Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20222023

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 Number: 001-37758

 

moleculinnewlogoresized.jpg

MOLECULIN BIOTECH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

2834

 

47-4671997

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

 

5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 950

 

Houston, TX

77007

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

713-300-5160

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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 ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Registration S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ☐

 

Smaller reporting company ☒

Non-accelerated filer ☒

Emerging growth company ☐ 

Accelerated filer ☐

  

 

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 accounting 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 ☒

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol (s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

MBRX

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

The registrant had 28,627,82729,810,443 shares of common stock outstanding at November 3, 20221, 2023..

 

 

 

 
 

Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

  

Page

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

   

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)(Unaudited)

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022 (unaudited)2023 and December 31, 20212022

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021 (unaudited)2022

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021 (unaudited)2022

5

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021 (unaudited)2022

6

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

7

   

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

13

   

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

2021

   

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

2021

   
 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

21

   

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

21

   

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

21

   

Item 2.

Unregistered sales of Equity Securities and Uses of Proceeds

21

   

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

21

   

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

21

   

Item 5.

Other Information

21

   

Item 6.

Exhibits

22

   
 

Signatures

23

 

2

 

PART 1 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except for share and per share data)

(unaudited)(Unaudited)

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Assets

        

Current assets:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 $50,392 $70,903  $24,579 $43,145 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  3,101  1,594   3,024  2,451 

Total current assets

 53,493  72,497  27,603  45,596 

Furniture and equipment, net

 306 338  225 275 

Intangible assets

 11,148 11,148  11,148 11,148 

Operating lease right-of-use asset

  425  107   547  403 

Total assets

 $65,372  $84,090  $39,523  $57,422 
  

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

        

Current liabilities:

  

Accounts payable

 $3,568 $1,364  $2,008 $2,095 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

  2,794  2,258   1,880  2,724 

Total current liabilities

 6,362  3,622  3,888  4,819 

Operating lease liability - long-term, net of current portion

 365 63  496 335 

Warrant liability - long-term

  228  1,412   1  77 

Total liabilities

 6,955  5,097  4,385  5,231 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

              

Stockholders' equity

  

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding

        

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 28,627,827 and 28,578,338 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively

 29 29 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 29,810,443 and 28,627,827 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

 30 29 

Additional paid-in capital

 153,450 151,733  156,446 153,985 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 3 41 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 (3) 12 

Accumulated deficit

  (95,065)  (72,810)  (121,335)  (101,835)

Total stockholders’ equity

  58,417   78,993   35,138   52,191 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $65,372  $84,090  $39,523  $57,422 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Revenues

 $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $ 
  

Operating expenses:

  

Research and development

 5,965 4,095 14,790 11,239  3,280 5,965 12,855 14,790 

General and administrative

 3,087 2,021 8,704 6,394  2,635 3,087 7,765 8,704 

Depreciation and amortization

  32  41  98  130   32  32  92  98 

Total operating expenses

  9,084   6,157   23,592   17,763   5,947   9,084   20,712   23,592 

Loss from operations

 (9,084) (6,157) (23,592) (17,763) (5,947) (9,084) (20,712) (23,592)

Other income:

  

Gain from change in fair value of warrant liability

 421 1,678 1,184 4,428  1 421 76 1,184 

Other income, net

 19 13 39 30  13 19 30 39 

Interest income, net

  33  87  114  236   324  33  1,106  114 

Net loss

 $(8,611) $(4,379) $(22,255) $(13,069) $(5,609) $(8,611) $(19,500) $(22,255)
  

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

 $(0.30) $(0.15) $(0.78) $(0.50) $(0.19) $(0.30) $(0.66) $(0.78)

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

  28,627,610  28,573,476  28,596,501  26,302,638   29,809,236  28,627,610  29,419,904  28,596,501 
  

Net Loss

 $(8,611) $(4,379) $(22,255) $(13,069) $(5,609) $(8,611) $(19,500) $(22,255)

Other comprehensive loss:

  

Foreign currency translation

  (19)  (16)  (38)  (26)  (10)  (19)  (15)  (38)

Comprehensive loss

 $(8,630) $(4,395) $(22,293) $(13,095) $(5,619) $(8,630) $(19,515) $(22,293)

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)(Unaudited)

  

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

          

Net loss

 $(22,255) $(13,069) $(19,500) $(22,255)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

 98 130  92 98 

Stock-based compensation

 1,740 1,817  1,505 1,740 

License rights expense settled in stock

 772  

Change in fair value of warrant liability

 (1,184) (4,428) (76) (1,184)

Operating lease, net

 96 102  105 96 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 (1,507) 133  (573) (1,507)

Accounts payable

 2,204 261  (87) 2,204 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

  425  361   (932)  425 

Net cash used in operating activities

  (20,383)  (14,693)  (18,694)  (20,383)

Cash flows from investing activities:

          

Purchase of fixed assets

  (67)     (43)  (67)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (67)     (43)  (67)

Cash flows from financing activities:

          

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

  63 

Payment of tax liability for vested restricted stock units

 (23) (24) (25) (23)

Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of issuance costs

    74,685   211   

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

  (23)  74,724 

Net cash provided by (used in) provided by financing activities

  186   (23)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 (38) (26) (15) (38)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 (20,511) 60,005 

Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period

  70,903   15,173 

Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period

 $50,392  $75,178 
 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 (18,566) (20,511)

Cash and cash equivalents, - beginning of period

  43,145   70,903 

Cash and cash equivalents, - end of period

 $24,579  $50,392 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands, except for shares)

(unaudited)(Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 
 

Common Stock

 

Common Stock Subscribed

     Accumulated      Common Stock     Accumulated   
 

Shares

  

Par Value Amount

  

Shares

  

Par Value Amount

  

Additional Paid-In Capital

  

Accumulated Deficit

  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  

Subscription Receivable

  

Stockholder's Equity

  

Shares

  

Par Value Amount

  

Additional Paid-In Capital

  

Accumulated Deficit

  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  

Total Stockholders' Equity

 

Balance, December 31, 2021

 28,578,338  $29    $  $151,733  $(72,810) $41  $  $78,993 

Balance, December 31, 2022

 28,627,827  $29  $153,985  $(101,835) $12  $52,191 

Issuance of common stock with equity purchase agreement

 150,381    141      141 

Common stock issued for license rights

 822,115  1  771      772 

Stock-based compensation

     527    527      499      499 

Consolidated net loss

      (6,867)   (6,867)

Net loss

       (7,915)   (7,915)

Cumulative translation adjustment

              12    12               (4)  (4)

Balance, March 31, 2022

 28,578,338  $29    $  $152,260  $(79,677) $53  $  $72,665 

Balance, March 31, 2023

 29,600,323  $30  $155,396  $(109,750) $8  $45,684 

Issuance of common stock with equity purchase agreement

 75,187  69   69 

Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted stock units (net of shares withheld for payment of tax liability)

 28,368    (12)    (12) 113,812  (21)   (21)

Stock-based compensation

     514    514    513   513 

Consolidated net loss

      (6,777)   (6,777)    (5,976)  (5,976)

Cumulative translation adjustment

              (31)    (31)          (1)  (1)

Balance, June 30, 2022

  28,606,706 $29   $ $152,762 $(86,454) $22 $ $66,359 

Balance, June 30, 2023

 29,789,322 $30 $155,957 $(115,726) $7 $40,268 

Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted stock units (net of shares withheld for payment of tax liability)

 21,121    (11)    (11) 21,121  (4)   (4)

Stock-based compensation

     699    699    493   493 

Consolidated net loss

      (8,611)   (8,611)    (5,609)  (5,609)

Cumulative translation adjustment

              (19)    (19)          (10)  (10)

Balance, September 30, 2022

  28,627,827 $29   $ $153,450 $(95,065) $3 $ $58,417 

Balance, September 30, 2023

  29,810,443 $30 $156,446 $(121,335) $(3) $35,138 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

 
 

Common Stock

 

Common Stock Subscribed

     

Accumulated

      Common Stock     Accumulated   
 

Shares

  

Par Value Amount

  

Shares

  

Par Value Amount

  

Additional Paid-In Capital

  

Accumulated Deficit

  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  

Subscription Receivable

  

Stockholders' Equity

  

Shares

  

Par Value Amount

  

Additional Paid-In Capital

  

Accumulated Deficit

  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  

Total Stockholders' Equity

 
                   

Balance, December 31, 2020

 11,536,720  $69  26,966  $  $74,671  $(56,916) $65  $(129) $17,760 

Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs of $6,159

 16,883,420  18  (26,966)   74,537      129  74,684 

Reverse stock split

 14,285 (60)   60    - 

Warrants exercised

 10,000 1   115    116 

Balance, December 31, 2021

 28,578,338  $29  $151,733  $(72,810) $41  $78,993 

Stock-based compensation

         405        405      527      527 

Consolidated net loss

           (4,445)     (4,445)

Net loss

       (6,867)   (6,867)

Cumulative translation adjustment

                    (4)     (4)              12   12 

Balance, March 31, 2021

 28,444,425  $28    $  $149,788  $(61,361) $61  $  $88,516 

Issuance of common stock in connection with equity purchase agreement, net of issuance costs of $403

 107,788 1       1 

Subscription of common stock in connection with Consulting Agreement

   2,500  10   (10)  

Stock-based compensation

     433    433 

Consolidated net loss

      (4,244)   (4,244)

Cumulative translation adjustment

              (6)    (6)

Balance, June 30, 2021

  28,552,213 $29  2,500 $ $150,231 $(65,605) $55 $(10) $84,700 

Issuance of common stock in connection with Consulting Agreement

 3,750  (2,500)  (10)   10  

Balance, March 31, 2022

 28,578,338  $29  $152,260  $(79,677) $53  $72,665 

Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted stock units (net of shares withheld for payment of tax liability)

 21,125    (23)    (23) 28,368  (12)   (12)

Stock-based compensation

     977    977    514   514 

Consolidated net loss

      (4,379)   (4,379)    (6,777)  (6,777)

Cumulative translation adjustment

              (16)    (16)          (31)  (31)

Balance, September 30, 2021

  28,577,088 $29   $ $151,175 $(69,984) $39 $ $81,259 

Balance, June 30, 2022

 28,606,706 $29 $152,762 $(86,454) $22 $66,359 

Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted stock units (net of shares withheld for payment of tax liability)

 21,121  (11)   (11)

Stock-based compensation

   699   699 

Consolidated net loss

    (8,611)  (8,611)

Cumulative translation adjustment

          (19)  (19)

Balance, September 30, 2022

  28,627,827 $29 $153,450 $(95,065) $3 $58,417 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6

 

Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

 

1. Nature of Business

 

The terms "MBI" or "the Company", "we", "our", and "us" are used herein to refer to Moleculin Biotech, Inc. MBI is a Phase 2clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, organized as a Delaware corporation in July 2015, which focuses on the treatment of highly resistantwith clinical programs for hard-to-treat cancers and viruses through the developmentviruses. The Company has three core technologies, each of its drug candidates,which have had one or more drugs successfully complete a Phase 1 clinical trial, based substantially on discoveries made at and licensed from The University of Texas System on behalf of the MD Anderson Cancer Center which the(MD Anderson) in Houston, Texas. The Company refers to as MD Anderson. MBI formedhas two wholly owned subsidiaries, Moleculin Australia Pty. Ltd. (MAPL), a wholly owned subsidiary in June 2018, which was set up to perform certain preclinical development in Australia. This has enabled the Company to realize the benefits of certain research and development tax credits in Australia. In July 2021, MBI formed Moleculin Amsterdam B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary, primarily to actwhich acts as its legal representative for clinical trials in Europe.

In 2019, the Company sublicensed essentially all of the rights to its technologies in over 25 countries in Europe and Asia to WPD Pharmaceuticals Sp.z o.o. (WPD or WPD Pharmaceuticals) in exchange for a minimum amount of externally funded collaboration on development in Europe over a certain amount of time. This sublicense was last amended in December 2021 and extended the assignment date in August 2022. Also in 2019, the Company sublicensed its technologies to Animal Life Sciences, Inc. (ALI), to enable research and commercialization for non-human use and share development data. As part of this agreement, ALI issued to the Company a 10% interest in ALI.

The Company has three core technologies, based substantially on discoveries made at and licensed from MD Anderson. Having six drug candidates, three of which have now shown human activity in clinical trials, the Company believes that success in its lead program, Annamycin, has allowed and will allow further pipeline expansion into multiple high-value oncology indications.

The Company's core technologies consist of the following: a) Annamycin; b) WP1066 Portfolio; and c) WP1122 Portfolio. The Company has six drug candidates, representing all three core technologies, and three of those have shown human activity in clinical trials. In the US and Europe, the Company has conducted, is currently conducting, or plans in the near term to conduct clinical trials for its drug candidates - Annamycin, WP1066,WP1220 (which is part of the WP1066 Portfolio), and WP1122. At the beginning of 2022, all trials are or were in the Phase 1 portion, except the WP1220 trial, which was a proof-of-concept trial. Recently, one of the Annamycin trials moved into its Phase 2 portion of the trial. In 2021 and 2022, there were also multiple "right-to-try" (or their foreign equivalent) uses of Annamycin and WP1066. The Company plans to conduct additional trials and is in the process of obtaining the appropriate regulatory approval and beginning those trials. The Company utilizes its own internal resources and funds to conduct some of these trials and also has trials being conducted via physician-sponsored trials. The physician-sponsored trials which utilize primarily external funds, usuallysuch as grant funds, which are not presented in thethese financial statements.

The Company does not have manufacturing facilities and all manufacturing activities are contracted out to third parties. Additionally, the Company does not have a sales organization. The Company’s overall strategy is to seek potential outlicensingout-licensing or outsourcing opportunities with development/commercialization strategic partners who are better suited for the marketing, sales and distributiondistribution of its drugs, if approved.

 

On May 5, 2023, the Company received a letter from the Nasdaq Capital Market (Nasdaq) notifying the Company that for the prior 30 consecutive business days the bid price for the Company's common stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the "Bid Price Rule"). The deficiency letter did not result in the immediate delisting of the Company's common stock from the Nasdaq. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company was  provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, until November 1, 2023, to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. In addition, the Company was required to notify Nasdaq of its intent to cure the minimum bid price deficiency, which may include, if necessary, implementing a reverse stock split. 

On November 2, 2023, the Company received a 180-calendar day extension, until April 29, 2024, from the Nasdaq to regain compliance with Bid Price Rule. The Company will continue to monitor the closing bid price of its common stock and plans to pursue available options to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule, including potentially the Company’s Board of Directors authorizing a reverse stock split, as discussed further below. If the Company authorizes a reverse stock split, it will plan to effectuate the split no later than ten business days prior to the end of the extension in order to timely regain compliance. If, at any time before April 29, 2024, the bid price for the Company's common stock closes at $1.00 or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, the Nasdaq Staff will provide written notification to the Company that it complies with the Bid Price Rule, unless the Staff exercises its discretion to extend this 10 day period pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(G).

On October 3, 2023, the Company held a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the "Special Meeting"). The Company's stockholders granted the Board of Directors the authority to effect an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, at a reverse stock split ratio of between 1-for-5 and 1-for-20 as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, prior to the one-year anniversary of the Special Meeting. The Board of Directors has taken no action with regard to this matter.

If the Company does not regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule by April 29, 2024, the Nasdaq Staff will provide written notification to the Company that its common stock may be delisted. The Company would then be entitled to appeal the Nasdaq Staff’s determination to a NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel and request a hearing. There can be no assurance that, if the Company does appeal a delisting determination by the Nasdaq Staff to the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel, that such appeal would be successful. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. 

 

2. Basis of presentation, principles of consolidation, and significant accounting policies and liquidity

Reverse Stock Split - On January 29, 2021, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect a reverse stock split of all the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's common stock at a ratio of 1 for 6. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements give retroactive effect to the reverse stock split for all periods presented. Certain amounts in the financial statements, the notes thereto, and elsewhere in the Form 10-Q may be slightly different than previously reported due to rounding up of fractional shares as a result of the reverse stock split.

 

Basis of Presentation – Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Information - The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (U.S. GAAP) for financial information, and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with respect to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements furnished reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments),adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 20212022 and for the year then ended, including the notes thereto contained in the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 24, 2022.22, 2023.

 

Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to U.S. GAAP. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment. All material long-lived assets of the Company reside in the U.S.

 

7

Significant Accounting Policies - The Company's significant accounting policies are described in Note 2, Basis of Presentation, principles of consolidation and significant accounting policies, to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20212022. There have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023.

 

Use of Estimates - The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management considers many factors in selecting appropriate financial accounting policies and controls, and in developing the estimates and assumptions that are used in the preparation of these financial statements. Management must apply significant judgment in this process. In addition, other factors may affect estimates, including expected business and operational changes, sensitivity and volatility associated with the assumptions used in developing estimates, and whether historical trends are expected to be representative of future trends. The estimation process often may yield a range of potentially reasonable estimates of the ultimate future outcomes and management must select an amount that falls within that range of reasonable estimates. This process may result in actual results differing materially from those estimated amounts used in the preparation of financial statements. Estimates are used in the following areas, among others: fair value estimates on intangible assets, warrants, and stock-based compensation expense, as well as accrued expenses and taxes. 

 

7

LiquidityGoing Concern - These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the Company will continue to realize its assets and Financial Condition -discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon the ability of the Company to obtain necessary equity financing to continue operations and the attainment of profitable operations. As ofSeptember 30, 2023, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $121.3 million since inception and had not yet generated any revenues from operations. Additionally, management anticipates that its cash on hand of $24.6 million as of September 30, 2023 is sufficient to fund its planned operations into but not beyond the near term. These factors raise substantial doubt regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company may seek additional funding through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, government or other third-party funding, commercialization, marketing and distribution arrangements, other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements and delay planned cash outlays or a combination thereof. Management cannot be certain that such events or a combination thereof can be achieved. 

 In March 2022, the Company received a subpoena from the SEC requesting information and documents, including materials related to certain individuals (none of which are the Company's officers or directors) and entities, and materials related to the development of and statements regarding the Company's drug candidate for the treatment of COVID-19. The Company has received, and expects to continue to receive, periodic further requests from the SEC staff with respect to this matter. The Company is an early stage company and has not generated any revenuesaware of the specific nature of the underlying investigation by the SEC, and to date. As such,the extent that this investigation relates to prior public disclosures that it has made, the Company believes in the accuracy and adequacy of such prior disclosures. The correspondence from the SEC transmitting the subpoena to the Company states that the SEC is subjecttrying to alldetermine whether there have been any violations of federal securities laws, but that its investigation does not mean that the SEC has concluded that anyone has violated the law or that the SEC has a negative opinion of any person, entity, or security. The Company cannot predict when this matter will be resolved or what, if any, action the SEC may take following the conclusion of the risks associated with early stage companies. Since inception,investigation. The Company expensed approximately $0.4 million and $1.1 million in related general and administrative fees and expenses for the Company has incurred losses three months ended September 30, 2023 and negative cash flows from operating activities. For2022, respectively, and $1.4 million and $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively. The Company is in the process of filing a claim with its insurance carriers related to this loss which may cover a portion of the related expenses but not all. The claim is currently under review by the insurance company. The claim has not yet been approved nor has a reimbursement amount been determined. Accordingly, the Company incurred net losses of $22.3 million and $13.1 million, respectively, and had net cash flows used in operating activities of $20.4 million and $14.7 million, respectively. Athas September 30, 2022not, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $95.1 million and cash and cash equivalents of $50.4 million. recorded any provision for insurance reimbursement. The Company expects its cash on hand as of September 30, 2022 willto record the insurance reimbursement at the time that the amount to be sufficient to fundreimbursed is determined and approved by the Company's operations beyond the near term. Such projections are subject to changes in the Company’s internally funded preclinical and clinical activities, including unplanned preclinical and clinical activity. The Company does not expect to experience positive cash flows from operating activities in the near future and anticipates incurring operating losses for the next few years as it supports the development of its core technologies to the point of generating revenue, most likely via outlicensing, and continues to invest in research and development for additional applications of the Company's core technologies and potentially increase its pipeline of drug candidates. If the Company needs to raise additional capital in order to continue to execute its business plan, there is no assurance that additional financing will be available when needed or that management will be able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to the Company. A failure to raise sufficient capital could adversely impact the Company's ability to achieve its intended business objectives and meet its financial obligations as they become due and payable.insurance carrier. 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash accounts principally at one financial institution in the U.S., which at times, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s limit. The Company has not experienced any losses from cash balances in excess of the insurance limit. The Company’s management does not believe the Company is exposed to significant credit risk at this time due to the financial condition of the financial institution where its cash is held.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets - Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (table in thousands): 

  

September 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

 

Prepaid sponsored research

 $1,346  $474 

Prepaid insurance

  938   589 

Vendor prepayments and deposits

  807   486 

Non-trade receivables

  6   23 

Related party receivables

  4   22 

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets

 $3,101  $1,594 

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of non-trade receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and its warrant liability. The carrying amount of non-trade receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of such.

 

8

The Company has categorized its assets and liabilities that are valued at fair value on a recurring basis into a three-level fair value hierarchy in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Fair value is defined 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 on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

Assets and liabilities recorded in the balance sheets at fair value are categorized based on a hierarchy of inputs as follows:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets of identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

 

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include the fair value of warrant liability discussed in Note 4.

 

The following table provides the financial liabilities reported at fair value and measured on a recurring basis at September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022 (table in thousands): 

 

Description

 

Fair Value

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 

Fair value of warrant liability as of September 30, 2022:

 $228  $  $  $228 

Fair value of warrant liability as of December 31, 2021:

 $1,412  $  $  $1,412 

Description

 

Fair Value

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 

Fair value of warrant liability as of September 30, 2023:

 $1  $  $  $1 

Fair value of warrant liability as of December 31, 2022:

 $77  $  $  $77 

 

The table below of Level 3 liabilities (table in thousands) begins with the valuation as of the beginning of the third quarter and then is adjusted for changes in fair value that occurred during the third quarter. The ending balance of the Level 3 financial instrument presented above represents the Company's best estimates and may not be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

Warrant Liability Long-Term

  

Warrant Liability Total

 

Balance, June 30, 2022

 $649  $649 

Change in fair value - net

  (421)  (421)

Balance, September 30, 2022

 $228  $228 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

Warrant Liability Long-Term

 

Balance, June 30, 2023

 $2 

Change in fair value - net

  (1)

Balance, September 30, 2023

 $1 

 

The table below of Level 3 liabilities (table in thousands) begins with the valuation as of December 31, 20212022 and then is adjusted for changes in fair value that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023. The ending balance of the Level 3 financial instrument presented above represents the Company's best estimates and may not be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

Warrant Liability Long-Term

  

Warrant Liability Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2021

 $1,412  $1,412 

Change in fair value - net

  (1,184)  (1,184)

Balance, September 30, 2022

 $228  $228 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

Warrant Liability Long-Term

 

Balance, December 31, 2022

 $77 

Change in fair value - net

  (76)

Balance, September 30, 2023

 $1 

 

8

Loss Per Common Share - Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For purposes of this calculation, options to purchase common stock, restricted stock units subject to vesting and warrants to purchase common stock are considered to be common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per common share is determined using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents. In periods when losses are reported, the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding excludes common stock equivalents, because their inclusion would be antidilutive.anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, approximatelyapproximatel 6.0y 8.5 million and 4.56.0 million, respectively, of potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutiveanti-dilutive effect. For the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, approximately 5.27.0 million and 4.1and 5.2 million, respectively, of potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutiveanti-dilutive effect.

 

Subsequent Events - The Company’s management reviewed all material events through the date of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. See Note 8 - Subsequent Events. 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In- There are August 2020, nothe Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, recently issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No.2020-06, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (ASU 2020-06). ASU 2020-06 simplifies the complexity associated with applying U.S. GAAP for certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity's own equity. The guidance was effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2022 and prescribes different transition methods for the various provisions. The Company's adoption of this pronouncement did notaccounting standards updates that are currently expected to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.Company. 

 

In

May 2021, 9the FASB issued ASU No.2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt - Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer's Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges

 

3. Accrued Expensesexpenses and Other Current Liabilitiesother current liabilities

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following components (table in(in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

  

September 30, 2023

  

December 31, 2022

 

Accrued research and development

 $1,336 $1,005  $735  $1,337 

Accrued legal, regulatory, professional and other

 803 442  549  437 

Accrued payroll and bonuses

 433 606  443  748 

Operating lease liability - current

 112 96  88  116 

Accrued liabilities due to related party

  110  109   65   86 

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 $2,794  $2,258  $1,880  $2,724 

 

Additionally, accounts payable includes $72,000 and $48,000  $64,000 as of September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022, respectively, for related party payables.

 

4. Warrants

 

Liability Classified Warrants

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model (BSM) to determine the fair value of its warrants at the date of issue and outstanding at each reporting date. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates on zero coupon U.S. Treasury bonds linearly interpolated to obtain a maturity period commensurate with the term of the warrants. Estimated volatility is a measure of the amount by which the Company's stock price is expected to fluctuate each year during the expected life of the warrants. Only the volatility of the Company's own stock is used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model. 

 

The assumptions used in determining the fair value of the Company's outstanding liability classified warrants are as follows:

 

  

September 30, 20222023

  

December 31, 20212022

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

3.6%5.1% to 4.3%5.6%

  

0.1%4.2% to 1.1%4.8%

 

Volatility

 

54.4%69.1% to 93.4%89.8%

  

71.8%63.1% to 114.5%76.3%

 

Expected life (years)

 

0.40.2 to 2.91.9

  

0.1 to 3.62.6

 

Dividend yield

 

—%

  

—%

 

 

9

A summary of the Company's liability classified warrant activity during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and related information follows: 

 

  

Number of Shares

  

Range of Warrant Exercise

  

Weighted Average

  

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual

 
  

Under Warrant

  

Price per Share

  

Exercise Price

  

Life (Years)

 

Balance at January 1, 2022

  2,723,645  $6.30  $16.80  $9.46   2.6 

Expired

  (67,349)  8.10   9.00       

Balance at September 30, 2022

  2,656,296  $6.30  $16.80  $9.49   1.9 

Exercisable at September 30, 2022

  2,656,296  $6.30  $16.80  $9.49   1.9 
  

Number of Shares

  

Range of Warrant Exercise

  

Weighted Average

  

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual

 
  

Under Warrant

  

Price per Share

  

Exercise Price

  

Life (Years)

 

Balance at January 1, 2023

  2,656,296  $6.30  $16.80  $9.49   1.7 

Expired warrants

  (384,415) $13.92  $16.80  $16.22    

Balance at September 30, 2023

  2,271,881  $6.30  $12.12  $8.26   1.1 

Exercisable at September 30, 2023

  2,271,881  $6.30  $12.12  $8.26   1.1 

 

For a summary of the changes in fair value associated with the Company's warrant liability for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023, see Note 2 - Basis of presentation, principles of consolidation and significant accounting policies - Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

 

Equity Classified Warrants

 

In September 2022,August 2023, the Company entered into a portfolio advisory agreement with a related party entity, associated with Dr. Waldemar Priebe, and in connection with the agreement, the Company granted equity-classified warrants to purchase 250,000up to 100,000 shares of Company common stock with a five-year term and an exercise price of $0.62. The warrants vest based on performance of certain services. As of September 30, 2023, no related vesting criteria were met.

In June 2023, the Company granted equity-classified warrants to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock with a ten-year term and an exercise price of $1.24. The September 2022 warrants vest as follows: (a) 50% vests upon execution of the agreement, provided the advisor does not terminate the agreement prior to the first anniversary of the agreement; and (b) 50% vests 60 days after the end of the one-year term, subject to the Company's Board of Directors determining that the services provided have been adequately performed. In June 2022, the Company granted equity-classified warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock with a ten-year term and an exercise price of $1.49$0.60 vesting annually over four years while services are being performed. 

 

In August 2021, the Company entered into a portfolio development advisory agreement with a related party entity, associated with Dr. Waldemar Priebe, and in connection with the agreement, the Company granted equity-classified warrants to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock with a ten-year term and an exercise price of $3.08. The August 2021 warrants vest as follows: (a) 50% vests upon execution of the agreement, provided the advisor does not terminate the agreement prior to the first anniversary of the agreement; and (b) 50% vests 60 days after the end of the one-year term, subject to the Company's Board of Directors determining that the services provided have been adequately performed. The Company's Board of Directors determined that the services had been adequately performed, and, as such, the August 2021 warrants are fully vested. In April 2021, the Company granted equity-classified warrants to purchase 71,500 shares of common stock with a five-year term and an exercise price of $3.63 vesting quarterly over five years while services are being performed. Additionally, both the April 2021 and August 2021 warrants vest in full if there is a change of control event, as defined in the agreements.

At September 30, 2023, the Company had 896,501 equity classified warrants outstanding and 424,084 warrants were exercisable. At December 31, 2022, the Company had 646,501 equity classified warrants outstanding and 272,284 warrants were exercisable. At December 31, 2021, the Company had 396,502 equity classified warrants outstanding and 186,560400,859 warrants were exercisable.

 

10

The Company recorded stock compensation expense for equity classified warrantsthe non-employee consulting agreements of $232,000$50,000 and $422,000$232,000 for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively, and $398,000and $432,000$142,000 and $398,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively. At September 30, 20222023, there was $507,000$446,000 of unrecognized stock compensation expense related to the Company's equity classified warrants.

 

5. Equity 

 

2022 Stock IssuancesLincoln Park Equity Line

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 20222023, pursuant to the 2021 Lincoln Park purchase agreement, the Company issued to Lincoln Park 225,568 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $0.2 million. The 2021 Lincoln Park Agreement, which has $19.8 million available as of September 30, 2023, terminates in June 2024.

Other Components of Equity 

In March 2023, the Company and WPD Pharmaceuticals (WPD) agreed to terminate the WPD Agreement (defined below). Pursuant to the termination, the Company agreed to pay WPD (or its designees) $700,000 in cash and shares of its common stock valued at $800,000. In March 2023, the Company issued 822,115 shares of common stock to WPD (or its designee) as part of satisfying this commitment. See Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company issued 49,489134,933 shares of common stock related to the vesting of restricted stock units.

 

2021 Stock Issuances

In June 2021, the Company entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (2021 ATM Agreement) with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Pursuant to the terms of the 2021 ATM Agreement, the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through Oppenheimer shares of the Company's common stock with an aggregate sales price of up to $50.0 million. As of the date of this report, there have been no issuances under the 2021 ATM Agreement.

10

In June 2021, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Lincoln Park agreed to purchase from the Company up to $20.0 million of common stock (subject to certain limitations) from time to time during the term of the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, at the time the Company signed the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 107,788 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park as an initial fee for its commitment to purchase shares of the Company's common stock under the Purchase Agreement, and has agreed to issue Lincoln Park up to an additional 53,893 shares of common stock as commitment shares pro-rata when and if Lincoln Park purchases (at our discretion) the $20.0 million aggregate commitment. The initial commitment shares issued in June 2021 were valued at $0.4 million, recorded as an addition to equity for the issuance of common stock and treated as a reduction to equity as a cost of capital to be raised under the Purchase Agreement.

In February 2021, the Company entered into an underwritten public offering for the sale by the Company of 14,273,684 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $4.75 per share and granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,141,052 shares of common stock offered in the public offering, which was exercised. The Company received total proceeds of $78.0 million, prior to deducting the underwriting discount and other estimated offering expenses. In January 2021 the Company issued 468,684 shares for gross proceeds of $2.9 million using the Company's 2020 At The Market Agreement (2020 ATM Agreement) with Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. The Company terminated the 2020 ATM Agreement on February 2, 2021. 

Stock-Based Compensation and Outstanding Awards

 

The 2015 Stock Plan as amended and approved by the Company's stockholders in May 2022, provides for the grant of stock options, stock awards, stock unit awards, and stock appreciation rights.rights to employees, non-employee directors and consultants. In May 2023 and 2022, the 2015 Stock Plan (the Plan) was amended to authorize an additional 1,750,000 shares and 2,000,000 shares, respectively, such that 5,500,000 total shares may be issued under the Plan. As of September 30, 20222023, there werewer 752,296 se 27,752 sharhareses remaining to be issued under the 2015 Stock Plan. 

 

Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively, consists of the following componentsis as follows (table in thousands): 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

General and administrative

 $378 $443 $1,089 $1,085  $346 $378 $1,094 $1,089 

Research and development

  321  534  651  732   147  321  411  651 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 $699  $977  $1,740  $1,817  $493  $699  $1,505  $1,740 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 20222023, the Company grantegrantedd 842,832 stock 1,496,000 stock options with a weighted average fair value of $1.26 $0.49 per share and 979,376 shares of restricted stock units with a weighted average fair value of $0.60 per share. These stock options have a weighted average exercise price of $1.49 per share, which optionsof $0.60 and vest over a oneone to four-year year period from the grant date on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in substance, multiple awards. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company granted 452,334period. The restricted stock units with a weighted average fair value of $1.49 per share, that vest over aannually in four year period from the grant date on a straight line basis over the requisite service period.equal installments. 

 

6. Income Taxes  

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

 

The Company does not expect to pay any significant federal, state, or foreign income taxes in 20222023 as a result of the losses recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and the additional losses expected for the remainder of 20222023 and cumulative net operating loss carryforwards. Accounting standards require the consideration of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that some component or all of the benefits of deferred tax assets will not be realized. As a result, as of September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022 the Company maintained a full valuation allowance for all deferred tax assets.

 

The Company recorded no income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 is 0%nil. The income tax rates vary from the federal and state statutory rates primarily due to the change in fair value of the stock warrants, Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) limitations and ISO activity, as well as the valuation allowances on the Company’s deferred tax assets. The Company estimates its annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly period. Jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year where no tax benefit can be recognized due to the valuation allowance could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter depending on the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

 

11

 
 

7. Commitments and Contingencies

 

In addition to the commitments and contingencies described elsewhere in these notes, see below for a discussion of the Company's commitments and contingencies as of September 30, 20222023.

 

Lease Obligations Payable

 

The following summarizes quantitative information about the Company's operating leases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively (table in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Lease cost:

  

Operating lease cost

 $33 $29 $91 $87  $34 $33 $99 $91 

Variable lease cost

  7  7  22  22   5  7  19  22 

Total

 $40  $36  $113  $109  $39  $40  $118  $113 

In September 2023, the Company executed an amendment to extend the corporate office lease until August 31, 2029, with an option to renew. The Company is required to remit base monthly rent of approximately $4,700 which will increase at an average approximate rate of 2% each year. The Company is also required to pay additional rent in the form of its pro-rata share of certain specified operating expenses of the building. 

 

In June 2022, the Company extended the Lab Lease for its lab spacelease until September 30, 2027, with no further right or option to renew. The Company will continue to be required to remit base monthly rent which will increase at an average approximate rate of 3% per year. The Company recorded approximately$12,000 and $10,000 $12,000 in sublease income from a related party for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively, and $32,000$37,000 and $31,000$32,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively. Sublease income is recorded as other income, net on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. Operating cash flows from operating leases was $21,000 $34,000 and $35,000$21,000 for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively, and $91,000 and$109,000 a $103,000nd $91,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively.

 

Licenses

 

MD Anderson - Total expenses related to the Company's license agreements with MD Anderson werewere $64,000 and $56,000 forfor the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022and $189,000respectively, and $193,000 and $150,000$189,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively.

 

HPI - The Company has two agreements with a related party, Houston Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (HPI). The first agreement, which was renewed in May 2022, continues a prior consulting arrangement with HPI and requires payments of $43,500 per quarter. The second agreement, which can be cancelled with total expenses osixty days' notice by either party, allows access to laboratory equipment owned by HPIf $59,000 for a payment of $15,000 per quarter. Total expenses related to the Company's agreements with HPI were $59,000 efor eachach of the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively, and $176,000 for each of the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022., respectively.

 

Sponsored Research Agreements - In June 2022,October 2023, the Company entered into a newan amendment to the Sponsored Research Agreement with MD Anderson for a total paymentpayments of $1.3$0.8 million to support the continuation of the project through December 31, 2024.2025. In addition, the Company also has Sponsored Research Agreements with other universities, one in the US and one in Europe. TotalThe expenses related torecognized under the Company's Sponsored Research Agreementsagreements were $315,000$221,000 and $220,000$315,000 for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively, and $552,000 and $815,000 and $498,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively.

 

License Terminations -

The Company was party to a sublicense agreement with WPD, pursuant to which it sublicensed to WPD certain intellectual property rights, including rights to Annamycin, its WP1122 portfolio, and its WP1066 portfolio (as amended, the “WPD Agreement”). WPD is affiliated with Dr. Waldemar Priebe, the Company's founder. In March 2023, the Company and WPD agreed to terminate the WPD Agreement and agreed to pay WPD (or its designee) $700,000 in cash and shares of its common stock valued at $800,000. In March 2023, the Company issued 822,115 shares of common stock to WPD's designee as part of satisfying this commitment. With the termination of the WPD Agreement, the Company now has acquired the rights in certain territories previously sub-licensed to WPD to all of its licensed intellectual property, other than the rights related to non-human animals. Additionally, the Company acquired the in-process research and development that WPD has created during the term of the agreement.

In February 2022, the Company and Exploration Invest Pte Ltd. (Exploration) entered into a license termination agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay Exploration $400,000 to terminate certain License Agreements and extend confidentiality requirements until the 10-year anniversary of the license termination agreement. Additionally,Total expenses, reflected in March 2021, the Company determined the stability of WP1732, a molecule in the WP1066 Portfolio was less than satisfactoryresearch and as such, in March 2021 the Company terminated its license for WP1732 with MD Anderson. In October 2022, the Company entered into a two-year option on a license for WP1732. Totaldevelopment expenses, related to the Company's license terminations were zero$1.5 million and $0.4 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2022 and2021, and $400,000 and zero for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively.

 

8. Subsequent Events

 

In addition to the subsequent events discussed elsewhere in these notes, no other subsequent events were noted as occurring after September 30, 20222023.

 

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

 

This Form 10-Q, including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains certain forward-looking statements. Historical results may not indicate future performance. Our forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.

 

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

 Our ability to continue our relationship with MD Anderson, including, but not limited to, our ability to maintain current licenses and license future intellectual property resulting from our sponsored research agreements with MD Anderson;
 The success or the lack thereof, including the ability to recruit subjects on a timely basis, for a variety of reasons, of our clinical trials through all phases of clinical development;
 Our ability to satisfy any requirements imposed by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) (or its foreign equivalents) as a condition of our clinical trials proceeding or beginning as planned;
 

World-wide events including the warwars in Ukraine and in Israel, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the general supply chain shortages effects on our clinical trials, clinical drug candidate supplies, preclinical activities and our ability to raise future financing;

 

Our ability to obtain additional funding to commence or continue our clinical trials, fund operations and develop our product candidates;

 

The need to obtain and retain regulatory approval of our drug candidates, both in the United States and in Europe, and in countries deemed necessary for future trials;

 

Our ability to complete our clinical trials in a timely fashion and within our expected budget and resources;

Our ability to source our drug products at reasonable prices;
 

Compliance with obligations under intellectual property licenses with third parties;

 

Any delays in regulatory review and approval of drug candidates in clinical development;

 Potential efficacy of our drug candidates;
 

Our ability to commercialize our drug candidates;

 

Market acceptance of our drug candidates;

 

Competition from existing therapies or new therapies that may emerge;

 

Potential product liability claims;

 

Our dependency on third-party manufacturers to successfully, and timely, supply or manufacture our drug candidates for our preclinical work and our clinical trials;

 

Our ability to establish or maintain collaborations, licensing or other arrangements;

 

The ability of our sublicense partners to successfully develop our product candidates in accordance with our sublicense agreements;

Our ability and third parties’ abilities to protect intellectual property rights;

 

Our ability to adequately support future growth; and

 

Our ability to attract and retain key personnel to manage our business effectively.

 

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, including any changes that might result from any facts, events, or circumstances after the date hereof that may bear upon forward-looking statements. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance, or achievements.

 

Our Business

 

We are a clinical stage pharmaceutical company with a growing pipeline, ofincluding Phase 2 clinical programs for the treatment of highly resistanthard-to-treat cancers and viruses. We have three core technologies, each of which have had one or more drugs successfully complete a Phase 1 clinical trial, based substantially on discoveries made at and licensed from MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) in Houston, Texas. We haveThree of our six drug candidates three of which have now shown human activity in clinical trials and are currently in Phase 1B/2 or Phase 2 clinical trials. Since our inception, our drugs have completed, are currently in, or have received approval to proceed in eleven clinical trials.

 

Our Core Technologies

 

Our core technologies consist of the following:

a) Annamycin or L-Annamycin is a “next generation” anthracycline designed to eliminate the cardiotoxicity associated with currently prescribed anthracyclines (Annamycin has no material cardiotoxicity noted by a specialist in subjects treated and reviewed to date in Moleculin’s clinical trials), while also significantly increasing, as shown in animal studies, drug accumulation in certain key targeted organs (such as the lungs, pancreas and liver) and avoiding multidrug resistance mechanisms when compared in non-human studies with doxorubicin (one of the most commonly used anthracyclines); common forms of chemotherapy), designed to be different than currently approved anthracyclines, which are limited in utility because of cardiotoxicity risks and their susceptibility to multidrug resistance mechanisms. Annamycin was designed to avoid multidrug resistance and to be non-cardiotoxic and has shown no cardiotoxicity in subjects treated in clinical trials to date. Furthermore, we have demonstrated safe dosing beyond the dose limitations imposed by regulatory authorities upon currently prescribed anthracyclines due to their inherent cardiotoxicity;

b) our WP1066 Portfolio, which includes WP1066 and WP1220, two of several Immune/Transcription Modulators in the portfolio designed to inhibit p-STAT3 (phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription)transcription 3) among other transcription factors associated with tumor activity, while also stimulating a natural immune response to tumors by inhibiting the errant activity of Regulatory T-Cells (TRegs); and

c) our WP1122 Portfolio, which contains compounds (including WP1122, WP1096, and WP1097) designed to exploit amongst other uses, the potential uses of inhibitors of glycolysis such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), which we believe may provide an opportunity to cut off the fuel supply of tumors by taking advantage of their high level of dependence on glucose in comparison to healthy cells, as well as target the roles ofviruses that depend upon glycolysis and glycosylation in viruses.to infect and replicate.

In discussions regarding Annamycin’s lack of cardiotoxicity, we rely on our expert's assessment of certain clinical trial subject data including LVEF, ECHO strain analyses, and cardiac biomarkers – troponins I & T and our pre-clinical and clinical data, some of which are preliminary and subject to change.

 

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Our Focus

We are focused on internally funded development of:

1) Annamycin for the treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma metastasized to the lungs (STS lung metastases or STS lung mets)

2) Annamycin in combination with Cytarabine (also known as Ara-C, the combination with Annamycin is referred to as AnnAraC) for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (R/R AML or AML).

3) A better formulation for delivery of WP1066 to further support current and possibly future externally funded oncology clinical trials. 

We have also recently established a Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) for WP1122 to potentially enable future externally funded oncology and virology trials. Beyond this, we support development of our core technologies through several externally funded clinical trials and primarily externally funded non-clinical research, with the potential for further studies in the future.

Our Clinical Trials

In the US and Europe, since our inception, we or independent investigators have approval to begin, are currently conducting or have completed eleven internally or externally funded clinical trials for four of our drug candidates – Annamycin, WP1066, WP1220, and WP1122. All clinical trials are or were in the Phase 1 or 2 stage. During 2021, we had four active clinical trials evaluating either Annamycin or WP1066 in the US and Europe. This increased to six active or recently completed trials in 2022 involving Annamycin, WP1066, and WP1122. Starting in 2021 through 2023, there have been seven "right-to-try" (or their foreign equivalent) uses of Annamycin and WP1066. Three of the six clinical trials active in 2022 were internally funded trials of Annamycin and one was an internally funded Phase 1 clinical trial for WP1122 establishing an RP2D.

Moving into 2023 with our internally funded trials focused on Annamycin, we were actively recruiting in two Phase 1B/2 stage clinical trials and have concluded one Phase 1 trial. We have recently concluded recruitment and treatment in one of the Phase 1B/2 trials but are still monitoring progression free survival and overall survival. This now leaves only one Phase 1B/2 clinical trial active with regard to recruiting and treatment. Both of these Phase 1B/2 clinical trials are open label, so we periodically announce safety and efficacy data.

In February 2023, the externally funded Phase 1 clinical trial with WP1066 for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors concluded. We expect up to two externally funded Phase 1B/2 clinical trials for WP1066 in the treatment of GBM and other brain tumors in the first half of 2024. One more pediatric clinical trial may occur later subject to the results of the other two possible clinical trials.

During 2022 and 2023, we or independent investigators filed applications, began recruiting or are currently recruiting for six internally or externally funded clinical trials in the US and Europe.

Annamycin - A clinical trial application (CTA) in Poland for a Phase 1B/2 trial of Annamycin in combination with Cytarabine (the combination of which is referred to as AnnAraC) for the treatment of AML (MB-106) was allowed in 2022. This trial was later approved to expand into Italy in 2022 and dosing subjects began there in March 2023. With preclinical data in mice demonstrating a 68% improvement in activity in AML with AnnAraC as compared to Annamycin alone and having concluded our single agent trials of Annamycin in AML showing 80% activity in the highest dosing cohort, we are now focusing our efforts in AML exclusively on this combination trial. This trial is currently recruiting and treating subjects via 9 clinical sites throughout Poland and Italy.
Annamycin - We are currently in a Phase 1B/2 clinical trial (MB-107) using Annamycin for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma lung metastasese (STS lung mets). This multicenter trial is being conducted in five clinical sites throughout the US. We have concluded recruitment and treatment but are still monitoring progression free survival and overall survival.
Annamycin - An investigator sponsored trial (externally funded) was initiated in Poland in 2022 to study an alternative dosing regimen for Annamycin in the treatment of STS lung mets. This trial began administering drug to subjects in late 2022 and is currently recruiting and treating subjects.
WP1066 -In 2022, an investigational new drug (IND) application we filed in the US for a Phase 1 clinical trial studying WP1066 for treating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in adults went into effect. We anticipate that clinics associated with academic institutions or other health care systems may utilize this IND to begin their own externally funded trials with WP1066. Consistent with our strategy of leveraging external funding for many of our clinical trials, we intend to capitalize on external funding opportunities for investigator-initiated clinical trials in adult cancer patients in late 2023 or in 2024. We supplied drug product to an externally funded pediatric brain tumor trial with WP1066 up to its conclusion in February 2023.
WP1122 - Our Phase 1a clinical trial of WP1122 in the United Kingdom for the treatment of COVID-19 (MB-301) began recruiting in 2022, and we completed the trial in late 2022, establishing an RP2D. We completed this trial, and we have issued a clinical study report (CSR). The RP2D established in this trial may possibly aid in future externally funded trials for the treatment of certain viruses and cancers as we look for investigator led studies.
WP1122 - In 2022, we filed an IND with the FDA that then went into effect, allowing us to proceed with a clinical trial using WP1122 for the treatment of GBM. This may lead to an investigator-initiated trial (IIT) in oncology. Additionally, an investigator independently filed a CTA in Brazil in 2022 to study WP1122 for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 (Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT NCT05365321). We do not expect this externally funded COVID-19 trial to be conducted.

Additionally, we are in discussions with research institutions in the US and Asia regarding possible externally funded trials or programs involving WP1066.

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Recent Business Developments 

 

Below are recent business developments.

 

Annamycin

 

Received AdditionalNew Positive Independent Report Supporting Non-cardiotoxicity of No Cardiotoxicity in Annamycin

In September 2023, we received a new independent assessment for the absence of cardiotoxicity in subjects treated with Annamycin. We now have independent assessments covering 62 subjects that have been treated with Annamycin in Recent Subjectsfour different clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe with no evidence of cardiotoxicity. 50 of all 66 subjects treated to date (which includes the 62 subjects independently assessed) were treated above the FDA’s lifetime maximum anthracycline limit of 550 mg/m2, with 1 subject having been treated with 3420 mg/m2 (or roughly six times the FDA approved lifetime anthracycline exposure) of standard anthracyclines and Annamycin with no evidence of cardiotoxicity.

 

On October 11, 2022, we received another reportData from an independent cardiology expert assessing recent subjects in two of our trials (fifth cohort in MB-105 and the first four cohorts in MB-107) covering 18 subjects. This assessment concluded with “there was no preliminary signal of excessive cardiotoxicity (indeed, no cardiotoxicity) with Annamycin at the administered doses in this dataset.” This brings a total of 42all subjects in our threecompleted and all evaluable subjects in our ongoing clinical trials utilizing Annamycin where(a total of 62 subjects as of the most recent report) were made available to an expert in chemotherapy who is affiliated with a leading research institute in assessing chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity. After review of this data, the independent expert, in their most recent report, concluded that there was no evidence of cardiotoxicity has been identified by an independent expert cardiologist. All expert reviewscardiotoxicity.

The data made available included analysis ofleft ventricular ejection fraction echo(LVEF) as determined by echocardiograms, ECHO strain imaging, and certain troponinTroponin levels. “ECHO strain imaging” is a method in echocardiography (medical ultrasound) for measuring regional or global deformation (contraction or beating) of the myocardium (heart muscle). By strain rate imaging, the simultaneous function of different regions can be displayed and measured. Cardiac health biomarkers such as blood Troponin levels intended to assess theare considered an indicator of potential for both acute and chroniclong-term heart damage. We will, of course, continue to gather these and other data as our trials continue, as they are essential to ultimately demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of Annamycin.

 

For the Treatment of Soft Tissue SarcomaLung Metastases

Enrolled First Subjects and Began Treatment in the MB-107 Phase 2 Portion of Phase 1b//2 Study ofMB-106 Annamycin In Subjects With Previously Treated Soft Tissue Sarcomas With Pulmonary Metastases

During the third quarter of 2022, we treated in a Phase 2 portion of the MB-107 Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of Annamycin for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) lung metastases the first three subjects at 360 mg/m2. Due to adverse events (primarily myelosuppression, which is anticipated with high doses of anthracycline therapy) in the first three subjects, we lowered the Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) to 330 mg/m2 in October 2022 and we believe that this lower dose will enable continued treatment of subjects with fewer interruptions. Our experience with subjects in the Phase 1b portion of this trial suggested that while 360 mg/m2 may be tolerated by subjects initially, continued treatment may be delayed or interrupted due to adverse events, primarily myelosuppression, hence lowering the dose from 360 mg/m2 to 330 mg/m2 was contemplated in advance of beginning the Phase 2 expansion pending results from the first three subjects in the expansion phase. We expect to treat at least 25 subjects in this Phase 2 portion of the clinical trial. In October 2022, we began dosing the first subject at this new RP2D and enrolled a second subject.

In this trial, Annamycin is being used to treat subjects who had prior anthracycline therapy. Accordingly, each of the three subjects treated at 360 mg/m2 had disease progression following prior treatment. In these first three subjects treated at 360 mg/m2, we have received the following preliminary data from the sites:

-

The first subject received two cycles of Annamycin at 360 mg/m2 but with a two-week delay between the two cycles due to myelosuppression. The end of cycle 2 scan showed that the target lesions were stable but there was disease progression with new lesions.

-

The second subject received two cycles with the second cycle reduced to 330 mg/m2 due to myelosuppression. We do not have the data from the end of cycle 2 scan.

-

The third subject received one cycle and had a serious adverse event (also myelosuppression) and exited the study. Based on a clinical exam, the subject was deemed to have disease progression upon exit.

First Subjects Treated in the Phase 1b Portion of an Externally Funded Phase 1b/2 Clinical Trial with Annamycin Weekly Dosing for the Treatment of STS With Pulmonary Metastases

On October 28, 2022, we were notified that the two subjects were dosed in the Phase 1b/2 Study of Liposomal Annamycin (L-Annamycin) in subjects with previously treated soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) with pulmonary metastases at the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology. We are collaborating with WPD Pharmaceuticals (WPD) and physicians in Poland in this physician-sponsored clinical trial in Europe. The grant-funded clinical trial is led by Prof. Piotr Rutkowski, MD, PhD, Head of Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma at the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology in Warsaw, Poland, and it is operated independently of our study in the US. The trial will use a dosing regimen of once weekly for three weeks in a 28-day cycle rather than once every 21 days as in the US trial.

Concludes Phase 1b and Opens Phase 2 Recruitment in MB-107 Phase 1b/2 Clinical Trial of Annamycin for the Treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Lung Metastases

On July 28, 2022, we announced that with five US sites active in our MB-107 clinical trial, the safety review of the fourth cohort in a dose escalation clinical trial evaluating Annamycin for the treatment of STS lung metastases was completed, thus concluding the Phase 1b portion of our U.S. Phase 1b/2 clinical trial. The trial began in June of 2021. Preliminary results from the study continue to document clinical activity for Annamycin in the treatment of STS. The safety review committee (SRC) deemed the dose of 390 mg/m2 to be safe after conclusion of the fourth cohort. Notwithstanding that this dose level was deemed to be safe, tolerability issues present at the 390 mg/m2 dose level caused delays in follow-on cycles and the reduction of subsequent doses, suggesting that a RP2D below 390 mg/m2 was warranted.

Consistent with the recommendation of the SRC, we determined that the RP2D will be 360 mg/m2 for the first three subjects in the Phase 2 portion of the study. The SRC will then review the clinical safety data at this dose and determine whether the RP2D should be further reduced to 330 mg/m2 prior to proceeding with the additional 22 subjects. See section above “—Enrolled First Subjects and Began Treatment in the MB-107 Phase 2 Portion of Phase 1b//2 Study of Annamycin In Subjects With Previously Treated Soft Tissue Sarcomas With Pulmonary Metastases” for discussion regarding final determination of RP2D. In addition to continuing to assess safety, including gathering additional information about short-term side effects and possible risks, this Phase 2 portion of the study will also explore the efficacy of Annamycin as a single agent for the treatment of subjects with STS lung metastases for whom prior chemotherapy has failed, and for whom new chemotherapy is considered appropriate.

In the Phase 1b portion of the study, fifteen subjects were enrolled and treated per the protocol in four cohorts to determine the maximum tolerable dose and/or the RP2D. Of the fifteen subjects, all received prior anthracycline treatment and had disease progression prior to entering our study. Each cohort had three subjects, except for the fourth cohort, which (per the protocol) was expanded to six subjects after a dose-limiting toxicity occurred in a single subject. Up to twenty-eight subjects, to account for potential over enrollment, will be enrolled at the RP2D in Phase 2 to focus more on quantifying efficacy as well as providing additional safety information.

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For the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Opened Enrollment in the Phase 1 Portion of the Phase 1/2 Study of Annamycinin Combination with Cytarabine for the Treatment of Subjects with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) That is Refractory to or Relapsed After InductionAML (5+3 Therapy)

 

On September 29, 2022,May 2, 2023, we opened enrollment and began screening subjects at one siteannounced successful completion of the first cohort in Poznan, Poland in theour Phase 11B portion of theour Phase 1/1B/2 study ofclinical trial using Annamycin in combination with Cytarabine (Ara-C) for the treatment of AML (MB-106). This study is utilizing a “5+3” regimen where Annamycin is administered with three days of infusion along with the five days of infusion of Cytarabine. This combination strategy is similar to the familiar “7+3” induction therapy that is considered to be a standard of care in AML, where seven days of Cytarabine infusions are paired with three days of an approved anthracycline (typically, daunorubicin). In the first cohort 3 subjects were treated, all of whom were relapsed from multiple prior therapies. Annamycin was dosed at 190 mg/m2, along with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)Cytarabine at 2.0 g/m2/day for five days (total dose of 10g/m2). We, at the recommendation of the safety review committee, deemed the first cohort dose as safe and opened the second cohort with the Annamycin dose being increased to 230 mg/m2

The median number of prior therapies for these 3 subjects in the first cohort was five (range of one to ten). 1 subject, who was 78 years of age at the time of the study initiation and enrolled after a single prior multi-year therapy, achieved a CR that has continued to be durable at approximately eight months. This subject has received a second course of treatment at the direction of the treating physician and as allowed per the protocol. The other 2 subjects were shown to have disease progression.

On August 7, 2023, we successfully completed the second cohort at 230 mg/m2 of Annamycin in this combination study. 4 subjects were treated in this cohort, 1 is believed to be relapsed from one or more prior therapies and 3 are believed to be refractory from up to three prior therapies. 1 subject was replaced due to a Serious Adverse Event (SAE) experienced on Day 1 of dosing. The SAE was determined to be unrelated to Annamycin and definitively related to Cytarabine. We, at the recommendation of the safety review committee, deemed the second cohort dose as safe and opened recruitment, including for both first line therapy and for subjects who are refractory to or relapsed after induction therapy, (MB-106)to the Phase 2 portion of the trial. The median number of prior therapies for the 3 evaluable subjects in the second cohort was two (range of one to three) and the median age was 67. 1 subject, who was 64 years of age at the time of enrollment into the study with one prior therapy, was preliminarily recorded as a complete response with an incomplete recovery of the bone marrow or CRi per the protocol. This has since been deemed a CR (complete response), which has shown to be durable for approximately three months, which has allowed this subject to proceed to a bone marrow transplant. The other 2 subjects were shown to have disease progression. Durability of CRs is confirmed by repeat bone marrow aspirates (BMA's)We plan to open additional sites for this study in Poland and other European countries.

 

Received Allowance to Proceed withThe total CRs in the Phase 1/2 Study1B portion of Annamycin in Combination with Cytarabine (AnnAraC) for the Treatmentthis combination trial represent 33% (n=6). Notably, these CRs are considered durable. The median age of Acute Myeloid Leukemiathese subjects was 66.

 

On May 5, 2022,October 2, 2023, we announced that we received allowance from the Polish Department of Registration of Medicinal Products (URPL), as well as the requisite Ethics Committee approval, to proceed with our Phase 1/2 clinical trial in Poland of Annamycin in combination with Ara-Cinitial subjects had been treated in the treatment of subjects with AML who are refractory to or relapsed after induction therapy. The Phase 1/2 AnnAraC trial (MB-106), an open label trial, builds on the safety and dosage data from the two successfully concluded single agent Annamycin AML Phase 1 trials (MB-104 and MB-105) in the U.S. and Europe, respectively, and the preclinical data from our sponsored research studies.

Presented Positive Preclinical Annamycin Data at the AACR 2022 Annual Meeting

On April 8, 2022, we announced that preclinical data of Annamycin tested in syngeneic models of metastatic colorectal cancer established in lungs or liver was accepted for poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2022, which was held April 8-13, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The objective of this animal study was to assess the efficacy of Annamycin in experimental colorectal cancer liver and lung metastasis models. The efficacy of Annamycin was tested in syngeneic models of metastatic colorectal cancer established in lungs or liver. Annamycin exhibited robust antitumor activity in both models. We believe this study demonstrating efficacy of Annamycin in colorectal cancer models provides compelling evidence for further preclinical development aimed at supporting the initiation of clinical studies in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. 

WP1066

Emory University Phase 1 Pediatric Brain Tumor Clinical Trial Recruits Last Subject

In 2021, Emory University researchers filed and received clearance to proceed with an IND for a trial to treat children and young adults (up to age 25) with recurrent or refractory malignant brain tumors without a known cure with WP1066. This trial, which is externally funded except for study drug supplied by us, is being conducted at the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. In October 2022, the Emory trial enrolled the last subject in the last cohort at 8 mg/kg. Discussions are underway to explore WP1066 in combination with radiation on similar tumors in a Phase 2 clinical trial inportion of MB-106. The data below are as reported by the near future.

Continued Discussions with Two Academic Institutions Regarding WP1066 for the Treatmentinvestigation sites as of Brain Tumors

During the third calendar quarter of 2022, we continued discussions with two academic institutions in separate programs for the treatment of brain tumors. We expect one to be a Phase 1b/Phase 2 Clinical Trial with WP1066 combined with radiation for the treatment of adult glioblastoma. We expect this trial to begin in the first half ofNovember 9, 2023. The other, we expect, will focus on the use of WP1066 for an expanded access program for gliomas that harbor G34R mutations, and we expect this program to begin in the first half of 2023.

Continued Compassionate Use of WP1066

 

We have receivedrecruited, treated, and participatedevaluated 3 subjects in five compassionate use applications with the FDA or foreign equivalent involving WP1066 since 2021 with fourPhase 2 portion of the trial. 1 subject has been evaluated and determined to be a CR. We will assess durability in the near future. Another subject in the Phase 2 portion died from a stroke (deemed not be related to Annamycin) prior to being re-biopsied to determine disease status. The third has undergone a re-biopsy which shows zero blasts in the marrow and that data is now being assessed by the investigator. This latest subject is not included in the chart below. The median age of the first two subjects is 69 years (range of 69 to 70) and the median number of prior therapies for these subjects is three (both are three). Other subjects in the Phase 2 portion of the trial are in the process of screening and treatment. We intend to treat up to 21 subjects in this Phase 2 portion of the trial. We may recruit an additional 3 subjects depending on recruitment. At our rate of recruitment plus the addition of another three sites for the trial, we expect to complete recruitment by early 2024.

The total CR response rate in both Phases to date in MB-106 is 38% (n=8), and although sufficient time has not passed to assess durability for the latest of these occurring in 2022. TheseCRs, the 2 earliest CRs have included adultnow shown durability. The median baseline bone marrow assessments for the 3 CRs was 74.2 (range of 20 to 80). CRc is used to denote composite complete responses including CRs and pediatric subjects both in the US and in Europe.CRis.

 

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Moved IntravenousBelow in Table 1 is a summary of the above responses in MB-106 and Other Formulations of WP1066 into Preclinical Testingin the concluded MB-105 monotherapy trial on AML.

Table 1 – Summary of Annamycin Responses in AML Studies

Study

Study MB-105 Monotherapy – Last Cohort at 240 mg/m2 (RP2D)

Study MB-106 Combination Therapy – Phase 1B (Annamycin at 190-230 mg/m2)

Study MB-106 Combination Therapy – Phase 2 To Date (Annamycin at 230 mg/m2)

Study MB-106 Combination Therapy – Phase 1B/2 To Date (Annamycin at 190-230 mg/m2)

Therapy

Annamycin – Single Agent

Ara-C + Annamycin “5+3+

Ara-C + Annamycin “5+3+

Ara-C + Annamycin “5+3+

Subjects To date

5

6

2

8

CRs

0

2

1

3

CRis

3

0

0

0

Total Response(s) or CRcs

3

2

1

3

Complete Response (CR) Rate0%33%50%38%

Overall Response (CRc) Rate

60%

33%

50%

38%

Median Prior Therapies (Months of Therapy))

6 (N/A)

2.5 (9)

3 (6)

3 (9)

Median Age - Years (Range)

65 (62-73)

66 (32-78)

69 (69-70)

68 (32-78)

Durability of CRs

Not followed

Approximately 8 and 3 months, respectively, to date for the 2 CRs

Not Available at This Time

See Data to Left

N/A - (Not available)

For subjects receiving a full course of Annamycin   

All data presented above from the MB-106 trial are preliminary and subject to change.

 

Starting in 2020, we began developing an appropriate intravenous (IV) formulation for WP1066 or its analogs. As a result of these studies, we believe the lead molecule WP1066 may be our best candidate in this portfolio for intravenous administration, and efforts are underway to identify and optimize the best strategy for IV delivery. In the third quarter of 2022, we identified two IV formulas to move into preclinical testing while working on improving oral delivery as well. We believe our WP1066 Portfolio represents a novel class of agents capable of focusing on multiple targets, including the activated form of a key oncogenic transcription factor, STAT3.

Received IND Clearance to Conduct Phase 1 Study of WP1066 MB-107 Annamycin Monotherapy for the Treatment of Recurrent Malignant GliomaSTS Lung Mets

On April 21, 2022, we announced that we received allowance from the FDA for our Investigative New Drug (IND) application to study WP1066 for the treatment of recurrent malignant glioma. With this IND now cleared, we plan to evaluate strategic partnerships and collaborations to conduct a Phase 1 open label, single arm, dose escalation study of the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of oral WP1066 in adult subjects with recurrent malignant glioma. We expect the clearance of this IND to further support the ongoing pediatric studies being conducted by a team at Emory University, and we are evaluating the potential for additional externally funded investigator-initiated studies, including those mentioned above.

WP1122

Concluded Phase 1a in Clinical Trial of WP1122 in the UK with a MTD of a Daily Dose of 32mg/kg

In late October 2022 after further review of the data and in discussions with our clinical team, we determined that the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for WP1122 is a daily cumulative dose of 32 mg/kg in two divided doses for seven days, and we concluded the Phase 1a Clinical Trial of WP1122. We believe this will advance future studies of WP1122 in antiviral and oncology indications. With an IND active for WP1122 for the treatment of glioblastoma and a COVID-19 investigator sponsored trial in Brazil in the approval process, we have concluded that advancing WP1122 in these indications will occur only if external funds are available. We will begin to close out the Phase 1a study and generate the clinical study report. With this Phase 1a study coming to a successful conclusion earlier than expected, and with our decision to limit further development to studies for which external funding is available, we believe we are positioned to reduce the use of internal funds on WP1122.

Updated Second Multiple Ascending Dose (MAD) Cohort in Phase 1a Clinical Trial of WP1122 in the UK

On October 14, 2022, we provided an update on the preliminary results from the second multiple ascending dose (MAD) cohort of our first-in-human Phase 1a study of WP1122. This cohort consisted of an initial 4 subjects, who were scheduled to be dosed daily for 7 days with 64 mg/kg/day of WP1122 or placebo in the dose escalation trial evaluating the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of WP1122 in healthy volunteers in the United Kingdom (UK). In conjunction with the study safety review committee, we stopped the second MAD cohort when 2 subjects experienced non-serious adverse events that, although asymptomatic, met the stoppage criteria in the protocol. Although we considered the potential to open a third MAD cohort (2a) to dose subjects at a reduced dose level of 48mg/kg, we subsequently determined that the primary objectives of this Phase 1a study had already been met by establishing a safe and tolerable dose and that continued testing with healthy volunteers would not be a wise use of resources.

WP1122 Portfolio Compound, WP1096, Selected for NIAID-Funded Animal Studies as Novel Potential Antiviral

 

On September 27, 2022,21, 2023, we announced that our WP1096 molecule (partthe completion of enrollment in the Phase 2 portion of our WP1122 portfolio of D-glucose and D-mannose antimetabolites) will be evaluated in animal studies through the preclinical services offered by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a part of the National Institutes of Health. 

Received FDA Orphan Drug Designation of WP1122 for the Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme

On September 6, 2022, we announced that the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation of WP1122U.S. Phase 1B/2 clinical trial evaluating Annamycin as monotherapy for the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme. soft tissue sarcoma lung metastases (MB107). Subjects who had stable disease at the time of study discontinuation will continue to be followed for progression free response and overall survival. All subjects had pulmonary metastasis from soft tissue sarcoma and at least one prior therapy. There was no limit on how many prior therapies a subject could have prior to entering this study. Most subjects were heavily treated with other therapies prior to entering our trial with our treatment representing the fourth median therapy for all subjects in the Phase 1B and Phase 2 portion of the trial (range of two to twelve). As of November 6, 2023, as reported by the investigation sites, most subjects in Phase 2 are alive so overall survival data are not available at this time. Below in Table 2 is a summary of progression free survival for evaluable subjects, as discussed further below, by groupings and median overall survival for all subjects evaluable in Phase 1B:

 

Completed Third Single Ascending Dose (SAD) Cohort in Phase 1a Clinical Trial of WP1122 in the UK

Table 2 

MB-107 Summary as of November 9, 2023   

Progression

Free Survival

Months (mos)

All

Subjects

Phase 1B

All

Subjects

Phase 2

All

Subjects

All Subjects

Treated at <

330 mg/m2

All Subjects

with 2 or Fewer

Prior Therapies

(< 2PT)

All Subjects <

330 mg/m2  &
< 2PT

1 mos or >

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

2 mos or >

59%

67%

53%

61%

83%

78%

3 mos or >

25%

27%

24%

30%

42%

56%

4 mos or >

16%

13%

18%

22%

25%

33%

5 mos or >

9%

7%

12%

13%

8%

11%

6 mos or >

6%

0%

12%

9%

8%

11%

n =

32

15

17

17

12

9

Median mos

2.2

2.6

2.0

2.1

2.7

3.4

Median Prior Therapies (Range)3 (1-11)3 (1-9)3 (1-11)3 (1-11)2 (1-2)2 (1-2)
       

Median O/S mos

N/A

11.3

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Overall survival (OS); Not available for Phase 2 subjects at this time, as data continues to develop (N/A)

 

On August 19, 2022, we announced preliminary resultsIn the Phase 1B portion of the trial subjects were treated from 210 mg/m2 to 390 mg/m2. In the third cohortPhase 2 portion of our first-in-human Phase 1a studythe trial, an exploratory RP2D of WP1122. This cohort consisted of 10 subjects dosed with 32360 mg/kg or placebo in the dose escalation trial evaluating the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of WP1122 in healthy volunteers in the United Kingdom (UK). Based on the overall results in Cohort 3, the Safety Review Committee (SRC)m2was initiated for the study deemed the third single ascending dose (SAD) cohort dose safefirst 3 subjects and well-tolerated, allowing us to begin our fourth SAD Cohort with a dose escalation to 64final RP2D of 330 mg/kg. Additionally, dosing of WP1122 in the multiple ascending dose (MAD) cohorts m2 was to commence at a total daily dose of 32 mg/kg, which had shown to be safe in the single dose cohort.determined and 14 subjects were treated.

 

16

 

Completed Second Single Ascending Dose (SAD) Cohort in Phase 1a Clinical Trial of WP1122Including the 3 subjects treated at the same dose in the UKPhase 1B portion of this trial, this equates to 17 total subjects measurable for efficacy at the 330 mg/m2 dose level. Including all measurable subjects at all dose levels in the Phase 1B portion of the trial, 32 subjects were treated with at least one cycle in this study and 27 received at least two cycles of treatment. For the Phase 2 subjects, the median time to entering the MB107 trial from the time of initial diagnosis is estimated to be approximately 20 months, and these subjects have been mostly heavily treated previously for STS lung mets prior to entering our study.

Once all data are collected, we plan a more in-depth presentation of the topline data for this study in 2024. The above information in Table 2 was shared with our investigators in a meeting held during the Connective Tissue Oncology Society Annual Meeting (CTOS) in Dublin, Ireland in early November 2023. Based on the data as shown in Table 2 above, we believe the following observations are in order:

Very few trials for subjects with such advanced (median = 20 months from initial diagnosis; all with lung metastases in MB-107) disease progression have been published, making comparisons to historical performance difficult.

With this in mind, median OS for subjects in the Phase 1B portion of this study is currently at 11 months, which we believe is notable.

Overall median Progression Free Survival (PFS) for the trial is 2.2 months (range 1.2 to 6.9 months) with 7 subjects discontinuing early due to thrombocytopenia. 5 of these subjects negatively impacted this median PFS, which we believe was exacerbated by the extreme advanced stage of the patients and their being weakened by prior therapies.

Median PFS improved to 3.4 months for lower doses of Annamycin (330 mg/m2) versus the maximum dose used in the trial and for subjects who had fewer prior therapies (<2).

These data suggest to us that Annamycin may be best positioned as a first line alternative to the current standard of care with an anthracycline and where the combination of high patient response rate, significant improvement in OS and the absence of cardiotoxicity may improve patient outcomes.

All data presented above from the MB-107 trial are preliminary and subject to change. 

WP1066

 

On July 8, 2022, we announced preliminary results from the second cohort of our first-in-human Phase 1a study of WP1122. This cohort consisted of 8 subjects dosedWe continue discussions with 16 mg/kg or placebo in the dose escalation trial evaluating the safetytwo US academic institutions and pharmacokinetics (PK) of WP1122 in healthy volunteers in the United Kingdom (UK). Based on the overall results in Cohort 2, the SRC deemed the second cohort dose safe and well-tolerated and began our SAD Cohort 3 with a dose escalation to 32 mg/kg.

Completed First Single Ascending Dose (SAD) Cohort in Phase 1a Clinical Trial of WP1122 in the UK

On June 16, 2022, we announced preliminary results from the first cohort of our first-in-human Phase 1a study of WP1122. This cohort consisted of 9 subjects dosed with 8 mg/kg or placebo in the dose escalation trial evaluating the safety and PK of WP1122 in healthy volunteers in the UK. Based on the overall results in Cohort 1, the SRC deemed the cohort dose safe and well-tolerated and began our SAD Cohort 2 with a dose escalation to 16 mg/kg.

Commenced Dosing in Healthy Volunteers in Phase 1a Clinical Trial of WP1122another foreign academic institution for externally funded trials for the Treatmentuse of COVID-19

On May 26, 2022, we announced the commencement of dosing in our first-in-human Phase 1a study to evaluate the safety and PK of WP1122 in healthy volunteersWP1066 for the treatment of COVID-19 (MB-301)glioblastomas and/or pediatric brain tumors. We expect to finalize agreements with Northwestern University and FDA filings in the second half of this year (Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT05879250). We do not expect the pediatric study to begin until an adult brain tumor trial commences and generates additional data.

Regarding an intravenous formula for WP1066, we continue to work towards and we believe we will be able to announce progress regarding an IV formulation near the end of 2023 or in early 2024.

 

Received Approval from the UKs Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for Protocol Amendment to Phase 1a Clinical Trial of WP1122 for the Treatment of COVID-19

 

On May 10, 2022, we announced that we received approvalWith the data generated from the UK's MHRAMB-301 clinical trial setting an RP2D for WP1122 and additional sponsored research, we continue to proceed with a first-in-human Phase 1a study to evaluate the safety and pharmacokineticsexplore avenues of WP1122 in healthy volunteers as part of studying WP1122external funding for the treatment of COVID-19 (MB-301). The approval followed us having submitted a protocol amendment allowing for a higher ratio of diluting excipients to drug substance to facilitate a faster and simpler mixing procedure before drug administration.

Potential Investigator Led Clinical Trial of Efficacy and Safety of Oral Drug (WP1122) in Adult Subjects With COVID-19 Posted on clinicaltrials.gov

On May 9, 2022, Dr. Andrei Carvalho Sposito, as the sponsor, with the University of Campinas, Brazil, posted with clinicaltrials.gov a possible Phase 1, multi-center, dose escalation study that is intended to be followed by a Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of WP1122 administered q12h ±1 hr PO in adult subjects with COVID-19 who require hospitalization with respiratory support. The Phase 1 component, if such study occurs, will enroll COVID-19 positive subjects who are symptomatic, and the Phase 2 component, if such study occurs, will enroll adults with COVID-19 who require hospitalization for respiratory support and those subjects requiring intubation with mechanical ventilation. The initiationfurther development of this trial is subject to Brazilian government approvals, contract negotiations withportfolio. For this study, we have submitted the University of Campinas, and the evolving epidemiology of COVID-19, all of which will determine if we believe that such afinal clinical study is feasible and inform our decision as to whether to support such a study with drug product and ancillary services. There is no assurance that the foregoing trials will be commenced and funded by the University of Campinas.

Corporate

Licensing

Inreport in late October 2022 with MD Anderson, we entered into an option on the WP1732 portfolio, a STAT3 inhibitor, and a license for novel esters of 2-deoxy-glucose with high anti-proliferative activity. Discussions with MD Anderson regarding our core technologies are in the ordinary course of our business. 

Engaged Wolfram C. M. Dempke, MD, PhD, MBA as its European Chief Medical Officer

On May 4, 2022, we announced that we engaged Wolfram C. M. Dempke, MD, PhD, MBA, MRCP as our EU - Chief Medical Officer and part-time contractor for our European clinical trials. Dr. Dempke served as the Vice President, Scientific Solutions: Hematology & Oncology, at Worldwide Clinical Trials. He holds oncology/hematology society memberships in the U.S. and Europe. He has contributed to five textbooks and more than 150 peer-reviewed papers. Dr. Dempke continues to teach classes in the Munich University Medical Oncology department, Germany, and he continues to see patients on a monthly basis.2023.

 

17

 

Other Trials and Publications 

Presented Poster at the 2023 Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) Annual Meeting

We presented preliminary efficacy findings from the Phase 2 portion of our ongoing MB-107 in an abstract titled, “A Phase 1b/2 Study of Liposomal Annamycin (ANN) in Subjects with Previously Treated Soft-Tissue Sarcomas (STS) with Pulmonary Metastases,” was presented by Brian Andrew Van Tine, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in a poster presentation at the 2023 CTOS Annual Meeting held November 1-4, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland.

Externally Funded Annamycin Trial 

A Phase 1B/2 investigator sponsored trial (externally funded) was initiated in Poland in 2022 to study an alternative dosing regimen for Annamycin in the treatment of STS lung mets. This trial has enrolled and begun treatment with subjects in the Phase 1B portion of the study. There will be 3 subjects per cohort with the first cohort treating subjects with 35 mg/m2 of Annamycin per week (3 weeks on and 1 week off per cycle). After two cycles the subjects will receive their end of cycle 2 scan. At the end of two cycles both subjects treated to date demonstrated progressive disease. Preclinical data demonstrated a benefit to weekly dosing of Annamycin versus traditional chemotherapy dosing of every three weeks. We expect a detailed update on this trial in early 2024.

Publication of Data from Successful European Phase 1 Trial Evaluating Annamycin as Single Agent Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory AML

On July 13, 2023, we announced the publication of data from our completed MB-105 European Phase 1 clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of Annamycin as a single agent for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory AML. The manuscript titled, “Results of a Phase 1 Study of Liposomal Annamycin for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory AML Patients After Induction Therapy,” was published in the peer-reviewed British Journal of Cancer Research.

AACR Annamycin Presentation

We announced in April 2023 a presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2023 of positive pharmacokinetics and tissue-organ distribution data demonstrating high antitumor activity of Annamycin in preclinical cancer models, such data was based on research sponsored by us. In this research, Annamycin demonstrated increased penetration and accumulation in the liver, which correlated with high antitumor activity in HEPA 1-6 hepatocellular carcinoma and CT26 colon cancer liver metastasis models. This poster was presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2023, which took place April 14-19, 2023, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The poster titled, Exploration of Annamycin Organotropism to Target Primary and Metastatic Liver Cancers was presented by Rafal Zielinski, Ph.D., Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center as part of the Experimental and Molecular Therapeutic Session: “Novel Antitumor Agents, PI3K/AKT Inhibitors, Proteasome Inhibitors, and Topoisomerases.” The poster outlined results from the analysis of the pharmacokinetics of two formulations of Annamycin, liposome formulated drug product (L-ANN) and free Annamycin (ANN), in the liver in comparison with doxorubicin (DOX) and to determine its tumoricidal potential in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in situ and in experimental models of liver metastasis.

During the June 2023 meeting of the IV World Congress of Polish Physicians in Olsztyn, Poland. Dr. Waldemar Priebe, Chair of our Science Advisory Board was invited to lecture. He presented the above referenced AACR presentation “Discovery and Development of Novel Organotropic Anticancer Therapies”.

Licensing

WPD Licensing Agreement

Since February 2019, we were party to a sublicense agreement with WPD Pharmaceuticals (WPD), pursuant to which we sublicensed to WPD certain intellectual property rights, including rights to Annamycin, our WP1122 portfolio, and our WP1066 portfolio (as amended, the “WPD Agreement”). WPD is affiliated with Dr. Waldemar Priebe, our founder. In March 2023, we and WPD agreed to terminate the WPD Agreement. Pursuant to the termination, we agreed to pay WPD (or its designee) $700,000 in cash and shares of our common stock valued at $800,000. In March 2023, we issued 822,115 shares of common stock to WPD's designee as part of the satisfaction of this commitment. With the termination of the WPD Agreement, we now have acquired the rights in certain territories previously sub-licensed to WPD to all of our licensed intellectual property, other than the rights related to non-human animals. Additionally, we acquired the in-process research and development that WPD has created during the term of the agreement. As part of this Agreement, WPD assigned their rights and duties to us for the Phase 1B/2 investigator sponsored trial (externally funded) initiated in Poland in 2022 to study an alternative dosing regimen for Annamycin in the treatment of STS lung mets. The approximate value of the grant supporting this investigator sponsored trial is $1.5 million. 

18

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, data derived from our statement of operations (table in thousands) and such changes in the periods are discussed below in approximate amounts:

 

Moleculin Biotech, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Revenues

 $  $  $  $  $  $  $  $ 
  

Operating expenses:

  

Research and development

 5,965  4,095  14,790  11,239  3,280  5,965  12,855  14,790 

General and administrative

 3,087  2,021  8,704  6,394  2,635  3,087  7,765  8,704 

Depreciation and amortization

  32   41   98   130   32   32   92   98 

Total operating expenses

  9,084   6,157   23,592   17,763   5,947   9,084   20,712   23,592 

Loss from operations

 (9,084) (6,157) (23,592) (17,763) (5,947) (9,084) (20,712) (23,592)

Other income:

  

Gain from change in fair value of warrant liability

 421  1,678  1,184  4,428  1  421  76  1,184 

Other income, net

 19  13  39  30  13  19  30  39 

Interest income, net

  33   87   114   236   324   33   1,106   114 

Net loss

 $(8,611) $(4,379) $(22,255) $(13,069) $(5,609) $(8,611) $(19,500) $(22,255)

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 20222023 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 20212022

 

Research and Development Expense. Research and development (R&D) expense was $6.0$3.3 million and $4.1$6.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021,2022, respectively. The increasedecrease of of $1.9$2.7 million is mainly related to increasedthe timing of costs incurred for clinical trial activity, as described above,trials and costs related to manufacturingtiming of additional drug product.sponsored research payments.

 

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expenseexpense was $3.1$2.6 million and $2.0$3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021,2022, respectively. The increasedecrease of $1.1$0.5 million is mainly related to an increasea decrease in regulatory and legal services.services, and consulting & advisory fees.

 

Gain from Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability. We recorded a net gain of $0.001 million in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to a net gain of $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, as compared to a net gain of $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2021, for the change in fair value on revaluation of our warrant liability associated with our warrants issued in conjunction with certain of our previous stock offerings. We are required to revalue our liability-classified warrants at the time of each warrant exercise, if applicable, and at the end of each reporting period and reflect in the statement of operations a gain or loss from the change in fair value of the warrant in the period in which the change occurred. We calculated the fair value of the warrants outstanding using the Black-Scholes model. A gain results principally from a decline in our share price during the period and a loss results principally from an increase in our share price.

 

Interest income, net. Interest income, net increased by approximately $0.3 million for the comparable quarterly periods due to rising interest rates during the past year.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 20212022

 

Research and Development Expense. R&DResearch and development (R&D) expense was $14.8$12.9 million and $11.2$14.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021,2022, respectively. The increasedecrease of $3.6$1.9 million is mainly relaterelated td to increasedo the timing of costs incurred for clinical trial activity as described above, a licensetrials and timing of sponsored research payments. These decreases were slightly offset by the WPD sublicense termination, fee, and costs related to manufacturingwhich enabled the reacquisition of additional drug product.our intellectual property rights in certain territories including parts of the European Union.

 

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expenseexpense was $8.7$7.8 million and $6.4$8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021,2022, respectively. The increase The decrease of $2.3$0.9 million is mainly related to an increase decrease in regulatory and legal services, and consulting and& advisory fees.

18

 

Gain from Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability. We recorded a net gain gainof $1.2$0.08 million during the in the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 as compared to a net gain of $4.4$1.2 million duringin the nine months ended September 30, 2021,2022, for the change in fair value on revaluation of our warrant liability associated with our warrants issued in conjunction with certain of our previous stock offerings. We are required to revalue our liability-classified warrants at the time of each warrant exercise, if applicable, and at the end of each reporting period and reflect in the statement of operations a gain or loss from the change in fair value of the warrant in the period in which the change occurred. We calculated the fair value of the warrants outstanding using the Black-Scholes model. A gain results principally from a decline in our share price during the period and a loss results principally from an increase in our share price.

 

19

Interest income, net. Interest income, net increased by approximately $1.0 million for the comparable quarterly periods due to rising interest rates during the past year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following table sets forth our primary sources and uses of cash for the period indicated (table in thousands): 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 $(20,383) $(14,693) $(18,694) $(20,383)

Net cash used in investing activities

 (67)   (43) (67)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 (23) 74,724 

Net cash provided by (used in) provided by financing activities

 186  (23)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  (38)  (26)  (15)  (38)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 $(20,511) $60,005 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 $(18,566) $(20,511)

 

As of September 30, 2022,2023, there was $0.3 million of cash on hand in a bank account in Australia and we know of no related limitations impacting our liquidity in Australia.

 

Cash used in operating activities

 

Cash used in operations was $20.4$18.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This $1.7 million decrease over the prior year period of $20.4 million was primarily due to an overall decrease in expenses, as well as license rights settled in stock. 

Cash provided by financing activities 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022. This $5.7 million increaseover2023, utilizing the prior year period of $14.7 million was primarily due to payments for increased clinical trial activity, costs related to manufacturing of additional drug product, and increased consulting, legal, and advisory fees. These are all a reflection of the ongoing clinical and pre-clinical activity and the associated increase in general and administrative support for our three core drug technologies.

Cash (used in) provided in financing activities

We did not sell any stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

In June 2021, we entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (2021 ATM Agreement) with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Pursuant to the terms of the 2021 ATM Agreement, we may offer and sell, from time to time through Oppenheimer shares of our common stock with an aggregate sales price of up to $50.0 million. As of the date of this report, there have been no issuances under the 2021 ATM Agreement.

In June 2021, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Lincoln Park agreed to purchase from us up to $20.0 million of common stock (subject to certain limitations) from time to time during the term of the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, at the timeEquity Line, we signed the Purchase Agreement, we issued 107,788issued 225,568 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park as(including commitment shares), at an initial fee for its commitment to purchase shares of our common stock under the Purchase Agreement, and have agreed to issue Lincoln Park up to an additional 53,893 shares of common stock as commitment shares pro-rata when and if Lincoln Park purchases (at our discretion) the $20.0 million aggregate commitment. 

In February 2021, we completed an underwritten public offering of an aggregate of 14,273,684 shares of common stock at a public offeringaverage price of $4.75$0.94 per share. We granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,141,052 shares of common stock offeredshare, resulting in the public offering. The offering closed on February 5, 2021 and gross proceeds of the offering were approximately $67.8 million, prior to deducting the underwriting discount and other offering expenses. On February 10, 2021, the underwriters of the public offering exercised in full their option to purchase an additional 2,141,052 shares of common stock at the public offering price of $4.75 per share, bringing total gross proceeds to approximately $78.0 million before underwriting discount.$0.2 million. 

In January 2021, we issued 468,684 shares for gross proceeds of $2.9 million using our 2020 ATM Agreement with Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. We terminated the 2020 ATM Agreement on February 2, 2021. Additionally, during the first quarter of 2021, 10,000 shares were issued due to the exercise of warrants related to past public offerings. Gross proceeds received due to these exercises approximated $63,000.

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We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 20222023 will be sufficient to meetfund our projected operating requirements,planned operations, which include a potential increase over our current R&D rate of expenditures, beyondPhase 1B/2 clinical programs and preparations for future clinical trials, into the secondthird quarter of 2024. Such projections are subject to changes in2024, without the issuance of additional equity for cash. The continuation of our internally funded preclinical and clinical activities, including unplanned preclinical and clinical activity and potential legal costs. We anticipate incurring operating losses for the next several yearsCompany as we support the preclinical and clinical activities necessary to prepare our drug candidates for successful out licensing, including our efforts to expand our technologies. These factors raise uncertainties abouta going concern is dependent upon our ability to fund operations in future years. If we need to raise additional capital in orderobtain necessary equity financing to continue to execute our business plan, there is no assuranceoperations and the attainment of profitable operations. We may seek additional funding through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, government or other third-party funding, commercialization, marketing and distribution arrangements, other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements and delay planned cash outlays or a combination thereof. We cannot be certain that additional financing willsuch events or a combination thereof can be available when needed or that we will be able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us. A failure to raise sufficient capital could adversely impact our ability to achieve our intended business objectives and meet our financial obligations as they become due and payable.achieved. 

 

In March 2022, we received a subpoena from the SEC requesting information and documents, including materials related to certain individuals (none of which are our officers or directors) and entities, and materials related to the development of and statements regarding our drug candidate for the treatment of COVID-19. We have received, and expect to continue to receive, periodic further requests from the SEC staff with respect to this matter. We are not aware of the specific nature of the underlying investigation by the SEC, and to the extent that this investigation relates to prior public disclosures that we have made, we believe in the accuracy and adequacy of such prior disclosures. The correspondence from the SEC transmitting the subpoena to us states that the SEC is trying to determine whether there have been any violations of federal securities laws, but that its investigation does not mean that the SEC has concluded that anyone has violated the law or that the SEC has a negative opinion of any person, entity, or security. We cannot predict when this matter will be resolved or what, if any, action the SEC may take following the conclusion of the investigation. DuringWe expensed approximately $0.4 million and $1.1 million in related general and administrative fees and expenses for the quarterthree months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $1.4 million and $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we have expended approximately $1.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in related legal fees and expenses. We estimate that potentially an additional $1.0 million in legal costs will be recognized in the last quarter of 2022 in connection with our response to this subpoena.respectively. 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

 

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and use of estimates from those disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.2022. For a discussion of our critical accounting policies and use of estimates, refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.2022.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS

 

Not applicable as we are a smaller reporting company.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that material information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is our principal executive officer, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who is our principal financial and accounting officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Our CEO and CFO have evaluated these disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and have determined that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2022.2023.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15-d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended September 30, 20222023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

None.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

For information regarding factors that could affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, and in Part II, Item 1A in our prior quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed during this fiscal year. Except as updated below, thereThere have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, and in Part II, Item 1A in our prior quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed during this fiscal year, as filed with the SEC.

 

New tax laws or regulations that are enacted or existing tax laws and regulations that are interpreted, modified or applied adversely to us or our customers may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

New tax laws or regulations could be enacted at any time, and existing tax laws or regulations could be interpreted, modified or applied in a manner that is adverse to us or our customers, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the Inflation Reduction Act enacted many significant changes to the U.S. tax laws. Future guidance from the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities with respect to such legislation may affect us, and certain aspects of such legislation could be repealed or modified in future legislation. In addition, it is uncertain if and to what extent various states will conform to federal tax laws. Any future tax legislation could increase our U.S. tax expense and could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial condition.

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

 

During the threenine months ended September 30, 2022,2023, the Company entered into a portfolio advisory agreement with a related party entity, associated with Dr. Waldemar Priebe, and in connection with the agreement, the Company granted equity-classifiedissued warrants to purchase 250,000150,000 shares of common stock with a ten-year term and an exercise price of $1.24. The September 2022$0.60 per share to two entities providing consulting services, which warrants will vest as follows: (a) 50% vests upon executionannually over four years while services are being performed, and 100,000 shares of the agreement, provided the advisor does not terminate the agreement priorcommon stock with an exercise price of $0.62 to the first anniversaryan entity providing consulting services, which warrants will vest based on performance of the agreement; and (b) 50% vests 60 days after the end of the one-year term, subject to the Company's Board of Directors determining that thecertain services provided have been adequately performed.. The foregoing securities were issued pursuant to Section 4(a)Section4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION. 

 

None.During the period covered by this Quarterly Report, none of the Company’s directors or executive officers has adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (each as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS 

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

   
10.1* Portfolio Development AdvisorFirst Amendment to Commercial Lease Agreement dated September 6, 2022 between KEWAT, LLC and Moleculin Biotech, Inc.for 5300 Memorial
   

31.1*

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

31.2*

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

32.1*+

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

32.2*+

 

Certification of Principal Accounting and Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

101.INS*

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document (the Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) 

   

101.SCH*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

   

101.CAL*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

   

101.DEF*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

   

101.LAB*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

   

101.PRE*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

   
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

* Filed herewith.

+ The certifications on Exhibit 32 hereto are deemed not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section. Such certifications will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

MOLECULIN BIOTECH, INC.

   

Date: November 10, 202213, 2023

By:

/s/ Walter V. Klemp

  

Walter V. Klemp,

  

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

(Principal Executive Officer)

   
Date: November 10, 202213, 2023

By:

/s/ Jonathan P. Foster

  

Jonathan P. Foster,

  

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

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