UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 (Mark One)

(Mark One)þ 
þ

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20172018

or

  

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                      to                    

 

Commission file number001-15771

 

ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 83-0221517
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer I.D. No.)
incorporation or organization)

 

3333 Lee Parkway, Suite 600, Dallas, TX 752191330 Avenue of the Americas, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10019

(Address of principal executive offices)offices, zip code)

 

(214) 665-9495(646) 813-4712

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ  No¨o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes þ   No  ¨o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ¨Accelerated filer  ¨þ
  
Non-accelerated filer ¨Smaller reporting company þ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Emerging growth company¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging Growth Company¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨ No þ

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of November 13, 20179, 2018 was 46,775,25747,944,486 shares.

 

 

 

 

 

ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC.

 

INDEX

 

 

Page No.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements: 
   
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 20172018 (unaudited) and December 31, 2016201716
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and September 30, 2016201717
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017201818
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and September 30, 2016201719
   
 Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited)20
   
Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations3
   
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk1311
   
Item 4.Controls and Procedures1312
   
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.Legal Proceedings1413
   
Item 2.1A.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of ProceedsRisk Factors1413
   
Item 3.Defaults Under Senior Securities14
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures14
Item 6.Exhibits1413
   
SIGNATURES15

 1 

 

 

PART I –FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including the information incorporated by reference) contains ‘‘forward-looking statements’’“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements and other risks described below as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report Form 10-Q, documents incorporated by reference and other documents and reports that we file periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) include, without limitation, statements relating to uncertainties associated with research and development activities,activities; clinical trials,trials; our ability to raise capital,capital; future cash flow,flows; our ability to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months with our existing cash and cash equivalents; the future success of our marketed products and products in development,development; our sales projections and the sales projections of our licensing partners,partners; anticipated product launches and our commercialization strategies,strategies; the terms of future licensing arrangements,arrangements; our ability to secure additional financing for our operations,operations; our ability to establish new relationships and maintain current relationships,relationships; our expectation that we will continue to incur losses,losses; our belief that we will expend substantial funds to conduct research and development programs, preclinical studies and clinical trials of potential products,products; our belief that we have a rich pipeline of products and product candidates,candidates; our expectation that we will add clinical sites for our Phase 1/2 clinical trial for patients with MPS IIIA; our ability to achieve profitability at all or on a sustained basis or at all,basis; our expected cash burn rate,rate; the dilutive effect that we believeraising additional funds by selling additional equity securities would have on the relative equity ownership of our existing investors; our belief that emerging insights in genetics and advances in biotechnology, as well as new approaches and collaboration between researchers, industry, regulators and patient groups, provide significant opportunities to develop breakthrough treatments for rare diseases,diseases; our expectation to perform preclinical development and clinical trials of a gene therapy treatment for EB based upon in-licensed technology; our belief that AAV treatment could potentially benefit patients with MPS III A and B; and our belief that the data from the expansion cohort of our Phase 1/2 clinical trial in ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH) for MPS IIIA, together with the data generated in the program to date, will allow us to submit a BLA. These statements relate to management’s current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or our future financial performance.current fact. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such words as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “could,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements in these sections. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions.

Forward-looking statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties, and our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, as updated from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q represent our judgment only as of the date of this report. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on such statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

 

2

ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 1.          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The response to this Item is submitted as a separate section of this report. See page 16.

2

ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 2.        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

OVERVIEW

 

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (together with our subsidiaries, “we”, “our”,“we,” “our,” “Abeona” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation. We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell and gene therapies for life-threatening rare genetic diseases. Our lead programs areinclude EB-101 (gene-corrected skin grafts) for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (“RDEB”), ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH), an adeno-associated virus (AAV)(“AAV”) based gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA), and EB-101 (LZRSE-Col7A1) (gene-corrected skin transplantations) for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). We are also developing ABO-101 (AAV NAGLU), an AAV based gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type B (MPS IIIB), EB-201 (AAVDJ-Col7A1) for epidermolysis bullosa (EB),(“MPS IIIB”). We are also developing ABO-201 (AAV-CLN3) gene therapy for juvenile Batten disease (JNCL), ABO-202 (AAV-CLN1) gene therapy for treatment of infantile Batten disease (INCL), EB-201 for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), ABO-301 (AAV-FANCC) for Fanconi anemia (FA) disorder and ABO-302 using a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing approach to gene therapy for rare blood diseases. In addition, we are developing a proprietary vector platform, AIM™, for next generation product candidates. Our principal executive office is located at 3333 Lee Parkway, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75219.1330 Avenue of the Americas, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10019. Our website address iswww.abeonatherapeutics.com.

 

Recent Developments

 

On November 9, 2017,5, 2018 we announced thata license agreement with REGENXBIO Inc. Under the first patient was enrolledterms of the agreement, REGENXBIO has granted Abeona an exclusive worldwide license (subject to certain non-exclusive rights previously granted for MPS IIIA), with rights to sublicense, to REGENXBIO’s NAV AAV9 vector for the development and commercialization of gene therapies for the treatment of MPS IIIA, MPS IIIB, CLN1 Disease and CLN3 Disease. In return for these rights, REGENXBIO will receive a guaranteed $20 million upfront payment, $10 million of which will be paid upon signing and $10 million of which will be paid within 12 months of the effective date. In addition, REGENXBIO will receive a total of $100 million in our ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH)annual fees, payable upon the second through sixth anniversaries of the agreement, $20 million of which is guaranteed. REGENXBIO is also eligible to receive potential commercial milestone payments of up to $60 million. REGENXBIO will also receive low double-digit royalties on net sales of products incorporating the licensed intellectual property.

On October 18, 2018, we announced the appointment of João Siffert, M.D. as Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer. As a result, former Chief Medical Officer Juan Ruiz, M.D., Ph.D. has assumed the role of Head of European Medical Affairs. Dr. Siffert has 30 years of combined experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, medicine, and academia and has successfully led multiple drug development programs from pre-clinical to regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Europe. Dr. Siffert most recently served as Chief Scientific and Medical Officer for Nestle Health Science and on the Board of Directors of gene therapy developer Avexis. Additionally, we announced the appointment of Neena Patil, J.D. as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Ms. Patil brings nearly 20 years of global biopharmaceutical experience to Abeona. She most recently served as Associate General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs at Novo Nordisk.

On September 12, 2018, we announced the authorization to move forward with a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in Spain for MPS-IIIAthe Company’s gene therapy product ABO-101 (AAV-NAGLU) for patients with MPS IIIB (Sanfilippo syndrome type B). The clinical study was approved by the Agencia Espanola de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios and is being conducted at the Hospital Clinico Universitario of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. In conjunction with the initiation of the Spain clinical site, we have established a local subsidiary to manageThis will be our second clinical trial and regulatory developmentsconducted in Europe.

On October 19, 2017, we closed an underwritten public offering of 5,750,000 shares of common stock, at a public offering price of $16.00 per share. The gross proceeds toEurope, alongside the Company were $92,000,000, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

On October 16, 2017, we announced a collaborative agreement between nine Sanfilippo foundations to provide up to approximately $13.85 million of grants to Abeona in installments for the advancement of the Company’s clinical stage gene therapies for Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A (MPS IIIA) and Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B (MPS IIIB), subject to the achievement of certain milestones.

On October 11, 2017, we announced enrollment of our first two patients in an expansion of ourongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial in ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH) for MPS IIIA. While we believe that the data from this expansion cohort, togetherpatients with the data generated in this program to date, will allow us to submit a BLA, we have no assurance to this effect from the FDA.

On October 6, 2017, we announced top-line one year data from our ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH) MPS IIIA Trial at(Sanfilippo syndrome type A). We first initiated this trial in the Cell & Gene Meeting onUnited States and are planning to add clinical sites for the Mesa. Observations demonstrated:trial in other European countries, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

·At one year post-injection, two patients in Cohort 1 demonstrated reduction of 69.3% +/- 5.7% (P<0.001) in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) heparan sulfate (HS). One patient in the Cohort was unable to be accessed due to an adverse event unrelated to the therapy.
·Hepatomegaly — Cohort 1 subjects demonstrated normalization of liver volumes of 80% (+/- 16.2%) points at one year (P<0.005) post-injection. The natural history study in 25 subjects with MPS III demonstrated that subjects had increased liver volumes averaging 220% at baseline that was maintained over a year of follow-up.
·Initial analysis of Cohort 1 patient MRI data showed evidence of stabilization of the area of deep brain architecture in the thalamus and putamen (P<0.05) at one year post-administration.
·Cognitive assessments at the 12-month time point for Cohort 1 showed evidence of stabilization in the Leiter-R non-verbal IQ (n=2) and Vineland (adaptive behavior) (n=3, P=0.05) scales.
·No serious adverse events related to the drug were reported in subjects in the cohort receiving ABO-102 (Cohort 1: 5E12 vg/kg) through over 2,000 cumulative follow-up days.

 

 3 

 

On September 28, 2017, we announced a collaboration with Brammer Bio for the commercial translation of ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH).

On October 4, 2017, we announced the dedication of a commercial gene therapy manufacturing facility in Cleveland, Ohio to support development of advanced gene and cell therapies for treatment of life-threatening rare diseases.

On August 29, 2017, we announced that the FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation for our EB-101 (gene-corrected skin transplantations) program for RDEB.

On July 25, 2017, we announced that Juan Ruiz, M.D., Ph.D., MBA joined the company as Chief Medical Officer. He will be responsible for leading all clinical development, medical affairs and related functions.

 

Product Development Strategy

 

Abeona is focused on developing and delivering gene therapy and plasma-based products for severe and life-threatening rare diseases. A rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. There are nearly 7,000 rare diseases, which may involve chronic illness, disability, and often, premature death. More than 25 million Americans and 30 million Europeans have a severe, life-threating disease. Approximately 80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin and can present at any stage of life. While rare diseases can affect any age group, about 50% of people affected are children (15 million) and rare diseases account for 35% of deaths in the first year of life. These rare diseases are often poorly diagnosed, very complex, and either have no treatment or not very effective treatment. Over 95% of rare diseases do not have a single FDA or EMA approved drug treatment, however, most rare diseases are often caused by changes in genes. Approximately 80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin and can present at any stage of life. We believe emerging insights in genetics and advances in biotechnology, as well as new approaches and collaboration between researchers, industry, regulators and patient groups, provide significant opportunities to develop breakthrough treatments for rare diseases.

 

Developing Next Generation Gene Therapy

 

Gene therapy is the use of DNA as a potential therapy to treat a disease. In many disorders, particularly genetic diseases caused by a single genetic defect, gene therapy aims to treat a disease by delivering the correct copy of DNA into a patient’s cells. The healthy, functional copy of the therapeutic gene then helps the cell function correctly. In gene therapy, DNA that encodes a therapeutic protein is packaged within a ‘‘vector,’’ often a ‘‘naked’’ virus, which is used to transfer the DNA to the inside of cells within the body. Gene therapy can be delivered by a direct injection, either intravenously (IV) or directly into a specific tissue in the body, where it is taken up by individual cells. Once inside cells, the correct DNA is expressed by the cell machinery, resulting in the production of missing or defective protein, which in turn is used to treat the patient’s underlying disease and can provide long-term benefit.

 

Abeona is developing next-generation AAV gene therapies. Viruses such as AAV are utilized because they have evolved a way of encapsulating and delivering one or more genes of the size needed for clinical application, and can be purified in large quantities at high concentration. Unlike AAV vectors found in nature, the AAV vectors used by Abeona have been genetically-modified such that they do not replicate. Although the preclinical studies in animal models of disease demonstrate the promising impact of AAV-mediated gene expression to affected tissues such as the heart, liver and muscle, our programs use a specific virus that is capable of delivering therapeutic DNA across the blood brain barrier and into the central nervous system (CNS)(“CNS”) and the somatic system (body), making them attractive for addressing lysosomal storage diseases, which have severe CNS manifestations of the disease.

 

4

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs)(“LSDs”) are a group of rare inborn errors of metabolism resulting from deficiency in normal lysosomal function. These diseases are characterized by progressive accumulation of storage material within the lysosomes of affected cells, ultimately leading to cellular dysfunction. Multiple tissues ranging from musculoskeletal and visceral to tissues of the CNS are typically involved in disease pathology. Since the advent of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) to manage some LSDs, general clinical outcomes have significantly improved; however, treatment with infused protein is lifelong and continued disease progression is still evident in patients. Thus, AAV-based gene therapy may provide a viable alternative or adjunctive therapy to current management strategies for LSDs.

 

Our initial programs are focused on LSDs such as Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS)(“MPS”) III A and IIIB. MPSIII, also known as Sanfilippo syndromes type A and type B, is a progressive neuromuscular disease with profound CNS involvement. Our lead product candidates, ABO-101 and ABO-102, have been developed to replace the damaged, malfunctioning enzymes within target cells with the normal, functioningfunctional version. ABO-201 is a similar product, using an AAV to deliver the correct lysosomal gene that is defective in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Delivered via a single injection,infusion, these drugs are only given once to a patient.

4

EB-101 for the Treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa and EB-201 for the Correction of Gene Mutations in Skin Cells (Keratinocytes)

EB-101 is an ex vivo gene corrected cell therapy for the treatment of RDEB. EB-201 (AAVDJ-Col7A1) is a pre-clinical candidate targeting a novel, AAV-mediated gene editing and delivery approach to correct gene mutations in skin cells for patients with RDEB. On August 3, 2016, we entered into an agreement (the ‘‘EB Agreement’’) with EB Research Partnership (‘‘EBRP’’) and Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (‘‘EBMRF’’) to collaborate on cell therapy treatments for EB.

We entered into a license with The Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University (“Stanford”), effective August 3, 2016, for the EB-101 technology, and we have performed certain preclinical development work and, as of September 30, 2018, were performing clinical trials of a cell therapy treatment for EB based upon such in-licensed technology.

We also entered into a license with Stanford, effective August 3, 2016, for the EB-201 (AAV DJ COL7A1) technology, and we plan to perform preclinical development and clinical trials of a gene therapy for EB based upon such in-licensed technology.

 

ABO-101 for MPS III B and ABO-102 for MPS III A (Sanfilippo syndrome)

 

MPS III (Sanfilippo syndrome) is a group of four inherited genetic diseases, described as type A, B, C or D, which causeare characterized by enzyme deficiencies that result in the abnormal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (sugars) in body tissues. MPS III is a lysosomal storage disease, a group of rare inborn errors of metabolism resulting from deficiency in normal lysosomal function. TheAt September 30, 2018, the incidence of MPS III (all four types combined) iswas estimated to be 1 in 70,000 births.

 

Mucopolysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules used in the building of connective tissues in the body. There is a continuous process in the body of replacing used materials and breaking them down for disposal. Children with MPS III are missing an enzyme which is essential in breaking down used mucopolysaccharides. The partially broken down mucopolysaccharides remain stored in cells in the body causing progressive damage. Babies may show little sign of the disease, but as more and more cells become damaged, symptoms start to appear.

 

In MPS III, the predominant symptoms occur due to accumulation within the central nervous system (CNS),CNS, including the brain and spinal cord, resulting in cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and eventual death. To date,At September 30, 2018, there iswas no cure for MPS III and treatments arewere largely supportive.

 

Abeona is developing next-generation AAV-based gene therapies for MPS III, which involvesinvolve a one-time delivery of a normalfunctional copy of the defective gene to cells of the CNS with the aim of reversing the effects of the genetic errors that cause the disease.

 

 5 

 

 

After a single dose in MPS III preclinical models, ABO-101 and ABO-102 induced cells in the CNS and peripheral organs to produce the missing enzymes which helped repair the damage caused to the cells. Preclinicalin vivoefficacy studies in MPS III have demonstrated functional benefits that remain for months after treatment. A single dose of ABO-101 or ABO-102 significantly restored normal cell and organ function, corrected cognitive defects that remained months after drug administration, increased neuromuscular control and increased the lifespan of animals with MPS III over 100% one year after treatment compared to untreated control animals. These results are consistent with studies from several laboratories suggesting AAV treatment could potentially benefit patients with MPS III A and B. In addition, safety studies conducted in animal models of MPS III have demonstrated that delivery of AB0-101ABO-101 or AB0-102 areABO-102 were well tolerated with minimal side effects.

EB-101 for the Treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa and EB-201 for the Correction of Gene Mutations in Skin Cells (Keratinocytes)

EB-101 (LZRSE-Col7A1 Engineered Autologous Epidermal Sheets (LEAES)), is an ex vivo gene therapy for the treatment of RDEB. EB-201 (AAVDJ-Col7A1) is a pre-clinical candidate targeting a novel, AAV-mediated gene editing and delivery approach to correct gene mutations in skin cells for patients with RDEB. We entered into an agreement (the ‘‘EB Agreement’’) with EB Research Partnership (‘‘EBRP’’) and Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (‘‘EBMRF’’) to collaborate on gene therapy treatments for EB. The EB Agreement became effective August 3, 2016, on the execution of two licensing agreements with The Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University (‘‘Stanford’’) described below.

We entered into a license with Stanford effective August 3, 2016 for the EB-101 (LZRSE-Col7A1 Engineered Autologous Epidermal Sheets (LEAES)) technology, and we have performed certain preclinical development work and are performing clinical trials of a gene therapy treatment for EB based upon such in-licensed technology.

We also entered into a license with Stanford effective August 3, 2016 for the EB-201 (AAV DJ COL7A1) technology, and we shall perform preclinical development and perform clinical trials of a gene therapy treatment for EB based upon such in-licensed technology.

 

ABO-201 for juvenile Batten disease (or Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses) (JNCL) and ABO-202 (AAV-CLN1) gene therapy for treatment of infantile Batten disease (or Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses) (INCL)

 

ABO-201 (AAV CLN3) is an AAV-based gene therapy whichthat has shown promising preclinical efficacy in delivery of a normalfunctional copy of the defective CLN3 gene to cells of the CNS with the aim of reversing the effects of the genetic errors that cause JNCL. JNCL is a rare, fatal, autosomal recessive (inherited) disorder of the nervous system that typically begins in children between 4 and 8 years of age. Often the first noticeable sign of JNCL is vision impairment, which tends to progress rapidly and eventually result in blindness. As the disease progresses, children experience loss of previously acquired skills (developmental regression). This regression usually begins with the loss of the ability to speak in complete sentences. Children then lose motor skills, such as the ability to walk or sit. They also develop movement abnormalities that include rigidity or stiffness, slow or diminished movements (hypokinesia), and stooped posture. Beginning in mid- to late childhood, affected children may have recurrent seizures (epilepsy), heart problems, behavioral problems, and difficulty sleeping. Life expectancy is greatly reduced. Most peoplepatients with juvenile Batten disease live intodie within their twenties or thirties. As yet,At September 30, 2018, no specific treatment is known that can halt or reverse the symptoms of JNCL.

 

JNCL is the most common form of a group of disorders known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs). Collectively, all forms of NCL affect an estimated 2 to 4 in 100,000 live births in the United States. NCLs are more common in Finland, where approximately 1 in 12,500 individuals arewere affected at September 30, 2018, as well as Sweden, other parts of northern Europe, and Newfoundland, Canada.

6

 

Most cases of JNCL are caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene, which is the focus of our AAV-based gene therapy approach. These mutations disrupt the function of cellular structures called lysosomes. Lysosomes are compartments in the cell that normally digest and recycle different types of molecules. Lysosome malfunction leads to a buildup of fatty substances called lipopigments and proteins within these cell structures. These accumulations occur in cells throughout the body, but neurons in the brain seem to be particularly vulnerable to damage. The progressive death of cells, especially in the brain, leads to vision loss, seizures, and intellectual decline in children with JNCL.

 

ABO-202 (AAV9 CLN1) is an AAV-based gene therapy whichthat has shown promising preclinical efficacy in delivery of a normalfunctional copy of the defective CLN1 gene to cells of the central nervous system with the aim of reversing the effects of the genetic errors that cause an infantile form of Batten disease (also known as infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis).

 

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ABO-301 for Fanconi Anemia (FA) and ABO-302 for rare blood diseases using a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing approach to gene therapy for rare blood diseases

 

ABO-301 (AAV-FANCC) is an AAV-based gene therapy, which has shown promising preclinical efficacy in delivery of a normal copy of the defective gene to cells of the hematopoietic or blood system with the aim of reversing the effects of the genetic errors that cause FA. FA is a rare (1 in 160,000) pediatric, autosomal recessive (inherited) disease characterized by multiple physical abnormalities, organ defects, bone marrow failure, and a higher than normal risk of cancer. The average lifespan for people with FA is 20 to 30 years.

 

The major function of bone marrow is to produce new blood cells. In FA, a DNA mutation renders the FANCC gene nonfunctional. Loss of FANCC causes skeletal abnormalities and leads to bone marrow failure. FA patients also have much higher rates of hematological diseases, such as acute myeloid leukemia or tumors of the head, neck, skin, gastrointestinal system, or genital tract. The likelihood of developing one of these cancers in people with FA is between 1010% and 30 percent.30%. Aside from bone marrow transplantation, there are no specific treatments known that can halt or reverse the symptoms of FA. Repairing fibroblast cells in FA patients with a functional FANCC gene is the focus of our AAV-based gene therapy approach.

 

Using a novel CRISPR (clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas9 (CRISPR associated protein 9) system, researchers used a protein-RNA complex composed of an enzyme known as Cas9 bound to a guide RNA molecule that has been designed to recognize a particular DNA sequence. The RNA molecules guide the Cas9 complex to the location in the genome that requires repair. CRISPR-Cas9 uniquely enables surgically efficient knock-out, knock-down or selective editing of defective genes in the context of their natural promoters, unlocking the potential to treat both recessive and dominant forms of genetic diseases. Most importantly, this approach has the potential to allow for more precise gene modification.

 

Polymer Hydrogel Technology (PHT™)

MuGard® (mucoadhesive oral wound rinse) approved for mucositis, stomatitis, aphthous ulcers, and traumatic ulcers

MuGard is our marketed product for the management of oral mucositis, a frequent side-effect of cancer therapy for which there is no other established treatment. MuGard, a proprietary nanopolymer formulation, received marketing clearance from the FDA in the U.S. as well as Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand and Korea. We launched MuGard in the U.S. in 2010 and licensed MuGard for commercialization in the U.S. to AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMAG) in 2013. We licensed MuGard to RHEI Pharmaceuticals, N.V. for China and other Southeast Asian countries in 2010; Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. for South Korea in 2014; and Norgine B.V. for the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Australia and New Zealand in 2014.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

We have historically funded our operations primarily through public and private sales of common stock, preferred stock, convertible notes and through licensing agreements. Our principal source of liquidity is cash and cash equivalents. Licensing paymentsFoundation grants and royalty revenues provided limited funding for operations during the period ended September 30, 2017.2018. As of September 30, 2017,2018, our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were $56,522,000. As$112,224,000, as compared to $137,750,000 as of OctoberDecember 31, 2017, our2017. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents were $142,618,000.was primarily attributable to the decrease in working capital discussed below.

 

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As of September 30, 2017,2018, our working capital was $55,756,000.$104,220,000. Our working capital atas of September 30, 20172018 represented a decrease of $5,369,000$30,765,000 as compared to our working capital of $61,125,000$134,985,000 as of December 31, 2016.2017. The decrease in working capital atas of September 30, 20172018 reflects nine months of net operating costs and changes in current assets and liabilities and capital expenditures, which were primarily due to the completion of a manufacturing facility, partially offset by the $5,000,000 proceeds from the exercise of the $8.00 warrants, the waiver of the $4,000,000 payable we had to Plasma Technologies, LLC,stock options and other net changes in current assets and liabilities.warrants.

On October 19, 2017, we closed an underwritten public offering of 5,750,000 shares of common stock, at a public offering price of $16.00 per share. The gross proceeds to the Company were $92,000,000, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

 

On October 16, 2017, we announced a collaborative agreement between nine Sanfilippo foundations to provide up to approximately $13.85 million of grants to Abeona in installments for the advancement of the Company’s clinical stage gene therapies for Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A (MPS IIIA) and Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B (MPS IIIB), subject to the achievement of certain milestones.

We have incurred negative cash flows from operations since inception, and have expended, and expect to continue to expend in the future, substantial funds to complete our planned product development efforts. Since inception, our expenses have significantly exceeded revenues, resulting in an accumulated deficit as As of September 30, 2018, we received $5.0 million of these grants ($2.6 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2017 and $2.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018) and recorded them first as deferred revenue. $2.6 million of $351,342,000. We cannot provide assurance that we will ever be able to generate sufficient product sales or royaltythe $3.4 million in grants were recorded as revenue to achieve profitability on a sustained basis, or at all.in the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and $0.8 million were recorded as revenue in the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and $1.6 million were recorded as revenue in the quarter ended September 30, 2018.

 

7

Since

On August 17, 2018, we entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC (the “Agent”). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, we may sell from time to time through the Agent shares of our inception, we have devotedcommon stock for an aggregate sales price of up to $150 million. Any sales of shares pursuant to the Agreement will be made under our resources primarily to fund our researcheffective “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-224867), which is on file and development programs. We havehas been unprofitable since inception and to date have received limited revenues fromdeclared effective by the sale of products. We expect to incur losses for the next several years as we continue to invest in product research and development, preclinical studies, clinical trials and regulatory compliance.SEC Staff.

 

If we raise additional funds by selling additional equity securities, the relative equity ownership of our existing investors will be diluted and the new investors could obtain terms more favorable than previous investors.

 

We have incurred negative cash flows from operations since inception, and have expended, and expect to continue to expend in the future, substantial funds and resources to our research and development programs. Since inception our expenses have significantly exceed our limited revenues, resulting in an accumulated deficit as of September 30, 2018 of $392,711,000. We expect to incur losses for the next several years as we continue to invest in product research and development, preclinical studies, clinical trials and regulatory compliance. We cannot provide assurance that we will ever be able to generate sufficient product sales or royalty revenue to achieve profitability on a sustained basis, or at all.

THIRD QUARTER 20172018 COMPARED TO THIRD QUARTER 20162017

 

Our licensing revenue for the third quarter of each of2018 was $0 as compared to $151,000 for the same period in 2017. In 2017, and 2016 was $151,000. We recognizewe recognized licensing revenue over the period of the performance obligation under our licensing agreements.agreements under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605,Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), as amended (commonly referred to as ASC 606) using the modified retrospective transition method. The cumulative effect of applying the standard was an increase of $3.7 million to stockholders’ equity as of January 1, 2018. There was no licensing revenue for the third quarter of 2018 due to ASC 606.

We recorded revenue for Sanfilippo Foundation Grants of $1,687,000 for the third quarter of 2018 and no revenues for the same period of 2017, an increase of $1,687,000. We recorded revenue to match expenses for the advancement of the Company’s clinical stage gene therapies for Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A (“MPS IIIA”) and Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B (“MPS IIIB”).

 

We recorded royalty revenue for MuGard of $68,000$22,000 for the third quarter of 20172018 and $33,000$68,000 for the same period of 2016, an increase2017, a decrease of $35,000.$46,000. We licensed MuGard to AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“AMAG”) and Norgine B.V. (“Norgine”) and receivereceived quarterly reports under our agreement.agreements.

 

9

Total research and development spending for the third quarter of 20172018 was $3,277,000,$13,150,000, as compared to $2,745,000$3,277,000 for the same period of 2016,2017, an increase of $532,000.$9,873,000. The increase in expenses was primarily due to:

8

·increased clinical and development work for the manufactured product for EB-101, ABO-102, ABO-101 and other gene therapy products ($8,271,000);
·increased salary and related costs ($905,000) from the hiring of research and development staff;
·increased stock option compensation expense ($578,000); and
·other net increases in research spending ($119,000).

Total general and administrative expenses were $4,970,000 for the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $2,166,000 for the same period of 2017, an increase of $2,804,000. The increase in expenses was primarily due to:

 

·increased salary and related costs ($180,000) due to hiring additional scientific staff;
·increased stock option compensation expense ($112,000)1,112,000);
·increased travelsalary and entertainment expenserelated costs ($94,000)557,000);
·increased scientific consulting expense for search firms for new executives ($84,000); and
·other net increases in research spending ($62,000).

Total general and administrative expenses were $2,166,000 for the third quarter of 2017, as compared to $2,391,000 for the same period of 2016, a decrease of $225,000. The decrease in expenses was due primarily to the following:

·decreased stock option compensation expense ($269,000);
·decreased professional fees ($94,000);
·offset by increased patent fees ($67,000)382,000);
·increased restricted common stock based compensation expenselegal and audit fees ($52,000);632,000) and
·by increases in net other general and administrative expenses ($19,000)121,000).

 

Depreciation and amortization was $138,000$505,000 for the third quarter of 20172018, as compared to $222,000$138,000 for the same period in 2016, a decrease2017, an increase of $84,000.$367,000. We are amortizing the licenses for ABO-101 and ABO-201, and EB-102 over the life of the patents and we were amortizing the SDF Alpha license through May 26, 2017.patents. The decrease isincrease was primarily due to an increase in depreciation ($368,000) partially offset by lower amortization of licensed technology of ($96,000) offset by increased depreciation of ($12,000)1,000).

 

Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 20172018 were $5,581,000$18,625,000, as compared to total operating expenses of $5,358,000$5,581,000 for the same period of 2016,2017, an increase of $223,000 for$13,044,000 due to the reasons listed above.

 

Interest and miscellaneous income was $21,000$500,000 for the third quarter of 20172018 as compared to $2,551,000$21,000 for the same period of 2016, a decrease2017, an increase of $2,530,000. The decrease$479,000. Most of the increase was due to the change in the fair value of our contingent consideration liabilityincreased interest income resulting infrom higher cash balances and marketable securities ($474,000) and miscellaneous income in 2016 ($2,000,000), the settlement of an agreement resulting in miscellaneous income in 2016 ($500,000) and other income in 2016 ($46,000) offset by interest income in 2017 ($16,000)5,000).

 

Interest and other expense was $2,000$3,000 for the third quarter of 20172018, as compared to $1,000$2,000 in the same period of 2016, an increase of $1,000.2017.

 

Net loss for the third quarter of 20172018 was $5,343,000,$16,419,000, or a $0.13$0.34 basic and diluted loss per common share as compared to a net loss of $2,624,000,$5,343,000, or a $0.08$0.13 basic and diluted loss per common share, for the same period in 2016,2017, an increased loss of $2,719,000.$11,076,000.

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 20172018 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMEBRSEPTEMBER 30, 20162017

 

Our licensing revenue for the first nine months of 2018 was $0 as compared to $452,000 for the same period in 2017. In 2017, and 2016 was $452,000. We recognizewe recognized licensing revenue over the period of the performance obligation under our licensing agreements.agreements under ASC 605. Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective transition method. The cumulative effect of applying the standard was an increase of $3.7 million to stockholders’ equity as of January 1, 2018. There was no licensing revenue for the first nine months of 2018 due to ASC 606.

 

 109 

 

 

We recorded revenue for Foundation Grants of $5,037,000 for the first nine months of 2018 and no revenues for the same period of 2017, an increase of $5,037,000. We recorded revenue to match expenses for the advancement of the Company’s clinical stage gene therapies for Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A (MPS IIIA) and Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B (MPS IIIB).

We recorded royalty revenue for MuGard of $170,000$89,000 for the first nine months of 20172018 and $181,000$170,000 for the same period of 2016,2017, a decrease of $11,000.$81,000. We licensed MuGard to AMAG and Norgine and receivereceived quarterly reports under our agreement.agreements.

 

Total research and development spending for the first nine months of 20172018 was $11,283,000,$29,228,000, as compared to $7,618,000$11,283,000 for the same period of 2016,2017, an increase of $3,665,000.$17,945,000. The increase in expenses was primarily due to:

 

·increased clinical and development work for the manufactured product for ABO-102, EB-101, &ABO-102, ABO-101 and other gene therapy products ($2,804,000)13,825,000);
·increased salary and related costs ($248,000) due to2,021,000) from the hiring additionalof scientific staff;
·increased scientific consultingstock option compensation expense ($229,000);
·increased travel and entertainment expense ($194,000)1,554,000); and
·other net increases in research spending ($190,000)545,000).

 

Total general and administrative expenses were $7,830,000$12,475,000 for the first nine months of 2017,2018, as compared to $10,487,000$7,830,000 for the same period of 2016, a decrease2017, an increase of $2,657,000.$4,645,000. The decreaseincrease in expenses was primarily due primarily to the following:to:

 

·decreased restricted common stock based compensation expense ($1,941,000) and decreasedincreased stock option compensation expense ($480,000)1,951,000) offset by decreased restricted common stock expense ($463,000);
·decreasedincreased salary and related costs ($338,000)857,000);
·decreasesincreased expense for search firms for new executives ($670,000);
·increased legal and audit fees ($875,000) and
·increases in net other general and administrative expenses ($45,000); and
·offset by increased patent expenses ($147,000)755,000).

 

Depreciation and amortization was $595,000$969,000 for the first nine months of 20172018, as compared to $577,000$595,000 for the same period in 2016,2017, an increase of $18,000.$374,000. We are amortizingamortize the licenses for ABO-101 and ABO-201, and EB-102 over the life of the patents andpatents. The increase was primarily due to an increase in depreciation ($562,000) due to newly acquired assets partially offset by lower amortization of licensed technology ($188,000). SDF Alpha was amortized through May 26, 2017. The increase is duelicense was returned to depreciation of ($45,000) offset by a decreasethe licensor, Plasma Technologies, LLC in amortization of licensed technology of ($27,000).2017.

 

Total operating expenses for the first nine months of 20172018 were $19,708,000$42,672,000, as compared to total operating expenses of $18,682,000$19,708,000 for the same period of 2016,2017, an increase of $1,026,000$22,964,000 for the reasons listed above.

 

Interest and miscellaneous income was $224,000$973,000 for the first nine months of 20172018, as compared to $3,182,000$224,000 for the same period of 2016, a decrease2017, an increase of $2,958,000.

The decrease$749,000. Most of the increase was due to the change in the fair value of our contingent consideration liabilityincreased interest income resulting infrom higher cash balances ($865,000), partially offset by decreased miscellaneous income in 2016 ($2,591,000), the settlement of an agreement resulting in miscellaneous income in 2016 ($500,000) and other income in 2016 ($39,000) and offset by the Plasmatech/Acestor agreement in 2017 resulting in miscellaneous income ($127,000) and interest income in 2017 ($45,000)116,000).

 

Interest and other expense was $7,000$9,000 for the first nine months of 20172018, as compared to $4,000$7,000 in the same period of 2016.2017.

  

 1110 

 

 

Net loss for the first nine months of 20172018 was $18,869,000,$36,582,000, or a $0.47$0.77 basic and diluted loss per common share as compared to a net loss of $14,871,000,$18,869,000, or a $0.45$0.47 basic and diluted loss per common share, for the same period in 2016,2017, an increased loss of $3,998,000.$17,713,000.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard defines a five-step process to achieve this principle, and will require companies to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. The guidance was originally effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and allows for adoption using a full retrospective method, or a modified retrospective method. Early adoption was originally not permitted. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which delayed the effective date for public entities to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the standard is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations, to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, to clarify various aspects of Topic 606, including the identification of performance obligations and the implementation of licensing guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2014-010 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,to clarify aspects of Topic 606, including assessing the collectability criterion, presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers, noncash consideration, contract modifications at transition and completed contracts at transition. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,Leases (Topic 842), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. ASC 842 supersedes the previous leases standard, ASC 840 Leases. The standard is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance.

12

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

None.

ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 3.          QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to a variety of financial risks in the normal course of our business, including market risk (including currency and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. Our overall risk management program focuses on preservation of capital and the unpredictability of financial markets and has sought to minimize potential adverse effects on our financial performance and position.

Market Risk

Currency risk

We are exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currencies, primarily with respect to the U.S. dollar and to a lesser extent to the EU euro, Australian dollar and British pound. As our U.S. operating entity primarily conducts its operations in U.S. dollars, its exposure to changes in foreign currency is insignificant.

Price risk

The market prices for the provision of preclinical and clinical materials and services, as well as external contracted research, may vary over time.

The commercial prices of any of our products or product candidates are currently uncertain.

We are not exposed to commodity price risk.

We do hold investments classified as available-for-sale or at fair value through profit or loss; therefore, we are exposed to equity securities price risk.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is managed on a consolidated basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits with banks and financial institutions, outstanding receivables and committed transactions with collaboration partners and security deposits paid to landlords. We currently have no wholesale debtors.

We deposited funds as security to our landlords related to our facility in Cleveland, Ohio and our facility in Dallas, Texas.

Our cash and cash equivalents include bank balances, demand deposits and other short-term highly liquid investments (with maturities of less than three months at the time of purchase) that are readily convertible into a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of fluctuation in value. Restricted cash includes deposits made in relation to facility leases. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were placed at Comerica Bank.

11

Liquidity Risk

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. We manage liquidity through a rolling forecast of our liquidity reserve on the basis of expected cash flow and raise cash if and when needed through the issuance of shares.

ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 4.          CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

  

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management and consultants, including the Executive Chairman (our principal executive officer) and Senior Vice President Finance and Administration, Chief Accounting Officer (our principal accounting officer), we have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (“Disclosure Controls and Procedures”), as of September 30, 2018, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of September 30, 2017..

 

Conclusion of Evaluation— Based on this Disclosure Controls and Procedures evaluation, the Executive Chairman and Chief Accounting Officer concluded that our Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of September 30, 20172018 were effective.

 

Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting -There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 20172018 that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 1312 

 

 

PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

None.ITEM 1.          LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings.

 

None.ITEM 1A.       RISK FACTORS.

 

ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

As of the date of this filing, there have been no material changes to the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018.

None.

ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

None.

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS.

ITEM 6.          EXHIBITS.

See Exhibit Index below, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Exhibit Index
Exhibits: Description
10.1Open Market Sale Agreement, dated August 17, 2018, by and between the Company and Jefferies LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of Form 8-K filed on August 20, 2018 (File No. 001-15771))
10.2Letter of Agreement and General Release dated October 1, 2018, by and between the Company and Jeffrey Davis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2018 (File No. 001-15771))
10.3Letter of Agreement dated October 5, 2018, by and between the Company and Stephen B. Thompson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K/A filed on October 9, 2018 amending the Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2018 (File No. 001-15771))
   
31.1 Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302Rule 13a-14(a) of the Sarbanes-OxleySecurities Exchange Act of 20021934
31.2 Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302Rule 13a-14(a) of the Sarbanes-OxleySecurities Exchange Act of 20021934
32.1* Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2* Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 13 

101 The following materials from Abeona’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017,2018, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets atas of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and September 30, 2016,2017, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and September 30, 2016,2017, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

______________
 * This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filing.

 

 14 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC.

ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC.

 

Date:   November 14, 20179, 2018By:/s/ Steven H. Rouhandeh
  Steven H. Rouhandeh
  Executive Chairman
  (Principal Executive Officer)
   
Date:   November 14, 20179, 2018By:/s/ Stephen B. Thompson
  Stephen B Thompson
  Sr. Vice President Finance and Administration, Chief Accounting Officer
(Chief Accounting Officer)
   (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 15 

 

 

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

  

 September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016  September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
 (unaudited)     (unaudited)    
ASSETS                
Current assets                
Cash and cash equivalents $56,522,000  $69,142,000  $33,599,000  $137,750,000 
Marketable securities  78,625,000   - 
Receivables  111,000   124,000   

352,000

   107,000 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,762,000   155,000   

1,975,000

   2,735,000 
Total current assets  58,395,000   69,421,000   

114,551,000

   140,592,000 
        
Property and equipment, net  730,000   721,000   9,245,000   1,374,000 
Licensed technology, net  4,063,000   8,384,000   3,717,000   3,977,000 
Goodwill  32,466,000   32,466,000   32,466,000   32,466,000 
Other assets  77,000   66,000 
Other assets and restricted cash  597,000   357,000 
Total assets $95,731,000  $111,058,000  $

160,576,000

  $178,766,000 
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
        
Current liabilities                
Accounts payable $2,037,000  $3,694,000  $

10,331,000

  $2,393,000 
Payable due to Plasma Technologies, LLC  -   4,000,000 
Current portion of deferred revenue  602,000   602,000   -   3,214,000 
Total current liabilities  2,639,000   8,296,000   10,331,000   5,607,000 
        
Deferred revenue, net of current portion  3,212,000   3,664,000   -   3,061,000 
Total liabilities  5,851,000   11,960,000   10,331,000   8,668,000 
        
Commitments and contingencies                
Stockholders' equity        
Common stock - $.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued, 40,924,659 at September 30, 2017 and 40,254,457 at December 31, 2016  409,000   403,000 
Stockholders’ equity        
Common stock - $.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued, 47,944,486 at September 30, 2018 and 46,888,108 at December 31, 2017  480,000   469,000 
Additional paid-in capital  440,813,000   431,168,000   

542,476,000

   529,421,000 
Accumulated deficit  (351,342,000)  (332,473,000)  (392,711,000)  (359,792,000)
Total stockholders' equity  89,880,000   99,098,000 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $95,731,000  $111,058,000 
Total stockholders’ equity  

150,245,000

   170,098,000 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $

160,576,000

  $178,766,000 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

 16 

 

 

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

 

  Three months ended  Nine months ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Revenues                
License revenues $151,000  $151,000  $452,000  $452,000 
Royalties  68,000   33,000   170,000   181,000 
Total revenues  219,000   184,000   622,000   633,000 
                 
Expenses                
Research and development  3,277,000   2,745,000   11,283,000   7,618,000 
General and administrative  2,166,000   2,391,000   7,830,000   10,487,000 
Depreciation and amortization  138,000   222,000   595,000   577,000 
Total expenses  5,581,000   5,358,000   19,708,000   18,682,000 
Loss from operations  (5,362,000)  (5,174,000)  (19,086,000)  (18,049,000)
                 
Interest and miscellaneous income  21,000   2,551,000   224,000   3,182,000 
Interest and other expense  (2,000)  (1,000)  (7,000)  (4,000)
   19,000   2,550,000   217,000   3,178,000 
Net loss $(5,343,000) $(2,624,000) $(18,869,000) $(14,871,000)
                 
Basic and diluted loss per common share $(0.13) $(0.08) $(0.47) $(0.45)
                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding  40,377,890   33,274,829   40,301,601   32,935,232 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Revenues                
Foundation grants $1,687,000  $-  $5,037,000  $- 
Royalties  22,000   68,000   89,000   170,000 
License revenues  -   151,000   -   452,000 
Total revenues  1,709,000   219,000   5,126,000   622,000 
                 
Expenses                
Research and development  13,150,000   3,277,000   29,228,000   11,283,000 
General and administrative  4,970,000   2,166,000   12,475,000   7,830,000 
Depreciation and amortization  505,000   138,000   969,000   595,000 
Total expenses  18,625,000   5,581,000   42,672,000   19,708,000 
Loss from operations  (16,916,000)  (5,362,000)  (37,546,000)  (19,086,000)
                 
Interest and miscellaneous income  500,000   21,000   973,000   224,000 
Interest and other expense  (3,000)  (2,000)  (9,000)  (7,000)
   497,000   19,000   964,000   217,000 
Net loss��$(16,419,000) $(5,343,000) $(36,582,000) $(18,869,000)
                 
Basic and diluted loss per common share $(0.34) $(0.13) $(0.77) $(0.47)
                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding  47,794,394   40,377,890   47,388,833   40,301,601 
                 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

 17 

 

 

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders'Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

 

  Common Stock  Additional
paid-in
  Accumulated  Total
stockholders’
 
  Shares  Amount  capital  deficit  equity 
Balance, December 31, 2016  40,254,457  $403,000  $431,168,000  $(332,473,000) $99,098,000 
Restricted common stock issued to employees and directors  -   -   362,000   -   362,000 
Stock option compensation expense  -   -   1,492,000   -   1,492,000 
Common stock issued for cash exercise of options  625   -   1,000   -   1,000 
Net loss  -   -   -   (5,247,000)  (5,247,000)
Balance, March 31, 2017  40,255,082   403,000   433,023,000   (337,720,000)  95,706,000 
                     
Restricted common stock issued to employees and directors  -   -   324,000   -   324,000 
Stock option compensation expense  -   -   1,243,000   -   1,243,000 
Common stock issued for cash exercise of options  31,250   -   84,000   -   84,000 
Net loss  -   -   -   (8,279,000)  (8,279,000)
Balance June 30, 2017  40,286,332  $403,000  $434,674,000  $(345,999,000) $89,078,000 
                     
Restricted common stock issued to employees and directors  -   -   293,000   -   293,000 
Stock option compensation expense  -   -   792,000   -   792,000 
Common stock issued for cash exercise of options  2,927   -   8,000   -   8,000 
Exercise of $8.00 warrants  625,000   6,000   4,994,000   -   5,000,000 
Exercise of $5.00 warrants  10,400   -   52,000   -   52,000 
Net loss  -   -   -   (5,343,000)  (5,343,000)
Balance September 30, 2017  40,924,659  $409,000  $440,813,000  $(351,342,000) $89,880,000 

  Common Stock          
  Shares  Amount  

Additional

paid-in

capital

  Accumulated deficit  

Total stockholders’

equity

 
Balance, December 31, 2017 – as reported  46,888,108  $469,000  $529,421,000  $(359,792,000) $170,098,000 
Cumulative effect adjustment of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018  -   -   -   3,663,000   3,663,000 
Stock based compensation expense  -   -   1,900,000   -   1,900,000 
Vesting of restricted common stock issued to employees  -   -   172,000   -   172,000 
Common stock issued for                    
-cash exercise of options  267,196   3,000   1,682,000   -   1,685,000 
-exercise of $5.00 warrants  28,874   -   144,000   -   144,000 
-cashless warrant exercises  48,762   -   -   -   - 
Net loss  -   -   -   (8,463,000)  (8,463,000)
Balance, March 31, 2018  47,232,940   472,000   533,319,000   (364,592,000)  169,199,000 
                     
Stock based compensation expense  -   -   2,673,000   -   2,673,000 
Vesting of restricted common stock issued to employees  -   -   172,000   -   172,000 
Common stock issued for                    
-cash exercise of options  76,956   1,000   480,000   -   481,000 
-exercise of $5.00 warrants  17,889   -   89,000   -   89,000 
Net loss  -   -   -   (11,700,000)  (11,700,000)
Balance, June 30, 2018  47,327,785   473,000   536,733,000   (376,292,000)  160,914,000 
                     
Stock based compensation expense  -   -   2,499,000   -   2,499,000 
Vesting of restricted common stock issued to employees  -   -   172,000   -   172,000 
Common stock issued for                    
-cash exercise of options  16,701   1,000   78,000   -   79,000 
-exercise of $5.00 warrants  600,000   6,000   2,994,000   -   3,000,000 
Net loss  -   -   -   (16,419,000)  (16,419,000)
Balance, September 30, 2018  47,944,486  $480,000  $542,476,000  $(392,711,000) $150,245,000 

  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

 18 

 

 

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

 Nine months ended September 30,  Nine Months ended September 30, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net loss $(18,869,000) $(14,871,000) $

(36,582,000

) $(18,869,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization  595,000   577,000   969,000   595,000 
Stock option compensation expense  3,527,000   3,894,000   

7,072,000

   3,527,000 
Restricted common stock expense issued to directors, employees and consultants  979,000   3,120,000 
Licensed technology  (127,000)  - 
Restricted common stock expense issued to directors and employees  516,000   979,000 
Net gain on write off of licensed technology  -   (127,000)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:                
Receivables  13,000   (491,000)  

(245,000

)  13,000 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (1,607,000)  159,000   

760,000

   (1,607,000)
Other assets  (11,000)  (4,000)  40,000   (11,000)
Accounts payable  (1,657,000)  1,038,000   7,938,000   (1,657,000)
Contingent consideration milestone  -   (2,591,000)
Deferred revenue  (452,000)  (452,000)  (2,612,000)  (452,000)
Net cash used in operating activities  (17,609,000)  (9,621,000)  (22,144,000)  (17,609,000)
                
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Capital expenditures  (156,000)  (501,000)  (8,580,000)  (156,000)
Purchases of marketable securities  (94,991,000)  - 
Purchases from maturities of marketable securities  16,366,000   - 
Net cash used in investing activities  (156,000)  (501,000)  (87,205,000)  (156,000)
                
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds from $2.85 restricted common stock issuance  -   150,000 
Proceeds from an average of $6.44 per share of common stock issuances net of costs  -   1,019,000 
Proceeds from exercise of $8.00 warrants  5,000,000   -   -   5,000,000 
Proceeds from exercise of $5.00 warrants  52,000   -   3,233,000   52,000 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  93,000   -   2,245,000   93,000 
Net cash provided by financing activities  5,145,000   1,169,000   5,478,000   5,145,000 
                
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (12,620,000)  (8,953,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  69,142,000   40,138,000 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $56,522,000  $31,185,000 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  (103,871,000)  (12,620,000)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period  138,030,000   69,142,000 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $34,159,000  $56,522,000 
                
Supplemental disclosure of noncash transactions:        
Licensed asset and corresponding liability $4,000,000  $- 
Shares issued to EB Research Partnership and Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation for licenses $-  $2,452,000 
Supplemental disclosures:        
Cash and cash equivalents $33,599,000  $56,522,000 
Restricted cash  560,000   - 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $34,159,000 $56,522,000 
        
Write off of licensed asset and corresponding liability $-  $4,000,000 
Cash paid for interest $9,000  $7,000 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

 

 19 

 

 

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017

(unaudited)

 

Abeona Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with our subsidiaries, “we”, “our”,“we,” “our,” “Abeona” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation. We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell and gene therapies for life-threatening rare genetic diseases. Our lead programs areinclude EB-101 (gene-corrected skin grafts) for RDEB, ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH), an adeno-associated virus (AAV)AAV based gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA), and EB-101 (LZRSE-Col7A1) (gene-corrected skin transplantations) for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). We are also developing ABO-101 (AAV NAGLU), an AAV based gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type B (MPS IIIB), EB-201 (AAVDJ-Col7A1) for epidermolysis bullosa (EB),MPS IIIB. We are also developing ABO-201 (AAV-CLN3) gene therapy for juvenile Batten disease (JNCL), ABO-202 (AAV-CLN1) gene therapy for treatment of infantile Batten disease (INCL), EB-201 for epidermolysis bullosa (“EB”), ABO-301 (AAV-FANCC) for Fanconi anemia (FA)(“FA”) disorder and ABO-302 using a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing approach to gene therapy for rare blood diseases. In addition, we are developing a proprietary vector platform, AIM™, for next generation product candidates. Our efforts have been principally devoted to research and development, resulting in significant losses.

 

(1)Interim Financial Statements

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017,2018, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, were prepared by management without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise disclosed, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and changes in financial position for such periods, have been made.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. The results of operations for the period ended September 30, 20172018 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results whichthat may be expected for a full year. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 20162017 contains financial information taken from the audited Abeona consolidated financial statements as of that date.

 

As of September 30, 2017,2018, we had 4,622,4585,999,544 options and 3,101,2172,220,687 warrants that were not included in the EPS calculation as their effect would be antidilutive.

 

 20 

 

 

(2)Intangible AssetsNew Accounting Standards Implemented

 

IntangibleRevenue Recognition

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective transition method. The cumulative effect of applying the standard was an increase of $3.7 million to stockholders’ equity as of January 1, 2018. Our statement of operations for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018 and our balance sheet as of September 30, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while our statement of operations for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and our balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 are presented under ASC 605. See below for disclosure of the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our statement of operations and balance sheet for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018, and the effect of changes made to our consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018.

The table below presents the cumulative effect of the changes made to the consolidated January 1, 2018 balance sheet due to the adoption of ASC 606.

 

Balance Sheet

  (in thousands)

 December 31, 2017,
As Reported Under
ASC 605
  Adjustments Due
to ASC 606
  January 1, 2018
As Adjusted
Under ASC 606
 
          
Liabilities            
Current liabilities            
Current portion of deferred revenue $3,214  $(602) $2,612 
Total current liabilities  3,214   (602)  2,612 
Deferred revenue, net of current portion  3,061   (3,061)  - 
Total liabilities  8,668   (3,663)  5,005 
Stockholders’ Equity            
Accumulated deficit  (359,792)  3,663   (356,129)
Total equity $170,098  $3,663  $173,761 

The table below presents the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our statement of operations.

  Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2018 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Under

ASC 605

  

Effect of

ASC 606

  

As Reported

Under ASC 606

 
Revenues            
  License revenues $151  $(151) $- 
    Total revenues  1,860   (151)  1,709 
             
Loss from operations $(16,765) $(151) $(16,916)
Net loss $(16,268) $(151) $(16,419)
             
Basic and diluted loss per common share $(0.34) $0.00  $(0.34)

21

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

  (in thousands except per share amounts)

 

Under

ASC 605

  

Effect of

ASC 606

  

As Reported

Under ASC 606

 
Revenues            
  License revenues $452  $(452) $- 
    Total revenues  5,578   (452)  5,126 
             
Loss from operations $(37,094) $(452) $(37,546)
Net loss $(36,130) $(452) $(36,582)
             
Basic and diluted loss per common share $(0.77) $(0.01) $(0.77)

The table below presents the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our balance sheet.

  September 30, 2018 

Balance Sheet

   (in thousands)

 

Under

ASC 605

  

Effect of

ASC 606

  

As Reported

Under ASC 606

 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity            
Current liabilities            
Current portion of deferred revenue $602  $(602) $- 
Total current liabilities  10,933   (602)  10,331 
Deferred revenue, net of current portion  2,609   (2,609)  - 
Total liabilities  13,542   (3,211)  10,331 
             
Stockholders’ Equity            
  Accumulated deficit  (395,922)  3,211   (392,711)
  Total stockholders’ equity $147,034  $3,211  $150,245 

We received upfront cash payments for licenses of our technology in years 2008-2014. The revenue was recognized straight-line over the life of the patent. Our obligation was performed at the time the license was granted. Following the revenue recognition policies in accordance with ASC 606, we decreased the accumulated deficit by $3,663,000 as of January 1, 2018 and decreased deferred revenue by the same amount.

Royalty revenues will continue to be recognized in the period of sales. Royalty revenues recognized in the third quarter of 2018 were $22,000 and for the first nine months of 2018 were $89,000.

On October 16, 2017, we announced a collaborative agreement between nine Sanfilippo foundations to provide up to approximately $13.85 million of grants to Abeona in installments for the advancement of the Company’s clinical stage gene therapies for MPS IIIA and MPS IIIB, subject to the achievement of certain milestones. As of September 30, 2018, we received $5.0 million of these grants ($2.6 million in the fourth quarter 2017 and $2.4 million in the nine months of 2018) and recorded them first as deferred revenue. We recorded $2.6 million of the $3.4 million in grants as revenue in the quarter ended March 31, 2018, we recorded $0.8 million in grants as revenue in the quarter ending June 30, 2018 and we recorded $1.6 million in grants revenue in the quarter ending September 30, 2018.

We recorded revenue for Foundation Grants of $1,687,000 in the third quarter of 2018 and no revenues for the same period of 2017, an increase of $1,687,000. We recorded revenue for Foundation Grants of $5,037,000 in the first nine months of 2018 and no revenues for the same period of 2017, an increase of $5,037,000. We record revenue to match expenses for the advancement of the Company’s clinical stage gene therapies for MPS IIIA and MPS IIIB.

22

Restricted cash disclosure

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18,Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, requiring restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this standard during the first quarter of 2018. Restricted cash is now included as a component of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Restricted cash is recorded within other non-current assets consistin the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The inclusion of restricted cash increased beginning balances of the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows by $560,000 and $0, respectively, and the ending balances by $560,000 and $0, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

(3)Short Term Investments

The following table summarizes the available-for-sale investments held as of September 30, 2018. There were no available-for-sale investments in prior periods.

Description Fair
Value
 
September 30, 2018    
U.S. government agency securities and treasuries $78,625,000 

The amortized cost of the available-for-sale investments is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. There were no material realized gains or losses recognized on the sale or maturity of available-for-sale investments during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2018.

(4)Licensed Technology

On May 15, 2015, we acquired Abeona Therapeutics LLC. which had an exclusive license through Nationwide Children’s Hospital to the AB-101 and AB-102 patent portfolios for developing treatments for patients with Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A and Type B. The license is amortized over the life of the license of 20 years.

On August 3, 2016, we announced we entered into the EB Agreement with EBRP and EBMRF to collaborate on gene therapy treatments for EB.

We also entered into a license with Stanford for the AAV-based gene therapy EB-201 (AAV DJ COL7A1) technology, and we intend to perform preclinical development and perform clinical trials of a gene therapy treatment for EB based upon such in-licensed technology. EB-201 (AAV DJ COL7A1) is a pre-clinical candidate targeting a novel, AAV-mediated gene editing and delivery approach (known as homologous recombination) to correct gene mutations in skin cells (keratinocytes) for patients with RDEB. The licenses are amortized over the life of the license of 20 years.

23

Licensed technology consists of the following (in thousands):

 

  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016 
  Gross
carrying
value
  Accumulated
amortization
  Gross
carrying
value
  
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Amortizable intangible assets Licensed technology $4,608  $545  $9,608  $1,224 
  September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
  Gross
carrying
value
  Accumulated
amortization
  Gross
carrying
value
  
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Amortizable intangible assets Licensed technology $4,608  $891  $4,608  $631 

 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled $87,000 and $260,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and totaled $87,000 and $448,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and totaled $146,000 and $291,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The aggregate estimated amortization expense for intangible assets remaining as of September 30, 20172018 is as follows (in thousands):

2017 $87 
2018  346 
2019  346 
2020  346 
2021  346 
over 5 years  2,592 
     
Total $4,063 

 

On May 26, 2017, we entered into agreements with Plasma Technologies, LLC (“Plasmatech”) and Acestor Therapeutics LLC (“Acestor”). Abeona holds an 80% membership interest in Acestor and Plasmatech holds the remaining 20% membership interest in Acestor. Acestor was formed for the purposes of seeking additional financing in the amount of approximately $5,000,000 to develop and commercialize the technology of that certain license agreement for certain patent rights that was granted to Abeona from Plasmatech on September 19, 2014 and amended January 23, 2015 (“License Agreement”). The License Agreement was transferred to Acestor. In addition, Abeona’s payment obligation of $4,000,000 to Plasmatech was waived and replaced with an obligation of Acestor to pay Plasmatech 10% of the aggregate proceeds in respect of any financing (whether public of private) undertaken by Acestor on or before November 26, 2017. A gain of $127,000 to reflect this transaction was recorded in the second quarter of 2017. As of November 14, 2017 no financings have occurred.

2018  $86 
2019   346 
2020   346 
2021   346 
2022   346 
over 5 years   2,247 
      
Total  $3,717 

 

(3)(5)Fair Value Measurements

 

We calculate the fair value of our assets and liabilities whichthat qualify as financial instruments and include additional information in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements when the fair value is different than the carrying value of these financial instruments. The estimated fair value of receivables, prepaids and other and accounts payable and payable due to Plasma Technologies, LLC approximate their carrying amounts due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments.

21

 

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This guidance establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:are:

 

·Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
·Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar valuation techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

 

24

The guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

 

We have segregated all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date in the table below.

 

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring and recurring basis as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 are summarized below:

 

(in thousands)                      
Description As of 
September
30, 2017
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total Gains
(Losses)
  As of
September 30,
2018
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total Gains
(Losses)
 
Non-recurring                                        
Assets:                                        
Licensed technology (net) $4,063  $-  $-  $4,063  $127  $3,717  $-  $-  $3,717  $260 
Goodwill  32,466   -   -   32,466   -   32,466   -   -   32,466   - 
                    
Recurring              -     
Marketable securities  -   -   49,530       - 

 

(in thousands)                          
Description As of 
December 31,
2016
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total Gains
(Losses)
  As of
December 31,
2017
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  

Total Gains

(Losses)

 
Non-recurring                                        
Assets:                                        
Licensed technology (net) $8,384  $-  $-  $8,384  $-  $3,977  $-  $-  $3,977  $127 
Goodwill  32,466   -   -   32,466   -   32,466   -   -   32,466   - 
                    
Recurring                                        
Liabilities:                                        
Contingent consideration $-  $-  $-  $-  $1,391  $-  $-  $-  $-  $1,391 

 

 2225 

 

 

(4)        Stock Option-Based Compensation and Restricted Stock Compensation

(6)Stock Based Option Compensation and Restricted Stock Compensation

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recognized stock-based option compensation expense of $2,499,000 and $7,072,000, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized stock option-basedstock-based option compensation expense of $792,000 and $3,527,000, respectively. For

The following table summarizes stock-based option compensation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 we recognized stock option-based compensation expense of $917,0002018 and $3,894,000, respectively.2017:

 

  

Three months ended

  

Nine months ended

 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Research and development $1,012,000  $394,000  $2,756,000  $1,118,000 
General and administrative  1,487,000   398,000   4,316,000   2,409,000 
Stock-based option compensation expense included in operating expense $2,499,000  $792,000  $7,072,000  $3,527,000 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, we granted no stock options157,000 and 185,0001,026,800 stock options, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, we granted no stock options0 and 1,440,000185,000 stock options, respectively.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the fair value of options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: dividend yield of 0%; volatility of 109%; risk-free interest rate of 2.78%; and expected lives of 5.0 years. The weighted average fair value of options granted was $11.44 per share. The weighted average grant date fair value is $11.44 and the weighted average exercise price is $14.45.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the fair value of options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following table summarizes stock option-based compensation forweighted average assumptions: dividend yield of 0%; volatility of 109%; risk-free interest rate of 2.54%; and expected lives of 5.0 years. The weighted average fair value of options granted was $11.36 per share. The weighted average grant date fair value is $11.36 and the weighted average exercise price is $14.38.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018, we recognized restricted common stock compensation expense of $172,000 and 2016:

  Three months ended  Nine months ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Research and development $394,000  $274,000  $1,118,000  $937,000 
General and administrative  398,000   643,000   2,409,000   2,957,000 
Stock option-based compensation expense included in operating expense $792,000  $917,000  $3,527,000  $3,894,000 

$516,000, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized restricted common stock compensation expense of $293,000 and $979,000, respectively for granted restricted common stock. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 we recognized restricted stock compensation expense of $241,000 and $3,120,000, respectively for granted restricted common stock.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 no common stock was granted to directors or employees.respectively.

 

The following table summarizes restricted common stock compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016:2017:

 

 Three months ended Nine months ended  Three months ended Nine months ended 
 September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
 2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Research and development $-  $-  $-  $200,000 
General and administrative  293,000   241,000   979,000   2,920,000  $172,000  $293,000  $516,000  $979,000 
Restricted stock compensation expense included in operating expense $293,000  $241,000  $979,000  $3,120,000  $172,000  $293,000  $516,000  $979,000 

 

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We did not grant any common stock to directors or employees during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

(5)(7)LitigationCommitments and Contingencies

 

We are not currently subject to any material pending legal proceedings.

 

(6)(8)Subsequent EventsEvent

 

On October 19, 2017, we closed an underwritten public offering of 5,750,000 shares of common stock, at a public offering price of $16.00 per share. The gross proceeds to the Company were $92,000,000, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

On October 16, 2017,November 5, 2018 we announced a collaborativelicense agreement between nine Sanfilippo foundationswith REGENXBIO Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, REGENXBIO has granted Abeona an exclusive worldwide license (subject to provide upcertain non-exclusive rights previously granted for MPS IIIA), with rights to approximately $13.85 million of grantssublicense, to Abeona in installmentsREGENXBIO’s NAV AAV9 vector for the advancementdevelopment and commercialization of the Company’s clinical stage gene therapies for Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A (MPS IIIA)the treatment of MPS IIIA, MPS IIIB, CLN1 Disease and Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B (MPS IIIB), subjectCLN3 Disease. In return for these rights, REGENXBIO will receive a guaranteed $20 million upfront payment, $10 million of which will be paid upon signing and $10 million of which will be paid within 12 months of the effective date. In addition, REGENXBIO will receive a total of $100 million in annual fees, payable upon the second through sixth anniversaries of the agreement, $20 million of which is guaranteed. REGENXBIO is also eligible to receive potential commercial milestone payments of up to $60 million. REGENXBIO will also receive low double-digit royalties on net sales of products incorporating the achievement of certain milestones.licensed intellectual property.

 

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