UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): September 29, 2023
Oncocyte Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| California | | 1-37648 | | 27-1041563 |
| (State or other jurisdiction | | (Commission | | (IRS Employer |
| of incorporation) | | File Number) | | Identification No.) |
15 Cushing
Irvine, California 92618
(Address of principal executive offices)
(949) 409-7600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
| Title of each class | | Trading Symbol | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock, no par value | | OCX | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| | |
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| | |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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. ☐
Item 4.01. Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) of Oncocyte Corporation (the “Company”), as a matter of good governance, invited several registered public accounting firms to participate in an evaluation process to consider a potential audit firm rotation.
As a result of this process, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, subject to Marcum’s completion of their client acceptance procedures. The Company has dismissed WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”) as independent registered public accounting firm of the Company on September 29, 2023. The Company expects to receive a fully executed engagement letter from Marcum on or about October 9, 2023.
Withum’s report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022, and the subsequent interim period through June 30, 2023, there were (i) no “disagreements” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, between the Company and Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Withum, would have caused Withum to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in their reports on the financial statements for such years, and (ii) no “reportable events” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, except for the material weaknesses related to the failure to design and maintain effective controls to address the initial application of complex accounting standards and accounting treatment of non-routine, unusual or complex events and transactions, which material weakness was remediated prior to June 30, 2023, as reported in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023.
The Company provided Withum with a copy of the disclosures it is making in this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company requested that Withum furnish a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made herein. A copy of Withum’s letter dated October 5, 2023 is attached as Exhibit 16.1 hereto.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022, and the subsequent interim period through June 30, 2023, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has consulted with Marcum with respect to (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that Marcum concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” or “reportable event” as those terms are defined in Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Current Report may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this Current Report. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management, are inherently uncertain. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
| | ONCOCYTE CORPORATION |
| | |
| Date: October 5, 2023 | By: | /s/ Joshua Riggs |
| | | Joshua Riggs |
| | | President and Chief Executive Officer |
