The following table sets forth the stock- based compensation expense included in the above operating expenses for the three months ended March 31:
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
Payroll related | | | — | | | 400,000 | | | (400,000) |
Consulting and professional fees | | | — | | | 315,000 | | | (315,000) |
| | $ | — | | $ | 765,000 | | $ | (715,000) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll related expenses, commissions, consulting and professional fees, sales and marketing, research and development and other operating expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $372,263 for the three months ended March 31,2024 and $1,552,488 for the three months ended March 31,2023, a decrease of $1,180,225 or about 76%. The change is primarily due to decreases in payroll related expenses of $437,388, consulting and professional fees of $386,406, research and development costs of $289,934, commissions of $36,500, and other operating expenses of $25,808.
The decrease in payroll related expenses is primarily due to stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023, of $400,000 related to the issuance of a share of Series B Preferred stock to the Company’s CEO as well as a reduced headcount and no CEO bonus in the 2024 period.
The decrease in consulting and professional fees is primarily the result of stock-based compensation of $315,000 in the 2023 period recorded in conjunction with shares issued for investor relations and financial advisory services, and decreased consulting and professional fees related to costs associated with operating as a public company. Decreased accounting fees relate to the timing of the Company’s 2023 10-K filing.
The decrease in research and development costs relates to payments made under its product development agreement as new milestones were met in the 2023 period. The decrease in commissions relates to the reduction in sales requiring commission.
The decrease in other operating expenses consists primarily of reduced travel and expenses related to the building that was sold in 2023, such as depreciation and property taxes.
Other income (expense) decreased by $1,486,873 primarily due to a gain on the sale of the Company’s building of $1,193,676, in the 2023 period, losses related to derivative liabilities totaling $872,884 in the 2024 period, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $328,881 and reversal of accrued default penalties totaling $250,000 in the 2024 period. The decrease in interest expense reflects $160,000 related to the valuation of certain trigger warrants for matured convertible notes payable, as well as approximately $160,000 of amortized debt discount in the 2023 period. All debt discount for notes issued prior to Jan 1,2024 has been fully amortized in 2023.
As a result of the foregoing, we recorded a net loss of $836,274 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a net loss of $456,063 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in net loss is primarily attributed to the decrease in other income (loss), partially offset by a decreased loss from operations.
COVID-19 may impact our business.
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” and on March 11, 2020, declared it to be a pandemic. Actions taken around the world to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 include restrictions on travel, and quarantines in certain areas, and forced closures for certain types of public places and businesses. COVID-19, and actions taken to mitigate it, have had and are expected to continue to have an adverse impact on the economies and financial markets of many countries, including the geographical areas in which we operate. While it is unknown how long these conditions will last and what the complete financial effect will be to the Company, COVID-19 may have an adverse effect on our business. While we are taking diligent steps to mitigate any possible disruptions to our business, we are unable to predict the extent or nature of these impacts, at this time, to our future financial condition and results of operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
During the three months ended March 31,2024 our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $8,861 reflecting cash used in operations of $158,361 and provided by financing activities of $149,500. At March 31, 2024, the Company had a working capital deficit of $3,726,900 and cash on hand of $78,843. During the three months ended March 31,2023 our cash and cash equivalents increased by $866,602 reflecting cash used in operations of $452,736 and cash used in financing activities of $575,250, offset by cash provided from the sale