REWALK ROBOTICS LTD.
FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I |
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56 |
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PART II |
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57 |
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58 |
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71 |
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72 |
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PART III |
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73 |
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PART IV |
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75 |
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79 |
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F -1 |
i
Definitions and Introduction
Our legal name is ReWalk Robotics Ltd. As of January 29, 2024,
we began doing business as “Lifeward”. We are a company limited by shares organized under the laws of the State of Israel
and were founded in 2001. In September 2014, we listed our shares on The Nasdaq Global Market, and in May 2017, we transferred our listing
to The Nasdaq Capital Market. We have irrevocably appointed Lifeward, Inc. (formerly ReWalk Robotics, Inc.) as our agent to receive service
of process in any action against us in any United States federal or state court. The address of Lifeward, Inc. is 200 Donald Lynch Blvd.,
Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752. As used herein, and unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms “ReWalk”,
“Lifeward”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our” or “ours” refer to
ReWalk Robotics Ltd. DBA Lifeward and its subsidiaries.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and
Risk Factors Summary
This annual report on Form 10-K (“annual report”) contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available
to our management. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business
strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, potential market opportunities
and the effects of competition. Forward-looking statements may include projections regarding our future performance and, in some cases,
can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “could,” “seek,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,”
“project,” “future,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions that
convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and the negatives of those terms. These statements may be found in the sections of this
annual report titled “Part I. Item 1. Business,” “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “Part II. Item 7. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this annual report. The statements are
based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of future performance, taking into account the information currently available to us.
These statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors
that could cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements.
These factors include those listed in “Part I. Item 1A. Risk
Factors,” including those factors summarized below.
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our expectations regarding future growth, including our ability to increase sales in our existing geographic markets and expand to
new markets; |
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our ability to maintain and grow our reputation and the market acceptance of our products; |
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our ability to achieve reimbursement from third-party payors or advance Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”)
coverage for our products; |
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our ability to regain and maintain compliance with the continued requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market and the risk that our
ordinary shares will be delisted if we fail to regain and maintain compliance with such requirements; |
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our ability to successfully integrate the operations of AlterG, Inc. into our organization, and realize the anticipated benefits
therefrom; |
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our ability to have sufficient funds to meet certain future capital requirements, which could impair our efforts to develop and commercialize
existing and new products; |
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our ability to leverage our sales, marketing and training infrastructure; |
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our ability to grow our business through acquisitions of businesses, products or technologies, and the failure to manage acquisitions,
or the failure to integrate them with our existing business; |
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our expectations as to our clinical research program and clinical results; |
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our ability to obtain certain components of our products from third-party suppliers and our continued access to our product manufacturers;
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our ability to improve our products and develop new products; |
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our compliance with medical device reporting regulations to report adverse events involving our products, which could result in voluntary
corrective actions or enforcement actions such as mandatory recalls, and the potential impact of such adverse events on our ability to
market and sell our products; |
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our ability to gain and maintain regulatory approvals and to comply with any post-marketing requests; |
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the risk of a cybersecurity attack or incident relating to our information technology systems significantly disrupting our business
operations; |
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our ability to maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property and to avoid violation of the intellectual property rights
of others; |
ii
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the impact of substantial sales of our shares by certain shareholders on the market price of our ordinary shares; |
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our ability to use effectively the proceeds of our offerings of securities; |
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the impact of the market price of our ordinary shares on the determination of whether we are a passive foreign investment company;
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market and other conditions, including the extent to which inflation or global instability may disrupt our business operations or
our financial condition or the financial condition of our customers and suppliers, including the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas
and the ongoing tension between China and Taiwan; and |
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other factors discussed in “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors.” |
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions
of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee
that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be
achieved or will occur.
You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
Any forward-looking statement in this annual report speaks only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation
to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this annual report, to conform these statements to
actual results or to changes in our expectations.
Where You Can Find Other Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 3 Hatnufa Street,
Floor 6, Yokneam Illit 2069203, Israel, and our telephone number is +972 (4) 959-0123. Our website is golifeward.com. Information
contained, or that can be accessed through, our website does not constitute a part of this annual report and is not incorporated by reference
herein. We have included our website address in this annual report solely for informational purposes. Information that we furnish or file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form
10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to, or exhibits included in, these reports are available for download, free of charge,
on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are filed or furnished with the SEC. The SEC also maintains a website
at www.SEC.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically
with the SEC. Our SEC filings, including exhibits filed or furnished therewith, are also available on this website.
iii
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
We are a medical device company that designs, develops, and commercializes
life-changing solutions that span the continuum of care in physical rehabilitation and recovery, delivering proven functional and health
benefits in clinical settings as well as in the home and community. Our initial product offerings were the ReWalk Personal and ReWalk
Rehabilitation Exoskeleton devices for individuals with spinal cord injury (“SCI Products”). These devices are robotic
exoskeletons that are designed for individuals with paraplegia that use our patented tilt-sensor technology and an onboard computer and
motion sensors to drive motorized legs that power movement. These SCI Products allow individuals with spinal cord injury (“SCI”)
the ability to stand and walk again during everyday activities at home or in the community. In March 2023, we received clearance of our
premarket notification (“510(k)”) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton
with stair and curb functionality, which adds usage on stairs and curbs to the indication for use for the device in the United States
(U.S.). The clearance permits U.S. customers to participate in more walking activities in real-world environments in their daily lives
where stairs or curbs may have previously limited them when using the exoskeleton for its intended, FDA-indicated uses. This feature has
been available in Europe since initial CE Clearance, and real-world data from a cohort of 47 European users throughout a period of over
seven years consisting of over 18,000 stair steps was collected to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this feature and support the
FDA submission.
We have sought to expand our product offerings beyond the SCI Products
through internal development and distribution agreements and acquisitions. We have developed our ReStore Exo-Suit device, which
we began commercializing in June 2019. The ReStore is a powered, lightweight soft exo-suit intended for use during the rehabilitation
of individuals with lower limb disabilities due to stroke. During the second quarter of 2020, we finalized and moved to implement two
separate agreements to distribute additional product lines in the United States. We are the exclusive distributor of the MYOLYN MyoCycle
FES Pro cycles to U.S. rehabilitation clinics and for the MyoCycle Home cycles available to US veterans through the Veterans Health Administration
(“VHA”) hospitals. In the second quarter of 2020, we also became the exclusive distributor of the MediTouch Tutor movement
biofeedback systems in the United States; however, due to unsatisfactory sales performance of the MediTouch product lines, we terminated
this agreement as of January 31, 2023. We refer to the MediTouch and MyoCycle devices as our “Distributed Products.”
On August 11, 2023, we made our first acquisition to supplement
our internal growth when we acquired AlterG, Inc. (“AlterG”), a leading provider of Anti-Gravity systems for use in physical
and neurological rehabilitation. Our AlterG Anti-Gravity systems use patented, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”)
derived differential air pressure (“DAP”) technology to reduce the effects of gravity and allow patients to rehabilitate with
finely calibrated support and reduced pain. AlterG Anti-Gravity systems are utilized in over 4,000 facilities globally in more than 40
countries. We will continue to evaluate other products for distribution or acquisition that can broaden our product offerings further
to help individuals with neurological injury and disability.
We are in the research stage of ReBoot, a personal soft exo-suit
for home and community use by individuals post-stroke, and we are currently evaluating the reimbursement landscape and the potential clinical
impact of this device. This product would be a complementary product to ReStore as it provides active assistance to the ankle during plantar
flexion and dorsiflexion for gait and mobility improvement in the home environment, and it received Breakthrough Device Designation from
the FDA in November 2021. Further investment in the development path of the ReBoot was paused in 2023 pending determination regarding
the clinical and commercial opportunity of this device.
Our principal markets are primarily in the United States and Europe
with some lesser sales in Asia, the Middle East and South America. We sell our products primarily directly in the United States, through
a combination of direct sales and distributors (depending on the product line) in Germany, Canada, and Australia, and primarily through
distributors in other markets. In markets where we sell direct to consumers, we have established relationships with clinics and rehabilitation
centers, professional and college sports teams, and individuals and organizations in the SCI community, and in markets where we do not
sell direct to consumers, our distributors maintain these relationships. We have primary offices in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Fremont,
California, Berlin, Germany and Yokneam, Israel, from where we operate our business.
We have in the past generated and expect to generate in the future
revenue from a combination of clinics and rehabilitation centers, commercial distributors, third-party payors (including private and government
payors), professional and college sports teams, and self-pay individuals. While a broad uniform policy of coverage and reimbursement by
third-party commercial payors currently does not exist in the United States for exoskeleton technologies such as the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton,
we are pursuing various paths of reimbursement and support fundraising efforts by institutions and clinics, such as the VHA policy that
was issued in December 2015 for the evaluation, training, and procurement of ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton systems for all qualifying veterans
living with SCI across the United States.
We have also pursued updates with the CMS to clarify the Medicare
coverage category (i.e., benefit category) applicable for personal exoskeletons. In 2022, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical
Center (“NSCISC”) reported that CMS is the primary payor for approximately 57% of the SCI population which are at least five
years post their injury date, with Medicare representing a majority of this percentage. In July 2020, following a successful submission
and hearing process, a code was issued for ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, which may be used for purposes of claim submission to Medicare,
Medicaid, and other payors.
On November 1, 2023, CMS released the Calendar Year 2024 Home Health
Prospective Payment System Final Rule, CMS-1780-F (“Final Rule”), which was adopted through the notice and comment rulemaking
process. The Final Rule includes a policy confirming that personal exoskeletons are included in the Medicare brace benefit category, as
of January 1, 2024. Medicare personal exoskeleton claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2024 that are billed using HCPCS
code K1007 are assigned to the brace benefit category. CMS reimburses items classified under the brace benefit category using a lump sum
payment methodology.
On November 29, 2023, CMS included the “ReWalk Personal Prosthetic
Exoskeleton System” in the HCPCS public meeting where it solicited feedback on a preliminary payment determination of $94,617
for HCPCS code K1007. The preliminary payment determination was made by CMS by applying a “gap filling” process, which was
used in light of CMS determining that the code describing the technology has no fee schedule pricing history and that lower extremity
exoskeletons incorporate “revolutionary features” that cannot be described by or considered comparable to any other existing
code or combination of codes. As part of gap-filling, CMS utilizes verifiable supplier or commercial pricing information and adjusts this
pricing information according to a deflation and update factor methodology. In applying this formula to the K1007 code describing the
ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, CMS says that it relied on information about average prices from 2020 market transactions for which CMS had
data.
CMS solicited information on updated verifiable market transactions
from ReWalk, as well as any other makers of similar bilateral, lower limb exoskeletons, to “ensure that the Medicare payment amount
for this code accurately reflects the full market of devices that would be classified in this code.” We participated in the HCPCS
meeting process on November 29, 2023 to provide additional information to help ensure that the final payment determination accurately
reflects current pricing information related to the market of lower-limb exoskeleton devices, including the current ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton.
A final Medicare payment determination is expected from CMS in first quarter of 2024 with an April 1, 2024, effective date.
In Germany, we continue to make progress toward achieving coverage
from the various government, private and worker’s compensation payors for our SCI products. In September 2017, each of German insurer
BARMER GEK (“BARMER”) and national social accident insurance provider Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (“DGUV”),
indicated that they will provide coverage to users who meet certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. In February 2018, the head office
of German Statutory Health Insurance (“SHI”) Spitzenverband (“GKV”) confirmed their decision to list the ReWalk
Personal Exoskeleton system in the German Medical Device Directory. This decision means that ReWalk is listed among all medical devices
for compensation, which SHI providers can procure for any approved beneficiary on a case-by-case basis. During the year 2020 and 2021,
we announced several new agreements with German SHIs, including TK and DAK Gesundheit, as well as the first German Private Health Insurer
(“PHI”), which outline the process of obtaining our devices for eligible insured patients. We are also currently working with
several additional SHIs on securing a formal operating contract that will establish the process of obtaining a ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton
for their beneficiaries within their system. Additionally, to date, several private insurers in the United States and Europe are providing reimbursement
for ReWalk in certain cases.
ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton and ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton
Development of our SCI Products took over a decade and was spurred
by the experiences of our founder, Dr. Amit Goffer, who became a quadriplegic due to an accident. Current ReWalk designs are intended
for people with paraplegia, an SCI resulting in complete or incomplete paralysis of the legs, who have the use of their upper bodies and
arms. We currently offer two products in this category: the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton and the ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton. The
ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton is substantially similar to the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton system except that it is sold with multiple
sizes of our adjustable parts to allow different users the ability to train within a clinic.
The ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton is a novel product that seeks to
fundamentally change the health and life experiences of users. Designed for daily use, the device is battery-powered and consists of a
wearable exoskeleton with integrated motors at the joints, an array of sensors and a computer-based control system to power knee and hip
movement. The user controls the device movement using a combination of user inputs on the wrist-worn controller, as well as through subtle
weight shifts of the upper body. Because the exoskeleton supports its own weight and facilitates the user’s gait, users do not expend
unnecessary energy while walking. The ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton also allows users to sit, stand and climb and descend stairs and curbs.
In March 2023, the FDA cleared the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton for use on stairs and curbs, allowing users to participate in walking activities
in more real-world environments in their daily lives and experience more opportunities to enjoy the health benefits of walking.
● ReWalk
Personal Exoskeleton: intended for everyday use at home, at work or in the community with a trained companion. We began marketing
ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton in Europe with CE mark clearance at the end of 2012. We received FDA clearance to market the ReWalk Personal
Exoskeleton in the United States in June 2014. ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton units are all manufactured according to the same mechanical
specifications. Each unit is then permanently sized to fit the individual user and the software is configured for the user’s specifications
by the rehabilitation center, clinic, or distributor. We are currently offering our 6th generation
device (6.0) with current research and development for our 7th
generation device (7.0).
● ReWalk
Rehabilitation Exoskeleton: the current offering for clinics who wish to implement exoskeleton training is composed of our Rewalk
Personal Exoskeleton unit along with multiple sizing of different parts, enabling multiple patient use. The ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton
provides a valuable means of exercise, training, and therapy. Use of the ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton in the clinic also enables
individuals to evaluate their capacity for using the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton in the future. |
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ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton |
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Additionally, we have received regulatory approval to sell the
ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton device in other countries. In the future we intend to seek approval from the applicable regulatory agencies
in other jurisdictions where we may seek to market ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton. For more information about the safety of using our SCI
products see “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Business and our Industry— Defects in our products
or the software that drives them could adversely affect the results of our operations.”
Overview of Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
The spine is the central core of the human skeleton and provides
structural support, alignment, and flexibility to the body. The spinal cord, housed inside the bones of the spinal column, is a complex
bundle of nerves serving as the main pathway for information connecting the brain, and nervous system. Spinal cord injury is a serious
medical condition that occurs as a result of physical damage to the nerves of the spinal cord, resulting in a loss of function, such as
mobility or feeling. In most people who have spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is intact. Spinal cord injury is not the same as back
injury, which may result from pinched nerves or ruptured disks. Even when a person sustains a break in a vertebra or vertebrae, there
may not be any spinal cord injury if the spinal cord itself is not affected. There are two types of spinal cord injury – complete
and incomplete. In a complete injury, a person loses all ability to feel and voluntarily move below the level of the injury. In an incomplete
injury, there is some functioning below the level of the injury.
Upon medical examination, a patient is assigned a level of injury
depending on the location of the spinal cord injury. Cervical level injuries cause paralysis or weakness in both arms and legs and is
referred to as quadriplegia. Sometimes this type of injury is accompanied by loss of physical sensation, respiratory issues, bowel, bladder,
and sexual dysfunction. Thoracic level injuries can cause paralysis or weakness of the legs (paraplegia) along with loss of physical sensation,
bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction. In most cases, arms and hands are not affected. Lumbar level injuries result in paralysis or weakness
of the legs (paraplegia). Loss of physical sensation, bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction can occur. The shoulder, arm, and hand functions
are usually unaffected. Sacral level injuries primarily cause loss of bowel and bladder function as well as sexual dysfunction.
Clinical Evidence
Published clinical studies indicate the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton’s
ability to deliver a functional walking speed. In addition, certain potential secondary health benefits have been reported by healthcare
practitioners and ReWalk users, including study participants. Although these benefits have not been established as conclusive clinical
data in randomized controlled trials, these reported secondary health benefits include:
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improved bowel and urinary tract function; |
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increases in joint range of motion for the hip and ankle joints; |
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improved sleep and reduced fatigue; |
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increase in oxygen uptake and heart rate as a result of walking as opposed to sitting and standing; |
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ability to ambulate at a speed greater than 0.4 meters per second, which is considered to be conducive to outdoor related community
ambulation; and |
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reduced hospitalizations. |
We believe that using our SCI Products may have the ability to
reduce the lifetime healthcare costs of individuals with spinal cord injuries, which we believe will make our SCI Products economically
attractive for individuals and third-party payors. While we believe that using our SCI Products could potentially offer significant advantages
over competing technologies and therapies, disadvantages include the time it takes for a user to put on the device, the slower pace of
the device compared to a wheelchair, the training required by the user and companion to use the device, the weight of the device when
carried, which makes it more burdensome for a companion to transport than a wheelchair, and the requirement that users be accompanied
by a trained companion.
Market Opportunity
Current and near-term market opportunities include providing a
solution for persons with SCI that can be used in the clinic and/or home settings. For persons with SCI, reduced physical activity and
the predominance of seated activities can lead to severe physical and psychological deterioration, resulting in bad health, poor quality
of life, low self-esteem, and high medical expenses. In addition, the secondary medical consequences of paralysis can include difficulty
with bowel and urinary tract function, osteoporosis, loss of lean mass, gain in fat mass, insulin resistance, diabetes, and heart disease.
The cost of treating these conditions is substantial. The NSCISC estimates that complications related to paraplegia cost approximately
$500,000 in the first-year post-injury, excluding indirect costs such as loss in wages, fringe benefits, and productivity, and significant
additional amounts over the course of an individual’s lifetime. Further, secondary complications related to spinal cord injury can
reduce life expectancies for SCI patients. The young average age at time of injury and significant remaining life expectancy, the likelihood
of living at home, and the lifetime cost of treatment highlight the need for an out-of-hospital solution with demonstrated health and
social benefits.
The NSCISC estimates according to its 2023 SCI Data Sheet that
there are 302,000 people in the United States living with SCI, with an annual incidence of approximately 18,000 new cases per year.
According to the VHA data there are approximately 42,000 of such patients who are veterans and are eligible for medical care and other
benefits from the VHA, out of which the VHA states that 27,000 veterans are receiving SCI treatment annually. With 25 VHA spinal cord
injury centers designated SCI/D Hub locations, the VHA has the largest single network of spinal cord injury care in the United States.
The University of Alabama-Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation operates the NSCISC, which maintains the world’s largest database on spinal cord injury research. Since 2015,
motor vehicle crashes have been the leading cause of reported spinal cord injury cases (38%), followed by falls (32%), acts of violence
(15%) and sports injuries (8%). Approximately 79% of spinal cord injuries occur among the male population. According to NSCISC data,
upon hospital discharge, 87% of persons with spinal cord injuries are sent to private, non-institutional residence (in most cases, their
homes prior to injury).
Based on information from the 2022 annual report published by the
NSCISC, 40% of the total U.S. population of SCI patients suffered injuries between levels T4 and L5. Four published ReWalk trials for
SCI patients had an aggregate screening acceptance rate of 50% considering all current FDA limitations, resulting in an estimated 20%
of the total population of SCI patients can be considered as candidates for current ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton or ReWalk Rehabilitation
Exoskeleton according to the device instructions for use. For important qualifying information about this determination, see “Part
I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Business and our Industry—The market for medical exoskeletons, including soft
exo-suit devices, remains relatively new and unproven, and important assumptions about the potential market for our current and future
products may be inaccurate.”
Third-Party Reimbursements
United States
In the U.S., individuals typically obtain a ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton
for home use through third-party medical coverage. For an individual who suffered an SCI through a work-related incident, workers’
compensation insurance can be a source of funding to purchase the device. Similarly, for U.S. veterans, an individual may be covered
by the VHA for the purchase of the device regardless of whether the SCI occurred during active military service.
In December 2014, the VHA issued a national policy or standard
operating procedure (“SOP”) for the evaluation, training, and procurement of ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton systems for all qualifying
veterans across the United States and U.S. Territories. The VHA SOP is the first national coverage policy in the United States for
qualifying individuals who are living with spinal cord injury. In June 2018, the VHA updated the SOP, in part, to expand training options
for individuals who could not complete the mandatory training due to excessive distance/drive times from a VHA-designated site. As of
December 31, 2023, we had placed 42 units as part of the VHA policy. The VHA accounted for 12% of our total revenue for the year ended
December 31, 2023.
We continue to work with the VHA to both accelerate the pace of
implementation of the current VHA policy nationally, and to again expand opportunities for veterans to gain access to assessments, training,
and devices in facilities outside VHA’s traditional spinal cord injury “hub and spoke” infrastructure. Community-based,
non-VHA clinics are also being leveraged to allow veterans to be trained closer to their homes, while still being reimbursed by the VHA
as part of the VHA’s Community Care Network program.
Successful commercialization depends in significant part on adequate
coverage and reimbursement from third party payors, which may include government payors (such as Medicare and Medicaid programs in the
United States), managed care organizations, and private health insurers. In general, each third-party payor decides which devices
will be covered and reimbursed, establishes reimbursement and co-pay levels and sets conditions for coverage and reimbursement.
While no broad uniform policy of coverage and reimbursement for
electronic exoskeleton medical technology exists among commercial insurance payors in the United States, reimbursement may be evaluated
by the payor on a case-by-case basis. To date, payments for the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton have been made primarily through case-by-case
determinations by third-party payors, including commercial insurers in the United States, by self-payors and donations and, to a lesser
extent, through the use of funds from insurance and/or accident settlements.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 21 cases pending in the United
States for private insurance and CMS coverage decisions.
According to the NSCISC 2022 annual report, approximately 57% of
the spinal cord injury population received primary coverage from Medicare and Medicaid within five years after their injury date, with
Medicare representing the larger primary payor.
In order to be covered and reimbursed by Medicare, the ReWalk Personal
Exoskeleton must, among other things, be classified into an applicable Medicare benefit category. In addition, appropriate
codes describing the technology must also be established to facilitate billing and claims processing.
In December 2019, we submitted the first application for a unique
code to describe the ReWalk Personal Exoseleton and, in July 2020, a unique code was issued for ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton. On
November 1, 2023, CMS released the Final Rule, which was adopted through the notice and comment rulemaking process. The Final Rule includes
a policy confirming that personal exoskeletons are included in the Medicare brace benefit category Medicare personal exoskeleton claims
with dates of service on or after January 1, 2024 that are billed using HCPCS code K1007 will be assigned to the brace benefit category.
CMS reimburses items classified under the brace benefit category using a lump sum payment methodology.
On November 29, 2023, CMS included the “ReWalk Personal Prosthetic
Exoskeleton System” in the HCPCS public meeting, where the agency had proposed a preliminary payment determination of $94,617 for
HCPCS code K1007. The preliminary payment determination was made by CMS by applying a “gap filling” process, which was used
in light of CMS determining that the code describing the technology has no fee schedule pricing history and that lower extremity exoskeletons
incorporate “revolutionary features” that cannot be described by or considered comparable to any other existing code or combination
of codes. As part of gap-filling, CMS stated that it relied on information about average prices from 2020 market transactions for which
CMS had data. In the agenda describing the preliminary payment determination, CMS noted that it would welcome information on updated verifiable
market transactions. We participated in the HCPCS meeting process to provide additional information to help ensure that the final payment
determination accurately reflects current pricing information related to the market of lower-limb exoskeleton devices, including the current
ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton. A final Medicare payment determination is expected from CMS in first quarter of 2024 with an April 1, 2024,
effective date.
For more information about coverage and reimbursement risk factors,
see “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Business and our Industry.”
As part of our plan for growth, we intend to continue working with
both national and regional commercial insurance companies, health care practitioners, physicians, researchers, and the SCI community to
support efforts to demonstrate the benefits of our SCI Products. In addition, we plan to pursue potential coverage policies with third
party payors based on supportive data and appeal rulings that have deemed exoskeleton devices a “medically necessary” under
the standard of care for individuals with SCI. Our efforts in the future will be focused on continued education of third-party payors
through data application, supporting clinical trials to demonstrate the clinical benefits of using the SCI Products, working with advocacy
groups, ongoing communication as well continuing to seek greater clarity regarding Medicare coverage and reimbursement standards applicable
to the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton.
Europe
Reimbursement for ReWalk in Europe varies by country and historically
certain third-party payors have provided reimbursement for our products in certain cases in Germany and Italy.
We initially focused our European efforts in Germany where we continue
to make progress toward achieving ReWalk coverage from the various government, private, and workers’ compensation payors. Specifically:
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In September 2017, the German insurer BARMER confirmed it will provide ReWalk systems to all qualifying beneficiaries. BARMER provides
coverage for nearly nine million people in Germany, as a member of the SHI network and one of the most significant national insurers in
the country. Exoskeletons are provided to users that meet certain inclusion criteria and assessment by the German Health Insurance Medical
Service (Medizinischer Dienst der Krankenversicherungen) before and after training. We remain in discussion with BARMER regarding a contract
based on their 2017 decision. |
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In September 2017 Germany’s national social accident insurance provider, DGUV, indicated that the DGUV’s member payors,
including the health insurance association Berufsgenossenschaft (also known as BG) and
state insurers, will approve the supply of exoskeleton systems for qualifying beneficiaries on a case-by-case basis. DGUV is comprised
of 36 different insurers, which provide coverage for more than 80 million individuals in Germany. Per the agreement, eligible individuals
go to BG clinics for evaluation as a part of the procurement. In May 2020 the DGUV agreed to a binding offer to the evaluation,
training, and supply of the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton to qualified individuals. |
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In February 2018, the GKV-Spitzenverband (Central Federal Association of (the) Statutory Health Insurance Funds) confirmed its decision
to list the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton system in the German MDD, a comprehensive list of all medical devices which are principally and
regularly reimbursed by German SHI and PHI providers. The ReWalk Personal was added to the official German list of medical aids, code
number 23.29.01.2001, in June 2018. This decision means that ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton is listed among all medical devices for compensation,
which SHI providers can procure for any approved beneficiary on a case-by-case basis. |
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During the year 2020 we announced several new agreements with SHIs such as TK and DAK-Gesundheit and others as well as the first
PHI that chose to enter into an agreement with us that outline the process to obtaining a device for eligible insured patients.
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In March 2021 we entered into a contract with BKK Mobile Oil health insurance to supply ReWalk’s Personal Exoskeleton to eligible
persons in Germany. |
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In June 2020, BARMER appealed the decision of the State Social Court, which ordered the supply of the SHI’s insured SCI person
with ReWalk. The State Social Court ruled and deemed ReWalk as the medical aid which will directly compensate the plaintiff’s disability.
BARMER initially appealed this ruling with the Federal Social Court (Bundessozialgericht), but
later, in November 2022, withdrew its pending case and accepted the prior ruling from the state court that exoskeletons are considered
as a direct disability compensation. This outcome means that an eligible insured person with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Germany
has a legal basis for the supply of an exoskeleton as an orthopedic aid for direct disability compensation. Patients in Germany who are
covered under these contracts and policies must be medically evaluated for their eligibility to use the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton device.
If medically qualified, the patient, along with his or her physician, must apply for coverage of the device. If a patient is found eligible
and medically fit to use our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton device, we first enter into a rental agreement which allows the patient the necessary
period to train on how to use the device which usually takes between 3 to 6 months and then after approval from the insurer the patient
receives a personal device to use at home or in the community. We are currently working with several additional SHIs and PHIs on securing
a formal operating contract that will establish the process of obtaining a ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton for their beneficiaries within
their system. |
As of December 31, 2023, there were 49 insurance cases pending
in Germany. We believe that our recent coverage decisions and the existing claims will eventually lead other German insurers to provide
coverage on a broader scale, but this is not guaranteed. For more information, see “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks
Related to our Business and our Industry— We may fail to secure or maintain adequate insurance coverage or reimbursement for our
products by third-party payors which risk may be heightened if insurers find the products to be investigational or experimental or if
new government regulations change existing reimbursement policies. Additionally, such coverage or reimbursement, even if maintained, may
not produce revenue that is high enough to allow us to sell our products profitably.”
We continue to support clinical research and academic publications,
which we believe will further support the case for coverage.
We have distribution agreements in several European countries where
we also had success with reimbursement by private insurers and worker’s compensation. One of the examples was achieved in March
2018, when the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Policy’s statutory insurance corporation put in place a coverage policy that
will provide exoskeleton systems for all qualifying beneficiaries. This policy, the first of its kind in Italy, provides individuals with
spinal cord injury access to obtain their own ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton device so that they can stand and walk again. Since the initiation
of coverage, we have supplied 10 units through our Italian distributor to individuals covered by this policy.
Other Funding Sources
In addition to being funded by third-party payors, including private
insurance plans, government programs such as the VHA, and workers’ compensation plans, ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton is also funded
by self-payors. This includes individuals who purchase ReWalk with funds from legal settlements with insurance companies or third parties.
AlterG Anti-Gravity System
The DAP technology that underpins our AlterG Anti-Gravity systems
was originally developed by researchers at the NASA Moffet Field Research Center to help astronauts maintain their muscle strength and
bone density during extended periods in space outside of the effects of earth’s gravity. The DAP technology was used to create
a pressurized bubble that could exert pressure on an astronaut while exercising to simulate the impact of gravity. While the technology
ultimately was never implemented by NASA, it also had promise for use on earth.
The DAP technology was modified by the founders of AlterG, Inc.
for the opposite purpose of using the buoyancy of a pressurized air chamber to uniformly reduce gravitational load and body weight.
With subsequent product development, the initial AlterG Anti-Gravity system design was supplemented with other complementary features.
Our current models utilize a precise air calibration system which modulates the air pressure supporting the user 100 times a second to
ensure precise and consistent weight displacement that allows for modification of the pressurized support in one-percent increments of
each user’s weight. Additionally, the AlterG systems can be fitted with cameras for live video monitoring and pressure sensors
that track the user’s gait pattern.
Our proprietary Stride Smart software can provide real-time data and analytics so that
the user can watch and self-correct gate abnormalities. Clinicians also can simultaneously read and respond to five gait assessment
key performance indicators (“KPIs”). The five KPIs include:
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weight-bearing symmetry; |
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cadence (stepping frequency); and |
The Stride Smart software provides clinicians with clear, objective data
with which to assess, adjust, and modify a patient’s rehabilitation progress. Since Stride Smart collects and presents patient gait
data automatically, clinicians can focus their efforts rehabbing the patient and selecting the data most useful to their gait analysis and
correction recommendations.
Based on usage patterns and feedback of clinicians, we believe
that the AlterG Anti-Gravity system provides a versatile tool for the rehabilitation of lower extremity injuries and conditions.
By treating a broad range of conditions and facilitating faster recovery times, the AlterG Anti-Gravity system enables rehabilitation
clinics the opportunity to gain more referrals, increase the throughput of the facility, and improve the productivity of the staff.
We offer a range of AlterG Anti-Gravity systems depending on the
needs and budget of each customer as follows:
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FIT – This is the entry-level and most affordable model of anti-gravity system. In addition to the standard DAP technology,
the FIT also includes live video monitoring. The treadmill is equipped to run at up to 12 miles per hour (“mph”) in
forward and 3 mph in reverse with a maximum incline of 15 degrees; |
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VIA – The mid-range model has the features of the FIT, plus the inclusion of the Stride Smart analytics and the AlterG Assistant;
and |
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PRO – The PRO is our top-of-the-line model for sports medicine applications with utilization by professional and collegiate
athletes. The PRO includes all the features of the VIA, plus several additional features that add durability and accommodate elite
user performance. The treadmill is a high-performance slat belt design equipped to run at up to 18 m.p.h in forward and 10 m.p.h
in reverse. |
In addition to sales of the AlterG Anti-Gravity systems, we also provide consumables
and services that support the utilization of the installed base. For example, the AlterG systems require the users to wear
proprietary shorts that zip the user into the air chamber to create the seal to retain the air that pressurizes the chamber. With
frequent use, these shorts need to be periodically replaced. Additionally, we maintain a network of approximately 40 contract service
engineers who perform the installation, maintenance, and repair work. As the 12-month assurance warranties expire, we market extended
service contracts which can provide a recurring revenue base that can grow with the size of the installed base.
The potential market for AlterG Anti-Gravity systems is large and
fragmented with several types of facilities that treat patients with conditions who could benefit from rehabilitation using partial weight
displacement. According to the MedPAC 2021 Report, there are approximately 1,150 inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the U.S.
These facilities treat patients with a range of conditions including stroke, lower extremity fractures, joint replacements, neurological
conditions and brain injury, cardiac conditions, and other types of orthopaedic conditions. Depending on the specific details of
each case, many of these patients are candidates for therapy using partial weight displacement. Globally, we estimate that there
are approximately 3,500 inpatient rehabilitation facilities that are comparable in budget and quality of care to those in the U.S.
The largest potential market for the AlterG Anti-Gravity are outpatient
clinics, some of which are in national and regional affiliations and most of which are independent facilities. According to the
IBIS World website (which tracks the number of physical therapy rehabilitation centers), there are approximately 44,000 outpatient clinics
in the U.S. These facilities treat patients with less severe conditions than inpatient facilities with a greater mix of patients
skewed towards lower extremity fractures, joint replacements, and other types of orthopedic conditions. Globally, we estimate that
there are over 100,000 outpatient clinics based on scaling of population and standard of living that there are over 100,000 outpatient
clinics. One other major segment of the market for AlterG systems consists of professional and elite level sports teams, including major
university and college sports programs. These teams use the AlterG Anti-Gravity system to assist their players in maintaining higher
levels of fitness and accelerating the recovery time from sports-related injuries. Based on our internal estimates of the market,
we believe that there are approximately 1,400 sports programs in the U.S. who are potential AlterG customers. Globally, we estimate
this figure to be greater than 4,000 teams.
ReStore Exo-Suit
In June 2017 we unveiled our lightweight exo-suit ReStore system
designed initially for rehabilitation of stroke patients. The patented soft exo-suit technology was originally developed at Harvard
University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering (“Harvard”), where it also underwent initial
clinical testing that demonstrated potential to improve walking for stroke survivors. ReWalk and Harvard entered into a multi-year
research collaboration agreement in 2016 which provides ReWalk license to intellectual property relating to lightweight exo-suit system
technologies for lower limb disabilities and provides access to future innovations that emerge from this collaboration and may be relevant
to additional stroke products or other therapies. The development and regulatory clearance process for ReStore took us approximately three
years. We received FDA clearance for ReStore in June 2019 and CE clearance in May 2019. Following the regulatory clearances,
we began to commercialize the ReStore product. For more information on the collaboration with Harvard, see “Research and Development-Research
and Development Collaborations.” |
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ReStore Exo-Suit |
The ReStore product consists of a soft, fabric-based design that
connects to a lightweight waist pack and mechanical cables that help lift the patient’s affected leg in synchronized timing with
their natural walking pattern. The lightweight structure wraps around the waist and supports an actuator with a motor, computer, and cable,
along with sensors attached to a stable point on the user’s calf and footplate in the user’s shoe. This design provides targeted
mechanical assistance to the patient’s ankle during forward propulsion (plantarflexion) and ground clearance (dorsiflexion), two
key phases of the gait cycle. The ReStore system is designed to provide advantages to stroke rehabilitation clinics and therapists as
compared to other traditional therapies and devices by enabling the therapist to specifically target and train for improved propulsion
symmetry, which is a key contributor to improved walking speed and efficiency for patients recovering from stroke.
Published clinical trials using the soft exo-suit design on stroke
patients have shown varying levels of improvements, with the main ones being improved walking speed, improved propulsion symmetry, reductions
in compensatory behaviors including paretic hip hiking and circumduction as well as reduction in metabolic burden associated with post
stroke walking. There are additional studies on-going with the ReStore device that examine the improvement in walking speed following
training with the soft exo-suit as well as comparing the results of traditional training with soft exo-suit training.
The main market for ReStore is rehabilitation clinics with a
stroke therapy program or clinics that would like to broaden their stroke presence. This product is marketed and sold directly to rehabilitation
clinics for use during the treatment of their patients which is generally reimbursed by commercial and government payors. During the second
half of 2019 we expanded our sales and marketing presence in the United States to accelerate product penetration after receiving FDA and
CE clearance. These efforts were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as clinics and hospitals shifted resources and attention
during the pandemic. During 2023, new research has been published on the clinical efficacy using ReStore in stroke rehabilitation and
we see this technology as a building block for future portfolio development. Geographically, the ReStore system is commercially available
through our direct sales teams in the United States and Germany.
Stroke incidence rate in the United States is approximately 800,000
incidences per year and the survival rate is approximately 80%. Of this stroke population, 80% are left with some type of lower limb disability.
This patient population seeks treatment in one of the approximately 1,600 primary and comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and rehabilitation
clinics providing therapy to stroke patients. With the clinical evidence we have to date on ReStore, its unique design and its cost-effectiveness
compared to other products, we believe the ReStore soft exosuit has an opportunity to be adopted by clinics for use in therapy of their
stroke patients. However, we also recognize that the process to achieve that might be long and will likely only occur once national
or regional healthcare providers include the device within their stroke therapy programs. We also believe that to accelerate adoption,
further clinical evidence is required as well as continued education on the new ReStore design and its unique advantages compared to current
therapies and products.
As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, we had placed 42
and 33 ReStore units, respectively.
ReBoot Product
We are also in the research stage of ReBoot, a soft exoskeleton
for stroke home and community use, and are currently evaluating the reimbursement landscape and the potential clinical impact of this
device. This product would be a complementary product to ReStore, and it received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA in November
2021. The ReBoot is a lightweight, battery-powered exo-suit intended to assist ambulatory functions in individuals with reduced
ankle function related to neurological injuries, such as stroke. The ReBoot is a customizable personalized device intended for home
and community use with an estimated market of approximately 400,000 annual stroke patients who require walking assistance after being
discharged home. Further investment in the development path of the ReBoot was paused in 2023 pending further determination about
the clinical and commercial opportunity of this device.
Sales and Marketing Activities
With added resources from the AlterG acquisition, we have created
a U.S. commercial team that we believe has the capacity and capabilities to support a broad range of physical and neurological rehabilitation
products for use in facilities, the home and the community. As part of this integration, we have rebranded our company under the
name Lifeward, to emphasize our commitment to pioneering a portfolio of innovative technologies to empower the pursuit of life’s
ambitions in the face of physical limitation or disability. For the sake of clarity, we will continue to use the ReWalk name to designate
our line of Exoskeleton products and the AlterG name to describe our line of anti-gravity systems.
In the U.S., our commercial efforts are direct sales focused generally
on rehabilitation centers, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and similar facilities that treat patients who could benefit from offerings
within our portfolio of products. We market our facility-based products, such as the AlterG and the MyoCycle Pro to these institutions
for their use in providing care to their patients. We also market our home-based products, such as the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton
or MyoCycle Home, to physicians and physical therapists for referrals to individuals who could benefit from these devices as part of a
home-based activity regimen that elevates the health and wellness of these individuals. Additionally, some sales of the ReWalk Personal
Exoskeleton or MyoCycle Home are also generated from referrals through the spinal cord injury community and direct inquiries from potential
users through our different marketing efforts. Beyond healthcare facilities, we also market our AlterG systems to professional and college
sports teams who use the systems to help their athletes recover from lower extremity sports injuries.
Outside the U.S., our distribution varies depending on the product
and the geographic market. We market our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton product directly in Germany and primarily through third-party
distributors, who maintain the customer relationships, in our other markets. We market our AlterG systems directly in Canada and Australia,
and in other territories utilize a network of over 40 third-party distributors who generally have exclusivity in their respective geographic
territories.
As of December 31, 2023, we had placed 131 ReWalk Rehabilitation
Exoskeleton units in use at rehabilitation centers and 598 ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton units in a home or community use, compared to 128
ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton units and 572 ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton units as of December 31, 2022. We estimate the
installed base of AlterG systems is over 6,000 installed units worldwide as of December 31, 2023. With the anticipated finalization
of the Medicare payment rates for exoskeletons which will be effective April 1, 2024, we intend to aggressively target the eligible Medicare
customer base for growth while also continuing to focus on expanding commercial and other reimbursement coverage. Additionally, with
our increased direct sales resources and distributor network, we also expect to greater penetrate the base of facilities which could utilize
AlterG systems for rehabilitation of their patients.
Competition
The market in which we operate is characterized by active competition
and rapid technological change, and we expect competition to increase. Competition arises from providers of other mobility systems and
prosthetic devices used in the clinic and/or home settings.
We are aware of several other companies developing competing technology
and devices, and some of these competitors may have greater resources, greater name recognition, broader product lines, or larger customer
bases than we do.
Our principal competitors in the medical exoskeleton market consist
of Ekso Bionics (NASDAQ: EKSO), Rex Bionics Pty, Cyberdyne (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 7779), FREE Bionics, DIH (formerly known as Hocoma),
Wandercraft, and Bioness (acquired by Bioventus (NASDAQ: BVS). The competitors’ products may also compete with the ReStore soft
exo-suit, as well as manual forms of gait training which do not involve robotic assistive devices.
We believe that our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton possesses key competitive
advantages over these companies’ products, such as our tilt-sensor technology that provides a self-initiated walking experience,
six degrees of freedom which enable a more natural gait, faster functional walking speed, the ability to support its own weight, and broad
user specifications. In addition, ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton is the only medical exoskeleton with FDA and CE clearance for use on stairs
and curbs, which greatly improves the ability to use the device in everyday real-world environments.
We believe that our ReStore soft exo-suit device has several competitive
advantages over the products of our competitors, including a design that facilitates a natural, functional walking pattern through flexible
materials, sensors, and powered plantarflexion as well as dorsiflexion, making it the only solution of its type of which we are aware
of that supports such movements, achieving that with a lower cost and weight than rigid exoskeletal devices.
In addition, we compete with alternative devices and alternative
therapies, including treadmill-based gait therapies, such as those offered by Hocoma, Tyromotion, Boost, Aretech, BTL, and Reha Technology.
Other medical device or robotics companies, academic and research institutions, or others may develop new technologies or therapies that
provide a superior walking experience, are more effective in treating the secondary medical conditions that we target or are less expensive
than our current or future products. Our technologies and products could be rendered obsolete by such developments.
We may also compete with other treatments and technologies that
address the secondary medical conditions that ReWalk seeks to mitigate.
Community Engagement and Education
We devote significant resources to engagement with and education
of the spinal cord injury community with respect to the benefits of our SCI Products, as well as for our ReStore device. We actively seek
opportunities to partner with hospitals, rehabilitation centers and key opinion leaders to engage in research and development and clinical
activities. We also seek to educate and gain support from organizations such as patient advocacy groups and clinician societies with the
goal of promoting adoption of exoskeleton technology from patient, clinician, and payor communities. We believe that our success has been
and will continue to be driven in part by our reputation and acceptance within the spinal cord injury community.
To date, multiple advocacy groups have issued public endorsements
of the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, including leading United States-based national organizations such as the United Spinal Association
and the Dana and Christopher Reeves Foundation, as well as others. In addition, the National Institute for Health and Care excellence
in the United Kingdom (also known as “NICE”), has issued a public announcement regarding the ReStore device.
Services and Customer Support
Our centers of operations in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Fremont,
California, and Berlin, Germany coordinate all customer support and product service functions for North America and Europe, respectively,
through dedicated technical service personnel who provide product services and customer support through training to healthcare providers
and support to product users.
Research and Development
We are committed to investing in a robust research and development
program to support our current product line and to potentially develop our pipeline of new and complementary products, and we believe
that ongoing research and development efforts are essential to our success. Our research and development team consists of both in-house
and external staff, including engineers, machinists, researchers and marketing, quality, manufacturing, regulatory and clinical personnel,
which we employ as efficiently as possible meet our current and future needs, and who work closely together to design, enhance, and validate
our technologies. This research and development team conceptualizes technologies and then builds and tests prototypes before refining
and/or redesigning, as necessary. Our regulatory and clinical personnel work in parallel with engineers and researchers, allowing us to
anticipate and resolve potential issues at early stages in the development cycle. Our level of research and development investment depends
on our available resources, business plans, and future needs. For more information, see “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks
Related to Our Business and Our Industry — Our future growth and operating results will depend on our ability to develop, receive
regulatory clearance for, and commercialize new products and penetrate new product and geographic markets.”
We are working on product design improvements and expanded labeling
for the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton product which we plan to launch following obtaining regulatory clearance and approvals. In the longer
term we are conducting research for our next generation exoskeleton with design improvements and advanced robotic technologies as part
of the Human Robot Interaction Consortium research program. New medical indications impacting the ability to walk that we may pursue include
multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, and elderly assistance.
We are also developing new generations of anti-gravity systems
utilizing our DAP technology. We plan to introduce a new model of the AlterG system in mid-2024 that reduces the cost of manufacturing
which in turn will allow us to make it more affordable for independent rehabilitation clinics, thereby expanding the potential market
opportunity. Additionally, we are evaluating other applications for DAP technology to create entirely new rehabilitation systems
for our facility-based customers.
We conduct our research and development efforts mainly at our facility
in Yokneam, Israel. We believe that the close interaction among our research and development and manufacturing groups allows for timely
and effective realization of our new product concepts.
Our research and development efforts have been financed, in part,
through funding from the Israel Innovation Authority (formerly known as Office of the Chief Scientist in the Israel Ministry of Economy)
(the “IIA”). From our inception through December 31, 2023, we received funding totaling $2.6 million from the IIA. For
more information regarding our research and development financing arrangements, see “Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “—Grants and
Other Funding.”
Research and Development Collaborations
On April 1, 2022, we entered a research and development cooperation agreement with several
companies and universities in the Human Robot Interaction (“HRI”) Consortium, part of the IIA’s MAGNET incentive program.
This incentive program provides grants for R&D collaboration as part of a consortium comprised of private businesses and leading academic
centers. The goals of the HRI consortium are to “develop advanced technologies aimed at providing robots with social capabilities,
enabling them to carry out various tasks and effective interactions with different users in diverse operational environments.”
The total program has a budget of NIS 57 million, which includes funding for research and development grants to help drive technological
innovation. The Consortium is a 3-year program which has allocated NIS 1.745 million to fund ReWalk-specific projects over the first 18-month
period of the program. As of December 31, 2023, the Company spent total funds in the amount of NIS 1.571 million which has allocated for
the first 18-month period. In November 2023, we entered the second 18-month period of the program, the Consortium has allocated NIS 1.336
million to fund ReWalk-specific projects over the second 18-month period. As a member of the HRI Consortium, we collaborate with several
universities to develop advanced technologies aimed at improving the human-exoskeleton interaction. This research collaboration
with top researchers in the fields of robotics, behavioral sciences and human-computer interaction will seek to make the use of exoskeletons
easier and more natural to promote wider adoption of the technology.
On May 16, 2016, we entered into the Research Collaboration
Agreement (“Collaboration Agreement”) and the Exclusive License Agreement (“Harvard License Agreement”) with Harvard.
Under the Collaboration Agreement, we and Harvard agreed to collaborate on research regarding the development of lightweight soft suit
exoskeleton system technologies for lower limb disabilities, which are intended to treat stroke, multiple sclerosis, mobility limitations
for the elderly and other medical applications. Under the Collaboration Agreement, we paid Harvard quarterly installment payments to help
fund the research. Subject to the terms of the Collaboration Agreement, we and Harvard were required to report our respective research
results and findings to each other on a regular basis. The Collaboration Agreement governed ownership of the research results and inventions
generated in performance of the research collaboration and provided us the option to negotiate with Harvard for a license to certain new
inventions of Harvard conceived in performance of the collaboration. The Collaboration Agreement concluded on March 31, 2022.
Under the Harvard License Agreement, we have been granted an exclusive,
worldwide royalty-bearing license under certain patents of Harvard relating to lightweight “soft suit” exoskeleton system
technologies for lower limb disabilities, a royalty-free license under certain related know-how and the option to obtain a license to
certain inventions conceived under our joint research collaboration. Harvard retains the right to practice the patents for research, educational
and scholarly purposes. We are required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop products under the Harvard License Agreement
in accordance with an agreed-upon development plan and to introduce and market such products commercially. In addition to an upfront fee
and royalties on net sales, we are obligated to pay Harvard certain milestone payments upon the achievement of certain product development
and commercialization milestones. We have also agreed to reimburse Harvard for expenses incurred in connection with the filing, prosecution,
and maintenance of the licensed patents.
The Harvard License Agreement will continue in full force and effect
until the expiration of the last-to-expire valid claim of the licensed patents, or it is terminated in accordance with its terms. We may
terminate the License Agreement for any reason upon 60 days’ prior written notice, while Harvard may terminate the License Agreement
if we do not maintain requisite insurance or become insolvent. The Harvard License Agreement may also be terminated by Harvard or us due
to the other party’s material uncured breach.
The Harvard License Agreement contains, as applicable, customary
representations and warranties and customary enforcement, indemnification, and insurance provisions. For further discussion of the Collaboration
Agreement and Harvard License Agreement, see Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
included elsewhere in this annual report.
Intellectual Property
Protection of our intellectual property is important to our business.
We seek to protect our intellectual property through a combination of patents, trademarks, confidentiality, and assignment agreements
with our employees and certain of our contractors and confidentiality agreements with certain of our consultants, scientific advisors
and other vendors and contractors. In addition, we rely on trade secrets law to protect our proprietary software and product candidates/products
in development.
In addition to our portfolio of issued patents and pending patent
applications, we license certain patented and patented pending technology from a third party as described above under the “Research
and Development” section.
As of December 31, 2023, we have 11 issued patents in the United
States and 19 issued patents outside of the United States, as well as 13 pending patent applications for our technology in the United
States, China, and Europe. For our patents associated with DAP and other AlterG technology, we have 25 issued patents in the United
States and 21 patents issued outside the United States, as well as 10 pending patent applications for anti-gravity associated technology
in the United States.
In the United States and Europe, we have apparatus patent claims
covering aspects of both our exoskeleton and our anti-gravity products and similar devices or systems, which focus on protecting our products
in terms of structural characteristics and functionality. Moreover, we also have method patent claims covering certain methods of
operation and control of our exoskeleton and anti-gravity products, which provide additional protection for our technology. We do not
currently license any of the technology contained in our currently commercialized ReWalk and AlterG products, other than with respect
to technology that is generally publicly available, but we may do so in the future.
Patents filed both in the United States and Europe (as well as
other countries) generally have a term of 20 years from their earliest effective filing date, although they can be slightly longer depending
upon a local jurisdiction’s rules and laws. For example, the oldest of our issued patents relating to our tilt-sensor technology
was filed in May 2001 in the United States and would typically expire in May 2021. However, this patent actually expired in April of 2023
due to patent term adjustment (PTA) of 689 days for delays in examination by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
We currently hold a registered trademark in the United States,
Europe, Israel, and the United Kingdom, for the mark “ReWalk.” We currently hold a registered trademark in United States,
Europe and the United Kingdom for the mark “ReStore”. We currently hold a registered trademark in the United States,
Europe, Israel, and the United Kingdom for the mark “Alter G.” We have also recently sought trademark registration of
“Lifeward” in the United States, Europe, and Israel.
We cannot be sure that our intellectual property will provide
us with a competitive advantage especially as some of our older patents begin to expire, or that we will not infringe on the intellectual
property rights of others. In addition, we cannot be sure that any patents will be granted in a timely manner or at all with respect to
any of our patent pending applications. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risks related to our intellectual property, see “Part
I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property.”
Government Regulation
U.S. Regulation
Our medical products and manufacturing operations are regulated
by the FDA and other federal and state agencies. Our products are regulated as medical devices in the United States under the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FFDCA, as implemented and enforced by the FDA. The FDA regulates the development, testing, manufacturing,
labeling, storage, installation, servicing, advertising, promotion, marketing, distribution, import, export, and market surveillance of
our medical devices.
Premarket Regulatory Requirements
Unless an exemption applies, each medical device commercially distributed
in the United States requires either FDA clearance of a 510(k) premarket notification, approval of a premarket approval application (PMA),
or issuance of a de novo classification order. Under the FFDCA, medical devices are classified into one of three classes—Class I,
Class II or Class III—depending on the degree of risk associated with each medical device and the extent of control needed to provide
reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. Classification of a device is important because the class to which a device is assigned
determines, among other things, the necessity and type of FDA review required prior to marketing the device. Class I devices are those
for which reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness can be assured by adherence to general controls that include compliance with
the applicable portions of the FDA’s Quality System Regulation, or QSR, facility registration and product listing, reporting of
adverse medical events, and appropriate, truthful and non-misleading labeling, advertising, and promotional materials. Class I also includes
devices for which there is insufficient information to determine that general controls are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance
of the safety and effectiveness of the device or to establish special controls to provide such assurance, but that are not life-supporting
or life-sustaining or for a use which is of substantial importance in preventing impairment of human health, and that do not present a
potential unreasonable risk of illness of injury.
Class II devices are those for which general controls alone are
insufficient to provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness and there is sufficient information to establish “special
controls.” These special controls can include performance standards, post-market surveillance, and patient registries. While most
Class I devices are exempt from the 510(k) premarket notification requirement, most Class II devices require a 510(k) premarket
notification to be marketed in the U.S. As a result, manufacturers of most Class II devices are required to submit to the FDA premarket
notifications under Section 510(k) of the FFDCA in order to market or commercially distribute those devices. To obtain 510(k) clearance,
manufacturers must demonstrate that the proposed device is “substantially equivalent” to a predicate device already on the
market. A predicate device is a legally marketed device that is not subject to premarket approval, or PMA, meaning, (i) a device that
was legally marketed prior to May 28, 1976 (pre-amendments device) and for which a PMA is not required, (ii) a device that has been
reclassified from Class III to Class II or I, or (iii) a device that was found substantially equivalent through the 510(k) process. If
the FDA agrees that the device is substantially equivalent to a predicate device currently on the market, it will grant 510(k) clearance
to commercially market the device. If the device is not “substantially equivalent” to a previously cleared device, the device
is automatically a Class III device. The device sponsor must then fulfill more rigorous premarket approval requirements or can request
a risk-based classification determination for the device in accordance with the “de novo” classification process, which is
a route to market for medical devices that are low to moderate risk but are not substantially equivalent to a predicate device.
Devices that are intended to be life sustaining or life supporting,
devices that are implantable, devices that present a potential unreasonable risk of harm or are of substantial importance in preventing
impairment of health, and devices that are not substantially equivalent to a predicate device are placed in Class III and generally require
approval of a PMA, unless the device is a pre-amendment device not yet subject to a regulation requiring premarket approval. The PMA process
is more demanding than the 510(k) premarket notification process. In a PMA, the manufacturer must demonstrate that the device is safe
and effective, and the PMA must be supported by extensive data, including data from preclinical studies and clinical trials. The PMA must
also contain a full description of the device and its components, a full description of the methods, facilities and controls used for
manufacturing, and proposed labeling. Following receipt of a PMA, the FDA determines whether the application is sufficiently complete
to permit a substantive review. If the FDA accepts the application for review, it has 180 days under the FFDCA to complete its review
of a PMA, although in practice, the FDA’s review often takes significantly longer, and can take one year or even longer.
Clinical trials are almost always required to support PMAs and
are sometimes required to support 510(k) submissions. All clinical investigations of devices to determine safety and effectiveness must
be conducted in accordance with the FDA’s investigational device exemption, or IDE, regulations that govern investigational device
labeling, prohibit promotion of the investigational device, and specify recordkeeping, reporting and monitoring responsibilities of study
sponsors and study investigators. If the device presents a “significant risk,” as defined by the FDA, the agency requires
the device sponsor to submit an IDE application to the FDA, which must become effective prior to commencing human clinical trials. The
IDE will automatically become effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA denies the application or notifies the company
that the investigation may not begin. If the FDA determines that there are deficiencies or other concerns with an IDE that require modification
of the study, the FDA may permit a clinical trial to proceed under a conditional approval. In addition, the study must be approved by,
and conducted under the oversight of, an Institutional Review Board, or IRB, for each clinical site. If the device presents a non-significant
risk to the patient, a sponsor may begin the clinical trial after obtaining approval for the trial by one or more IRBs without separate
approval from the FDA, but must still comply with abbreviated IDE requirements, such as monitoring the investigation, ensuring that the
investigators obtain informed consent, and labeling and record-keeping requirements.
In June 2014, the FDA granted our request for “de novo”
classification, and classified ReWalk as a Class II powered exoskeleton device subject to special controls. The ReWalk is intended to
enable individuals with spinal cord injuries to perform ambulatory functions under supervision of a specially trained companion, and inside
rehabilitation institutions. The special controls established in the de novo classification order for all powered exoskeleton devices
include the following: clinical testing to demonstrate safe and effective use considering the level of supervision necessary and the use
environment; non-clinical safety and performance testing, including durability testing to demonstrate that the device performs as intended
under anticipated conditions of use; a training program; and labeling related to device use and user training. The special controls of
this de novo order also apply to competing powered exoskeleton products seeking FDA clearance.
In June 2019, the FDA issued a 510(k) clearance for ReStore, which
means that the device can be marketed in the U.S. ReStore is intended to be used to assist ambulatory functions in rehabilitation institutions
under the supervision of a trained therapist for people with hemiplegia or hemiparesis due to stroke. ReStore complies with special controls
for powered exoskeletons as described above. In order for us to market ReStore and ReWalk, we must comply with both these special controls
as well as general controls, including controls related to quality, facility registration, reporting of adverse events and labeling. Failure
to comply with the general and special controls could lead to removal of ReStore or ReWalk from the market, which would have a material
adverse effect on our business.
In June 2022, we submitted a 510(k) premarket notification for
ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton seeking to enable the stairs functionality and add uses on stairs and curbs to the indication for use for
the device in the US. In March 2023, the FDA issued the 510(k) clearance.
For more information, see “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors-Risks
Related to Government Regulation-We are subject to extensive governmental regulations relating to the manufacturing, labeling and marketing
of our products, and a failure to comply with such regulations could lead to withdrawal or recall of our products from the market.”
Expedited Development and Review Programs
FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program is a voluntary program
offered to manufacturers of certain medical devices and device-led combination products that may provide for more effective treatment
or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions. The goal of the program is to provide patients and
health care providers with more timely access to qualifying devices by expediting their development, assessment and review, while preserving
the statutory standards for marketing authorization.
The program is available to medical devices that meet certain eligibility
criteria, including that the device provides more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases
or conditions, and that the device meets one of the following criteria: (i) the device represents a breakthrough technology, (ii) no approved
or cleared alternatives exist, (iii) the device offers significant advantages over existing approved or cleared alternatives, or (iv)
the availability of the device is in the best interest of patients. Breakthrough Device designation provides certain benefits to device
developers, including more interactive and timely communications with FDA staff, use of post market data collection, when scientifically
appropriate, to facilitate expedited and efficient development and review of the device, opportunities for efficient and flexible clinical
study design, and prioritized review of premarket submissions.
Post-Market Regulatory Requirements
After a device is cleared for marketing, numerous regulatory requirements
apply. These include:
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establishment registration and device listing; |
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development of a quality assurance system, including establishing and implementing procedures to design and manufacture devices;
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labeling regulations that prohibit the promotion of products for unapproved or “off-label” uses and impose other restrictions
on labeling; |
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FDA’s Unique Device Identification requirements that call for a unique device identifier (UDI) on device labels and packages
and submission of data to the FDA’s Global Unique Device Identification Database (GUDID); |
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medical device reporting regulations that require manufacturers to report to the FDA if a device may have caused or contributed to
a death or serious injury or malfunctioned in a way that would likely cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if it were to recur;
and corrections and removal reporting regulations that require manufacturers report to the FDA field corrections and product recalls or
removals if undertaken to reduce a risk to health posed by the device or to remedy a violation of the FFDCA that may present a risk to
health; and |
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post-market surveillance. |
Our manufacturing processes are required to comply with the applicable
portions of the FDA’s Quality System Regulation (“QSR”) that covers the methods and the facilities and controls for
the design, manufacture, testing, production, processes, controls, quality assurance, labeling, packaging, distribution, installation,
and servicing of finished devices intended for human use. In February 2024, the FDA issued the Quality Management System Regulation (“QMSR”)
Final Rule to amend the QSR, incorporating by reference the international standard for medical device quality management systems set by
the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 13485:2016. The rule will become effective on February 2, 2026. Until then,
manufacturers are required to comply with the QSR. We actively maintain compliance with the FDA’s QSR, and the European Union’s
Quality Management Systems requirements, ISO 13485:2016.
As a manufacturer, we are subject to periodic scheduled or unscheduled
inspections by the FDA. If the FDA believes we or any of our contract manufacturers are not in compliance with the quality system requirements,
or other post-market requirements, it has significant enforcement authority. Specifically, if the FDA determines that we failed to comply
with applicable regulatory requirements, it can take a variety of compliance or enforcement actions, which may result in any of the following
sanctions:
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untitled letters, warning letters, fines, injunctions, consent decrees and civil penalties; |
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customer notifications or repair, replacement, or refunds; |
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recalls, withdrawals, or administrative detention or seizure of our products; |
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operating restrictions or partial suspension or total shutdown of production; |
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refusing or delaying requests for approval of pre-market approval applications relating to new products or modified products;
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withdrawing PMA approval or reclassifying our devices; |
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refusal to grant export approvals for our products; or |
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pursuing criminal prosecution. |
Any such action by the FDA would have a material adverse effect
on our business. In addition, these regulatory controls, as well as any changes in FDA policies, can affect the time and cost associated
with the development, introduction, and continued availability of new products. Where possible, we anticipate these factors in our product
development processes.
Regulation Outside of the U.S.
In addition to the United States regulations, we are subject to
a variety of foreign regulations governing clinical trials and commercial sales and distribution of our products. In the E.U., medical
devices are regulated by the European Union Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745 or MDR, which became applicable on 26 May 2021 and
replaced the EU Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC, or MDD. The MDR and its associated guidance documents and harmonized standards, govern,
among other things, device design and development, preclinical and clinical or performance testing, premarket conformity assessment, registration
and listing, manufacturing, labeling, storage, claims, sales and distribution, export and import and post-market surveillance, vigilance,
and market surveillance.
Before a device can be placed on the market in the E.U., compliance
with the MDR requirements must be demonstrated in order to affix the CE Mark to the product. The method of assessing conformity varies
depending on the class of the product, but normally involves a combination of self-assessment by the manufacturer and a third-party assessment
by a “Notified Body.” This third-party assessment may consist of an audit of the manufacturer’s quality system or specific
testing of the manufacturer’s product. The Notified Body issues a CE Certificate of Conformity to confirm successful completion
of a conformity assessment procedure conducted in relation to the medical device and its manufacturer and their conformity with the essential
requirements provided in the MDR. Under transitional provisions provided in the MDR, medical devices that had valid CE Certificates of
Conformity issued under the MDD prior to May 26, 2021 and that remained valid (and not withdrawn) on March 20, 2023, can continue to be
placed on the EEA market until the end of December 2027 or 2028 (depending on the class of device), provided the device’s manufacturer
complies with certain requirements, including that there are no significant changes in the design and intended purpose of the applicable
device. After the expiry of any applicable transitional period, only devices that have been CE marked on the basis of the MDR may be placed
on the market in the EEA. We comply with the E.U. requirements and have received ta Notified Body Certificate of Conformity under the
MDD for all of our ReWalk systems including the ReStore device which are distributed in the E.U. This allows us to continue to apply the
CE mark to our products and place them on the market throughout the E.U. during the transition period or until we have completed an appropriate
conformity assessment procedure under the MDR.
Following the U.K.’s exit from the E.U. (known as “Brexit”),
the MDR does not apply in the United Kingdom (except for Northern Ireland, which under the Northern Ireland Protocol is bound by certain
E.U. laws). The medical device legislative framework in the United Kingdom is set out in the Medical Devices Regulations 2002, as
amended. These regulations are based on the previous medical device directives of the E.U. but have been amended so that they function
properly now the United Kingdom is no longer part of the E.U. The Medical Devices Regulations 2002 have introduced several changes
including (but not limited to) replacing the CE mark with a UKCA marking (although E.U. CE marks will be recognized potentially up until
June 2030), requiring manufacturers outside of the United Kingdom to appoint a “UK Responsible Person” if they place devices
on the Great Britain market and more wide-ranging device registration requirements.
Sales in other jurisdictions are subject to the foreign government
regulations of the relevant jurisdiction, and in most cases, we must obtain approval by the appropriate regulatory authorities before
we can commence clinical trials or marketing activities in those countries. The approval process varies from country to country, and the
time may be longer or shorter than that required to obtain a marketing authorization in the United States or the CE mark in the E.U. The
requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing and reimbursement vary greatly from country to country.
The policies of the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities may
change, and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent or delay regulatory approval of our products and could
also increase the cost of regulatory compliance. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature, or extent of adverse governmental regulation
that might arise from future legislative or administrative action, either in the United States or abroad.
U.S. Anti-Kickback, False Claims and Other Healthcare Fraud and
Abuse Laws
In the United States, there are federal and state anti-kickback
laws that prohibit the payment or receipt of kickbacks, bribes or other remuneration intended to induce the purchase or recommendation
of healthcare products and services. Violations of these laws can lead to civil and criminal penalties, including exclusion from participation
in federal healthcare programs. These laws apply to manufacturers of products, such as us, with respect to our financial relationship
with hospitals, physicians and other potential purchasers or acquirers of our products. The U.S. government has published regulations
that identify “safe harbors” or exemptions for certain practices from enforcement actions under the federal anti-kickback
statute, and we will seek to comply with the safe harbors where possible. To qualify for a safe harbor, the activity must fit squarely
within the safe harbor. Arrangements that do not meet a safe harbor are not necessarily illegal but must be evaluated on a case-by-case
basis. A person or entity may be found to violate the anti-kickback statute even absent actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent
to violate it. In addition, the government may assert that a claim that includes items or services resulting from a violation of the federal
anti-kickback statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal False Claims Act (“FCA”).
The civil FCA prohibits, among other things, any person or entity
from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment to, or approval by, the federal government,
knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim to the federal
government, or avoiding, decreasing, or concealing an obligation to pay money to the federal government. A claim includes “any request
or demand” for money or property presented to the U.S. government. The civil FCA has been used to assert liability on the basis
of kickbacks and other improper referrals, improper use of Medicare provider or supplier numbers when detailing a provider of services,
improper promotion of off-label uses not covered by a device’s clearance or approval, and allegations as to misrepresentations with
respect to products, contract requirements, and services rendered. In addition, private payors have been filing follow-on lawsuits alleging
fraudulent misrepresentation, although establishing liability and damages in these cases is more difficult than under the FCA. Intent
to deceive is not required to establish liability under the civil FCA. Civil FCA actions may be brought by the government or may be brought
by private individuals on behalf of the government, called “qui tam” actions. If the government decides to intervene in a
qui tam action and prevails in the lawsuit, the individual will share in the proceeds from any fines or settlement funds. If the government
declines to intervene, the individual may pursue the case alone. The civil FCA provides for treble damages and a civil penalty for each
false claim, such as an invoice or pharmacy claim for reimbursement, which can aggregate into millions of dollars. For these reasons,
FCA lawsuits against biopharmaceutical and device companies have increased significantly in volume and breadth, leading to several substantial
civil and criminal settlements, as much as $3.0 billion, regarding certain sales practices and promoting off label uses. Civil FCA
liability may further be imposed for known Medicare or Medicaid overpayments that are not refunded within 60 days of discovering
the overpayment, even if the overpayment was not caused by a false or fraudulent act. In addition, conviction or civil judgment for violating
the FCA may result in exclusion from federal health care programs, and suspension and debarment from government contracts, and refusal
of orders under existing government contracts.
The government may further prosecute conduct constituting a false
claim under the criminal FCA. The criminal FCA prohibits the making or presenting of a claim to the government knowing such claim to be
false, fictitious, or fraudulent and, unlike the civil FCA, requires proof of intent to submit a false claim.
The civil monetary penalties statute is another statute under which
medical device companies may potentially be subject to enforcement. Among other things, the civil monetary penalties statue imposes fines
against any person who offers to provide remuneration to any individual eligible for benefits under Medicare or Medicaid that the offerer
knows or should know is likely to influence the individual to order or receive from a particular provider or supplier of any item or service
reimbursable under those programs.
The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
of 1996 (“HIPAA”) also created federal criminal statutes that prohibit, among other actions, knowingly and willfully executing,
or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud or to obtain, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises, any
of the money or property owned by, or under the custody or control of, a healthcare benefit program, regardless of whether the payor is
public or private, in connection with the delivery or payment for health care benefits, knowingly and willfully embezzling or stealing
from a health care benefit program, willfully obstructing a criminal investigation of a health care offense and knowingly and willfully
falsifying, concealing, or covering up by any trick or device a material fact or making any materially false statements in connection
with the delivery of, or payment for, healthcare benefits, items, or services relating to healthcare matters. Additionally, the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act, or collectively the
“ACA”, amended the intent requirement of certain of these criminal statutes under HIPAA so that a person or entity no longer
needs to have actual knowledge of the statute, or the specific intent to violate it, to have committed a violation.
The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (“Sunshine Act”)
requires annual reporting, by applicable device and drug manufacturers, of covered products, payments, and other transfers of value to
certain health care providers, and ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members.
Further, we may be subject to data privacy and security regulation
by both the federal government and the states in which we conduct our business. HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology
for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”) and its respective implementing regulations imposes certain requirements on
covered entities relating to the privacy, security, and transmission of certain individually identifiable health information, known as
protected health information. Among other things, HITECH, through its implementing regulations, makes HIPAA’s security standards
and certain privacy standards directly applicable to business associates, defined as a person or organization, other than a member of
a covered entity’s workforce, that creates, receives, maintains, or transmits protected health information on behalf of a covered
entity for a function or activity regulated by HIPAA. HITECH also strengthened the civil and criminal penalties that may be imposed against
covered entities, business associates, and individuals, and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages
or injunctions in federal courts to enforce the federal HIPAA laws and seek attorneys’ fees and costs associated with pursuing federal
civil actions. In addition, other federal and state laws may govern the privacy and security of health and other information in certain
circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and may not be pre-empted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance
efforts.
Many states have also adopted laws similar to each of the above
federal laws, which may be broader in scope and apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including commercial insurers.
Certain states also require implementation of commercial compliance programs and compliance with the medical device industry’s voluntary
compliance guidelines and the applicable compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government, or otherwise restrict payments or
the provision of other items of value that may be made to healthcare providers and other potential referral sources; impose restrictions
on marketing practices; or require companies to track and report information related to payments, and other items of value to physicians
and other healthcare providers.
If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws
or regulations described above or any other applicable laws, we may be subject to penalties or other enforcement actions, including criminal
and significant civil monetary penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from participation in government healthcare
programs, corporate integrity agreements, suspension and debarment from government contracts, and refusal of orders under existing government
contracts, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which
could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations. Enforcement actions can be brought by federal
or state governments, or as “qui tam” actions brought by individual whistleblowers in the name of the government under the
civil FCA if the violations are alleged to have caused the government to pay a false or fraudulent claim.
To the extent that any of our products are sold in a foreign country,
we may be subject to similar foreign laws and regulations, which may include, for instance, applicable post-marketing requirements, including
safety surveillance, anti-fraud and abuse laws, and implementation of corporate compliance programs and reporting of payments or transfers
of value to healthcare professionals.
Coverage and Reimbursement
The commercial success of our product candidates and our ability
to commercialize any approved product candidates successfully will depend in part on the extent to which governmental payor programs at
the federal and state levels, including Medicare and Medicaid, private health insurers, and other third-party payors provide coverage
for and establish adequate reimbursement levels for our products. Government authorities, private health insurers, and other organizations
generally decide which products and services they will pay for and establish reimbursement levels for healthcare. Medicare is a federally
funded program managed by CMS through local fiscal intermediaries and carriers that administer coverage and reimbursement for certain
healthcare items and services furnished to the elderly and disabled. Medicaid is an insurance program for certain categories of patients
whose income and assets fall below state defined levels and who are otherwise uninsured that is both federally and state funded and managed
by each state. In the United States, private health insurers and other third-party payors often provide reimbursement for products and
services based on the level at which the government provides reimbursement through the Medicare or Medicaid programs for such products
and services.
In the United States, the European Union, and other potentially
significant markets for our products, government authorities and third-party payors are increasingly attempting to limit or regulate the
price of medical products and services, particularly for new and innovative products and therapies, which often has resulted in average
selling prices lower than they would otherwise be. In the United States, it is also common for certain government and private health plans
to use coverage determinations to leverage rebates from labelers to reduce the plans’ net costs. These restrictions and limitations
influence the purchase of healthcare services and products and lower the realization on manufacturers’ sales of products.
Third-party payors are developing increasingly sophisticated methods of controlling healthcare costs. Third-party payors may limit coverage
to specific therapeutic products on an approved list, or formulary, which might not include all of the FDA-approved products for a particular
indication or might impose high co-payment amounts to influence patient choice. Third-party payors also control costs by requiring prior
authorization or imposing other restrictions. Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the price and examining the medical necessity
and cost-effectiveness of medical products and services, in addition to their safety and efficacy.
Federal programs also impose price controls through mandatory ceiling
prices on purchases by federal agencies and federally funded hospitals and clinics. These restrictions and limitations influence the purchase
of healthcare services and products. Legislative proposals to reform healthcare or reduce costs under government programs may result in
lower reimbursement for our products or exclusion of our products.
Private payors often rely on the lead of the governmental payors
in rendering coverage and reimbursement determinations. Therefore, achieving favorable CMS coverage and reimbursement is usually a significant
gating issue for successful introduction of a new product.
Further, the increased emphasis on managed healthcare in the United
States and on country and regional pricing and reimbursement controls in the European Union will put additional pressure on product pricing,
reimbursement, and utilization, which may adversely affect our future product sales and results of operations. These pressures can arise
from rules and practices of managed care groups, competition from other products, judicial decisions and governmental laws and regulations
related to Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare reform, and pricing in general. Patients who are prescribed treatments for their conditions
and providers performing the prescribed services generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the associated healthcare
costs. Sales of our product candidates will therefore depend substantially, both domestically and abroad, on the extent to which the costs
of our products will be paid by health maintenance, managed care, and similar healthcare management organizations, or reimbursed by government
health administration authorities, such as Medicare and Medicaid, private health insurers, and other third-party payors.
Moreover, a payor’s decision to provide coverage for a product
does not imply that an adequate reimbursement rate will be approved or that significant price concessions will not be required to avoid
restrictive conditions. High health plan co-payment requirements may result in patients seeking alternative therapies. Adequate third-party
reimbursement may not be available to enable us to maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our investment.
Legislative proposals to reform healthcare or reduce costs under government insurance programs may result in lower reimbursement for our
products or exclusion of our products from coverage. The cost containment measures that healthcare payors and providers are instituting
and any healthcare reform could significantly reduce our revenue from the sale of any approved product candidates.
Healthcare Reform Measures
The United States and many foreign jurisdictions have enacted or
proposed legislative and regulatory changes affecting the healthcare system. The United States government, state legislatures and foreign
governments also have shown significant interest in implementing cost-containment programs to limit the growth of government-paid healthcare
costs, including price controls, restrictions on reimbursement and requirements for substitution of generic products for branded prescription
drugs.
The ACA substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by
both governmental and private insurers, and significantly impacts the pharmaceutical industry. The ACA is intended to broaden access to
health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of healthcare spending, enhance remedies against healthcare fraud and abuse, add new
transparency requirements for healthcare and health insurance industries, impose new taxes and fees on pharmaceutical and medical device
manufacturers, and impose additional health policy reforms.
The ACA has been subject to challenges in the courts. On
December 14, 2018, a Texas U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the ACA is unconstitutional in its entirety because the “individual
mandate” was repealed by Congress. On December 18, 2019, the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals held that the individual
mandate is unconstitutional, but did not invalidate the entire law, and remanded the case to the Texas District Court to reconsider its
earlier invalidation of the entire ACA. An appeal was taken to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled on June 17, 2021, that the plaintiffs
lacked standing to challenge the law as they had not alleged personal injury traceable to the allegedly unlawful conduct. As a result,
the Supreme Court did not rule on the constitutionality of the ACA or any of its provisions.
Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since
passage of the ACA. The Budget Control Act of 2011, among other things, created the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to recommend
proposals in spending reductions to Congress. The Joint Select Committee did not achieve its targeted deficit reduction of an amount greater
than $1.2 trillion for the fiscal years 2012 through 2021, triggering the legislation’s automatic reductions to several government
programs. These reductions included aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to healthcare providers of up to 2.0% per fiscal year.
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 retained the federal budget “sequestration” Medicare payment reductions of 2% and extended
it through 2027 unless congressional action is taken. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act was signed into law,
which, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to several types of providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment
centers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years.
Further legislative and regulatory changes under the ACA remain
possible, although President Biden indicated that he intends to use executive orders to undo changes to the ACA made by the Trump administration
and would advocate for legislation to build on the ACA. It is unknown what form any such changes or any law would take, and how
or whether it may affect our business in the future. We expect that changes or additions to the ACA or the Medicare and Medicaid programs,
and changes stemming from other healthcare reform measures, especially with regard to healthcare access, financing or other legislation
in individual states, could have a material adverse effect on the healthcare industry.
At the state level, legislatures may also increasingly pass legislation
and implement regulations designed to control product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions
on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures.
We expect that additional federal, state, and foreign healthcare
reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that federal and state governments will pay for healthcare
products and services, which could result in limited coverage and reimbursement and reduced demand for our products, or additional pricing
pressures.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to various environmental, health and safety laws
and regulations, including those governing air emissions, water and wastewater discharges, noise emissions, the use, transport, management
and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials, the import, export and registration of chemicals, and the cleanup of contaminated sites.
Based on information currently available to us, we do not expect environmental costs and contingencies to have a material adverse effect
on us. The operation of our business and facilities, however, entails risks in these areas. Significant expenditures could be required
in the future to comply with environmental or health and safety laws, regulations, or requirements.
In Israel, where our contract manufacturer produces all of our
ReWalk and ReStore products, businesses storing or using certain hazardous materials (including materials necessary for our manufacturing
process) are required, pursuant to the Israeli Dangerous Substances Law, 5753-1993, to obtain a toxin permit from the Ministry of Environmental
Protection. In the U.S., where we manufacture our AlterG products in our Fremont, California facility, we do not utilize chemicals
which require a toxic materials license. We have a hazardous waste disposal license with the County of Alameda and dispose of our
expired and empty containers through a process in accordance with the license.
In the European marketplace, electrical and electronic equipment
is required to comply with the Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, which aims to prevent waste by encouraging reuse
and recycling, and the Directive on Restriction of Use of Certain Hazardous Substances, which restricts the use of ten hazardous substances
in electrical and electronic products. Our products and certain components of such products “put on the market” in the E.U.
(whether or not manufactured in the E.U.) are subject to these directives. Additionally, we are required to comply with certain laws,
regulations, and directives, including the Toxic Substances Control Act in the United States and REACH in the E.U., governing chemicals.
These and similar laws and regulations require the testing, reporting and registration of certain chemicals we use and ship. We believe
we comply in all material respects with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Manufacturing
Our ReWalk exoskeletons, ReStore exo-suits, and AlterG Anti-Gravity
systems include off-the-shelf and custom-made components produced to our specifications by various third parties, for technical and cost-effectiveness.
We have contracted with Sanmina Corporation (“Sanmina”), a well-established contract manufacturer with expertise in the medical
device industry, for the manufacture of our SCI Products and ReStore at its facility in Ma’alot, Israel. We manufacture the AlterG
product ourselves at our facility in Fremont, California. Each product line is manufactured pursuant to the same applicable set of specifications.
We place our manufacturing orders with Sanmina and other suppliers pursuant to purchase orders or by providing forecasts for future requirements.
We may terminate our relationship with Sanmina or our other suppliers at any time upon written notice. Either we or Sanmina may terminate
the relationship in the event of a material breach, subject to a 30-day cure period. Our agreement with Sanmina contains a limitation
on liability that applies equally to us and Sanmina.
We believe that this contract manufacturing relationship with Sanmina
allows us to operate our business efficiently by focusing our internal efforts on the development and commercialization of our technology
and our products and provides us with substantial scale-up capacity. We regularly test quality on-site at Sanmina’s facility and
we obtain full quality inspection reports. We maintain a non-disclosure agreement with Sanmina.
We develop certain of the software components internally and license
other software components that are generally available for commercial use as open-source software.
We manufacture products based upon internal sales forecasts. We
deliver products to customers and distributors based upon purchase orders received, and our goal is to fulfill each customer’s order
for products in regular production within two weeks of receipt of the order.
Suppliers
We have contracted with Sanmina for the sourcing of all components and raw materials
necessary for the manufacture of our ReWalk and ReStore products, although there are instances that we purchase raw materials ourselves.
In addition, we directly source all components and raw materials necessary for the manufacture of our AlterG products. Components
of our products and raw materials come from suppliers in the United States, Europe, China, Taiwan, and Israel, and we depend on certain
of these components and raw materials, including certain electronic parts, for the manufacture of our products. To date, we have not experienced
significant volatility in the prices of these components and raw materials. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic several specific parts,
mainly electronic parts, experienced temporary price increases which have returned to more normal levels. Such prices are subject to a
number of factors, including purchase volumes, general economic conditions, currency exchange rates, industry cycles, production levels,
and scarcity of supply.
We believe that our in-house manufacturing, Sanmina’s facilities,
our contracted manufacturing arrangement, and our supply arrangements are sufficient to support our potential capacity needs for the foreseeable
future.
Human Capital
Employees
As of December 31, 2023, we had 108 employees (including full-time
and hourly employees), of whom 74 were located in the United States, 20 were located in Israel and 14 were located in Europe. The majority
of our employees are, and have been, engaged in sales and marketing activities. We do not employ a significant number of temporary or
part time employees.
We are subject to labor laws and regulations within our locations
mainly in the U.S., Germany, and Israel. These laws and regulations principally concern matters such as pensions, paid annual vacation,
paid sick days, length of the workday and work week, minimum wages, overtime pay, insurance for work-related accidents, severance pay
and other conditions of employment. Our employees are not represented by a labor union. We consider our relationship with our employees
to be good. To date, we have not experienced any work stoppages.
Compensation and Benefits
We provide our employees with competitive salaries and bonuses,
opportunities for equity ownership, and a robust employment package that promotes well-being across all aspects of our employees’
lives, including health care, retirement planning, and paid time off. We also invest in the ongoing development of our employees through
our internal training programs.
Diversity and Inclusion
We value the diversity of our employees and take pride in our commitment
to diversity and inclusion across all levels of our organizational structure. We encourage a diversity of views and strive to create an
equal opportunity workplace, including working with managers to develop strategies for building diverse teams and promoting the advancement
of employees from diverse backgrounds.
Financial Information about Geographic Areas and Significant Customer
Information
The following table sets forth the geographical breakdown of our
revenue for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 (in thousands):
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Revenue based on customer’s location: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States |
|
|
7,636 |
|
|
|
2,303 |
|
Europe |
|
|
5,044 |
|
|
|
3,057 |
|
Asia-Pacific |
|
|
387 |
|
|
|
115 |
|
Rest of the world |
|
|
787 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
13,854 |
|
|
$ |
5,511 |
|
Additional discussion of financial information by reportable segment
and geographic area and sales in excess of 10% of total revenue to certain of our customers is contained in Note 13 to our consolidated
financial statements set forth in “Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this annual report.
2023 Recent Developments
|
● |
In March 2023, the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton technology received clearance from the FDA for use on stairs and curbs in the United
States, making it the only personal exoskeleton to receive FDA clearance for this indication. The clearance follows the FDA’s designation
of the device as a "Breakthrough Device" in recognition of its unprecedented ability to provide ambulatory access to environments containing
stairs and curbs for paralyzed individuals with SCI. |
|
● |
In August 2023, we completed the acquisition of AlterG, which adds significant scale to our revenue base, extensive sales and
service capabilities to our commercial team, and innovative systems that utilize DAP technology to our portfolio of rehabilitation solutions
that facilitate mobility and wellness in rehabilitation and daily life. |
|
● |
In November 2023, CMS released the Final Rule, which explicitly includes exoskeletons within a Medicare brace benefit category. The
rule went into effect on January 1, 2024. |
|
● |
In November 2023, CMS included the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton system in the agenda for the November 29, 2023 HCPCS public meeting.
The agency also proposed a preliminary payment determination of $94,617 for HCPCS code K1007 based on a “gap filling” process
applied to 2020 market data. At the meeting, CMS solicited additional information for updated market transactions for use in developing
a final payment determination. We participated in the HCPCS meeting process to provide additional information to help ensure that the
final payment determination accurately reflects current pricing information related to the market of lower-limb exoskeleton devices, including
the current ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton. A final Medicare payment determination is expected from CMS in first quarter of 2024 with an
April 1, 2024, effective date. |
|
● |
In December 2023, our first claim with Medicare for reimbursement for a ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton was paid; |
|
● |
Record annual revenue for 2023 was $13.9 million, compared to $5.5 million in 2022, an increase of 151%. |
|
● |
Our cash position remained strong with $28.1 million as of December 31, 2023, with no debt. |
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business faces significant risks. You should
carefully consider all of the information set forth in this annual report and in our other filings with the SEC, including the following
risk factors which we face and which are faced by our industry. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
and adversely affected by any of these risks. In that event, the trading price of our ordinary shares would likely decline and you might
lose all or part of your investment. This report also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our results
could materially differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, as a result of certain factors including the risks
described below and elsewhere in this report and our other SEC filings. See also “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
and Risk Factors Summary” on page (ii).
Risks Related to Our Business and Our Industry
We may fail to realize the benefits expected from our acquisition
of AlterG, which could adversely affect the price of our ordinary shares.
As discussed above in “Part I. Item 1. Business - Overview”,
on August 11, 2023, we completed the acquisition of AlterG which became an indirect and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
The anticipated benefits from our acquisition of AlterG are based
on projections and assumptions about the combined businesses of ReWalk and AlterG, which may not materialize as expected or which may
prove to be inaccurate. The value of our ordinary shares could be adversely affected if we are unable to realize the anticipated benefits
from the acquisition on a timely basis or at all. Achieving the benefits of the acquisition will depend, in part, on our ability to integrate
the business, operations and products of AlterG successfully and efficiently with our business. The process of integrating the operations
of ReWalk and AlterG could encounter unexpected costs and delays, which include: the loss of key personnel; the loss of key customers;
the loss of key suppliers; inability to properly identify, acquire or obtained required regulatory approvals; and unanticipated issues
in integrating sales, marketing and administrative functions. In addition, the acquired AlterG business, products and technologies may
not achieve anticipated revenues and income growth.
Further, the integration of AlterG may involve a number of additional
risks, including diversion of management’s attention away from the rest of the business, which could adversely affect our results
of operations. In addition, our failure to identify or accurately assess the magnitude of certain liabilities we assumed in the acquisition
could result in unexpected litigation or regulatory exposure, unfavorable accounting charges, unexpected increases in taxes due, a loss
of anticipated tax benefits or other adverse effects on our business, operating results or financial condition. If we do not realize the
expected benefits or synergies of the acquisition, such as revenue gains or cost reductions, there could be a material adverse effect
on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Global, regional, and local economic weakness
and uncertainty could adversely affect our demand for our products and services and our business and financial performance.
Our business and financial performance depends on worldwide economic
conditions and the demand for our products and services in the markets in which we compete. Ongoing economic weakness, including an economic
slowdown or recession, uncertainty in markets throughout the world and other adverse economic conditions, including inflation, changes
in monetary policy and increased interest rates, have resulted, and may result in the future, in decreased demand for our products and
services and increased expenses and difficulty in managing inventory levels and accurately forecasting revenue, gross margin, cash flows
and expenses. Ongoing U.S. federal government spending limits may continue to reduce demand for our products and services from organizations
that receive funding from the U.S. government and could negatively affect macroeconomic conditions in the United States, which could further
reduce demand for our products and services.
Prolonged or more severe economic weakness and uncertainty could
also cause our expenses to vary materially from our expectations. Any financial turmoil affecting the banking system and financial markets
or any significant financial services institution failures could negatively impact our treasury operations, as the financial condition
of such parties may deteriorate rapidly and without notice. Poor financial performance of asset markets and the adverse effects of fluctuating
currency exchange rates could lead to higher pension and post-retirement benefit expenses. Interest and other expenses could vary materially
from expectations depending on changes in interest rates, borrowing costs, currency exchange rates, costs of hedging activities and the
fair value of derivative instruments. Economic downturns also may lead to future restructuring actions and associated expenses.
We may not have sufficient funds to meet certain
future operating needs or capital requirements, which could impair our efforts to develop and commercialize existing and new products,
and as a result, we may in the future consider one or more capital-raising transactions, including future equity or debt financings, strategic
transactions, or borrowings which may also further dilute our shareholders or place us under restrictive covenants limiting our ability
to operate freely.
We intend to finance our business by close management of our operating
expenses until we reach profitable operation using existing cash on hand, issuances of equity and/or debt securities, and other future
public or private issuances of securities, cash exercised of outstanding warrants, or through a combination of the foregoing, though we
may also consider additional capital raising alternatives, such as entering into a credit facility, if the foregoing alternatives are
not available to us or unavailable on reasonable terms. Although we had a cash and cash equivalents of $28.1 million as of December 31,
2023, which we believe will be sufficient to fund our planned operations through at least the next twelve months from the date of this
annual report, if we are incorrect in our assumptions, we may need to raise additional capital sooner than expected or on less favorable
terms than what might otherwise be available. Raising additional capital through one or more of these alternatives may further dilute
our shareholders or place us under restrictive covenants limiting our ability to operate freely.
Raising additional capital in the public markets could also entail
certain downsides. Although we are currently eligible to use our Form S-3, we are limited to selling no more than one-third of our
unaffiliated market capitalization, or public float, on Form S-3 in a 12-month period unless our public float rises above $75 million.
For more information on our inability to use Form S-3, see “Part II. Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Equity Raises” below. Additionally, due to these
limitations on our use of Form S-3, we may be required to seek other methods for access to capital, such as a registration statement on
Form S-1. The preparation of a registration statement on Form S-1 is, and has in the past, been more time-consuming and costly than
using Form S-3. We may also conduct fundraising transactions in the form of private placements, potentially with registration rights or
priced at a discount to the market value of our ordinary shares, which could require shareholder approval under the rules of The Nasdaq
Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), or other equity raise transactions such as equity lines of credit. In addition to entailing increased
capital costs, any such transactions have historically resulted in and could result in substantial dilution of our shareholders’
interests and may also transfer control to a new investor or diminish the value of an investment in our ordinary shares.
We may also need to pursue strategic transactions, such as joint
ventures, in-licensing transactions, or the sale of our business, or all, or substantially all, of our assets if our financial stability
is uncertain, and we are unable to raise additional capital effectively. These strategic transactions have in the past and could in the
future require significant management attention, disrupt our business, adversely affect our financial results, be unsuccessful or fail
to achieve the desired results.
Overall, if we cannot raise the required funds, or cannot raise
them on terms acceptable to us or investors, we may be forced to curtail substantially our current operations or cease operations altogether.
We face economic and
political risks associated with doing business in Taiwan, particularly due to the geopolitical tension between Taiwan and China, and in
Russia that could negatively affect our business and hence the value of your investment.
Currently, we rely on third party suppliers in Taiwan
for a portion of the components we use in our AlterG products. Accordingly, our business, financial condition and results of operations
and the market price of our securities may be affected by changes in governmental policies, taxation, growth rate, inflation rate or interest
rates and by social instability and diplomatic and social developments in or affecting Taiwan. In particular, the unique political status
of Taiwan and its internal political movement cause sustained tension between China and Taiwan. Past developments related to the interactions
between China and Taiwan, especially in relation to trade activities such as bans on exports of goods from time to time, have on occasions
depressed the transactions and business operations of certain Taiwanese companies and overall economic environment. We cannot predict
whether there will be escalation of the tensions between China and Taiwan, which would lead to new bans or tariffs on exports or even
conflict. Any conflict which threatens the military, political or economic stability in Taiwan could have a material adverse effect on
our current or future business and financial conditions and results of operations.
In addition, we also sell our AlterG products in Russia. The
current invasion of Ukraine by Russia has escalated tensions among the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”)
and Russia. The United States and other NATO member states, as well as non-member states, have announced new sanctions against Russia
and certain Russian banks, enterprises and individuals. AlterG prior to the acquisition and Lifeward subsequent to the acquisition has
remained in compliance with these sanctions by obtaining export licenses for each shipment to our distributor that serves Russia. These
and any future additional sanctions and any resulting conflict between Russia, the United States and NATO countries could have an adverse
impact on our current operations.
Further, such invasion, ongoing military conflict, resulting
sanctions and related countermeasures by NATO states, the United States and other countries are likely to lead to market disruptions,
including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions for equipment,
which could have an adverse impact on our operations and financial performance.
We do not satisfy all requirements for continued
listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to comply with the continued listing requirements
over time or that our ordinary shares will continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
As previously disclosed, on October 10, 2022, we received a notification
letter (the “Bid Price Letter”) from Nasdaq that we failed to evidence a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share for
the prior 30-consecutive business day period in contravention of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a) (“Rule 5550(a)”). We were
provided an initial period of 180 days to regain compliance with Rule 5550(a). On April 11, 2023, we received a second notification
letter from Nasdaq indicating that we had been provided with an additional period of 180 calendar days, or until October 9, 2023, to regain
compliance with Rule 5550(a). The bid price of our ordinary shares did not close at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive
business days by October 5, 2023, and on October 6, 2023 we were notified by Nasdaq that, based upon our non-compliance with Rule 5550(a),
as of October 5, 2023, our securities were subject to delisting unless we timely requested a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel
(the “Panel”). We participated in an expedited review with the Panel, which first granted us an extension until January 31,
2024, to regain compliance with Rule 5550(a), including by implementing a reverse share split should such action be necessary to regain
compliance.
We thereafter requested a further extension, through March 30,
2024, to allow for additional time for the finalization and implementation of the home health rule administrative proposal by CMS that
explicitly includes exoskeletons within a Medicare benefit category. Our updated compliance plan continues to include the possible implementation
of a reverse share split should such action be deemed necessary to maintain our listing on Nasdaq. On December 8, 2023, we were notified
that the Panel had granted us the requested extension through March 30, 2024, to regain compliance with Rule 5550(a)(2). To do so, we
must evidence a closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days by March 30, 2024.
If we are not successful in regaining compliance with Rule 5550(a)(2)
during the extension period, our ordinary shares will be removed from trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Any delisting determination
could seriously decrease or eliminate the value of an investment in our ordinary shares and other securities linked to our ordinary shares.
While an alternative listing on an over-the-counter exchange could maintain some degree of a market in our ordinary shares, we could face
substantial material adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, the following: limited availability for market quotations for
our ordinary shares; reduced liquidity with respect to our ordinary shares; a determination that our ordinary shares are “penny
stock” under SEC rules, subjecting brokers trading our ordinary shares to more stringent rules on disclosure and the class of investors
to which the broker may sell the ordinary shares; limited news and analyst coverage, in part due to the “penny stock” rules;
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future; and potential breaches under or terminations
of our agreements with current or prospective large shareholders, strategic investors and banks. The perception among investors that we
are at heightened risk of delisting could also negatively affect the market price of our securities and trading volume of our ordinary
shares. In the event of a delisting, we can provide no assurance that any action taken by us to restore compliance with the listing requirements
would allow our ordinary shares to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our ordinary shares, prevent
our ordinary shares from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement, or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaq’s
listing requirements.
Our future growth and operating results will
depend on our ability to develop, receive regulatory clearance for and commercialize new products and penetrate new product and geographic
markets.
We are currently engaged in research and development efforts to
address the needs of patients with mobility impairments besides paraplegia, such as stroke, and, in the future, we may engage in efforts
to address these needs in patients with other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease and elderly
assistance. In 2019, we commercialized our first product for stroke patients, the ReStore Exo-Suit. For more information, see “Part,
Item 1. Business—ReStore Products” above. While our Collaboration Agreement with Harvard for the design, research and develop
lightweight exoskeleton system technologies for lower limb disabilities intended to treat stroke, multiple sclerosis, mobility limitations
for the elderly and other medical applications successfully concluded on March 31, 2022, Harvard has licensed to us certain of its intellectual
property relating to lightweight exoskeleton system technologies for lower limb disabilities. We are obligated to use commercially reasonable
efforts to develop products under the license in accordance with an agreed-upon development plan and to introduce and market such products
commercially.
We expect that a portion of our revenue will be derived, in the
next few years, from the ReStore soft exo-suit product, other new products utilizing DAP, and, in later years, if we choose
to advance the current designs, from other potential new products, such as ReBoot, a home use device for stroke patients, or new products
aimed at addressing other medical indications which affect the ability to walk, including multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s
disease and elderly assistance. As such, our future results will depend on our ability to successfully develop and commercialize such
new products and to penetrate our targeted markets with our existing ReStore product in larger scale than we have done to date. We cannot
ensure that we will be able to introduce new products, products currently under development or products contemplated for future development
for additional indications in a timely manner, or at all, as it depends on our available resources to fund such projects, as well as our
ability to conduct clinical trials and testing. While we received governmental clearance to market our ReStore product on the anticipated
timetable in 2019, obtaining clearance for any other products we may develop could be an extensive, costly, and time-consuming process,
which could delay any planned commercialization timelines. For more information on the clearance processes for our products, see “Part
I, Item 1. Business—Government Regulation” above.
Harvard may terminate its License Agreement with us if we fail
to maintain the requisite insurance or become insolvent. Any such termination of this aspect of the collaboration with Harvard could impair
our research and development efforts into lightweight soft suit exoskeleton system technologies for lower limb disabilities such as the
ReBoot device which is intended to be used at home by people who suffered a stroke. In addition, we may not be able to clinically demonstrate
the medical benefits of our products for new indications. We have limited clinical data demonstrating the benefits of our products and
we might not be able to support the economic benefits our products have for our potential customers. We may also be unable to gain necessary
regulatory clearances or approvals to enable us to market new products for additional indications or the regulatory process may be more
costly and time-consuming than expected, which could adversely impact us given our cash position and ongoing capital requirements.
Even if we are successful in the design and development of new
products, our growth and results of operations will depend on our ability to penetrate new markets and gain acceptance and reimbursement
coverage in non-SCI markets such as the stroke rehabilitation market, and, in the longer term, the home use device market for stroke-caused
lower limb disability, multiple sclerosis, elderly assistance and cerebral palsy patients. We may not be able to gain such market acceptance
and coverage for these indications in a timely manner, or at all.
While our new products currently under development will share some
aspects of the core technology platform of our current products, their design features and components may differ from our current products.
Accordingly, these products will also be subject to the risks described in the risk factor immediately below entitled “We rely on
sales of our ReWalk Personal Exoskeletons, ReStore Exo-Suits, and AlterG Anti-Gravity systems and related service contracts and extended
warranties for our revenue. We may not be able to achieve or maintain market acceptance of our ReWalk, ReStore, or AlterG Anti-Gravity
products, or to generate sufficient revenue from these current and future products to sustain our operations.” To the extent we
are unable to successfully develop and commercialize products beyond our existing commercial product portfolio, we will not meet our operating
and financial objectives.
We rely on sales of our ReWalk Personal Exoskeletons,
ReStore Exo-Suits, and AlterG Anti-Gravity systems and related service contracts and extended warranties for our revenue. We may not be
able to achieve or maintain market acceptance of our ReWalk, ReStore, or AlterG Anti-Gravity products or to generate sufficient revenue
from these current and future products to sustain our operations.
We currently rely, and expect in the future to rely, on sales of
our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, ReStore Exo-Suit, and AlterG Anti-Gravity systems, and related service contracts and extended warranties
for our revenue. We began marketing the ReStore lightweight soft exo-suit in 2019 in the United States and the E.U. (following the receipt
of FDA and CE mark clearance) to support mobility for individuals suffering from other lower limb disabilities. Several factors could
negatively affect our ability to achieve and maintain market acceptance of our ReWalk, AlterG, or ReStore systems, which could in turn
materially impair our business, financial condition, and operating results, as follows:
|
• |
ReWalk. We have sold a limited number of ReWalk systems, and market acceptance and adoption
depend on educating people with limited upright mobility and health care providers as to the distinct features, ease-of-use, positive
lifestyle impact, and other benefits of ReWalk compared to alternative technologies. ReWalk may not be perceived to have sufficient potential
benefits compared with these alternatives. Users may also choose other alternatives due to disadvantages of ReWalk, including the time
it takes for a user to put on the device, the slower pace of ReWalk compared to a wheelchair, the weight of ReWalk when carried, which
makes it more burdensome for a companion to transport than a wheelchair, the required training, and the requirement that users be accompanied
by a trained companion. Also, we believe that healthcare providers tend to be slow to change their medical treatment practices because
of perceived liability risks arising from the use of new products and the uncertainty of third-party reimbursement. Accordingly, healthcare
providers may not recommend ReWalk until there is sufficient support for the device to convince them to alter the treatment methods they
typically recommend, such as expanded reimbursement coverage by payors, and/or recommendations by prominent healthcare providers or other
key opinion leaders in the spinal cord injury community that ReWalk is effective in providing identifiable immediate and long-term health
benefits. |
In the United States, many private third-party payors use coverage
decisions and payment amounts determined by CMS as guidelines in setting their coverage and reimbursement policies. In July 2020, CMS
issued a Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System Level II Code for ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton. These codes are used to identify medical
products and supplies and to facilitate insurance claim submissions and processing for these items. On November 1, 2023, CMS issued Calendar
Year 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rule CMS-1780, which explicitly included exoskeletons within a Medicare brace benefit
category. The rule went into effect on January 1, 2024. However, even with a positive coverage and reimbursement response from CMS regarding
a product of ours, future action by CMS or other government agencies may diminish possible payments to clinicians, outpatient centers
and/or hospitals that provide training to the patients so that they can operate the ReWalk Personal Exoskeletons satisfactorily before
they take them home, which would discourage access to training sites to prospective users of ReWalk Personal Exoskeletons. Additionally,
any decision by CMS regarding reimbursement could influence other payors, including private insurers. If CMS declines to provide for reimbursements
of our products, or if its reimbursement price is lower than that of other payors, our products may not be reimbursed at a cost-effective
level or at all. Those private third-party payors that do not follow the Medicare guidelines may adopt different coverage and reimbursement
policies for purchase of our products or their use in a hospital or rehabilitative setting. In addition, we expect that the purchase of
ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton systems and the ReStore system, as it is currently being sold for use in rehabilitative settings, will
require the approval of senior management at hospitals or rehabilitation facilities, inclusion in the hospitals’ or rehabilitation
facilities’ budget process for capital expenditures, and in the case of ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, fundraising, and financial
planning or assistance.
|
• |
ReStore. The ReStore system is designed to provide advantages to stroke rehabilitation clinics
and therapists as compared to other traditional therapies and devices by minimizing setup time, improving patients’ clinical results
during therapy, supplying real-time analytics to optimize session productivity, and generating ongoing data reports to assist with tracking
patient progress Since the ReStore device is currently only indicated for use in the rehabilitative clinical setting, its market reception
will depend heavily on our ability to demonstrate to clinics and therapists the systemic and economic benefits of using the ReStore device,
its clinical advantage when compared to other devices or manual therapy, the functionality of the device for a significant portion of
the patients that they treat and the overall advantages that the device provides to their patients compared to other technologies. Because
the ReStore system is only indicated for use in a clinical setting and we received FDA approval and CE clearance in 2019, close in time
to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall sales of the system have been lower than originally anticipated, as many healthcare
providers and rehabilitation centers have shifted focus from the clinical setting to at-home therapies and are generally less open for
introduction of new technologies such as the ReStore |
|
. |
AlterG. The AlterG Anti-Gravity system has broad clinical utility for treating a wide variety of lower extremity conditions where
partial displacement of a patient’s weight can enable exercise which facilitates healing and recovery of improved function.
The potential of the AlterG Anti-Gravity systems to achieve greater penetration of the addressable market of rehabilitation hospitals,
clinics, and sports medicine practices will depend upon the continued expansion of conditions for which clinicians utilize the AlterG
and the ability for greater numbers of these facilities to afford the initial capital outlay for these devices. We are developing and
hope to introduce in 2024 a new, lower-cost AlterG system, which we believe will make it more affordable for smaller, independent rehabilitation
clinics. However, there can be no assurance that the introduction of this product can expand the size of the addressable market or will
not reduce the sales of the existing, higher-priced models. |
As a general matter, achieving and maintaining market acceptance
of our current or future products could be negatively impacted by many other factors, including, but not limited to the following: contribution
to death or serious injury or malfunction, results of clinical studies relating to our or similar products; claims that our products,
or any of their components, infringe on patent or other intellectual property rights of third parties; our ability to support financially
and leverage our sales, marketing and training infrastructure, as well as our level of research and development efforts; our ability to
enhance and broaden our research and development efforts and product offerings in response to the evolving demands of people with paraplegia
and lower limb disability and healthcare providers; our estimates regarding our current or future addressable market; perceived risks
associated with the use of our products or similar products or technologies; the introduction of new competitive products or greater acceptance
of competitive products; adverse regulatory or legal actions relating to our products or similar products or technologies; and problems
arising from the outsourcing of our manufacturing capabilities, or our existing manufacturing and supply relationships. Any or all of
these factors could materially and negatively impact our business, financial condition and operating results.
The market for medical exoskeletons, including
soft suit devices, remains relatively new and unproven, and important assumptions about the potential market for our current and future
products may be inaccurate.
The market for medical exoskeletons, including lightweight exo-suit
devices, remains relatively new and unproven. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the future size and rate of growth of the market.
We cannot be certain whether the market will continue to develop or if medical exoskeletons will achieve and sustain a level of market
acceptance and demand sufficient for us to continue to generate revenue and achieve profitability.
We obtained FDA clearance for our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton device in June 2014.
This clearance permits us to market the device for use by individuals with spinal cord injury at levels T7 to L5 and for use by individuals
in rehabilitation institutions with spinal cord injury at levels T4 to T6. We obtained FDA clearance for our ReStore system in June 2019.
This clearance permits us to market the device to be used to assist ambulatory functions in rehabilitation institutions under supervision
of a trained therapist for people with hemiplegia or hemiparesis due to stroke who can ambulate at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) with no more
than minimal to moderate levels of assistance.
Future products for those with paraplegia or other mobility impairments
or spinal cord injuries may have the same or other restrictions.
Our business strategy is based, in part, on our estimates of the
number of individuals with physical limitations and disability and considers the occurrence of spinal cord injuries, strokes, lower-extremity
orthopedic injury or surgery, neurological disease, and obesity in our target markets, and the percentage of those groups that would be
able to use our current and future products. Limited sources exist to obtain reliable market data with respect to the number of mobility-impaired
individuals and the incurrence of spinal cord injuries and strokes in our target markets. In addition, there are no third-party reports
or studies regarding what percentage of those with limited mobility and/or spinal cord injuries would be able to use exoskeletons, in
general, or our current or planned future products, in particular. Our assumptions may be inaccurate and may change.
The NSCISC estimates according to its 2023 SCI Data Sheet that
there are 302,000 people in the United States living with SCI, with an annual incidence of approximately 18,000 new cases per year. Based
on information from the 2022 annual report published by the NSCISC, 40% of the total U.S. population of SCI patients suffered injuries
between levels T4 and L5. Four published ReWalk trials with respect to such eligible SCI patients had an aggregate screening acceptance
rate of 50% considering all current FDA limitations, resulting in an estimated 20% of the total population of SCI patients being qualified
candidates for current ReWalk products under its medical labeling criteria. There may be other permanent or short-term factors that affect
the market size such as the ability to participate in the training program, the ability to use the device in the user’s current
home environment as well as available companion support. With regards to our ReStore product for stroke rehabilitation, as the indication
of use is currently in rehabilitation clinics our target market is based on the number of current and future clinics who treat stroke
patients. Although there are thousands of inpatient, outpatient and rehabilitation clinics providing therapy in the U.S. for example,
we currently see that only a limited portion of the clinics have decided to include ReStore in their stroke rehab program. For more information
on our expectations regarding these plans, see “—Our future growth and operating results will depend on our ability to develop,
receive regulatory clearance for and commercialize new products and penetrate new product and geographic markets” below. For more
information regarding the potential market for future products, including our lightweight soft suit exoskeleton, see “Part I, Item
1. Business—ReWalk Personal and ReWalk Rehabilitation Products—Market Opportunity” above.
We cannot assure you that our estimate regarding our current products
is accurate or that our estimate regarding future products will remain the same. FDA or CE mark clearance for such products, if received
at all, may contain different limitations from the ones the FDA or EU has placed on the devices we currently market for paraplegia. If
our estimates of our current or future addressable market are incorrect, our business may not develop as we expect, and the price of our
securities may suffer.
We may fail to secure or maintain adequate
insurance coverage or reimbursement for our products by third-party payors, which risk may be heightened if insurers find the products
to be investigational or experimental or if new government regulations change existing reimbursement policies. Additionally, such coverage
or reimbursement, even if maintained, may not produce revenue that are high enough to allow us to sell our products profitably.
We expect that in the future a significant source of payment for
ReWalk systems will be private insurance plans and managed care programs, government programs such as the VHA, CMS, workers’ compensation
plans, and other third-party payors.
In December 2015, the VHA issued a national reimbursement policy
for the ReWalk system, which entails the evaluation, training and procurement of ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton systems for all qualifying
veterans across the United States. Additionally, in September 2017, German insurer Barmer signed a confirmation and letter of agreement
regarding the provision of ReWalk systems for all qualifying beneficiaries and the German national social accident insurance provider
DGUV indicated that its member payors will approve the supply of exoskeleton systems for qualifying beneficiaries on a case-by-case basis.
However, no broad uniform policy of coverage and reimbursement for electronic exoskeleton medical technology exists among third-party
payors in the United States, although reimbursement may be achieved on a case-by-case basis. To date, payments for our products, which
are largely for our ReWalk systems, have been made primarily through case-by-case determinations by third-party payors (including several
private insurers in the United States), by self-payors and, to a lesser extent, through the use of funds from insurance and/or accident
settlements.
Generally, private insurance companies in the United States do
not cover or provide reimbursement for any medical exoskeleton products for personal use, including ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, and may
ultimately provide no coverage at all. Additionally, there is limited clinical data related to the ReWalk and ReStore systems, and third-party
payors may consider use of them to be experimental and therefore refuse to cover any or all of them. Additionally, the majority of independent
medical review decisions to date made following the denial of ReWalk coverage have determined that ReWalk is experimental and/or investigational,
citing a lack of clinical data.
As described above, in the United States, many private third-party
payors use coverage decisions and payment amounts determined by CMS as guidelines in setting their coverage and reimbursement policies.
On November 1, 2023, CMS issued Calendar Year 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rule CMS-1780, which explicitly included exoskeletons
within a Medicare brace benefit category, effective January 1, 2024. CMS also solicited comment on a preliminary payment determination
for the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton as part of the November 29, 2023 HCPCS meeting process, and we participated to provide updated pricing
information to inform CMS’s final payment determination. A final Medicare payment determination is expected from CMS in first quarter
of 2024 with an April 1, 2024, effective date.
However, even with a positive coverage and reimbursement response
from CMS regarding a product of ours, future action by CMS or other government agencies may diminish possible payments to physicians,
outpatient centers and/or hospitals that purchase our products for use by their patients and possible payments to individuals who purchase
the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton for their own use. Additionally, a decision by CMS to provide reimbursement could influence other payors,
including private insurers. If CMS declines to provide for reimbursements of our products or if its reimbursement price is lower than
that of other payors, our products may not be reimbursed at a cost-effective level or at all. Those private third-party payors that do
not follow the Medicare guidelines may adopt different coverage and reimbursement policies for purchase of our products or their use in
a hospital or rehabilitative setting. In addition, we expect that the purchase of ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton systems and the ReStore
system, as it is currently being sold for use in rehabilitative settings, will require the approval of senior management at hospitals
or rehabilitation facilities, inclusion in the hospitals’ or rehabilitation facilities’ budget process for capital expenditures,
and in the case of ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, fundraising, and financial planning or assistance.
Third-party payors are developing increasingly sophisticated methods
of controlling healthcare costs. These cost control methods include prospective payment systems, capitated rates, benefit redesigns and
an exploration of other cost-effective methods of delivering healthcare. These cost control methods potentially limit the amount that
healthcare providers may be willing to pay for electronic exoskeleton medical technology if they provide coverage at all. We may be unable
to sell our products on a profitable basis if third-party payors deny coverage or provide insufficient levels of reimbursement.
Future legislation could result in modifications to the existing
public and private health care insurance systems that would have a material adverse effect on the reimbursement policies discussed above.
If enacted and implemented, any measures to restrict health care spending could result in decreased revenue from our products and decrease
potential returns from our research and development initiatives.
Defects in our products or the software that
drives them could adversely affect the results of our operations.
The design, manufacture and marketing of our products involve certain
inherent risks. Manufacturing or design defects, unanticipated use of ReWalk, ReStore, or AlterG, or inadequate disclosure of risks relating
to the use of our products can lead to injury or other adverse events. In addition, because the manufacturing of some of our products
is outsourced to Sanmina, the original equipment manufacturer of such products, we may not be aware of manufacturing defects that could
occur. Such adverse events could lead to recalls or safety alerts relating to those products (either voluntary or required by the FDA
or similar governmental authorities in other countries), and could result, in certain cases, in the removal of our products from the market.
A recall could result in significant costs. To the extent any manufacturing defect occurs, our agreement with Sanmina contains a limitation
on Sanmina’s liability, and therefore we could be required to incur the majority of related costs. Product defects or recalls could
also result in our inability to profitably grow our business due to parts shortages, increased field service demand, and inventory shortages,
and the resulting negative publicity, customer dissatisfaction, damage to our reputation or, in some circumstances, delays in new product
clearances or approvals.
When an exoskeleton is used by a paralyzed individual to walk,
the individual relies completely on the exoskeleton to hold him or her upright. Between 2013 and 2021, we submitted medical device reports
(“MDRs”) to the FDA (and equivalent authorities outside of the United States) relating to reports of falls and fractures of
individuals using the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton system. We conducted a voluntary correction related to certain use instructions
in the device’s labeling, which the FDA classified as a Class II recall. The recall was closed in November 2019, and the FDA
cleared our 510(k) containing revised instructions for use in May 2020. Since that time, we have submitted no further MDRs.
In addition, our products incorporate sophisticated computer software
and hardware. Complex software frequently contains errors, especially when first introduced. Our software may experience errors or performance
problems in the future. If any part of our product’s hardware or software were to fail, the user could experience death or serious
injury. For example, in 2021 ReWalk submitted medical device reports to the FDA and medical device vigilance reports to the European regulatory
authorities and initiated a correction in response to two complaints regarding battery thermal runaway events. The correction that includes
clarification of previous instructions and additional information on battery operation and storage is closed in Europe and in the United
States. ReWalk has separately initiated a design project to improve power management and battery operation during charge and discharge,
and this project remains in process. Additionally, users may not use or maintain our products in accordance with safety, storage, and
training protocols, which could enhance the risk of death or injury. Any such occurrence could cause delay in market acceptance of our
products, damage to our reputation, the need for additional regulatory filings, product recalls, increased service and warranty costs,
product liability claims, and loss of revenue relating to hardware or software defects.
The medical device industry has historically been subject to extensive
litigation over product liability claims. We have been and anticipate that as part of our ordinary course of business we may be subject
to product liability claims alleging defects in the design, manufacture, or labeling of any of our products which has resulted in an injury
or death. A product liability claim, regardless of its merit or eventual outcome, could result in significant legal defense costs and
high punitive damage payments. Although we maintain product liability insurance, the coverage is subject to deductibles and limitations,
and may not be adequate to cover future claims. Additionally, we may be unable to maintain our existing product liability insurance in
the future at satisfactory rates or adequate amounts. Any alleged defect that has resulted in an adverse event involving our products
could result in future voluntary corrective actions, such as recalls or customer letters, or in an FDA enforcement action, such as a mandatory
recall, notification to healthcare professionals and users, warning letter, seizure, injunction or import alert. In addition, failure
to report such adverse events to appropriate government authorities on a timely basis, or at all, could result in enforcement action against
us. Any action, whether voluntary or involuntary, as well as defending ourselves in a lawsuit, will require financial resources and distract
management, and may harm our reputation and financial results.
If we are unable to leverage our sales, marketing,
and training infrastructure we may fail to increase our sales.
A key element of our long-term business strategy is the continued
leveraging of our sales, marketing, training, and reimbursement infrastructure, through the training, retention, and motivation of skilled
sales and marketing representatives and reimbursement personnel with industry experience and knowledge. Our ability to derive revenue
from sales of our products depends largely on our ability to market the products and obtain reimbursements for them. In order to continue
growing our business efficiently, we must therefore coordinate the development of our sales, marketing, training and reimbursement infrastructure
with the timing of regulatory approvals, decisions regarding reimbursements, limited resources consideration and other factors in various
geographies. Managing and maintaining our sales and marketing infrastructure is expensive and time consuming, and an inability to leverage
such an organization effectively, or in coordination with regulatory or other developments, could inhibit potential sales and the penetration
and adoption of our products into both existing and new markets. However, certain decisions we make regarding staffing in these areas
in our efforts to maintain an adequate spending level could have unintended negative effects on our revenue, such as by weakening our
sales infrastructure, impairing our reimbursement efforts and/or harming the quality of our customer service.
Additionally, we expect to face significant challenges as we manage
and continue to improve our sales and marketing infrastructure and work to retain the individuals who make up those networks. Newly hired
sales representatives require training and take time to achieve full productivity. If we fail to train new hires adequately, or if we
experience high turnover in our sales force in the future, we cannot be certain that new hires will become as productive as may be necessary
to maintain or increase our sales. Likewise, following our acquisition of AlterG in August 2023 and in connection with integrating AlterG
with ReWalk, each set of sales representatives had to learn how to sell new products and services. In addition, if we are not able to
retain existing and recruit new trainers to our clinical staff, we may not be able to successfully train customers on the use of ReWalk,
ReStore, or AlterG systems which could inhibit new sales and harm our reputation. If we are unable to expand our sales, marketing, and
training capabilities, we may not be able to effectively commercialize our products, or enhance the strength of our brand, which could
have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
The potential health benefits of our ReWalk products have not been
substantiated by long-term clinical data, which could limit sales of such products.
Although published research and users of our ReWalk products have
reported the potential secondary health benefits of our ReWalk products such as a reduction in pain and spasticity, improved bowel and
urinary tract functions and emotional and psychosocial benefits, among others, currently there is no large scale, randomized clinical
trial establishing the secondary health benefits of ReWalk products due to the relatively small size of the applicable user population.
There is also a lack of randomized clinical data for such health benefits of the ReStore-specifically its long-term benefits following
the usage of the product within the clinic as the trials conducted to date using this product are limited.
As a result, potential customers and healthcare providers may be
slower to adopt or recommend ReWalk products or ReStore and third-party payors may not be willing to provide coverage or reimbursement
for our products. In addition, future studies or clinical experience may indicate that treatment with our current or future products is
not superior to treatment with alternative products or therapies. Such results could slow the adoption of our products and significantly
reduce our sales.
We depend on a single third-party supplier
to manufacture some of our products, and we rely on a limited number of third-party suppliers for certain components of our products.
We have contracted with Sanmina, a well-established contract manufacturer
with expertise in the medical device industry, for the manufacture of all our ReWalk and ReStore systems and the sourcing of all of our
components and raw materials for those products. We may terminate our relationship with Sanmina at any time upon written notice. In addition,
either we or Sanmina may terminate the relationship in the event of a material breach, subject to a 30-day cure period. For our business
strategy to be successful, Sanmina must be able to manufacture our products in sufficient quantities, in compliance with regulatory requirements
and quality control standards, in accordance with agreed upon specifications, at acceptable costs and quality levels, and on a timely
basis. Increases in our product sales, whether forecasted or unanticipated, could strain the ability of Sanmina to manufacture an increasingly
large supply of our current or future products in a manner that meets these various requirements. In addition, although we are not restricted
from engaging an alternative manufacturer, and potentially have the capabilities to manufacture our products in-house, the process of
moving our manufacturing activities would be time consuming and costly, and may limit our ability to meet our sales commitments, which
could harm our reputation and could have a material adverse effect on our business. Moreover, the failure of Sanmina to comply with
applicable regulatory requirements could expose us to regulatory action including warning letters, product recalls, termination of distribution,
product seizures or civil penalties.
We also rely on third-party suppliers, many of which contract directly
with Sanmina, to supply certain components of our products, and in some cases, we purchase these components ourselves. In our factory
in Fremont, California, where we manufacture our AlterG products, we also rely on third-party suppliers for key components of our products.
Neither Lifeward nor Sanmina has long-term supply agreements with most of the suppliers and, in many cases, make purchases on a purchase
order basis and our ability to secure adequate quantities of such products may be limited. Suppliers may encounter problems that limit
their ability to manufacture components for our products, including financial difficulties or damage to their manufacturing equipment
or facilities. If Lifeward or Sanmina fails to obtain sufficient quantities of high-quality components to meet demand on a timely basis,
we could lose customer orders, our reputation may be harmed, and our business could suffer.
Our results of operations and liquidity could be adversely impacted by supply chain
disruptions and operational challenges faced by our manufacturer or suppliers. Sanmina generally uses a small number of suppliers for
ReWalk and ReStore. Our manufacturing operations for AlterG also utilize a limited number of suppliers, some of which are the sole suppliers
to us of such supplies. Depending on a limited number of suppliers exposes us to risks, including limited control over pricing,
availability, quality, and delivery schedules. Such risks were heightened in light of the interruptions in supply chains and distribution
networks related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, several components, mainly electronic parts,
experienced price increases. If any one or more of our suppliers ceases to provide sufficient quantities of components in a timely manner
or on acceptable terms, we or Sanmina would have to seek alternative sources of supply or accept price increase as we saw during the pandemic.
It may be difficult to engage additional or replacement suppliers in a timely manner. Failure of these suppliers to deliver products at
the level our business requires would limit our ability to meet our sales commitments, which could harm our reputation and could have
a material adverse effect on our business. We or Sanmina also may have difficulty obtaining similar components from other acceptable suppliers,
which could require Sanmina or us to cease using the components, seek alternative components or technologies and we could be forced to
modify our products to incorporate alternative components or technologies, which could result in a requirement to seek additional regulatory
clearances or approvals. Any disruption of this nature or increased expenses could harm our commercialization efforts and adversely affect
our operating results.
Sanmina’s manufacturing and assembly of our ReWalk and
Restore products pursuant to our specifications is conducted at a single facility in Ma’alot, Israel. Accordingly, we are highly
dependent on the uninterrupted and efficient operation of this facility. If operations at this facility were to be disrupted as a result
of acts of war or terrorism, equipment failures, earthquakes and other natural disasters, fires, accidents, work stoppages, power outages,
or other reasons such as a local shutdown as we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, our business, financial condition and results
of operations could be materially adversely affected. In particular, this facility is located in the north of Israel within range of rockets
that have from time to time been fired into the country during armed conflicts with Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon, Syria
or other countries in the region. For more information, see the risk factor below entitled “Risks Related to Our Incorporation and
Location in Israel - Conditions in Israel, including Israel’s war against Hamas and other
terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and a potential escalation of the conflict on Israel’s northern border, may materially
and adversely affect our business and results of operations.” Although our manufacturing and assembly operations could be transferred
elsewhere, either in-house or to an alternative Sanmina facility, the process of relocating these operations would cause delays in production.
Lost sales or increased costs that we may experience during the disruption, or a forced relocation, of operations may not be recoverable
under our insurance policies, and longer-term business disruptions could result in a loss of customers. If this were to occur, our business,
financial condition and operations could be materially negatively impacted. Additionally, our reliance on Sanmina as a contract manufacturer
or any other contract manufacturer makes us vulnerable to possible capacity constraints and reduced control over component availability,
delivery schedules, manufacturing yields and costs.
We operate in a competitive industry that is
subject to rapid technological change, and we expect competition to increase.
There are several other companies developing technology and devices
that compete with our products. Our principal competitors in the medical exoskeleton market consist of Ekso Bionics, Rex Bionics, Cyberdyne,
FREE Bionics, Wandercraft, and others. These companies have products currently available for institutional use and in some cases personal
use. We expect some of such products to become available for personal use in the next few years, especially as we continue to expand coverage
by different payors and geographies. In addition, we compete with alternative devices and alternative therapies, including treadmill-based
gait therapies, such as those offered by DIH (formerly known as Hocoma), Boost, Aretech, BTL, Reha Technology, and Bioness, which is a
unit of Bioventus. Our competitor base may change or expand as we continue to develop and commercialize our soft suit exoskeleton product
in the future. These or other medical device or robotics companies, academic and research institutions, or others, may develop new technologies
or therapies that provide a superior walking and usage experience, are more effective in treating the secondary medical conditions that
we target or are less expensive than ReWalk, ReStore, AlterG, or future products. Our technologies and products could be rendered obsolete
by such developments. We may also compete with other treatments and technologies that address the secondary medical conditions that our
products seek to mitigate.
Our competitors may respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies,
undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, have greater financial, marketing, and other resources than we do or may be more successful
in attracting potential customers, employees, and strategic partners. In addition, potential customers, such as hospitals and rehabilitation
centers, could have long-standing or contractual relationships with competitors or other medical device companies. Potential customers
may be reluctant to adopt ReWalk, ReStore, or AlterG, particularly if it competes with or has the potential to compete with or diminish
the need/utilization of products or treatments supported through these existing relationships. If we are not able to compete effectively,
our business and results of operations will be negatively impacted.
In addition, because we operate in a new market, the actions of
our competitors could adversely affect our business. Adverse events such as product defects or legal claims with respect to competing
or similar products could cause reputational harm to the exoskeleton market on the whole. Further, adverse regulatory findings or reimbursement-related
decisions with respect to other exoskeleton products could negatively impact the entire market and, accordingly, our business.
We utilize independent distributors for the
ReWalk and ReStore products who are free to market other products that compete with ours.
While we expect that the percentage of our sales generated from independent distributors
will decrease over time as we continue to focus our resources on achieving reimbursement within our direct markets in the United States
and Europe, we believe that independent distributors of the ReWalk or ReStore products will continue to be an important distribution channel
for us in the future. None of our independent distributors has been required to sell our products exclusively. Our agreements with these
distributors generally have one-year initial terms and automatic renewals for an additional year. If any of our key independent distributors
of the ReWalk or ReStore products were to cease to distribute our products, our sales could be adversely affected. In such a situation,
we may need to seek alternative independent distributors or increase our reliance on our other independent distributors or our direct
sales representatives, which may not prevent our sales from being adversely affected. Additionally, to the extent that we enter into additional
arrangements with independent distributors to perform sales, marketing, or distribution services, the terms of the arrangements could
cause our product margins to be lower than if we directly marketed and sold our products.
We may receive a significant number of warranty
claims or our ReWalk, ReStore, or AlterG systems may require significant amounts of service after sale.
Sales of ReWalk generally include a five-year warranty for parts
and services, other than for normal wear and tear. Some of our active devices were delivered prior to 2019 with a two-year warranty so
we provide these customers with the option to purchase an extended warranty for up to an additional three years. Our ReStore product
offering includes a two-year warranty for parts and services. The AlterG Anti-Gravity systems are sold with a one-year factory warranty
covering parts and services. If product returns or warranty claims are significant or exceed our expectations, we could incur unanticipated
expenditures for parts and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We may not be able to enhance our exoskeleton product offerings
through our research and development efforts.
In order to increase our sales and our market share in the exoskeleton
market, we are working to enhance and broaden our research and development efforts and product offerings in response to the evolving demands
of people with paraplegia, paralysis, other medical conditions and healthcare providers, as well as competitive technologies. We are also
currently involved in ongoing research and development efforts directed to the needs of patients with other mobility impairments, such
as stroke, and began commercializing our ReStore product for stroke patients in 2019. Depending on our future resources and business focus,
we plan to address these needs in patients with other conditions or devices for stroke patients to be used at home, improving our current
products, or developing products to address additional medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or cerebral
palsy and support elderly assistance. We may decide to invest our business development resources in partnerships, licensing agreements,
business acquisition and other ways that will provide us new product offerings without significant research and development activities.
We may not be successful in developing, obtaining regulatory approval for, or marketing our currently proposed products, or our approved
products for additional indications, products proposed to be created in the future or products that will be available for us through business
acquisitions. In addition, notwithstanding our market research efforts, our future products may not be accepted by consumers, their caregivers,
healthcare providers or third-party payors who reimburse consumers for our products. The success of any proposed product offerings will
depend on numerous factors, including our ability to:
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identify the product features that people with paraplegia or paralysis, their caregivers, and healthcare providers are seeking in
a medical device that restores upright mobility and successfully incorporate those features into our products; |
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identify the product features that people with stroke, multiple sclerosis or other similar indications require while the products
are used at home as well as what items are valuable to the clinics that provide them rehabilitation; |
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develop and introduce proposed products in sufficient quantities and in a timely manner; |
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adequately protect our intellectual property and avoid infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third-parties; |
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demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and health benefits of proposed products; and |
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obtain the necessary regulatory clearances and approvals for proposed products. |
If we fail to generate demand by developing products that incorporate
features desired by consumers, their caregivers or healthcare providers, or if we do not obtain regulatory clearance or approval for proposed
products in time to meet market demand, we may fail to generate sales sufficient to achieve or maintain profitability. We have in the
past experienced, and we may in the future experience, delays in various phases of product development, including during research and
development, manufacturing, limited release testing, marketing, and customer education efforts. Such delays could cause customers to delay
or forgo purchases of our products, or to purchase our competitors’ products. Even if we are able to successfully develop proposed
products when anticipated, these products may not produce sales in excess of the costs of development, and they may be quickly rendered
obsolete by changing consumer preferences or the introduction by our competitors of products embodying new technologies or features.
We may enter into collaborations, in-licensing
arrangements, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business acquisitions or partnerships with third parties that may not result in the
development of commercially viable products or the generation of significant future revenue.
In the ordinary course of our business, we may enter into collaborations,
in-licensing arrangements, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business acquisitions, partnerships or other arrangements to develop our
products and to pursue new geographic or product markets. Proposing, negotiating, and implementing collaborations, in-licensing arrangements,
joint ventures, strategic alliances, or partnerships may be a lengthy and complex process. Other companies, including those with substantially
greater financial, marketing, sales, technology or other business resources, may compete with us for these opportunities or arrangements.
We may not identify, secure, or complete any such transactions or arrangements in a timely manner, on a cost-effective basis, on acceptable
terms or at all. We have limited institutional knowledge and experience with respect to these business development activities, and we
may also not realize the anticipated benefits of any such transaction or arrangement. In particular, these collaborations may not result
in the development of products that achieve commercial success or result in significant revenue and could be terminated prior to developing
any products. For example, we have entered into agreements with MediTouch and MYOLYN for the distribution of their products in the U.S.
After several years of commercial collaboration, we determined that the agreement with MediTouch would not yield commercially acceptable
results for us and we terminated the agreement as of January 31, 2023. Similarly, the distribution arrangement with MYOLYN or other new
future arrangements may not be as productive or successful as we hope.
On May 16, 2016, we entered into the Collaboration Agreement
and License Agreement with Harvard. Pursuant to the Collaboration Agreement, we have agreed to collaborate with Harvard for the research,
design, development, and commercialization of lightweight exoskeleton system technologies for lower limb disabilities, aimed to treat
stroke, multiple sclerosis, mobility limitations for the elderly and other medical applications. The Collaboration Agreement concluded
on March 31, 2022. The License Agreement will continue in full force and effect until the expiration of the last-to-expire valid
claim of the licensed patents. For more information on the collaboration with Harvard, see “Part I. Item 1. Business - Research
and Development - Research and Development Collaborations”.
Additionally, as we pursue these arrangements and choose to pursue
other collaborations, in-licensing arrangements, joint ventures, strategic alliances, or partnerships in the future, we may not be in
a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the transaction or arrangement. This could create the potential risk of
creating impasses on decisions, and our collaborators may have economic or business interests or goals that are, or that may become, inconsistent
with our business interests or goals. It is possible that conflicts may arise with our collaborators. Our collaborators or any future
collaborators may act in their self-interest, which may be adverse to our best interest, and they may breach their obligations to us.
Disputes between us and our collaborators or any future collaborators may result in litigation or arbitration which would increase our
expenses and divert the attention of our management. Further, these transactions and arrangements are contractual in nature and may be
terminated or dissolved under the terms of the applicable agreements. Our collaborators or any future collaborators may allege that we
have breached our agreement with them, and accordingly seek to terminate such agreement, which could adversely affect our competitive
business position and harm our business prospects.
We may seek to grow our business through acquisitions
of businesses, products or technologies, and the failure to manage acquisitions, or the failure to integrate them with our existing business,
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
From time to time, we may consider opportunities to acquire or
license other products or technologies that may enhance our product platform or technology, expand the breadth of our markets or customer
base, or advance our business strategies. For example, as discussed above in “Part I. Item 1. Business - Overview”, on August
11, 2023, we completed the acquisition of AlterG, and AlterG became an indirect and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Potential
acquisitions involve numerous risks, including:
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problems assimilating the acquired products or technologies; |
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issues maintaining uniform standards, procedures, controls and policies; |
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problems integrating employees from an acquired organization into our company and integrating each company’s accounting, management
information, human resources and other administrative systems; |
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unanticipated costs associated with acquisitions; |
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diversion of management’s attention from our existing business operations; |
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potential incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses, or write-offs of goodwill; |
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risks associated with entering new markets in which we have limited or no experience; and |
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increased legal and accounting costs relating to the acquisitions or compliance with regulatory matters. |
We have no current commitments with respect to any acquisition
or licensing. We do not know if we will be able to identify such acquisitions or licensing we deem suitable, whether we will be able to
successfully complete any such transactions on favorable terms, or at all, or whether we will be able to successfully integrate any acquired
products or technologies. Our potential inability to integrate any acquired products or technologies effectively may adversely affect
our business, operating results, and financial condition. For more information, see the risk factor above entitled “Risks Related
to Our Business and Our Industry – We may fail to realize the benefits expected from our acquisition of AlterG, which could adversely
affect the price of our ordinary shares.”
Risks Related to Government Regulation
Although the FDA granted Breakthrough Device
Designation status to our ReBoot device, this designation does not guarantee regulatory clearance, or a speedier clearance timeline.
In November 2021, the FDA granted Breakthrough Device Designation
status to ReBoot, a personal soft exo-suit for home and community use by individuals post-stroke. In May 2021, the FDA granted Breakthrough
Device Designation status to the ReWalk with stair functionality. For more information regarding the Breakthrough Device, see “Part
I, Item 1. Business-Government Regulation” above.
However, achieving Breakthrough Device Designation status does
not guarantee regulatory clearance or approval or a speedier clearance or approval timeline. We have not yet submitted a premarket
submission to the FDA or any foreign regulatory agency for clearance or other marketing authorization of ReBoot.
U.S. healthcare reform measures and other potential
legislative initiatives could adversely affect our business.
Recent political changes in the United States could result in significant
changes in, and uncertainty with respect to, legislation, regulation, global trade, and government policy that could substantially impact
our business and the medical device industry generally. Certain proposals, if enacted into law, could impose limitations on the prices
we will be able to charge for our ReWalk system or any products we may develop and offer in the future, or the amounts of reimbursement
available for such products from governmental agencies or third-party payors. Additionally, any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare
or other government-funded federal programs, including the VHA, or state healthcare programs could lead to a similar reduction in payments
from private commercial payors. The FDA’s policies may also change, and additional government regulations may be issued that could
prevent, limit, or delay regulatory approval of our future products, or impose more stringent product labeling and post-marketing testing
and other requirements.
We expect that changes or additions to the ACA or the Medicare
and Medicaid programs, changes allowing the federal government to directly negotiate drug prices and changes stemming from other healthcare
reform measures, especially with regard to healthcare access, financing or other legislation in individual states, could have a material
adverse effect on the healthcare industry.
Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since
passage of the ACA. The Budget Control Act of 2011, among other things, created the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to recommend
proposals in spending reductions to Congress. The Joint Select Committee did not achieve its targeted deficit reduction of an amount greater
than $1.2 trillion for the fiscal years 2012 through 2021, triggering the legislation’s automatic reductions to several government
programs. These reductions included aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to healthcare providers of up to 2% per fiscal year. This
2% reduction was temporarily suspended during the pandemic, but has since been reinstated and, unless Congress and/or the Administration
take additional action, will begin to increase gradually starting in April 2030, reaching 4% in April 2031, until sequestration ends in
October 2031. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act was signed into law, which, among other things, reduced Medicare payments
to several types of providers, including hospitals, imaging centers, and cancer treatment centers, and increased the statute of limitations
period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, among other
things, directs CMS to engage in price-capped negotiation for certain drugs and biologics that CMS reimburses under Medicare Part B and
Part D, penalizes drug manufacturers that increase prices of Medicare Part B and Part D drugs at a rate greater than the rate of inflation,
and redesigns the Part D drug benefit, effective in 2025.
The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare
reforms may thus prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability or further commercialize our existing or future
products. We are currently unable to predict what additional legislation or regulation, if any, relating to the health care industry may
be enacted in the future or what effect recently enacted federal legislation or any such additional legislation or regulation would have
on our business. The pendency or approval of such proposals or reforms could result in a decrease in our stock price or limit our ability
to raise capital or to enter into collaboration agreements for the further development and commercialization of our programs and products.
Our devices are subject to the FDA’s
regulations pertaining to marketing and promotional communications, among others. Failure to comply with such regulations may give rise
to a number of potential FDA enforcement actions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our sales and marketing efforts, as well as promotions, are subject
to various laws and regulations. Medical device promotions must be consistent with and not contrary to labeling and the indication for
use, be truthful and not false or misleading, and be adequately substantiated. In addition to the requirements applicable to 510(k)-cleared
products, we may also be subject to enforcement action in connection with any promotion of an investigational new device. A sponsor or
investigator, or any person acting on behalf of a sponsor or investigator, may not represent in a promotional context that an investigational
new device is safe or effective for the purposes for which it is under investigation or otherwise promote the device.
Our marketing and promotional materials are subject to FDA scrutiny
to ensure that the device is being marketed in compliance with these requirements. If the FDA investigates our marketing and promotional
materials and finds that any of our current or future commercial products were being marketed for unapproved or uncleared uses or in a
false or misleading manner, we could be subject to FDA enforcement and/or false advertising consumer lawsuits, each of which could have
a material adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to extensive governmental regulations
relating to the manufacturing, labeling, and marketing of our products, and a failure to comply with such regulations could lead to withdrawal
or recall of our products from the market.
Our medical products and manufacturing operations are subject to
regulation by the FDA, the European Union, and other governmental authorities both inside and outside of the United States. These agencies
enforce laws and regulations that govern the development, testing, manufacturing, labeling, storage, installation, servicing, advertising,
promoting, marketing, distribution, import, export and market surveillance of our products.
Our products are regulated as medical devices in the United States
under the FFDCA as implemented and enforced by the FDA. Under the FFDCA, medical devices are classified into one of three classes (Class
I, Class II or Class III) depending on the degree of risk associated with the medical device, what is known about the type of device,
and the extent of control needed to provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. Classification of a device is important
because the class to which a device is assigned determines, among other things, the necessity and type of FDA review required prior to
marketing the device. For more information, see “Part I, Item 1. Business-Government Regulation” above.
In June 2014, the FDA granted our request for “de novo”
classification, which provides a route to market for medical devices that are low to moderate risk, but are not substantially equivalent
to a predicate device, and classified ReWalk as Class II powered exoskeleton device subject to certain special controls. In March 2023
the FDA granted 510(k) clearance for the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton with stair and curb functionality, which adds usage on stairs and
curbs to the indication for use for the device in the U.S. The ReWalk is intended to enable individuals with spinal cord injuries to perform
ambulatory functions under supervision of a specially trained companion, and inside rehabilitation institutions. The special controls
established in the de novo order for all powered exoskeletons include the following: clinical testing to demonstrate safe and effective
use considering the level of supervision necessary and the use environment; non-clinical safety and performance testing, including durability
testing to demonstrate that the device performs as intended under anticipated conditions of use; a training program; and labeling related
to device use and user training. In order for us to market ReWalk, we must comply with both general controls, including controls related
to quality, facility registration, reporting of adverse events and labeling, and the special controls established for the device. Failure
to comply with these requirements could lead to an FDA enforcement action, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
In June 2019, the FDA issued a 510(k) clearance for our ReStore
device. ReStore is intended to be used to assist ambulatory functions in rehabilitation institutions under the supervision of a trained
therapist for people with hemiplegia or hemiparesis due to stroke who have a specified amount of ambulatory function. In order for us
to market ReStore and ReWalk, we must comply with both general controls, including controls related to quality, facility registration,
reporting of adverse events and labeling, and the special controls established for powered exoskeleton devices as described above. Failure
to comply with these requirements could lead to an FDA enforcement action, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
In the E.U. we are subject to regulations and standards regulating
the design, manufacture, clinical trials, labeling and adverse event (i.e., vigilance) reporting for medical devices. The Medical Devices
Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) became fully applicable on May 26, 2021, repealing and replacing the pre-existing E.U. Medical Devices
Directive 93/42/EEC. Devices that comply with the requirements of the MDR, subject to certain transitional provisions that allow continued
compliance of certain products to the Directive, are entitled to bear the CE mark, indicating that the device conforms to the essential
requirements of the MDR and, accordingly, can be commercially distributed throughout the European Economic Area (i.e., the E.U. Member
States plus Norway, Iceland, and Lichtenstein). We comply with the E.U. requirements and have received the CE mark for all of our ReWalk
systems including the ReStore device which are distributed in the E.U. As compared with the Directive, the MDR includes additional premarket
and post-market requirements, as well as potential product reclassifications and more stringent commercialization requirements that could
adversely affect our CE mark. Failure to comply with these new requirements could lead to substantial penalties, including fines, revocation
or suspension of CE mark and criminal sanctions.
Following the introduction of a product, the governmental agencies
will periodically inspect our manufacturing processes and quality controls, and we are under a continuing obligation to ensure that all
applicable regulatory requirements continue to be met. The process of complying with the applicable good manufacturing practices, adverse
event reporting and other requirements can be costly and time consuming, and could delay or prevent the production, manufacturing, or
sale of our devices. In addition, if we fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, it could result in fines, closure of manufacturing
sites, seizures or recalls of products and damage to our reputation, as well as enforcement actions against us. For example, the FDA could
request that we recall our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton or ReStore device in case of product defects or require us to conduct post-market
surveillance studies. If we fail to recall the device and/or conduct requested post-market surveillance studies to FDA’s satisfaction,
we could be subject to FDA enforcement action.
In addition, governmental agencies may impose new requirements
regarding registration or labeling that may require us to modify or re-register our products or otherwise impact our ability to market
our products in those countries, such as the May 2021 Medical Device Regulation changes in the European Union. The process of complying
with these governmental regulations can be costly and time consuming, and could delay or prevent the production, manufacturing, or sale
of our products.
If we or our third-party manufacturers fail
to comply with the FDA’s Quality System Regulation, or QSR, our manufacturing operations could be interrupted.
We and our manufacturer Sanmina are required to comply with the
FDA’s QSR which covers the methods and documentation of the design, testing, production, control, quality assurance, labeling, packaging,
sterilization, storage, and shipping of our products. We, Sanmina, and our suppliers are also subject to the regulations of foreign jurisdictions
regarding the manufacturing process if we or our distributors market our products abroad. We continue to monitor our quality management
to maintain our overall level of compliance. Our facilities are subject to periodic and unannounced inspection by U.S. and foreign regulatory
agencies to audit compliance with the QSR and comparable foreign regulations. If our facilities or those of Sanmina or our suppliers are
found to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations, or if we, Sanmina, or our suppliers fail to take satisfactory corrective
action in response to an adverse inspection, the regulatory authority could take enforcement action, including any of the following sanctions:
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untitled letters, warning letters, fines, injunctions, consent decrees and civil penalties; |
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customer notifications or repair, replacement, or refunds; |
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operating restrictions or partial suspension or total shutdown of production; |
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recalls, withdrawals, or administrative detention or seizure of our products; |
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denials or delays of approvals for pre-market approval applications relating to new products or modified products; |
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withdrawals of a PMA approvals; |
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refusal to provide Certificates for Foreign Government; |
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refusal to grant export approval for our products; or |
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pursuit of criminal prosecution. |
Any of these sanctions could impair our ability to produce our
products in a cost-effective and timely manner in order to meet our customers’ demands and could have a material adverse effect
on our reputation, business, results of operations, and financial condition. We may also be required to bear other costs or take other
actions that may have a negative impact on our future sales and our ability to generate profits.
We are subject to various laws and regulations,
including “fraud and abuse” laws and anti-bribery laws, which, if violated, could subject us to substantial penalties.
Medical device companies such as ours have faced lawsuits and investigations
pertaining to alleged violations of numerous statutes and regulations, including anti-corruption laws and health care “fraud and
abuse” laws, such as the federal False Claims Act, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,
or the FCPA.
U.S. federal and state laws, including the federal Sunshine Act,
and the implementation of Open Payments regulations under the Sunshine Act, require medical device companies to disclose certain payments
or other transfers of value made to certain healthcare providers or funds spent on marketing and promotion of medical device products.
Further, some state laws require medical device companies to report information related to payments to physicians and other health care
providers or marketing expenditures. They also impose additional administrative and compliance burdens on us. In particular, these laws
influence, among other things, how we structure our sales offerings and other interactions with health care providers, including discount
practices, customer support, education and training programs and physician consulting and other service arrangements, including those
with marketers and sales agents. We may face significant costs in attempting to comply with these laws and regulations. If we are found
to be in violation of any of these requirements or any actions or investigations are instituted against us, those actions could be costly
to defend and could have a significant impact on our business, including the imposition of significant criminal and civil fines and penalties,
exclusion from federal healthcare programs or other sanctions, and damage to our reputation or business.
The FCPA applies to companies, including ours, with a class of
securities registered under the Exchange Act. The FCPA and other anti-bribery laws to which various aspects of our operations may be subject
generally prohibit companies and their employees, agents, and other intermediaries from authorizing, promising, offering, providing, or
making, directly or indirectly, improper payments or anything else of value to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining
business. The FCPA also requires covered companies such as ours to make and keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect
the transactions of the corporation and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. In various jurisdictions,
our operations require that we and third parties acting on our behalf routinely interact with government officials, including medical
personnel who may be considered government officials for purposes of these laws because they are employees of state-owned or controlled
facilities. Other anti-bribery laws to which various aspects of our operations may be subject, including the United Kingdom Bribery Act,
also prohibit improper payments to private parties and prohibit receipt of improper payments. Our policies prohibit our employees from
making or receiving corrupt payments, including, among other things, to require compliance by third parties engaged to act on our behalf.
Our policies mandate compliance with these anti-bribery laws; however, recent years have seen an increase in the global enforcement of
anti-corruption laws and our international operations could increase the risk of such violations. As a result, the existence and implementation
of a robust anti-corruption program cannot eliminate all risk that unauthorized improper acts have been or will be committed by our employees
or agents. Violations of these anti-corruption laws, or allegations of such violations, could result in civil or criminal sanctions or
other adverse consequences, including disruption of our business and harming our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows
and reputation.
If we are found to have violated laws protecting
the confidentiality of patient health information, we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties, which could increase our liabilities
and harm our reputation or our business.
There are a number of federal, state and foreign laws protecting
the confidentiality of certain patient health information, including patient records, and restricting the use and disclosure of that protected
information. In particular, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, promulgated patient privacy rules under HIPAA. These
privacy rules protect medical records and other personal health information by limiting their use and disclosure, giving individuals the
right to access, amend and seek accounting of their own health information and limiting most use and disclosures of health information
to the minimum amount reasonably necessary to accomplish the intended purpose. Additionally, the E.U. General Data Protection Regulation
(the “GDPR”), imposes more stringent data protection requirements and provides for penalties for noncompliance. Thus, with
respect to our operations in Europe, the GDPR may increase our responsibility and liability in relation to personal data that we process
and we may be required to put in place additional mechanisms ensuring compliance with the GDPR. This may be onerous and adversely affect
our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Additionally, if we or any of our service providers are found
to be in violation of the promulgated patient privacy rules under HIPAA or the GDPR, we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties,
which could be substantial and could increase our liabilities, harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and operating results.
In addition, a number of U.S. states have enacted data privacy
and security laws and regulations that govern the collection, use, disclosure, transfer, storage, disposal, and protection of sensitive
personal information, such as social security numbers, financial information and other personal information. For example, several U.S.
territories and all 50 states now have data breach laws that require timely notification to individual victims, and at times regulators,
if a company has experienced the unauthorized access or acquisition of sensitive personal data. Other state laws include the California
Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) which, among other things, contains new obligations for businesses that collect personal information
about California residents and affords those individuals new rights relating to their personal information that may affect our ability
to use personal information or share it with our business partners. Meanwhile, other states have enacted or are considering enacting privacy
laws like the CCPA. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, effective January 1, 2023, expands
the CCPA’s requirements, including applying to personal information of business representatives and employees and establishing a
new regulatory agency to implement and enforce the law. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact of state law developments,
which may impose substantial penalties for violations, impose significant costs for investigations and compliance, allow private class-action
litigation and carry significant potential liability for our business.
The interpretation and enforcement of the laws and regulations
described above are uncertain and subject to change and may require substantial costs to monitor and implement compliance with any additional
requirements. Failure to comply with U.S. or international data protection laws and regulations could result in government enforcement
actions (which could include substantial civil and/or criminal penalties), private litigation, and/or adverse publicity and could negatively
affect our operating results and business.
Compliance with various regulations, including
those related to our status as a U.S. public company and the manufacturing, labeling, and marketing of our products, may result in heightened
general and administrative expenses and costs, divert management’s attention from revenue-generating activities and pose challenges
for our management team, which has limited time, personnel and finances to devote to regulatory compliance.
As a U.S. public company, we are subject to various regulatory
and reporting requirements, including those imposed by the SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market and
other applicable securities rules and regulations. Additionally, our medical products and manufacturing operations are regulated by the
FDA, the European Union and other governmental authorities both inside and outside of the United States. Compliance with the rules and
regulations applicable to us as a publicly traded company in the United States and medical device manufacturer has greatly increased,
and may continue to increase, our legal, general and administrative and financial compliance costs and has made, and may continue to make,
some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly. Additionally, these regulatory requirements have diverted, and may continue
to divert, management’s attention from revenue-generating activities and may increase demands on management’s already-limited
resources.
Our management team consists of few employees, as the majority
of our employees are engaged in sales and marketing and research and development activities. For more information, see “Part I,
Item 1. Business—Employees” above. In light of such constraints on its time, personnel and finances, our management may not
be able to implement programs and policies in an effective and timely manner to respond adequately to the heightened legal, regulatory
and reporting requirements applicable to us. In the past, for example, we have not always been able to respond on a timely basis to requests
from regulators, although we have not to date experienced any long-term material adverse consequences as a result. Similar deficiencies,
weaknesses, or lack of compliance with public company, medical device and other regulations could harm our reputation in the capital markets
or for quality and safety, negatively affect our ability to maintain our public company status and to develop, commercialize or continue
selling our products on a timely and effective basis, and cause us to incur sanctions, including fines, injunctions, and penalties.
In addition, complying with public disclosure rules makes our business
more visible, which we believe may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such
claims are successful, our business and operating results could be harmed, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved
in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and harm
our business and operating results.
We are also subject to the requirement of Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank
Act and SEC rules related thereto to conduct due diligence and disclose and report on whether certain minerals and metals, known as “conflict
minerals,” are contained in our products and whether they originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo and certain adjoining
countries. Each year our management team devotes significant time to conduct the required due diligence, and we may face reputational
challenges if we determine that certain of our products contain minerals not determined to be conflict free or if we are unable to sufficiently
verify the origins of all conflict minerals used in our products through the procedures we implement.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property and Information Technology
We depend on computer and telecommunications
systems we do not own or control and failures in our systems or a cybersecurity attack or incident relating to our IT systems or technology
could significantly disrupt our business operations or result in sensitive customer information being compromised which would negatively
materially affect our reputation and/or results of operations.
We have entered into agreements with third parties for hardware,
software, telecommunications, and other information technology services in connection with the operation of our business. It is possible
we or a third party that we rely on could incur interruptions from a loss of communications, hardware or software failures, a cybersecurity
attack or an incident relating to our IT systems or technology, ransomware, phishing attacks, computer viruses or malware. We believe
that we have positive relations with our vendors and maintain adequate anti-virus and malware software and controls; however, any interruptions
to our arrangements with third parties, to our computing and communications infrastructure, or to our information systems or any of those
operated by a third party that we rely on could significantly disrupt our business operations.
In the current environment, there are numerous and evolving risks
to cybersecurity and privacy, including criminal hackers, hacktivists, state-sponsored intrusions, industrial espionage, employee malfeasance
and human or technological error. High-profile cybersecurity incidents at other companies and in government agencies have increased in
recent years, and security industry experts and government officials have warned about the risks of hackers and cyberattacks targeting
businesses such as ours. Computer hackers and others routinely attempt to breach the security of technology products, services, and systems,
and to fraudulently induce employees, customers, or others to disclosure information or unwittingly provide access to systems or data.
A cyberattack of our systems or networks that impairs our information technology systems could disrupt our business operations and result
in loss of service to customers, including technical support for our ReWalk devices. While we have certain cybersecurity safeguards in
place designed to protect and preserve the integrity of our information technology systems, we have experienced and expect to continue
to experience actual or attempted cyberattacks of our IT systems or networks. However, none of these actual or attempted cyberattacks
has had a material effect on our operations, business strategy, or financial condition.
Additionally, we have access to sensitive customer information
in the ordinary course of business. If a significant cybersecurity incident occurred, our reputation may be adversely affected, customer
confidence may be diminished, or we may be subject to legal claims, any of which may contribute to the loss of customers and have a material
adverse effect on us. For more information, see “—Risks Related to Government Regulation” above. If we are found
to have violated laws protecting the confidentiality of patient health information, we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties,
which could increase our liabilities and harm our reputation or our business.” above.
Our success depends in part on our ability
to obtain and maintain protection for the intellectual property relating to or incorporated into our products.
Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain
protection for the intellectual property relating to or incorporated into our products. We seek to protect our intellectual property through
a combination of patents, trademarks, confidentiality, and assignment agreements with our employees and certain of our contractors, and
confidentiality agreements with certain of our consultants, scientific advisors, and other vendors and contractors. In addition, we rely
on trade secret law to protect our proprietary software and product candidates/products in development. For more information, see “Part
I, Item 1. Business—Intellectual Property” above.
Our patent position with respect to our exoskeleton and anti-gravity
systems can be highly uncertain and involves many new and evolving complex legal, factual, and technical issues. Patent laws and interpretations
of those laws are subject to change and any such changes may diminish the value of our patents or narrow the scope of our right to exclude
others. In addition, we may fail to apply for or be unable to obtain patents necessary to protect our technology or products from competition
or fail to enforce our patents due to lack of information about the exact use of technology or processes by third parties. Also, we cannot
be sure that any patents will be granted in a timely manner or at all with respect to any of our patent pending applications or that any
patents that are granted will be adequate to exclude others for any significant period of time or at all. Given the foregoing and in order
to continue reducing operational expenses in the future, we may invest fewer resources in filing and prosecuting new patents and on maintaining
and enforcing various patents, especially in regions where we currently do not focus our market growth strategy.
Litigation to establish or challenge the validity of patents, or
to defend against or assert against others infringement, unauthorized use, enforceability, or invalidity, can be lengthy and expensive
and may result in our patents being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and restricting our ability to be granted new patents related
to our pending patent applications. Even if we prevail, litigation may be time consuming, force us to incur significant costs, and could
divert management’s attention from managing our business while any damages or other remedies awarded to us may not be valuable.
In addition, U.S. patents and patent applications may be subject to interference proceedings, and U.S. patents may be subject to re-examination
and review proceedings in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Foreign patents may also be subject to opposition or comparable proceedings
in the corresponding foreign patent offices. Any of these proceedings may be expensive and could result in the loss of a patent or denial
of a patent application, or the loss or reduction in the scope of one or more of the claims of a patent or patent application.
In addition, we seek to protect our trade secrets, know-how, and
confidential information that is not patentable by entering into confidentiality and assignment agreements with our employees and certain
of our contractors and confidentiality agreements with certain of our consultants, scientific advisors, and other vendors and contractors.
However, we may fail to enter into the necessary agreements, and even if entered into, these agreements may be breached or otherwise fail
to prevent disclosure, third-party infringement, or misappropriation of our proprietary information, may be limited as to their term and
may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure or use of proprietary information. Enforcing a claim that a
third party illegally obtained or is using our trade secrets without authorization may be expensive and time consuming, and the outcome
is unpredictable. Some of our employees or consultants may own certain technology which they license to us for a set term. If these technologies
are material to our business after the term of the license, our inability to use them could adversely affect our business and profitability.
We also have taken precautions to initiate reasonable safeguards
to protect our information technology systems. However, these measures may not be adequate to safeguard our proprietary information, which
could lead to the loss or impairment thereof or to expensive litigation to defend our rights against competitors who may be better funded
and have superior resources. In addition, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or reverse engineer certain aspects of our products
that we consider proprietary, or our proprietary information may otherwise become known or may be independently developed by our competitors
or other third parties. If other parties are able to use our proprietary technology or information, our ability to compete in the market
could be harmed. Further, unauthorized use of our intellectual property may have occurred, or may occur in the future, without our knowledge.
If we are unable to obtain or maintain adequate protection for
intellectual property, or if any protection is reduced or eliminated, competitors may be able to use our technologies, resulting in harm
to our competitive position.
Our patents and proprietary technology and
processes may not provide us with a competitive advantage.
Robotics, exoskeletons, and anti-gravity system technologies have
been developing rapidly in recent years. We are aware of several other companies developing competing exoskeleton devices for individuals
with limited mobility and we expect the level of competition and the pace of development in our industry to increase. Likewise,
we are aware of several companies with commercial anti-gravity or treadmill-based gait therapy systems. For more information, see “Part
I, Item 1. Business—Competition” above. While we believe our tilt-sensor technology provides a more natural and superior method
of exoskeleton activation, which creates a better user experience, as well as that our licensed technology used in our ReStore device
is unique and provides better results when compared to other products, a variety of other activation and control methods exist for exoskeletons,
several of which are being developed by our competitors, or may be developed in the future. Additionally, while our DAP technology provides
what we believe is a superior method for partial weight displacement with strong market acceptance, there may be competitors developing
innovative alternative gait therapies that could be introduced in the future. As a result, our patent portfolio and proprietary technology
and processes may not provide us with a significant advantage over our competitors, and competitors may be able to design and sell alternative
products that are equal to or superior to our products without infringing on our patents. In addition, as our current patents begin to
expire, we may lose a competitive advantage over our competitors as we will no longer be able to keep our competitors from practicing
the technology covered by the claim of the expired patents. We may also be unable to adequately develop new technologies and obtain future
patent protection to preserve a competitive advantage. If we are unable to maintain a competitive advantage, our business and results
of operations may be materially adversely affected.
Even in instances where others are found to infringe on our patents,
many countries have laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses for the use of the patented technology to other
parties. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against other parties, including government agencies or government
contractors. In these countries, a patent owner may have limited remedies, which could diminish the value of a patent in those countries.
Further, the laws of some countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, particularly
in the field of medical products, and effective enforcement in those countries may not be available. The ability of others to market comparable
products could adversely affect our business.
We are not able to protect our intellectual
property rights in all countries.
Filing, prosecuting, maintaining, and defending patents on each
of our products in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and thus our intellectual property rights outside
the United States and Europe are limited. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries, especially developing countries, such as China,
do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. Also, it may not be possible
to effectively enforce intellectual property rights in some countries at all or to the same extent as in the United States and other countries.
Consequently, we are unable to prevent third parties from using our inventions in all countries, or from selling or importing products
made using our inventions in the jurisdictions in which we do not have (or are unable to effectively enforce) patent protection. Competitors
may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop, market or otherwise commercialize their
own products, and we may be unable to prevent those competitors from importing those infringing products into territories where we have
patent protection, but enforcement may not be as strong as in the United States. These products may compete with our products and our
patents and other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing in those jurisdictions.
Moreover, strategic partners, competitors, or others in the chain of commerce may raise legal challenges against our intellectual property
rights or may infringe upon our intellectual property rights, including through means that may be difficult to prevent or detect.
Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting
and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in the United States or
foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could
put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing, and could provoke
third parties to assert patent infringement or other claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate, and the damages
or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights
in the United States and around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property
that we develop or license from third parties.
We may be subject to patent infringement claims,
which could result in substantial costs and liability and prevent us from commercializing our current and future products.
The medical device industry is characterized by competing intellectual
property and a substantial amount of litigation over patent rights. Our competitors in both the United States and abroad, many of which
have substantially greater resources and have made substantial investments in competing technologies, have been issued patents and filed
patent applications with respect to their products and processes and may apply for other patents in the future. The large number of patents,
the rapid rate of new patent issuances, and the complexities of the technology involved increase the risk of patent litigation.
Determining whether a product infringes a patent involves complex
legal and factual issues and the outcome of patent litigation is often uncertain. Even though we have conducted research of issued patents,
no assurance can be given that patents containing claims covering our products, technology or methods do not exist, have not been filed
or could not be filed or issued. In addition, because patent applications can take years to issue and because publication schedules for
pending applications vary by jurisdiction, there may be applications now pending of which we are unaware, and which may result in issued
patents that our current or future products infringe. Also, because the claims of published patent applications can change between publication
and patent grant, published applications that initially do not appear to be problematic may issue with claims that potentially cover our
products, technology, or methods.
Infringement actions and other intellectual property claims brought
against us, whether with or without merit, may cause us to incur substantial costs and could place a significant strain on our financial
resources, divert the attention of management, and harm our reputation. We cannot be certain that we will successfully defend against
any allegations of infringement. If we are found to infringe another party’s patents, we could be required to pay damages. We could
also be prevented from selling our infringing products, unless we can obtain a license to use the technology covered by such patents or
can redesign our products so that they do not infringe. A license may be available on commercially reasonable terms or none at all, and
we may not be able to redesign our products to avoid infringement. Further, any modification to our products could require us to conduct
clinical trials and revise our filings with the FDA and other regulatory bodies, which would be time consuming and expensive. In these
circumstances, we may not be able to sell our products at competitive prices or at all, and our business and operating results could be
harmed.
We rely on trademark protection to distinguish
our products from the products of our competitors.
We rely on trademark protection to distinguish our products from
the products of our competitors. We have registered the trademark “ReWalk” in Israel and in the United States. The trademark
“ReStore” is registered in Europe, the United States and the United Kingdom. The trademark “Alter G” is registered
in the United States, Europe, Israel, and the United Kingdom. We have also recently sought trademark registration of “Lifeward”
in the United States, Europe, and Israel. In jurisdictions where we have not registered our trademark and are using it, and as permitted
by applicable local law, we rely on common law trademark protection. Third parties may oppose our trademark applications, or otherwise
challenge our use of the trademarks, and may be able to use our trademarks in jurisdictions where they are not registered or otherwise
protected by law. If our trademarks are successfully challenged or if a third party is using confusingly similar or identical trademarks
in particular jurisdictions before we do, we could be forced to rebrand our products, which could result in loss of brand recognition,
and could require us to devote additional resources to marketing new brands. If others are able to use our trademarks, our ability to
distinguish our products may be impaired, which could adversely affect our business. Further, we cannot assure you that competitors will
not infringe upon our trademarks, or that we will have adequate resources to enforce our trademarks.
We may be subject to damages resulting from
claims that our employees or we have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.
Many of our employees were previously employed at other medical
device companies, including our competitors or potential competitors, and we may hire employees in the future that are so employed. We
could in the future be subject to claims that these employees, or we, have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets
or other proprietary information of their former employers. If we fail in defending against such claims, a court could order us to pay
substantial damages and prohibit us from using technologies or features that are found to incorporate or be derived from the trade secrets
or other proprietary information of the former employers. If any of these technologies or features that are important to our products,
this could prevent us from selling those products and could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful
in defending against these claims, such litigation could result in substantial costs and divert the attention of management.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Ordinary Shares
Sales of a substantial number of ordinary shares
by us or our large shareholders, certain of whom may have registration rights, or dilutive exercises of a substantial number of warrants
by our warrant-holders could adversely affect the value of our ordinary shares.
Sales by us or our shareholders of a substantial number of ordinary
shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales might occur, could cause the value of our ordinary shares to decline or
could impair our ability to raise capital through a future sale of our equity securities. Additionally, dilutive exercises of a substantial
number of warrants by our warrant-holders, or the perception that such exercises may occur, could put downward price on the market price
of our ordinary shares.
As of February 27, 2024, 19,135,096 ordinary shares were issuable
pursuant to the exercise of warrants, with exercise prices ranging from $1.25 to $9.375 per warrant, issued in private and registered
offerings of ordinary shares and warrants in April 2019, June 2019, February 2020, July 2020, December 2020, February 2021 and September
2021. We have registered with the SEC all of these warrants and/or the resale of the shares issuable upon their exercise. There were also
6,679 ordinary shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of warrants granted to Kreos Capital V (Expert Fund) Limited (“Kreos”),
in connection with the loan agreement we signed with Kreos on December 30, 2015 (the “Loan Agreement”) in January and December
2016, with an exercise price that is set to $7.50 per warrant. For more information, “Part I, Item 2. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Equity Raises”,
below.
All shares sold pursuant to an offering covered by a registration
statement would be freely transferable. With respect to the outstanding warrants, there may be certain restrictions on the holders to
sell the underlying ordinary shares to the extent they are restricted securities, held by “affiliates” or would exceed certain
ownership thresholds. Certain of our largest shareholders, may also have limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act on the resale
of certain ordinary shares they hold unless they are registered for resale under the Securities Act. Despite these limitations and the
liquidity that we may gain from cash exercises of outstanding warrants, if we, our existing shareholders, or their affiliates sell a substantial
number of the above-mentioned ordinary shares in the public market, the market price of our ordinary shares could decrease significantly.
Shareholders may also incur substantial dilution if holders of our warrants exercise their warrants to purchase ordinary shares, which
could lower the market price of our ordinary shares. Any such decrease could impair the value of your investment in us.
Future grants of ordinary shares under our
equity incentive plans to our employees, non-employee directors and consultants, or sales by these individuals in the public market, could
result in substantial dilution, thus decreasing the value of your investment in our ordinary shares, and certain grants may also require
shareholder approval. In addition, stockholders will experience dilution upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.
We have historically used, and continue to use, our ordinary shares
as a means of both rewarding our employees, non-employee directors, and consultants and aligning their interests with those of our shareholders.
As of December 31, 2023, 4,824,530 ordinary shares remained available for issuance to our and our affiliates’ respective employees,
non-employee directors, and consultants under our equity incentive plans, including 3,805,585 ordinary shares subject to outstanding awards
(consisting of outstanding options to purchase 33,171 ordinary shares and 3,772,414 ordinary shares underlying unvested RSUs, and we may
seek to increase the number of shares available under our equity incentive plans in the future. For more information, see Note 9b to our
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, below.
Additionally, to the extent registered on a Form S-8, ordinary
shares granted or issued under our equity incentive plans will, subject to vesting provisions, lock-up restrictions, and Rule 144 volume
limitations applicable to our “affiliates,” be available for sale in the open market immediately upon registration. Further,
as of December 31, 2023, there were 19,187,375 ordinary shares underlying issued and outstanding warrants, which if exercised for ordinary
shares, could decrease the net tangible book value of our ordinary shares and cause dilution to our existing shareholders. Sales of a
substantial number of the above-mentioned ordinary shares in the public market could result in a significant decrease in the market price
of our ordinary shares and have a material adverse effect on an investment in our ordinary shares.
If we do not meet the expectations of equity
research analysts, if any, if the sole remaining equity analyst following our business does not continue to publish research or reports
about our business, or if the analyst issues unfavorable commentary or downgrade our ordinary shares, the price of our ordinary shares
could decline. Additionally, we may fail to meet publicly announced financial guidance or other expectations about our business, which
would cause our ordinary shares to decline in value.
There is currently one equity analyst publishing research reports
about our business, and we are currently seeking to attract additional coverage. If our results of operations are below the estimates
or expectations of our sole analyst or consensus assuming we have some analysts and investors, our share price could decline. Moreover,
the price of our ordinary shares could decline if one or more securities analysts downgrade our ordinary shares or if analysts issue other
unfavourable commentary or stop publishing research or reports about us or our business (as has occurred over time, with a decrease in
the number of analysts following us from five in 2014 to one in 2022). Given that there is only one analyst that currently covers our
business, we face an increased risk that such analyst’s evaluation of our business, if less than positive, will cause a larger decline
in our stock price than would otherwise be the case if we had multiple analysts covering our business.
From time to time, we have also faced difficulty accurately projecting
our earnings and have missed certain of our publicly announced guidance. If our financial results for a particular period do not meet
our guidance or if we reduce our guidance for future periods, the market price of our ordinary shares may decline.
We are a “smaller reporting company”
and the reduced reporting requirements applicable to such companies may make our ordinary shares less attractive to investors.
We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in
Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, which allows us to take advantage of certain scaled disclosure requirements available specifically to
smaller reporting companies. For example, we may continue to use reduced compensation disclosure obligations, and, provided we are also
a “non-accelerated filer,” we will not be obligated to follow the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which we have at least $100 million in revenue
and at least $700 million in aggregate market value of ordinary shares held by non-affiliated persons and entities (known as “public
float”), or, alternatively, if our revenue exceed $100 million, until the last day of the fiscal year in which our public float
was at least $250.0 million (in each case, with respect to public float, as measured as of the last business day of the second quarter
of such fiscal year). For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded revenue of approximately $13.9 million.
We cannot predict or otherwise determine if investors will find
our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on exemptions as a smaller reporting company and/or “non-accelerated
filer.” If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our ordinary
shares and the price of our ordinary shares may be more volatile.
We are subject to ongoing costs and risks associated
with determining whether our existing internal controls over financial reporting systems are compliant with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act, and if we fail to achieve and maintain adequate internal controls it could have a material adverse effect on our stated results of
operations and harm our reputation.
We are required to comply with the internal control, evaluation,
and certification requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which requires
us to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Once
we no longer qualify as a “smaller reporting company” and “non-accelerated filer,” our independent registered
public accounting firm will need to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404. When
our independent registered public accounting firm is required to undertake an assessment of our internal control over financial reporting,
the cost of our compliance with Section 404 will correspondingly increase. Our compliance with applicable provisions of Section 404 will
require that we incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management time on compliance-related issues as we implement
additional corporate governance practices and comply with reporting requirements. Moreover, if we are not able to comply with the requirements
of Section 404 applicable to us in a timely manner, or if we or our independent registered public accounting firm identifies deficiencies
in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the market price of our stock could decline
and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial
and management resources.
The process of determining whether our existing internal controls
over financial reporting systems are compliant with Section 404 and whether there are any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies
in our existing internal controls requires the investment of substantial time and resources, including by our Chief Financial Officer
and other members of our senior management. This determination and any remedial actions required could divert internal resources and take
a significant amount of time and effort to complete and could result in us incurring additional costs that we did not anticipate, including
the hiring of outside consultants. We could experience higher than anticipated operating expenses and higher independent auditor fees
during and after the implementation of these changes.
Irrespective of compliance with Section 404, any failure of our
internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our stated results of operations and harm our reputation. If we are unable to
implement any of the required changes to our internal control over financial reporting effectively or efficiently or are required to do
so earlier than anticipated, it could adversely affect our operations, financial reporting and/or results of operations and could result
in an adverse opinion on internal controls from our management and our independent auditors. Further, if our internal control over financial
reporting is not effective, the reliability of our financial statements may be questioned, and our share price may suffer.
U.S. holders of our ordinary shares may suffer adverse
U.S. tax consequences if we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC,
under Section 1297(a) of the Code.
Generally, if for any taxable year 75% or more of our gross income
is passive income, or at least 50% of the average quarterly value of our assets (which may be determined in part by the market value of
our ordinary shares, which is subject to change) are held for the production of, or produce passive income, we would be characterized
as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Passive income for this purpose generally includes,
among other things, certain dividends, interest, royalties, rents, and gains from commodities and securities transactions and from the
sale or exchange of property that gives rise to passive income. Passive income also includes amounts derived by reason of the temporary
investment of funds, including those raised in an offering. In determining whether a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, a proportionate share
of the income and assets of each corporation in which it owns, directly or indirectly, at least a 25% interest (by value) is taken into
account.
The determination of whether we are a PFIC will depend on the nature
and composition of our income and the nature, composition, and value of our assets from time to time. The 50% passive asset test described
above is generally based on the fair market value of each asset, with the value of goodwill and going concern value determined in large
part by reference to the market value of our ordinary shares, which may be volatile. If we are characterized as a “controlled foreign
corporation,” or a “CFC”, under Section 957(a) of the Code and not considered publicly traded throughout the relevant
taxable year, however, the passive asset test may be applied based on the adjusted tax bases of our assets instead of the fair market
value of each asset (as described above). However, if we are treated as publicly traded for at least 20 trading days during the relevant
taxable year, our assets would generally be required to be measured at their fair market value, even if we are a CFC.
Based on our gross income and assets, the market price of our ordinary
shares, and the nature of our business, we believe that we were not a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2023. However,
this determination is subject to uncertainty. In addition, there is a significant risk that we may be a PFIC for future taxable years,
unless the market price of our ordinary shares increases, or we reduce the amount of cash and other passive assets we hold relative to
the amount of non-passive assets we hold. Accordingly, no assurances can be made regarding our PFIC status in one or more subsequent years,
and our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to our PFIC status in the taxable year ended December 31, 2023, or the current
year 2024, and also expresses no opinion with respect to our predictions or past determinations regarding our PFIC status in the past
or in the future.
If we are characterized as a PFIC, U.S. holders of our ordinary
shares may suffer adverse tax consequences, including having gains realized on the sale of our ordinary shares treated as ordinary income,
rather than capital gain, the loss of the preferential tax rate applicable to dividends received on our ordinary shares by individuals
who are U.S. holders and having interest charges apply to distributions by us and to the proceeds of sales of our ordinary shares. In
addition, special information reporting may be required. Certain elections exist that may alleviate some of the adverse consequences of
PFIC status and would result in an alternative treatment (such as mark-to-market treatment or being able to make a qualified electing
fund election). However, we do not intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. Holders to make qualified electing fund elections
if we are classified as a PFIC.
Additionally, if we are characterized as a PFIC, for any taxable
year during which a U.S. holder holds ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. holder
for all succeeding years during which such U.S. holder holds ordinary shares unless we cease to be a PFIC and such U.S. holder makes a
“deemed sale” election with respect to such ordinary shares. If such election is made, such U.S. holder will be deemed to
have sold such ordinary shares held by such U.S. holder at their fair market value on the last day of the last taxable year in which we
qualified as a PFIC, and any gain from such deemed sale would be treated as described above.
Each U.S. holder of our ordinary shares is strongly urged to consult
his, her or its tax advisor regarding the application of these rules and the availability of any potential elections.
The price of our ordinary shares may be volatile,
and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Our ordinary shares were first publicly offered in our initial
public offering in September 2014, at a price of $300.00 The market price of our ordinary shares has been in the past, and could continue
to be, highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially as a result of many factors. Moreover, while there is no established public trading
market for the warrants offered in our follow-on public offerings, and we do not expect one to develop, our ordinary shares will be issuable
pursuant to exercise of these warrants. Because the warrants are exercisable into our ordinary shares, volatility, or a reduction in the
market price of our ordinary shares could have an adverse effect on the trading price of the warrants. Factors which may cause fluctuations
in the price of our ordinary shares include, but are not limited to:
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our growth rate or results of operations or those of our competitors; |
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customer acceptance of our products; |
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announcements by us or our competitors of new products or services, commercial relationships, acquisitions, or expansion plans;
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announcements by us or our competitors of other material developments; |
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our involvement in litigation; |
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changes in government regulation applicable to us and our products; |
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sales, or the anticipation of sales, of our ordinary shares, warrants and debt securities by us, or sales of our ordinary shares
by our insiders or other shareholders, including upon expiration of contractual lock-up agreements; |
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developments with respect to intellectual property rights; |
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competition from existing or new technologies and products; |
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changes in key personnel; |
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the trading volume of our ordinary shares; |
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changes in the estimation of the future size and growth rate of our markets; |
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changes in our quarterly or annual forecasts with respect to operating results and financial conditions; |
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general economic and market conditions and; |
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announcements regarding business acquisitions. |
In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and
volume fluctuations. Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our ordinary shares, regardless of our
operating performance. Technical factors in the public trading market for our ordinary shares may produce price movements that may or
may not comport with macro, industry or Company-specific fundamentals, including, without limitation, the sentiment of retail investors
(including as may be expressed on financial trading and other social media sites), the amount and status of short interest in our securities,
access to margin debt, trading in options and other derivatives on our ordinary shares and any related hedging or other technical trading
factors. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action
litigation has often been instituted against that company, as was the case for ReWalk in a securities class action dismissed in full in
November 2020. If we become involved in any similar litigation, we could incur substantial costs and our management’s attention
and resources could be diverted.
Risks Related to Our Incorporation and Location in Israel
Conditions in Israel, including Israel’s
war against Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and a potential escalation of the conflict on Israel’s northern
border, may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In early October 2023, Hamas terrorists based in the Gaza Strip attacked cities and villages inside Israel, murdering approximately 1,400
Israelis, wounding thousands, and abducting more than 200. The attack was accompanied by numerous rocket attacks on central and southern
Israel. These rocket attacks continue through the date of this annual report. Israel called up substantial numbers of reservists and responded
with extensive aerial attacks and a broad ground attack on terrorist targets in Gaza.
Following the attack by Hamas on Israel’s southern border, Hezbollah in Lebanon has also launched missile, rocket, and shooting
attacks against Israeli military sites, troops, and civilian areas in northern Israel. In response to these attacks, the Israeli army
has carried out a number of targeted strikes on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and targets in Syria. It is possible that other terrorist
organizations, including those located in the West Bank, as well as other countries hostile to Israel, such as Iran, will join the hostilities.
Terrorist groups have also attacked U.S. military targets in the Middle East. These clashes have recently intensified and may escalate
into a greater regional conflict.
Although we continue to monitor the situation closely, to date our operations in Israel – consisting primarily of the operations,
quality, and R&D functions of the legacy ReWalk business and some finance functions – have continued without material interruption.
In 2023, sales to customers in Israel accounted for less than 2% of our total revenues, and as of the date of this filing, approximately
80% of our employees are located outside of Israel. With the acquisition of AlterG in August 2023 and the anticipated shift in our sources
of revenue in connection therewith, our Israel operations have become a less significant portion of our consolidated ReWalk operations.
Our Israeli facilities are based in northern Israel, in an area that to date has seen minor disruptions from rocket attacks. Although
to date none of our Israeli employees have been mobilized for emergency military service, we cannot predict whether there will be further
mobilization of reservists and any further mobilization could further impact our employees, including employees who serve in critical
roles in our company, which could adversely affect our ability to operate and our results of operations.
Sanmina, a well-established contract manufacturer with expertise in the medical device industry, manufactures all of our legacy ReWalk
products at its facility in northern Israel. There has been no disruption to date to Sanmina’s business. If this facility were to
be damaged or destroyed, or if Sanmina were otherwise unable to operate this facility, this could affect the supply of our legacy ReWalk
products, and our business and our operating results would be negatively affected.
This is a rapidly changing situation, and we cannot predict how events will develop over the coming weeks and months. There can be no
assurance that a significant expansion or worsening of the war will not have a material adverse effect on our ongoing development efforts,
our business and our operating results.
Our technology development and quality headquarters
and the manufacturing facility for our products are located in Israel and, therefore, our results may be adversely affected by economic
restrictions imposed on, and political and military instability in, Israel.
Our technology development and quality headquarters, which houses substantially all
of our research and development and our core research and development team, including engineers, machinists, and quality and regulatory
personnel, as well as the facility of our contract manufacturer, Sanmina, are located in Israel. Many of our employees, directors and
officers are residents of Israel. Accordingly, political, economic, and military conditions in Israel and the surrounding region may directly
affect our business. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel
and its Arab neighbors, Hamas, Hezbollah (an Islamist militia and political group in Lebanon) and other armed groups. Any hostilities
involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade within Israel or between Israel and its trading partners could materially
and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital.
In particular, an interruption of operations at the Tel Aviv airport related to the conflict in the Gaza Strip or otherwise could prevent
or delay shipments of our components or products. Although we maintain inventory in the United States and Germany, an extended interruption
could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Recent political uprisings, social unrest, and violence in various countries in the
Middle East and North Africa, including Israel’s neighbors Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria, are affecting the political stability of those
countries. This instability may lead to deterioration of the political relationships that exist between Israel and these countries and
has raised concerns regarding security in the region and the potential for armed conflict. Our commercial insurance covers some, but not
all, losses that may occur as a result of an event associated with the security situation in the Middle East. Any losses or damages incurred
by us could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, Iran has threatened to attack Israel and is widely believed to
be developing nuclear weapons. Iran is also believed to have a strong influence among parties hostile to Israel in areas that neighbor
Israel, such as the Syrian government, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Any armed conflicts, terrorist activities or political
instability in the region could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our operations and the operations of our contract
manufacturer, Sanmina, may be disrupted as a result of the obligation of Israeli citizens to perform military service.
Many Israeli citizens are obligated to perform one month, and in
some cases more, of annual military reserve duty until they reach the age of 45 (or older, for reservists with certain occupations) and,
in the event of a military conflict, may be called to active duty. In response to terrorist activity, there have been periods of significant
call-ups of military reservists. Some of our executive officers and employees, as well as those of Sanmina, the manufacturer of all of
our products, are required to perform annual military reserve duty in Israel and may be called to active duty at any time under emergency
circumstances. As described in the risk factor above entitled “Conditions in Israel, including Israel’s war against Hamas
and other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and a potential escalation of the conflict on Israel’s northern border, may
materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations,” in response to the attack by Hamas on Israel in October
2023 Israel has called up substantial numbers of reservists. Although to date these call-ups have not had a material impact on our operations
or on Sanmina’s ability to manufacture our products, we cannot predict whether there will be further mobilization of reservists
and our operations and the operations of Sanmina could be disrupted by such call-ups.
Our sales may be adversely affected by boycotts
of Israel.
Several countries, principally in the Middle East, restrict doing
business with Israel and Israeli companies, and additional countries may impose restrictions on doing business with Israel and Israeli
companies whether as a result of hostilities in the region or otherwise. In addition, there have been increased efforts by activists to
cause companies and consumers to boycott Israeli goods based on Israeli government policies. Such actions, particularly if they become
more widespread, may adversely impact our ability to sell our products.
The tax benefits that are available to us require
us to continue to meet various conditions and may be terminated or reduced in the future, which could increase our costs and taxes.
Some of our operations in Israel, referred to as “Beneficiary
Enterprises,” carry certain tax benefits under the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959, or the Investment
Law. Substantially all of our future income before taxes can be attributed to these programs. If we do not meet the requirements for maintaining
these benefits or if our assumptions regarding the key elements affecting our tax rates are rejected by the tax authorities, they may
be reduced or cancelled, and the relevant operations would be subject to Israeli corporate tax at the standard rate. In addition to being
subject to the standard corporate tax rate, we could be required to refund any tax benefits that we may receive in the future, plus interest
and penalties thereon. Even if we continue to meet the relevant requirements, the tax benefits that our current “Beneficiary Enterprises”
receive may not be continued in the future at their current levels or at all. If these tax benefits were reduced or eliminated, the amount
of taxes that we pay would likely increase, as all of our Israeli operations would consequently be subject to corporate tax at the standard
rate, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, if we increase our activities outside of Israel, for example,
by way of acquisitions, our increased activities may not be eligible for inclusion in Israeli tax benefit programs. For a discussion of
our current tax obligations, see “Part II. Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations.”
We have received Israeli government grants
for certain of our research and development activities and we may receive additional grants in the future. The terms of those grants restrict
our ability to manufacture products or transfer technologies outside of Israel, and we may be required to pay penalties in such cases
or upon the sale of our company.
From our inception through December 31, 2023, we received a total
of $2.6 million from the IIA. We may in the future apply to receive additional grants from the IIA to support our research and development
activities. With respect to some grants that were royalty-bearing grants, we are committed to paying royalties at a rate of 3.0% on sales
proceeds up to the total amount of grants received, linked to the dollar, and bearing interest at an annual rate of LIBOR applicable to
dollar deposits. Even after payment in full of these amounts, we will still be required to comply with the requirements of the Israeli
Encouragement of Industrial Research, Development and Technological Innovation Law, 1984, or the R&D Law, and related regulations,
with respect to those past grants. When a company develops know-how, technology or products using IIA grants, the terms of these grants
and the R&D Law restrict the transfer outside of Israel of such know-how, and of the manufacturing or manufacturing rights of such
products, technologies, or know-how, without the prior approval of the IIA. Therefore, if aspects of our technologies are deemed to have
been developed with IIA funding, the discretionary approval of an IIA committee would be required for any transfer to third parties outside
of Israel of know-how or manufacturing or manufacturing rights related to those aspects of such technologies. Furthermore, the IIA may
impose certain conditions on any arrangement under which it permits us to transfer technology or development out of Israel or may not
grant such approvals at all.
Furthermore, the consideration available to our shareholders in
a future transaction involving the transfer outside of Israel of technology or know-how developed with IIA funding (such as a merger or
similar transaction) may be reduced by any amounts that we are required to pay to the IIA.
In addition to the above, any non-Israeli citizen, resident or
entity that, among other things, (i) becomes a holder of 5% or more of our share capital or voting rights, (ii) is entitled to appoint
one or more of our directors or our chief executive officer or (iii) serves as one of our directors or as our chief executive officer
(including holders of 25% or more of the voting power, equity or the right to nominate directors in such direct holder, if applicable)
is required to notify the IIA and undertake to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to the grant programs of the IIA, including
the restrictions on transfer described above. Such notification will be required in connection with the investment being made by an investor
which may discourage or limit investments from foreign investors in our company.
We may become subject to claims for remuneration or royalties for
assigned service invention rights by our employees, which could result in litigation and adversely affect our business.
A significant portion of our intellectual property has been developed
by our employees in the course of their employment for us. Under the Israeli Patent Law, 5727-1967 (the “Patent Law”) and
recent decisions by the Israeli Supreme Court and the Israeli Compensation and Royalties Committee, a body constituted under the Patent
Law, employees may be entitled to remuneration for intellectual property that they develop for us unless they explicitly waive any such
rights. Although we enter into agreements with our employees pursuant to which they agree that any inventions created in the scope of
their employment or engagement are owned exclusively by us, we may face claims demanding remuneration. As a consequence of such claims,
we could be required to pay additional remuneration or royalties to our current and former employees, or be forced to litigate such claims,
which could negatively affect our business.
Provisions of Israeli law and our Articles
of Association may delay, prevent, or otherwise impede a merger with, or an acquisition of, us, even when the terms of such a transaction
are favorable to us and our shareholders.
Israeli corporate law regulates mergers, requires tender offers
for acquisitions of shares above specified thresholds, requires special approvals for transactions involving directors, officers or significant
shareholders and regulates other matters that may be relevant to such types of transactions. For example, a tender offer for all of a
company’s issued and outstanding shares can only be completed if the acquirer receives positive responses from the holders of at
least 95% of the issued share capital. Completion of the tender offer also requires approval of a majority of the offerees that do not
have a personal interest in the tender offer, unless at least 98% of the company’s outstanding shares are tendered. Furthermore,
the shareholders, including those who indicated their acceptance of the tender offer (unless the acquirer stipulated in its tender offer
that a shareholder that accepts the offer may not seek appraisal rights), may, at any time within six months following the completion
of the tender offer, petition an Israeli court to alter the consideration for the acquisition. Israeli law also requires a “special
tender offer” in certain cases where a shareholder crosses the 25% or 45% holding threshold, and it imposes procedural and special
voting requirements for the approval of a merger in certain cases.
Our Articles of Association provide that our directors (other than
external directors, a requirement of Israeli corporate law from which we have opted out in accordance with an exemption for which we are
currently eligible) are elected on a staggered basis, such that a potential acquirer cannot readily replace our entire board of directors
at a single annual general shareholder meeting. This could prevent a potential acquirer from receiving board approval for an acquisition
proposal that our board of directors opposes.
Furthermore, Israeli tax considerations may make potential transactions
unappealing to us or to our shareholders whose country of residence does not have a tax treaty with Israel exempting such shareholders
from Israeli tax. For example, Israeli tax law does not recognize tax-free share exchanges to the same extent as U.S. tax law. With respect
to mergers involving an exchange of shares, Israeli tax law allows for tax deferral in certain circumstances but makes the deferral contingent
on the fulfillment of a number of conditions, including, in some cases, a holding period of two years from the date of the transaction
during which sales and dispositions of shares of the participating companies are subject to certain restrictions. Moreover, with respect
to certain share swap transactions, the tax deferral is limited in time, and when such time expires, the tax becomes payable even if no
disposition of the shares has occurred. These and other similar provisions could delay, prevent or impede an acquisition of us or our
merger with another company, even if such an acquisition or merger would be beneficial to us or to our shareholders.
It may be difficult to enforce a judgment of
a U.S. court against us, our officers, and directors, to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel or to serve process on our officers
and directors.
We are incorporated in Israel. Although the majority of our directors
and executive officers reside within the United States and most of the assets of these persons are also likely located within the United
States, some of our directors and executive officers reside and may have the majority of their assets outside the United States. Additionally,
most of our assets are located outside of the United States. Therefore, a judgment obtained against us, or those of our directors and
executive officers residing outside of the United States, including a judgment based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal
securities laws, may not be collectible in the United States and may not be enforced by an Israeli court. It also may be difficult for
you to effect service of process in the United States on those directors and executive officers residing outside of the United States
or to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on an
alleged violation of U.S. securities laws reasoning that Israel is not the most appropriate forum in which to bring such a claim. In addition,
even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S.
law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proven as a fact by expert witnesses, which can be a time-consuming
and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel that
addresses the matters described above. As a result of the difficulty associated with enforcing a judgment against us in Israel, you may
be able to collect only limited, or may be unable to collect any, damages awarded by either a U.S. or foreign court.
In April 2021, we amended our articles of association such that,
unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (i) the federal courts of the United States will be the exclusive
forum for the resolution of any claim arising under the Securities Act, and (ii) the Tel-Aviv District Court will be the exclusive forum
for (a) a derivative action or derivative proceeding that is filed in the name of the Company; (b) any action grounded in a breach of
fiduciary duty of a director, officeholder or other employee towards us or our shareholders; or (c) any action the cause of which results
from any provision of the Companies Law or the Israel Securities Law, 5728-1968. We have retained the ability to consent to an alternative
forum in circumstances if we determine shareholder interests are best served by permitting a particular dispute to proceed in a forum
other than the federal district courts or State of Israel, as applicable. However, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce
these provisions.
Your rights and responsibilities as a shareholder
will be governed by Israeli law, which differs in some material respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders of U.S.
companies.
The rights and responsibilities of the holders of our ordinary
shares are governed by our Articles of Association and by Israeli law. These rights and responsibilities differ in some material respects
from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in U.S.-based corporations. In particular, a shareholder of an Israeli company has
a duty to act in good faith and in a customary manner in exercising its rights and performing its obligations towards the company and
other shareholders, and to refrain from abusing its power in the company, including, among other things, in voting at a general meeting
of shareholders on matters such as amendments to a company’s articles of association, increases in a company’s authorized
share capital, mergers and acquisitions and related party transactions requiring shareholder approval. In addition, a shareholder who
is aware that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote or to appoint or prevent the appointment of a director
or executive officer in the company has a duty of fairness toward the company. There is limited case law available to assist us in understanding
the nature of this duty or the implications of these provisions. These provisions may be interpreted to impose additional obligations
and liabilities on holders of our ordinary shares that are not typically imposed on shareholders of U.S. corporations.
Our business could be negatively affected as
a result of actions of activist shareholders, and such activism could impact the trading value of our securities.
In recent years, certain Israeli issuers listed on United States
exchanges have been faced with governance-related demands from activist shareholders, unsolicited tender offers and proxy contests. Given
our relatively low market cap and cash balance we might be an attractive target for such activists, in connection with our 2022 Annual
General Meeting of Shareholders, Creative Value Capital Limited Partnership (“CVC”), which claimed to hold approximately three
percent of our outstanding shares, nominated two candidates for election to our board of directors and submitted two additional proposals
(including amendments to our Articles of Association) for approval at our 2022 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on July 27,
2022. Although none of CVC’s proposals were approved at the meeting, addressing and responding to such proposals was significantly
costly and time-consuming, and diverted the attention of our management and employees.
Responding to these types of actions by activist shareholders could
be costly and time-consuming, disrupting our operations and diverting the attention of management and our employees. Such activities could
interfere with our ability to execute our strategic plan. In addition, a proxy contest for the election of directors at our annual meeting
would require us to incur significant legal fees and proxy solicitation expenses and require significant time and attention by management
and our board of directors. The perceived uncertainties as to our future direction also could affect the market price and volatility of
our securities.
General Risks
Exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S.
dollar, the euro and the NIS may negatively affect our earnings.
The U.S. dollar is our functional and reporting currency. However,
we pay a significant portion of our expenses in NIS and in euro, and we expect this to continue. As a result, we are exposed to exchange
rate risks that may materially and adversely affect our financial results. Accordingly, any appreciation of the NIS or euro relative to
the U.S. dollar would adversely impact our net loss or net income, if any. For example, if the NIS appreciates against the U.S. dollar
or if the value of the NIS declines against the U.S. dollar at a time when the rate of inflation in the cost of Israeli goods and services
exceeds the rate of decline in the relative value of the NIS, then the U.S. dollar cost of our operations in Israel would increase and
our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Our operations also could be adversely affected if we are unable
to effectively hedge against currency fluctuations in the future.
We cannot predict any future trends in the rate of inflation in Israel or the rate of
devaluation (if any) of the NIS against the U.S. dollar. For example, while the NIS devalued against the U.S. dollar at a rate of approximately
3.1% and 4% during the fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively, during the fiscal year 2021 the NIS appreciated against the U.S. dollar
at a rate of approximately 3%, respectively. The Israeli annual rate of inflation amounted to 2.96%, 5.3%, and 1.5% for the years ended
December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We have in the past engaged in limited hedging activities, and
we may enter into other hedging arrangements with financial institutions from time to time. Any hedging strategies that we may implement
in the future to mitigate currency risks, such as forward contracts, options and foreign exchange swaps related to transaction exposures
may not eliminate our exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations.
We are subject to certain regulatory regimes
that may affect the way that we conduct business internationally, and our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could
materially adversely affect our reputation and result in penalties and increased costs.
We are subject to a complex system of laws and regulations related
to international trade, including economic sanctions and export control laws and regulations. We also depend on our distributors
and agents for compliance and adherence to local laws and regulations in the markets in which they operate. Significant political or regulatory
developments in the jurisdictions in which we sell our products, such as those stemming from the presidential administration in the United
States or the U.K.’s exit from the E.U., are difficult to predict and may have a material adverse effect on us. For example,
in the United States, the Trump administration-imposed tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, Canada, and other countries, and expressed
support for greater restrictions on free trade and increase tariffs on goods imported into the United States. Changes in U.S. political,
regulatory, and economic conditions or in its policies governing international trade and foreign manufacturing and investment in the United
States could adversely affect our sales in the United States.
We are also subject to the FCPA and may be subject to similar worldwide
anti-bribery laws that generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials
for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Despite our compliance and training programs, we cannot be certain that our
procedures will be sufficient to ensure consistent compliance with all applicable international trade and anti-corruption laws, or that
our employees or channel partners will strictly follow all policies and requirements to which we subject them. Any alleged or actual
violations of these laws may subject us to government scrutiny, investigation, debarment, and civil and criminal penalties, which may
have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and reputation.
Our business may be materially affected by
changes to fiscal and tax policies. Potentially negative or unexpected tax consequences of these policies, or the uncertainty surrounding
their potential effects, could adversely affect our results of operations and share price.
The rules dealing with U.S. federal, state and local income taxation
are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”)
and the U.S. Treasury Department. Changes to tax laws (which changes may have retroactive application) could adversely affect us or holders
of our ordinary shares. In recent years, many such changes have been made, and changes are likely to continue to occur in the future.
It cannot be predicted whether, when, in what form or with what effective dates tax laws, regulations and rulings may be enacted, promulgated
or issued, which could result in an increase in our or our shareholders’ tax liability or require changes in the manner in which
we operate in order to minimize or mitigate any adverse effects of changes in tax law.
In addition, foreign governments may enact tax laws in response
to the changes in the rules dealing with U.S. federal, state and local income taxation or otherwise that could result in further changes
to global taxation and materially affect our financial position and results of operations. The uncertainty surrounding the effect of the
reforms on our financial results and business could also weaken confidence among investors.
Certain U.S. holders of our ordinary shares
may suffer adverse U.S. tax consequences if we are characterized as a controlled foreign corporation, or a CFC, under Section 957 of the
Code.
Each “Ten Percent Shareholder” (as defined below) in
a non-U.S. corporation that is classified as a “controlled foreign corporation,” or a CFC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes
generally is required to include in income for U.S. federal tax purposes such Ten Percent Shareholder’s pro rata share of the CFC’s
“Subpart F income,” global intangible low-taxed income, and investment of earnings in U.S. property, even if the CFC has made
no distributions to its shareholders. Subpart F income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties, gains from the sale
of securities and income from certain transactions with related parties. In addition, a Ten Percent Shareholder that realizes gain
from the sale or exchange of shares in a CFC may be required to classify a portion of such gain as dividend income rather than capital
gain. A non-U.S. corporation generally will be classified as a CFC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if Ten Percent Shareholders own,
directly or indirectly, more than 50% of either the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such corporation entitled to
vote or of the total value of the stock of such corporation. A “Ten Percent Shareholder” is a United States person (as defined
by the Code), who owns or is considered to own 10% or more of (1) the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to
vote or (2) the value of all classes of stock of such corporation. The determination of CFC status is complex and includes attribution
rules, the application of which is not entirely certain.
During our 2023 taxable year, we believe that we had one shareholder
that was a Ten Percent Shareholder for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, our CFC status for the taxable year ending on December
31, 2023, and our current taxable year is unknown, and we may be a CFC for the taxable year ending on December 31, 2023, our current taxable
year or a following year. In addition, recent changes to the attribution rules relation to the determination of CFC status may make it
difficult to determine our CFC status for any taxable year or the CFC status of any of our subsidiaries. U.S. holders should consult their
own tax advisors with respect to the potential adverse U.S. tax consequences of becoming a Ten Percent Shareholder in a CFC. If we are
classified as both a CFC and a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, we generally will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to
those U.S. holders that meet the definition of a Ten Percent Shareholder during the period in which we are a CFC.
If there are significant disruptions in our
information technology systems, our business, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected.
The efficient operation of our business depends on our information
technology systems. We rely on our information technology systems to effectively manage sales and marketing data, accounting and financial
functions, inventory management, product development tasks, research and development data, customer service and technical support functions.
Our information technology systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, fires, floods and other natural disasters,
terrorist attacks, attacks by computer viruses or hackers, power losses, and computer system or data network failures. In addition, our
data management application is hosted by a third-party service provider whose security and information technology systems are subject
to similar risks, and our products’ systems contain software which could be subject to computer virus or hacker attacks or other
failures.
The failure of our or our service providers’ information
technology systems or our products’ software to perform as we anticipate or our failure to effectively implement new information
technology systems could disrupt our entire operation or adversely affect our software products and could result in decreased sales, increased
overhead costs, and product shortages, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition,
and operating results.
If we fail to properly manage our anticipated
growth, our business could suffer.
Our growth and product expansion has placed, and we expect that
it will continue to place, a significant strain on our management team and on our financial resources. Failure to manage our growth effectively
could cause us to misallocate management or financial resources, and result in losses or weaknesses in our infrastructure, which could
materially adversely affect our business. Additionally, our anticipated growth will increase the demands placed on our suppliers, resulting
in an increased need for us to manage our suppliers and monitor for quality assurance. Any failure by us to manage our growth effectively
could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business objectives.
We are highly dependent on the
knowledge and skills of our senior management, and if we are not successful
in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy.
Our ability to compete in the highly competitive medical devices
industry depends upon our ability to attract and retain highly qualified managerial, scientific, sales and medical personnel. We are highly
dependent on our senior management team and have benefited substantially from the leadership and performance of our senior management.
For example, we depend on our Chief Executive Officer’s experience successfully scaling an early-stage medical device company, as
well as the experience of other members of management. The loss of the services of any of our executive officers and other key employees,
and our inability to find suitable replacements could result in delays in product development and harm our business. Competition for senior
management in our industry is intense and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to retain our personnel. Additionally, we do not carry
key man insurance on any of our current executive officers. The loss of the services of certain members of our senior management could
prevent or delay the implementation and completion of our strategic objectives or divert management’s attention to seeking qualified
replacements.
Shutdowns of the U.S. federal government could
materially impair our business and financial condition.
Development of our product candidates and/or regulatory approval
may be delayed for reasons beyond our control. For example, in 2018 and 2019 the U.S. government shut down several times and certain regulatory
agencies, such as the FDA and the SEC, had to furlough critical FDA, SEC, and other government employees and stop critical activities.
If a prolonged government shutdown or budget sequestration occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review
and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, in our operations as a public
company, future government shutdowns could impact our ability to access the public markets, such as through the declaration of effectiveness
of registration statements and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations.
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
The Company relies on information systems and the data stored on
them to conduct its operations. We have adopted and maintain a cybersecurity risk management program in accordance with our risk profile
and business that is informed by and incorporates elements of industry standards.
Our cybersecurity risk management program incorporates multiple
components, including, but not limited to, ongoing monitoring of critical risks from cybersecurity threats using automated tools. Additionally,
we have implemented an employee education and training program, which we provide on an annual basis, that is designed to raise awareness
of cybersecurity threats. To support our cybersecurity risk management program, we leverage managed service providers and other third-party
information technology and cybersecurity providers and consultants, including to perform regular system scans and threat intelligence
analysis. Additionally, we require certain third-party providers and consultants to adhere to contractual requirements relating to privacy
and cybersecurity standards.
We have not identified any cybersecurity incidents or threats that
have materially affected us or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations,
or financial condition. However, like other companies in our industry, we and our third-party vendors have from time to time experienced
threats and security incidents that could affect our information or systems. For more information, please see the section entitled “Risk
Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Governance
Our audit committee, which reports directly to the board of directors,
is responsible for overseeing our cybersecurity risk management program. The audit committee receives periodic updates on cybersecurity
risks, mitigation strategies, and, in the event of a cybersecurity incident, incident response strategies from our Chief Financial Officer
(“CFO”). The audit committee updates the full board of directors on matters relating to cybersecurity risk management and
critical cybersecurity risks as appropriate.
Our Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”), who reports directly
to our Vice President of Finance and, ultimately, our Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for the day-to-day management of our cybersecurity
risk management program. The individual currently serving in this position is a third-party consultant who maintains 20 years of experience
advising similarly situated companies on information technology and cybersecurity risk management. Our CTO provides regular cybersecurity
updates to our Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer on matters relating to our cybersecurity program and cybersecurity
risk management.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters are located in Yokneam, Israel, our U.S. headquarters are
located in Marlborough, Massachusetts, with additional offices in Fremont, California, and Queens, New York, and our European headquarters
are located in Berlin, Germany.
All of our facilities are leased, and we do not own any real property.
The table below sets forth details of the square footage of our current leased properties, all of which are utilized. We have no material
tangible fixed assets apart from the properties described below.
|
|
Square feet (approximate) |
|
Fremont, California |
|
|
40,320 |
|
Marlborough, Massachusetts |
|
|
11,850 |
|
Yokneam, Israel |
|
|
11,500 |
|
Queens, New York |
|
|
1,105 |
|
Berlin, Germany |
|
|
950 |
|
Total |
|
|
65,725 |
|
We believe our facilities are adequate and suitable for our current
needs.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Occasionally we are involved in various claims, lawsuits, regulatory
examinations, investigations and other legal matters arising, for the most part, in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of litigation
and other legal matters is inherently uncertain. In making a determination regarding accruals, using available information, we evaluate
the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome in legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are a party and records a loss contingency when
it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
Where we determine an unfavorable outcome is not probable or reasonably
estimable, we do not accrue for any potential litigation loss. These subjective determinations are based on the status of such legal or
regulatory proceedings, the merits of our defenses and consultation with legal counsel. Actual outcomes of these legal and regulatory
proceedings may materially differ from our current estimates. It is possible that resolution of one or more of the legal matters currently
pending or threatened could result in losses material to our consolidated results of operations, liquidity, or financial condition.
For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 7 “Commitments
and Contingent Liabilities” in the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report, which
discussion we incorporate by reference into this Item.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our ordinary shares began trading publicly on The Nasdaq Global Market on September
12, 2014 under the symbol “RWLK” and were transferred for listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market effective May 25, 2017. In
January 2024, the symbol for our ordinary shares was changed to “LFWD”. As of February 23, 2024, we had approximately 278,478
shareholders of record.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our ordinary
shares. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any,
to finance operations and expand our business. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion
of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition
and future prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. The distribution of dividends may also be limited by
Israeli law, which permits the distribution of dividends only out of retained earnings or otherwise upon the permission of an Israeli
court.
Israeli Taxes Applicable to U.S. Holders
A non-Israeli resident who derives capital gains from the sale
of shares in an Israeli resident company that were purchased after the company was listed for trading on a stock exchange outside of Israel
will be exempt from Israeli tax so long as (amongst other things) the shares were not held through a permanent establishment that the
non-resident maintains in Israel. A partial exemption may be available for non-Israeli resident shareholders who acquired their shares
prior to the issuer’s initial public offering.
However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to the foregoing
exemption if Israeli residents (i) have a controlling interest of more than 25% in such non-Israeli corporation or (ii) are the beneficiaries
of, or are entitled to, 25% or more of the revenue or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly. Such exemption
is not applicable to a person whose gains from selling or otherwise disposing of the shares are deemed to be a business income. Additionally,
under the United States-Israel Tax Treaty, or the treaty, the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares by a shareholder who (i) is
a U.S. resident (for purposes of the treaty), (ii) holds the shares as a capital asset, and (iii) is entitled to claim the benefits afforded
to such person by the treaty, is generally exempt from Israeli capital gains tax. Such exemption will not apply if: (i) the capital
gain arising from the sale, exchange or other disposition can be attributed to a permanent establishment in Israel; (ii) the shareholder
holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of the voting capital during any part of the 12-month period preceding
the disposition, subject to certain conditions; or (iii) such U.S. resident is an individual and was present in Israel for 183 days
or more during the relevant taxable year. In such case, the sale, exchange, or disposition of our ordinary shares should be subject to
Israeli tax, to the extent applicable; however, under the treaty, the taxpayer would be permitted to claim a credit for such taxes against
the U.S. federal income tax imposed with respect to such sale, exchange, or disposition, subject to the limitations under U.S. law applicable
to foreign tax credits. The treaty does not relate to U.S. state or local taxes.
In some instances where our shareholders may be liable for Israeli
tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to the withholding of Israeli tax at source.
If the above exemptions from capital gains tax are not available, individuals will be subject to a 25% tax rate on real capital gains
derived from the sale of shares as long as the individual is not a substantial shareholder of the corporation issuing the shares (in which
case the individual will be subject to a 30% tax rate), and corporations will be subject to a 23% corporate tax rate. A substantial shareholder
is generally a person who alone or together with such person’s relative or another person who collaborates with such person on a
permanent basis, holds, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of any of the means of control of the corporation, including the right to
vote, receive profits, nominate a director or an executive officer, receive assets upon liquidation, or order someone who holds any of
the aforesaid rights how to act, regardless of the source of such right. The determination of whether the individual is a substantial
shareholder will be made on the date on which the securities are sold. In addition, the individual will be deemed to be a substantial
shareholder if at any time during the 12 months preceding the date of the sale he or she was a substantial shareholder.
Dividends paid on publicly traded shares, like our ordinary shares,
to non-Israeli residents are generally subject to Israeli income tax at the rate of 25%, or 30% if the recipient of the dividend was a
substantial shareholder at the time of distribution or at any time during the prior 12-month period. Such dividends are generally subject
to Israeli withholding tax at a rate of 25% if the shares are registered with a nominee company (whether the recipient is a substantial
shareholder or not), unless a different rate is provided under an applicable tax treaty, provided that a certificate from the Israeli
Tax Authority allowing for a reduced withholding tax rate is obtained in advance. Under the United States-Israel Tax Treaty, the maximum
rate of tax withheld at source in Israel on dividends paid to a holder of our ordinary shares who is a U.S. resident (for purposes of
the treaty) is 25%. The treaty provides for reduced tax rates on dividends if (a) the shareholder is a U.S. corporation holding at least
10% of our issued voting power during the part of the tax year that precedes the date of payment of the dividend and held such minimal
percentage during the whole of its prior tax year, and (b) not more than 25% of the Israeli company’s gross income consists of interest
or dividends, other than dividends or interest received from subsidiary corporations or corporations 50% or more of the outstanding voting
shares of which is owned by the Israeli company. The reduced treaty rate, if applicable, is 15% in the case of dividends paid from income
derived from a Beneficiary or Preferred Enterprise (which is entitled to corporate tax benefits) or 12.5% otherwise. We cannot assure
you that in the event we declare a dividend we will designate the income out of which the dividend is paid in a manner that will reduce
shareholders’ tax liability. If the dividend is attributable partly to income derived from a Beneficiary or Preferred Enterprise
and partly to other sources of income, the withholding rate will be a blended rate reflecting the relative portions of the two types of
income. U.S. residents who are subject to Israeli withholding tax on a dividend may be entitled to a credit or deduction for U.S. federal
income tax purposes in the amount of the taxes withheld.
Individuals who are subject to tax in Israel are also subject to
an additional tax at the rate of 3% on annual income exceeding a certain threshold (NIS 721,560 for 2024, linked to the annual change
in the Israeli Consumer Price Index), including, but not limited to, income derived from dividends, interest, and capital gains.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities
None.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
ITEM 6.
[RESERVED]
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should
be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s current expectations, estimates and projections
for our business, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated
in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements and “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Overview
We are a medical device company that designs, develops, and commercializes
life-changing solutions that span the continuum of care in physical rehabilitation and recovery, delivering proven functional and health
benefits in clinical settings as well as in the home and community. Our initial product offerings were the ReWalk Personal and ReWalk
Rehabilitation Exoskeleton devices for individuals with spinal cord injury (“SCI Products”). These devices are robotic
exoskeletons that are designed for individuals with paraplegia that use our patented tilt-sensor technology and an onboard computer and
motion sensors to drive motorized legs that power movement. These SCI Products allow individuals with spinal cord injury (“SCI”)
the ability to stand and walk again during everyday activities at home or in the community. In March 2023, we received clearance of our
premarket notification (“510(k)”) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton
with stair and curb functionality, which adds usage on stairs and curbs to the indication for use for the device in the United States
(U.S.). The clearance permits U.S. customers to participate in more walking activities in real-world environments in their daily lives
where stairs or curbs may have previously limited them when using the exoskeleton for its intended, FDA-indicated uses. This feature has
been available in Europe since initial CE Clearance, and real-world data from a cohort of 47 European users throughout a period of over
seven years consisting of over 18,000 stair steps was collected to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this feature and support the
FDA submission.
We have sought to expand our product offerings beyond the SCI Products
through internal development and distribution agreements and acquisitions. We have developed our ReStore Exo-Suit device, which
we began commercializing in June 2019. The ReStore is a powered, lightweight soft exo-suit intended for use during the rehabilitation
of individuals with lower limb disabilities due to stroke. During the second quarter of 2020, we finalized and moved to implement two
separate agreements to distribute additional product lines in the United States. We are the exclusive distributor of the MYOLYN MyoCycle
FES Pro cycles to U.S. rehabilitation clinics and for the MyoCycle Home cycles available to US veterans through the Veterans Health Administration
(“VHA”) hospitals. In the second quarter of 2020, we also became the exclusive distributor of the MediTouch Tutor movement
biofeedback systems in the United States; however, due to unsatisfactory sales performance of the MediTouch product lines, we terminated
this agreement as of January 31, 2023. We refer to the MediTouch and MyoCycle devices as our “Distributed Products.”
On August 11, 2023, we made our first acquisition to supplement our internal growth
when we acquired AlterG, Inc. (“AlterG”), a leading provider of Anti-Gravity systems for use in physical and neurological
rehabilitation. Our AlterG Anti-Gravity systems use patented, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”) derived
differential air pressure (“DAP”) technology to reduce the effects of gravity and allow patients to rehabilitate with finely
calibrated support and reduced pain. AlterG Anti-Gravity systems are utilized in over 4,000 facilities globally in more than 40 countries.
We will continue to evaluate other products for distribution or acquisition that can broaden our product offerings further to help individuals
with neurological injury and disability.
We are in the research stage of ReBoot, a personal soft exo-suit
for home and community use by individuals post-stroke, and we are currently evaluating the reimbursement landscape and the potential clinical
impact of this device. This product would be a complementary product to ReStore as it provides active assistance to the ankle during plantar
flexion and dorsiflexion for gait and mobility improvement in the home environment, and it received Breakthrough Device Designation from
the FDA in November 2021. Further investment in the development path of the ReBoot was paused in 2023 pending determination regarding
the clinical and commercial opportunity of this device.
Our principal markets are primarily in the United States and Europe
with some lesser sales in Asia, the Middle East and South America. We sell our products primarily directly in the United States, through
a combination of direct sales and distributors (depending on the product line) in Germany, Canada, and Australia, and primarily through
distributors in other markets. In markets where we sell direct to consumers, we have established relationships with clinics and rehabilitation
centers, professional and college sports teams, and individuals and organizations in the SCI community, and in markets where we do not
sell direct to consumers, our distributors maintain these relationships. We have primary offices in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Fremont,
California, Berlin, Germany and Yokneam, Israel, from where we operate our business.
We have in the past generated and expect to generate in the future
revenue from a combination of clinics and rehabilitation centers, commercial distributors, third-party payors (including private and government
payors), professional and college sports teams, and self-pay individuals. While a broad uniform policy of coverage and reimbursement by
third-party commercial payors currently does not exist in the United States for exoskeleton technologies such as the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton,
we are pursuing various paths of reimbursement and support fundraising efforts by institutions and clinics, such as the VHA policy that
was issued in December 2015 for the evaluation, training, and procurement of ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton systems for all qualifying veterans
living with SCI across the United States.
We have also pursued updates with the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (“CMS”) to clarify the Medicare coverage category (i.e., benefit category) applicable for personal exoskeletons.
In 2022, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (“NSCISC”) reported that CMS is the primary payor for approximately
57% of the SCI population which are at least five years post their injury date, with Medicare representing a majority of this percentage.
In July 2020, following a successful submission and hearing process, a code was issued for ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, which may be used
for purposes of claim submission to Medicare, Medicaid, and other payors.
On November 1, 2023, CMS released the Calendar Year 2024 Home Health
Prospective Payment System Final Rule, CMS-1780-F (“Final Rule”), which was adopted through the notice and comment rulemaking
process. The Final Rule includes a policy confirming that personal exoskeletons are included in the Medicare brace benefit category, as
of January 1, 2024. Medicare personal exoskeleton claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2024 that are billed using HCPCS
code K1007 are assigned to the brace benefit category. CMS reimburses items classified under the brace benefit category using a lump sum
payment methodology.
On November 29, 2023, CMS included the “ReWalk Personal Prosthetic
Exoskeleton System” in the HCPCS public meeting where it solicited feedback on a preliminary payment determination of $94,617
for HCPCS code K1007. The preliminary payment determination was made by CMS by applying a “gap filling” process, which was
used in light of CMS determining that the code describing the technology has no fee schedule pricing history and that lower extremity
exoskeletons incorporate “revolutionary features” that cannot be described by or considered comparable to any other existing
code or combination of codes. As part of gap-filling, CMS utilizes verifiable supplier or commercial pricing information and adjusts this
pricing information according to a deflation and update factor methodology. In applying this formula to the K1007 code describing the
ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, CMS says that it relied on information about average prices from 2020 market transactions for which CMS had
data.
CMS solicited information on updated verifiable market transactions
from ReWalk, as well as any other makers of similar bilateral, lower limb exoskeletons, to “ensure that the Medicare payment amount
for this code accurately reflects the full market of devices that would be classified in this code.” We participated in the HCPCS
meeting process on November 29, 2023 to provide additional information to help ensure that the final payment determination accurately
reflects current pricing information related to the market of lower-limb exoskeleton devices, including the current ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton.
A final Medicare payment determination is expected from CMS in first quarter of 2024 with an April 1, 2024, effective date.
In Germany, we continue to make progress toward achieving coverage
from the various government, private and worker’s compensation payors for our SCI products. In September 2017, each of German insurer
BARMER GEK (“BARMER”) and national social accident insurance provider Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (“DGUV”),
indicated that they will provide coverage to users who meet certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. In February 2018, the head office
of German Statutory Health Insurance (“SHI”) Spitzenverband (“GKV”) confirmed their decision to list the ReWalk
Personal Exoskeleton system in the German Medical Device Directory. This decision means that ReWalk is listed among all medical devices
for compensation, which SHI providers can procure for any approved beneficiary on a case-by-case basis. During the year 2020 and 2021,
we announced several new agreements with German SHIs, including TK and DAK Gesundheit, as well as the first German Private Health Insurer
(“PHI”), which outline the process of obtaining our devices for eligible insured patients. We are also currently working with
several additional SHIs on securing a formal operating contract that will establish the process of obtaining a ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton
for their beneficiaries within their system. Additionally, to date, several private insurers in the United States and Europe are providing reimbursement
for ReWalk in certain cases.
Components of Our Statements of Operations
Revenue
We currently rely, and in the future will rely, on sales and rentals
of our ReWalk Personal and ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton devices, sales and rentals of our AlterG Anti-Gravity systems and related
consumables and services, and sales of our ReStore exo-suit device, additional Distributed Products such as the MyoCycle, and related
extended service contracts for the SCI Products. Our revenue is generated from a combination of third-party payors, including private
and government employers, institutions, and self-payors. Payments for our products by third party payors have been made primarily through
case-by-case determinations. Third-party payors include, without limitation, private insurance plans, workers’ compensation programs,
managed care organizations, and government programs including the VHA and Medicare. We expect that third-party payors will be an increasingly
important source of revenue in the future as we increase the volume of sales of ReWalk Personal systems to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries
following establishment of a benefit category and anticipated pricing. In December 2015, the VHA issued a national policy for the
evaluation, training, and procurement of ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton systems for all qualifying veterans across the United States. The
VHA policy is the first national coverage policy in the United States for qualifying individuals who have suffered spinal cord injury.
ReWalk Personal and ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton systems are generally covered
by a five-year warranty from the date of purchase, which is included in the purchase price. The warranty covers all elements of the systems,
including the batteries, other than normal wear and tear. Our ReStore device is sold with a two-year warranty. The AlterG Anti-Gravity
systems are sold with a one-year factory warranty covering parts and services in the U.S. and a two-year factory warranty covering parts
only in the rest of the world. Warranties for our Distributed Products range between three years to ten years depending on the specific
product and part and are the responsibility of the manufacturers.
Cost of Revenue and Gross
Profit
For ReWalk and ReStore, cost of revenue consists primarily of complete
systems purchased from our outsourced manufacturer, Sanmina. For these products, cost of revenue also includes internal costs such
as salaries and related personnel costs including non-cash share-based compensation, functions that support manufacturing and inventory
management, training and inspection, service activities, freight costs, and reserves for warranty and inventory condition. The cost of
revenue also includes royalties and expenses related to royalty-bearing research and development grants.
For our AlterG systems, which we manufacture ourselves at our facility
in Fremont, California, cost of revenue consists primarily of raw materials, direct labor, indirect labor, and other factory overhead
costs such as rent and utilities. In addition, cost of revenue also includes field service costs, shipping expenses and reserves
for warranty and inventory condition.
For Distributed Products such as the MyoCycle cost of revenue consists
primarily of complete systems purchased from MYOLYN. In addition, the cost of revenue also includes field service costs and shipping expenses.
Our gross profit and gross margin (defined as gross profit as a
percentage of revenue) are influenced by a number of factors, including the volume and price of our products sold, fluctuations in the
mix of products sold, and variability in our cost of revenue. We expect gross profit and gross margin will expand in the future as we
increase our revenue volumes and realize operating efficiencies associated with greater scale which will reduce the cost of revenue as
a percentage of revenue.
Operating Expenses
Research and Development Expenses, Net
Research and development expenses, net consist primarily of salaries
and related personnel costs including share-based compensation, supplies, materials, and consulting expenses associated with to product
design and development, clinical studies, regulatory submissions, patent costs, sponsored research and other related activities. We expense
all research and development expenses as they are incurred.
Research and development expenses are presented net of the amount
of any grants we receive for research and development in the period in which we receive the grant. We previously received grants and other
funding from the IIA. Certain of those grants require us to pay royalties on sales of certain systems, which are recorded as cost of revenue.
We may receive additional funding from these entities or others in the future. See “Grants and Other Funding” below.
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries
and related personnel costs including share-based compensation for sales, sales support, marketing, and reimbursement related activities,
travel, marketing, advertisement, tradeshows and conferences, lobbying, and public relations activities.
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries
and related personnel costs including share-based compensation for our administrative, finance, and general management personnel, professional
services, and insurance.
Financial Expenses (Income), Net
Financial income and expenses consist of bank commissions, foreign
exchange gains and losses, interest earned on investments in short term deposits and royalty income.
Interest income consists of interest earned on our cash and cash
equivalent balances. Interest expense consists of interest accrued on, and certain other costs with respect to any indebtedness. Foreign
currency exchange changes reflect gains or losses related to transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Taxes on Income
As of December 31, 2023, we had not yet generated taxable
income in Israel. As of that date, our net operating loss carryforwards for Israeli tax purposes amounted to approximately $242.6 million.
After we utilize our net operating loss carryforwards, we are eligible for certain tax benefits in Israel under the Law for the Encouragement
of Capital Investments, 1959. Our benefit period currently ends ten years after the year in which we first have taxable income in Israel
provided that the benefit period will not extend beyond 2024. AlterG had federal net operating loss carry forwards totalling $31.4 million
and state net operating loss carry forwards of $47.2 million, set to expire in 2025 and 2028, respectively.
Our taxable income generated outside of Israel will be subject
to the regular corporate tax rate in the applicable jurisdictions. As a result, our effective tax rate will be a function of the relative
proportion of our taxable income that is generated in those locations compared to our overall net income.
Grants and Other Funding
Israel Innovation Authority
(formerly known as the Office of the Chief Scientist)
From our inception through December 31, 2023, we have received
a total of $2.6 million in funding from the IIA, $1.6 million of which are royalty-bearing grants, $400 thousand were received in consideration
for an investment in our preferred shares while $570 thousand was received without future obligation. Of the royalty-bearing grants
received, we have paid royalties to the IIA in the total amount of $110 thousand. The agreements with IIA require us to pay royalties
at a rate of 3% on sales of certain systems and related services up to the total amount of funding received for the development of these
systems, linked to the dollar, and bearing interest at an annual rate of LIBOR applicable to dollar deposits. If we transfer IIA-supported
technology or know-how outside of Israel, we will be liable for additional payments to IIA depending upon the value of the transferred
technology or know-how, the amount of IIA support, the time of completion of the IIA-supported research project and other factors. As
of December 31, 2023, the aggregate contingent liability to the IIA was $1.6 million. For more information, see “Part I, Item
1A. Risk Factors-We have received Israeli government grants for certain of our research and development activities and we may receive
additional grants in the future. The terms of those grants restrict our ability to manufacture products or transfer technologies outside
of Israel and we may be required to pay penalties in such cases or upon the sale of our company.”
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared
to Year Ended December 31, 2022
Revenue
Our revenue for 2023 and 2022 were as follows (dollars in thousands,
except unit amounts):
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
13,854 |
|
|
$ |
5,511 |
|
Revenues consist of SCI Products, AlterG Anti-Gravity systems,
ReStore and Distributed Products.
Revenue was $13.9 million, an increase of $8.3 million, or 51%,
during 2023 as compared to 2022. Of this increase, $7.7 million was attributable to the AlterG business, which was acquired on August
11, 2023. The remaining increase of $0.7 million was a result of a higher revenues from ReWalk Personal Exoskeletons and MyoCycles.
In the future, we expect our growth to be driven by sales of our
ReWalk Personal device through expansion of coverage and reimbursement by commercial and government third-party payors, and our AlterG
Anti-Gravity systems, as well as sales of Distributed Products, and the ReStore device to rehabilitation clinics and personal users.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit for 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Gross profit |
|
$ |
4,453 |
|
|
$ |
1,905 |
|
Gross profit was $4.5 million, or 32% of revenue, for 2023, as compared to a gross profit
of $1.9 million, or 35% of revenue for 2022. The AlterG business contributed $2.1 million of gross profit for 2023. Gross profit for 2023
also included the impact of $1.5 million for the amortization of intangible assets and purchase accounting inventory adjustments from
the acquisition of AlterG. Excluding the impact of these factors resulting from the acquisition of AlterG, gross profit was $2.4
million, or 38% of revenue for 2023, as compared to $1.9 million, or 35% of revenue for 2022. This increase was a result of a higher average
selling price in 2023 due to new features in our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton and MyoCycles.
We expect gross profit and gross margin will increase in the future
as we increase our revenue volumes and realize operating efficiencies associated with greater scale which will reduce the cost of revenue
as a percentage of revenue. Improvements may be partially offset by the lower margins we currently expect from ReStore as well as due
to an increase in material costs.
Research and Development
Expense, Net
Our research and development expense, net for 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Research and development expense, net |
|
$ |
4,148 |
|
|
$ |
4,031 |
|
Research and development expense was $4.1 million in 2023, an increase
of $0.1 million, or 3%, during 2023 as compared to 2022. The AlterG business contributed $0.8 million of research and development spending
for 2023. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of AlterG, research and development declined by $0.7 million, or 17% for the year
ended December 31, 2023. The decrease is attributable to the conclusion of the stairs capability project and the gradual reduction of
spend on the ReWalk 7 development project as it approached conclusion.
We intend to focus the rest of our research and development expenses
mainly on our current product support, as well as to advance the FDA submission for clearance of the ReWalk 7 next-generation exoskeleton
model. We have ongoing product development activity with our AlterG Anti-Gravity systems, including a program to develop a new entry level
model of AlterG Anti-Gravity system aimed to improve the affordability to price-conscious customers.
Sales and Marketing Expense
Our sales and marketing expense for 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Sales and marketing expense |
|
$ |
13,922 |
|
|
$ |
9,842 |
|
Sales and marketing expense was $13.9 million in 2023, an increase
of $4.1 million, or 41%, during 2023 as compared to 2022. The AlterG business contributed $2.0 million of sales and marketing expenses
for 2023. Sales and marketing expenses for 2023 also included $0.6 million of amortization of intangible assets from the acquisition of
AlterG. Excluding the impact of these factors resulting from the acquisition of AlterG, sales and marketing expenses increased $1.5 million,
or 15%, for 2023. The remaining increase was primarily driven by higher consulting expenses related to the CMS reimbursement process
and market access initiatives.
In the near term our sales and marketing expense are expected to
be driven by our efforts to expand the reimbursement coverage of our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton device, to integrate and unify the combined
sales and marketing resources of the ReWalk and AlterG organizations, and to support our current commercial product activities.
General and Administrative
Expense
Our general and administrative expense for 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2021 |
|
General and administrative |
|
$ |
9,995 |
|
|
$ |
7,134 |
|
General and administrative expense was $10.0 million, an increase
of $2.9 million, or 40%, during 2023 as compared to 2022. The AlterG business contributed $1.1 million of general and administrative expenses
for 2023. General and administrative expenses also included $2.5 million of M&A-related expenses, and $0.1 million of amortization
of intangible assets from the acquisition of AlterG offset partially by $0.3 remeasurement of earn out liability. Excluding the impact
of these factors resulting from the acquisition of AlterG, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.6 million, or 7%, for 2023.
The decrease was mainly driven by lower professional services expenses.
Financial income, net
Our financial income, net for 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Financial income, net |
|
$ |
1,467 |
|
|
$ |
*) |
|
Financial income, net, reflects an increase in financial income
of $1.5 million during 2023 as compared to 2022. The increase in financial income was primarily due to a change in cash management
practices to move cash balances to accounts that pay a higher interest rate and yield greater interest income, as well as exchange rate
fluctuations.
*) Represents an amount lower than $1.
Income Tax
Our income tax for 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Taxes on income (benefit) |
|
$ |
(12 |
) |
|
$ |
467 |
|
Income tax decreased by $0.5 million during 2023 as compared to 2022, mainly due to
the utilization of net operation losses forward arising from the acquisition of AlterG.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31,
2021
A discussion of changes in our results of operations in 2022 compared
to 2021 has been omitted from this annual report on Form 10-K but may be found in “Part I. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC
on February 23, 2023, which is available free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and at golifeward.com, and is incorporated
by reference herein.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates,
judgments and assumptions that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates,
judgments and assumptions on historical experience and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Materially
different results can occur as circumstances change and additional information becomes known. Besides the estimates identified above that
are considered critical, we make many other accounting estimates in preparing our financial statements and related disclosures. See Note 2
to our consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this annual report for a description of the significant accounting policies
that we used to prepare our consolidated financial statements. The critical accounting policies that were impacted by the estimates, judgments
and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are discussed below.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 606 when
obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied; generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of our
products or services. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring
products or providing services. To achieve this core principle, we apply the following five steps:
1. identify the contract with a customer;
2. identify the performance obligations in the contract;
3. determine the transaction price;
4. allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in
the contract; and
5. recognize revenue when or as we satisfy a performance obligation.
Provisions are made at the time of revenue recognition for any
applicable warranty cost expected to be incurred. The timing for revenue recognition among the various products and customers is dependent
upon satisfaction of such criteria and generally varies from either shipment or delivery to the customer depending on the specific shipping
terms of a given transaction, as stipulated in the agreement with each customer. Other than pricing terms which may differ due to the
different volumes of purchases between distributors and end-users, there are no material differences in the terms and arrangements involving
direct and indirect customers. Our products sold through agreements with distributors are non-exchangeable, non-refundable, non-returnable
and without any rights of price protection or stock rotation. Accordingly, we consider all the distributors as end-users. We generally
do not grant a right of return for our products except in rare circumstances, and in those cases we record reductions to revenue for expected
future product returns based on our historical experience and estimates.
For the majority of sales of ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton systems, we include insignificant training
and consider the elements in the arrangement to be a single performance obligation. Therefore, the Company recognizes revenue for the
system only when control is transferred after delivery and when the training has been completed, in accordance with the agreement terms
with the customer, once all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. For sales of ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton systems to end
users, and for sales of ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton or ReWalk Rehabilitation Exoskeleton systems to third party distributors, we do not
provide training to the end user as this training is completed by the rehabilitation centers or by the distributor that have previously
completed the ReWalk Training program.
Warranties are classified as either assurance type or service type
warranty. A warranty is considered an assurance type warranty if it provides the consumer with assurance that the product will function
as intended for a limited period of time.
SCI Products include a five-year warranty. The first two years
are considered as an assurance type warranty and the additional period is considered an extended service arrangement, which is a service
type warranty. A service type warranty is either sold with a unit or separately for a unit for which the warranty has expired. A service
type warranty is accounted as a separate performance obligation and revenue is recognized ratably over the life of the warranty.
The ReStore device is sold with a two-year warranty which is considered as assurance
type warranty.
The Distributed Products are sold with an assurance type warranty
ranging from between three years to ten years, depending on the specific part.
The AlterG Anti-Gravity systems are sold with a one-year assurance type warranty for
parts and labor in the US and with a two-year assurance type warranty for parts for distributors. We also sell extended warranties
for AlterG Anti-Gravity systems for the periods after the expiration of the original warranty. These are accounted for as separate
performance obligations from the AlterG Anti-Gravity system.
We rent our AlterG Anti-Gravity systems to customers for a fixed monthly fee over
the rental term, which typically ranges from 2 to 3 years. Rental revenues accounted for under ASC Topic 842 and are recorded as earned
on a monthly basis. We also offer for the SCI Products a rent-to-purchase model in which we recognize revenue ratably according to the
agreed rental monthly fee for a limited period prior to selling its products. For units placed, we transfer control and recognize a sale
when title has passed to our customer and rental revenue ratably according to the agreed rental monthly fee. Each unit placed is considered
an independent, unbundled performance obligation.
Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial
statements, we are required to estimate our taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. We account for income taxes in accordance
with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” or ASC Topic 740. ASC Topic 740 prescribes the use of an asset and liability method whereby
deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on the difference between book value and the tax bases of assets
and liabilities and carryforward tax losses. Deferred taxes are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be
in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. We exercise judgment and provide a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce
deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset
will not be realized. We have established a full valuation allowance with respect to our deferred tax assets.
ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”
provides presentation requirements to classify deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, are classified
as non-current on the balance sheet. We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 and recognize the tax benefit
from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing
authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position
should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Accordingly,
we report a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.
We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
A discussion of recent accounting pronouncements is included in
Note 2w, New Accounting Pronouncements, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity and Outlook
Since inception, we have funded our operations primarily through
the sale of our equity securities and convertible notes to investors in private placements, the sale of our equity securities in public
offerings, cash exercises of outstanding warrants and the incurrence of bank debt.
For the full year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred a consolidated
net loss of $22.1 million and had an accumulated deficit in the total amount of $235.9 million. Our cash and cash equivalents on December
31, 2023, totalled $28.1 million. Our negative operating cash flow for the full year ended December 31, 2023, was $20.7 million. We have
sufficient funds to support our operation for more than 12 months following the approval of our consolidated financial statements for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
We expect to incur future net losses and our transition to profitability
is dependent upon, among other things, the successful development and commercialization of our products and product candidates, the establishment
of contracts for the distribution of new product lines, or the acquisition of additional product lines, any of which, or in combination,
would contribute to the achievement of a level of revenue adequate to support our cost structure. Until we achieve profitability
or generate positive cash flows, we will continue to need to raise additional cash from time to time.
We intend to fund future operations through cash on hand, additional
private and/or public offerings of debt or equity securities, cash exercises of outstanding warrants or a combination of the foregoing.
In addition, we may seek additional capital through arrangements with strategic partners or from other sources and we will continue to
address our cost structure. Notwithstanding, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional funds or achieve or sustain
profitability or positive cash flows from operations.
Our anticipated primary uses of cash are funding (i) sales, marketing,
and promotion activities related to market development for our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton device and AlterG Anti-Gravity system,
broadening third-party payor and CMS coverage for our ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton device and commercializing our new product lines added
through distribution agreements; (ii) development of future generation designs for our ReWalk device, new AlterG products utilizing DAP
technology, and our lightweight exo-suit technology for potential home personal health utilization for multiple indications; (iii) routine
product updates; (iv) potential acquisitions of businesses, such as our recent acquisition of AlterG, and (v) general corporate purposes,
including working capital needs. Our future cash requirements will depend on many factors, including our rate of revenue growth,
the expansion of our sales and marketing activities, the timing and extent of our spending on research and development efforts, the attractiveness
of potential acquisition candidates and international expansion. If our current estimates of revenue, expenses or capital or liquidity
requirements change or are inaccurate, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities, arrange for additional bank debt financing,
or refinance our indebtedness. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise such funds on acceptable terms.
Equity Raises
Use of Form S-3
Beginning with the filing of our Form 10-K on February 17, 2017,
we were subject to limitations under the applicable rules of Form S-3, which constrained our ability to secure capital with respect to
public offerings pursuant to our effective Form S-3. These rules limit the size of primary securities offerings conducted by issuers with
a public float of less than $75 million to no more than one-third of their public float in any 12-month period. At the time of filing
this annual report, we were subject to these limitations because our public float did not reach at least $75 million in the 60 days preceding
the filing of this annual report. We will continue to be subject to these limitations for the remainder of the 2024 fiscal year and until
the earlier of such time as our public float reaches at least $75 million or when we file our next annual report for the year ended December
31, 2024, at which time we will be required to re-test our status under these rules. If our public float is below $75 million as of the
filing of our next annual report on Form 10-K, or at the time we file a new Form S-3, we will continue to be subject to these limitations,
until the date that our public float again reaches $75 million. These limitations do not apply to secondary offerings for the resale of
our ordinary shares or other securities by selling shareholders or to the issuance of ordinary shares upon conversion by holders of convertible
securities, such as warrants. We have registered up to $100 million of ordinary shares warrants and/or debt securities and certain other
outstanding securities with registration rights on our registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the SEC in
May 2022.
Equity Offerings and
Warrant Exercises
On February 19, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement
with certain institutional and other accredited investors for the issuance and sale of 10,921,502 ordinary shares, par value NIS 0.25
per share at $3.6625 per ordinary share and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 5,460,751 ordinary shares with an exercise price
of $3.60 per share, exercisable from February 19, 2021, until August 26, 2026. Additionally, the Company issued warrants to purchase up
to 655,290 ordinary shares, with an exercise price of $4.578125 per share, exercisable from February 19, 2021, until August 26, 2026,
to certain representatives of H.C. Wainwright as compensation for its role as the placement agent in our February 2021 private placement
offering.
On September 27, 2021, we signed a purchase agreement with certain
institutional investors for the issuance and sale of 15,403,014 ordinary shares, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of
610,504 ordinary shares and ordinary warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 8,006,759 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $2.00
per share. The pre-funded warrants have an exercise price of $0.001 per ordinary share and are immediately exercisable and can be exercised
at any time after their original issuance until such pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. Each ordinary share was sold at an offering
price of $2.035 and each pre-funded warrant was sold at an offering price of $2.034 (equal to the purchase price per ordinary share minus
the exercise price of the pre-funded warrant). The offering of the ordinary shares, the pre-funded warrants and the ordinary shares that
are issuable from time to time upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants was made pursuant to our shelf registration statement on Form
S-3 initially filed with the SEC on May 9, 2019, and declared effective by the SEC on May 23, 2019, and the ordinary warrants were issued
in a concurrent private placement. The ordinary warrants are exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, following
the date of issuance and ending five and one-half years from the date of issuance. All of the pre-funded warrants were exercised in full
on September 27, 2021, and the offering closed on September 29, 2021. Additionally, we issued warrants to purchase up to 960,811 ordinary
shares, with an exercise price of $2.5438 per share, exercisable from September 27, 2021, until September 27, 2026, to certain representatives
of H.C. Wainwright as compensation for its role as the placement agent in our September 2021 private placement offering.
As of December 31, 2023, warrants to purchase a total of 9,814,754
ordinary shares with exercise prices ranging from $1.25 to $1.79 were exercised, for total gross proceeds of approximately $13.8 million.
During the twelve months that ended December 31, 2023, no warrants were exercised.
Share Repurchase Program
On June 2, 2022, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program to repurchase
up to $8.0 million of our ordinary shares . On July 21, 2022, we received approval from an Israeli court for the share repurchase program.
The program was scheduled to expire on the earlier of January 20, 2023, or reaching $8.0 million of repurchases. On December 22, 2022,
our board of directors approved an extension of the repurchase program, with such extension to be in the aggregate amount of up to $5.8
million. The extension was approved by an Israeli court on February 9, 2023, and it expired on August 9, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, pursuant to the share repurchase program, we had repurchased
a total of 4,022,607 of our outstanding ordinary shares at a total cost of $3.5 million.
Cash Flows
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(20,667 |
) |
|
$ |
(17,891 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,469 |
) |
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(18,149 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
(47 |
) |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
|
|
(992 |
) |
|
|
(2,500 |
) |
|
|
79,512 |
|
Effect of Exchange rate changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and
Restricted Cash |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Net cash flow |
|
$ |
(39,763 |
) |
|
$ |
(20,495 |
) |
|
$ |
67,996 |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2023 to Year Ended December 31, 2022
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $20.7 million in 2023,
an increase of $2.8 million as compared to 2022 mainly due to higher consulting and professional services fees primarily associated with
the acquisition of AlterG and the CMS reimbursement process, as well as increased inventory purchases.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased to $18.1 million in 2023 as compared
to $0.03 million in 2022, primarily due to the acquisition of AlterG.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $0.9 million in 2023,
a decrease of $1.5 million, as compared to 2022. The decrease was due to the repurchase of our ordinary shares under our share repurchase
program, which expired on August 9, 2023.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year
Ended December 31, 2021
A discussion of changes in our cash flows in 2022 compared to 2021
has been omitted from this annual report on Form 10-K but may be found in “Part I. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC
on February 23, 2023, which is available free of charge on the SECs website at www.sec.gov and at golifeward.com, and is incorporated
by reference herein.
Obligations and Commercial Commitments
Set forth below is a summary of our contractual obligations as of December 31,
2023:
|
|
Payments due by period (in dollars, in thousands)
|
|
Contractual obligations |
|
Total |
|
|
Less than 1 year |
|
|
1-3 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase obligations (1) |
|
$ |
8,551 |
|
|
$ |
8,551 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Collaboration Agreement and License Agreement obligations (2)
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Operating lease obligations (3) |
|
|
2,050 |
|
|
|
1,364 |
|
|
|
686 |
|
Earnout liability (4) |
|
|
3,292 |
|
|
|
576 |
|
|
|
2,716 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
13,927 |
|
|
$ |
10,525 |
|
|
$ |
3,402 |
|
(1) |
We depend on one contract manufacturer, Sanmina Corporation, for both the SCI products and the ReStore Products. We place our manufacturing
orders with Sanmina pursuant to purchase orders or by providing forecasts for future requirements. The AlterG Anti-Gravity systems are
produced in Fremont, California by us. Purchase orders are executed with suppliers based on our sales forecast. |
(2) |
Under the Collaboration Agreement, we were required to pay in quarterly installments the funding of our joint research collaboration
with Harvard, subject to a minimum funding commitment under applicable circumstances. Our License Agreement with Harvard consists of patent
reimbursement expenses payments and a license upfront fee payment. There are also several milestone payments contingent upon the achievement
of certain product development and commercialization milestones and royalty payments on net sales from certain patents licensed to Harvard.
All product development milestones contemplated by the License Agreement have been met as of December 31, 2023; however, there are still
outstanding commercialization milestones under the License Agreement that depend on us reaching certain sales amounts, some or all of
which may not occur. Our Collaboration Agreement with Harvard was concluded on March 31, 2022. |
(3) |
Our operating leases consist of leases for our facilities in the United States, Israel and Germany and motor vehicles in Israel.
|
(4) |
Earnout payments based on AlterG’s revenue growth during the two consecutive trailing twelve-month periods following closing
of the acquisition. |
We calculated the payments due under our operating lease obligation
for our Israeli office that are to be paid in NIS at a rate of exchange of NIS 3.627:$1.00, of which were the applicable exchange rate
as of December 31, 2023.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no off-balance sheet arrangements or guarantees of third-party
obligations during the periods presented.
Trend Information
For information on significant known trends, please see “Part I-Item 1. “Business
– Overview” in this annual report.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Currency Exchange Risk
Our results of operations and cash flows are affected by fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates. Since 2015, most of our expenses were denominated in U.S. dollars and the remaining expenses
were denominated in NIS and euro, until 2018 most of our revenue was denominated in U.S. dollars and the remainder of our revenue was
denominated in euro and British pound whereas in the last four years our euro revenue is higher than our U.S dollar revenue. Accordingly,
changes in the value of the NIS and Euro relative to the U.S. dollar in each of the years 2023, 2022, and 2021 impacted amounts recorded
on our consolidated statements of operations for these periods. We expect that the denominations of our revenue and expenses in 2024 will
be consistent with what we experienced in 2023.
The following table presents information about the devaluation
in the exchange rates of the NIS and euro against the U.S. dollar in 2023, 2022 and 2021:
|
|
Change in Average Exchange Rate |
|
Period |
|
NIS against the U.S. Dollar (%) |
|
|
Euro against the U.S. Dollar (%) |
|
2023 |
|
|
(9.00 |
) |
|
|
2.67 |
|
2022 |
|
|
3.70 |
|
|
|
10.84 |
|
2021 |
|
|
(6.38 |
) |
|
|
3.46 |
|
The figures above represent the change in the average exchange
rate in the given period compared to the average exchange rate in the immediately preceding period. Negative figures represent the devaluation
of the U.S. dollar compared to the NIS or the euro. A 10% increase or decrease in the value of the NIS against the U.S. dollar would have
decreased or increased our net loss by approximately $513 thousand in 2023. A 10% increase or decrease in the value of the euro against
the U.S. dollar would have decreased or increased our net loss by approximately $14 thousand in 2023.
Other Market Risks
We do not believe that we have material exposure to interest rate risks or to inflationary
risks.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The information required hereunder is set forth under Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations, Statements of Changes
in Shareholders’ Equity, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Consolidated
Financial Statements that are a part of this annual report. Other financial information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements
that are a part of this annual report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within
the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial
disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this annual report, we carried
out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)
and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon, and as of the date of, this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that the information required to be disclosed
by us in our SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and
is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control
over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
and procedures that:
|
● |
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions
of our assets; |
|
● |
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors;
and |
|
● |
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets
that could have a material effect on our financial statements. |
Management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making its assessment, management used the criteria described in Internal Control
— Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have excluded from the scope of our assessment of internal control
over financial reporting the operations and related assets of AlterG, which we acquired on August 11, 2023. Based on management’s
assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023 to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements
for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our
independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal controls over financial reporting because we are exempt from this requirement
as a smaller reporting company and non-accelerated filer.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31,
2023, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange
Act) that materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information About Our Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each
of our executive officers as of February 27, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Larry Jasinski |
|
66 |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Michael Lawless |
|
56 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Charles Remsberg |
|
62 |
|
Chief Sales Officer |
Jeannine Lynch |
|
59 |
|
Vice President of Market Access |
Almog Adar |
|
40 |
|
Vice President of Finance |
Larry Jasinski has served
as our Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our board since February 2012. From 2005 until 2012, Mr. Jasinski served as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Soteira, Inc., a company engaged in development and commercialization of products used to
treat individuals with vertebral compression fractures, which was acquired by Globus Medical in 2012. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Jasinski
was President and Chief Executive Officer of Cortek, Inc., a company that developed next-generation treatments for degenerative disc disease,
which was acquired by Alphatec in 2005. From 1985 until 2001, Mr. Jasinski served in multiple sales, research and development, and
general management roles at Boston Scientific Corporation. Mr. Jasinski has served on the board of directors of Massachusetts Bay Lines
since 2015 and of LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. since 2003. Mr. Jasinski holds a B.Sc. in marketing from Providence College and an MBA
from the University of Bridgeport.
Michael Lawless has served
as our Chief Financial Officer since September 2022. Prior to Lifeward, Mr. Lawless served as a CFO consultant for Danforth Advisors,
LLC, a provider of financial consulting services to the life sciences industry. From 2015 to 2020, Mr. Lawless held several financial
leadership positions including Division CFO at Azenta, Inc. (formerly Brooks Automation, Inc.), a worldwide provider of management solutions
for biological samples. Previously, Mr. Lawless also held financial leadership roles for AECOM Technology, Inc., PerkinElmer, Inc., Momenta
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and CTI Molecular Imaging, Inc. Mr. Lawless has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Swarthmore College,
a Master of Business Administration degree from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Charles Remsberg has served
as our Chief Sales Officer since August 2023. Prior to Lifeward, Mr. Remsberg served as CEO of AlterG from March 2017 until the
acquisition of AlterG in August 2023. An industry veteran of over 30 years, Charles has been responsible for bringing innovative
rehabilitation technology to physical therapy, neuro-rehabilitation, sports medicine, and wellness customers. Prior to serving at
AlterG, Mr. Remsberg served in both executive and commercial leadership roles for Tibion (for which he served as the CEO from December
2009 to April 2013, when it was acquired by AlterG), Hocoma (for which he served as the U.S. CEO and Global Head of Sales from September
2003 to November 2009), and Biodex Medical Systems (for which he served as the Head of Worldwide Sales from January 1997 to October 2002).
He holds an AS in Business Administration from Suffolk County Community College.
Jeannine Lynch has served as our Vice President
of Market Access and Strategy since August 2021. Prior to Lifeward, Ms. Lynch served as Senior Director of Patient Access Services at
BioMarin Pharmaceuticals from April 2009 to September 2021. In addition to her work with BioMarin, Ms. Lynch has worked for industry leaders
such as Genentech and Pfizer/Agouron. She has held leadership roles in commercial management, product launches and built customized patient
services to address several different rare and ultrarare medical conditions. Ms. Lynch also sits on the Board of Directors for MVP, a
non-profit organization to help young people of color prepare, perform, progress, and prosper in their education, leadership and early
professional careers. Ms. Lynch is a graduate of the University of California Berkeley and holds a Master of Public Health from the University
of Michigan.
Almog Adar has served as
our Vice President of Finance since December 2022. From 2020 to 2022, Mr. Adar served as our Director of Finance and Corporate Financial
Controller. Prior to Lifeward, Mr. Adar served as Controller of Infinya Recycling Ltd. (previously Amnir Recycling) from January 2018
until December 2019. From January 2016 until December 2017, Mr. Adar served as Assistant Controller of Delta Galil Industries. Mr. Adar
has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Economics from the Open University of Israel and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed
by the Israeli Ministry of Justice.
The remaining information required by this Item will be included
in, and is incorporated herein by reference from, our definitive proxy statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed
with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Proxy
Statement”).
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item 11 will be included in, and
is incorporated herein by reference from, our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item 12 will be included in and
is incorporated herein by reference from, our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item 13 will be included in and
is incorporated herein by reference, from our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item 14 will be included in and is incorporated herein
by reference, from our Proxy Statement.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Financial Statements.
The Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this annual
report are identified in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-1 hereto.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules.
Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted because the
information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(a)(3) Exhibits.
See accompanying Exhibit Index included after the signature page
of this report for a list of the exhibits filed or furnished with or incorporated by reference in this report.
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.INS |
XBRL Instance Document. |
101.SCH |
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.PRE |
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document. |
101.CAL |
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB |
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF |
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
+ |
Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. |
* |
Certain identified information in the exhibit has been omitted because it is the type of information that (i) the Company customarily
and actually treats as private and confidential, and (ii) is not material. |
** |
Management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement. |
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
ReWalk Robotics Ltd. |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Larry Jasinski |
|
|
Name: Larry Jasinski |
|
|
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
Date: February 27, 2024
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT: That the undersigned officers
and directors of ReWalk Robotics Ltd. do hereby constitute and appoint Larry Jasinski and Mike Lawless the lawful attorney and agent with
power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent determines
may be necessary or advisable or required to enable ReWalk Robotics Ltd. to comply with the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and any rules or regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this report. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing power and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the undersigned
officers and directors in the capacities indicated below to this report or amendments or supplements thereto, and each of the undersigned
hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and agents, or either of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This
Power of Attorney may be signed in several counterparts.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Larry Jasinski |
|
Director and Chief Executive Officer |
|
February 27, 2024 |
Larry Jasinski |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Mike Lawless |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
February 27, 2024 |
Mike Lawless |
|
(Principal Financial Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Almog Adar |
|
Vice President of Finance |
|
February 27, 2024 |
Almog Adar |
|
(Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jeff Dykan |
|
Chairman of the Board |
|
February 27, 2024 |
Jeff Dykan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Dr. John William Poduska |
|
Director |
|
February 27, 2024 |
Dr. John William Poduska |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Randel Richner |
|
Director |
|
February 27, 2024 |
Randel Richner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Joseph Turk |
|
Director |
|
February 27, 2024 |
Joseph Turk |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Hadar Levy |
|
Director |
|
February 27, 2024 |
Hadar Levy |
|
|
|
|