(8) Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) became effective on January 31, 2020, succeeding the Company’s previous equity incentive plan. No new options may be issued under the previous plan, although shares subject to grants which are cancelled or forfeited will again be available under the 2019 Plan.
Effective June 1, 2021, the 2019 Plan was amended to increase the number of shares authorized to be issued from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000. Effective June 12, 2024, the 2019 Plan was amended to increase the number of shares authorized from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000. As of September 30, 2024, 812,568 shares were available for future grants.
Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | September 30, | | September 30, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
General and administrative | | $ | 203,785 | | $ | 379,364 | | $ | 1,437,305 | | $ | 1,792,819 |
Research and development | | | 189,295 | | | 252,827 | | | 917,052 | | | 1,953,203 |
| | $ | 393,080 | | $ | 632,191 | | $ | 2,354,357 | | $ | 3,746,022 |
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company granted 50,000 and 411,600 stock options to various executives, employees, consultants and Board Members at a weighted-average exercise price of $5.27 and $5.97 per share, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of options issued by the Company during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $4.47 and $5.04 per share, respectively. The options generally have service-based vesting conditions, vest in substantially equal installments over two years and have a 10 year term.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company granted an award of 20,000 stock options to a Board Member, in consideration for services to be performed under a consulting agreement. The exercise price for the options was $5.27 per share. The awards will vest in quarterly increments during the term of the agreement, which terminates on December 31, 2024. Vesting is dependent on continued service over that period.
There were 300,000 stock options exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. Stock options exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were 0 and 59,897, respectively.
There were 126,996 and 188,623 stock options that expired during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. There were no stock options that expired during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
As of September 30, 2024, there were 1,877,751 options outstanding, of which 1,572,275 were vested and exercisable. As of December 31, 2023, there were 1,954,774 options outstanding, of which 1,600,577 were vested and exercisable.
(9) Net Loss Per Share
The Company analyzes the potential dilutive effect of stock options and warrants under the treasury stock method (as applicable),during periods of income, or during periods in which income is recognized related to changes in fair value of its liability-classified securities.