UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30,March 31, 20212023

 

or

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

 

For the transition period from _____to _____

 

Commission File Number: 001-40793

 

 

Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.Ocean Biomedical, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 87-1309280

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)No.)

 

515 Madison Avenue55 Claverick St., Suite 8078Room 325

New YorkProvidence, New YorkRI

 1002202903
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(646)(401) 908-2658444-7375

(Registrant’sRegistrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) 

Name of each exchange on

which registered

Units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one half of one redeemable Warrant

 AEHAU 

The NASDAQ Stock

Market LLC

Class A commonCommon stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 AEHAOCEA 

The NASDAQ Stock

Market LLC

Warrants, each exercisable for one share of Class A common stock forat an exercise price of $11.50 per share

 AEHAWOCEAW 

The NASDAQ Stock

Market LLC

 

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 Regulation S-T 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit 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 the definitions of large“large accelerated filer,” “accelerated” “accelerated filer,” “smaller” “non-accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company, and emerging“emerging growth companycompany” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
    
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
    
Emerging growth company  

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial 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

 

There were 100,000 34,649,046Class A and 2,875,000 Class B shares of the registrant’sregistrant’s common stock outstanding (excluding 10,500,000 Class A common stock subject to possible redemption) on October 15, 2021, and no sharesas of preferred stock outstanding.February 27, 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2021

 

TABLE OF CONTENTSEXPLANATORY NOTE

 

 Page
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements3
  
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
  
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)6
  
Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)6
Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 and for the Period From June 17, 2021 (Inception) Through September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)7
Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Period From June 17, 2021 (Inception) Through September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)8
Statement of Cash Flows for the Period From June 17, 2021 (Inception) Through September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)9
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)10
  
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS22
  
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK26
  
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES26
  
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 
  
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS27
  
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS27
  
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS27
  
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES28
  
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES28
  
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION28
  
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS28
  
SIGNATURES29

 

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Table of Contents 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Amendment No. 1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (the “Amended Report”) filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (the “Company”) amends and restates certain information included in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 24, 2023 (the “Original Report”).

As described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 15, 2023, on November 8, 2023, the Audit Committee of the Company, after considering the recommendations of management, concluded that the Company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023 (collectively, the “Previous Financial Statements”) should no longer be relied upon. Similarly, any previously filed or furnished reports, related earnings releases, investor presentations or similar communications of the Company describing the Previous Financial Statements should no longer be relied upon. The determination relates to Company’s interpretation of the accounting guidance applicable to the Company’s OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction (the “Backstop Agreement”), with Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC (“Vellar”) (as assigned in part to other Backstop Parties, as defined in Part I, Item 1 within Note 3, Business Combination and Backstop Agreement).

The Company is filing this Amended Report for the purpose of revising the accounting treatment of the Backstop Agreement in its financial statements as of March 31, 2023, to reclassify the prepayment amount, previously recorded as a derivative asset in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, to the equity section of the condensed consolidated balance sheet with any remaining balance of the prepaid forward contract, including the section entitled “in-substance written put option (the “Backstop Put Option Liability”) and maturity consideration (the “Fixed Maturity Consideration”), as noncurrent liabilities as of March 31, 2023. The Company is also restating its condensed consolidated statements of operations as a result of revisions to its valuation of the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration.

Management’s

In addition, the Company is restating its previously issued financial information related to additional accounts payable on the balance sheet, all as included in this Amended Report.

Items Amended in this Amended Report

For the convenience of the reader, this Form 10-Q/A sets forth the information in the original Form 10-Q filing in its entirety; however, only the following sections of the original Form 10-Q filing are revised in this Form 10-Q/A, solely as a result of and to reflect the restatement and conditions related to the restatement/recast described above.

Part I, Item 1 Financial Statements and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes: Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 3 – Business Combination and Backstop Agreement

Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements

Note 5 - Loan Agreements, Commitments, and Contingencies

Note 11 – Net Loss Per Share

Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains forward-looking statements, within

Pursuant to the meaningrules of the Private Securities Litigation ReformSEC, Part II, Item 6 of the original Form 10-Q filing has been amended to include currently dated certifications from the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 1995, regarding future events and the future results of the Company that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industry in which the Company operates and the beliefs and assumptions of the management of the Company. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed elsewhere in this Report, including under “Risk Factors”, and in other reports and filings the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov .2002.

 

The following discussion is based upon our unaudited Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingencies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this Report, and in other reports we file with the SEC.

 

Summary Risk FactorsOCEAN BIOMEDICAL, INC.

 

Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in, and incorporated by reference in, the section titled “Risk Factors,” that represent challenges that we face in connection with the successful implementation of our strategy. The occurrence of one or more of the events or circumstances described in, and/or incorporated by reference in, the section titled “Risk Factors,” alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, may adversely affect our ability to effect a business combination, and may have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations. Such risks include, but are not limited to:

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

 TABLE OF CONTENTSwe are a newly formed company with no operating history and no revenues;
   
 our ability to continue as a “going concern”;
 PAGE
  
PART I 3we may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame;
ITEM 1.Financial Statements (restated)3
ITEM 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (restated)36
ITEM 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk60
ITEM 4.Controls and Procedures61
   
PART II stockholders have no rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances;62
 ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 62
 ITEM 5.Other Informationnegative interest rate for securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account;63
 ITEM 6. Exhibits 64
 our stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us;
   
 if third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.20 per share;
   
 subsequent to completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges;
   
 conflicts of interest of our sponsor, officers and directors;
   
 we may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business;
   
 our public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination;

 

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 2
the absence of a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to complete a business combination with which a substantial majority of our stockholders do not agree;
   
 we may redeem unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to holders;
   
 we may amend the terms of the public warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public warrants with the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding public warrants;
   
 our competitors have advantages over us in seeking business combinations;

 

 we may be unable to obtain additional financing;
   
 our warrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock;
   
 we may issue additional equity and/or debt securities to complete our initial business combination;
   
 our sponsor controls a substantial interest in us;
   
 if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, who controls a substantial interest in us, has agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public stockholders vote;
   
 the ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure, and will increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful;
   
 lack of protections normally afforded to investors of blank check companies;
   
 possibility of losing the ability to redeem all shares equal to or in excess of 15% of our common stock if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules;
   
 Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange;
   
 we will likely only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services;
   
 we have not registered the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants sold as part of the units in our initial public offering, and such registration may not be in place when an investor desires to exercise such warrants;
   
 shares being redeemed and warrants becoming worthless;
   
 events which may result in the per-share amount held in our trust account dropping below $10.20 per public share;
   
 our directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor;
   
 if, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our stockholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced;

 

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Table of Contents 

 

 because we are not limited to a particular industry or any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations;
   
 we may seek acquisition opportunities in companies that may be outside of our management’s areas of expertise;
   
 impact of COVID-19 and related risks;
   
 if we effect our initial business combination with a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations; and
   
 changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, tax consequences to business combinations may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.

 

All forward-looking statements speak only at the date of the filing of this Report. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this Report are reasonable, we provide no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. We disclose important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Report. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

5
Table of Contents 

 

PART I:I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTATEMENTS.

 

AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.OCEAN BIOMEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

BALANCE SHEETCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Restated)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

  March 31,  December 31, 
  2023 (as Restated)  2022 
Assets        
Current assets        
Cash $306  $34 
Deferred offering costs     1,808 
Total current assets  306   1,842 
Non-current assets        
Total assets $

306

  $1,842 
Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit        
Current liabilities        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $15,751  $11,440 
Accrued expenses-related party  927   445 
Short term loan-related party  500    
Short term loans, net of issuance costs  6,569   776 
Total current liabilities  23,747   

 
Noncurrent liabilities        
Backstop Put Option Liability  

28,020

    
Fixed Maturity Consideration  

3,292

   

 
Total noncurrent liabilities  

31,312

    
Total liabilities  55,059   12,661 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)  -    
Stockholders’ deficit        
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 and no shares authorized as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and no shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively  

   

 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 300,000,000 and 180,564,262 shares authorized as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, 33,774,467 and 23,355,432 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively  

   

 
Additional paid-in capital  98,928   70,770 
Accumulated deficit  (153,681)  (81,589)
Total stockholders’ deficit  (54,753  (10,819)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit $306  $1,842 

See accompanying notes to the restated unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

OCEAN BIOMEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Restated)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

  2023  2022 
  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2023 (as Restated)  2022 
Operating expenses:        
Research and development  393   3,198 
General and administrative  4,994   1,912 
Total operating expenses  5,387   5,110 
Operating loss  (5,387)  (5,110)
Other income/(expense)        
Interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs  (301)  (16)

Fair value of warrant issuances

  

(884

)  (250)
Loss in connection with Share Consideration shares  (12,676)   
Loss on extinguishment of debt  (13,953)   
Transaction costs  (7,578)   
Loss on Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration  (31,312)   
         
Other  (1)  1 
Total other income/(expense)  (66,705)  (265)
Net loss $(72,092) $(5,375)
         
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share – basic and diluted  24,822,033   23,355,432 
Net loss per share – basic and diluted $(2.90) $(0.23)

See accompanying notes to the restated unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4
   
Assets:   
Cash $1,162,203 
Prepaid expenses  670,884 
Total current assets  1,833,087 
     
Deferred acquisition costs  3,986 
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account  107,100,173 
Total Assets $108,937,246 
     
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity    
Accounts payable $4,865 
Accrued expenses  5,000 
Total current liabilities  9,865 
     
Deferred underwriting commissions  3,150,000 
Total Liabilities  3,159,865 
     
Commitments and Contingencies  - 
Class A common stock; 10,500,000 shares subject to possible redemption at $10.20 per share  107,100,000 
Stockholders’ Equity    
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,250,000 shares authorized; NaN issued and outstanding  - 
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 125,000,000 shares authorized; 100,000 issued and outstanding (excluding 10,500,000 shares subject to redemption)  10 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 12,500,000 shares authorized; 2,875,000 shares issued and outstanding(1)  288 
Additional paid-in-capital  (1,280,290)
Accumulated deficit  (42,627)
Total Stockholders’ Equity  (1,322,619)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $108,937,246 

 

(1)Includes up to 250,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 7 – Stockholders’ Equity).

OCEAN BIOMEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit (Restated)

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

TheFor the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

  

Common

Stock
Shares

  Common
Stock
Amount
  Additional
Paid-in
Amount
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Total
Shareholders’
(Deficit)
 
Balance at December 31, 2022  17,496,370  $        $70,770  $(81,589) $             (10,819)
Retroactive application of reverse recapitalization  5,859,062             
Adjusted balance, beginning of period  23,355,432  $  $70,770   (81,589) $(10,819)
Effect of Business Combination including Backstop Agreement, net of redeemed public shares  7,654,035       

52,070

   

   52,070 
Payment to Backstop Parties for Backstop (as Restated)  

   

   (51,606)  

   (51,606)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to the Backstop Agreement and Subscription Agreement  1,350,000       14,260   

   14,260 
Issuance of common stock for extension loan shares to related party  1,365,000       13,595      13,595 
Issuance of common stock for the Loan Modification Agreement  50,000       358   

   358 
Stock-based compensation        646      646 
Offering costs  

      (2,049)  

   (2,049)
Issuance of Warrants     

   884      884 
Net loss (as Restated)  

   

   

   (72,092)  (72,092)
Balance at March 31, 2023 (as Restated)  33,774,467  $  $98,928  $(153,681) $(54,753)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

  

Common

Stock
Shares

  Common
Stock
Amount
  Additional
Paid-in
Amount
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Total
Shareholders’
Deficit
 
Balance at December 31, 2021  17,496,370  $       $57,567  $(64,229) $       (6,662)
Retroactive application of recapitalization  5,859,062             
Adjusted balance at January 1, 2022  23,355,432            
Stock-based compensation        4,543      4,543 
Net loss              (5,375)  (5,375)
Balance at March 31, 2022  23,355,432  $  $62,110  $(69,604) $(7,494)

See accompanying notes are an integral partto the restated unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

OCEAN BIOMEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of these financial statements.Cash Flows (Restated)

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

  2023  2022 
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2023 (as Restated)  2022 
Operating activities        
Net loss $(72,092)  (5,375)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Non-cash interest expense  301   24 
Stock-based compensation  646   4,543 
Non-cash put option     250 
Loss on issuance of warrant  884    

Non-cash stock issuances

  358    
Loss in connection with Backstop Agreement  12,676    
Loss on extinguishment of debt  13,953    
Change in fair value of Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration  31,312    
Non-cash transaction costs in excess of Business combination proceeds  7,578     
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  1,609   (996)
Accrued expenses-related party  482     
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities  

   1,187
Net cash used for operating activities  (2,651)  (367)
Financing activities        
Payment to Backstop Parties for Backstop Agreement  (51,606)   
Payment to Backstop Parties for Share Consideration  (12,676)   
Issuance of common stock pursuant to the Backstop Agreement and Subscription Agreement  14,260    
Proceeds from reverse capitalization  52,070    
Payment made for short term loan  (550)   
Short term loans, net of issuance costs  1,425   599 
Net cash provided by financing activities  2,923   599 
Net increase in cash  272   232 
Cash – beginning of year  34   60 
Cash – end of period $306  $292 
         

Non-cash Financing Activities

        
Offering costs not yet paid  2,048    
Common stock issued in consideration for extension of loans  13,953    

See accompanying notes to the restated unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 

  For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021  For the period from June 17, 2021 (Inception) Through September 30, 2021 
Formation and operating costs $(42,718) $(42,800)
Total operating loss  (42,718)  (42,800)
         
Other Income (Expense)        
Interest income from Trust Account  173   173 
Net Loss  (42,545)  (42,627)

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, non-redeemable

common stock (1)

  2,639,130   2,637,381 
Basic and diluted net loss per share $(0.02) $(0.02)

 

(1)Excludes 250,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters as of September 30, 2021 (see Note 1 – Organization and Business Operations).

OCEAN BIOMEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Restated)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 Note 1. Organization, Description of Business, and Going Concern (Restated)

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AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 17, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

 

  Shares    Shares(1)         
  

Class A

Common Stock

  

Class B

Common Stock

  Additional Paid-In   Accumulated  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Shares(1)  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Equity 
Balance as of June 17, 2021 (inception) -  $-     $  $  $  $ 
Class B common stock issued to Sponsor  -   -   2,875,000   288   24,712      25,000 
Net loss  -   -            (82)  (82)
Balance as of June 30, 2021  -   -   2,875,000  $288  $24,712  $(82) $24,918 
Sale of Units through initial public offering  10,500,000   1,050   -   -   104,998,950   -   105,000,000
Issuance of representative shares  100,000   10   -   -   (10)  -   - 
Issuance of Private Placement Warrants  -   -   -   -   5,411,000   -   5,411,000 
Transaction and Underwriting costs  -   -   -   -   (6,715,992)  -   (6,715,992)
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption  (10,500,000)  (1,050)  -   -   (104,998,950)  -   (105,000,000)
Net loss      -   -   -   -   (42,545)  (42,545)
Balance as of September 30, 2021  100,000   10   2,875,000  $288   (1,280,290) $(42,627) $(1,322,619)

 

(1)Includes up to 375,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters, of which 250,000 shares of Class B common stock remained subject to forfeiture as of September 30, 2021 (see Note 7 – Stockholders’ Equity).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 17, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

 

   
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net loss $(42,627)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:    
Interest income from Trust Account  (173)
Changes in current assets and liabilities:    
Prepaid Expenses  (670,884)
Deferred acquisition costs  (3,986)
Accounts Payable  4,865 
Accrued Expenses  5,000 
Net cash used in operating activities  (707,805)
     
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Investment of cash in trust account  (107,100,000)
Net cash used in investing activities  (107,100,000)
     
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of underwriting discount  103,687,963 
Proceeds from private placement warrants  5,411,000 
Proceeds from issuance of founder shares  25,000 
Proceeds from issuance of promissory note to related party  190,101 
Payment of deferred offering costs  (153,955)
Payment of promissory note to related party  (190,101)
Net cash provided by financing activities  108,970,008 
     
Net change in cash  1,162,203 
Cash, beginning of the period   
Cash, end of the period $1,162,203 
     
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:    
Deferred underwriting commissions payable charged to additional paid-in-capital $3,150,000 
Initial Value of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption $105,000,000 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

9
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AESTHER HEALTHCARE ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1— Organization and Business Operations

 

Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (f/k/a Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company”“Company”) is, a newly organizedDelaware corporation, was a blank check company formed in June 2021, for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businessesbusinesses. As described below, the Company closed a business combination (the “Business Combination”“Business Combination”) with Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.) (“Legacy Ocean”). The

Restatement

The Company has not selected any potential Business Combination targetreviewed its prior interpretation of the accounting guidance and determined the prepayment amount of $51,606,389 (the “Prepayment”), previously recorded as a derivative asset on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, should be reclassified to the stockholders’ deficit section of the condensed consolidated balance sheet, and the Company has not, nor has anyone on its behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly,remaining liability balance associated with any potential Business Combination target.the Backstop Agreement, including the Backstop Put Option Liability and the Fixed Maturity Consideration, should be reflected as noncurrent liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

As of September 30, 2021,In accordance with ASC 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activityalso evaluated the materiality of the errors to its previously filed financial statements for the first quarter of 2023. Considering both quantitative and qualitative factors, the Company determined that the related impact was material to the previously filed condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the period from June 17, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2021 relates to the Company’s formationended March 31, 2023 and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”). The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cashrestated and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering (as defined below). The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.reissued these financial statements.

 

Description of Errors Corrected:

The registrationpreviously reported Prepayment was incorrectly classified as an asset instead of as an equity transaction. Additionally, the associated liabilities (the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration) were incorrectly netted with the Prepayment and presented as a net derivative asset, instead of being presented as separate liabilities. These errors impacted the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration, and additional paid-in capital in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023, as well as the related disclosure within Note 4, Fair Value Measurements.

Additionally, there were errors that were corrected to account for unrecorded expenses and payables, not previously recognized, that impacted the condensed consolidated statement forof operations, as disclosed in the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on Septemberbelow tables.

Schedule of Other Errors

             
  As of March 31, 2023 
(in thousands) As Previously Reported  Adjustments  As Restated 
         
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet            
Backstop Forward Purchase Agreement asset  24,672  (24,672)  - 
Total assets  24,978   (24,672)  306 
Accounts Payable and accrued expenses  15,438   313   15,751 
Total current liabilities  23,434   313   23,747 
Put Option Liability  -   28,020   28,020 
Fixed Maturity Consideration  -   3,292   3,292 
Total noncurrent liabilities  -   31,312   31,312 
Total liabilities  23,434   31,625   55,059 
Additional paid-in capital  150,534   (51,606)  98,928 
Accumulated deficit  (148,990)  (4,691)  (153,681)
Total stockholders’ deficit  1,544   (56,297)  (54,753)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit  24,978   (24,672)  306 
             

             
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) As Previously Reported  Adjustments  As Restated 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations            
General and administrative expense  4,830   164   4,994 
Total operating expenses  

5,223

   

164

   

5,387

 
Operating loss  (5,223)  (164)  (5,387)
Interest expense including warrant issuances and amortization of debt issuance costs  (1,543)  1,543   - 
Interest expense including amortization of debt issuance costs  -   

(301

)  (301)
Fair value of warrant issuances  -   

(884

)  

(884

)
Loss on extinguishment of debt  

(13,595

)  

(358

)  

(13,953

)
Transaction costs  

(7,429

)  

(149

)  

(7,578

)
Loss on Backstop Forward Purchase Agreement asset  (26,934)  26,934   - 
Loss in connection with Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration  -   (31,312)  (31,312)
Total other income/(loss)  (62,178)  (4,527)  (66,705)
Net loss  (67,401)  (4,691)  (72,092)
Net loss per share – basic and diluted  (2.72)  (0.18)  (2.90)

             
  For the Period Ended March 31, 2023 
(in thousands) As Previously Reported  Adjustments  As Restated 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit            
Payment to Backstop Parties for Backstop Agreement  -   (51,606)  (51,606)
Additional paid-in capital  150,534   (51,606)  98,928 
Total stockholders’ deficit  

1,544

   

(56,297

)  

(54,753

)

             
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 
(in thousands) As Previously Reported  Adjustments  As Restated 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows            
Net loss  (67,401)  (4,691)  (72,092)
Loss on extinguishment of debt  13,595   358   13,953 
Non-cash stock issuances  358   (358)  - 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:            
Changes in fair value of Backstop Forward Purchase Agreement Asset  26,934   (26,934)  - 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  1,445   164   1,609 
Changes in fair value of Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration  -   31,312   31,312 
Transaction costs  7,429   149   7,578 

Business Combination Agreement

On February 14, 2021. On September 17, 2021,2023 (the “Closing Date”), the Company consummated the Initial Public Offeringpreviously announced Business Combination, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of 10,500,000 units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stockMerger, dated August 31, 2022, as amended on December 5, 2022 by Amendment No. 1, by and one-half of one redeemable warrantamong the registrant, AHAC Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, in its capacity as purchaser representative (the “Units”“Sponsor”), Legacy Ocean, and with respectDr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, in his capacity as seller representative (the “Business Combination Agreement”). Pursuant to the sharesBusiness Combination Agreement, on the Closing Date, Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy Ocean, with Legacy Ocean continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $105,000,000, which is described in Note 3 – Initial Public Offering.

 

Simultaneouslyregistrant. In connection with the closing of the Initial Public Offering,Business Combination (the “Closing”), the Company consummatedchanged its name from “Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.” to “Ocean Biomedical, Inc.”

Accounting for the saleBusiness Combination

The Business Combination is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Under this method of 5,411,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement (the “Private Placement”)accounting, AHAC, who is the legal acquirer, is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes and Legacy Ocean is treated as the accounting acquirer. (References to “AHAC” refer to Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC (the “Sponsor”), generating gross proceedsAcquisition Corp. prior to the Closing of $5,411,000, which is described in Note 4 – Private Placement.the Business Combination.) Legacy Ocean has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

 

Legacy Ocean’s existing stockholders have the largest portion of voting interest in the Company;
Legacy Ocean’s senior management comprises the senior management of the Company;
the members of the Board of Directors of the Company nominated by Legacy Ocean represent the majority of the ‌Board of ‌Directors of the Company;
Legacy Ocean’s operations comprise the ongoing operations of the Company; and
“Ocean Biomedical, Inc.” is the name being used by the Company.

Transaction costs amounted

The Business Combination is accounted for as the equivalent of a capital transaction in which the Company has issued stock for the net assets of AHAC. The net assets of AHAC are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to $the Business Combination are Legacy Ocean.

4,615,992, consisting

The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including, but not limited to, risks related to the successful development and commercialization of $1,050,000product candidates, fluctuations in operating results and financial risks, the ability to successfully raise additional funds when needed, protection of underwriting fees, $proprietary rights and patent risks, patent litigation, compliance with government regulations, dependence on key personnel and prospective collaborative partners, and competition from competing products in the marketplace.

3,150,000

7

Going Concern Considerations

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of deferred underwriting feesassets and $415,992the satisfaction of other offering costs. In addition, at September 30, 2021,liabilities in the normal course of business.

The Company had no cash inflows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had cash of $1,162,203306 was held outside of the Trust Account (as defined below)thousand and is available fora working capital purposes.deficiency of $23.4million. The Company’s current operating plan indicates it will incur losses from operations and generate negative cash flows from operating activities, given anticipated expenditures related to research and development activities and its lack of revenue generating ability at this point in the Company’s lifecycle. These events and conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.

 

FollowingThe Company will need to raise additional funds in order to advance its research and development programs, operate its business, and meet its future obligations as they come due. Based on the Company’s current operational plans and assumptions, which may not be realized, the Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Backstop Agreement and future debt and equity financings, including possibly under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement as well as further deferrals of certain of its accrued expenses and contingency payments due upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering on September 17, 2021, an amount of $107,100,000 ($10.20 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) located in the United States and will be invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money marketfuture financings to fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of aoperations. See Note 3- Business Combination and (ii) the distributionBackstop Agreement for a description of the Trust Account, as described below.Backstop Agreement and the Common Stock Purchase Agreement.

 

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. Nasdaq rules provide that the Business Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the Trust Account (as defined below) (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the signing a definitive agreement to enter a Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-Business Combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination.

 

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The Company will provide its holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “Public Stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i)successful in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination pursuant to the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC or (ii) by means of a tender offer. In connection with a proposed Business Combination, the Company will be required to seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against a Business Combination. The Company will proceed with a Business Combination only if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon such consummation of a Business Combination and a majority of the outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination.

 

If the Company conducts redemptions of the Public Shares in connection with a Business Combination pursuant to the proxy solicitation rules in conjunction with a stockholder meeting instead of pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) provides that, a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to 15% or more of the Public Shares without the Company’s prior written consent.

 

The public stockholders will be entitled to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially $10.20 per share, plus any pro rata interest earnedobtaining additional financing on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously releasedterms acceptable to the Company, to pay its tax obligations). The per-share amount to be distributed to stockholders who redeem their shares willif at all, and the Company may not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions the Company will payable to the underwriters. There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants. These Class A common stock are recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”

 

enter into collaborations or other arrangements. If the Company is unable to conduct redemptions pursuant to the proxy solicitation rules as described above,obtain funding, the Company will, pursuant to its Certificate of Incorporation, offer such redemption pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents containing substantially the same information as would be included in a proxy statement with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination.

 

The Company’s Sponsor, officers, directors, and advisors have agreed (a) to vote their Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5 – Related Party Transactions) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination, (b) not to propose an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation with respect to the Company’s pre-Business Combination activities prior to the consummation of a Business Combination unless the Company provides dissenting public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment; (c) not to redeem any shares (including the Founder Shares) into cash from the Trust Account in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a Business Combination (or to sell any shares in a tender offer in connection with a Business Combination if the Company is unable to conduct redemptions pursuant to the proxy solicitation rules) or a vote to amend the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to stockholders’ rights of pre-Business Combination activity and (d) that the Founder Shares shall not participate in any liquidating distributions upon winding up if a Business Combination is not consummated. However, the Sponsor and our officers, directors and advisors will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering if the Company fails to complete its Business Combination.

 

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering or September 17, 2022, subject to the right to extend the period of time to consummate the Business Combination two times, by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 18 months)(the “Combination Period”), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, proceed to commence a voluntary liquidation and thereby a formal dissolution of the Company, subject in each case to its obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of applicable law. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to the deferred underwriting commission held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the price per Unit $10.20.

 

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The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or similar agreement or Business Combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.20 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the day of liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.20 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). However, the Company has not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor has the Company independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of the Company. Therefore, the Company cannot assure its stockholders that the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of the Company’s officers or directors will indemnify the Company for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at September 30, 2021, we had $1,162,203 of cash and a working capital surplus of $1,823,222. Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our financing and acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to consummate the Business Combination will be successful.

 

Our liquidity needs have been satisfied prior to the completion of the Initial Public Offering through a capital contribution from our Sponsor of $25,000 for the founder shares and up to $300,000 in loans available from our Sponsor under an unsecured promissory note (of which approximately $190,000 had been borrowed and repaid as of September 17, 2021 and $0was outstanding as of September 30, 2021). The net proceeds from (i) the sale of the units in the Initial Public Offering, after deducting transaction costs of $4,615,992, consisting of $1,050,000 of underwriting fees, $3,150,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $415,992 of other offering costs (excluding deferred underwriting commissions of $3,150,000 (or up to $3,450,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full)), and (ii) the sale of the placement warrants for a purchase price of $5,411,000 (or $5,711,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which was $105,797,045. Of this amount, $107,100,000 (or up to $117,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) are held in the trust account, which includes $3,150,000 (or $3,450,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of deferred underwriting commissions. The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. The remaining $2,001,000 ($1,162,203 as of September 30, 2021, after the repayment of amounts owed to the Sponsor and certain operating expenses) will not be held in the trust account. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $1,261,000, we may fund such excess with funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $1,261,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.

 

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We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account (less deferred underwriting commissions), to complete the Business Combination. We may withdraw interest to pay taxes. We estimate our annual franchise tax obligations, based on the number of shares of our common stock authorized and outstanding after the completion of the Initial Public Offering, to be $200,000, which is the maximum amount of annual franchise taxes payable by us as a Delaware corporation per annum, which we may pay from funds from the Initial Public Offering held outside of the trust account or from interest earned on the funds held in our trust account and released to us for this purpose. Our annual income tax obligations will depend on the amount of interest and other income earned on the amounts held in the trust account. We expect the interest earned on the amount in the trust account will be sufficient to pay our income taxes. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete the Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.

 

Prior to the completion of the Business Combination, we will have available to us the approximately $1,800,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account (when including prepaid expenses and interest). We will use these funds to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete an initial Business Combination.

 

In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds on a non-interest bearing basis as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The warrants would be identical to the placement warrants. Other than as described above, the terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.

 

We expect our primary liquidity requirements during that period to include approximately $500,000 for legal, accounting, due diligence, travel and other expenses associated with structuring, negotiating and documenting successful business combinations; $100,000 for legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting requirements; $56,500 for Nasdaq Fees; $650,000 for Directors & Officers Insurance; $180,000 for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support; and approximately $163,500 for working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses and reserves.

 

These amounts are estimates and may differ materially from our actual expenses. In addition, we could use a portion of the funds not being placed in trust to pay commitment fees for financing, fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business or as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies or investors on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed initial business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into an agreement where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business, the amount that would be used as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision would be determined based on the terms of the specific business combination and the amount of our available funds at the time. Our forfeiture of such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise) could result in our not having sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conducting due diligence with respect to, prospective target businesses.

 

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We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimates of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial Business Combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete our initial Business Combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon completion of our initial Business Combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Business Combination. In addition, we intend to target businesses larger than we could acquire with the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the placement warrants, and may as a result be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial Business Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial Business Combination. If we are unable to complete our initial Business Combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operationsdelay, reduce, or eliminate its research and liquidate the trust account. In addition, following our initial Business Combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may needdevelopment programs, which could adversely affect its business prospects and its ability to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.continue operations.

 

As of September 30, 2021, the Company has sufficient cash to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statement is issued.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

Management is currently evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Note 2— Significant Accounting PoliciesImpacts of COVID-19 and Market Conditions on Our Business

 

We have been actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and its impact globally. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company was not significantly impacted by COVID-19. Further, disruption of global financial markets and a recession or market correction, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the related sanctions imposed against Russia, and other global macroeconomic factors such as inflation, could reduce the Company’s ability to access capital, which could in the future negatively affect the Company’s liquidity and could materially affect the Company’s business and the value of its common stock.

8

Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies(Restated)

 

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are presentedhave been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally acceptedU.S. GAAP and stated in U.S. dollars. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative U.S. GAAP as found in the United StatesAccounting Standards Codification and Accounting Standards Updates of America (“USthe Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP”) and have been condensed or omitted pursuant to thethose rules and regulationsregulations. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the U.S. Securitiesbalances and Exchange Commission (the “results for the periods presented. A description of the Company’s significant accounting policies is included in the Company’s audited consolidated financial consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC”). on March 31, 2023, and Form 8-K, as amended, originally filed with the SEC on February 15, 2023.

 

Emerging GrowthThe accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company Statusand its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. The subsidiaries were formed to organize the Company’s therapeutic programs in order to optimize multiple commercialization options and to maximize each program’s value.

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a)Use of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.Estimates

 

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

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Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires managementthe Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosuredisclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, as applicable, including those related to accrued expenses, the fair values of the Company’s common stock, and the valuation of deferred tax assets. The Company bases its estimates using Company forecasts and future plans, current economic conditions, and information from third-party professionals that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities and recorded amounts of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources and adjusts those estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate.

 

Concentration of Credit RiskThe Company’s results can also be affected by economic, political, legislative, regulatory or legal actions. Economic conditions, such as recessionary trends, inflation, interest, changes in regulatory laws and monetary exchange rates, and government fiscal policies, can have a significant effect on operations. The Company could also be affected by civil, criminal, regulatory or administrative actions, claims, or proceedings.

 

Financial installments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage limit of $250,000. As of September 30, 2021, the Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all short-termhighly liquid investments with an original maturitymaturities at the date of purchase of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at fair value and may include money market funds, U.S. Treasury and U.S. government-sponsored agency securities, corporate debt, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit. The Company did 0t havehad minimal cash or cash equivalents as of September 30, 2021.March 31, 2023.

 

Cash Held in Trust AccountConcentrations of Credit Risk, Off-balance Sheet Risk and Other Risks

 

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had $107,100,173 in cash held in the Trust Account.

 

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

 

All of the 10,500,000 Class A common stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such Public Shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In accordance with ASC 480, conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including Class A common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. Ordinary liquidation events, which involve the redemption and liquidation of all of the entity’s equity instruments, are excluded from the provisions of ASC 480. Although the Company did not specify a maximum redemption threshold, its charter provides that currently, the Company will not redeem its Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets (stockholders’ equity) to be less than $5,000,001. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2021, 10,500,000 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption at the redemption amount were presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under the FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to its short-term nature.

 

Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering

 

The Company complies withhas held minimal cash and cash equivalents since its inception and certain of its expenses have been paid for by the requirementsproceeds from the issuance of common stock and debt, and by the Company’s Founder and Executive Chairman.

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The Company has no significant off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the ASC 340-10-S99-1Securities and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”Exchange Commission. The Company’s future results of operations involve several other risks and uncertainties. Factors that affect the Company’s future operating results and cause actual results to vary materially from expectations could include, but are not limited to, uncertainty of results of clinical trials and reaching milestones, uncertainty of regulatory approval of the Company’s product candidates, uncertainty of market acceptance of the Company’s product candidates, competition from other products, securing and protecting intellectual property, strategic relationships and dependence on key employees and research partners. The Company’s product candidates require Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) Topic 5A – and other non-U.S. regulatory agencies approval prior to commercial sales. There can be no assurance that any product candidates will receive the necessary approvals. If the Company was denied approval, if approval was delayed, or if approval was unable to be maintained, it could have a materially adverse impact on the Company.

ExpensesRevenue

The Company has not generated any revenue from any sources since its inception, including from product sales. The Company does not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of Offeringproducts in the foreseeable future. If the Company’s development efforts for its product candidates are successful and result in regulatory approval, or license agreements with third parties, the Company may generate revenue in the future from product sales. However, there can be no assurance as to when revenue will be generated, if at all.

Research and Development Expenses. Offering

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs consistedincurred for research activities, including the development of legal, accounting, underwritingproduct candidates. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, research and development expenses consist of expenses recognized for stock-based compensation and incurred for initial license fees, annual maintenance license fees, and otherservices agreements. Payments associated with licensing agreements to acquire exclusive licenses to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize products that have not reached technological feasibility and do not have alternate commercial use are expensed as incurred.

Deferred Offering and Transaction Costs

Deferred offering costs, incurred through the balance sheet date that areconsisting of direct accounting fees, legal fees, regulatory fees, transfer agent fees, and printing costs directly related to the Initial Public Offering. OfferingBusiness Combination are capitalized. The deferred offering costs amountedin the amount of $2.0 million were reclassified to $4,615,992 and was charged to stockholders’ equityadditional paid in capital upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering.Business Combination. Approximately $7.6 million of transaction costs were recorded as an expense that comprised of $2.6 million of deferred offering costs, $3.1 million of underwriter transaction fees, and $1.9 million of Sponsor loans. As of March 31, 2023, all of the deferred offering costs had been recognized and no deferred offering costs remain in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

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Income Taxes and Tax Credits

 

Income taxes are recorded in accordance with FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse, and net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and research and development tax credit (“R&D Credit”) carryforwards. Valuation allowances are provided, if based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance to reduce its net deferred income tax assets to zero. There is no provision for income taxes because the Company has incurred operating loss and capitalized certain items for income tax purposes since its inception and maintains a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets. In the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize some or all its deferred income tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance would increase income in the period such determination was made. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit would more likely than not be realized assuming examination by the taxing authority. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no liability for income tax associated with uncertain tax positions.

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Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock

 

The Company complies with the accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Common Stock.” Net loss per common stockshare is computed by dividing net loss attributed to common stockholders by the weighted averageweighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding common stockless shares subject to forfeiture. An aggregaterepurchase, and, if dilutive, the weighted-average number of 10,500,000potential shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption at September 30, 2021 have been excludedstock.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from the calculation of basic loss per share of common stock, since such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their pro rata share of the trust earnings.transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Company has not considered the effect of the warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering (including warrants sold in connection with the partial sale of units in connection with the over-allotment option) and Private Placement to purchase an aggregate of 5,411,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the calculation of diluted loss per share, since the inclusion of such warrants would be anti-dilutive.had no

 

The Company’s unaudited statements of operations includes a presentation of income (loss) per share of Common Stock for Redeemable Class A common stock in a manner similar to the two-class method of income (loss) per share of Common Stock. Net income per share of Common Stock, basic and diluted, for Redeemable Class A common stock is calculated by dividing the proportionate share ofcomprehensive income or loss on marketable securities held byfor the Trust Account, net of applicable franchisethree months ended March 31, 2023 and income taxes, by the weighted average number of common stock subject to possible redemption outstanding since original issuance.2022.

 

Net loss per share of Common Stock, basicEmerging Growth Company and diluted, for non-redeemable Class A and Class B common stock is calculated by dividing the net loss, adjusted for income or loss on marketable securities attributable to redeemable Class A common stock, by the weighted average number of non-redeemable Common Stock outstanding for the period.Smaller Reporting Company Status

 

Non-redeemable Class A and Class B common stock includes founder shares (see Note 5 – Related Party Transactions) and non-redeemable shares of Common Stock as these shares do not have any redemption features. Non-redeemable Class A and Class B common stock participates in the income or loss on marketable securities based on non-redeemable shares of Common Stock’s proportionate interest.

 

The basic and diluted loss per common share is calculated as follows:

 

  

Three Months

Ended

September 30, 2021

  

For the Period from June 17, 2021 through

September 30, 2021

 
Non-Redeemable Class A and Class B Common Stock        
Numerator: Net Loss Minus Net Earnings        
Net loss $(42,545) $(42,627)
Less: Income allocable to common stock subject to possible redemption  -   - 
Non-Redeemable net loss $(42,545) $(42,627)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (1)  2,639,130   2,637,381 
Basic and diluted net income per common share $(0.02) $(0.02)

 

(1)Excludes 250,000 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters as of September 30, 2021.

 

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Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition2012 permits an “emerging growth company” to take advantage of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefitan extended transition period to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC 740 additionally requires a valuation allowancecomply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expectedpublic companies until those standards would otherwise apply to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition.

 

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of September 30, 2021. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.

 

private companies. The Company has identifiedelected to not “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, the United StatesCompany will adopt new or revised accounting standards at the time private companies adopt the new or revised accounting standard and will do so until such time that the Company either (i) irrevocably elects to “opt out” of such extended transition period or (ii) no longer qualify as its only “major” tax jurisdiction.an emerging growth company.

 

The Company is subject to income tax examinationsalso a “smaller reporting company” meaning that the market value of its stock held by major taxing authorities since inception. These examinations may include questioningnon- affiliates plus the timing andproposed aggregate amount of deductions,gross proceeds to the nexusCompany as a result of income among various tax jurisdictionsthis offering is expected to be less than $700 million and compliance with federalour annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. The Company may continue to be a smaller reporting company if either (i) the market value of the stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and state tax laws. Thethe market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. If the Company’s management does not expect is a smaller reporting company at the time that it ceases to be an emerging growth company, the total amountCompany may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company, the Company may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.audited financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.

 

The provision for income taxes was deemed to be immaterial for the period from June 17, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2021.Recent Accounting Standards

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

ManagementThe Company does not believe that any recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’sCompany’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Fair Value Measurements

Certain assets of the Company are carried at fair value under 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. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable:

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

The Company’s Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration, determined according to Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy described above (see Note 4, Fair Value Measurements). The carrying values of accounts payable, accrued expenses, and short-term loans approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these liabilities.

Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration

Backstop Agreement

In connection with the execution of the Business Combination, AHAC and Legacy Ocean entered into an OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction (as amended, the “Backstop Agreement”) with the Backstop Parties (as defined in Note 3, Business Combination and Backstop Agreement). The Backstop Agreement grants the Backstop Parties the right to purchase up to a maximum of 8,000,000 of the Company’s common stock on the open market for $10.56 per share (the “Redemption Price”). The Company agreed to purchase the unsold portion of the Backstop Shares from the Backstop Parties on a forward basis upon the “Maturity Date” (as amended, the third anniversary of the closing of the Business Combination, subject to certain acceleration provisions). The purchase price payable by the Company includes a prepayment in the amount of the redemption price per share (the “Prepayment”) from the proceeds released from the trust account related to those shares. Among the acceleration provisions is the Backstop Parties’ right to accelerate the Maturity Date if the Company’s stock price trades below a stipulated price per share for any 30 trading days during a 45 day consecutive trading-day period (in October 2023, this acceleration provision was amended with one Backstop Party providing it the right to accelerate the Maturity Date if the Company’s stock price trades below a stipulated price per share for any 20 trading days during a 30 day consecutive trading-day period). On any date following the closing of the Business Combination, the Backstop Parties also have the option to early terminate the arrangement in whole or in part by providing an optional early termination date notice to the Company (the “Optional Early Termination”). For those shares that are early terminated (the “Terminated Shares”), the Backstop Parties will owe the Company an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of Terminated Shares and (y) the Redemption Price, which may be reduced in the case of certain dilutive events (the “Reset Price”).

Upon the Maturity Date, the Company is obligated to pay the Backstop Parties an amount equal to the product of (i) the maximum number of shares of 8,000,000 less the number of Terminated Shares by (ii) $2.50 (the “Maturity Consideration”). The Company can pay the Maturity Consideration in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock if certain conditions are met.

As of March 31, 2023, the Backstop Parties have purchased a total of 4,885,466 of the Company’s common stock, referred to herein as the “Backstop Shares.” The Backstop Parties’ Optional Early Termination economically results in the Backstop Agreement operating in substance to grant the Backstop Parties’ a put option with the right to sell all or a portion of the 4,885,466 Backstop Shares. Over the three-year maturity period, the Company is entitled to either a return of the Prepayment, the underlying shares, or a combination thereof, at the sole discretion of the Backstop Parties.

For further information regarding the Backstop Agreement, refer to Note 3, Business Combination and Backstop Agreement.

Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration

The Backstop Agreement consists of two financial instruments that are accounted for as follows:

(i)The in-substance written put option which is recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as the “Backstop Put Option Liability” and treated as a derivative instrument. The Company measures the fair value of the Backstop Put Option Liability on a recurring basis, with any fair value adjustment recorded within other income/(expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 4, Fair Value Measurements, for further detail.
(ii)The “Fixed Maturity Consideration” representing the 8,000,000 in maximum shares less the 4,885,466 Backstop Shares multiplied by $2.50. The Company has elected to measure the Fixed Maturity Consideration using the Fair Value Option (“FVO”) under ASC 825, Financial Instruments. The Company measures the fair value of the Fixed Maturity Consideration on a recurring basis, with any fair value adjustment recorded within other income/(expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 4, Fair Value Measurements, for further detail.

The Prepayment is accounted for as a reduction to equity to reflect the substance of the overall arrangement as a net purchase of the Backstop Shares and sales of shares to the Backstop Parties.

Note 3—3. Initial Public OfferingBusiness Combination and Backstop Agreement (Restated)

As discussed in Note 1, on February 14, 2023, the Company consummated the previously announced Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, on the Closing Date, Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy Ocean, with Legacy Ocean continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the registrant. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company changed its name from “Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.” to “Ocean Biomedical, Inc.”

 

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On September 17, 2021,January 11, 2023, the Company soldrecord date for the Special Meeting (defined below), there were 10,500,000 13,225,000Units at shares of AHAC’s common stock, par value $10.00 0.0001per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $105.0 million,share, issued and incurring offering costs of $4,613,955,outstanding, consisting of $(i) 1,050,000 10,600,000 public shares of underwriting fees, $3,150,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $413,955 of other offering costs. Each Unit consists of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock par value $0.0001and (ii) 2,625,000 shares of Class B common stock held by the Sponsor. In addition, AHAC had issued 5,250,000 public warrants to purchase Class A common stock (originally sold as part of the units issued in AHAC’s initial public offering (“IPO”)) (the “Public Warrants”), along with 5,411,000 warrants issued to the Sponsor in a private placement (the “Private Placement Warrants”) on the IPO closing date. Prior to the Special Meeting, holders of 5,570,965 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock included in the units issued in AHAC’s IPO exercised their right to redeem those shares for cash at a price of $10.56 per share, and one-halffor an aggregate of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”)$58,847,564. Each whole Public Warrant will entitleThe per share redemption price was paid out of AHAC’s trust account, which, after taking into account the holderredemptions but before any transaction expenses, had a balance immediately prior to purchase one sharethe Closing of $52,070,404.

On February 14, 2023, in connection with the Closing:

● AHAC issued to the holders of Legacy Ocean’s securities as of immediately prior to the Closing approximately 23,355,432 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock (with a per-share value of $10.00) with an aggregate value equal to $233,554,320, as adjusted as required by the Business Combination Agreement to take into account net working capital, closing net debt and Legacy Ocean transaction expenses, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Legacy Ocean;

● the Sponsor’s 2,625,000 shares of AHAC’s Class B common stock converted on a one-for-one basisinto 2,625,000 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock pursuant to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended Certificate”);

● AHAC issued to the Sponsor 1,365,000 additional shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock in connection with the Sponsor obtaining two (2) three-month extensions beyond the September 16, 2022 deadline to complete an initial business combination;

● the Backstop Parties purchased 3,535,466 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock prior to the Closing that were not redeemed and are subject to the forward purchase provisions of the Backstop Agreement (the “Recycled Shares”);

● the Backstop Parties purchased 1,200,000 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock in the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $12,675,912 prior to the Closing that were not redeemed (the “Share Consideration Shares”);

5,570,965 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock were redeemed immediately prior to Closing of the Business Combination, as described above;

● the Company issued to Second Street Capital, LLC (“Second Street Capital”), Legacy Ocean’s lender, three (3) warrants (the “Converted Ocean Warrants”) for the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the economic value of the Legacy Ocean warrants previously issued to Second Street in exchange for the termination of the Legacy Ocean warrants. The Converted Ocean Warrants are exercisable for a total of 511,712 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $11.508.06 per whole share (see Note 7 – Stockholders’ Equity).and 102,342 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.47 per share;

 

Note 4 -● the Company issued to Polar (as defined below) Private Placement1,350,000 newly issued shares of its common stock that are subject to the forward purchase provisions of the Backstop Agreement, described in “Note 6 Equity”; and

 

Simultaneously● all shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock were reclassified as common stock pursuant to the Company’s Amended Certificate.

The following table reconciles the elements of the Business Combination to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity/(deficit) and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Schedule of Elements of Business Combination

Cash from AHAC trust, net of redemptions $52,070 
Issuance costs from business combination  (2,049)
Net impact on total stockholders’ equity  50,021 
     
Non-cash offering costs  2,049 
Net impact on cash provided by financing activity $52,070 

Earnout Shares

In addition, pursuant to Business Combination Agreement, Legacy Ocean’s stockholders prior to the Closing (the “Legacy Ocean Stockholders”) shall be entitled to receive from the Company, in the aggregate, up to an additional 19,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Earnout Shares”) as follows: (a) in the event that the volume-weighted average price (the “VWAP”) of the Company’s common stock exceeds $15.00 per share for twenty (20) out of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days beginning on the Closing Date until the 36-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the Legacy Ocean Stockholders shall be entitled to receive an additional 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, (b) in the event that the VWAP of the Company’s common stock exceeds $17.50 per share for twenty (20) out of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days beginning on the Closing Date until the 36-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the Legacy Ocean Stockholders shall be entitled to receive an additional 7,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and (c) in the event that the VWAP of the Company’s common stock exceeds $20.00 per share for twenty (20) out of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days beginning on the Closing Date until the 36-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the Legacy Ocean Stockholders shall be entitled to receive an additional 7,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. In addition, for each issuance of Earnout Shares, the Company will also issue to Sponsor an additional 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

Both the number of Earnout Shares and the price per share is subject to adjustment to reflect the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to the common stock (i.e., dilutive activities).

The accounting for the Earnout Shares was first evaluated under the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Section 718 (“ASC 718”) to determine if the arrangement represents a share-based payment arrangement. Because the Earnout Shares are issued to all the Legacy Ocean Stockholders and the Sponsor and there are no service conditions nor any requirement of the participants to provide goods or services, the Company determined that the Earnout Shares are not within the scope of ASC 718. In reaching this conclusion, the Company focused on the fact that the Earnout Shares are not provided to any holder of options or unvested stock but rather the arrangement is provided only to vested equity holder.

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Next, the Company determined that the Earnout Shares represent a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument to be evaluated under ASC Section 480 (“ASC 480”) and ASC Section 815-40 (“ASC 815-40”). Based upon the analysis, the Company concluded that the Earnout Shares should not be classified as a liability under ASC 480.

Under ASC 815-40, an entity must first evaluate whether an equity-linked instrument is considered indexed to the reporting entity’s stock. This analysis, which is performed under ASC 815-40-15, is a two-step test that includes evaluation of both exercise contingencies and settlement provisions. The Earnout Share arrangement contains contingencies – the daily volume weighted average stock price on the basis of a specific price per share. The contingency is based on an observable market or an observable index other than one based on the Company’s common stock. With respect to settlement provisions, the number of Earnout Shares is adjusted only for dilutive activities, which are an input into the pricing of a fixed-for-fixed option on equity shares under ASC 815-40-15-7E(c). It is important to note that, in absence of dilutive activities, there will be either zero or 19 million shares issuable under the Earnout Share arrangement; therefore, the triggering events for issuance of shares is only an exercise contingency to be evaluated under step 1 of ASC 815-40-15.

The Company next considered the equity classification conditions in ASC 815-40-25 and concluded that all of them were met. Therefore, the Earnout Share arrangement is appropriately classified in equity.

As the Business Combination is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization the Earnout Share arrangement as of the Closing Date is accounted for as an equity transaction (as a deemed dividend) as of the Closing Date of the Business Combination in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Backstop Agreement

As discussed in Note 2, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, on August 31, 2022AHAC and Legacy Ocean entered as the Backstop Agreement in connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Backstop Agreement and its subsequent amendments, Vellar agreed to purchase up to 8,000,000 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock in the open market in exchange for up to $80,000,000, including from other stockholders that elected to redeem and subsequently revoked their prior elections to redeem their shares, following the expiration of AHAC’s redemption offer.

On February 13, 2023, AHAC, Vellar and Legacy Ocean entered into an assignment and novation agreement with Meteora Special Opportunity Fund I, LP, Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP and Meteora Capital Partners, LP (collectively “Meteora”) (the “Meteora Agreement”), pursuant to which Vellar assigned its obligation to purchase 2,666,667 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Backstop Agreement to Meteora. In addition, on February 13, 2023, AHAC, Vellar and Legacy Ocean entered into an assignment and novation agreement with Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“Polar” and, collectively with Vellar and Meteora, the “Backstop Parties”) (the “Polar Agreement”) pursuant to which Vellar assigned its obligations to 2,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company to be purchased under the Backstop Agreement to Polar.

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Further, the Backstop Agreement grants the Backstop Parties the right to purchase additional shares from the Company (the “Additional Shares” and, together with the Recycled Shares, the “Backstop Shares”) up to an amount equal to the difference between the number of Recycled Shares (defined below) and the maximum number of shares of 8,000,000.

As further discussed in Note 2, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Company agreed to purchase the unsold portion of the Backstop Shares from the Backstop Parties on a forward basis upon the Maturity Date. The purchase price payable by the Company includes a prepayment in the amount of the redemption price per share (the “Prepayment”) from the proceeds released from the trust account related to those shares. Upon the Maturity Date, the Company is obligated to pay the Backstop Parties an amount equal to the product of (i) the maximum number of shares of 8,000,000 less the number of Terminated Shares by (ii) $2.50, defined as the Maturity Consideration in the Backstop Agreement. The Company can pay the Maturity Consideration in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock if certain conditions are met.

On February 14, 2023, (i) pursuant to the Backstop Agreement, the Backstop Parties purchased 3,535,466 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock for $10.56 per share (the “Recycled Shares”) and (ii) pursuant to Polar’s exercise of its right to purchase Additional Shares, AHAC, Legacy Ocean and Polar entered into a subscription agreement pursuant to which Polar purchased 1,350,000 newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share purchase price of approximately $10.56 (the “Polar Subscription”). Under the Backstop Agreement, the Additional Shares are subject to the same terms as the Recycled Shares, including with regard to repayment and repurchase.

Subsequent to Closing, the Prepayment amount was equal to $51,606,389, consisting of $37,345,985 for the Recycled Shares and $14,260,404 for the Polar Subscription Shares. As the $14,260,404 was a netted transaction between the Company and Polar, only $37,345,985 was paid out of the funds the Company received from AHAC’s trust account. This net impact from the payment outflow to Backstop Parties for the Backstop Agreement of $51,606,389 and the proceeds inflow from the issuance of common stock pursuant to the Backstop Agreement and Subscription Agreement of $14,260,404 are disclosed in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Subsequent to Closing, the Prepayment amount was equal to $51,606,389, consisting of $37,345,985 for the Recycled Shares and $14,260,404 for the Polar Subscription Shares. As the $14,260,404 was a netted transaction between the Company and Polar, only $37,345,985 was paid out of the funds the Company received from AHAC’s trust account. This net impact from the payment outflow to Backstop Parties for the Backstop Agreement of $51,606,389 and the proceeds inflow from the issuance of common stock pursuant to the Backstop Agreement and Subscription Agreement of $14,260,404 are disclosed in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

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The Backstop Agreement consists of two financial instruments that are accounted for as follows:

(i)The in-substance written put option which is recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as the “Backstop Put Option Liability” and treated as a derivative instrument. The Company measures the fair value of the Backstop Put Option Liability on a recurring basis, with any fair value adjustment recorded within other income/(expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 4, Fair Value Measurements, for further detail.
(ii)The “Fixed Maturity Consideration” representing the 8,000,000 in maximum shares less the 4,885,466 Backstop Shares multiplied by $2.50. The Company has elected to measure the Fixed Maturity Consideration using the Fair Value Option (“FVO”) under ASC 825, Financial Instruments. The Company measures the fair value of the Fixed Maturity Consideration on a recurring basis, with any fair value adjustment recorded within other income/(expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 4, Fair Value Measurements, for further detail.

As discussed above, the Prepayment of $51,606,389 is accounted for as a reduction to equity to reflect the substance of the overall arrangement as a net repurchase of the Backstop Shares and sale of shares to the Backstop Parties.

For additional information, see “Restatement” above in Note 2, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

At any time prior to the Maturity Date, and in accordance with the terms of the Backstop Agreement, the Backstop Parties may elect an optional early termination to sell some or all of the Recycled Shares and Additional Shares. If the Backstop Parties sell any shares prior to the Maturity Date, the pro-rata portion of the Prepayment amount will be paid back to the Company. Depending on the manner in which the Backstop Agreement is settled, the Company may never have access to the full Prepayment.

Common Stock Purchase Agreement

Following the Business Combination, the Company is subject to the terms and conditions of (i) a Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated September 7, 2022 (the “Common Stock Purchase Agreement”), that AHAC entered into with White Lion Capital LLC (“White Lion”) and (ii) a Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 7, 2022 (the “White Lion Registration Rights Agreement”), that AHAC entered into with White Lion. Pursuant to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation to require White Lion to purchase, from time to time, up to $75,000,000 in aggregate gross purchase price of newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Common Stock Purchase Agreement.

The Company is obligated under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement and the White Lion Registration Rights Agreement to file a registration statement with the SEC to register for the resale by White Lion, shares of common stock that the Company may issue to White Lion under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “White Lion Registration Statement”).

Subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions, the Company’s right to sell shares to White Lion will commence on the effective date of the White Lion Registration Statement and extend for a period of two years. During such term, subject to the terms and conditions of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company may notify White Lion when the Company exercises its right to sell shares (the effective date of such notice, a “Notice Date”). The number of shares sold pursuant to any such notice may not exceed (i) $2,000,000, divided by the closing price of the Company common stock on Nasdaq preceding the Notice Date and (ii) a number of shares of common stock equal to the average daily trading volume multiplied by 67%.

The Company may not sell, and White Lion may not purchase, shares of the Company common stock that would result in White Lion owning more than 9.99% of the outstanding common stock of the Company.

On January 11, 2023, the record date for the Special Meeting, there were 13,225,000 shares of AHAC’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding, consisting of (i) 10,600,000 public shares of Class A common stock and (ii) 2,625,000 shares of Class B common stock held by the Sponsor.In addition, AHAC had issued 5,250,000 public warrants to purchase Class A common stock (originally sold as part of the units issued in AHAC’s initial public offering (“IPO”) (the “Public Warrants”), along with 5,411,000 warrants issued to the Sponsor in a private placement (the “Private Placement Warrants”) on the IPO closing date. Prior to the Special Meeting, holders of 5,570,965 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock included in the units issued in AHAC’s IPO exercised their right to redeem those shares for cash at a price of $10.56 per share, for an aggregate of $58,847,564. The per share redemption price was paid out of AHAC’s trust account, which, after taking into account the redemptions but before any transaction expenses, had a balance immediately prior to the Closing of $52,070,404.

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Sponsor Promissory Notes

In September 2022, AHAC entered into Loan and Transfer Agreements between AHAC, the Sponsor, and other parties (the “Lenders”), pursuant to which the Lenders loaned $1,050,000 to the Sponsor and the Sponsor loaned $1,050,000 to AHAC (the “Sponsor Extension Loan”). Amounts loaned from the Lenders to the Sponsor accrue interest at 8% per annum and amounts loaned from the Sponsor to AHAC do not accrue interest until the Closing of the Business Combination, after which time, the Company has agreed to pay the interest due to the Lender. The total amounts advanced by Lenders to the Sponsor in connection with the $1,050,000 loan (the “Funded Amounts”) were required to be repaid, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, within five days of the closing of the Initial Public Offering,Business Combination, at the option of the Lenders, in either (a) cash; or (b) shares of Class A common stock held by the Sponsor which are deemed to have a value of $10 per share for such repayment right. As additional consideration for the Lenders making the loan available to Sponsor, Sponsor agreed to transfer between 1 and 2.5 shares of Class B common stock to Lenders for each $10 multiple of the Funded Amounts, which included the registration rights previously provided by AHAC to the Sponsor, and, pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, 2.5 shares of the Company’s common stock per $10.00 of the Funded Amounts at Closing of the Business Combination Agreement to Sponsor, as described below. Sponsor transferred a total of 178,500 shares to the Lenders following the Closing of the Business Combination Agreement from shares of the Company’s common stock owned by the Sponsor as a result of the conversion of its AHAC Class B common stock into the Company’s common stock.

The Sponsor Extension Loan was paid down at Closing of the Business Combination to $500,000, all of which remained outstanding at March 31, 2023. The maturity date of the Sponsor Extension Loan has purchasedbeen extended to the funding of the Backstop Agreement, Common Stock Purchase Agreement or a convertible note financing but not more than 90 days from the closing of the Business Combination.

On December 13, 2022, AHAC entered into a Loan and Transfer Agreement between AHAC, the Sponsor, and NPIC Limited (the “NPIC Lender”), pursuant to which the Lender loaned $1,050,000 to the Sponsor and the Sponsor loaned $1,050,000 to AHAC (the “NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan”). Amounts loaned from the NPIC Lender to the Sponsor accrue interest at 8% per annum and amounts loaned from the Sponsor to AHAC do not accrue interest until the Closing of the Business Combination, after which time, the Company has agreed to pay the interest due to the NPIC Lender. The total amounts advanced by NPIC Lender to the Sponsor in connection with the $1,050,000 loan (the “NPIC Funded Amounts”) were required to be repaid, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, within five days of the closing of the initial Business Combination, at the option of the NPIC Lender, in either (a) cash; or (b) shares of Class A common stock held by the Sponsor which are deemed to have a value of $10 per share for such repayment right. As additional consideration for the NPIC Lender making the loan available to Sponsor, Sponsor agreed to transfer 10 Shares of Class B common stock to NPIC Lender for each $10 multiple of the NPIC Funded Amounts, which included the registration rights previously provided by AHAC to the Sponsor, and, pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, the parties agreed that the Company would issue 1.05 shares of Company’s common stock per $1.00 of the NPIC Funded Amounts at Closing of the Business Combination Agreement to Sponsor, as described below. Sponsor transferred a total of 1,050,000 shares to the NPIC Lender.

On March 22, 2023 the Company entered into a Loan Modification Agreement (the “Modification Agreement”) by and among the Company, the Sponsor, and NPIC Lender, and a Side Letter Agreement between the Company and the Sponsor (the “Side Letter”), which modifies the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan.

The Modification Agreement modified the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan to provide that, among other things, (i) the maturity date of the loan from NPIC Lender to Sponsor (the “NPIC Sponsor Loan”) is extended to May 22, 2023 (the “Maturity Date”); (ii) the extension will take effect concurrently with, and not until, the Sponsor transfers 1,050,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Initial SPAC Shares”) to the NPIC Lender; (iii) effective as of the date of the Modification Agreement, the NPIC Sponsor Loan shall accrue fifteen percent (15%) interest per annum, compounded monthly; (iv) the maturity date of the $1,050,000 loan by Sponsor to the Company (the “SPAC Loan”) is extended to May 19, 2023; (v) the proceeds of any capital raise of at least $15,000,000 by the Company shall be first used by the Company to promptly repay the SPAC Loan and then Sponsor shall promptly repay the NPIC Sponsor Loan and all accrued interest; (vi) in exchange for the extension of the Maturity Date, the Company shall issue 50,000 shares of common stock to the NPIC Lender on the date of the Modification Agreement and shall issue an additional 50,000 shares of common stock thereafter on each 30-day anniversary of the Maturity Date to the NPIC Lender until the NPIC Sponsor Loan is repaid in full; (vii) in the event Sponsor defaults on its obligations to repay the NPIC Sponsor Loan by the Maturity Date, the Sponsor shall transfer to the NPIC Lender 250,000 shares of Company common stock owned by the Sponsor and shall transfer an additional 250,000 such shares each month thereafter until the default is cured; (viii) the Company is obligated to file a registration statement with the SEC registering the shares to be issued to the NPIC Lender within 30 days of the transfer, including the Initial SPAC shares; and (ix) in the event that the Company defaults on its obligations to the NPIC Lender set forth in (v), (vi) and (viii), the Company shall issue to NPIC Lender 250,000 shares of common stock and shall transfer an additional 250,000 shares of common stock each month thereafter until the default is cured. The Side Letter provides that, in the event the Company fails to repay the SPAC Loan by May 19, 2023, the Company shall issue to Sponsor 250,000 shares of common stock and shall issue an additional 250,000 such shares to Sponsor each month thereafter until the default is cured.

The maturity dates of the loans pursuant to the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan have each been extended to May 25, 2023.

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Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement described above, the Sponsor was issued 1,365,000 shares of the Company’s common stock as consideration for providing the extension loans to the Company (the “Sponsor extension shares”). At the Closing Date, the fair value was the Company’s closing stock price on the date granted. The Company recognized a loss of $13.6 million as loss on extinguishment in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-month ended March 31, 2023.

On March 22, 2023, NPIC Lender was issued 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock as consideration for the Modification Agreement. The fair value was the Company’s closing stock price on the date granted. The Company recognized a loss of $358,000 as interest expense. In addition, the Company recorded interest expense in the amount of $12,577 on the outstanding balance in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-month ended March 31, 2023.

Deferred Underwriting Commissions

At Closing of the Business Combination, the underwriters for AHAC’s initial public offering agreed to defer payment of $3.2 million of deferred underwriting discounts otherwise due to them until November 14, 2023, pursuant to the terms of a promissory note. The deferred amounts bear interest at 9% per annum and 24% per annum following an event of default under the promissory note. The amount is recorded as a short-term loan in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company recorded $36,225 of interest expense on the outstanding balance in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023.

Note 4. Fair Value Measurements (Restated)

The following tables present information about the Company’s financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the level of the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine such fair values (in thousands):

Schedule of Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

                 
  Fair Value Hierarchy 
(in thousands) Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Financial liabilities:                
Backstop Put Option Liability $-  $-  $(28,020) $(28,020)
Fixed Maturity Consideration  -   -   (3,292)  (3,292)
Total financial liabilities $-  $-  $(31,312) $(31,312)

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, there were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.

Valuation of Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration

The Company utilized a Monte-Carlo simulation to value the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration. The key inputs and assumptions used in the Monte-Carlo Simulation, including volatility, expected term, expected future stock price, and various simulated paths, were utilized to estimate the fair value of the associated derivative liabilities. The value of the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity were calculated as the average present value over 50,000 simulated paths. The Company measures the fair value at each reporting period, with subsequent fair values to be recorded within other income/(expense) in its condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes significant unobservable inputs that are included in the valuation of the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration as of March 31, 2023:

Summary of Significant Inputs And Assumptions

  Estimated Volatility  Expected future stock price 

Risk-

free rate

 
Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration  50.0%$0.42-$6.64  3.9%

The following table provides a roll forward of the aggregate fair values of the Company’s Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration, for which fair value is determined using Level 3 inputs (in thousands):

Schedule of Fair Value Backstop Forward Purchase Agreement Asset

         
Level 3 Rollforward (in thousands) 

Backstop Put

Option Liability

  Fixed Maturity Consideration 
Balances as of January 1, 2023 $-  $- 
Initial fair value measurement  (12,414)  (3,166)
Changes in fair value  (15,606)  (126)
Balance as of March 31, 2023 $(28,020) $(3,292)

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

  

March 31,

2023

  December 31,
2022
 
Accounting and legal fees $13,267  $10,250 
Research and development  545   544 
Other  1,939   646 
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses $15,751  $11,440 

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Note 5. Loan Agreements, Commitments and Contingencies (Restated)

EF Hutton Note

On February 14, 2023, Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (predecessor to the Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (collectively, the “Company”) executed and delivered a $3.15 million principal amount promissory note (“Note”) to Benchmark Investments LLC (former name of EF Hutton LLC, “EFH”). The terms of the Note call for a 9% annual interest rate, with a 24% default interest rate. The Note matured on November 14, 2023 (with interest payable since that date at 24% per annum). Under the Note, the Company is required to pay EFH 50% of the principal amount and interest thereon in cash, and has the right to convert up to 50% of the principal amount and interest due thereon into Company common stock at a per share conversion price of $10.56 (the “Convertible Portion”).

On March 4, 2024, the Company converted the Convertible Portion into 169,582 restricted shares of its common stock.

Short-term Loan Agreements

Second Street Capital Loans

2022 Loans. In February 2022, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement with Second Street Capital (the “Second Street Loan”), pursuant to which the Company borrowed $600,000. The Second Street Loan accrues interest at the rate of 15% per annum, with principal and interest due at maturity. The Company issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 312,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $11.00 per share, exercisable until February 22, 2026. For a period of 180 days from the closing of the Company’s next financing, Second Street Capital has the right to put the warrants to the Company in exchange for a payment of $250,000. The Company was originally required to repay the Second Street Loan on the earlier of (i) 5 business days after the Company’s next financing or (ii) November 18, 2022. The Company recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) $250,000 for the put option in the first quarter of 2022.

In April 2022, the Company entered into a second Loan Agreement with Second Street Capital (the “Second Street Loan 2”), pursuant to which the Company borrowed $200,000. The Second Street Loan 2 accrues interest at the rate of 15% per annum, with principal and interest due at maturity. The Company issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 62,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $11.00 per share, exercisable until February 22, 2026. There is no put option associated with this loan. The Company was originally required to repay the Second Street Loan 2 on the earlier of (i) 5 business days after the Company’s next financing or (ii) November 18, 2022. The Company recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) $388,938 in the second quarter of 2022 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant.

On September 30, 2022, the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 were amended whereas the maturity dates were extended from November 18, 2022 to December 30, 2022. The Company was required to repay the principal and accrued interest of the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 the earlier of (i) 5 business days after its next financing or closing of the Business Combination or (ii) December 30, 2022. In consideration of the extension, the Company issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $10.20 per share exercisable until September 30, 2026. The Company recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) $435,075 in the third quarter of 2022 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant.

On December 30, 2022, the Second Street Loan and the Second Street Loan 2 were further amended to extend the maturity dates to February 15, 2023. No additional warrants were issued to Second Street Capital in connection with the extension. A loan fee of $25,000 was recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company was required to repay the Second Street Loan and the Second Street Loan 2 on the earlier of (i) 5 business days after its next financing or (ii) February 15, 2023.

2023 Loans and Extensions. On January 10, 2023, the Second Street Loan 2 was amended whereas increasing the loan amount from $200,000 to $400,000. A loan fee of $15,000 and a minimum return assessment fee of $35,000 were charged and paid from the $200,000 loan advance for net proceeds of $150,000. The Company was originally required to repay the principal and accrued interest of the Second Street Loan 2 the earlier of (i) 5 business days after its next financing or closing of the Business Combination or (ii) February 15, 2023.

Effective February 15, 2023, the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 were further amended whereas the maturity dates were extended from February 15, 2023 to March 31, 2023. The Company was required to repay the principal and accrued interest of the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 the earlier of (i) 5 business days after its next financing or (ii) March 31, 2023. In consideration of the extension, the Company issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $10.34 per share exercisable until March 31, 2028. An extension fee of $75,000 was recorded and $239,025 was recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2023.

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Effective March 29, 2023, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement with Second Street Capital (the “March Second Street Loan”) pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to $1 million to pay certain accrued expenses. Of this amount, the Company borrowed $700,000. The loan bears interest at 15% per annum and is due within three business days of the Company’s next financing or receipt of proceeds from the Backstop Agreement or, if earlier, 45 days from the date of the advance (May 15, 2023). The Company issued a warrant to Second Street Capital for 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable for five years at an exercise price of $10.34 and will pay up to $150,000 in loan fees at maturity. Since the Company only advanced $700,000, the loan fee due is $105,000 at maturity. The estimated fair value of the warrant was $748,200 that is amortized over the term of the loan. The Company recognized $49,880 as interest expense in other income/(expense) in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023. The March Second Street Loan is past due.

Effective March 31, 2023, the Second Street Loan and the Second Street Loan 2 were further amended to extend the maturity dates to May 31, 2023, and the Company is currently required to repay the loans on the earlier of (i) 5 business days after the Company’s next financing or (ii) May 31, 2023. In addition, an additional warrant was issued to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 and a loan fee of $95,000 was charged. The Company recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) $524,400 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023.

McKra Investments III Loan

Effective March 28, 2023, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “McKra Loan”) with McKra Investments III (“McKra”) pursuant to which the Company borrowed $1,000,000. The Company issued a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $10.34 per share, exercisable until March 27, 2028. The Company will pay a $150,000 loan and convenience fee due upon repayment of the loan. The loan bears interest at 15% per annum and is due within three business days of the Company’s next financing or receipt of proceeds from the Backstop Agreement or, if earlier, 45 days from the date of the advance (May 12, 2023). The estimated fair value of the warrant was $789,400 that is amortized over the term of the loan. The Company recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) $70,169 in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023. The McKra Loan is past due.

The Company recognized a total expense in the amount of $883,474 as interest expense in other income/(expense) for the warrants issued to Second Street Capital and McKra in the first quarter of 2023 based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Approximately $1,417,551 of the estimated fair value of the warrants were unrecognized and will be amortized over the life of the loan.

Sponsor Promissory Notes

For a discussion of the outstanding Sponsor Extension Loan and NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan see “Note 3 Business Combination and Backstop Agreement.”

Underwriter Promissory Note

For a discussion of an outstanding note due to the underwriters in AHAC’s IPO, see “Note 3 Business Combination and Backstop Agreement.”

Litigation

As of March 31, 2023, the Company was not a party to any pending material legal proceedings. From time to time, the Company may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities.

Leases

As of March 31, 2023, the Company is not a party to any leasing agreements.

License Fees

The Company entered into license agreements with its academic research institution partners. Under these license agreements, the Company is required to make annual fixed license maintenance fee payments. The Company is also required to make payments upon successful completion and achievement of certain milestones as well as royalty payments upon sales of products covered by such licenses. The payment obligations under the license and collaboration agreements are contingent upon future events such as achievement of specified development, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones. As the timing of these future milestone payments are not known, the Company has not included these fees in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

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The initial license fees of $67,000for each of the four Initial Brown License Agreements (defined in “Note 9 License Agreements”) in the amount of $268,000 and for the Rhode Island License Agreement (defined in “Note 9 License Agreements”) of $110,000 are no longer contingent and are currently due. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, initial license fees in the amount of $378,000 were recorded as a research and development expense in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Starting January 1, 2022, annual license maintenance fees in the amount of $3,000 are due for each of the four Initial Brown License Agreement. Starting January 1, 2023, an annual license maintenance fee in the amount of $3,000 is due for the Rhode Island License Agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, maintenance fees in the amount of $15,000 and $12,000, respectively, were recorded as a research and development expense in the Company’s financial statements. See Note 9, License Agreements.

Contingent Compensation and Other Contingent Payments (Restated)

The contingent payments of approximately $14.2 million are contingently payable based only upon the Company’s first cumulative capital raise of at least $50 million and consists of $12.0 million of contingent compensation and bonuses to certain members of senior management, $2.1 million of contingent vendor payments, and $0.1 million of related party expense. 

These amounts will not be paid if the contingencies do not occur. Since the payment of obligations under the employment agreements are contingent upon these future events, which are not considered probable as such future events are deemed outside of the Company’s control, the Company has not included these amounts in its condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

On February 14, 2023, the Company obtained directors and officers liability (“D&O”) insurance that includes (i) a one-year Run-Off policy for AHAC’s directors and officers thatprovides coverage for claims that arise out of wrongful acts that allegedly occurred prior to the date of the Business Combination and (ii) a standard one-year policy for the Company’s directors and officers that provides coverage for claims made by stockholders or third parties for alleged wrongdoing. The total annual premiums for the policies are approximately $1.2 million paid over twelve months. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has paid $142,433 of the premiums that is recorded as general and administrative expenses in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 6. Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company’s Amended Certificate provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”) will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. The Company’s Board will be able to, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of the Company’s Board to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company or the removal of existing management. As of March 31, 2023, the Company does not currently have any preferred stock outstanding and does not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock.

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Common Stock

The holders of common stock of the Company are entitled to dividends when and if declared by the Company’s Board. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. At March 31, 2023, the Company had 300,000,000 authorized shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. At March 31, 2022, the Company had 180,564,262 authorized shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share.

Legacy Ocean’s founder and sole stockholder was issued 17,454,542 shares of Legacy Ocean’s common stock (“Founders Shares”) upon the formation of Legacy Ocean on January 2, 2019.

In December 2020, the sole stockholder of Legacy Ocean contributed 100% of his Founders Shares to Poseidon Bio, LLC (“Poseidon”), which became the sole stockholder of Legacy Ocean. In February 2021, Poseidon transferred 342,244 shares of Legacy Ocean’s common stock back to Legacy Ocean’s founder.

In February 2021, Poseidon amended and restated its operating agreement to allow additional members into Poseidon by issuing Class A units and Class B units in which Legacy Ocean’s founder is the sole Class A unit holder who holds 100% of the voting power of Poseidon. In addition, certain executives and employees of the Company were granted Class B unit profit interests in Poseidon. These profit interests grants in the Company’s controlling shareholder were deemed to be transactions incurred by the shareholder and within the scope of FASB ASC 718, Stock Compensation. As a result, the related transactions by the shareholder were pushed down into the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2023, Legacy Ocean’s founder held 100% of the voting power and 68% of the equity interests in Poseidon. See Stock-Based Compensation for Profit Interests in Poseidon section below.

In March 2021, Legacy Ocean authorized the issuance of common stock in Legacy Ocean to certain persons who were accredited investors (consisting of friends and family of Legacy Ocean’s employees) at an aggregate offering price of $1.0 million.

On January 19, 2022, Legacy Ocean implemented an 8-for-11 reverse stock splitof its common stock. All share and per share data shown in the accompanying financial statements and related notes have been retroactively revised to reflect the reverse stock split.

On February 1, 2022, Legacy Ocean implemented a 6-for-7 reverse stock splitof its common stock. All share and per share data shown in the accompanying financial statements and related notes have been retroactively revised to reflect the reverse stock split.

On February 2, 2022, Legacy Ocean implemented a 28-for-29 reverse stock splitof its common stock. All share and per share data shown in the accompanying financial statements and related notes have been retroactively revised to reflect the reverse stock split.

As mentioned in Note 1, the Business Combination is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, AHAC, who is the legal acquirer, is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes and Legacy Ocean is treated as the accounting acquirer. Legacy Ocean has been determined to be the accounting acquirer. The effects of the Business Combination require a retroactive recapitalization of the Company.

Common Stock Issued Following the Closing of the Business Combination

For a discussion of shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, see “Note 3 Business Combination and Backstop Agreement.” 

In connection with the Closing of the Company’s Business Combination on February 14, 2023, the Company, Legacy Ocean and Polar entered into a subscription agreement in which Polar agreed to purchase 1,350,000 newly-issued shares of our common stock at a per share purchase price of $10.56 and an aggregate purchase price of $14,260,404.

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In connection with the Modification Agreement, dated March 22, 2023, with the NPIC Lender, on March 22, 2023, the Company issued to the NPIC Lender 50,000 shares of common stock in exchange for the extension of the maturity date of the NPIC Sponsor Loan. The estimated fair value of the issued stock was $7.16 per share and was determined using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 22, 2023. The Company recognized an expense of $358,000.

At March 31, 2023 and 2022, the common stock of the Company issued and outstanding consisted of the following:

Schedule of Common Stock Issued and Outstanding

 March 31, 2023  March 31, 2022 
  Common Stock Shares 
 March 31, 2023  March 31, 2022 
Stockholder      
Legacy Ocean equity holders  17,496,370   17,496,370 
Retroactive application of recapitalization  5,859,062   5,859,062 
Adjusted Legacy Ocean equity holders  23,355,432   23,355,432 
Non-redeemed public stockholders  293,569     
Backstop Agreement  3,535,466     
Backstop Agreement-Subscription Agreement  1,350,000     
Share Consideration Shares  1,200,000     
Sponsor extension shares  

1,365,000

     
Sponsor shares  

2,625,000

     
Shares Modification Agreement  50,000     
Total  33,774,467   23,355,432 

The Backstop Agreement shares, Share Consideration Shares, and the Sponsor Shares were included in the effects of the Business Combination in the condensed consolidated statements of equity/(deficit) for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Stock Options

2022 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

The Company’s stockholders approved and adopted the 2022 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (the “Incentive Plan”) at the Special Meeting. The Board approved and adopted the Incentive Plan prior to the Closing of the Business Combination.

The Board’s Compensation Committee will administer the Incentive Plan. Persons eligible to receive awards under the Incentive Plan include officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directors of the Company, and certain consultants and advisors to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the Incentive Plan equals 4,360,000 shares (the “Share Limit”). In addition, the Share Limit shall automatically increase on the first trading day in January of each calendar year during the term of the Incentive Plan, with the first such increase to occur in January 2024, by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) three percent (3%) of the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year or (ii) such number of shares of common stock as may be established by the Board.

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The Incentive Plan authorizes stock options, stock appreciation rights, and other forms of awards granted or denominated in the Company’s common stock or units of the Company’s common stock, as well as cash bonus awards. The Incentive Plan retains flexibility to offer competitive incentives and to tailor benefits to specific needs and circumstances. Any award may be structured to be paid or settled in cash. Any awards under the Incentive Plan (including awards of stock options and stock appreciation rights) may be fully-vested at grant or may be subject to time- and/or performance-based vesting requirements.

The Incentive Plan does not limit the authority of the Board or any committee to grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to the Company’s common stock, under any other plan or authority. The Board may amend or terminate the Incentive Plan at any time and in any manner. Stockholder approval for an amendment will be required only to the extent then required by applicable law or deemed necessary or advisable by the Board. Unless terminated earlier by the Board and subject to any extension that may be approved by stockholders, the authority to grant new awards under the Incentive Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of its establishment.

2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company’s stockholders approved and adopted the 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) at the Special Meeting. The Board approved and adopted the ESPP prior to the Closing of the Business Combination.

The ESPP will be administered by the Board’s Compensation Committee, which may delegate such of its duties, powers and responsibilities as it may determine to one or more of its members, and, to the extent permitted by law, our officers, and may delegate to employees and other persons such ministerial tasks as it deems appropriate. Subject to adjustment, 2,180,000 shares of common stock are available for purchase pursuant to the exercise of options under the ESPP. Shares to be delivered upon exercise of options under the ESPP may be authorized but unissued stock, treasury stock, or stock acquired in an open-market transaction. Subject to certain requirements and exceptions, all individuals classified as employees on the payroll records of the Company or its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in anyone or more of the offerings under the ESPP.

The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock during specified offering periods, with such offering periods not to exceed 27 months. During each offering period, eligible employees will be granted an option to purchase shares of common stock on the last business day of the offering period. The purchase price of each share of common stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an option under the ESPP on an exercise date will be 85% (or such greater percentage as specified by the administrator of the ESPP) of the lesser of: (a) the fair market value of a share of common stock date the option is granted, which will be the first day of the offering period, and (b) the fair market value of a share of common stock on the exercise date, which will the last business day of the offering period.

Our Board has discretion to amend the ESPP to any extent and in any manner it may deem advisable, provided that any amendment that would be treated as the adoption of a new plan for purposes of Section 423 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) will require stockholder approval. Our Board may suspend or terminate the ESPP at any time.

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Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation costs related to all types of equity-based compensation awards granted to employees, nonemployees, and directors in accordance with GAAP. The Company estimates the fair value and the resulting amounts using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods but accelerated to the extent that grants vest sooner than on a straight-line basis. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur and requires management to make a number of other assumptions, the volatility of the underlying shares, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Expected volatility is based on the historical share volatility of a set of comparable publicly traded companies over a period of time equal to the expected term of the grant or option.

Profit Interests in Poseidon

On February 22, 2021, 3,080,000 Class B profit interests in Poseidon were granted. The estimated fair value of a Class B profit interest in Poseidon at February 22, 2021, the grant date of the profit interests, was $22.26 per interest and was determined using an option-pricing model under which interests are valued by creating a series of call options with exercise prices based on the liquidation preferences and conversion terms of each equity class, adjusted for a discount for the lack of marketability to account for a lack of access to an active public market.

On April 20, 2022, an additional 25,500 fully vested Class B profit interests were granted to an executive. The estimated fair value of a Class B profit interest in Poseidon on the grant date was $7.03 per interest and was determined using an option-pricing model under which interests are valued by creating a series of call options with exercise prices based on the liquidation preferences and conversion terms of each equity class, adjusted for a discount for the lack of marketability to account for a lack of access to an active public market.

As of March 31, 2023, the profit interests were fully vested.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the profits interests that were granted on February 22, 2021:

Schedule of Assumptions Estimate Fair Value

     
Risk-free interest rate  0.11%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $16.96 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected terms in years  2 
Expected volatility  75%

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the profits interests that were granted on April 20, 2022:

     
Risk-free interest rate  2.10%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $11.00 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected terms in years  8 
Expected volatility  75%

As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, there was $68.9 million and $61.1 million, respectively, of recognized compensation costs related to the Class B profit interest in Poseidon. As of March 31, 2023, the profit interests were fully amortized. As of March 31, 2022, there was $7.5 million of unrecognized compensation costs relating to the profit interests.

Stock Options to Non-Employee Directors

Under the Non-employee Director Compensation Policy, upon initial election or appointment to the Company’s Board, each new non-employee director will be granted under the Incentive Plan a one-time grant of a non-statutory stock option to purchase 75,000 shares of its common stock on the date of such director’s election or appointment to the Board (the “Director Initial Grant”). The Director Initial Grant will vest in substantially equal monthly installments over three years, subject to the director’s continued service as a member of our Board through each applicable vesting date. The Director Initial Grant is subject to full acceleration vesting upon the sale of the Company.

On February 15, 2023, a Director Initial Grant was made to each of the non-employee directors elected to the Board at the Special Meeting. The exercise price was $10.00 per share.

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The estimated fair value of a non-statutory stock option to purchase common stock on the grant date was $3.73 per share and was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The stock-based compensation amount was included in the total amount recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2023.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the non-statutory stock options that were granted on February 15, 2023:

Schedule of Assumptions Estimate Fair Value

     
Risk-free interest rate  4.0%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $6.03 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected years to maturity  6.5 
Expected volatility  75%

As of March 31, 2023, there was $62 thousand of recognized compensation costs and the total unrecognized compensation related to unvested stock option awards granted was $2.2 million which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.9 years. No stock options were exercised during the period.

Special Forces F9 Warrants

In connection with the Strategic Advisory Agreement, dated March 19, 2023, between the Company and Special Forces F9, LLC (“Special Forces”), the Company issued to Special Forces a warrant to purchase 150,000 shares of its common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 per share exercisable until March 7, 2028. Warrants issued to advisors and consultants are also considered stock-based compensation. The estimated fair value of the warrant to purchase common stock on the grant date was $3.89 per share and was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the warrants that were granted on March 19, 2023:

     
Risk-free interest rate  4.0%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $7.17 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected terms in years  5 
Expected volatility  75%

As of March 31, 2023, there was $583,500 of recognized compensation costs relating to the warrant and since the warrant was fully vested upon issuance, there were no unrecognized compensation costs. No warrants were exercised during the period. As of March 31, 2022, there were no stock-based compensation costs since no warrants were issued to consultants.

As of March 31, 2023, there was a total of $645,623 of recognized compensation costs related to the stock option and warrant grants. The total unrecognized compensation related to unvested stock option awards granted was $2.2 million which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.9 years. There were no unrecognized compensation costs related to the warrants. No stock options or warrants were exercised during the period.

As of March 31, 2022, there were no stock-based compensation costs related to stock options and warrants. The stock-based compensation costs during this period related to the profit interests in Poseidon discussed above.

The stock-based compensation pertaining to the non-employee directors non-statutory stock options, consultants’ warrants to purchase common stock, and Class B profit interests in Poseidon were expensed as a general and administrative expense and Class B profit interests in Poseidon were expensed as research and development expense. The following table summarizes the allocation of stock-based compensation for the stock options, warrants, and for the Class B profit interests in Poseidon for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

Schedule of Stock Based Compensation

       
  

For the three months ended

March 31,

 
(in thousands) 2023  2022 
Research and development expense $  $3,186 
General and administrative expense  646   1,357 
Total stock-based compensation expense $646  $4,543 

Warrants

Under SEC guidelines, the Company is required to record the issuance of warrants based on the “fair value” of the warrant. Under ASC 820-10-35-2, “Fair Value” has a very technical definition and is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability or equity in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” ASC 480 provides guidance for determining whether an instrument must be classified as a liability or equity. For a warrant that is fully vested with a fixed life term, the instrument is classified as equity. The Company recognizes the expense amount of the estimated fair value of the warrant and records in an APIC account on the date of grant.

The Company estimates the fair value and the resulting amounts using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods but accelerated to the extent that grants vest sooner than on a straight-line basis. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur and requires management to make a number of other assumptions, the volatility of the underlying shares, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Expected volatility is based on the historical share volatility of a set of comparable publicly traded companies over a period of time equal to the expected term of the grant or option.

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The Company accounts for warrants issued based on their respective grant dates fair values. Prior to September 2022, the value of the Second Street Warrants was estimated considering, among other things, contemporaneous valuations for the Company’s common stock prepared by unrelated third-party valuation firms and prices set forth in the Company’s previous filings with the SEC for a proposed IPO of its common stock that was not pursued by the Company (“Legacy Ocean IPO filings”). The Company used the mid-range price per share based upon the Legacy Ocean IPO filings. Starting in September 2022, following the execution of the Business Combination Agreement with AHAC, the value of the Second Street Warrants was based on the closing price of AHAC’s Class A common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the grant date. The Company estimates the fair value, based upon these values, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is affected principally by the life of the warrant, the volatility of the underlying shares, the risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends. Expected volatility is based on the historical share volatility of a set of comparable publicly traded companies over a period of time equal to the expected term of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the warrant for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the warrant. Expected dividend yield is zero based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company records the amount in Other expenses.

Second Street Warrants

In February 2022, the Company entered into the Second Street Loan, pursuant to which the Company borrowed $600,000. The Company issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 312,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $11.00 per share, exercisable until February 22, 2026. For a period of 180 days from the closing of the Company’s next financing, Second Street Capital has the right to put the warrants to the Company in exchange for a payment of $250,000.

The Company recognized interest expense in the amount of $250,000 for the put option and recorded the liability in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.

In April 2022, the Company entered into the Second Street Loan 2, pursuant to which the Company borrowed $200,000. The Company issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 62,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $11.00 per share, exercisable until February 22, 2026. There is no put option associated with this warrant. The estimated fair value of the warrant to purchase common stock on the grant date was $6.22 per share and was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company recognized interest expense of $388,938 in the second quarter of 2022 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the warrants that were granted on April 22, 2022:

Schedule of Assumptions Estimate Fair Value

     
Risk-free interest rate  2.1%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $11.00 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected terms in years  4 
Expected volatility  75%

On September 30, 2022, the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 were amended whereas the maturity dates were extended from November 18, 2022 to December 30, 2022. In consideration of the extensions, the Company issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $10.20 per share exercisable until September 30, 2026. The estimated fair value of the warrant to purchase common stock on the grant date was $5.80 per share and was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company recognized interest expense of $435,075 in the third quarter of 2022 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the warrants that were granted on September 30, 2022:

     
Risk-free interest rate  2.5%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $10.20 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected terms in years  4 
Expected volatility  75%

In connection with the Closing, pursuant to a Warrant Exchange Agreement, on February 14, 2023, the Company replaced the three original warrants issued to Second Street Capital with new warrants, which consist of three warrants for the number of shares of our common stock equal to the economic value of the warrants previously issued to Second Street Capital. The new warrants are exercisable for a total of 511,712 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.06 per share and 102,342 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.47 per share. The new warrants expire four years from their date of issuance.

Effective February 15, 2023, the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 were further amended whereas the maturity dates were extended from February 15, 2023 to March 31, 2023. In consideration of the extensions, the Company issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $10.34 per share exercisable until March 31, 2028. The estimated fair value of the warrant to purchase common stock on the grant date was $3.19 per share and was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company recognized interest expense in the amount of $239,025 in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2023 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the warrants that were granted on February 15, 2023:

     
Risk-free interest rate  4.0%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $6.03 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected terms in years  5 
Expected volatility  75%

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Effective March 29, 2023, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement with Second Street Capital pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to $1 million to pay certain accrued expenses. Of this amount, the Company borrowed $700,000. The Company issued a warrant to the lender for 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable for five years at an exercise price of $10.34. The estimated fair value of the warrant to purchase common stock on the grant date was $3.74 per share and was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The estimated fair value of the warrant was $748,200 that is amortized over the term of the loan. The Company recognized $49,880 as interest expense in other income/(expense) in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023. The balance of the estimated fair value of the warrants of $698,320 will be amortized over the term of the loan.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the warrants that were granted on March 29, 2023:

     
Risk-free interest rate  4.0%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $6.77 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected terms in years  5 
Expected volatility  75%

Effective March 31, 2023, the Second Street Loan and the Second Street Loan 2 were further amended to extend the maturity dates to May 31, 2023. In addition, an additional warrant was issued to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $11.50. The estimated fair value of the warrant to purchase common stock on the grant date was $3.50 per share and was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company recognized interest expense of $524,400 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the profits interests that were granted on March 31, 2023:

     
Risk-free interest rate  4.0%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $6.64 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected terms in years  5 
Expected volatility  75%

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The Company recognized total interest expense in the amount of $813,305 for the Second Street warrants issued in the three months ended March 31, 2023 based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The balance of the estimated fair value of the warrants of $698,320 will be amortized over the remaining term of the loan.

McKra Investments III Warrant

Effective March 28, 2023, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement with McKra pursuant to which the Company borrowed $1,000,000. The Company issued a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $10.34 per share, exercisable until March 27, 2028. The estimated fair value of the warrant to purchase common stock on the grant date was $3.95 per share and was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The estimated fair value of the warrant was $789,400 that is amortized over the term of the loan. The Company recognized $70,169 as interest expense in other income/(expense) in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023. The balance of the estimated fair value of the warrants of $719,231 will be amortized over the remaining term of the loan.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the warrants that were granted on March 28, 2023:

     
Risk-free interest rate  4.0%
Fair value of common stock of the Company $7.04 
Expected dividend yield   
Expected terms in years  5 
Expected volatility  75%

The Company recognized total interest expense in the amount of $883,474for the warrants issued for the three months ended March 31, 2023 based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant in its condensed consolidated financial statements. The balance of the estimated fair value of the warrants of $1,417,551 will be amortized over the remaining term of the loan.

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IPO Warrants

At March 31, 2023, there were warrants outstanding to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with AHAC’s initial public offering (the “IPO Warrants”). The IPO Warrants consist of (i) warrants to purchase up to 5,411,000 Privateshares of the Company’s common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of 5,411,000 warrants (the “Private Placement WarrantsWarrants”), originally issued in a private placement at a price of $1.00 per warrant, generating total proceeds of $5,411,000 to the Company.

 

Each Private Placement Warrant is identicalin connection with the initial public offering of AHAC, and (ii) up to the warrants offered in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants, so long as they are held by our Sponsor, or its permitted transferees, (i) may not (including the5,250,000 shares of common stock sharesthat are issuable upon the exercise of such warrants)5,250,000 warrants (the “Public Warrants”), originally issued in AHAC’s initial public offering as part of the AHAC units at a price of $10.00 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of the Company’s common stock and one-half of one Public Warrant. Each whole IPO Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders untiladjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing 30 days after the completion of our initialthe Business Combination, and (ii) will be entitled to registration rights.

 

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Note 5 — Related Party Transactions

 

Founder Shares

 

In June 2021,Combination. However, the Sponsor paid $25,000 to cover certain offering costs in considerationIPO Warrants are not exercisable for 2,875,000 Class B shares (the “founder shares”). The number of founder shares outstanding was determined based on the expectation that the total size of the Initial Public Offering would be a maximum of 11,500,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, and therefore that such founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering. Up to 375,000 of the founder shares were subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised, of which 125,000 such founder shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.

 

The Company’s initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of: (i) one year after the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination or (ii) the date on whichcash unless the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictionshas an effective and other agreements of the initial stockholders with respect to any founder shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price ofcurrent registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing 150 days after the initial Business Combination, the founder shares will no longer be subject to such transfer restrictions.

 

Promissory Note — Related Party

 

On June 30, 2021, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of the Initial Public Offering. These loans were non-interest bearing, unsecured and were due at the earlier of June 30, 2022 or the closing of the Initial Public Offering. These loans were repaid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering out of the $2,001,000 of offering proceeds that had been allocated to the payment of offering expenses. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had borrowed $190,101 under the promissory note and the amount was paid in full.

 

Related Party Loans

 

In order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination, the Sponsor, an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (the “Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes an initial Business Combination, the Company would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, such loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that the initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used to repay such loaned amounts. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into Private Placement Warrants of the post Business Combination entity, at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor. At September 30, 2021, no such Working Capital Loans were outstanding.

 

Administrative Support Agreement

 

The Company has agreed to pay Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, our Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. The administrative support agreement began on September 14, 2021 and continues monthly until (i) the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination or (ii) liquidation of the Company.

 

Amount Due to for Redemption Deposit in Trust Account

 

The Company committed $2,100,000 of the private placement proceeds to the Trust Account so that the $10.20 redemption price would be funded.

 

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Note 6— Commitments and Contingencies

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of the founder shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants or warrants issued upon conversion of the working capital loans and upon conversion of the founder shares) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering, requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the founder shares, only after conversion to shares of Class A common stock). The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company registers such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the Company’s completion of the initial Business Combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

Underwriters Agreement

 

The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional Units to cover any over-allotments, if any, at the Initial Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions, of which a portion of option, totaling 500,000 Units was exercised simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering.

 

The underwriters are entitled to a cash underwriting discount of one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, or $1,050,000 (or up to $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and 100,000 of Class A common stock. Additionally, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred underwriting discount of 3.0% of the gross proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, or $3,150,000 (or up to $3,450,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) held in the Trust Account upon the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

 

Note 7— Stockholders’ Equity

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 1,250,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. At September 30, 2021, there were 0 shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

 

Class A Common Stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 125,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At September 30, 2021, there were 100,000 shares of Class A common stock issued or outstanding. The underwriter was issued 100,000 shares of common stock which are referenced as the “representative’s shares” as underwriting compensation in connection with the Initial Public Offering.

 

An aggregate of 10,500,000 shares of Class A common stock were issued as part of the units offering and are subject to possible redemption.

 

Class B Common Stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 12,500,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of the Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each common stock. At September 30, 2021, there were 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding, of which 250,000 shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full so that the founder shares will represent, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering (assuming the Sponsor does not purchase any public shares in the Initial Public Offering).

 

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The Company’s initial stockholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (i) one year after the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination or (ii) the date on which the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of the initial stockholders with respect to any founder shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of the shares of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing 150 days after the initial Business Combination, the founder shares will no longer be subject to the Lock-up.

 

The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of the initial Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in the Initial Public Offering and related to the closing of the initial Business Combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering (not including the representative’s shares) plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with the initial Business Combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial Business Combination or any private placement-equivalent units issued to the Sponsor, its affiliates or certain of the Company’s officers and directors upon conversion of Working Capital Loans made to the Company).

 

Holders of the Class A common stock and holders of the Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders, with each share of common stock entitling the holder to one vote.

 

Warrants

 

Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of the Company’s Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by the Sponsor or its affiliates, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates the initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described below under “Redemption of warrants when the price per share of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.

 

The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, five years after the completion of the initial Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. On the exercise of any warrant, the warrant exercise price will be paid directly to the Company and not placed in the Trust Account.

 

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The Company is not registering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants at this time. However,IPO Warrants. Notwithstanding the Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of the initial Business Combination, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the SECforegoing, if a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrantsIPO Warrants is not effective within 90 days aftera specified period following the closingconsummation of the initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company willshall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrantsIPO Warrants on a cashless basis” in accordance with pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9)of the Securities Act, of 1933, as amended,provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption.exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their IPO Warrants on a cashless basis. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the IPO Warrants for that number of shares of Company’s common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Company’s common stock underlying the IPO Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the IPO Warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose will mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of Company’s common stock for the five trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date of exercise. The warrants will expire on February 14, 2028 at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

RedemptionThe Company may call the Public Warrants for redemption, in whole and not In part, at a price of warrants when the price$0.01 per share of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00warrant,

 

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:

 

 in whole and not in part:at any time after the warrants become exercisable;
 At a price of $0.01 per warrant;
 
upon a minimum ofnot less than 30 days’days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”); andto each warrant holder;
 
if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Class Ashares of common stock equals or exceeds $$18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations recapitalizations and the like)recapitalizations), for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day30-trading-day period commencing after the warrants become exercisable and ending on the third tradingbusiness day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.holders; and
if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of common stock underlying such warrants.

 

The right to exercise will be forfeited unless the IPO Warrants are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of a Public Warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s warrant upon surrender of such warrant.

The redemption criteria for the IPO Warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.

If the Company calls the warrantsIPO Warrants for redemption as described above, theit’s management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless“cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis,” the management will consider, among other factors, the cash position, the number of warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on the stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of Class Athe Company’s common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x)dividing(x) the product of the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair“fair market value”value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair“fair market value”value” for this purpose shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Class Ashares of common stock for the 10five trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants.

 

The PlacementIPO Warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision but requires the approval, by written consent or vote, of the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding IPO Warrants in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.

The exercise price and number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable on exercise of the IPO Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as well as any warrants underlying additional unitsdescribed below, the IPO Warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of shares of the Company’s common stock at a price below their respective exercise prices.

For accounting purposes, the Company issuesaccounts for the Public Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 480-10-25-8 and ASC 815-40 and are classified as an equity instrument.

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Note 7. Other Income/(Expense) (Restated)

Other income/(expense) consisted of the following (in thousands):

Schedule of Other Income Expenses

       
  For the
Three Months Ended
  For the
Three Months
 
  

March 31, 2023

as Restated

  

Ended

March 31, 2022

 
Interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs $(301) $(16)
Fair value of warrant issuances  

(884

)  

(250

)
Loss in connection with Share Consideration Shares  (12,676)  
Loss on extinguishment of debt  (13,953)   

Transaction costs

  (7,578)   
Loss in connection with Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration  

(31,312

)   
Other  (1) $1 
Total other income/(expense) $

(66,705

) $(265)

Note 8. Net Loss Per Share (Restated)

The Company computes basic loss per share using net loss attributable to stockholders and the weighted-average number of the Company’s common stock shares outstanding during each period, less shares subject to repurchase under the Backstop Agreement. Diluted earnings per share include shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock-based awards where the conversion of such instruments would be dilutive. The Company’s potentially dilutive securities, which include stock options, earnout shares, and warrants to purchase shares of common stock, have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as the effect would be to reduce the net loss per share. Therefore, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to the Company’s stockholders’ is the same.

The net loss per share for the basic and diluted earnings calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

 

March 31, 2023

as Restated

  March 31, 2022 
Income/(loss) available to common stockholders per share:      
Net loss $

(72,092

) $(5,375)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:        
Basic and diluted  24,822,033   23,355,432 
Net loss per share – basic and diluted $(2.90) $(0.23)

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Note 9. License Agreements

Elkurt/Brown License Agreements

On July 31, 2020, the Company entered into four separate Exclusive License Agreements (the “Initial Brown License Agreements”) with Elkurt, Inc.(“Elkurt”), a licensee of Brown University. On March 21, 2021, the Company and Elkurt amended each of the Initial Brown License Agreements. Elkurt is a company formed by our scientific co-founders and members of our Board, Jack A. Elias, M.D., former Dean of Medicine and current Special Advisor for Health Affairs to Brown University, and Jonathan Kurtis, M.D., PhD, Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Brown University. Under the Initial Brown License Agreements, Elkurt grants us exclusive, royalty-bearing licenses to patent rights and nonexclusive, royalty-bearing licenses to know-how, solely to make, have made, market, offer for sale, use, and sell licensed products for use in certain fields. On August 31, 2021, the Initial Brown License Agreements were further amended to extend the date after which Elkurt can terminate the license agreements if the Company has not raised at least $10 million in equity financing by April 1, 2022. On March 25, 2022, the Initial Brown License Agreements were further amended to extend those termination dates to May 1, 2022. On July 1, 2022, the Initial Brown License Agreements were further amended to extend the termination dates to November 1, 2022 and acknowledge the accounts payable due and terms of payment.

On July 2, 2022, the Initial Brown License Agreements were further amended to extend the termination dates of the Commercialization Plan of the license agreements to an additional two years. On August 25, 2022, the Initial Brown License Agreements were further amended to extend the termination dates to November 1, 2023 and to extend the termination dates of the commercialization plan of the license agreements from an additional two years to three years. For each of the Initial Brown License Agreements, as amended, the Company is required to pay Elkurt a maintenance fee of $67,000 increased by interest at the rate of 1% per month from October 15, 2021 until paid. In addition, beginning on January 1, 2022 and each year thereafter until January 1, 2027, the Company is required to pay an annual license maintenance fee of $3,000. Beginning on January 1, 2028, and every year thereafter the annual license maintenance fee shall become $4,000 per year. Upon successful commercialization, the Company is required to pay Elkurt between 0.5% to 1.5% of net sales based on the terms of each Initial Brown License Agreement. In addition, the Company must pay Elkurt, under each of the Initial Brown License Agreements, 25% of all non-royalty sublicense income prior to the first commercial sale, and 10% of non-royalty sublicense income thereafter, in the event that the Company enters into sublicenses for the subject intellectual property. If net sales or non-royalty sublicense income are generated from know-how products, the amounts otherwise due (royalty or non-royalty sublicense income) shall be reduced by 50%. As of March 31, 2023, the Company recorded annual license maintenance fees of $12,000, and license fees of $268,000.

The Company will also pay Elkurt developmental and commercialization milestone payments for each of the Initial Brown License Agreements ranging from $50,000 for the filing of an Investigational New Drug Application (“IND”), or the equivalent outside of the United States, to $250,000 for enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial in the United States or the equivalent outside of the United States. Ocean Biomedical is also responsible for reimbursement of patent costs. The Company recorded reimbursement of patent costs as general and administrative costs in the statements of operations as incurred. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has incurred reimbursed patent costs expenses to Brown University in the amount of $345,437, of which $297,700 has been paid.

The contract term for each of the Initial Brown License Agreements, as amended, continues until the later of the date on which the last valid claim expires or ten years. Either party may terminate each of the Initial Brown License Agreements in certain situations, including Elkurt being able to terminate the Initial Brown License Agreements at any time and for any reason after November 1, 2023 if the Company has not raised at least $10 million in equity financing by then. For the oncology programs, three of the license agreements have been sublicensed to our subsidiary, Ocean ChitoRx Inc, and for the fibrosis program, one license agreement has been sublicensed to our subsidiary, Ocean ChitofibroRx Inc.

On September 13, 2022, the Company entered into an additional Exclusive License Agreement (the “Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement”) with Elkurt. Under the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement, Elkurt grants the Company an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to patent rights and a nonexclusive, royalty-bearing license to know-how, solely to make, have made, market, offer for sale, use, and sell licensed products for use in the field of malaria research.

31

For the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement, the Company is required to pay Elkurt an initial license fee of $70,000, payable in two installments of $35,000 each on April 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Beginning September 13, 2023, the Company is obligated to pay Elkurt an annual license maintenance fee equal to (a) $3,000 until September 13, 2027, and (b) thereafter, an annual license maintenance fee of $4,000. Upon successful commercialization, the Company is required to pay Elkurt 1.25% of net sales based on the terms under the Brown Anti- PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement. In addition, the Company must pay Elkurt 25% of all non-royalty sublicense income prior to the first commercial sale, and 10% of non-royalty sublicense income thereafter, in the event that the Company enters into sublicenses for the subject intellectual property. If net sales or non-royalty sublicense income are generated from know-how products, the amounts otherwise due (royalty or non-royalty sublicense income) shall be reduced by 50%. The Company also is required to pay Elkurt $100,000 in the event that the Company or one of its sublicensees sublicenses this technology to a major pharmaceutical company or if the license agreement or any sublicense agreement for this technology is acquired by a major pharmaceutical company. A major pharmaceutical company is one that is publicly traded, with market capitalization of at least $5 billion and has been engaged in drug discovery, development, production and marketing for no less than 5 years. As of March 31, 2023, for this Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement, no license fees have been recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company will also pay Elkurt developmental and commercialization milestone payments pursuant to the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement ranging from $50,000 for the filing of an IND, or the equivalent outside of the United States, to $250,000 for enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial in the United States or the equivalent outside of the United States. The Company is also responsible for reimbursement of patent costs.

The contract term for the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement continues until the later of the date on which the last valid claim expires or ten years. Either party may terminate the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement in certain situations, including Elkurt being able to terminate the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement at any time and for any reason after November 1, 2023 if the Company has not raised at least $10 million in equity financing by then.

Elkurt/Rhode Island Agreement

On January 25, 2021, the Company entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “Rhode Island License Agreement”) with Elkurt, a licensee of Rhode Island Hospital. On April 1, 2021, September 10, 2021, March 25, 2022, July 1, 2022 and August 26, 2022, the Company and Elkurt amended the Rhode Island License Agreement. Under the Rhode Island License Agreement, as amended, Elkurt grants the Company an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to patent rights and a nonexclusive, royalty-bearing license to know-how, solely to make, have made, market, offer for sale, use, and sell licensed products for use in a certain field.

For the Rhode Island License Agreement, the Company is required to pay Elkurt $110,000, due within 45 days of an equity financing of at least $10 million or November 1, 2023, whichever comes first, and beginning on January 1, 2022, an additional $3,000 annual maintenance fee thereafter, until January 1, 2028, at which point the annual maintenance fee will become $4,000 per year. The Company is also required to pay Elkurt 1.5% of net sales under the Rhode Island License Agreement. In addition, the Company must pay Elkurt 25% of all nonroyalty sublicense income prior to the first commercial sale, and 10% of non-royalty sublicense income thereafter, in the event that the Company enters into sublicenses for the subject intellectual property. If net sales or non-royalty sublicense income are generated from know-how products, the amounts otherwise due (royalty or non-royalty sublicense income) shall be reduced by 50%. The Company will also pay Elkurt developmental and commercialization milestone payments under the Rhode Island License Agreement, ranging from $50,000 for the filing of an IND, or the equivalent outside of the United States, to $250,000 for enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial in the United States or the equivalent outside of the United States. To date, the Company has incurred total reimbursed patent costs expenses to Rhode Island Hospital in the amount of $432,393 of which $131,986 has been paid. As of March 31, 2023, the Company recorded an expense for the annual license maintenance fee of $3,000, and the initial license fee of $110,000.

The contract term for the Rhode Island License Agreement began February 1, 2020 and will continue until the later of the date on which the last valid claim expires or fifteen years. Either party may terminate the Rhode Island License Agreement in certain situations, including Elkurt being able to terminate the license agreement at any time and for any reason by November 1, 2023, if the Company has not raised at least $10 million in equity financing by then. The Rhode Island License Agreement has been sublicensed to the Company’s subsidiary, Ocean Sihoma Inc.

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Note 10. CMO Agreement

On December 31, 2020, the Company executed a Development and Manufacturing Services Agreement with Lonza AG and affiliate Lonza Sales AG (“Lonza”). The Company engaged Lonza pursuant to the development and manufacture of certain products and services along with the assistance in developing the product OCX-253. The agreement outlines the pricing for services and raw materials as incurred and payment terms. Through March 31, 2023, the Companyhas incurred an aggregate of $544,592 in expenses under this agreement since its inception, all of which is included in accounts payable at March 31, 2023.

The Development and Manufacturing Services Agreement will terminate on December 31, 2025. Either party may terminate the agreement within 60 days after it becomes apparent to either party that it will not be possible to complete the services for a scientific or technical reason after a good faith effort is made to resolve such problems. The agreement may be terminated by either party, immediately for any uncured material breach, insolvency, or liquidation. In the event of termination, the Company will pay Lonza all costs incurred through the termination date.

Note 11. Related Parties Transactions

License Agreements with Elkurt, Inc.

Elkurt/Brown Licenses

The Company is party to the four Initial Brown License Agreements with Elkurt. Elkurt is a company formed by the Company’s scientific co-founders Jack A. Elias, M.D., former Dean of Medicine and current Special Advisor for Health Affairs to Brown University, and Jonathan Kurtis, M.D., PhD, Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Brown University. Dr. Elias and Dr. Kurtis are members of the Company’s Board. Under the Initial Brown License Agreements, Elkurt grants to the Company exclusive, royalty-bearing licenses to patent rights and nonexclusive, royalty-bearing licenses to know-how, solely to make, have made, market, offer for sale, use, and sell licensed products for use in certain fields. License fees are expensed as incurred as research and development expenses. Patent reimbursement fees are expensed as incurred as general and administrative expenses. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has incurred a total amount of $345,437 for patent reimbursement expenses to Brown University, of which $297,700 has been paid. As of March 31, 2023, the amount due to Elkurt for the Initial Brown License Agreements that is currently due to Brown University is $327,737 consisting of (i) patent reimbursement expenses of $47,737 recorded as general and administrative costs, (ii) license maintenance fees in the amount of $12,000, and (iii) initial license fees in the amount of $268,000 recorded as research and development costs. In addition, $42,727 is currently due for patent reimbursement expenses that Elkurt has previously paid on behalf of the Company. The amounts were recorded as accounts payable-related party on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Elkurt/Rhode Island Hospital License

The Company is party to the Rhode Island License Agreement, with Elkurt. Under the Rhode Island License Agreement, Elkurt grants to the Company an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to patent rights and a nonexclusive, royalty-bearing license to know-how, solely to make, have made, market, offer for sale, use, and sell licensed products for use in a certain field. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has incurred $432,393 for patent reimbursement expenses, of which $131,986 has been paid. The amount due to Elkurt in the amount of $300,407 is included in accounts payable-related party on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Transactions with Legacy Ocean’s Founder and Executive Chairman

As of December 31, 2021, Legacy Ocean’s Founder and Executive Chairman had paid for certain general and administrative expenses totalling $93,769on behalf of the Company. The amounts were recorded as accounts payable-related parties on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2023, the amount due was $92,919. The reduction of $850 was actually paid by the Company for state taxes in 2022. The amounts were recorded as accounts payable-related party on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

33

Transactions with Chief Accounting Officer

The Company’s Chief Accounting Officer previously provided consulting services to Legacy Ocean through RJS Consulting, LLC, his wholly owned limited liability company, through June 15, 2021, before becoming the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company owed RJS Consulting, LLC $117,500 and $142,500, respectively. The amounts were recorded as accounts payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and were expensed as accounting fees in general and administrative expenses in 2021.

Transactions with Board Member and Sponsor of the Business Combination

On September 15, 2022 and December 13, 2022, the Company entered into the Sponsor Extension Loan and the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan, respectively, between the Company, the Sponsor, various lenders, pursuant to which the lenders loaned an aggregate of $2,100,000 to the Sponsor officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates in paymentand the Sponsor loaned an aggregate of Working Capital Loans made$2,100,000 to us. Amounts loaned from the lenders to the Sponsor accrue interest at 8% per annum and amounts loaned from the Sponsor to the Company are or will be identicaldo not accrue interest. As of March 31, 2023, $1,550,000 remains unpaid to the warrants underlyingSponsor, $500,000 which was due no later than May 15, 2023 and $1,050,000 which was due no later than May 25, 2023. The Company intends to pay the Units being offeredSponsor Extension and the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan in full from the Initial Public Offering and may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold byproceeds received from the holders until 30 days afterinitial issuance of Notes under the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination and will be entitled to registration rights.Ayrton Convertible Note Financing (see Note 12 - Subsequent Events - Ayrton Convertible Note Financing).

 

Note 8 —12. Subsequent Events

 

The Backstop Parties sold 105,572 Recycled Shares of the Company’s common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, resulting in net proceeds paid to the Company in April 2023 of $1.1 million.

Under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement and the White Lion Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is required to file a registration statement with the SEC to register for the resale by White Lion shares of common stock and to issue to White Lion at that time shares of its common stock based upon a formula contained in those agreements. Effective April 18, 2023, the Company and White Lion agreed that the Company would issue 75,000 shares of its common stock to White Lion in satisfaction of this obligation.

On April 19, 2023, as required by the Modification Agreement, the Company issued to the NPIC Lender 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Further, as required by the Modification Agreement, the Company issued to the NPIC Lender 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on May 12, 2023, and 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on May 19, 2023. The maturity dates of the loans made pursuant to the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan have each been extended to May 25, 2023.

In connection with the Marketing Services Agreement, dated March 7, 2023, between the Company and Outside The Box Capital (“OTBC”), the Company issued to OTBC 13,257shares of its common stock as consideration, pursuant to the Marketing Services Agreement, in the second quarter of 2023.

On May 15, 2023, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with an accredited investor (the “Investor”) for the sale of up to three Senior Secured Convertible Notes (each, a “Note” and collectively, the “Notes”), which Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $27 million, in a private placement (the “Ayrton Convertible Note Financing”). The Company expects to consummate the closing for the sale of (i) the initial Note in the principal amount of $7.56 million and (ii) a warrant to initially acquire up to 552,141 additional shares of the Company’s common stock with an initial exercise price of $11.50 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment, exercisable immediately and expiring five years from the date of issuance (the “Warrant”), which is subject to customary closing conditions, on or about May 24, 2023 (the “Initial Closing”). The Notes will be sold at an original issue discount of eight percent (8%). Future issuances of Notes (“Additional Closings”) are subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The SPA contains certain representations and warranties, covenants and indemnities customary for similar transactions. At the closing of the first Additional Closing, $8.64 million of Notes will be issued (the “First Additional Closing Date”) and $10.8 million of Notes will be issued at the closing of the second Additional Closing. So long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Company and each of its subsidiaries are prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any subsequent placement involving a Variable Rate Transaction, other than pursuant to the White Lion Common Stock Purchase Agreement. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) issues or sells any convertible securities either (A) at a price that is based upon with the trading prices of the Company’s common stock, or (B) with a price that is subject to being reset at some future date or upon the occurrence of specified events related to the business of the Company or the market for its common stock, other than pursuant to a customary “weighted average” anti-dilution provision or (ii) enters into any agreement whereby the Company or any of its subsidiaries may sell securities at a future determined price (other than standard and customary “preemptive” or “participation” rights).

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The Company evaluated subsequentis required to obtain stockholder approval authorizing the issuance of the Company’s common stock under the Notes and Warrant in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) (without regard to any limitations on conversion or exercise set forth in the Notes or Warrant, respectively), including, shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued in connection with any Additional Closing. Unless the Company obtains the approval of its stockholders as required by Nasdaq, the Company will be prohibited from issuing any shares of common stock upon conversion of the Notes or otherwise pursuant to the terms of the Notes or Warrant, if the issuance of such shares of common stock would exceed 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock as of the date of the SPA or otherwise exceed the aggregate number of shares of common stock which the Company may issue without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules and regulations of Nasdaq.

The interest rate applicable to each Note is, as of any date of determination, the lesser of (I) eight percent (8%) per annum and (II) the greater of (x) five percent (5%) per annum and (y) the sum of (A) the “secured overnight financing rate,” which from time to time is published in the “Money Rates” column of The Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition, New York Metro), in effect as of such date of determination and (B) two percent (2%) per annum; provided, further, that each of the forgoing rates shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with the SPA. Each Note will mature on the first anniversary of its issuance (the “Maturity Date”). Additionally, each Note is required to be senior to all the Company’s other indebtedness, other than certain permitted indebtedness. The Notes will be secured by all the Company’s existing and future assets (including those of the Company’s significant subsidiaries). Upon the occurrence of certain events, the Notes will be payable in monthly installments. A noteholder may, at its election, defer the payment of all or any portion of the installment amount due on any installment date to another installment payment date.

All or any portion of the principal amount of each Note, plus accrued and unpaid interest, any late charges thereon and any other unpaid amounts (the “Conversion Amount”), is convertible at any time, in whole or in part, at the noteholder’s option, into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial fixed conversion price of $10.34 per share, subject to certain adjustments. At any time during certain events of default under the Note, a noteholder may alternatively (the “Alternate Conversion”) elect to convert all or any portion of the Conversion Amount into shares of the Company’s common stock at an Alternate Conversion Price set forth in the SPA. A noteholder will not have the right to convert any portion of a Note, to the extent that, after giving effect to such conversion, the noteholder (together with certain of its affiliates and other related parties) would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion.

Upon a change of control of the Company (the “Change of Control”), noteholders may require the Company to redeem all, or any portion, of the Notes at a price equal to the greater of: (i) the product of (w) 115% multiplied by (y) the Conversion Amount being redeemed, (ii) the product of (x) 115% multiplied by (y) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient determined by dividing (I) the greatest closing sale price of the shares of the Company’s common stock during the period beginning on the date immediately preceding the earlier to occur of (1) the consummation of the applicable Change of Control and (2) the public announcement of such Change of Control and ending on the date the holder delivers the Change of Control redemption notice by (II) the Alternate Conversion Price then in effect and (iii) the product of (y) 115% multiplied by (z) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient of (I) the aggregate cash consideration and the aggregate cash value of any non-cash consideration per share of the Company’s common stock to be paid to the Company’s stockholders upon consummation of such Change of Control divided by (II) the Conversion Price then in effect.

The Notes provide for certain events of default, including, among other things, any breach of the covenants described below and any failure of Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria to be the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. In connection with an event of default, the noteholders may require the Company to redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at a price equal to the greater of (i) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount to be redeemed multiplied by (B) 115% and (ii) the product of (X) the Conversion Rate (using the Alternate Conversion Price then in effect) with respect to the Conversion Amount in effect at such time as the holder delivers an event of default redemption notice multiplied by (Y) the product of (1) 115% multiplied by (2) the greatest closing sale price of the Company’s common stock on any trading day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such event of default and ending on the date the Company makes the entire payment required to be made.

The Company is subject to certain customary affirmative and negative covenants regarding the rank of the Notes, the incurrence of indebtedness, the existence of liens, the repayment of indebtedness and the making of investments, the payment of cash in respect of dividends, distributions or redemptions, the transfer of assets, the maturity of other indebtedness, and transactions with affiliates, among other customary matters. The Company also will be subject to financial covenants requiring that occurred(i) the amount of the Company’s available cash equal or exceed (x) prior to the First Additional Closing Date, $1.0 million or (y) after the balance sheet date upFirst Additional Closing Date, $2.5 million; (ii) the ratio of (a) the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, accrued and unpaid interest thereon and accrued and unpaid late charges to through October 18, 2021(b) the Company’s average market capitalization over the prior ten trading days, not exceed 35%; and (iii) at any time any Notes remain outstanding, with respect to any given calendar month (each, a “Current Calendar Month”) (x) the available cash on the last calendar day in such Current Calendar Month shall be greater than or equal to the available cash on the last calendar day of the month prior to such Current Calendar Month less $1.5 million.

On May 23, 2023 the Company received an Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction - Valuation Date Notice (“Notice”) from Vellar which designates May 23, 2023 as the Maturity Date under the Backstop Agreement stating that due to the Company’s failure to timely register the shares held by Vellar, Vellar has the right to terminate the Backstop Agreement as to their portion of the shares and are claiming that they are entitled to receive Maturity Consideration (as defined in the Backstop Agreement) equal to $6,667,667. As of the date thatof this filing, management is actively reviewing this Notice and takes issue with multiple aspects of the financial statements were issued. Other than as described below,Notice including, but not limited to, Vellar’s Maturity Consideration calculation. As such, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.is consulting with advisors and regulators and intends to actively and aggressively defend itself should Vellar continue on its present course of action.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’SMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Restated)

 

General Information

 

This information should be read in conjunction with the interim unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Certain capitalized terms used below and otherwise defined below, have the meanings given to such terms in the footnotes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included above under “Part I – Financial Information” – “Item 1. Financial Statements”.

 

Our logo and some of our trademarks and tradenames are used in this Report. This Report also includes trademarks, tradenames and service marks that are the property of others. Solely for convenience, trademarks, tradenames and service marks referred to in this Report may appear without the ®, ™ and SM symbols. References to our trademarks, tradenames and service marks are not intended to indicate in any way that we will not assert to the fullest extent under applicable law our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors if any, nor that respective owners to other intellectual property rights will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto. We do not intend the use or display of other companies’ trademarks and trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

 

The market data and certain other statistical information used throughout this Report are based on independent industry publications, reports by market research firms or other independent sources that we believe to be reliable sources. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. We are responsible for all of the disclosures contained in this Report, and we believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding any third-party information presented in this Report, their estimates, in particular, as they relate to projections, involve numerous assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under, and incorporated by reference in, the section entitled “Risk Factors” of this Report. These and other factors could cause our future performance to differ materially from our assumptions and estimates. Some market and other data included herein, as well as the data of competitors as they relate to Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp., is also based on our good faith estimates.

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Aesther”, refer specifically to Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

In addition, unless the context otherwise requires and for the purposes of this report only:

 

 “Exchange Act” refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
   
 “SEC” or the “Commission” refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; and
   
 “Securities Act” refers to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Summary of The Information Contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is provided in addition to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. MD&A is organized as follows:

 

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 Company Overview. Discussion of our business and overall analysis of financial and other highlights affecting us, to provide context for the remainder of MD&A.
   
 Liquidity and Capital Resources. An analysis of changes in our consolidated balance sheets and cash flows and discussion of our financial condition.
   
 Results of Operations. An analysis of our financial results comparing the three months ended September 30, 2021 and the period from inception (June 17, 2021), through September 30, 2021.
   
 Critical Accounting Policies. Accounting estimates that we believe are important to understanding the assumptions and judgments incorporated in our reported financial results and forecasts.

 

Company Overview

 

We are a newly organized blank check company incorporated in June 2021 as a Delaware corporation whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to as our initial business combination. To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities as well as activities related to the initial public offering. We have not selected any specific business combination target.

 

While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, we intend to focus on industries that complement our management team’s background, and to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and acquire a business and it is our current intention to pursue prospective targets that are focused in the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors. We anticipate focusing our investment effort broadly across the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors. We believe that our investment and operating expertise across multiple industry verticals will give us a large, addressable universe of potential targets. The diversity of the target universe and the number of largely uncorrelated subsectors maximizes that likelihood that our management team will be able to identify and execute an attractive transaction.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At September 30, 2021, we had cash of $1,162,203 and working capital of $1,823,222.

 

The Company’s liquidity needs up to September 30, 2021 were satisfied through the proceeds of $25,000 from the sale of the Founder Shares (see Note 5 – Related Party Transactions to the notes to the unaudited financial statements included herein under Part I, Item 1 (the “Footnotes”)), a loan of $190,101 under an unsecured and noninterest bearing promissory note obtained from our sponsor, which was repaid following our Initial Public Offering (see Note 5 – Related Party Transactions to the Footnotes), and from the net proceeds from the consummation of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement held outside of the trust account (“Trust Account”) located in the United States at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee.

 

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had cash in the Trust Account of $107,100,173. The Company intends to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less deferred underwriting commissions) to complete its initial Business Combination. The Company may withdraw interest to pay taxes.

 

Until the consummation of a Business Combination, we will be using the funds not held in the Trust Account for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination. We will need to raise additional capital through loans or additional investments from our Sponsor, stockholders, officers, directors, or third parties. The Company’s Sponsor, officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet the Company’s working capital needs (“Working Capital Loans”). To date, there were no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loan. Accordingly, we may not be able to obtain additional financing. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital, it may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to, curtailing operations, suspending the pursuit of a potential transaction, and reducing overhead expenses.

 

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Based on the foregoing, management believes that the Company will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, the Company will be using the funds held outside of the Trust Account for paying existing accounts payable and accrued liabilities, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination. The Company does not believe it will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating the business. However, if the Company’s estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, the Company may have insufficient funds available to operate the business prior to the initial Business Combination. Moreover, the Company may need to obtain additional financing either to complete the initial Business Combination or to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon completion of the initial Business Combination, in which case the Company may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such initial Business Combination.

 

We cannot provide any assurance that such new financing will be available to us on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.

 

If the Company anticipates that it may not be able to consummate a Business Combination within 12 months, the Company may, by resolution of the Company’s board if requested by the Sponsor, extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination up to two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months to complete a Business Combination), subject to the Sponsor depositing additional funds into the Trust Account. In order to extend the time available for the Company to consummate its initial Business Combination, the Sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the Trust Account for each three-month extension, $1,000,000, or $1,150,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case) on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, up to an aggregate of $2,000,000 (or $2,300,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or approximately $0.20 per share. Any such payments would be made in the form of a loan. Any such loans will be non-interest bearing and payable upon the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination. If the Company completes an initial Business Combination, it would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to it. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination, we will not repay such loans. Furthermore, the letter agreement with the Company’s initial stockholders contains a provision pursuant to which the Sponsor has agreed to waive its right to be repaid for such loans out of the funds held in the Trust Account in the event that the Company does not complete a Business Combination. In the event that the Company receives notice from the Sponsor five days prior to the applicable deadline of its wish for the Company to effect an extension, the Company intends to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, the Company intends to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. The Sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the Trust Account to extend the time for the Company to complete its initial Business Combination. The public stockholders will not be afforded an opportunity to vote on the extension of time to consummate an initial Business Combination from 12 months to 18 months described above or redeem their shares in connection with such extensions.

 

Results of Operations

 

Our entire activity from inception to our Initial Public Offering was in preparation for our Initial Public Offering, and since our Initial Public Offering, our activity has been limited to the search for a prospective initial Business Combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our initial Business Combination, at the earliest.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $42,545 from formation, offering and operating costs.

 

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For the period from June 17, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $42,627 from formation, offering and operating costs.

 

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans, if any (and any shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares), are entitled to certain registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement. These holders will be entitled to certain demand and “piggy-back” registration rights. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

The underwriter was entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.10 per Unit, or $1,050,000 in the aggregate (reflecting the partial exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option), paid at the closing of the Initial Public Offering. $3,150,000 in the aggregate (reflecting the partial exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option), will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriter from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes an initial Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We had no outstanding off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2021.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

OurYou should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with Ocean Biomedical, Inc.’s (the “Company,” “Ocean Biomedical,” “we,” “us” and “our”) condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Exhibit 99.2 our Amendment No. 2 to Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023. The information contained in this discussion and other parts of this Report include forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions in our business plans, strategy, and related financing. Our actual results could differ materially from the results discussed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute or cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the information below and the information discussed in the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements.”

On February 14, 2023, the registrant consummated the previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 31, 2022, as amended on December 5, 2022 by Amendment No. 1 (as amended, the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among Ocean Biomedical, Inc., formerly known as Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”), AHAC Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC (the “Sponsor”), in its capacity as purchaser representative, Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc., formerly known as Ocean Biomedical, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy Ocean”), and Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, in his capacity as seller representative. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), the Company changed its name from “Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.” to Ocean Biomedical, Inc.” References to the “Company”, “Ocean Biomedical”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to the Legacy Ocean prior to the Closing of the Business Combination and Ocean Biomedical, Inc., formerly known as Aesther Healthcare Corp., on a consolidated basis with Legacy Ocean, for periods after the Closing of the Business Combination.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Report”), including the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are being made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained therein. These forward-looking statements relate to current expectations and strategies, future operations, future financial positioning, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, current plans, current objectives of management and expected market growth, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from expectations, estimates, and projections expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability of future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements through the use of words or phrases such as “may”, “should”, “could”, “predict”, “potential”, “plan”, “seeks”, “believe”, “will likely result”, “expect”, “continue”, “will continue”, “will”, “will be”, “anticipate”, “seek”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “projection”, “would”, “outlook”, and similar expressions, or the negative version of those words or phrases or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature, but the absence of such words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead they are predictions, projections and other statements about future events are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the registrant and its management, are inherently uncertain. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” set forth in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 31, 2023 (the “Annual Report”).

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Forward-looking statements in this Report refer to Ocean Biomedical, Inc. and include, but are not limited to, statements about:

our future financial performance;
estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing;
the success, cost and timing of product development activities and clinical trials of product candidates, including the progress of, and results from, planned clinical trials;
the success, cost and timing of completing IND-enabling studies of preclinical product candidates, and the timing of planned Investigational New Drug Application, or IND, submissions for such candidates;
plans to initiate, recruit and enroll patients in, and conduct planned clinical trials at the projected pace;
the intended benefits of our business model;
our ability to acquire licenses or otherwise obtain new product candidates to add to our portfolio for clinical development;
plans and strategy to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals of product candidates;
plans and strategy to obtain funding for operations, including funding necessary to complete further development and, upon successful development, if approved, commercialize any product candidates;
the potential benefit of any future orphan drug designations for product candidates;
our ability to compete with companies currently marketing or engaged in the development of treatments for fibrosis;
plans and strategy regarding obtaining and maintaining intellectual property protection for product candidates and the duration of such protection;
plans and strategy regarding the manufacture of product candidates for clinical trials and for commercial use, if approved;
plans and strategy regarding the commercialization of any products that are approved for marketing;
the size and growth potential of the markets for product candidates, and our ability to serve those markets, either alone or in combination with others;
expectations regarding government and third-party payor coverage and reimbursement;
success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, officers, key employees or directors;
officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements;
public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;
impact from the outcome of any known and unknown litigation;
future financial performance, including financial projections and business metrics and any underlying assumptions thereunder;
future business or product expansion, including estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans;
trends in the healthcare industry;
ability to scale in a cost-effective manner;
ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection;
future capital requirements and sources and uses of cash; and
impact of competition and developments and projections relating to competitors and industry.

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Many factors may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to:

the risk of changes in applicable laws or regulations;
the risk of the need and ability to raise additional capital and the terms on which such capital is received;
the risk of our inability to succeed in clinical development or obtain FDA approval of lead pipeline indications;
increased regulatory costs and compliance requirements in connection with drug development;
the risk of our potential inability to comply with FDA post-approval requirements;
the risk of failure to comply with manufacturing regulations or unexpected increases in manufacturing costs;
the risk of the inability of our products to achieve broad market acceptance of existing or planned products and services and achieving sufficient production volumes at acceptable quality levels and prices;
the risk of increased competition from other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, government agencies, and other research organizations;
new FDA approved drugs that compete with us in targeted indications;
the risk of failure of third-party service providers to comply with contractual duties;
the risk of failure to comply with international, federal and state healthcare;
the impact of COVID-19 on operations including its preclinical studies and clinical trials;
risks related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and response, including supply chain disruptions;
the possibility that we may be adversely impacted by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors
changes in the markets in which we compete, including with respect to our competitive landscape, technology evolution, or regulatory changes;
the risk that we may fail to keep pace with rapid technological developments to provide new and innovative products and services or make substantial investments in unsuccessful new products and services;
the risk that the addressable market we intend to target does not grow as expected;
the risk of our inability to expand and diversify our manufacturing customer base;
changes in domestic and global general economic conditions;
the risk of loss of any key executives;
the risk of loss of any relationships with key partners;
the risk of loss of any relationships with key suppliers;
the risk of our inability to protect patents and other intellectual property;
the risk of lower-than-expected adoption rates;
the risk of the inability to develop, license or acquire new therapeutics;
the risk of the inability to initiate and increase engagement with distributors;
the risk of fluctuations in results of our major manufacturing customers;
the risk of our inability to execute our business plans and strategies, including growth strategies;
the risk that we experience difficulties in managing growth and expanding operations;
the risk that we may not be able to develop and maintain effective internal controls;
the risk of our inability to maintain sufficient inventory and capacity to meet customer demand;
the risk of our inability to deliver expected cost and manufacturing efficiencies;
the risk that we will need to raise additional capital to execute our business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all;
the risk of product liability or regulatory lawsuits or proceedings relating to our business;
the risk of cyber security or foreign exchange losses;
general economic conditions and geopolitical uncertainty;
future exchange and interest rates; and
other risks and uncertainties, including those in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by the Company.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that are described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report, which are incorporated herein by reference, as well as other documents to be filed by us from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. We are not giving any assurance that we will achieve our expectations. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this Report. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

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Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company that seeks to bridge the “bench-to-bedside” gap between medical research discoveries and patient solutions. We do this by leveraging our strong relationships with research universities and medical centers to license their inventions and technologies with the goal of developing them into products that address diseases with significant unmet medical needs. We believe that our differentiated business model positions us to capture inventions created at these institutions that might otherwise fail to be commercialized to benefit patients. Our team of accomplished scientists, business professionals and entrepreneurs bring together the interdisciplinary expertise and resources required to develop and commercialize a diverse portfolio of assets. We are organized around a licensing and subsidiary structure that we believe will enable us to create mutual value both for us and potential licensing partners. We believe this structure, combined with the professional networks of our leadership team members, allows us to opportunistically build a continuous pipeline of promising product innovations through our existing and potential future relationships with research institutions. Our goal is to optimize value creation for each of our product candidates, and we intend to continuously assess the best pathway for each as it progresses through the preclinical and clinical development process—including through internal advancement, partnerships with established companies and spin-outs or initial public offerings, (“IPOs”)—in order to benefit patients through the commercialization of these products. Our current active assets are licensed from Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital. Our scientific co-founders and members of our Board of Directors (“Board”), Dr. Jack A. Elias and Dr. Jonathan Kurtis, are both affiliated with Brown University and with Rhode Island Hospital. Our strategy is to accelerate the flow of the academic discoveries and the required clinical development required for these product candidates and advance them commercially. The number of potential opportunities at research universities and medical centers is large, but only a small fraction of these opportunities is currently tapped in the market. The gap remains wide and we believe this presents an attractive opportunity for us to become an industry leader by addressing a need to accelerate the advancement of therapeutics that can address significant unmet medical needs. The core elements that we believe differentiate our business model include:

Harnessing inventions and technologies from research universities and medical centers. We are experienced at identifying and sourcing breakthrough discoveries at academic and research institutions, including our current partnerships with Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital.
Developing new drug therapies through an operationally efficient, evidence-based and milestone- driven approach. Once we select an asset for development, we pursue what we believe are appropriate development strategies that we aim to execute efficiently by leveraging contract research and contract manufacturing organizations, or contract research organizations (“CROs”) and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), and other drug development experts and consultants.

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Building a diverse portfolio of product candidates. We are evidence-based and program agnostic, meaning that our resources are driven strictly by program progress and milestone achievements. Our approach is to develop multiple diverse programs in parallel which mitigates business risk.
Providing attractive economic upside to our partners at research universities and medical centers. We have a structure wherein our parent company houses each program in a subsidiary. We believe this structure is optimal to provide attractive economic incentives to the discovering institution and its researchers.
Employing a multi-disciplinary approach to drug discovery and development across our programs. Our business model is based on bringing together the appropriate disciplines and expertise needed for each of our programs and leveraging learnings across programs and disease areas.
Exploiting multiple commercialization options to maximize each program’s value. Throughout the development of our product candidates, we plan to continually assess that program’s potential paths to market, and we will endeavor to identify and maximize commercial value through various options, including internal advancement, partnerships with established companies, and spin-outs or IPOs.
Leadership team comprised of academic, scientific and business innovators. We have assembled an industry-leading, multi-disciplinary team consisting of physicians, scientists and business leaders with significant experience in progressing product candidates from early-stage research through clinical trials, regulatory approval and ultimately to commercialization. Although our company has not yet developed or commercialized any biopharmaceutical products, key members of our management team have experience doing so in previous endeavors.

We believe our differentiated business model will enable us to commercialize our products, if approved, and will allow us to replicate our licensing partnerships through aligned incentive structures with research universities and medical centers.

Our pipeline consists of clinical-stage programs. We anticipate moving certain preclinical product candidates in our oncology, fibrosis and/or infectious disease programs into the clinic in the next 12 to 24 months.

On December 31, 2020, we executed a Development and Manufacturing Services Agreement with Lonza AG and affiliate Lonza Sales AG (“Lonza”). We engaged Lonza (and Lonza affiliates) for the development and manufacture of certain products and services along with assistance in developing the product OCX-253. Under this agreement, Lonza will perform the following key activities in two stages in support of our IND-enabling program plan: first, to perform a manufacturability assessment of the OCX- 253 monoclonal antibody drug candidates, generate or arrange to be generated synthetic genes and single gene vectors and vector constructions, and conduct gene vector construct testing; and second, to generate and assess growth and productivity for cell lines to be used for synthesizing OCX-253 drug candidate. The agreement provides that we will pay for all raw materials and related fees. Further, the agreement stipulates immediate 100% payment of invoices for any stage of work worth less than GBP 50,000, and deferral of 50% of payment for any stage of work worth more than GBP 50,000 to the release of applicable batches or completion of applicable services.

In December 2020, the sole stockholder of Legacy Ocean contributed 100% of his founders shares in the amount of 17,112,298 shares to Poseidon Bio, LLC (“Poseidon”) which became the sole stockholder of Legacy Ocean. In February 2021, Poseidon transferred 342,244 shares of Legacy Ocean’s common stock back to Legacy Ocean’s founder. In February 2021, Poseidon amended and restated its operating agreement to allow additional members into Poseidon by issuing Class A units and Class B units in which Legacy Ocean’s founder is the sole Class A unit holder who holds 100% of the voting power of Poseidon. In addition, certain executives and employees were granted Class B unit profit interests in Poseidon. These profit interests grants in Legacy Ocean’s controlling shareholder were deemed to be transactions incurred by the shareholder and within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Stock Compensation. As a result, the related transactions by the stockholder were pushed down into our consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2023, Legacy Ocean’s founder held 100% of the voting power and 69% of the equity interests in Poseidon. The Business Combination will have no impact on the Poseidon Class B units and we do not anticipate that Poseidon will make any additional grants.

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In March 2021, we authorized the issuance of shares of common stock in Legacy Ocean to certain persons who were accredited investors (consisting of friends and family of Legacy Ocean’s employees) at an aggregate offering price of $1.0 million. As of February 14, 2023, Legacy Ocean had issued 41,828 shares of common stock at an aggregate offering price of $1.0 million.

In February 2022, we entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Second Street Loan”) with Second Street Capital, LLC (“Second Street Capital”), pursuant to which we borrowed $600,000. The Second Street Loan accrues interest at the rate of 15% per annum, with principal and interest due at maturity. We issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 312,500 shares of Legacy Ocean common stock, with an exercise price of $11.00 per share, exercisable until February 22, 2026. For a period of 180 days from the closing of our next financing, Second Street Capital has the right to put the warrants to the Company in exchange for a payment of $250,000. We were originally required to repay the Second Street Loan on the earlier of (i) 5 business days after our next financing or (ii) November 18, 2022. We recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) $250,000 for the put option in the first quarter of 2022.

In April 2022, we entered into a second Loan Agreement with Second Street Capital (the “Second Street Loan 2”), pursuant to which the Company borrowed $200,000. The Second Street Loan 2 accrues interest at the rate of 15% per annum, with principal and interest due at maturity. We issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 62,500 shares of Legacy Ocean common stock, with an exercise price of $11.00 per share, exercisable until February 22, 2026. There is no put option associated with this loan. We were originally required to repay the Second Street Loan 2 on the earlier of (i) 5 business days after our next financing or (ii) November 18, 2022. We recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) $388,938 in the second quarter of 2022 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant.

On September 30, 2022, the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 were amended whereas the maturity dates were extended from November 18, 2022 to December 30, 2022. We were required to repay the principal and accrued interest of the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 the earlier of (i) 5 business days after our next financing or closing of the Business Combination or (ii) December 30, 2022. In consideration of the extensions, we issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 75,000 shares of Legacy Ocean common stock with an exercise price of $10.20 per share exercisable until September 30, 2026. We recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) $435,075 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant.

On December 30, 2022, the Second Street Loan and the Second Street Loan 2 were further amended to extend the maturity dates to February 15, 2023. No additional warrants were issued to Second Street Capital in connection with the extensions. We were required to repay the Second Street Loan and the Second Street Loan 2 on the earlier of (i) 5 business days after our next financing or (ii) February 15, 2023.

We recognized a total expense in the amount of $1,074,013 as interest expense in other income/(expense) for the year ended December 31, 2022 for the put option and warrants issued to Second Street Capital of which $250,000 was for the put option and $824,013 was for the warrants issued for the year ended December 31, 2022. The warrants issued to Second Street Capital were converted into warrants to purchase our common stock, post-closing of the Business Combination, as described below under “Closing of Business Combination.”

On January 10, 2023, the Second Street Loan 2 was further amended whereas increasing the loan amount from $200,000 to $400,000. A loan fee of $15,000 and a minimum return assessment fee of $35,000 were charged and paid from the $200,000 loan advance for net proceeds of $150,000. We were originally required to repay the principal and accrued interest of the Second Street Loan 2 the earlier of (i) 5 business days after our next financing or closing of the Business Combination or (ii) February 15, 2023.

Effective February 15, 2023, the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 were further amended whereas the maturity dates were extended from February 15, 2023 to March 31, 2023. We were required to repay the principal and accrued interest of the Second Street Loan and Second Street Loan 2 the earlier of (i) 5 business days after our next financing or (ii) March 31, 2023. In consideration of the extensions, we issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 75,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $10.34 per share exercisable until March 31, 2028. An extension fee of $75,000 was recorded and $239,025 was recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2023.

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Effective March 29, 2023, we entered into a Loan Agreement with Second Street Capital (the “March Second Street Loan”) pursuant to which we could borrow up to $1 million to pay certain accrued expenses. Of this amount, we borrowed $700,000. The loan bears interest at 15% per annum and is due as described under “Short-Term Loans” below. We issued a warrant to the lender for 200,000 shares of our common stock, exercisable for five years at an exercise price of $10.34 and will pay up to $150,000 in loan fees at maturity. Since the Company only borrowed $700,000, the loan fee due is $105,000 at maturity. The estimated fair value of the warrant was $748,200 that is amortized over the term of the loan. The Company recognized $49,880 as interest expense in other income/(expense) in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023.

Effective March 31, 2023, the Second Street Loan and the Second Street Loan 2 were further amended to extend the maturity dates to May 31, 2023, and we are currently required to repay the loans as described under “Short-Term Loans” below. In addition, an additional warrant was issued to purchase 150,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 and a loan fee of $95,000 was charged. We recognized as interest expense in other income/(expense) $524,400 for the warrants issued based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023.

Effective March 28, 2023, we entered into a Loan Agreement (the “McKra Loan”) with McKra Investments III (“McKra”) pursuant to which we borrowed $1,000,000. We issued a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of our common stock, with an exercise price of $10.34 per share, exercisable until March 27, 2028. We will pay a $150,000 loan and convenience fee due upon repayment of the loan. Repayment of the loan is due as described under “Short-Term Loans” below. The Company has to amortize the fair value calculation over the term of the loan on a straight-line basis by days. The estimated fair value of the warrant was $789,400 that is amortized over the term of the loan. The Company recognized $70,169 as interest expense in other income/(expense) in its condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023. The balance of the estimated fair value of the warrants of $719,231 will be amortized over the remaining term of the loan.

Since Legacy Ocean’s inception in 2019, we have devoted substantially all of our efforts to organizing, research and development activities, business planning, building our intellectual property positions and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We have not generated any revenue from product sales.

We have incurred significant operating losses since inception. Our ability to generate product revenues sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily upon the successful development and eventual commercialization of one or more of our current products or any future products. Our net operating losses were $81.0 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $162.6 million and $81.6 million, respectively. Our current liabilities are $63.9 million and $12.7 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The current liabilities consisted of accrued expenses including transaction costs, accounting and legal fees, accrued research and development costs, and short-term loans. We expect that our expense and capital requirements will increase substantially in connection with ongoing activities to commercialize our products in the future.

We expect to continue to generate operating losses for the foreseeable future. Our future viability is dependent on the success of our research and development and our ability to access additional capital to fund our operations. There can be no assurance that our current operating plan will be achieved or that additional funding will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

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We are subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biotechnology industry including, but not limited to, new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, dependence on key personnel, compliance with government regulations, and the ability to obtain additional capital to fund operations. Our therapeutic products will require significant additional research and development efforts, including preclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval prior to commercialization. These efforts require additional capital, adequate personnel and extensive compliance reporting capabilities. There can be no assurance that our research and development will be successfully completed, that adequate protection for our intellectual property will be obtained, that any products developed will obtain necessary government regulatory approval, or that any approved products will be commercially viable.

In January 2019, we formed three wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legacy Ocean. In February 2021, we formed a fourth wholly-owned subsidiary. The subsidiaries were formed to organize our therapeutic programs in order to optimize multiple commercialization options and to maximize each program’s value. We anticipate that additional subsidiaries will also be formed in connection with future programs to provide attractive economic upside to our partners at research universities and medical centers. Our license agreements with Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital are licensed or sublicensed directly or indirectly, to the following subsidiaries:

Ocean ChitofibroRx Inc. (January 15, 2019)—Fibrosis program (one license with Elkurt/ Brown University);
Ocean ChitoRx Inc (January 15, 2019)—Oncology programs (three licenses with Elkurt/Brown University);
Ocean Sihoma Inc. (January 15, 2019)—Malaria disease program (one license with Elkurt/Rhode Island Hospital);
Ocean Promise, Inc. (February 12, 2021)—Reserved for future programs.

Restatement

Prior to filing our financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, which were filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form 10-Q, we reviewed our prior interpretation of the accounting guidance applicable to certain elements of the Backstop Agreement (as defined below) and determined the prepayment amount of $51.6 million, previously recorded as a derivative asset in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, should be reclassified to the equity section of the condensed consolidated balance sheet, and the remaining liability balance associated with the Backstop We are also restating our condensed consolidated statements of operations as a result of revisions to the valuation of the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration. is restating its previously issued financial information related to additional accounts payable on the balance sheet.

In accordance with ASC 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, we also evaluated the materiality of the errors to our previously filed financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2023. Considering both quantitative and qualitative factors, we determined that the related impact was material to the previously filed condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, and restated and reissued these financial statements.

Impacts of COVID-19 and Market Conditions on Our Business

We have been actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and its impact globally. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we were not significantly impacted by COVID-19. Further, disruption of global financial markets and a recession or market correction, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the related sanctions imposed against Russia, and other global macroeconomic factors such as inflation, could reduce the Company’s ability to access capital, which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity and could materially affect our business and the value of its common stock.

Business Combination Agreement with Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.

Closing of Business Combination

On February 14, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), the Company, formerly known as Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (“AHAC”), consummated the Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, on the Closing Date, Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy Ocean, with Legacy Ocean continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the Closing, the Company changed its name from “Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.” to “Ocean Biomedical, Inc.” and Legacy Ocean changed its name from “Ocean Biomedical, Inc.” to “Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc.”

On the Closing Date, in connection with the Closing:

the Company issued to the holders of Legacy Ocean’s securities as of immediately prior to the Closing approximately 23,355,432 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (with a per-share value of $10.00) with an aggregate value equal to $233,554,320, as adjusted as required by the Business Combination Agreement to take into account net working capital, closing net debt and Legacy Ocean’s transaction expenses, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Legacy Ocean;

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Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, Inc.’s (the “Sponsor”) 2,625,000 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock converted on a one-for-one basis into 2,625,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock pursuant to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended Certificate”);
the Company issued to the Sponsor 1,365,000 additional shares of the Company’s Class A common stock in connection with the Sponsor obtaining two (2) three-month extensions beyond the September 16, 2022 deadline to complete an initial business combination (the “Sponsor Extension Shares”);
the Backstop Parties (as defined below) purchased 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock prior to the closing that were not redeemed (the “Share Consideration Shares”);
the Backstop Parties (as defined below) purchased 3,535,466 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock prior to the closing that were not redeemed and are subject to the forward purchase provisions of the Backstop Agreement (the “Recycled Shares”);
5,570,965 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock were redeemed immediately prior to Closing of the Business Combination;
the Company issued to Second Street Capital, Legacy Ocean’s lender, three (3) warrants for the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the economic value of the Legacy Ocean warrants previously issued to Second Street in exchange for the termination of the Legacy Ocean warrants. The new warrants are exercisable for a total of 511,712 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.06 per share and 102,342 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.47 per share;
the Company issued to Polar (as defined below) 1,350,000 newly issued shares of its common stock that are subject to the forward purchase provisions of the Backstop Agreement; and
all shares of the Company’s Class A common stock were reclassified as common stock pursuant to the Amended Certificate.

In addition, pursuant to Business Combination Agreement, the holders of Legacy Ocean’s common stock shall be entitled to receive from the Company, in the aggregate, up to an additional 19,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Earnout Shares”) as follows: (a) in the event that the volume-weighted average price (the “VWAP”) of the Company’s common stock exceeds $15.00 per share for twenty (20) out of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days beginning on the Closing Date until the 36-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the holders of Legacy Ocean securities pre-Closing shall be entitled to receive an additional 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, (b) in the event that the VWAP of the Company’s common stock exceeds $17.50 per share for twenty (20) out of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days beginning on the Closing Date until the 36-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the holders of Legacy Ocean’s securities pre-Closing shall be entitled to receive an additional 7,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and (c) in the event that the VWAP of the Company’s common stock exceeds $20.00 per share for twenty (20) out of any thirty (30) consecutive trading days beginning on the Closing Date until the 36-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the holders of Legacy Ocean’s securities pre-Closing shall be entitled to receive an additional 7,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. In addition, for each issuance of Earnout Shares, the Company will also issue to Sponsor an additional 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, there was outstanding an aggregate of 5,250,000 Public Warrants and 5,411,000 Private Placement Warrants. Each of our outstanding whole warrants is exercisable commencing 30 days following the Closing for one share of common stock.

The Business Combination is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Under this method of accounting, AHAC, who is the legal acquirer, is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes and Legacy Ocean is treated as the accounting acquirer.

The Business Combination is accounted for as the equivalent of a capital transaction in which Legacy Ocean has issued stock for the net assets of AHAC. The net assets of AHAC are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Closing of the Business Combination are Legacy Ocean and operations post-Closing of the Business Combination are the Company, on a consolidated basis with Legacy Ocean.

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Backstop Agreement

On February 12, 2023, AHAC, Legacy Ocean and Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 3 (“Vellar”) entered into an amended and restated OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction (the “Backstop Agreement”), which amended and restated in their entirety earlier OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transactions entered into between the parties on August 31, 2022 and February 10, 2023. On February 13, 2023, AHAC, Vellar and Legacy Ocean entered into separate assignment and novation agreements (the “Assignment Agreements”) with Meteora Special Opportunity Fund I, LP, Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP and Meteora Capital Partners, LP (collectively “Meteora”), and Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“Polar” and, together with Vellar and Meteora, the “Backstop Parties”), pursuant to which Vellar assigned to each of Meteora and Polar its rights and obligations in respect of one-third of the shares of Class A common stock subject to the Backstop Agreement. Following the Assignment Agreements, the rights and obligations of each Backstop Party under the Backstop Agreement were and are separate and distinct from the those of the other Backstop Parties, with each Backstop Party acting independently of the others, without reference to or knowledge of any other Backstop Party’s actions or inactions.

Pursuant to the Backstop Agreement, the Backstop Parties intended, but were not obligated, to purchase up to 8,000,000 shares of the AHAC Class A common stock. The Backstop Parties made these purchases after the expiration of the redemption deadline for holders to redeem shares in connection with the Business Combination and in brokered transactions in the open market, typically from AHAC stockholders that had elected to redeem their shares. In connection with these purchases, the Backstop Parties revoked any redemption elections. The Backstop Parties purchased 3,535,466 shares (the “Recycled Shares”) pursuant to the Backstop Agreement at a price approximately equal to the redemption price for shares of AHAC Class A common stock of $10.56 per share.

The Backstop Agreement provided that we pay to the Backstop Parties out of funds held in the trust account, not later than one local business day following the Closing of the Business Combination, a cash amount equal to the product of the number of shares acquired and the redemption price of approximately $10.56 (the “Prepayment”). On February 16, 2023, we made the Prepayment of $51,606,389, including the $14,260,404 for the Additional Shares, as described below.

We also provided the Backstop Parties with an additional $12,675,912, to compensate them for their purchase of 1,200,000 additional shares of Class A common stock in the open market (the “Share Consideration Shares”). Under the Backstop Agreement, the Share Consideration Shares are not subject to the terms applicable to the Recycled Shares, including with regard to repayment and repurchase as described below. We have the option to repurchase the Share Consideration Shares from the Backstop Parties at an aggregate price of $3,000,000 at any time during the first nine months after February 15, 2023, the date we disbursed assets from the Trust Account in connection with the Business Combination.

The Backstop Agreement grants the Backstop Parties the right to purchase from us additional shares (the “Additional Shares”) up to an amount equal to the difference between the number of Recycled Shares and the maximum number of shares of 8,000,000. On February 14, 2023, pursuant to Polar’s exercise of its right to purchase Additional Shares, AHAC, Legacy Ocean and Polar entered into a subscription agreement pursuant to which Polar purchased 1,350,000 newly issued shares of our common stock at a per share purchase price of approximately $10.56 and an aggregate purchase price of $14,260,404 (the “Polar Subscription”). Under the Backstop Agreement, the Additional Shares are subject to the same terms as the Recycled Shares, including with regard to repayment and repurchase as described below.

From time to time, each Backstop Party, in its discretion, may declare an early termination of the Backstop Agreement with regard to all or a portion of the Recycled Shares and Additional Shares (such shares “Terminated Shares”) and remit to us, no later than the later of (i) the third local business day following the date the shares become Terminated Shares and (ii) the last day of each calendar quarter after the date the shares become terminated shares, an amount equal to the number of Terminated Shares multiplied by a price (the “Reset Price”) that adjusts on the first scheduled trading day of each month to be the lowest of (a) the then-current Reset Price, (b) the per share redemption price of $10.56 and (c) the VWAP for the last ten trading days of the prior month, but in no case less than $10.34.

Under the Backstop Agreement, we have agreed to purchase the Recycled Shares and Additional Shares (together, the “Backstop Shares”) from the Backstop Parties on a forward basis upon the maturity of the Backstop Agreement at a per share purchase price equal to the redemption price, which has been funded by the Prepayment. The Backstop Agreement matures on the earlier to occur of (a) February 14, 2026 (three years after the closing of the Business Combination Agreement), (b) the date specified by a Backstop Party in a written notice delivered at a Backstop Party’s discretion if either (i) the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the shares during 30 out of 45 consecutive trading days is less than $4.00 per share, (ii) we fail to register the Backstop Shares as required by the Backstop Agreement, or (iii) the shares cease to be listed on a national securities exchange, and (c) the date specified by us in a written notice delivered at our discretion if (i) the VWAP of the shares is at or above $20.00 per share for any 30 trading days during a 45 consecutive trading day-period, (ii) the Backstop Shares are freely tradable by the Backstop Parties without restriction and (iii) the aggregate trading volume in respect of such shares during the same 30-day period is equal to at least three times the number of Backstop Shares (less any Terminated Shares).

See Note 12, Subsequent Events, to our condensed consolidated financial statements above for a discussion of a notice received on May 23, 2023 from Vellar purporting to terminate its Backstop Agreement and seeking payment of Maturity Consideration under that agreement.

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Sponsor Promissory Notes

In September 2022, AHAC entered into Loan and Transfer Agreements between AHAC, the Sponsor, and other parties (the “Lenders”), pursuant to which the Lenders loaned $1,050,000 to the Sponsor and the Sponsor loaned $1,050,000 to AHAC (the “Sponsor Extension Loan”). Amounts loaned from the Lenders to the Sponsor accrue interest at 8% per annum and amounts loaned from the Sponsor to AHAC do not accrue interest until the Closing of the Business Combination, after which time, we have agreed to pay the interest due to the Lender. The total amounts advanced by Lenders to the Sponsor in connection with the $1,050,000 loan (the “Funded Amounts”) were required to be repaid, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, within five days of the closing of the Business Combination, at the option of the Lenders, in either (a) cash; or (b) shares of Class A common stock held by the Sponsor which are deemed to have a value of $10 per share for such repayment right. As additional consideration for the Lender making the Loan available to Sponsor, Sponsor agreed to transfer between 1 and 2.5 shares of Class B common stock to Lenders for each $10 multiple of the Funded Amounts, which included the registration rights previously provided by AHAC to the Sponsor, and, pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, 2.5 shares of the our common stock per $10.00 of the Funded Amounts at Closing of the Business Combination Agreement to Sponsor, as described below. Sponsor transferred a total of 178,500 shares to the Lenders post-Closing of the Business Combination Agreement following the Closing of the Business Combination Agreement from shares of our common stock owned by the Sponsor as a result of the conversion of its AHAC Class B common stock into our common stock.

The Sponsor Extension Loan was paid down at Closing of the Business combination to $500,000, all of which remained outstanding at March 31, 2023. The maturity date of the Sponsor Extension Loan has been extended to the funding of the Backstop Agreement, Common Stock Purchase Agreement or a convertible note financing but not more than 90 days from the closing of the Business Combination. In addition, we recorded interest expense in the amount of $5,305 on the outstanding balance in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended March 31, 2023. See “Short-Term Loans” below for a discussion of our plans for repayment of this loan.

On December 13, 2022, AHAC entered into a Loan and Transfer Agreement between AHAC, the Sponsor, and NPIC Limited (the “NPIC Lender”), pursuant to which the Lender loaned $1,050,000 to the Sponsor and the Sponsor loaned $1,050,000 to AHAC (the “NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan”). Amounts loaned from the NPIC Lender to the Sponsor accrue interest at 8% per annum and amounts loaned from the Sponsor to AHAC do not accrue interest until the Closing of the Business Combination, after which time, we have agreed to pay the interest due to the NPIC Lender. The total amounts advanced by NPIC Lender to the Sponsor in connection with the $1,050,000 loan (the “NPIC Funded Amounts”) were required to be repaid, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, within five days of the closing of the initial Business Combination, at the option of the NPIC Lender, in either (a) cash; or (b) shares of Class A common stock held by the Sponsor which are deemed to have a value of $10 per share for such repayment right. As additional consideration for the NPIC Lender making the loan available to Sponsor, Sponsor agreed to transfer 10 Shares of Class B common stock to NPIC Lender for each $10 multiple of the NPIC Funded Amounts, which included the registration rights previously provided by AHAC to the Sponsor, and, pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, the parties agreed that we would issue 1.05 shares of our common stock per $1.00 of the NPIC Funded Amounts at Closing of the Business Combination Agreement to Sponsor, as described below. Sponsor transferred a total of 1,050,000 shares to the NPIC Lender post-Closing of the Business Combination Agreement.

On March 22, 2023 we entered into a Loan Modification Agreement, dated March 22, 2023 (the “Modification Agreement”), with the Sponsor and NPIC Lender, and a Side Letter Agreement with the Sponsor (the “Side Letter”), which modifies the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan.

The Modification Agreement modified the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan to provide that, among other things, (i) the maturity date of the loan from NPIC to Sponsor (the “NPIC Sponsor Loan”) is extended to May 22, 2023 (the “Maturity Date”); (ii) the extension will take effect concurrently with, and not until, the Sponsor transfers 1,050,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Initial SPAC Shares”) to the NPIC Lender; (iii) effective as of the date of the Modification Agreement, the NPIC Sponsor Loan shall accrue fifteen percent (15%) interest per annum, compounded monthly; (iv) the maturity date of the $1,050,000 loan by Sponsor to us (the “SPAC Loan”) is extended to May 19, 2023; (v) the proceeds of any capital raise of at least $15,000,000 by the Company shall be first used by the Company to promptly repay the SPAC Loan and then Sponsor shall promptly repay the NPIC Sponsor Loan and all accrued interest; (vi) in exchange for the extension of the Maturity Date, we shall issue 50,000 shares of common stock to Lender on the date of the Modification Agreement and shall issue an additional 50,000 shares of common stock thereafter on each 30-day anniversary of the Maturity Date to the Lender until the Sponsor Loan is repaid in full; (vii) in the event Sponsor defaults on its obligations to repay the NPIC Sponsor Loan by the Maturity Date, the Sponsor shall transfer to the NPIC Lender 250,000 shares of our common stock owned by the Sponsor and shall transfer an additional 250,000 such shares each month thereafter until the default is cured; (viii) we are obligated to file a registration statement with the SEC registering the shares to be issued to Lender within 30 days of the transfer, including the Initial SPAC shares; and (ix) in the event that we default on its obligations to the Lender set forth in (v), (vi) and (viii), we shall issue to NPIC Lender 250,000 shares of common stock and shall transfer an additional 250,000 shares of common stock each month thereafter until the default is cured. The Side Letter provides that, in the event we fail to repay the SPAC Loan by May 19, 2023, we shall issue to Sponsor 250,000 shares of common stock and shall issue an additional 250,000 such shares to Sponsor each month thereafter until the default is cured.

On March 22, 2023, NPIC Lender was issued 50,000 shares of our common stock as consideration of the Modification Agreement. The fair value was our closing stock price on the date granted. We recognized a loss of $358,000 as interest expense. In addition, we recorded interest expense in the amount of $12,577 on the outstanding balance in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three-month ended March 31, 2023.

Further, as required by the Modification Agreement, the Company issued to the NPIC Lender 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on May 12, 2023 and 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on May 19, 2023. The maturity dates of the loans made pursuant to the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan have each been extended to May 25, 2023.

Deferred Underwriting Commissions

At Closing of the Business Combination, the underwriters for AHAC’s initial public offering agreed to defer payment of $3.15 million of deferred underwriting discounts otherwise due to them until November 14, 2023, pursuant to the terms of a promissory note (the “Underwriters Note”). The deferred amounts bear interest at 9% per annum and 24% per annum following an event of default under the promissory note. The amount is recorded as a short-term loan in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023. We recorded $36,225 of interest on this loan for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

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Common Stock Purchase Agreement

On September 7, 2022, AHAC entered into the Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Common Stock Purchase Agreement”) and the White Lion Registration Rights Agreement (“RRA”) with White Lion. Pursuant to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, we have the right, but not the obligation to require White Lion to purchase, from time to time, up to $75,000,000 in aggregate gross purchase price of Equity Line Shares, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Common Stock Purchase Agreement.

We are obligated under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement and the White Lion RRA to file a registration statement with the SEC to register under the Securities Act the common stock subject to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, for the resale by White Lion of shares of the Company’s common stock that the Company may issue to White Lion under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement.

Subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions, our right to sell the Equity Line Shares to White Lion will commence on the effective date of the registration statement and extend for a period of two years. During such term, subject to the terms and conditions of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, we may notify White Lion when it exercises its right to sell Equity Line Shares (the effective date of such notice, a “Notice Date”). The number of Equity Line Shares sold pursuant to any such notice may not exceed (i) $2,000,000, divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq preceding the Notice Date and (ii) a number of shares of common stock equal to the average daily trading volume multiplied by 67%.

At any given time of any sale by us to White Lion, we may not sell, and White Lion may not purchase, Equity Line Shares of the Company’s common stock that would result in White Lion owning more than the 9.99% Beneficial Ownership Cap upon such issuance.

The purchase price to be paid by White Lion for any such shares will equal 93% of the lowest daily volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock during a period of two consecutive trading days following the applicable Notice Date. However, if during such two-trading day period the trading price of the Company’s common stock falls below a price (the “Threshold Price”) equal to 90% of the opening trading price of the common stock on Nasdaq on the Notice Date, then the number of shares to be purchased by White Lion pursuant to such notice will be reduced proportionately based on the portion of the two-trading day period that has elapsed, and the purchase price will equal 95% of the Threshold Price.

In consideration for the commitments of White Lion to purchase the Equity Line Shares under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, the Common Stock Purchase Agreement required us to issue to White Lion shares of Common Stock having a value of $750,000 based upon the closing sale price two trading days prior to the filing of an initial registration statement. Effective as of April 18, 2023, the Company and White Lion entered into a Consent Agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue to White Lion, and White Lion agreed to accept from the Company, 75,000 Initial Commitment Shares in lieu of the shares to be issued to White Lion based on the closing sale price.

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License Agreements

Elkurt/Brown License Agreements

On July 31, 2020, we entered into four separate Exclusive License Agreements (the “Initial Brown License Agreements”) with Elkurt, Inc.(“Elkurt”), a licensee of Brown University. On March 21, 2021, we and Elkurt amended each of the Initial Brown License Agreements. Elkurt is a company formed by our scientific co-founders and members of our Board, Jack A. Elias, M.D., former Dean of Medicine and current Special Advisor for Health Affairs to Brown University, and Jonathan Kurtis, M.D., PhD, Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Brown University. Under the Initial Brown License Agreements, Elkurt grants us exclusive, royalty-bearing licenses to patent rights and nonexclusive, royalty-bearing licenses to know-how, solely to make, have made, market, offer for sale, use, and sell licensed products for use in certain fields. On August 31, 2021, the Initial Brown License Agreements were amended to extend the date after which Elkurt can terminate the license agreements if we have not raised at least $10 million in equity financing by April 1, 2022. On March 25, 2022, the Initial Brown License Agreements were amended to extend those termination dates to May 1, 2022. On July 1, 2022, we amended the Initial Brown License Agreements to extend the termination dates to November 1, 2022 and acknowledge the accounts payable due and terms of payment.

On July 2, 2022, we amended the Initial Brown License Agreements to extend the termination dates of the commercialization plan of the license agreements to an additional two years. On August 25, 2022, we amended the four Initial Brown License Agreements to extend the termination dates to November 1, 2023 and to extend the termination dates of the commercialization plan of the license agreements from an additional two years to three years. For each of the Initial Brown License Agreements, as amended, we are required to pay Elkurt a maintenance fee of $67,000 increased by interest at the rate of 1% per month from October 15, 2021 until paid. In addition, beginning on January 1, 2022 and each year thereafter until January 1, 2027, we are required to pay an annual license maintenance fee of $3,000. Beginning on January 1, 2028, and every year thereafter the annual license maintenance fee shall become $4,000 per year. Upon successful commercialization, we are required to pay Elkurt between 0.5% to 1.5% of net sales based on the terms under the Initial Brown License Agreements. In addition, we must pay Elkurt, under each of the Initial Brown License Agreements, 25% of all non-royalty sublicense income prior to the first commercial sale, and 10% of non-royalty sublicense income thereafter, in the event that we enter into sublicenses for the subject intellectual property. If net sales or non-royalty sublicense income are generated from know-how products, the amounts otherwise due (royalty or non-royalty sublicense income) shall be reduced by 50%. As of March 31, 2023, we recorded annual license maintenance fees of $12,000 and initial license fees of $268,000.

We will also pay Elkurt developmental and commercialization milestone payments for each of the Initial Brown License Agreements ranging from $50,000 for the filing of an IND, or the equivalent outside of the United States, to $250,000 for enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial in the United States or the equivalent outside of the United States. We are also responsible for reimbursement of patent costs. We recorded reimbursement of patent costs as general and administrative costs in the statements of operations as incurred. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has incurred reimbursed patent costs expenses to Brown University in the amount of $340,190 of which $297,700 has been paid.

The contract term for each of the Initial Brown License Agreements, as amended, continues until the later of the date on which the last valid claim expires or ten years. Either party may terminate each of the Initial Brown License Agreements in certain situations, including Elkurt being able to terminate the Initial Brown License Agreements at any time and for any reason after November 1, 2023 if we have not raised at least $10 million in equity financing by then. For the oncology programs, three of the license agreements have been sublicensed to our subsidiary, Ocean ChitoRx Inc, and for the Fibrosis program, one license agreement has been sublicensed to our subsidiary, Ocean ChitofibroRx Inc.

On September 13, 2022, we entered into an additional Exclusive License Agreement (the “Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement”), with Elkurt. Under the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement, Elkurt grants us an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to patent rights and a nonexclusive, royalty-bearing license to know-how, solely to make, have made, market, offer for sale, use, and sell licensed products for use in the field of malaria research.

For the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement, we are required to pay Elkurt an initial license fee of $70,000, payable in two installments of $35,000 each on April 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Beginning September 13, 2023, we are obligated to pay Elkurt an annual license maintenance fee equal to (a) $3,000 until September 13, 2027, and (b) thereafter, an annual license maintenance fee of $4,000. Upon successful commercialization, we are required to pay Elkurt 1.25% of net sales based on the terms under the Brown Anti- PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement. In addition, we must pay Elkurt 25% of all non-royalty sublicense income prior to the first commercial sale, and 10% of non-royalty sublicense income thereafter, in the event that we enter into sublicenses for the subject intellectual property. If net sales or non-royalty sublicense income are generated from know-how products, the amounts otherwise due (royalty or non-royalty sublicense income) shall be reduced by 50%. We also are required to pay Elkurt $100,000 in the event that we or one of sublicensees sublicenses this technology to a major pharmaceutical company or if the license agreement or any sublicense agreement for this technology is acquired by a major pharmaceutical company. A major pharmaceutical company is one that is publicly traded, with market capitalization of at least $5 billion and has been engaged in drug discovery, development, production and marketing for no less than 5 years.

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We will also pay Elkurt developmental and commercialization milestone payments pursuant to the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement ranging from $50,000 for the filing of an IND, or the equivalent outside of the United States, to $250,000 for enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial in the United States or the equivalent outside of the United States. We are also responsible for reimbursement of patent costs.

The contract term for the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement continues until the later of the date on which the last valid claim expires or ten years. Either party may terminate the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement in certain situations, including Elkurt being able to terminate the Brown Anti-PfGARP Small Molecules License Agreement at any time and for any reason after November 1, 2023 if we have not raised at least $10 million in equity financing by then.

Elkurt/Rhode Island Agreement

On January 25, 2021, we entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “Rhode Island License Agreement”) with Elkurt, a licensee of Rhode Island Hospital. On April 1, 2021, September 10, 2021, March 25, 2022, July 1, 2022 and August 26, 2022, we and Elkurt amended the Rhode Island License Agreement. Under the Rhode Island License Agreement, as amended, Elkurt grants us an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to patent rights and a nonexclusive, royalty-bearing license to know-how, solely to make, have made, market, offer for sale, use, and sell licensed products for use in a certain field.

For the Rhode Island License Agreement, we are required to pay Elkurt $110,000, due within 45 days of an equity financing of at least $10 million or May 1, 2022, whichever comes first, and beginning on January 1, 2022, an additional $3,000 annual maintenance fee thereafter, until January 1, 2028, at which point the annual maintenance fee will become $4,000 per year. We are also required to pay Elkurt 1.5% of net sales under the Rhode Island License Agreement. In addition, we must pay Elkurt 25% of all non-royalty sublicense income prior to the first commercial sale, and 10% of non-royalty sublicense income thereafter, in the event that we enter into sublicenses for the subject intellectual property. If net sales or non-royalty sublicense income are generated from know-how products, the amounts otherwise due (royalty or non-royalty sublicense income) shall be reduced by 50%. We will also pay Elkurt developmental and commercialization milestone payments under the Rhode Island License Agreement, ranging from $50,000 for the filing of an IND, or the equivalent outside of the United States, to $250,000 for enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial in the United States or the equivalent outside of the United States. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has incurred reimbursed patent costs expenses to Elkurt/Rhode Island Hospital in the amount of $432,393 of which $131,986 has been paid.

The contract term for the Rhode Island License Agreement began February 1, 2020 and will continue until the later of the date on which the last valid claim expires or fifteen years. Either party may terminate the Rhode Island License Agreement in certain situations, including Elkurt being able to terminate the license agreement at any time and for any reason by May 1, 2022, if we have not raised at least $10 million in equity financing by then. Currently, the Rhode Island License Agreement is still in effect and the license agreement has been sublicensed to our subsidiary, Ocean Sihoma, Inc. On July 1, 2022, we amended the Elkurt/Rhode Island License Agreement to extend the termination date to November 1, 2022, to extend the termination dates of the commercialization plan of the Rhode Island License Agreement to an additional one year, and acknowledge the accounts payable due and terms of payment. On August 26, 2022, we amended the Rhode Island License Agreement to extend the termination date to November 1, 2023 and to extend the termination dates of the commercialization plan of the Rhode Island License Agreement from an additional one year to three years.

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Ayrton Convertible Note Financing

On May 15, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with an accredited investor (the “Investor”) for the sale of up to three Senior Secured Convertible Notes (each, a “Note” and collectively, the “Notes”), which Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $27 million, in a private placement (the “Offering” or the “Ayrton Convertible Note Financing”). We expect to consummate the closing for the sale of (i) the initial Note in the principal amount of $7.56 million and (ii) a warrant to initially acquire up to 552,141 additional shares of our common stock with an initial exercise price of $11.50 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment, exercisable immediately and expiring five years from the date of issuance (the “Warrant”), which is subject to customary closing conditions, on or about May 24, 2023. The Notes will be sold at an original issue discount of eight percent (8%). We estimate that the net cash proceeds will be approximately $6.1 million from the issuance of the initial Note and Warrant, after deducting the original issue discount and the estimated expenses of the Offering. In addition, $1.0 million shall be held in and subject to a deposit account control agreement. Future issuances of Notes (“Additional Closings”) are subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The SPA contains certain representations and warranties, covenants and indemnities customary for similar transactions. At the closing of the first Additional Closing, $8.64 million of Notes will be issued (the “First Additional Closing Date”) and $10.8 million of Notes will be issued at the closing of the second Additional Closing. So long as any Notes remain outstanding, we are prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any subsequent placement involving a Variable Rate Transaction, other than pursuant to the White Lion Common Stock Purchase Agreement. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which we (i) issue or sell any convertible securities either (A) at a price that is based upon with the trading prices of our common stock, or (B) with a price that is subject to being reset at some future date or upon the occurrence of specified events related to the business of the Company or the market for our common stock, other than pursuant to a customary “weighted average” anti-dilution provision or (ii) enters into any agreement whereby we may sell securities at a future determined price (other than standard and customary “preemptive” or “participation” rights).

We are required to obtain stockholder approval authorizing the issuance of our common stock under the Notes and Warrant in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) (without regard to any limitations on conversion or exercise set forth in the Notes or Warrant, respectively), including, shares of our common stock to be issued in connection with any Additional Closing. Unless we obtain the approval of our stockholders as required by Nasdaq, we will be prohibited from issuing any shares of common stock upon conversion of the Notes or otherwise pursuant to the terms of the Notes or Warrant, if the issuance of such shares of common stock would exceed 19.99% of our outstanding shares of common stock as of the date of the SPA or otherwise exceed the aggregate number of shares of common stock which we may issue without breaching our obligations under the rules and regulations of Nasdaq.

The interest rate applicable to each Note is, as of any date of determination, the lesser of (I) eight percent (8%) per annum and (II) the greater of (x) five percent (5%) per annum and (y) the sum of (A) the “secured overnight financing rate,” which from time to time is published in the “Money Rates” column of The Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition, New York Metro), in effect as of such date of determination and (B) two percent (2%) per annum; provided, further, that each of the forgoing rates shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with the SPA. Each Note will mature on the first anniversary of its issuance (the “Maturity Date”). Additionally, each Note is required to be senior to all of our other indebtedness, other than certain permitted indebtedness. The Notes will be secured by all of our existing and future assets (including those of our significant subsidiaries). Upon the occurrence of certain events, the Notes will be payable in monthly installments. A noteholder may, at its election, defer the payment of all or any portion of the installment amount due on any installment date to another installment payment date.

All or any portion of the principal amount of each Note, plus accrued and unpaid interest, any late charges thereon and any other unpaid amounts (the “Conversion Amount”), is convertible at any time, in whole or in part, at the noteholder’s option, into shares of our common stock at an initial fixed conversion price of $10.34 per share, subject to certain adjustments. At any time during certain events of default under the Note, a noteholder may alternatively (the “Alternate Conversion”) elect to convert all or any portion of the Conversion Amount into shares of our common stock at an Alternate Conversion Price set forth in the SPA. A noteholder will not have the right to convert any portion of a Note, to the extent that, after giving effect to such conversion, the noteholder (together with certain of its affiliates and other related parties) would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion.

Upon a change of control of the Company (the “Change of Control”), noteholders may require us to redeem all, or any portion, of the Notes at a price equal to the greater of: (i) the product of (w) 115% multiplied by (y) the Conversion Amount being redeemed, (ii) the product of (x) 115% multiplied by (y) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient determined by dividing (I) the greatest closing sale price of the shares of our common stock during the period beginning on the date immediately preceding the earlier to occur of (1) the consummation of the applicable Change of Control and (2) the public announcement of such Change of Control and ending on the date the holder delivers the Change of Control redemption notice by (II) the Alternate Conversion Price then in effect and (iii) the product of (y) 115% multiplied by (z) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient of (I) the aggregate cash consideration and the aggregate cash value of any non-cash consideration per share of our common stock to be paid to our stockholders upon consummation of such Change of Control divided by (II) the Conversion Price then in effect.

The Notes provide for certain events of default, including, among other things, any breach of the covenants described below and any failure of Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria to be the chairman of our Board of Directors. In connection with an event of default, the noteholders may require us to redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at a price equal to the greater of (i) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount to be redeemed multiplied by (B) 115% and (ii) the product of (X) the Conversion Rate (using the Alternate Conversion Price then in effect) with respect to the Conversion Amount in effect at such time as the holder delivers an event of default redemption notice multiplied by (Y) the product of (1) 115% multiplied by (2) the greatest closing sale price of our common stock on any trading day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such event of default and ending on the date we make the entire payment required to be made.

We are subject to certain customary affirmative and negative covenants regarding the rank of the Notes, the incurrence of indebtedness, the existence of liens, the repayment of indebtedness and the making of investments, the payment of cash in respect of dividends, distributions or redemptions, the transfer of assets, the maturity of other indebtedness, and transactions with affiliates, among other customary matters. We also will be subject to financial covenants requiring that (i) the amount of our available cash equal or exceed (x) prior to the First Additional Closing Date, $1.0 million or (y) after the First Additional Closing Date, $2.5 million; (ii) the ratio of (a) the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, accrued and unpaid interest thereon and accrued and unpaid late charges to (b) our average market capitalization over the prior ten trading days, not exceed 35%; and (iii) at any time any Notes remain outstanding, with respect to any given calendar month (each, a “Current Calendar Month”) (x) the available cash on the last calendar day in such Current Calendar Month shall be greater than or equal to the available cash on the last calendar day of the month prior to such Current Calendar Month less $1.5 million.

Components of Our Results of Operations

Revenue

To date, we have not generated any revenue from any sources, including from product sales, and we do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products in the foreseeable future. If our development efforts for our product candidates are successful and result in regulatory approval, or license agreements with third parties, we may generate revenue in the future from product sales. However, there can be no assurance as to when we will generate such revenue, if at all.

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Operating Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

To date, research and development expenses consist, or will consist, primarily of costs incurred for our research activities, including the development of our product candidates. We expense research and development costs as incurred, which we expect will include:

expenses incurred under our licenses and services agreements; and
employee related expenses, including salaries and benefits for personnel engaged in research and development functions.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, included:

stock-based compensation expense related to the grant by Poseidon, our controlling shareholder, of profit interests in Poseidon to our executives and employees in 2022 and related to the stock option grants to all ‌our non-employee directors as of ‌February 15, 2023, and
expenses incurred for outside services with our CMO relating to the development of certain of our preclinical assets.

We recognize external development costs based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific milestones using information provided to us by our service providers. This process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with our personnel to identify services that have been performed on our behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual costs. Such amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered or the services rendered.

Our direct external research and development expenses consist (or are expected to consist) primarily of external costs, such as fees paid to outside consultants, CROs, CMOs and research laboratories in connection with our preclinical development, process development, manufacturing and clinical development activities. Our direct research and development expenses also include fees incurred under license agreements. We have not allocated and do not expect to allocate employee costs, costs associated with our discovery efforts, laboratory supplies, and facilities, including depreciation or other indirect costs, to specific programs because these costs are or will be deployed across multiple programs and, as such, are not separately classified. We use internal resources primarily to conduct our research and discovery as well as for managing our preclinical development, process development, manufacturing and clinical development activities. These employees work across multiple programs and, therefore, we do not track their costs by program.

Research and development activities are key to our business model. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later stage clinical trials. As a result, we expect that our research and development expenses will increase substantially over the next several years, which will include:

expenses incurred under our licenses and services agreements to conduct the necessary preclinical studies and clinical trials required to obtain regulatory approval;
expenses incurred under agreements with CROs, that are primarily engaged in the oversight and conduct of our drug discovery efforts and preclinical studies, clinical trials and CMOs, that are primarily engaged to provide preclinical and clinical product for our research and development candidates;

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other costs related to acquiring and manufacturing materials in connection with our drug discovery efforts and preclinical studies and clinical trial materials, including manufacturing validation batches, as well as investigative sites and consultants that conduct our clinical trials, preclinical studies and other scientific development services;
employee-related expenses, including salaries and benefits, and stock-based compensation expense for employees engaged in research and development functions; and
costs related to compliance with regulatory requirements.

At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing and costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the preclinical and clinical development of any of our product candidates or when, if ever, material net cash inflows may commence from any of our product candidates. The successful development and commercialization of our product candidates is highly uncertain. This uncertainty is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development and commercialization, including the following:

scope, progress, outcome and costs of our preclinical development activities, clinical trials and other research and development activities;

ability to successfully in-license attractive product candidates from our partners;
establishing an appropriate safety and efficacy profile with Investigational New Drug, or IND, enabling studies;

successful patient enrollment in and the initiation and completion of clinical trials;
the timing, receipt and terms of approvals from applicable regulatory authorities including the FDA and other non-U.S. regulators;
the extent of any required post-marketing approval commitments to applicable regulatory authorities;
establishing clinical and commercial manufacturing capabilities with third-party manufacturers in order to ensure that we or our third-party manufacturers are able to produce product successfully;
development and timely delivery of clinical-grade and commercial-grade drug formulations that can be used in our clinical trials and for commercial launch;
launching commercial sales of our product candidates, if and when approved, whether alone or in collaboration with others;
maintaining a continued acceptable safety protocol of our product candidates following any approval; and
significant and potential changing government regulations.

Any changes in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of our product candidates in preclinical and clinical development could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with the development of these product candidates, such as if the FDA or another regulatory authority were to delay our planned start of clinical trials or require us to conduct other clinical trials or testing beyond those that we currently expect or if significant delays in enrollment in any of our planned clinical trials occurred. Such delays or changes may require us to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of clinical development of that product candidate.

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General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist, or will consist, primarily of salaries and benefits, travel and stock-based compensation expense for personnel in executive, business development, finance, legal, human resources, information technology, pre-commercial and support personnel functions. General and administrative expenses also include direct and allocated facility-related costs as well as insurance costs and professional fees for accounting and audit services, legal, patent, consulting, investor and public relations.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 included stock-based compensation expense related to the grant by Poseidon, our controlling shareholder, of profits interests in Poseidon to our executives and employees in 2022, the grant of a warrant to purchase common stock to a consultant in 2023, and stock option grants to all of our non-employee directors as of February 15, 2023, accounting, legal and public relations fees, and deferred offering costs from the Business Combination.

We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as we increase our headcount to support our continued research activities and development of our product candidates and prepare for potential commercialization activities. We also anticipate that we will incur significantly increased accounting, audit, legal, regulatory, tax, compliance with Nasdaq and SEC requirements, and director and officer insurance costs as well as investor and public relations expenses associated with operating as a public company. If and when we believe a regulatory approval of a product candidate appears likely, we anticipate an increase in payroll and other employee-related expenses as a result of our preparation for commercial operations as it relates to the sales and marketing of that product candidate.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded in accordance with FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, or FASB ASC 740, which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse, and net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards and research and development tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are provided, if based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We have recorded a full valuation allowance to reduce our net deferred income tax assets to zero. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize some or all of our deferred income tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance would increase income in the period such determination was made. As a consequence, we have recorded no income tax expense nor benefit for all years presented.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 
(in thousands) 2023 (as Restated)  2022  $ Change 
Revenue $       —  $  $ 
Operating expenses:            
Research and development  393   3,198   (2,805)
General and administrative  4,994   1,912   3,082 
Total operating expenses  5,387   5,110   277 
Operating loss  (5,387)  (5,110)  (277)
Other income/(expense)  (66,705)  (265)  (66,440)
             
Net loss $(72,092) $(5,375) $(66,717)

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Operating Expenses

Research and development

Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, decreased by approximately $2.8 million driven by (i) a decrease of stock-based compensation expense of approximately $3.2 million related to the grant by Poseidon, our controlling shareholder, of profits interests in Poseidon to our executives and employees in 2021, 60% of the profits interests granted were immediately vested and the remaining 40% of the profits interests were amortized over 18 months that were 100% amortized as of August 31, 2022 and (ii) an increase in costs of approximately $0.4 million for license fees.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased by approximately $3.1 million driven by (i) a decrease of stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.7 million, (ii) an increase in accounting fees of approximately $1.0 million, (iii) an increase in legal fees of approximately $2.0 million, (iv) an increase in printing, public relations, insurance ,and consulting costs of approximately $0.4 million, and (v) license fees and insurance of approximately $0.5 million.

Other Income/(Expense) (Restated)

Other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by $66.4 million, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase of $66.4 million was primarily driven by (i) the initial recognition and changes in fair value of $31.3 million related to the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration, (ii) $14.0 million related to the fair value of stock issuances, including $13.6 million for the loss on extinguishment of debt related to the fair value of the 1,365,000 Sponsor Extension Shares and $0.4 million for the loss on extinguishment of debt related to the fair value of stock issuances in connection to a related-party loan extension, (iii) a stock issuance loss of $12.7 million related to the fair value of the 1,200,000 Share Consideration Shares issued to the Backstop Parties in February 2023 (iii) $7.6 million in transaction costs, (iv) $0.9 million related to the fair value of warrant issuances, and (v) $0.3 million in interest expense, primarily driven by the amortization of other debt issuance costs.

Other income/(expense) consisted of the following (in thousands):

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2023  2022 
Other income/(expense)        
Interest expense, including  amortization of debt issuance costs $(301) $(16)
Fair value of warrant issuances  (884)  (250)
Loss in connection with Share Consideration shares  (12,676)   
Loss on extinguishment of debt  (13,953)   
Transaction costs  (7,578)   
Loss on Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration  (31,312)   
Other  (1)  1 
Total other income/(expense) $(66,705) $(265)

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. We have not yet commercialized any products and we do not expect to generate revenue from sales of products for several years, if at all. To date, we have funded our operations from the proceeds from the issuance of common stock and debt, proceeds from the Backstop Agreement and through self-funding by our founder and have limited current cash on hand to fund our operations. Based on our current operational plans and assumptions, we expect that the net proceeds from the Backstop Agreement, the Ayrton Convertible Note Financing and future debt and equity financings, including possibly under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, which total net proceeds we estimate need to be at least $45.0 million, as well as further deferrals of certain of our accrued expenses and contingency payments due upon the closing of future financings, are required to fund operations into the third quarter of 2024. The Company borrowed an additional $1.7 million in March 2023, the proceeds of which were used to pay certain accrued expenses. We expect to consummate the closing of the sale of the initial Note under the Ayrton Convertible Note Financing shortly following the filing of this Report. We estimate that net cash proceeds from the closing will be $6.1 million, after deducting the original issue discount and the estimated expenses of the Offering. The proceeds from that financing are expected to be used as follows: (i) $1.0 million to be held in and subject to a deposit control agreement, (ii) approximately $2.6 million to pay the Sponsor Extension Loan, NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan and a portion of the loans due to Second Street Capital and McKra, (iii) approximately $0.9 million to pay transaction costs and (iv) the remainder for general working capital purposes, including accrued interest on the Sponsor Extension Loan and NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan. Under the terms of the Backstop Agreement, the Backstop Parties will pay us $10.34 for each share of our Common Stock they sell and for which they elect to terminate the Backstop Agreement. The Backstop Parties will make this payment after the end of each quarter for shares sold and terminated during that quarter. The Backstop Parties sold 105,572 Recycled Shares of our common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, resulting in net proceeds to us of $1.1 million. There is an economic disincentive for the Backstop Parties to sell shares of our common stock that are subject to the restrictions set forth in the Backstop Agreement unless our common stock is trading above $10.34 per share, which means that we need to assume that no cash will be returned to us pursuant to any sales under the Backstop Agreement unless and until our common stock is trading above $10.34 and our Backstop Parties are otherwise able to sell their shares. Based upon the level of funding that we receive from the foregoing sources, we will determine the amount of accrued expenses and contingency payments that we will seek to have our vendors further defer and how much we are able to spend on our operations. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we expect, in which case, we would need to raise more capital and sooner than expected. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to draw down additional loans under the Ayrton Convertible Note Financing or raise additional capital on reasonable terms or at all, that our common stock will trade above $10.34, permitting the Backstop Parties to sell shares under the Backstop Agreement, that the Backstop Parties will sell any shares of our common stock held by them or elect to terminate the Backstop Agreement in respect of those shares, or that our vendors will agree to further deferrals of payments due to them. Although the Common Stock Purchase Agreement provides that we have the right, but not the obligation to require White Lion to purchase, from time to time, up to $75,000,000 in aggregate gross purchase price of Equity Line Shares, we are not required or permitted to issue any shares of our common stock under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement if such sale would result in White Lion owning more than 9.99% of our outstanding shares of common stock.

See Note 12, Subsequent Events, to our condensed consolidated financial statements above for a discussion of a notice received on May 23, 2023 from Vellar purporting to terminate its Backstop Agreement and seeking payment of Maturity Consideration under that agreement.

Each Public Warrant and each Private Placement Warrant entitle the holder thereof to purchase one share of our Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The Second Street Warrants are exercisable for 511,712 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.06 per share, 102,342 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.47 per share, 275,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $10.34 per share, and 150,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The McKra Warrant (as defined below) is exercisable for 200,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $10.34 per share. The Special Forces Warrant (as defined below) is exercisable for 150,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The warrant issued to the Investor pursuant to the Ayrton Convertible Note Financing is initially exercise able for 552,141 shares of our common stock at an initial exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. On May 19, 2023, the closing price for our common stock was $5.04. If the price of our common stock remains below the exercise price of the Warrants, warrant holders will be unlikely to exercise their Warrants for cash, resulting in little or no cash proceeds to us from such exercises. We expect to use any proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants for general corporate and working capital purposes, which would increase our liquidity. As described above, in order to fund planned operations while meeting obligations as they come due, we will need to secure additional debt or equity financing if substantial cash proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants are not received. Furthermore, to the extent that warrants are exercised on a “cashless basis,” the amount of cash we would receive from the exercise of the warrants will decrease.

We have filed a Form S-1 Registration Statement with the SEC to, among other matters, register for resale shares of our common stock, which we expect to become effective in the near term. Upon the Form S-1 becoming effective, the sale of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could harm the prevailing price of our shares of common stock. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time or price that we deem appropriate.

Our accrued expenses, contingency payments due upon a financing event and contingency payments due upon the closing of future capital raises, principally upon the first cumulative capital raise equal to at least $50 million, currently total $37.3 million at March 31, 2023. Accrued expenses and contingency payments due upon a financing event total approximately $23.6 million at March 31, 2023. This includes (i) $13.2 million of accounting and legal fees (ii) $2.2 million of CMO and vendor costs, (iii) $7.4 million of short-term debt, and (iv) $0.8 million of patent reimbursement costs. The contingent payments due upon the closing of future capital raises, principally upon the first cumulative capital raise equal to at least $50.0 million, including the proceeds from the business combination transaction, total approximately $13.7 million at March 31, 2023. These contingent payments consist of $12.0 million of contingent compensation and bonuses to certain members of senior management, $1.6 million of contingent vendor payments, and $0.1 million of related party expense.

Going Concern Considerations

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

We had no cash inflows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, we borrowed approximately $7.4 million, of which $4.7 million related to fees and expenses from the Business Combination transaction and $2.7 million was used to pay accounting and legal fees. As of March 31, 2023 we had minimal cash and a working capital deficiency of $23.4 million. In April 2023, we received $1.1 million in net proceeds from the sale by the Backstop Parties of Recycled Shares under the terms of the Backstop Agreement. Our current operating plan indicates we will incur losses from operations and generate negative cash flows from operating activities, given anticipated expenditures related to research and development activities and we lack revenue generating ability at this point in our lifecycle. These events and conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.

We will need to raise additional funds in order to advance our research and development programs, operate our business, and meet our future obligations as they come due, as described above under “Liquidity and Capital Resources.” We will seek additional funding through private equity financings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances, or marketing, distribution, or licensing arrangements. There is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining additional financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and we may not be able to enter into collaborations or other arrangements. If we are unable to obtain funding, we could be forced to delay, reduce, or eliminate our research and development programs, which could adversely affect our business prospects and our ability to continue operations.

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The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Funding Requirements

We expect our expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we advance the preclinical activities and clinical trials of our product candidates. In addition, we will incur additional ongoing costs associated with operating as a public company, including significant legal, accounting, compliance, investor relations and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The timing and amount of our operating expenditures will depend on our ability to:

advance preclinical development of our early-stage programs;
manufacture, or have manufactured on our behalf, our preclinical and clinical drug material and develop processes for late state and commercial manufacturing;
regulatory approvals for any product candidates that successfully complete clinical trials;
establish a sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure to commercialize our product candidates for which we may obtain marketing approval and intend to commercialize on our own;
hire additional clinical, quality control and scientific personnel; and
expand our operational, financial and management systems and increase personnel, including personnel to support our research and clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization efforts and our operations as a public company; and obtain, maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio.

We anticipate that we will require additional capital as we seek regulatory approval of our product candidates and if we choose to pursue in-licenses or acquisitions of other product candidates. If we receive regulatory approval for our product candidates, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution, depending on where we choose to commercialize. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of biologic product candidates, we are unable to estimate the exact amount of our working capital.

License Fees

Our contractual obligations are expected to have an effect on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. Under our license agreements with our academic research institution partners, fixed license maintenance fees of $298,418 are due within 15 days of financing of at least $10 million and $110,000 are due within 30 days of financing of at least $10 million. In addition, under these license agreements, we are also required to make payments upon successful completion and achievement of certain milestones as well as royalty payments upon sales of products covered by such licenses. The payment obligations under the license fees are recorded in accounts payable. The payment obligations under the collaboration agreements are contingent upon future events such as our achievement of specified development, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones. As the timing of these future milestone payments are not known, we have not included these fees in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023. None of these were paid at Closing.

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Contingent Compensation

Under the management employment agreements, we have salaries and bonuses that are contingently payable upon financing, collectively called contingent compensation, that are contingently payable based only upon our first cumulative capital raise of at least $50 million. As of March 31, 2023, we have contingent compensation and bonuses in the amount of $12.0 million to certain members of senior management. These amounts will not be paid if the contingencies do not occur. Since the payment of obligations under the employment agreements are contingent upon these future events, which are not considered probable as such future events are deemed outside of our control, we have not included these amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements. None of these were paid at Closing.

Other Contractual Obligations

We have entered and anticipate we will continue to enter into contracts in the normal course of business with external organizations such as CMOs, CROs and other third parties for the manufacture of our product candidates and to support clinical trials and preclinical research studies and testing. We expect that these contracts will be generally cancelable by us, and we anticipate that payments due upon cancellation will consist only of payments for services provided or expenses incurred, including noncancelable obligations of our service providers, up to the date of cancellation. We accrued CMO services in the amount of $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 under the Development and Manufacturing Services Agreement with Lonza in developing the product OCX-253.

Short-Term Loans

As of March 31, 2023, we had the following outstanding short-term loans:

Loan Principal Amount Outstanding  

Annual Interest

Rate

  Outside Maturity Date
March Second Street Loan $700,000   15% 

May 15, 2023

McKra Loan $1,000,000   15% 

May 12, 2023

Sponsor Extension Loan(1) $500,000   8% May 15, 2023
NPIC Sponsor Loan(1)(2) $1,050,000   15% May 25, 2023
Second Street Loan $600,000   15% 

May 31, 2023

Second Street Loan 2 $400,000   15% 

May 31, 2023

Underwriters Note $3,150,000   9% November 14, 2023
Total Short-term loans, including related party-Sponsor Extension Loan(3) $7,400,000      

(1)The Company is only responsible for interest on these loans beginning with the Closing of the Business Combination on February 14, 2023.

(2)The NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan bore interest at 8% per annum until March 22, 2023 and 15% per annum thereafter.

(3)Includes $330,443 of unamortized debt issuance costs not reflected in short-term loans on our balance sheet.

The terms of the loans listed in the above table are described above.

The March Second Street Loan, McKra Loan and Sponsor Extension Loan are past due. We intend to pay the Sponsor Extension Loan and the NPIC Sponsor Extension Loan in full from the proceeds of the initial draw under the Ayrton Convertible Note Financing. We are in discussions with Second Street Capital and McKra over the partial repayment of their loans from the proceeds of the Ayrton Convertible Note Financing and the extension of the maturity date of the remainder of the loans.

Cash Flows

To date, we have not generated any revenue. Cash flows to date have resulted from financing activities, including payments made on behalf of the Company by related parties and net proceeds from issuance of shares of common stock consisting of friends and family of our employees and short-term borrowings. As of March 31, 2023, our cash balance of approximately $0.3 million is held in a standard checking account. We do not have any cash equivalents. Cash used in operating activities was used to pay legal and accounting fees. Accounts payable and accrued expenses of $16.7 million and $11.8 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, were recorded. Approximately $16 million of this amount will be paid following the receipt of the proceeds from the Backstop Agreement, the Common Stock Purchase Agreement and future financings.

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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

To minimize the risk in the future, we intend to maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents in institutional market funds that are composed of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Treasury-backed repurchase agreements or short-term U.S. Treasury securities. We do not believe that inflation, interest rate changes, or exchange rate fluctuations had a significant impact on our results of operations for any periods presented herein.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.America, or GAAP. The preparation of theseour consolidated financial statements and related disclosures requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, costs and liabilitiesexpenses. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and disclosure of contingent assetsevents, and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of net sales and expenses for each period. The following represents a summary of our critical accounting policies, defined as those policiesvarious other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this registration statement, we believe that the following accounting policies are those most importantcritical to the portrayaljudgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial conditionstatements.

Valuation of Backstop Put Option Liability and resultsFixed Maturity Consideration

We utilized a Monte-Carlo simulation to value the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity Consideration. The key inputs and assumptions used in the Monte-Carlo Simulation, including volatility, expected term, expected future stock price, and various simulated paths, were utilized to estimate the fair value of the associated derivative liabilities. The value of the Backstop Put Option Liability and Fixed Maturity were calculated as the average present value over 50,000 simulated paths. We measure the fair value at each reporting period, with subsequent fair values to be recorded within other income/(expense) in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Deferred Offering and Transaction Costs

Deferred offering costs, consisting of direct accounting fees, legal fees, regulatory fees, transfer agent fees, and printing costs directly related to the Business Combination are capitalized. The deferred offering costs in the amount of $2.0 million were reclassified to additional paid in capital upon the completion of the Business Combination. Approximately $7.6 million of transaction costs were recorded as an expense that comprised of $2.6 million of deferred offering costs, $3.1 million of underwriter transaction fees, and $1.9 million of Sponsor loans. As of March 31, 2023, all of the deferred offering costs had been recognized and no deferred offering costs remain in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Stock-Based Compensation for Profit Interests in Poseidon and Stock Option Grants

We account for all stock-based payments to employees and non-employees, including profits interest grants in Poseidon based on their respective grant date fair values. We estimate the fair value of profits interest grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is affected principally by the estimated fair value of shares of our common stock and requires management to make a number of other assumptions, including the expected life of the profits interest, the volatility of the underlying shares, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Expected volatility is based on the historical share volatility of a set of comparable publicly traded companies over a period of time equal to the expected term of the profits interests. Due to the lack of historical exercise history, the expected term of the profit interests is determined using the “simplified” method. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the award for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the award. Expected dividend yield is zero based on the fact that we have never paid cash dividends and do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The fair value of common stock underlying our profit interests was estimated by our Board of Directors considering, among other things, contemporaneous valuations of our common stock prepared by unrelated third-party valuation firms. The profit interests are valued based on the fair value of Poseidon units on the date of grant. We expense stock-based compensation related to these profit interests over the requisite service period using the straight-line method such that recognized compensation expense is at least equal to the vested portion of the awards. All stock-based compensation costs are recorded in research and development expense or general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, oftenbased upon the respective employee’s roles within our company. Forfeitures are recorded as a resultthey occur.

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Accounting for Warrants

We account for warrants issued based on their respective grant dates fair values. Prior to September 2022, the value of the needwarrants issued to make estimates aboutSecond Street (together, with warrants subsequently issued to Second Street Capital, the effects“Second Street Warrants”) was estimated considering, among other things, contemporaneous valuations for our common stock prepared by unrelated third-party valuation firms and prices set forth in our previous filings with the SEC for a proposed IPO of mattersour common stock that are inherently uncertain.was not pursued by us (“Legacy Ocean IPO filings”). We used the mid-range price per share based upon our Legacy Ocean IPO filings. Starting in September 2022, following the execution of the Business Combination Agreement with AHAC, the value of the Second Street Warrants was based on the closing price of AHAC’s Class A common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the grant date. Following the Closing of the Business Combination, the value of warrants issued by us was based on the closing price of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the Grant date. We estimate the fair value, based upon these values, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is affected principally by the life of the warrant, the volatility of the underlying shares, the risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends. Expected volatility is based on the historical share volatility of a set of comparable publicly traded companies over a period of time equal to the expected term of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the warrant for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the warrant. Expected dividend yield is zero based on the fact that we have never paid cash dividends and do not expect to pay any case dividends in the foreseeable future. We expense the amount as interest in Other expenses.

Segments

 

We operate and manage the business as one reportable and operating segment, which is the business of discovering and developing therapeutic products in oncology, fibrosis, infectious diseases and inflammation. Our chief executive officer, who is the chief operating decision maker, or CODM, reviews financial information on an aggregate basis for allocating and evaluating financial performance.

JOBS ActOff-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company does not believe that any recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company Status

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualifypermits an “emerging growth company” such as us to take advantage of an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act are allowedextended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date forstandards applicable to public companies until those standards would otherwise apply to private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electinghave elected to delay the adoptionnot “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards and as a result, we may not comply withat the time private companies adopt the new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoptionstandard and will do so until such time that we either (i) irrevocably elect to “opt out” of such standards is required for non-emergingextended transition period or (ii) no longer qualify as an emerging growth companies. Ascompany.

We are also a “smaller reporting company” meaning that the market value of our stock held by non- affiliates plus the proposed aggregate amount of gross proceeds to us as a result of this offering is expected to be less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the financial statementsmost recently completed fiscal year. We may notcontinue to be comparable to companies that comply with newa smaller reporting company after this offering if either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or revised accounting pronouncements as(ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of public company effective dates.

 

Additionally,our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. If we are ina smaller reporting company at the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subjecttime that we cease to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, asbe an emerging growth company, we choosemay continue to rely on such exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company, we may not be requiredchoose to among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation reportpresent only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on our system of internal controlsForm 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.

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Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Internal control over financial reporting pursuantis a process designed to Section 404, (ii) provide allreasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the compensation disclosure that may be requiredpreparation of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) complyfinancial statements in accordance with any requirement that may be adoptedU.S. GAAP. Under standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, (PCAOB) regarding mandatory audit rotation or PCAOB, a supplementdeficiency in internal control over financial reporting exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or personnel, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and theprevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. The PCAOB defines a material weakness as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements (auditor discussionwill not be prevented or detected and analysis)corrected on a timely basis.

In connection with the preparation and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completionaudits of our Initialfinancial statements as of December 31, 2022 and review of our financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023 included elsewhere in this registration statement, we have identified a material weakness as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and by the Public OfferingCompany Accounting Oversight Board (United States) in our internal control over financial reporting, as follows:

Management does not have adequate staffing in its accounting department and has not yet designed and implemented the appropriate processes and internal controls to support accurate and timely financial reporting.

We have begun taking measures, and plan to continue to take measures, to remediate the material weakness. These measures include hiring or untilengaging additional accounting personnel with familiarity with reporting under U.S. GAAP, including hiring of Gurinder Kalra as our Chief Financial Officer and implementing and adopting additional controls and formal policies, processes and documentation procedures relating to financial reporting. We plan to undertake recruitment efforts to identify additional accounting personnel, including possible use of third-party service providers. Remediation costs consist primarily of additional personnel expenses. We may identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, which may impair our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis.

However, the implementation of these measures may not be sufficient to remediate the control deficiencies that may lead to a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting or to prevent or avoid potential future material weaknesses. Moreover, our current controls and any new controls that we develop may become inadequate in the future because of changes in conditions in our business. Furthermore, we may not have identified all material weaknesses and weaknesses in our disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting may be discovered in the future. If we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.unable to successfully remediate our existing or any future material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, or if we identify any additional material weaknesses, the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting may be adversely affected, we may be unable to maintain compliance with securities law requirements regarding timely filing of periodic reports in addition to applicable stock exchange listing requirements, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting, and our share price may decline as a result.

 

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Table of Contents 

We also could become subject to investigations by Nasdaq, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls or any difficulties encountered in its implementation or improvement could negatively impact our operating results or cause us to fail to meet its reporting obligations and may result in a restatement of our financial statements for prior periods, which could cause the price of our common stock and warrants to decline.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

For more information on recently issued accounting standards, see “Note 2— Significant Accounting Policies”, to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Part I – Item 1. Financial Statements”.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKRISK.

 

Pursuant to Item 305(e)As a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e))the Exchange Act), the Company iswe are not required to provide the information required bydisclosure under this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).3.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURESPROCEDURES.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer (our principal executive officer and principal accounting/financial officer), Mr. Ajjarapu and Mr. Doss, respectively, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2023, the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.not effective at a reasonable assurance level.

 

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

Notwithstanding the conclusion by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer that our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023 were not effective, and notwithstanding the identified material weakness, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believes the financial statements included in this Report fairly represent in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows at and for the periods presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Previously Identified Material Weakness

In connection with our preparation and the audits of our financial statements as of December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, we identified a material weakness as defined under the Exchange Act, and by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Specifically, our material weakness is that our management does not have adequate staffing in its accounting department and has not yet designed and implemented the appropriate processes and internal controls to support accurate and timely financial reporting. Management is working to implement remediation steps to improve our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting, including hiring of additional accounting personnel, such as Gurinder Kalra as our Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, management plans to further develop and implement formal policies, processes and documentation procedures relating to financial reporting. For more information concerning the material weakness identified and remediation steps, see “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Internal Control over Financial Reporting” in this Quarterly Report and the section titled “Risk FactorsWe identified a material weakness in Legacy Ocean’s internal control over financial reporting. If our remediation of this material weakness is not effective, or if we experience additional material weaknesses or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls in the future, we may not be able to accurately report our financial condition or results of operations” included in our Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There has not been any changewere no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2021,March 31, 2023, that has materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

None.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

The significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results are described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Rule 424(b)(4) final prospectus for our Initial Public Offering as filed with the SEC on September 16, 2021. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our final prospectus for the Initial Public Offering, which are incorporated by reference herein.

 

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

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

On June 17, 2021, our Sponsor purchased 2,875,000 shares of our Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Founder Shares”), for an aggregate price of $25,000. Our Sponsor agreed to forfeit up to 375,000 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the underwriter, so that the Founder Shares will represent 20.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after the Initial Public Offering. On September 17, 2021, the underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 500,000 Units, and as a result 125,000 of the Class B common stock shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.

 

On September 17, 2021, our Sponsor purchased 5,261,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds of $5.261 million. In connection withSet forth below is information regarding securities issued by us during the partial exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option on September 17, 2021, we sold an additional 150,000 Private Placement Warrants whichperiod covered by this Report that were purchased by our Sponsor, generating additional gross proceeds of $0.15 million.

 

These issuances were made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) ofnot registered under the Securities Act. No underwriting discountsunderwriters were involved in the sales and the certificates representing the securities sold and issued contain legends restricting transfer of the securities without registration under the Securities Act or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.an applicable exemption from registration.

 

UseIssuances of ProceedsCapital Stock

 

On September 17, 2021, we consummated our Initial Public Offering of 10,000,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $100.0 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $6.7 million, inclusive of approximately $1.0 million in an underwriting discount and $3.0 million in deferred underwriting commissions. On September 17, 2021, the underwriter partially exercised its over-allotment option, pursuant to which we sold an additional 500,000 Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”), generating gross proceeds of approximately $5.0 million, and incurring additional offering costs of approximately $200 thousand in underwriting fees (inclusive of approximately $150 thousand in deferred underwriting fees).

 

In connection with the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Over-Allotment Units, we incurred offering costs of approximately $4.6 million, inclusive of approximately $3.15 million in deferred underwriting commissions. Other incurred offering costs consisted principally of preparation fees related to the Initial Public Offering. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions (excluding the deferred portion, which amount will be payable upon consummationclosing of the initial Business Combination, if consummated)on February 14, 2023, we, Legacy Ocean and expenses associated with the Initial Public OfferingPolar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“Polar”) entered into a subscription agreement in which Polar agreed to purchase 1,350,000 newly-issued shares of our common stock at a per share purchase price of $10.56 and salean aggregate purchase price of Over-Allotment Units, $107,100,000 of the net proceeds from our Initial Public Offering, proceeds from the sale of Over-Allotment Units and certain of the proceeds from the Private Placement (totaling or $10.20 per Unit sold in the Initial Public Offering, including the Over-Allotment Units) was placed in the Trust Account. The net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and certain proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants are held in the Trust Account and invested as described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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The securities sold in the Initial Public Offering$14,260,404. These transactions were registeredeffected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on athe exemption from registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-258012). The SEC declared the registration statement effective on September 14, 2021.provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

 

No paymentsIn connection with the closing of the Business Combination, on February 14, 2023, we issued to Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC (“Sponsor”) 1,365,000 shares of AHAC’s Class A common stock in connection with Sponsor obtaining two (2) three-month extensions beyond the September 16, 2022 deadline for our expensesAHAC to complete an initial business combination. Such shares were made in the offering described above directly or indirectly to (i) any of our directors, officers or their associates, (ii) any person(s) owning 10% or more of any class of our equity securities or (iii) any of our affiliates, exceptreclassified as common stock in connection with the repaymentBusiness Combination. These transactions were effected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

In connection with the Loan Modification Agreement, dated March 22, 2023, between the Company, Sponsor, and NPIC Limited, on March 22, 2023, we issued to NPIC Limited 50,000 shares of outstanding loans. There has been no material changeour common stock in exchange for the extension of the maturity date of the loan made pursuant to the Loan and Transfer Agreement between the registrant, the Sponsor and NPIC Limited dated December 13, 2022. These transactions were effected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

Issuances of Warrants

In connection with the February 15, 2023 extension of the Loan Agreement, dated February 22, 2022, with Second Street Capital, LLC (“Second Street Capital”), we issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $10.34 per share exercisable until February 15, 2028. These transactions were effected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

In connection with the February 15, 2023 extension of the Loan Agreement, dated April 22, 2022, with Second Street Capital, we issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 25,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $10.34 per share exercisable until February 15, 2028. These transactions were effected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

In connection with the Strategic Advisory Agreement, dated March 19, 2023, between us and Special Forces F9, LLC (“Special Forces”), we issued to Special Forces a warrant to purchase 150,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 per share exercisable until March 7, 2028 (the “Special Forces Warrant”). These transactions were effected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

In connection with the Loan Agreement, dated March 28, 2023, between us and McKra Investments III (“McKra”), we issued to McKra a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $10.34 per share exercisable until March 28, 2028 (the “McKra Warrant”). These transactions were effected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

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In connection with the Loan Agreement, dated March 29, 2023, between us and Second Street Capital, we issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $10.34 exercisable until March 29, 2028. These transactions were effected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

In connection with the March 31, 2023 extension of the Loan Agreement, dated February 22, 2022, between us and Second Street Capital, we issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 per share exercisable until March 31, 2028. These transactions were effected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

In connection with the March 31, 2023 extension of the Loan Agreement, dated April 22, 2022, between us and Second Street Capital, we issued to Second Street Capital a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 per share exercisable until March 31, 2028. These transactions were effected without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) promulgated thereunder.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

We did not purchase any shares of our common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, other than as set forth in the planned use of proceeds from our offering as described in our final prospectusregistrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) related to the Initial Public Offering.on February 15, 2023, as amended, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATIONINFORMATION.

 

None.Dated as of March 28, 2023, we entered into a Loan Agreement with McKra pursuant to which the Company borrowed $1 million to pay certain accrued expenses. The loan bears interest at 15% per annum and is due within three business days of our next financing or receipt of proceeds from the Backstop Agreement or, if earlier, 45 days from the date of the advance. We issued a warrant to the lender for 200,000 shares of our common stock, exercisable for five years at an exercise price of $10.34 and will pay $150,000 in loan fees at maturity.

 

Dated as of March 29, 2023, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement with Second Street Capital pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to $1 million to pay certain accrued expenses. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company borrowed $700,000. The loan bears interest at 15% per annum and is due within three business days of our next financing or receipt of proceeds from the Backstop Agreement or, if earlier, 45 days from the date of the advance. We issued a warrant to the lender for 200,000 shares of our common stock, exercisable for five years at an exercise price of $10.34 and will pay $150,000 in loan fees at maturity.

The foregoing descriptions of the loan agreements are only summaries and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full texts of the Exhibits 10.25 and 10.26 to this Report, which are incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITSEXHIBITS.

 

See the Exhibit Index following the signature page to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a list of exhibits filed or furnished with this report, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.
   
 By:/s/ Suren Ajjarapu
  Suren Ajjarapu
  

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

   
  Date: October 18, 2021
   
 By:/s/ Howard Doss
  Howard Doss
  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Accounting/Financial Officer)

   
  Date: October 18, 2021

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

    Incorporated by Reference  
Exhibit No. Description
 Form File No. 
Exhibit2.1 Filing Date Filed/Furnished Herewith
1.1 Underwriting Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated September 14, 2021,as of August 31, 2022 by and between Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.), AHAC Merger Sub Inc., Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria and Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc.) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to the Company and EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLCForm 8-K filed by Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.) (File No. 001-40793) on September 8, 2022).
 S-1/A 333-258012 1.1 9/2/2021  
2.2Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 5, 2022, by and between Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.), AHAC Merger Sub Inc., Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC, Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria and Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc.) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.2 to the Form 8-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on February 15, 2023).
3.1 Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on February 15, 2023).
 S-1/A 333-258012 3.1 9/2/2021  
3.2Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 8-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on February 15, 2023).
4.1 Warrant Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, by and between Continental Stock Transfer && Trust Company and Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.) and Form of Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the CompanyForm 8-K filed by Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.) (File No. 001-40793) on September 17, 2021).
 S-1/A 333-258012 4.1 9/2/2021  
10.1 Investment Management TrustLock-Up Agreement, dated Septemberas of February 14, 2021, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Company S-1/A 333-258012 10.1 9/2/2021  
10.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, by and among the Company and the Sponsor S-1/A 333-258012 10.2 9/2/2021  
10.3 Letter Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, by and among the Company, its officers and directors and the Sponsor S-1/A 333-258012 10.3 9/2/2021  
10.4 Placement Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated September 14, 2021,2023, by and between the CompanyRegistrant and Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the SponsorForm 8-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on February 15, 2023).
 S-1/A 333-258012 10.4 9/2/2021  
10.510.2 Administrative SupportLock-Up Agreement, dated Septemberas of February 14, 2021,2023, by and between the CompanyRegistrant and Poseidon Bio, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the SponsorForm 8-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on February 15, 2023).
10.3Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2023, by and between the Registrant and Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on February 15, 2023).
 S-1/A 333-258012 10.5 9/2/2021  
10.610.4#†2022 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 8-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on February 15, 2023).
 
10.5#Indemnity2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 8-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on February 15, 2023).
10.6Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement, by and between the Registrant and each of its directors, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.24 to the Form 8-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on February 15, 2023).
10.7Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement between the Registrant and Second Street Capital, LLC effective as of February 15, 2023 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.64 to the Form 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).
10.8Fifth Amendment to Loan Agreement between the Registrant and Second Street Capital, LLC effective as of March 31, 2023 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.65 to the Form S-1 filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 333-271392) on April 21, 2023).
10.9Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement between the Registrant and Second Street Capital, LLC effective as of February 15, 2023 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.69 to the Form 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).
10.10Fifth Amendment to Loan Agreement between the Registrant and Second Street Capital, LLC effective as of March 31, 2023 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.71 to the Form S-1 filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 333-271392) on April 21, 2023).

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10.11Warrant No. 2023-1 to Subscribe to Common Shares issued by the Registrant to Second Street Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.74 to the Form 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).
10.12Warrant No. 2023-2 to Subscribe to Common Shares issued by the Registrant to Second Street Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.75 to the Form 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).
10.13Warrant No. 2023-3 to Subscribe to Common Shares issued by the Registrant to McKra Investments III (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.78 to the Form S-1 filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 333-271392) on April 21, 2023).
10.14Warrant No. 2023-4 to Subscribe to Common Shares issued by the Registrant to Second Street Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.79 to the Form S-1 filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 333-271392) on April 21, 2023).
10.15Warrant No. 2023-5 to Subscribe to Common Shares issued by the Registrant to Second Street Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.80 to the Form S-1 filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 333-271392) on April 21, 2023).
10.16Warrant No. 2023-6 to Subscribe to Common Shares issued by the Registrant to Second Street Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.81 to the Form S-1 filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 333-271392) on April 21, 2023).
10.17Warrant No. 2023-7 to Subscribe to Common Shares issued by the Registrant to Special Forces F9, LLC.
10.18Amended and Restated OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction Letter Agreement, dated September 8, 2021,February 10, 2023, by and between Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.), Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc.) and Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 3 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed by Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.) (File No. 001-40793) on February 10, 2023).
10.19Amended and Restated OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction Letter Agreement, dated February 12, 2023, by and between Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.), Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc.) and Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 3 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed by Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.) (File No. 001-40793) on February 13, 2023).
10.20Assignment and Novation Agreement, dated February 13, 2023, by and between Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.), Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc.), Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 3, Meteora Special Opportunity Fund I, LP, Meteora Capital Partners, LP and Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.89 to the Form 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).
10.21Assignment and Novation Agreement, dated February 13, 2023, by and between Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.), Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc.), Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 3 and Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.90 to the Form 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).
10.22Subscription Agreement, dated February 14, 2023, by and between Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.), Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical Holdings, Inc.) and Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.91 to the Form 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).

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10.23Promissory Note, dated February 14, 2023, issued to EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC by Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.92 to the Form 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).
10.24Loan and Transfer Agreement, by and among Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a Ocean Biomedical, Inc.), Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC and NPIC Limited dated December 13, 2022, as modified by that certain Loan Modification Agreement by and among Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (f/k/a Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.), Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC and NPIC Limited dated March 22, 2023 and Side Letter Agreement by and among Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (f/k/a Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.) and Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.93 to the Company and Suren AjjarapuForm 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).
 S-1/A 333-258012 10.6 9/2/2021  
10.710.25 IndemnityLoan Agreement, dated September 8, 2021,March 28, 2023, by and among Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (f/k/a Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.) and McKra Investments III (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.94 to the Company and Howard A. DossForm 10-K filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).

10.26 S-1/Loan Agreement, dated March 29, 2023, by and among Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (f/k/a Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp.) and Second Street Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.83 to the Form 8-K/A filed by Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (File No. 001-40793) on March 31, 2023).
 333-258012 10.7 9/2/2021  
10.831.1* Indemnity Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, by and among the Company and Siva Saravanan S-1/A 333-258012 10.8 9/2/2021  
10.9 Indemnity Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, by and among the Company and Michael L. Peterson S-1/A 333-258012 10.9 9/2/2021  
10.10 Indemnity Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, by and among the Company and Venkatesh Srinivasan S-1/A 333-258012 10.10 9/2/2021  
10.11 Indemnity Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, by and among the Company and Donald G. Fell S-1/A 333-258012 10.11 9/2/2021  
31.1* Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley ActAct.
   
31.2*      X
31.2* Certification of Principal Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley ActAct.
         X
32.1** Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley ActAct.
         X
32.2** Certification of Principal Accounting Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley ActAct.
   
101.INS      X
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      X
101.SCH* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
   
101.CAL      X
101.CAL* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
   
101.DEF      X
101.DEF* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
   
101.LAB      X
101.LAB* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
   
101.PRE      X
101.PRE* Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
   
104      X
104* Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL for the cover page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, included in the Exhibit 101 Inline XBRL Document Set.document)         X

 

 

*Filed herewith.
  
**Furnished herewith.

 

30
Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon request; provided, however, that the Registrant may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act, as amended, for any schedule or exhibit so furnished.
#Represents management compensation plan, contract or arrangement.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Ocean Biomedical, Inc.
Dated: April 15, 2024/s/ Elizabeth Ng
Name:Elizabeth Ng
Title:Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: April 15, 2024/s/ Jolie Kahn
Name:

Jolie Kahn

Title:Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

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