,  finance  lease 
obligations and investment income earned on cash balances and short-term investments.  The Company continues 
to  manage  its  capital  structure  and  will  maintain  or  adjust  its  capital  structure  to  facilitate  the  execution  of  the 
Company’s objectives or in light of changes in the economic environment.   

As a result, to secure the capital necessary to pursue its objectives and fund ongoing operations, the Company may 
need  to  raise  additional  funds  and  make  adjustments  to  its  capital  structure  by  raising  capital  through  equity 
financings, utilizing leverage in the form of third-party debt, entering into distribution and licensing agreements or 
realizing proceeds from the disposition of its investments.  There can be no assurance, especially considering the 
economic  environment,  that  additional  financing  would  be  available  on  acceptable  terms,  or  at  all,  when  and  if 
required.  If adequate funds are not available when required, the Company may have to substantially reduce or 
eliminate planned expenditures. 

19. SEGMENTED INFORMATION 

Segments 
IFRS 8 - Operating Segments requires operating segments to be determined based on internal reports that are 
regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of allocating resources to the segment 
and  to  assessing  its  performance.    Prior  to  the  fourth  quarter  of  2015,  the  Company  reported  two  operating 
segments:  the Topical Products and Technology Group and the Immunology Group.  In the fourth quarter of 2015, 
the  Company  changed  its  operating  segments  and  reported  Nuvo  and  Crescita  as  its  two  operating  segments 
pending the then proposed Reorganization.  With the completion of the Reorganization on March 1, 2016, operating 
results  have  been  restated  to  reflect  Crescita  as  a  discontinued  operation.    Due  to  the  timing  of  the  Resultz 
acquisition  as  disclosed  in  Note  4,  Acquisition  of  Resultz  Product  and  Intellectual  Property  Rights,  for  the  year 
ended December 31, 2017, the Company continued to operate as one segment.   

Geographic Information 
The Company’s revenue from continuing operations was derived from sales to, and licensing revenue derived from, 
external customers located in the following geographic areas: 

United States 
Europe 
Canada 
Other 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
$ 
15,084 
1,875 
551 
13 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
$ 
24,528 
1,712 
799 
- 

17,523 

27,039 

As at December 31, 2017, all of the Company’s PP&E was located in Canada. 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Significant Customers   
For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017,  the  Company’s  four  largest  customers  generating  product  sales 
represented  98%  [December  31,  2016  -  98%]  of  total  product  sales  and  the  Company’s  largest  customer 
represented 87% [December 31, 2016 - 92%] of total product sales.   

20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Crescita Therapeutics Inc. 
Subsequent  to  the  Reorganization,  Nuvo  and  Crescita  were  related  parties  due  to  shared  key  management 
personnel.  Effective March 1, 2016, Nuvo and Crescita entered into a reciprocal transitional services agreement 
with a term of 18 months.  Under the transitional services agreement (a) Nuvo provided Crescita corporate-level 
employee services, quality  assurance support and facility rental, and (b) Crescita provided Nuvo corporate-level 
employee services, R&D, legal support and facility and equipment rental.  

As a result of the restructuring of key management personnel, Nuvo and Crescita are no longer related parties.  

For the year ended December 31, 2016, services provided to Crescita were $0.3 million and services received from 
Crescita were $0.4 million.  

Key Management Compensation 
Key  management  personnel  are  those  persons  having  authority  and  responsibility  for  planning,  directing  and 
controlling the activities of the Company, including directors.  Key management includes five executive officers and 
five non-employee directors.  Compensation for the Company’s key management personnel was as follows: 

Short-term wages, bonuses and benefits (i) 
Share-based payments 

Total key management compensation 

Included in: 
Research and development expenses 
General and administrative expenses 

Total key management compensation 

Year ended 
December 31, 2017 
$ 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 
$ 

2,133 
457 

2,590 

- 
2,590 

2,590 

1,772 
968 

2,740 

11 
2,729 

2,740 

(i)  For the year ended December 31, 2017, certain officers of the Company were assessed on the achievement of corporate objectives.  The 

Company expects the achievement of these targets to be determined during the first quarter of 2018. 

21. OPERATING CREDIT FACILITY  

In September 2017, the Company secured a $6.0 million operating revolving credit facility (Facility) with the Royal 
Bank of Canada (RBC) that will bear interest at a low, single-digit premium to RBC’s prime rate or RBC’s U.S. base 
rate.   The Facility  is a standby  facility  that can be drawn by  Nuvo for  working capital requirements and  general 
corporate purposes in Canadian dollar-denominated loans and U.S. dollar-denominated loans.  Drawings on the 
Facility  are limited to a percentage of the Company’s  then outstanding accounts receivable and inventory.   The 
Company has the right to repay any balance owing under the Facility at any time without bonus interest or penalty.  
Loans  drawn  on  the  Facility  are  secured  by  a  first  charge  in  favour  of  RBC  over  the  Company’s  assets.    As  at 
December 31, 2017, the Company had not drawn any amount of the Facility. 

22. SUBSEQUENT EVENT 

Resultz U.S. Asset Purchase  
On January 12, 2018, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Nuvo Ireland acquired control of the U.S. product 
and intellectual property rights to Resultz (the U.S. Patent).  Resultz was cleared as a Class 1 medical device by 
the FDA in May 2017 and has not yet been commercially launched in the U.S.  As the product has not yet launched 

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
in the U.S. market, the transaction did not include any royalty streams.  Further, Nuvo has not assumed a licensee 
agreement to sell and distribute Resultz as part of this transaction.   The transaction will be accounted for as an 
asset acquisition.  The cost of the U.S. Patent was US$1.5 million ($1.9 million), settled from cash on hand.  The 
purchase  agreement  included  variable  consideration  related  to  future  earnings  associated  with  the  U.S.  Patent 
during the period from 2018 to 2034 and will be expensed as incurred.   

Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. ▪ Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)      

 
 
Corporate Information 

HEAD OFFICE 
6733 Mississauga Road, Suite 610 
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5N 6J5 
Tel. (905) 673-6980 
Fax. (905) 673-1842 
Email: info@nuvopharm.com 
Website: www.nuvopharmaceuticals.com 

INVESTOR RELATIONS 
Email: ir@nuvopharm.com 

AUDITORS 
Ernst & Young LLP 
Chartered Professional Accountants 
Licensed Public Accountants 
Toronto, Canada 

LEGAL COUNSEL 
Goodmans LLP 
Toronto, Canada 

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING 
The Toronto Stock Exchange 
Symbol: NRI 

OTCQX 
Symbol: NRIFF 

TRANSFER AGENT/REGISTRAR 
Common Shares 
AST Trust Company (Canada) 
P.O. Box 700, Station B 
Montreal, QC 
H3B 3K3 
Canada 
Telephone: 1-800-387-0825  
or outside Canada and U.S. 416-682-3860 
Fax: 1-888-249-6189 or  
outside Canada and U.S. 514-985-8843 
Email: inquiries@astfinancial.com 
Website: www.astfinancial.com/ca 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
A statement of the Company’s current corporate governance practices is contained in the management 
information circular and proxy statement for the May 10, 2018 Annual and Special Meeting of 
Shareholders.  The Company’s website www.nuvopharmaceuticals.com contains the Company’s 
corporate governance documents including Articles and By-laws, Committee Charters and Key Position 
Descriptions and Corporate Policies and Practices. 

Board of Directors and Executive Officers 

John C. London, LLB, LLM 
Executive Chairman 

Daniel N. Chicoine, BComm, CPA, CA 
Director 

David A. Copeland, BMath, CPA, CA 
Lead Director 
Chair of the Audit Committee 

Anthony E. Dobranowski, BSc, MBA, CPA, CA 
Director 

Jesse F. Ledger, BBA 
President & Chief Executive Officer 

Jacques Messier, DVM, MBA 
Director  
Chair of the Compensation, Corporate 
Governance & Nominating Committee 

Robert Harris 
Director  
Chair of the Transaction Committee 

Mary-Jane E. Burkett, CPA, CA, HBA 
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer 
(maternity leave) 

Katina K. Loucaides, MSc, LLB 
Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel 

N. Nicole Rusaw, CPA, CA, HBACC 
Interim Chief Financial Officer