Forward Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including statements regarding our estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, projections or strategies for the future, results of operations, financial position, net sales, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management for future operations may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward looking statements can be identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "target," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "prospects," "goals," "potential," "likely," and the like, and/or future-tense or conditional constructions such as "will," "may," "could," "should," etc. (or the negative thereof). Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future sales, market size and trends or operating results also constitute forward-looking statements.

Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Before investing in our common stock, investors should be aware that the occurrence of the risks, uncertainties and events described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2021, and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown business, economic and other risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this Quarterly Report, other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.

You should read this Quarterly Report, the documents that we reference in this Quarterly Report and have filed with the SEC as exhibits, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "Rubicon," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Rubicon Technology, Inc., and our consolidated subsidiaries.





                                       16





OVERVIEW


Rubicon Technology, Inc. ("Rubicon" or the "Company") currently consists of two subsidiaries, Rubicon Worldwide LLC, doing business as Rubicon Technology Worldwide LLC ("RTW"), and Rubicon Technology BP LLC. In June 2021, the operations of Rubicon DTP LLC, doing business as Direct Dose Rx ("Direct Dose") were discontinued.

RTW is a vertically integrated, advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in optical and industrial systems. We use our proprietary crystal growth technology to produce high-quality sapphire products to meet our customers exacting specifications. We believe that we continue to have a reputation as one of the highest quality sapphire producers in the market. We provide optical and industrial sapphire products in various shapes and sizes, including round and rectangular windows and blanks, domes, tubes, and rods.

Historically, we have also provided sapphire products to the LED and mobile device markets, which are the largest markets for sapphire. However, given competitive pressures in those markets, in the fourth quarter of 2016 we announced our decision to limit our focus to the optical and industrial sapphire markets and exit the LED market. Following this decision, we developed a plan to close our Malaysia facility, and scale down and consolidate remaining operations in the U.S.

We operate in a very competitive market. Our ability to expand our optical and industrial business and acceptance of new product offerings are difficult to predict.

In addition, our current optical and industrial sapphire business serves smaller markets than our historical undertakings, therefore, we are actively evaluating the acquisition of profitable companies outside of the sapphire market to utilize our substantial NOL carry-forwards.

On June 24, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors decided to close its pharmacy operations Rubicon DTP LLC, doing business as Direct Dose Rx. Direct Dose was launched as a start-up pharmacy primarily to deliver medications and vitamins to patients being discharged from skilled nursing facilities. At the end of June 2021, Direct Dose Rx ceased serving its customers and began the process of closing its operations.

Direct Dose Rx was a specialized pharmacy that provided prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and vitamins to patients being discharged from skilled nursing facilities and hospitals and directly to retail customers who wanted such medications delivered to their home. The delivered products were sorted by the dose, date, and time to be taken, and came in easy-to-use perforated strip-packaging as opposed to separate pill bottles. Direct Dose Rx was licensed to operate in 11 states. The services offered by Direct Dose Rx used to benefit patients, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals by reducing the risk of hospital readmissions.

For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company had four customers individually that accounted for approximately 22%, 16%, 14% and 10% of revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company had three customers individually that accounted for approximately 33%, 17% and 10% of revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company had four customers that accounted for approximately 16%, 14%, 13% and 13% of revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company had four customers that accounted for approximately 21%, 14%, 10% and 10% of revenue. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021. Our principal customers have been defense subcontractors, industrial manufacturers, fabricators, and resellers. We expect our sales to continue to be concentrated among a small number of customers. We also expect that our significant customers may change from time to time.

Customers individually representing more than 10% of trade receivables accounted for approximately 50% and 80% of accounts receivable as of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively.





                                       17




We recognize revenue based upon the shipping terms with our customers. Delays in product orders or changes to the timing of shipments could cause our quarterly revenue to vary significantly. We sell our products on a global basis, and historically derived a significant portion of our revenue from customers outside of the U.S., with the majority of our sales to the Asian and European markets. Following the decision to limit our focus to the optical and industrial sapphire markets, a major source of our revenue is derived from the North American market. All of our revenue and corresponding accounts receivable are denominated in U.S. dollars. Substantially all of our revenue is generated by our direct sales force, and we expect this to continue in the future.

Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of manufacturing materials, labor, manufacturing related overhead, such as utilities, depreciation, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory reserves, idle plant charges, outsourcing costs, freight, warranties, and pharmaceutical products. We purchase materials and supplies to support current and future demand for our products. We are subject to variations in the cost of consumable assets from period to period because we do not have long-term fixed-price agreements with our suppliers. We currently outsource some of our production processes and needs.

Our operating expenses are comprised of sales and marketing, and general and administrative ("G&A") expenses. G&A expenses consist primarily of compensation and associated costs for finance, human resources, information technology and administrative activities, including charges for accounting, legal services, and insurance. Additionally, the majority of our stock-based compensation relates to administrative personnel and is accounted for as a G&A expense.

Other income consists of interest income, realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, and other income (expenses) that are not part of operating results.

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, whereby the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book value and the tax basis of assets and liabilities are recognized as deferred tax assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recognized. Our analysis of ownership changes that limit the utilization of our NOL carry-forwards as of December 31, 2021, shows no impact on such utilization. In order to protect our NOL carry-forwards, in December 2020, we extended our stockholders' rights plan to 2023. In July 2022, the stockholders' rights plan was extended further to 2025. We are in a cumulative loss position for the past three years. Based on an evaluation in accordance with the accounting standards, a valuation allowance has been recorded against the net U.S. deferred tax assets in order to measure only the portion of the deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized based on the weight of all available evidence. Until an appropriate level of profitability is attained, we expect to maintain a full valuation allowance on our U.S. net deferred tax assets.

We continue to review a variety of strategic alternatives with a goal of providing greater value to our stockholders. These alternatives could result in, among other things, further modifying or eliminating certain of our operations, selling material assets, seeking additional financing, selling the business, making investments, effecting a merger, consolidation or other business combination, partnering or other collaboration agreements, or potential acquisitions or recapitalizations, or we may continue to operate with our current business plan and strategy. We cannot provide assurance that this process will result in the consummation of any transaction, or that the consummation of any transaction will provide greater value to our stockholders.

Direct Dose Rx revenue and expenses are currently not material to the consolidated financial information of the Company and therefore there is limited disclosure relating specifically to it. Based on the Company's review and analysis of ASC 205-20 Presentation of Discontinued Operations it concluded to present the discontinued operations separately.


                                       18

© Edgar Online, source Glimpses