SEC Company Response from ADVANCED OPTICS ELECTRONICS INC (CIK 0001020657) — Jul 29, 2005
ADVANCED OPTICS ELECTRONICS INC (CIK 0001020657)
Date: July 29, 2005 · CIK: 0001020657 · Accession: 0001185185-05-000250
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
File numbers found in text: 000-24511
Referenced dates: JUNE 15, 2005, June 28, 2005, MAY 5, 2005
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SICHENZIA ROSS FRIEDMAN FERENCE LLP
1065 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS NEW YORK NY 10018
TEL 212 930 9700 FAX 212 930 9725 EMAIL: INFO@SRFF.COM
July 29, 2005
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Judiciary Plaza
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attn: Mr. Brian Casclo
Mr. Gary Todd
Mr. Patrick Enunwaonye
Re: Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.
Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
File No. 000-24511
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are special counsel to Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc., a Nevada
corporation (the "Company"). This letter responds to your letter dated June 28,
2005, relating to comments of the Staff in connection with the above-referenced
submission.
The responses to the Staff's comments are numbered to relate to the
corresponding comments in your letter. Where applicable, the revised pages or
sections of the Form 10-KSB have been referenced. Also filed herewith is an
amended Form 10-KSB to include the revisions set forth below and in our prior
correspondence.
Form 10-Ksb for the Year December 31, 2004
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GENERAL
1. Please provide the amended Form 10-KSB referred to in your cover letter
for our review. Please also consider the following additional comments in
preparing the revised document.
RESPONSE: The draft Form 10-KSB/A is attached with revision tags
indicating changes. All changes are additions. There are no deletions from
the filed 10-KSB.
<PAGE>
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 28, 2005
Page 2 of 11
The following cross references our responses and where they can be found
in the draft 10-KSB/A.
A. THE FOLLOWING KEYS OUR RESPONSES TO YOUR INITIAL COMMENT LETTER DATED MAY
5, 2005, THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN OUR RESPONSE LETTER DATED JUNE
15, 2005:
1. Response to comment 1 (Consolidation) can be found in Item 6.
Management Discussion & Analysis section and portions are repeated
in the "Liquity and Capital Resources" section for purposes of
clarity. (see pages 13-15 and 19-20)
2. Response to comment 2 (Biomoda FDA approval) can be found in Item 6.
Management Discussion & Analysis section under a new heading called
"Biomoda Product Development and Regulatory Strategy" on pages 15
and 16.
3. Response to comment 3 (Plan of Operation) can be found in Item 6.
Management Discussion & Analysis section under Results of Continuing
Operations on page 20.
4. Response to comment 4 (Contract) can be found in Item 6. Management
Discussion & Analysis section under Results of Continuing Operations
on page 21.
5. Response to comment 5 (Results of Operations) can be found in Item
6. Management Discussion & Analysis section under Results of
Continuing Operations on page 22.
6. Response to comment 6 (Debenture gain & loss) can be found in Item
6. Management Discussion & Analysis section under Liquidity and
Capital Resources on page 19.
7. Response to comment 7 (Controls) can be found in Item 8A on page 25.
8. Response to comment 8, (Report from Biomoda's auditors) can be found
after Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements at
the end of the 10-KSB.
9. Response to comment 9 (Biomoda products) can be found on page F-9 of
Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements footnote
#1, and in 10-KSB Item 6. Management Discussion & Analysis section
under "Biomoda Product Development and Regulatory Strategy" section,
page 16.
10. Response to comment 10 (Patents) can be found on page F-19 of
Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements footnote
#3, Patents.
11. Response to comment 11 (Investment in GenoMed)-see response to
comment 9 below.
12. Response to comment 12 ( Investment) can be found in Item 6.
Management Discussion & Analysis under "Liquidity and Capital
Resources" section on page 18.
13. Response to comment 13 (Consolidation) can be found on page F-21 of
Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements footnote #
7.
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Securities and Exchange Commission
July 28, 2005
Page 3 of 11
14. Response to comment 14 (Debentures) can be found on page F-24 of
Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements footnote #
9.
15. Response to comment 15 (Issuance detail) can be found on page F-26
of Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements footnote
# 11.
16. Response to comment 16 (Services detail) can be found on page F-26
of Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements footnote
# 11.
17. Response to comment 17 (Impairment) can be found on page F-31 of
Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements footnote #
12.
18. Response to comment 18 (litigation) can be found on page F-33 of
Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements footnote #
13.
19. Response to comment 19 (Litigation settlement) can be found on page
F-33 of Advanced Optics Electronics, Inc.'s financial statements
footnote # 13.
Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations, pages 13-24
2. We refer to response to comment 3. Confirm that the monthly cash burn
totaling $170,000 includes both Advanced Optics and Biomoda. Otherwise,
please expand to address the cash requirements of both businesses.
RESPONSE: This corrected paragraph will be in the Results of Continuing
Operations section page 21-
As of March 31, 2005, The Company had a marketable securities portfolio valued
at $1,935,050. The Companies' combined monthly burn-rate is approximately
$215,000. This represents approximately nine months of operating funds. The
Company is actively pursuing potential financing options as it looks to secure
additional funds to both stabilize and grow its business operations. Management
will review any financing options at its disposal and will judge each potential
source of funds on its individual merits. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to secure additional funds from debt or equity financing,
or if they can, that it will be on terms favorable to the Company or existing
stockholders.
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
LOSS ON CONTRACT, PAGE 21
3. Please expand the proposed disclosure to also clarify why you were not
able to successfully complete the project. Describe the underlying factors
leading to the cost overruns and ultimate cancellation of the project.
RESPONSE: The following sentence will be inserted in Item 6. Management
Discussion & Analysis section under Results of Continuing Operations on
page 21.
<PAGE>
Securities and Exchange Commission
July 28, 2005
Page 4 of 11
The cancellation of the contract to purchase two signs was negotiated to the
satisfaction of both parties and memorialized in a Settlement Agreement and
Mutual Release.
Although the contract to purchase two signs has been canceled through a mutual
agreement, we are pursuing other potential customers. Therefore, we continue to
work on completing this initial sign and the associated development work. We
currently employ five full time assemblers and technicians that are engaged full
time in assembly of PC Boards. We intend to complete 12 panels that will create
a two meter by one and one half meter sign in the next 30 days. We are working
out issues of electrical power and distribution. We are in the process of
addressing cooling and weather-proofing.
We have engaged contract engineering firms as consultants and have done $170,000
amount of consulting on this project over the past two years.
The underlying factors related to cost overruns associated with the project are:
faulty parts from suppliers; inadequate transition documentation; changes in
engineering staff; manufacturing and assembly problems both internal and
outsourced
The Company has continued to build the panel begun under the above contract and
expects to complete the first 2 meter by 3 meter sign by the 4th quarter of
2005.
OPERATING EXPENSES, PAGE 22
4. We see your response to comment 5; however, you should provide some
discussion of changes in the components of operating expenses. You should
clarify how your expenditures are contributing to achievement of your
business plan, including discussion of substantive reasons for changes in
the components of expenses from period to period. That is, your disclosure
should describe the business reasons for changes in the amounts and
components of operating expenses from period to period.
RESPONSE: The following will be added to the Operating Expenses section on page
22-
Asset impairment and expensing of inventory increased by approximately $395,000
as there were no such items in 2003. Asset impairment includes removing from the
balance sheet investments in the stock of Beaver Information Technology, Inc., a
foreign corporation, of $273,000 and Electronic Film Market Online, Inc., of
$88,000.
General and administrative expense decreased by $806,000 from $2,300,000 to
$1,493,000, primarily from significant reductions in public and investor
relations, consulting and marketing expense in Advanced Optics. This decrease
was of a non-cash nature in the form of stock for services in both years
Payroll and related expense decreased by $436,000 due to administrative salary
decreases in Advanced Optics of $287,000 and non-recurring officers compensation
of $149,000 in
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Securities and Exchange Commission
July 28, 2005
Page 5 of 11
Biomoda in 2003. Research and development costs increased by $548,000. Biomoda
R&D increased by $387,000, primarily because of an increase of $274,000 in
applicable payroll costs and approximately $100,000 in consulting fees. The
Advanced Optics increase of $161,000 was due to greater expenditures for design
and engineering consulting.
5. As a related matter, to the extent necessary for an understanding of
your operating results and progress on business plans, you should provide
disaggregated discussion for the two separate and distinct businesses
included in your financial statements.
RESPONSE: The following will be added to the Results of Continuing Operating
section under Biomoda, Inc. on page 23-
Operating expenses increased by $406,047 or 134% to $708,380 during the year
ended December 31, 2004 compared to $302,333 for the year ended December 31,
2003. This was due to $127,000 in increased payroll and taxes, a $98,000
increase in professional fees and a $181,000 increase in non-payroll
administrative and research and development costs.
General and administrative expenses consist of expenses for executive and
administrative personnel, facilities, professional services, travel and general
corporate activities. General and administrative costs decreased to $106,139 in
2004 from $182,434 in 2003 due to decreases in salary expense. We expect general
and administrative costs to increase in the future as our business matures and
develops.
6. We note your responses to prior comments 6 and 14; however, the
derivation of the gain in 2003 and loss in 2004 on conversion of
debentures continues to be unclear. Provide us a schedule demonstrating
the detailed calculation of the gain and loss. Explain the terms of
conversion and show us how the number of shares issued conforms to those
terms.
RESPONSE: In 2003 we settled and closed on two outstanding debenture accounts.
These were two separate holders and entities that purchased debentures together
under similar agreements and instruments. The value of the common stock issued
under the conversion term of the debenture was less than the carrying value of
the debt. The difference was a gain of $40,171.
In 2004 we proceeded to address another debenture with a different holder under
a different agreement and terms. We issued 103,000,000 shares of common stock.
The value of the common stock issued under the conversion term of this debenture
was more than the carrying value of the debt. The difference was recorded as a
loss of $620,730.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, PAGE F-6
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Securities and Exchange Commission
July 28, 2005
Page 6 of 11
ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS, PAGE F-8
7. We presume that the Form 10-KSB will include information
substantially similar to that in the response to comment 9. Please
confirm.
RESPONSE: We added the same information to that in the response to comment 9,
under Item 6. Management Discussion & Analysis, under a new section called
"Biomoda Product Development and Regulatory Strategy", pages 16 through 18.
NOTE 3. PATENTS (INTANGIBLE ASSETS), PAGE F-19
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8. We refer to prior comment 10. We understand that the carrying
amounts for patents might change if you incur additional legal fees;
however, the Form 10-KSB should present all relevant disclosures
required by SFAS 142. Please expand.
RESPONSE: The following will be added to Patent section page F-19-
Amortization expense for the Company's intangible assets over the next five
fiscal years is estimated to be: 2005-$13,527, 2006-$13,527, 2007-$13,527,
2008-$13,527 and 2009-$13,527.
NOTE 5. INVESTMENT IN GENOMED, INC., PAGE F-21
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9. We refer to the response to comment 11. As set for the in footnote 2
to SFAS 115 a restricted security becomes subject to the marketable
securities accounting guidance when the restriction lapses within
one year. It appears that you were within that one window as of
December 31, 2004. Either revise the 10-K for 2004 to account for
the investment as a marketable security under SFAS 115 or advise why
the guidance from SFAS 115 is not applicable. You should also
consider the impact of this comment on the amount of comprehensive
income reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
RESPONSE: In order to be conservative, and in light of the relatively
significant material amount represented by adjusting the GenoMed investment to
market, the Company was advised by its auditors to maintain the investment at
cost, until the restriction had been lifted. And only if the market price was
significantly below cost, would it be appropriate to make an adjustment to
reflect an impairment in the asset. We agreed with this assessment as the
appropriately conservative reporting strategy. We did rep