Operating Expenses
Overview
Total operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $4,751,654 as compared to $7,078,923 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately 32.9%. The decrease in total operating expenses is due to the decrease in research and development activities and general and administrative expenses.
Research and Development Expenses
For the six months ended June 30, 2023, we incurred $1,184,928 in research and development expenses as compared to $3,427,175 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately 65.4%. These expenses were incurred primarily pursuant to developing the potential AD therapeutic product, specifically expenses relating to our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial for AD. Of these expenses, for the six months ended June 30, 2023, $842,756 was incurred principally relating to our current confirmatory clinical trial and our Phase 2 dose ranging study and related storage of drug product, $155,868 for clinical consulting services, $10,247 of amortization of prepaid licensing fees relating to the Stanford License Agreement and Mount Sinai Agreement, $26,468 for development of alternative drug supply with Stanford University and $149,589 of non-cash stock options compensation expense; comparatively, for the six months ended June 30, 2022, $2,943,402 was incurred principally relating to our confirmatory clinical trial and related storage of drug product, $152,658 for clinical consulting services, $14,931 of amortization of prepaid licensing fees relating to the Stanford License Agreement and Mount Sinai Agreement, $23,481 for development of alternative drug supply with Stanford University and $292,703 of non-cash stock options compensation expense.
Our research and development expenses are leveling off as our current Phase 2 clinical trial for AD was materially concluded by the end of 2022 and our Phase 2 dose ranging study was discontinued. Other development expenses might increase, as our resources permit, in order to advance our potential products. We are continuing to determine how to proceed with respect to our other current development programs for Bryostatin-1.
General and Administrative Expenses
We incurred $3,566,726 and $3,651,748 of general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, a decrease of approximately 2.3%. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, $648,092 was incurred primarily for wages, bonuses, vacation pay, severance, taxes and insurance, versus $601,507 for the six months ended June 30, 2022; $493,316 was incurred for legal expenses versus $207,019 for the 2022 comparable period. The increase in legal fees for 2023 is based upon the increased fees for special stockholder vote requirements and for regulatory compliance; $472,815 was incurred for outside operations consulting services during the six months ended June 30, 2023, versus $589,454 for the comparable period in 2022. The decrease for the 2023 period is based upon a decrease in non-cash compensation paid; $74,048 was incurred for travel expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2023, versus $39,131 for the comparable period in 2022 as post-COVID travel has increased; $240,628 was incurred for investor relations services during the six months ended June 30, 2023, versus $133,569 for the comparable period in 2022, with the increase for the current period based upon engaging additional consultants to assist with Company communications; $185,209 was incurred for professional fees associated with auditing, financial, accounting and tax advisory services during the six months ended June 30, 2023, versus $109,725 for the comparable period in 2022. The increase for the current period is primary attributable to additional audit work for the November Private Placement and auditor change; $387,164 was incurred for insurance during the six months ended June 30, 2023, versus $365,544 for the comparable period in 2022; $235,846 was incurred for utilities, supplies, license fees, filing costs, rent, advertising and other during the six months ended June 30, 2023, versus $170,254 for the comparable period in 2022, with the increase for 2023 primary attributable to recognizing Delaware franchise tax quarterly; and $829,608 was recorded as non-cash stock options compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023, versus $1,435,545 for the comparable period in 2022.
Other Income / Expense
We recognized a total other loss of $1,054,084 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to a total gain of $49,097 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, which consisted, for 2023, of interest income on funds deposited in interest bearing money market accounts and changes in fair value of warrant liability and derivative liability versus interest income only for 2022. The increase in interest income of $774,419 is primarily attributable to the increase in money market interest income rates and increase in cash balances. The total decrease is primarily attributable to the increase in fair value of derivative liability of $2,258,600 and the increase in fair value of warrant liability of $381,000 partially offset by the increase in interest income.