We intend to seek additional capital as we prepare for the launch of Viaskin Peanut, if approved, and continue other research and development efforts. We may seek to finance our future cash needs through a combination of public or private equity or debt financings, collaborations, license and development agreements and other forms of non-dilutive financings.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain the necessary financing to meet our needs or to obtain funds at attractive terms and conditions, including as a result of disruptions to the global financial markets. A severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to us, including reduced ability to raise additional capital when needed or on acceptable terms, if at all. If we are not successful in our financing objectives, we could have to scale back our operations, notably by delaying or reducing the scope of our research and development efforts or obtain financing through arrangements with collaborators or others that may require us to relinquish rights to our product candidates that we might otherwise seek to develop or commercialize independently.
Operating leases
At the date of filing, our corporate headquarters are located in Châtillon, France. Our principal offices occupy a 2,447 square meter facility, pursuant to a lease agreement dated November, 2023 and represents a $4.5 million cash requirement as of March 31, 2024 until March, 2033. The move of the corporate headquarters to Châtillon, France is subject to ratification by the shareholders of the Company at the annual general meeting on May 16, 2024.
The lease agreement for the office occupying 4,470 square meter facility in Montrouge, France, signed on March 3, 2015, with an effective date of August 1, 2025, expires on May, 2024. Associated lease termination costs were reflected in the Company’s financial accounts in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2024.
At the date of filing, our primary U.S. office is located in Warren, New Jersey. In February 2024, we entered into a sublease agreement, commencing on March 19, 2024 and effective for 70 months, for an office of 16,704 square feet in Warren, New Jersey. The Warren office represent a $1.8 million cash requirement as of March 31, 2024 which expires December 31, 2029.
We also have facilities in North America that were intended to support our U.S. operations. We lease 5,799 square feet in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, which commenced on April 1, 2022 and is effective for 38 months.
The Company transitioned to its new offices location in Warren NJ and Châtillon France over the end of the first quarter of 2024. Leases from prior offices located in Basking Ridge NJ and Montrouge, France offices were still active at the time of filing.
There have been no material changes in our operating leases from those disclosed in the Annual Report.
Purchase obligations—Obligations Under the Terms of CRO Agreements
In connection with the launch of our clinical trials for Viaskin Peanut and Viaskin Milk, we signed agreements with several contract research organizations. As of December 31, 2023, expenses associated with the ongoing trials amounted globally to $114.4 millions, and we had non-cancellable contractual obligations with CRO until year ended 2025 amounting to $64.4 millions.
There have been no material changes in our purchase obligations from those disclosed in the Annual Report.
Summary Statement of Cash Flows
The table below summarizes our sources and uses of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended March 31, | | | | | | | |
(Amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars) | | 2024 | | | 2023 | | | $ change | | | % of change | |
Net cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities | | | (34,692 | ) | | | (20,841 | ) | | | (13,851 | ) | | | 66 | % |
Net cash flow provided by (used in) investing activities | | | (2,132 | ) | | | 42 | | | | (2,174 | ) | | | (5,176 | %) |
Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities | | | (62 | ) | | | (14 | ) | | | (47 | ) | | | 328 | % |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | (2,957 | ) | | | 3,909 | | | | (6,866 | ) | | | (176 | %) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | (39,842 | ) | | | (16,905 | ) | | | (22,937 | ) | | | 136 | % |
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Operating Activities
Our net cash flows used in operating activities were $34.7 million and $20.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The variance of $13.9 million is mainly driven by the increase in (1) external clinical-related expenses by $3.7 million, (2) R&D activities to support clinical trials progress through Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, Manufacturing platform and Supply activities by $6.4 million and (3) internal employees’ compensation increase by $2.5 million with 18 additional employees.
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