NovAccess Global (XSNX) Risk Analysis

The share prices of publicly traded biotechnology and emerging pharmaceutical companies, particularly companies without consistent product revenues and earnings, can be highly volatile and are likely to remain highly volatile in the future. The price which investors may realize in sales of their shares of our stock may be materially different than the price at which our stock is quoted, and will be influenced by a large number of factors, some specific to us and our operations, and some unrelated to our operations. These factors may cause the price of our stock to fluctuate frequently and substantially. Relevant factors may include large purchases or sales of our common stock, shorting of our stock, positive or negative events, commentaries or publicity relating to our company, management or products, or other companies, management or products, including other immune therapies for cancer or immune therapies or cancer therapies generally, positive or negative events relating to healthcare and the overall pharmaceutical and biotech sector, the publication of research by securities analysts and changes in recommendations of securities analysts, legislative or regulatory changes, and/or general economic conditions. In the past, shareholder litigation, including class action litigation, has been brought against other companies that experienced volatility in the market price of their shares or unexpected or adverse developments in their business. Whether or not meritorious, litigation can result in substantial costs, divert management's attention and resources, and harm the company's financial condition and results of operations.

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions which could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if closing such a transaction would be beneficial to our shareholders. We are authorized to issue more than 49.9 million shares of preferred stock that has not been previously designated or issued. This preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by our board without shareholder approval. Specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict our ability to merge with, or sell our assets to, a third party and as a result preserve control by the present management. We have nearly 1.9 billion shares of authorized but unissued common stock. Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock are available for future issuance without shareholder approval. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate finance transactions, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise. Provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws also could have the effect of discouraging potential acquisition proposals or tender offers or delaying or preventing a change in control, including changes a shareholder might consider favorable. These provisions may also prevent or frustrate attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our management. In particular, the articles of incorporation and bylaws, among other things: provide our board with the ability to alter the bylaws without shareholder approval; deny shareholders cumulative voting rights in the election of our directors; place limitations on the removal of our directors; and provide that vacancies on our board may be filled by a majority of directors in office, although less than a quorum.

We are authorized to issue more than 49.9 million shares of preferred stock that has not been previously designated or issued, and our board has the authority to define the relative rights and preferences of these shares of preferred stock without further shareholder approval. As a result, our board could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the holders of common stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of our common stock. In addition, our board could authorize the issuance of a new series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our common stock or that is convertible into our common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common stock or result in dilution to our existing shareholders. The issuance of additional shares of preferred stock could materially adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock, and therefore, reduce the value of our common stock. Although we have no present intention to issue any additional shares of preferred stock or to create any additional series of preferred stock, we may issue such shares in the future.

As of September 30, 2023, our chief executive officer Dwain K. Irvin controls common and preferred shares that give him the right to cast 56.4% of the vote on all matters submitted to our shareholders, including the election of directors. As a result, Dr. Irvin has the ability to determine the outcome of issues submitted to our shareholders. Although our directors and executive officers, including Dr. Irvin, have a fiduciary obligation to the company's shareholders, their interests may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of other shareholders. As a consequence, it may be difficult for the other shareholders to remove our board members. Dr. Irvin's voting control could also deter unsolicited takeovers, including transactions in which our shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices.