UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
DC 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark one)
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025
or
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-15771
ABEONA
THERAPEUTICS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
83-0221517
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
6555
Carnegie Avenue , 4 th Floor
Cleveland , OH 44103
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)
(646) 813-4701
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area
code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
ABEO
Nasdaq Capital Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1)
has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has
submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of
this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒
No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a
large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and
“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒
Smaller reporting company ☒
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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a
shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐
No ☒
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s
common stock as of May 9, 2025 was 51,156,736 shares.
ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC.
Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2025
INDEX
Page No.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements:
3
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024
3
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024
4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024
5
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024
6
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
7
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
25
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
30
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
30
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
31
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
31
Item 2.
Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
33
Item 5.
Other Information
33
Item 6.
Exhibits
33
SIGNATURES
34
1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including information
incorporated by reference) contains statements that express management’s opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions
or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,”
“could,” “would,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions,
and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such “forward-looking statements” speak
only as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates, and assumptions
by management that are difficult to predict. Various factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. In addition, we disclaim any obligation
to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, except as may otherwise be
required by the federal securities laws.
Forward-looking statements necessarily
involve risks and uncertainties, and our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements
due to a number of factors. These statements include statements about: our ability to successfully generate commercial sales of ZEVASKYN TM
and generate future revenue; our plans to continue development of AAV-based gene therapies designed to treat ophthalmic
diseases; the achievement of or expected timing, progress and results of clinical development, clinical trials and potential regulatory
approvals; our pipeline of product candidates; our belief that ZEVASKYN TM could potentially
benefit patients with RDEB; our dependence upon our third-party customers and vendors and their compliance with regulatory bodies; our
estimates regarding expenses, future revenues, capital requirements, and needs for additional financing; our intellectual property position
and our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property protection and exclusivity for our proprietary assets; our estimates
regarding the size of the potential markets for our product candidates, the strength of our commercialization strategies and our ability
to serve and supply those markets; and future economic conditions or performance.
Important factors that could affect performance
and cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors”
and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as updated from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including
this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These factors include: our ability to maintain existing and obtain additional regulatory approvals
of ZEVASKYN™ and any future product candidates; our ability to successfully commercialize and market ZEVASKYN™ and any future
product candidates, if approved, and the timing of any commercialization and marketing efforts; our ability to access our existing at-the-market sale agreement; our ability to access additional
financial resources and/or our financial flexibility to reduce operating expenses if required; our ability to obtain additional equity
funding from current or new stockholders; the potential impacts of global healthcare emergencies, such as pandemics, on our business,
operations, and financial condition; the potential impact of unpredicted changes in the structure and/or administration of the United
States government or its agencies; our ability to out-license technology and/or other assets, deferring and/or eliminating planned expenditures,
restructuring operations and/or reducing headcount, and sales of assets; the dilutive effect that raising additional funds by selling
additional equity securities would have on the relative equity ownership of our existing investors, including under our existing at-the-market
sale agreement; the outcome of any interactions with the FDA or other regulatory agencies relating to any of our products or product candidates;
our ability to continue to secure and maintain regulatory designations for our product candidates; our ability to develop manufacturing
capabilities compliant with current good manufacturing practices for our product candidates; our ability to manufacture cell and gene
therapy products and produce an adequate product supply to support clinical trials and potentially future commercialization; the rate
and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates for any indication once approved; and our ability to meet our obligations contained
in license agreements to which we are party.
2
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 15,936
$ 23,357
Short-term investments
68,219
74,363
Restricted cash
338
338
Other receivables
1,617
1,652
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,011
1,143
Total current assets
88,121
100,853
Property and equipment, net
6,947
4,430
Operating lease right-of-use assets
4,239
3,552
Other assets
57
96
Total assets
$ 99,364
$ 108,931
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 5,018
$ 3,441
Accrued expenses
3,887
6,333
Current portion of long-term debt
8,148
5,926
Current portion of operating lease liability
613
823
Other current liabilities
317
64
Total current liabilities
17,983
16,587
Long-term operating lease liabilities
4,078
3,262
Long-term debt
11,138
13,037
Warrant liabilities
24,769
32,014
Total liabilities
57,968
64,900
Commitments and contingencies
-
-
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock - $ 0.01 par value; authorized 2,000,000 shares; No shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively
—
—
Common stock - $ 0.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares; 48,953,171 and 45,644,091 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively
490
457
Additional paid-in capital
866,260
856,824
Accumulated deficit
( 825,287 )
( 813,258 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
( 67 )
8
Total stockholders’ equity
41,396
44,031
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 99,364
$ 108,931
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.
3
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
and Comprehensive Loss
($ in thousands, except share and per share
amounts)
(Unaudited)
2025
2024
For the three months ended March 31,
2025
2024
Revenues:
License and other revenues
$ —
$ —
Expenses:
Research and development
9,941
7,207
General and administrative
9,786
7,123
Total expenses
19,727
14,330
Loss from operations
( 19,727 )
( 14,330 )
Interest income
1,310
843
Interest expense
( 998 )
( 952 )
Change in fair value of warrant and derivative liabilities
7,245
( 17,301 )
Other income
141
162
Net loss
$ ( 12,029 )
$ ( 31,578 )
Basic and diluted loss per common share
$ ( 0.24 )
$ ( 1.16 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
49,778,801
27,315,537
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized gains related to available-for-sale debt securities
( 75 )
( 118 )
Comprehensive loss
$ ( 12,104 )
$ ( 31,696 )
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.
4
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’
Equity (Deficit)
($ in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Accumulated
Total
Additional
Other
Stockholder’s
Common Stock
Paid-in
Accumulated
Comprehensive
(Deficit)
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Loss
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2023
26,523,878
$ 265
$ 764,151
$ ( 749,524 )
$ ( 66 )
$ 14,826
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
1,546
—
—
1,546
Issuance of common stock in connection with restricted share awards, net of cancellations and shares settled for tax withholding settlement
137,500
2
( 16 )
—
—
( 14 )
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs under open market sale agreement (ATM)
889,315
9
6,448
—
—
6,457
Net loss
—
—
—
( 31,578 )
—
( 31,578 )
Other comprehensive loss
—
—
—
—
( 118 )
( 118 )
Balance at March 31, 2024
27,550,693
$ 276
$ 772,129
$ ( 781,102 )
$ ( 184 )
$ ( 8,881 )
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Total
Common Stock
Paid-in
Accumulated
Comprehensive
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Income (Loss)
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2024
45,644,091
$ 457
$ 856,824
$ ( 813,258 )
$ 8
$ 44,031
Balance
45,644,091
$ 457
$ 856,824
$ ( 813,258 )
$ 8
$ 44,031
Stock-based compensation expense
—
—
2,701
—
—
2,701
Issuance of common stock in connection with restricted share awards, net of cancellations and shares settled for tax withholding settlement
1,996,797
20
( 51 )
—
—
( 31 )
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs under open market sale agreement (ATM)
1,312,283
13
6,786
—
—
6,799
Net loss
—
—
—
( 12,029 )
—
( 12,029 )
Other comprehensive loss
—
—
—
—
( 75 )
( 75 )
Balance at March 31, 2025
48,953,171
$ 490
$ 866,260
$ ( 825,287 )
$ ( 67 )
$ 41,396
Balance
48,953,171
$ 490
$ 866,260
$ ( 825,287 )
$ ( 67 )
$ 41,396
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
unaudited condensed consolidated statements.
5
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)
2025
2024
For the three months ended March 31,
2025
2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
$ ( 12,029 )
$ ( 31,578 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
534
491
Stock-based compensation expense
2,701
1,546
Change in fair value of warrant and derivative liabilities
( 7,245 )
17,301
Accretion and interest on short-term investments
455
( 59 )
Amortization of right-of-use lease assets
281
233
Non-cash interest
323
345
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Other receivables
35
252
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
( 868 )
( 1,232 )
Other assets
39
163
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
( 2,378 )
( 1,690 )
Lease liabilities
( 362 )
( 310 )
Other current liabilities
112
—
Net cash used in operating activities
( 18,402 )
( 14,538 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
( 1,401 )
( 725 )
Purchases of short-term investments
( 48,645 )
( 29,343 )
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
54,259
22,251
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
4,213
( 7,817 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from ATM sales of common stock, net of issuance costs
6,799
6,417
Payments related to net settlement of restricted share awards
( 31 )
( 14 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
—
20,000
Payment of debt issuance costs
—
( 963 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
6,768
25,440
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
( 7,421 )
3,085
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
23,695
14,811
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$ 16,274
$ 17,896
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 15,936
$ 17,558
Restricted cash
338
338
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$ 16,274
$ 17,896
Supplemental non-cash flow information:
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
$ 968
$ —
Derivative and warrant additions associated with loan and security agreement
$ —
$ 1,042
Changes in accrued property and equipment
$ 1,179
$ —
Cash paid for interest
$ 675
$ 607
Cash paid for taxes
$ —
$ 8
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
unaudited condensed consolidated statements.
6
ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Background
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (together with the Company’s
subsidiaries, “Abeona” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company
developing cell and gene therapies for life-threatening diseases. On April 28, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”)
approved ZEVASKYN™ (prademagene zamikeracel) gene-modified cellular sheets, also known as pz-cel, as the first and only autologous
cell-based gene therapy for the treatment of wounds in adult and pediatric patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (“RDEB”),
a serious and debilitating genetic skin disease.
The Company’s development portfolio also features
adeno-associated virus (“AAV”)-based gene therapies designed to treat ophthalmic diseases with high unmet need using novel
AIM™ capsids that the Company has exclusively licensed from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and developed internally
through its AAV vector research programs.
Liquidity
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification
(“ASC”) 205-40, Going Concern , the Company has evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the
aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date
the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.
As a biopharmaceutical organization, the Company has
devoted substantially all of its resources since inception to research and development activities for ZEVASKYN™ and other product
candidates, business planning, raising capital, establishing its intellectual property portfolio, acquiring or discovering product candidates,
and providing general and administrative support for these operations. As a result, the Company has incurred significant operating losses
and negative cash flows from operations since its inception and anticipates such losses and negative cash flows will continue until ZEVASKYN™
can provide sufficient revenue for the Company to be profitable and generate positive cash flows.
Since its inception, the Company has
funded its operations primarily with proceeds from sales of shares of its stock. The Company has incurred recurring losses since its
inception, including net losses of $ 12.0
million and $ 31.6
million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had an accumulated
deficit of approximately $ 825.3
million. To date the Company has not generated any significant revenues and may continue to generate operating losses for the until
ZEVAKSYN™ can provide sufficient revenue for the Company to be profitable. As of the issuance date of these unaudited interim
condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company expects that its existing cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and
short-term investments of $ 84.5
million as of March 31, 2025 in addition to the $ 10.5
million in net proceeds from the Company’s subsequent sale of common stock under the ATM Agreement and the gross proceeds of $ 155 million upon the closing of our asset purchase
agreement for the sale of our Rare Disease Priority Review Voucher, will be sufficient to
fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months from the issuance date of these
condensed consolidated financial statements.
While the Company believes its capital resources are
sufficient to fund the Company’s on-going operations for the next 12 months from the issuance date of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements, the Company’s liquidity could be materially affected over this period by: (1) its ability to
raise additional capital through equity offerings, debt financings, or other non-dilutive third-party funding; (2) costs associated with
new or existing strategic alliances, or licensing and collaboration arrangements; (3) negative regulatory events or unanticipated costs
related to ZEVASKYN™; (4) its ability to generate revenue through its sales of ZEVASKYN™; or (5) any other unanticipated material
negative events or costs. One or more of these events or costs could materially affect the Company’s liquidity. If the Company is
unable to meet its obligations when they become due, the Company may have to delay expenditures, reduce the scope of its research and
development programs, or make significant changes to its operating plan. The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
7
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
There have been no new or material changes to the
significant accounting policies discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 that
are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company.
Basis of Presentation
The Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.
GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise disclosed, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position,
results of operations, and changes in financial position for such periods, have been made. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statement results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year or any future period. Certain
information that is normally required by U.S. GAAP has been condensed or omitted in accordance with rules and regulations of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The December 31, 2024 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from the
audited statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.
Therefore, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on March 20, 2025.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount
of assets and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts
of revenue and expenses during the reported period. The Company’s significant estimates include, but are not limited to, fair value
of warrant and derivative liabilities, the incremental borrowing rate related to the Company’s operating leases and stock-based
compensation. Due to the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Other receivables
Other receivables include employee retention credits
(“ERC”), sublease rent receivables and other miscellaneous receivables that are expected to be collected within the next twelve
months. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had ERC receivables of $ 1.6 million.
Credit Losses
The Company reviews its available-for-sale investments
for credit losses on a collective basis by major security type and in line with the Company’s investment policy. As of March 31,
2025, the Company’s available-for-sale investments were in securities that are issued by the U.S. treasury and U.S. federal agencies,
are highly rated, and have a history of zero credit losses. The Company reviews the credit quality of its accounts receivables by monitoring
the aging of its accounts receivable, the history of write-offs for uncollectible accounts, and the credit quality of its significant
customers, the current economic environment/macroeconomic trends, supportable forecasts, and other relevant factors. The Company’s
accounts receivable are with customers that do not have a history of uncollectibility nor a history of significantly aged accounts receivables.
As of March 31, 2025, the Company did not recognize a credit loss allowance for its investments or accounts receivable.
8
Segments
The Company determines and presents operating segments
based on the information that is internally provided to the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), its Chief
Executive Officer, in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting . The Company has determined that it operates in a single business
segment, which is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell and gene therapies for life-threatening diseases. Refer to
Note 12 – Segment Information for further information related to the Company’s segment.
Net Loss Per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed by
dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the
period. The weighted average number of shares of common stock includes the weighted average effect of outstanding pre-funded warrants
for the purchase of shares of common stock for which the remaining unfunded exercise price is $ 0.0001 or less per share. The Company does
not include the potential impact of dilutive securities in diluted net loss per share, as the impact of these items is anti-dilutive.
Potential dilutive securities result from outstanding restricted stock, stock options, conversion features of loan agreements, and stock
purchase warrants.
The following table sets forth the potential securities
that could potentially dilute basic loss per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share
because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented:
SCHEDULE
OF ANTI-DILUTIVE SECURITIES EXCLUDED FROM COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
For the three months ended March 31,
2025
2024
Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options
176,179
179,001
Shares of common stock underlying outstanding restricted stock
5,250,307
2,542,619
Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of conversion feature of loan agreement
614,251
505,263
Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants
9,987,560
9,397,879
Total
16,028,297
12,624,762
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income
Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures . ASU 2023-09 is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness
of income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes
paid information. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted.
The requirements of this ASU are disclosure related and will not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of
operations, or cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2023-09 effective January 1, 2025. Since ASU 2023-09 addresses only disclosures, the
adoption of ASU 2023-09 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03,
Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income
Statement Expenses . The amendments in ASU 2024-03 address investor requests for more detailed expense information and require additional
disaggregated disclosures in the notes to financial statements for certain categories of expenses that are included on the face of the
income statement. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact
it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
9
NOTE 3 – SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
The following table provides a summary of the short-term
investments (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF AVAILABLE FOR SALE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
March 31, 2025
Amortized Cost
Gross Unrealized Gain
Gross Unrealized Loss
Fair Value
Available-for-sale, short-term investments:
U.S. treasury securities
$ 35,462
—
( 26 )
$ 35,436
U.S. federal agency securities
32,823
—
( 40 )
32,783
Total available-for-sale, short-term investments
$ 68,285
—
( 66 )
$ 68,219
December 31, 2024
Amortized Cost
Gross Unrealized Gain
Gross Unrealized Loss
Fair Value
Available-for-sale, short-term investments:
U.S. treasury securities
$ 23,990
—
( 22 )
$ 23,968
U.S. federal agency securities
40,365
10
—
40,375
Certificates of deposit
10,000
20
—
10,020
Total available-for-sale, short-term investments
$ 74,355
30
( 22 )
$ 74,363
As of March 31, 2025, the available-for-sale securities
classified as short-term investments mature in one year or less. The Company carries its available-for-sale securities at fair value in
the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2025, were not significant
and were primarily due to changes in interest rates, including market credit spreads, and not due to increased credit risks associated
with specific securities. None of the short-term investments have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months.
Accordingly, no other-than-temporary impairment was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
There were no significant realized gains or losses
recognized on the sale or maturity of available-for-sale investments for the three months ended March 31, 2025 or 2024.
NOTE 4 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated
or amortized using the straight-line method based on useful lives as follows (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Useful lives (years)
March 31, 2025
December
31, 2024
Laboratory equipment
5
$ 9,186
$ 8,868
Furniture, software and office equipment
3 to 5
1,189
1,113
Leasehold improvements
Shorter of remaining lease term or useful life
8,805
8,805
Construction-in-progress
3,280
624
Subtotal
22,460
19,410
Less: accumulated depreciation
( 15,513 )
( 14,980 )
Total property and equipment, net
$ 6,947
$ 4,430
Construction-in-progress
relates to leasehold improvements for the Company’s new office space as well as for conversion of existing office place into additional
manufacturing space to increase ZEVASKYN™ manufacturing capacity.
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment
was $ 0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
10
NOTE 5 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company calculates the fair
value of the Company’s assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments and includes additional information in the
notes to the consolidated financial statements when the fair value is different than the carrying value of these financial
instruments. The estimated fair value of other receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, other assets, accounts
payable, and accrued expenses approximate their carrying amounts due to the relatively short maturity of
these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Loan Agreement as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, was $ 24.3
million and $ 24.7
million, respectively. Both observable and unobservable inputs were used to determine the fair value of long-term debt, which was
classified within the Level 3 category.
U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the exchange price
that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the
asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This guidance establishes a three-level
fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable
inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
●
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
●
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
●
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar valuation techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
The Company has segregated all financial assets and
liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value
hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date in the table below.
The following table provides a summary of financial
assets measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF FAIR VALUE, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED ON RECURRING AND NON-RECURRING BASIS
Description
Fair Value at
March 31, 2025
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Recurring Assets
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
$ 9,554
$ 9,554
$ —
$ —
Money market deposit account
5,145
5,145
—
—
Short-term investments
U.S. treasury securities
35,436
35,436
—
—
U.S. federal agency securities
32,783
—
32,783
—
Total assets measured at fair value
$ 82,918
$ 50,135
$ 32,783
$ —
Liabilities
Warrant liabilities
$ 24,769
$ —
$ —
$ 24,769
Total liabilities measured at fair value
$ 24,769
$ —
$ —
$ 24,769
11
Description
Fair Value at
December 31, 2024
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Recurring Assets
Cash equivalents
Money market funds
$ 17,627
$ 17,627
$ —
$ —
Money market deposit account
5,109
5,109
—
—
Short-term investments
U.S. treasury securities
23,968
23,968
—
—
U.S. federal agency securities
40,375
—
40,375
—
Certificates of deposit
10,020
—
10,020
—
Total assets measured at fair value
$ 97,099
$ 46,704
$ 50,395
$ —
Liabilities
Warrant liabilities
$ 32,014
$ —
$ —
$ 32,014
Total liabilities measured at fair value
$ 32,014
$ —
$ —
$ 32,014
Warrant Liabilities
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company
had the following outstanding warrant liabilities:
SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING WARRANT LIABILITIES
March 31, 2025
December
31, 2024
Warrants issued as part of the 2021 public offering, expiration date December 2026 , exercise price of $ 9.75 per share
1,788,000
1,788,000
Warrants issued as part of the 2022 Private Placement Offering, expiration date November 2027 , exercise price $ 4.75 per share
7,609,879
7,609,879
Warrants issued as part of the 2024 Loan Agreement, expiration date January 2029 , exercise price $ 4.07 per share
589,681
589,681
Outstanding warrant liabilities
7,609,879
7,609,879
The common stock warrants related to the 2021 Public
Offering and the 2022 Private Placement are not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore have been classified as liabilities
at their estimated fair value. The common stock warrants issued in connection with the Loan Agreement issuance were determined to be liability
classified under ASC 815 as the common stock warrants were not considered indexed to the Company’s stock. Changes in the estimated
fair value of the warrant liabilities is recorded as changes in fair value of warrant liabilities in the condensed consolidated statement
of operations and comprehensive loss.
In January 2024, as part of the Loan and Security
Agreement, see Note 8, the Company issued warrants to purchase $ 2,400,000 worth of shares of the Company’s stock which have an exercise
price equal to the lesser of $ 4.07 per share and the shares issuable was calculated at 589,681 shares.
The following table provides a summary of the activity
on the warrant liabilities (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITY OF WARRANT LIABILITIES
Warrant liabilities as of December 31, 2024
$ 32,014
Gain recognized in earnings from change in fair value
( 7,245 )
Warrant liabilities as of March 31, 2025
$ 24,769
The warrant liabilities are valued using significant
inputs not observable in the market. Accordingly, the warrant liability is measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable
inputs and are classified as Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 are sensitive
to changes in the assumptions or methodology used to determine fair value and such changes could result in a significant increase or decrease
in the fair value. The Company’s valuation of the common stock warrants utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which incorporated
assumptions and estimates to value the common stock warrants. The Company assessed these assumptions and estimates at the end of each
reporting period.
12
The following table outlines the key inputs for the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model:
SCHEDULE OF ESTIMATE FAIR VALUE OF WARRANTS
March 31, 2025
December
31, 2024
Common share price
$ 4.76
$ 5.57
Expected term (years)
1.71 – 3.78
1.96 – 4.02
Risk-free interest rate (%)
3.81 %
– 3.85 %
4.16 % – 4.24 %
Volatility (%)
89.60 %
- 100.00 %
92.64 %
- 100.00 %
Expected dividend yield (%)
0 %
0 %
NOTE 6 – ACCRUED EXPENSES
The following table provides a summary of the components
of accrued expenses (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF ACCRUED EXPENSES
March 31, 2025
December
31, 2024
Accrued employee compensation
$ 1,848
$ 4,392
Accrued contracted services and other
2,039
1,941
Total accrued expenses
$ 3,887
$ 6,333
NOTE 7 – LEASES
The Company leases space under
operating leases for administrative, manufacturing and laboratory facilities in Cleveland, Ohio. The Company also leases office
space in New York, New York, that the Company sublets. The lease for the office space in New York, New York will terminate in
September of 2025, which is the end of the lease term. The Company also leases certain office equipment under operating leases,
which have a non-cancelable lease term of less than one year and the Company has elected the practical expedient to exclude these
short-term leases from the Company’s right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.
During 2024, the Company signed a lease for 16,566
square feet of office space at 6700 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. Pursuant to the lease agreement, the lease term commences on January
1, 2025 with an initial term through December 30, 2030. Annual lease payments during the term of the lease are approximately $ 0.3 million.
The total lease payments over the duration of the lease term are approximately $ 1.5 million. The additional space at the 6700 Euclid Avenue
facility will allow the Company to convert office space at the 6555 Carnegie Avenue facility into additional manufacturing space to increase
ZEVASKYN™ manufacturing capacity. The impact of this lease agreement was to increase the Company’s operating right-of-use
lease assets and operating lease liabilities by $ 1.0 million on January 1, 2025.
The Company has entered into two sublease agreements
with unrelated third parties to occupy the Company’s administrative offices in New York, New York. The sublease agreements terminate in September of 2025 at the same time
the Company’s lease terminates. The Company expects to receive
$ 0.3 million in future sublease income through September 2025 from the two subleases noted above.
13
The following table provides a summary of the Company’s
operating lease liabilities (in thousands):
SUMMARY OF OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Current operating lease liability
$ 613
$ 823
Non-current operating lease liability
4,078
3,262
Total operating lease liability
$ 4,691
$ 4,085
Lease costs and rent are reflected in general and
administrative expenses and research and development expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive
loss, as determined by the underlying activities.
The following table provides a summary of the components
of lease costs and rent (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF COMPONENTS OF LEASE COST
2025
2024
For the three months ended March 31,
2025
2024
Operating lease cost
$ 372
$ 334
Variable lease cost
116
74
Short-term lease cost
8
23
Total operating lease costs
$ 496
$ 431
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement
of operating lease liabilities was $ 0.4 million and $ 0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments and obligations, which
do not include short-term leases, related to the Company’s operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2025 were as follows (in
thousands):
SCHEDULE OF MATURITIES OF OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES
Future minimum lease payments and obligations
Operating Leases
2025, remainder
$ 400
2026
1,044
2027
1,114
2028
1,140
2029
1,166
Thereafter
1,191
Total undiscounted operating lease payments
6,055
Less: imputed interest
1,364
Present value of operating lease liabilities
$ 4,691
The weighted-average remaining term of the Company’s
operating leases was 62 months and the weighted-average discount rate used to measure the present value of the Company’s operating
lease liabilities was 8.2 % as of March 31, 2025.
The Company received $ 0.1 million during the three
months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, of sublease income which is recorded in other income on the condensed consolidated statement of
operations and comprehensive loss.
14
Future cash receipts from the Company’s sublease
agreements as of March 31, 2025 are as follows (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF FUTURE CASH RECEIPTS FROM OPERATING SUBLEASE
Operating
Future cash receipts
Subleases
2025, remainder
$ 302
Total future cash receipts
$ 302
NOTE 8 – DEBT
The following table provides a summary of the Company’s
debt, net of debt issuance costs and discounts (in thousands):
SCHEDULE
OF DEBT AND NET OF DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Loan Agreement Principal
$ 20,000
$ 20,000
Accreted final payment fee
457
354
Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts
( 1,171 )
( 1,391 )
Total long-term debt
19,286
18,963
Less: current maturities
8,148
5,926
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
$ 11,138
$ 13,037
Loan and Security Agreement
On January 8, 2024 (the “Closing Date”),
the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, as supplemented by a Supplement, dated as of January 8, 2024 (collectively, the
“Loan Agreement”) with Avenue Venture Opportunities Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, as administrative agent and
collateral agent (“Avenue” and the “Agent”) and Avenue Venture Opportunities Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (“Avenue 2” and, together with Avenue, the “Lenders”). The Loan Agreement provides for senior secured
term loans (the “Loans”) in an aggregate principal amount up to $ 50 million, with (i) a committed tranche of $ 20 million advanced
on the Closing Date (“Tranche 1”), (ii) a committed tranche of up to $ 10 million which may be advanced upon the request of
the Company between June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, subject to the Company obtaining FDA approval of ZEVASKYN™ in recessive
dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, with the issuance of a Priority Review Voucher (“Tranche 2”), and (iii) a discretionary
tranche of up to $ 20 million which may be advanced between March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026 (the “Discretionary Tranche”)
provided at the discretion of the Lenders. The Loans are due and payable on July 1, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). As of September
30, 2024, the Tranche 2 was no longer available as the Company did not meet the Tranche 2 criteria.
The loan principal is repayable in equal monthly installments
beginning on May 1, 2025. The Loans bear interest at a rate per annum (subject to increase during an event of default) equal to the greater
of (i) the prime rate, as published by the Wall Street Journal from time to time, plus 5.00 % and (ii) 13.50 %. The stated interest rate
and effective interest rate as of March 31, 2025 was 13.50 % and 22.09 %, respectively. On April 28, 2025, with the FDA approval of ZEVASKYN™
and in accordance with the Loan Agreement, the start date of the loan principal monthly installments was extended from May 1, 2025 to
February 1, 2026, which will require reclassification of $ 5.9 million from current portion
of long-term debt to long-term debt as of April 28, 2025.
The Company may, subject to certain parameters, voluntarily
prepay the Loans, in whole, at any time. If prepayment occurs on or before the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company is
required to pay a prepayment fee equal to 3.00% of the principal amount of the Loans prepaid; if prepayment occurs after the one-year
anniversary of the Closing Date and on or before the two-year anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company is required to pay a fee equal
to 2.00% of the principal amount of the Loans; if prepayment occurs after the two-year anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company
is required to pay a fee equal to 1.00% of the principal amount of the Loans. A final payment fee of 5.00% of the principal amount of
the funded Tranche 1, Tranche 2 Loans and Discretionary Tranche Loans is also due upon the Maturity Date or any earlier date of prepayment.
15
The Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreement
are secured by a pledge of substantially all of the Company’s assets. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Company is subject to
a financial covenant requiring the Company to maintain at all times $ 5 million in unrestricted cash. The Loan Agreement also contains
affirmative and negative covenants customary for financings of this type that, among other things, limit the ability of the Company and
its subsidiaries to (i) incur additional debt, guarantees or liens; (ii) pay dividends; (iii) enter into certain change of control
transactions; (iv) sell, transfer, lease, license, or otherwise dispose of certain assets; (v) make certain investments or loans;
and (vi) engage in certain transactions with related persons, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The Loan Agreement also includes
events of default customary for financings of this type, in certain cases subject to customary periods to cure, following which the Agent
may accelerate all amounts outstanding under the Loans.
Pursuant to the Supplement to the Loan and Security
Agreement, Avenue also has the right to convert up to $ 3 million of the outstanding principal of the Loans into shares of Company common
stock (the “Conversion Right”) at a price per share equal to 120 % of the exercise price of the Warrants (further discussed
below) at any time while the Loans are outstanding, subject to certain terms and conditions, including ownership limitations. The Conversion
Right required bifurcation as certain adjustments to the conversion price were not indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore
the Conversion Right was recorded as a derivative liability. On January 8, 2024, the Conversion Right was recorded at the closing date
fair value of $ 0.8 million which was based on a Monte Carlo simulation model. The derivative liability is remeasured at each reporting
period with the change in fair value recorded to change in fair value of warrants and derivative liabilities in the condensed consolidated
statement of operations until the derivative is exercised, expired, reclassified, or otherwise settled. On September 30, 2024, pursuant
to the Loan Agreement, the conversion price was fixed at $ 4.88 and is considered indexed to the Company’s own stock. At September
30, 2024, the Conversion Right no longer met the criteria of a derivative liability and the derivative liability of $ 1.1 million was reclassified
to equity.
In addition, subject to applicable law and specified
provisions set forth in the Supplement to the Loan and Security Agreement and solely to the extent permitted under applicable stock exchange
rules without requiring stockholder approval, the Lenders may participate in certain equity financing transactions of the Company in an
aggregate amount of up to $ 1 million on the same terms, conditions and pricing offered by the Company to other investors participating
in such financing transactions (such right, the “Participation Right”). The Participation Right automatically terminates upon
the earliest of (i) July 1, 2027, (ii) such time that the Lenders have purchased $1 million of the Company’s equity securities in
the aggregate pursuant to the Participation Right, and (iii) the repayment in full of all of the obligations under the Loan Agreement.
On the Closing Date and pursuant to the funding of
Tranche 1 of the Loan Agreement, the Company issued to each of Avenue and Avenue 2 (collectively, the “Warrant Holders”) warrants
to purchase up to $ 480,000 and $ 1,920,000 of Company common stock, respectively which is more fully described in Note 9 – Equity
below.
The future payment obligations of the principal are
as follows as of March 31, 2025 (in thousands):
SCHEDULE
OF FUTURE PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS
2025, remainder
$ 5,926
2026
8,889
2027
5,185
Total principal
$ 20,000
NOTE 9 – EQUITY
Preferred Stock
The aggregate number of authorized shares of the Company’s
preferred stock is 2,000,000 shares with a par value of one cent ($ 0.01 ). There is no preferred stock outstanding as of March 31, 2025
and December 31, 2024.
16
Common Stock and Warrants
Public Offerings
On December 21, 2021, the Company closed an underwritten
public offering of 1,788,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $ 9.75 per share and stock purchase warrants to purchase
1,788,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $ 9.75 . The net proceeds to the Company were $ 16.0 million, after deducting $ 1.5
million of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company. The net proceeds were allocated to the
warrant liability as noted below with the remainder of $ 7.0 million recorded in common stock and additional paid-in capital. In the event
of certain fundamental transactions involving the Company, the holders of the stock purchase warrants may require the Company to make
a payment based on a Black-Scholes valuation, using specific inputs that are not considered indexed to the Company’s stock in accordance
with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hed ging (“ASC 815”). Therefore, the Company accounted for the stock purchase warrants
as liabilities, which were recorded at the closing date fair value of $ 9.0 million which was based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model.
The remainder of the proceeds were allocated to common stock issued and recorded as a component of equity.
As of March 31, 2025, there were 1,788,000 stock purchase
warrants outstanding related to this public offering. These stock purchase warrants expire on December 21, 2026 . During such time as each
warrant is outstanding, the holder of the warrant is entitled to participate in any dividends or other distribution of assets to holders
of shares of common stock. There was no warrant activity during the three months ended March 31, 2025, other than the change in fair value
of the warrants for the stock purchase warrants issued as part of this public offering.
On May 7, 2024, the Company sold 12,285,056 shares
of its common stock and, in lieu of common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase 6,142,656 shares of its common stock (the “2024
Pre-Funded Warrants”), for an aggregate purchase price of $ 75.0 million gross, or $ 70.2 million net of related costs. The offering
price for each share of common stock was $ 4.07 , and the offering price for the 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants was $ 4.0699 , which represents
the per share offering price for the Company’s common stock less a $ 0.0001 per share exercise price for each 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant.
The 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants are immediately exercisable at a nominal exercise price of $ 0.0001 per share and may be exercised at any
time until the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. On June 24, 2024, 700,000 of the 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants were exercised and
on December 2, 2024 1,228,531 of the 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants were exercised, leaving 4,214,125 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants outstanding as
of March 31, 2025. The 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants are classified as equity in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging , given
the prefunded warrants are indexed to the Company’s own shares of common stock and meet the requirements to be classified in equity.
The 2024 Pre-Funded warrants were recorded at their relative fair value at issuance in the stockholders’ equity section of the consolidated
balance sheet and the 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants are considered outstanding shares in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation
for three months ended March 31, 2025 given their nominal exercise price.
Open Market Sale Agreement
On August 17, 2018, the Company entered into an open
market sale agreement (as amended, the “ATM Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) pursuant to which, the
Company may sell from time to time, through Jefferies, shares of its common stock for an aggregate sales price of up to $ 75.0 million.
Any sales of shares pursuant to this agreement are made under the Company’s effective “shelf” registration statement
on Form S-3 that is on file with and has been declared effective by the SEC.
The Company sold 1,312,283 and 889,315 shares of its
common stock under the ATM Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, resulting in net proceeds of
$ 6.8 million and $ 6.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Subsequent to March 31, 2025 and through
April 28, 2025, the Company sold 2,198,606 shares of common stock under the ATM Agreement resulting in $ 10.5 million of net proceeds.
17
Private Placement Offerings
On November 3, 2022, the Company sold 7,065,946 shares
of its common stock, and in lieu of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants exercisable for 543,933 shares of common stock and accompanying
warrants to purchase 7,609,879 shares of its common stock to a group of new and existing institutional investors in a private placement.
The offering price for each share of common stock and accompanying warrant was $ 4.60 , and the offering price for each pre-funded warrant
and accompanying warrant was $ 4.59 , which equaled the offering price per share of the common stock and accompanying warrant, less the
$ 0.01 per share exercise price of each pre-funded warrant. Each accompanying warrant represents the right to purchase one share of the
Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $ 4.75 per share of common stock. The pre-funded warrants were exercised in December
2022 and converted to 543,933 shares of commons stock. Total shares sold and converted during the year ended December 31, 2022 were 7,609,879
for an aggregate purchase price of $ 35.0 million gross, or $ 32.6 million net of related costs of $ 1.5 million which was expensed to general
and administrative expenses and $ 0.9 million which was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in-capital. The net proceeds were allocated
to the warrant liability as noted below with the remainder of $ 12.9 million and $ 0.1 million recorded in additional paid-in capital and
common stock, respectively.
In the event of certain fundamental transactions involving
the Company, the holders of the stock purchase warrants may require the Company to make a payment based on a Black-Scholes valuation,
using specific inputs that are not considered indexed to the Company’s stock in accordance with ASC 815. Therefore, the Company
is accounting for the stock purchase warrants as liabilities. On November 3, 2022, the stock purchase warrants were recorded at the closing
date fair value of $ 22.0 million which was based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The remainder of the proceeds were allocated
to common stock issued and recorded as a component of equity.
As of March 31, 2025, there were 7,609,879 warrants
outstanding related to this private placement offering. The warrants expire on November 3, 2027. During such time as each warrant is outstanding,
the holder of the warrant is entitled to participate in any dividends or other distribution of assets to holders of shares of common stock.
There was no warrant activity during the three months ended March 31, 2025, other than the change in fair value of the warrants related
to warrants issued as part of this private placement offering.
Direct Placement Offering
On July 6, 2023,
the Company sold 3,284,407 shares of its common stock, and in lieu of shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants exercisable for
2,919,140 shares of common stock (the “2023 Pre-Funded Warrants”) , to a group
of existing institutional investors for an aggregate purchase price of $ 25.0 million gross, or $ 23.0 million net of related costs. The
offering price for each share of common stock was $ 4.03 , and the offering price for the 2023 Pre-Funded
Warrants was $ 4.0299 , which represents the per
share offering price for the Company’s common stock less a $ 0.0001 per share exercise price for each such 2023 Pre-Funded Warrant .
The 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants are immediately exercisable at a nominal exercise price of $ 0.0001
per share, may be exercised at any time and do not have an expiration date. On May 9, 2024, 300,000 of the 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants
were exercised, leaving 2,619,140 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2025. The 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants are classified
as equity in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging , given the 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants are indexed to the Company’s
own shares of common stock and meet the requirements to be classified in equity. The 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants were recorded at their relative
fair value at issuance in the stockholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheet and the 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants are
considered outstanding shares in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2025 given their nominal
exercise price.
Common Stock Warrants related to the Loan and Security
Agreement
On January 8, 2024, in connection with entering into
the Loan and Security Agreement, the Company issued to each of Avenue and Avenue 2 (collectively, the “Warrant Holders”) warrants
to purchase up to $ 480,000 and $ 1,920,000 worth of shares, respectively, of Company common stock (collectively, the “January Warrants”).
The Warrants expire on January 8, 2029 (the “Expiration Date”) and upon issuance, had an exercise price per share equal to
the lesser of (i) $ 4.75 and (ii) the price per share of the Company’s next bona fide round of equity financing before September
30, 2024 in which the Company sells or issues shares of its common stock, excluding certain excluded issuances as defined in the Supplement.
In connection with the underwritten common stock offering consummated on May 7, 2024, and pursuant to the term of the January Warrants,
the exercise price of the January Warrants was reduced to $ 4.07 per share for 589,681 shares. In addition, upon a change of control where
the per share price of the Company common stock is less than or equal to two times that of the exercise price, the Warrant Holders would
be entitled to receive the shares of common stock underlying the January Warrants without payment of the exercise price. On January 8,
2024, the January Warrants did not include an explicit share limit and the number of shares issuable under the warrant agreements were
variable based on the exercise price and therefore the January Warrants were liability classified based on a Black-Scholes valuation in
accordance with ASC 815 and were recorded at the closing date fair value of $ 0.2 million which was based on a Black-Scholes option pricing
model. On September 30, 2024, per the terms of the January Warrants, the exercise price and the number of shares issuable became set at
$ 4.07 per share and 589,681 shares, respectively.
18
The Warrant Holders may exercise
the January Warrants at any time, or from time to time up to and including the Expiration Date, by making a cash payment equal to the
exercise price multiplied by the quantity of shares. The Warrant Holders may also exercise the January Warrants on a cashless basis by
receiving a net number of shares calculated pursuant to the formula set forth in the January Warrants. The January Warrants are subject
to anti-dilution adjustments for stock dividends, stock splits, and reverse stock splits.
NOTE 10 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Prior to May 17, 2023, the Company had previously
granted stock options and stock awards under the Abeona Therapeutics Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Incentive Plan”).
As of May 17, 2023, no further grants can be made under the 2015 Incentive Plan. The Company now grants stock options and stock awards
under the Abeona Therapeutics Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Incentive Plan”) which was approved by stockholders
on May 17, 2023. On April 24, 2024, stockholders approved an amendment to the 2023 Incentive Plan to increase the shares authorized for
issuance from 1,700,000 shares to 3,200,000 shares. On December 20, 2024, stockholders approved an additional increase in the shares authorized
for issuance under the 2023 Incentive Plan from 3,200,000 shares to 8,400,000 shares. As of March 31, 2025, there were 3,306,588 shares
available to be granted under the 2023 Incentive Plan. In addition, in 2023, the Company’s board of directors approved various restricted
stock awards granted to certain new hires as inducement grants. On October 10, 2023, the Company’s board of directors approved the
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. 2023 Employment Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (the “Inducement Plan”). As of March 31, 2025, there
were 531,700 shares available to be granted under the Inducement Plan.
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation
expense (in thousands):
SCHEDULE
OF STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
For the three months ended March 31,
2025
2024
Research and development
$ 670
$ 346
General and administrative
2,031
1,200
Total stock-based compensation expense
$ 2,701
$ 1,546
Stock Options
The Company estimates the fair value of each option
award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company then recognize the grant date fair value of each
option as compensation expense ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the service period (generally the vesting period).
The Black-Scholes model incorporates the following assumptions:
●
Expected volatility – the Company estimates the volatility of the share price at the date of grant using a “look-back” period which coincides with the expected term, defined below. The Company believes using a “look-back” period which coincides with the expected term is the most appropriate measure for determining expected volatility.
●
Expected term – the Company estimates the expected term using the “simplified” method, as outlined in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment.”
●
Risk-free interest rate – the Company estimates the risk-free interest rate using the U.S. Treasury yield curve for periods equal to the expected term of the options in effect at the time of grant.
●
Dividends – the Company uses an expected dividend yield of zero because the Company has not declared nor paid a cash dividend, nor are there any plans to declare a dividend.
19
The Company did not grant any stock options in the three months ended March
31, 2025 and 2024.
The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur, which may result in
the reversal of compensation costs in subsequent periods as the forfeitures arise.
The following table summarizes stock option activity
during the three months ended March 31, 2025:
SCHEDULE
OF STOCK OPTION ACTIVITY
Number of Options
Weighted Average Exercise
Price
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
(in
thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2024
176,587
$ 38.64
5.83
$ 6
Granted
—
$ —
—
$ —
Cancelled/forfeited
( 408 )
$ 17.25
—
$ —
Exercised
—
$ —
—
$ —
Outstanding at March 31, 2025
176,179
$ 38.69
5.60
$ 3
Exercisable
169,544
$ 39.29
5.56
$ 2
Unvested
6,635
$ 23.42
6.60
$ 1
The aggregate intrinsic value of options is calculated
as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock for those
options that had exercise prices lower than the fair value of the Company’s common stock. As of March 31, 2025, the total compensation
cost related to non-vested option awards not yet recognized was approximately $ 0.1 million with a weighted average remaining vesting period
of 0.5 years.
Restricted Stock
The following table summarizes restricted stock award
activity during the three months ended March 31, 2025:
SCHEDULE OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD ACTIVITY
Number of
Awards
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unit
Outstanding at December 31, 2024
3,320,811
$ 4.60
Granted
2,009,280
$ 5.24
Cancelled/forfeited
( 11,617 )
$ 4.73
Vested
( 68,167 )
$ 8.25
Outstanding at March 31, 2025
5,250,307
$ 4.79
As of March 31, 2025, there was $ 19.8 million of total
unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average
vesting period of 2.2 years. The total fair value of restricted stock awards that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2025
and 2024 was $ 0.6 million and $ 0.5 million, respectively.
20
NOTE 11 – LICENSE/SUPPLIER AGREEMENT
License Agreement Relating to Recessive Dystrophic
Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB)
In 2016, the Company entered into two licensing agreements
between the Company and The Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University (“Stanford”) to develop EB-101 (LZRSE-Col7A1
Engineered Autologous Epidermal Sheets (LEAES)) and EB-201 (AAV DJ COL7A1) and to license the invention “Gene Therapy for Recessive
Dystrophic EB using Genetically Corrected Autologous Keratinocytes”. Under the terms of the licensing agreements, the Company paid
an upfront of licensing fees in cash and is subject to annual license maintenance fees. In addition, the Company is subject to the achievement
of certain milestones, regulatory approval milestone payments, and royalty payments in the low single digits on annual net sales of the
licensed product. As of March 31, 2025, the Company is subject to remaining milestone payments totaling approximately $ 0.2 million which
became due upon FDA approval of ZEVASKYN™ on April 28, 2025.
License Agreement Relating to Novel AAV Capsids
(“AIM™ capsids”)
In 2016, the Company licensed an international patent
family from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“UNC”) covering novel AAV capsids (“AIM™ capsids”)
that may potentially be used to deliver a wide variety of therapeutic transgenes to human cells to treat genetic diseases. Under the terms
of the licensing agreements, the Company paid an upfront licensing fees in cash and is subject to on-going patent expenses incurred in
relation to the patents licensed under this agreement and annual license maintenance fees. In addition, the Company is subject to the
achievement of certain milestones, regulatory approval milestone payments, and royalty payments in the low single digits on annual net
sales of the licensed product. As of March 31, 2025, no milestone or royalty payments under this agreement have been made.
License Agreement Relating to CLN1 Disease
In 2016, the Company licensed from UNC rights to two
patent families directed to treating CLN1 disease (also known as infantile Batten disease). Under the terms of the licensing agreements,
the Company paid an upfront of licensing fees in cash and is subject to on-going patent expenses incurred in relation to the patents licensed
under this agreement and annual license maintenance fees. In addition, the Company is subject to the achievement of certain milestones,
regulatory approval milestone payments, and royalty payments in the low single digits on annual net sales of the licensed product. As
of March 31, 2025, no milestone or royalty payments under this agreement have been made. The Company subsequently sublicensed the license
to Taysha Gene Therapies (“Taysha”), see detail of the sublicense agreement below. As part of the agreement with UNC, the
Company is obligated to pay to UNC a percentage of any sublicense revenue that the Company receives under the agreement. The Company recognizes
any payments under this agreement as royalties in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
License Agreement Relating to Rett Syndrome
In 2019, the Company licensed rights to one patent
family from UNC and two patent families from The University Court of the University of Edinburgh (“U. Edinburgh”) and The
University Court of the University of Glasgow (“U. Glasgow”) relating to gene therapy for the treatment of Rett Syndrome.
Under the terms of the licensing agreements, the Company paid an upfront of licensing fees in cash and is subject to on-going patent expenses
incurred in relation to the patents licensed under this agreement and annual license maintenance fees. In addition, the Company is subject
to the achievement of certain milestones, regulatory approval milestone payments, and royalty payments in the low single digits on annual
net sales of the licensed product. As of March 31, 2025, no milestone or royalty payments under this agreement have been made. The Company
subsequently sublicensed the license to Taysha, see detail of the sublicense agreement below. As part of the agreement with UNC, the Company
is obligated to pay to UNC and U. Edinburgh a percentage of any sublicense revenue that the Company receives under the agreement. The
Company recognizes any payments under this agreement as royalties in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
21
Sublicense and Inventory Purchase Agreements Relating
to CLN1 Disease
In August 2020, the Company entered into sublicense
and inventory purchase agreements with Taysha relating to a potential gene therapy for CLN1 disease. Under the sublicense agreement, Taysha
received worldwide exclusive rights to intellectual property and know-how relating to the research, development, and manufacture of the
potential gene therapy, which the Company had referred to as ABO-202. Under the inventory purchase agreement, the Company sold to Taysha
certain inventory and other items related to ABO-202. The Company assessed the nature of the promised license to determine whether the
license has significant stand-alone functionality and evaluated whether such functionality can be retained without ongoing activities
by the Company and determined that the license has significant stand-alone functionality. Furthermore, the Company has no ongoing activities
associated with the license to support or maintain the license’s utility. Based on this, the Company determined that the pattern
of transfer of control of the license to Taysha was at a point in time.
The transaction price of the contract includes (i)
$ 7.0 million of fixed consideration, (ii) up to $ 26.0 million of variable consideration in the form of event-based milestone payments,
(iii) up to $ 30.0 million of variable consideration in the form of sales-based milestone payments, and (iv) high single-digit royalty-based
payments based on net sales. The Company is obligated to pay a portion of milestone payments and royalties on net sales received from
Taysha to the UNC. The event-based milestone payments are based on certain development and regulatory events occurring. At inception,
the Company evaluated whether the milestone conditions had been achieved and if it was probable that a significant cumulative revenue
reversal would not occur before recognizing the associated revenue and determined that these milestone payments were not within the Company’s
control or the licensee’s control, such as regulatory approvals, and were not considered probable of being achieved until those
approvals were received. Accordingly, at inception, the Company fully constrained the $ 26.0 million of event-based milestone payments
until such time that it is probable that significant cumulative revenue reversal would not occur. The sales-based milestone payments and
other royalty-based payments are based on a level of sales for which the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties
relate. The Company will recognize revenue for these payments at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance
obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied or partially satisfied. To date, the Company has
not recognized any sales-based or royalty revenue resulting from this licensing arrangement.
Under this arrangement, the Company has no t recognized
any revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, based on event-based-milestone payments. The Company
has no contract assets or liabilities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 as a result of this transaction.
Sublicense Agreement Relating to Rett Syndrome
In October 2020, the Company entered into a sublicense
agreement with Taysha for a gene therapy for Rett syndrome, including intellectual property
related to MECP2 gene constructs and regulation of their expression. The agreement grants Taysha worldwide exclusive rights to intellectual
property developed by scientists at UNC, U. Edinburgh and the Company, and the Company’s know-how relating to the research, development,
and manufacture of the gene therapy for Rett syndrome and MECP2 gene constructs and regulation of their expression.
The Company assessed the nature of the promised license
to determine whether the license has significant stand-alone functionality and evaluated whether such functionality can be retained without
ongoing activities by the Company and determined that the license has significant stand-alone functionality. Furthermore, the Company
has no ongoing activities associated with the license to support or maintain the license’s utility. Based on this, the Company determined
that the pattern of transfer of control of the license to Taysha was at a point in time.
The transaction price of the contract includes (i)
$ 3.0 million of fixed consideration, (ii) up to $ 26.5 million of variable consideration in the form of event-based milestone payments,
(iii) up to $ 30.0 million of variable consideration in the form of sales-based milestone payments, and (iv) high single-digit royalty-based
payments based on net sales. The Company is obligated to pay a portion of milestone payments and royalties on net sales received from
Taysha to the UNC and U. Edinburgh. The event-based milestone payments are based on certain development and regulatory events occurring.
The Company evaluated whether the milestone conditions have been achieved and if it is probable that a significant cumulative revenue
reversal would not occur before recognizing the associated revenue. The Company determined that these milestone payments are not within
the Company’s control or the licensee’s control, such as regulatory approvals, and are not considered probable of being achieved
until those approvals are received. Accordingly, the Company has fully constrained the $ 26.5 million in event-based milestone payments
until such time that it is probable that a significant cumulative revenue reversal would not occur. The sales-based milestone payments
and other royalty-based payments are based on a level of sales for which the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the
royalties relate. The Company will recognize revenue for these payments at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when
the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied or partially satisfied. To date,
the Company has not recognized any sales-based or royalty revenue resulting from this licensing arrangement.
22
Under this arrangement, the Company recognized no
revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company does not have any contract
assets or contract liabilities as a result of this transaction.
Ultragenyx License Agreement
On May 16, 2022, the Company and Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical
Inc. (“Ultragenyx”) entered into an exclusive license agreement (the “License Agreement”) for AAV gene therapy,
ABO-102, for the treatment of Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA). Under the License Agreement, Ultragenyx assumed responsibility for
the ABO-102 program from the Company, with the exclusive right to develop, manufacture, and commercialize ABO-102 worldwide. Also pursuant
to the License Agreement, following regulatory approval, the Company is eligible to receive tiered royalties from mid-single-digit up
to 10% on net sales and up to $ 30.0 million in commercial milestone payments. Both forms of consideration comprise the transaction price
to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the related intellectual property and certain, contractually-specified,
transition services to Ultragenyx. The sales-based royalty and milestone payments are subject to the royalty recognition constraint. As
such, these fees are not recognized as revenue until the later of: (a) the occurrence of the subsequent sale, and (b) the performance
obligation to which they relate has been satisfied.
Additionally, pursuant to the License Agreement, Ultragenyx
will reimburse the Company for certain development and transition costs actually incurred by the Company. These costs are passed through
to Ultragenyx without mark-up. The Company has determined that these costs are not incurred for the purpose of satisfying any performance
obligation under the License Agreement. Accordingly, the reimbursement of these costs is recognized as a reduction of research and development
costs. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company does not have any contract assets or contract liabilities as a result of
this transaction.
NOTE 12 – SEGMENT INFORMATION
Operating segments are defined as components of an
enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”),
or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources in assessing performance. The Company is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical
company developing cell and gene therapies for life-threatening diseases and has one reportable segment. The Company’s CODM is the
chief executive officer.
The accounting policies of the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The CODM assesses performance for the commercial-stage
biopharmaceutical segment based on net loss, which is reported on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as
consolidated net loss. The measure of segment assets is reported on the consolidated balance sheet as total consolidated assets. Expenditures
for additions to long-lived assets, which include purchases of property and equipment, are included in total consolidated assets reviewed
by the chief operating decision maker and are reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
To date, the Company has not generated any product
revenue. The Company will continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses until ZEVAKSYN™ can provide sufficient revenue
for the Company to be profitable. As such, the CODM uses cash forecast models in deciding how to invest into the commercial-stage biopharmaceutical
segment. Such cash forecast models are reviewed to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing the entity-wide operating results
and performance. Net loss is used to monitor budget versus actual results. Monitoring budgeted versus actual results is used to make decisions
about allocating resources, assessing the performance of the segment and in establishing management’s compensation, along with cash
forecast models.
23
The table below summarizes the significant expense
categories regularly reviewed by the CODM:
SCHEDULE
OF SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE CATEGORIES
For the three months ended March 31,
2025
2024
License and other revenues
$ —
$ —
Research and development costs
Salaries & related costs
$ 4,681
$ 3,555
Non-cash stock-based compensation
670
346
Other research and development costs (a)
4,590
3,306
Total research and development costs
$ 9,941
$ 7,207
General and administrative costs
Salaries & related costs
$ 3,653
$ 2,262
Non-cash stock-based compensation
2,031
1,200
Pre-commercial preparation costs
1,207
1,351
Other general and administrative costs (b)
2,895
2,310
Total general and administrative costs
$ 9,786
$ 7,123
Other segment items (c)
( 7,698 )
17,248
Net loss
$ ( 12,029 )
$ ( 31,578 )
(a)
Other
research and development expenses include, but are not limited to lab supplies, preclinical and development costs, clinical trial
costs, preclinical manufacturing and manufacturing facility costs, costs associated with regulatory approvals, depreciation on lab
supplies and manufacturing facilities, and consultant-related expenses.
(b)
Other general and administrative expenses primarily consist of office facility costs, public reporting company related costs, professional fees (e.g., legal expenses) and other general operating expenses not otherwise included in research and development expenses.
(c)
Other segment items includes royalties, interest income, interest expense, change in fair value of warrant and derivative liabilities and other income.
NOTE 13 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
FDA Approval
On April 28, 2025, the FDA approved ZEVASKYN™
(prademagene zamikeracel) gene-modified cellular sheets, also known as pz-cel, as the first and only autologous cell-based gene therapy
for the treatment of wounds in adult and pediatric patients with RDEB, a serious and debilitating genetic skin disease.
Loans Principal Payments
On April 28, 2025, with the FDA approval of ZEVASKYN™
and in accordance with the Loan Agreement, the start date of the loan principal monthly installments was extended from May 1, 2025 to
February 1, 2026, which will require reclassification of $ 5.9 million from current portion
of long-term debt to long-term debt as of April 28, 2025.
Sale of Priority Review Voucher
On May 9, 2025 the Company entered into a definitive
asset purchase agreement to sell its Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (“PRV”) for gross proceeds of $ 155 million
upon the closing of the transaction. The Company was awarded the PRV following the FDA approval of ZEVASKYN™ (prademagene zamikeracel)
on April 28, 2025. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration of the applicable waiting period under
the Hart-Scott Rodino (“HSR”) Antitrust Improvements Act.
24
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis
together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q and our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2024 (the “Annual Report”). This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and
uncertainties. As a result of many factors, such as those described under “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors”
and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated
in these forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW
Abeona is a commercial-stage
biopharmaceutical company developing cell and gene therapies for life-threatening diseases. On April 28, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (“FDA”) approved ZEVASKYN™ (prademagene zamikeracel) gene-modified cellular sheets, also known as pz-cel,
as the first and only autologous cell-based gene therapy for the treatment of wounds in adult and pediatric patients with RDEB, a serious
and debilitating genetic skin disease. There is no cure for RDEB, and ZEVASKYN™ is the only FDA-approved product to treat RDEB
wounds with a single application. In connection with the FDA approval of ZEVASKYN™, Abeona received
a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (“PRV”). ZEVASKYN™ has been granted Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease (“RPD”)
designations by the FDA and Orphan Drug Designation by the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”).
We established a current Good Manufacturing Practices
(“cGMP”) commercial facility in Cleveland, Ohio for manufacturing ZEVASKYN™ drug product to support our commercial launch.
ZEVASKYN™ will be made available beginning in the third quarter of 2025 through ZEVASKYN™ Qualified Treatment Centers (“QTCs”).
The QTCs are well-recognized epidermolysis bullosa treatment centers with cell and gene therapy experience, situated across the U.S. to
ensure patients nationwide have access to this important treatment.
Our development portfolio also features adeno-associated
virus (“AAV”) based gene therapies designed to treat ophthalmic diseases with high unmet need using novel AIM™ capsids
exclusively licensed from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and developed internally through our AAV vector research programs.
Abeona’s novel, next-generation AAV capsids are being evaluated to improve tropism profiles for a variety of devastating diseases.
Preclinical Pipeline
Our preclinical programs are investigating the use
of novel AAV capsids in AAV-based therapies for serious genetic eye diseases, including ABO-504 for Stargardt disease, ABO-503 for X-linked
retinoschisis (“XLRS”) and ABO-505 for autosomal dominant optic atrophy (“ADOA”). We completed pre-Investigational
New Drug Application (“pre-IND”) meetings with the FDA regarding the preclinical development plans and regulatory requirements
to support first-in-human trials.
Recent Updates
Sale of Priority Review Voucher
On May 9, 2025, we entered into a definitive asset
purchase agreement to sell its Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (“PRV”) for gross proceeds of $155 million upon
the closing of the transaction. We were awarded the PRV following the FDA approval of ZEVASKYN™ on April
28, 2025. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration of the applicable waiting period under the
Hart-Scott Rodino (“HSR”) Antitrust Improvements Act.
First
Qualified Treatment Center Activation
On May 14, 2025,
we announced that Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (“Lurie Children’s”) is now activated
as the first QTC for ZEVASKYN™. Lurie Children’s has completed QTC start-up activities enabling it to begin patient identification
for scheduling of ZEVASKYN treatment. Treatments are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
25
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
and March 31, 2024
For the three months ended March 31,
Change
($ in thousands)
2025
2024
$
%
Expenses:
Research and development
$ 9,941
$ 7,207
$ 2,734
38 %
General and administrative
9,786
7,123
2,663
37 %
Total expenses
19,727
14,330
5,397
38 %
Loss from operations
(19,727 )
(14,330 )
(5,397 )
38 %
Interest income
1,310
843
467
55 %
Interest expense
(998 )
(952 )
(46 )
5 %
Change in fair value of warrant and derivative liabilities
7,245
(17,301 )
24,546
(142 )%
Other income
141
162
(21 )
(13 )%
Net loss
$ (12,029 )
$ (31,578 )
$ 19,549
(62 )%
Research and development
Research and development expenses include, but are
not limited to, payroll and personnel expense, lab supplies, preclinical and development costs, clinical trial costs, manufacturing and
manufacturing facility costs, costs associated with regulatory approvals, depreciation on lab supplies and manufacturing facilities, and
consultant-related expenses.
Total research and
development spending for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $9.9 million, as compared to $7.2 million for the same period of
2024, an increase of $2.7 million. The increase in expenses was primarily due to a $1.1 million increase in salaries and $0.3
million in non-cash stock-based compensation costs due to increased headcount related to scale up of manufacturing capacity
in preparation for the planned launch of ZEVASKYN™ and $0.9 million in pre-clinical development work.
We expect our research and development activities
to continue as we work towards advancing our product candidates towards potential regulatory approval, reflecting costs associated with
the following:
●
employee and consultant-related expenses;
●
preclinical and developmental costs;
●
clinical trial costs;
●
the cost of acquiring and manufacturing clinical trial materials; and
●
costs associated with regulatory approvals.
General and administrative
General and administrative expenses primarily consist
of payroll and personnel costs, office facility costs, public reporting company related costs, professional fees (e.g., legal expenses),
costs for planned commercial launch and other general operating expenses not otherwise included in research and development expenses.
26
Total general and administrative expenses were $9.8
million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $7.1 million for the same period of 2024, an increase of $2.7 million.
The increase in expenses was primarily due to:
●
increased salary and related costs of $1.4 million;
●
increased non-cash stock-based compensation of $0.8 million; and
●
increased other costs such as professional fees, rent, and recruiting of $0.5 million.
Interest income
Interest income was $1.3 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $0.8 million in the same period of 2024. The increase resulted from higher earnings on short-term
investments driven by increased average short-term investment balances.
Interest expense
Interest expense was $1.0 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. Interest expense is due to the credit facility entered into by the Company in January 2024.
Change in fair value of warrant and derivative
liabilities
The change in fair value of warrant liabilities was
a gain of $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. We issued stock purchase warrants that are required to be classified
as a liability and valued at fair market value at each reporting period. The gain in the fair value of warrant liabilities was primarily
due to the decrease in our stock price year over the year and a shorter term.
The change in fair value of warrant and derivative
liabilities was a loss of $17.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. In 2024, we issued stock purchase warrants that are
required to be classified as a liability and valued at fair market value at each reporting period. In addition, the conversion feature
in our loan agreement was required to be classified as a liability through September 30, 2024 and was valued at fair market value at each
reporting period during the nine-month period ending September 30, 2024. The change in the fair value of warrant and derivative liabilities
was primarily due to the increase in our stock price year as of March 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023.
Other income
Other income was $0.1 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $0.2 million in the same period of 2024. Other income includes sublease income and saw a minor reduction
period over period.
27
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31,
2025 and 2024
For the three months ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2025
2024
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (used in) provided by:
Operating activities
$ (18,402 )
$ (14,538 )
Investing activities
4,213
(7,817 )
Financing activities
6,768
25,440
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$ (7,421 )
$ 3,085
Operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $18.4 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily comprised of our net loss of $12.0 million and decreases in operating assets and
liabilities of $3.4 million and net non-cash charges of $3.0 million. Non-cash charges consisted primarily of $7.2 million of gain as
a result of the change in fair value of warrant and derivative liabilities, $2.7 million of stock-based compensation and $0.5 million
of depreciation and amortization.
Net cash used in operating activities was $14.5 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily comprised of our net loss of $31.6 million and decreases in operating assets and
liabilities of $2.8 million and net non-cash charges of $19.9 million. Non-cash charges consisted primarily of $17.3 million of the change
in fair value of warrant and derivative liabilities, $1.5 million of stock-based compensation and $0.5 million of depreciation and amortization.
Investing activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was $4.2
million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily comprised of proceeds from maturities of short-term investments of $54.2
million, offset by purchases of short-term investments of $48.6 million and capital expenditures of $1.4 million.
Net cash used in investing activities was $7.8 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily comprised of proceeds from maturities of short-term investments of $22.3 million,
offset by purchases of short-term investments of $29.3 million and capital expenditures of $0.7 million.
Financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $6.8
million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily comprised of proceeds of $6.8 million from open market sales of common stock
pursuant to the ATM Agreement (as defined below).
Net cash provided by financing activities was $25.4
million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily comprised of proceeds of $6.4 million from open market sales of common stock
pursuant to the ATM Agreement (as defined below) and net proceeds of $19.0 million from our January 2024 Loan Agreement.
We have historically funded our operations primarily
through sales of common stock.
Our principal source of liquidity is cash, cash equivalents,
restricted cash and short-term investments, collectively referred to as our cash resources. As of March 31, 2025, our cash resources were
$84.5 million. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments in addition to the $10.5 million in net proceeds from our subsequent sale
of common stock under the ATM and the gross proceeds of $155 million upon the closing of our definite asset purchase agreement to sell our PRV, are sufficient to fund
operations through at least the next 12 months from the date of this report on Form 10-Q. We may need to secure additional funding to
carry out all of our planned research and development and potential commercialization activities. If we are unable to obtain additional
financing or generate license or product revenue, the lack of liquidity and sufficient capital resources could have a material adverse
effect on our future prospects.
28
We have an open market sale
agreement with Jefferies LLC (as amended, the “ATM Agreement”) pursuant to which, we may sell from time to time, through
Jefferies LLC, shares of our common stock for an aggregate sales price of up to $75.0 million. Any sales of shares pursuant to this
agreement are made under our effective “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 that is on file with and has been
declared effective by the SEC. We sold 1,312,283 shares of our common stock under the ATM Agreement and received $6.8 million of net
proceeds during the three months ended March 31, 2025. We sold 889,315 shares of our common stock under the ATM Agreement and
received $6.4 million of net proceeds during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Subsequent to March 31, 2025 and through April
28, 2025, we sold 2,198,606 shares of our common stock under the ATM Agreement resulting in $10.5 million in net proceeds.
Since our inception, we have incurred negative cash
flows from operations and have expended, and expect to continue to expend, substantial funds to complete our planned product development
and commercialization efforts. We have not been profitable since inception and to date have received limited revenues from the sale of
products or licenses. As a result, we have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception
and anticipates such losses and negative cash flows will continue until ZEVASKYN™ can provide sufficient revenue for us to be profitable
and cash flow generating.
We may incur losses for the next several years as
we continue to invest in commercialization, product research and development, preclinical studies, clinical trials, and regulatory compliance
and cannot provide assurance that we will ever be able to generate sufficient product sales or royalty revenue to achieve profitability
on a sustained basis, or at all.
If we raise additional funds by selling additional
equity securities, the relative equity ownership of our existing investors will be diluted, and the new investors could obtain terms more
favorable than previous investors. If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances, or licensing arrangements
with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs, or product
candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt
financing when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, or terminate our product development programs or any future commercialization
efforts or grant rights to develop and market product candidates to third parties that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market
ourselves.
Our future capital requirements and adequacy of available
funds depend on many factors, including:
●
the successful development, regulatory approval and commercialization of our cell and gene therapy and other product candidates;
●
the ability to establish and maintain collaborative arrangements with corporate partners for the research, development, and commercialization of products;
●
continued scientific progress in our research and development programs;
●
the magnitude, scope and results of preclinical testing and clinical trials;
●
the costs involved in filing, prosecuting, and enforcing patent claims;
●
the costs involved in conducting clinical trials;
●
competing technological developments;
●
the cost of manufacturing and scale-up;
●
the ability to establish and maintain effective commercialization arrangements and activities; and
●
the successful outcome of our regulatory filings.
Due to uncertainties and certain of the risks described
above, our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates, our ability to obtain applicable regulatory approval to market
our product candidates, our ability to obtain necessary additional capital to fund operations in the future, our ability to successfully
manufacture our products and our product candidates in clinical quantities or for commercial purposes, government regulation to which
we are subject, the uncertainty associated with preclinical and clinical testing, intense competition that we face, the potential necessity
of licensing technology from third parties and protection of our intellectual property, it is not possible to reliably predict future
spending or time to completion by project or product category or the period in which material net cash inflows from significant projects
are expected to commence. If we are unable to timely complete a particular project, our research and development efforts could be delayed
or reduced, our business could suffer depending on the significance of the project and we might need to raise additional capital to fund
operations, as discussed in the risks above.
29
We plan to continue our policy of investing any available
funds in suitable certificates of deposit, money market funds, government securities and investment-grade, interest-bearing securities.
We do not invest in derivative financial instruments.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts and related disclosures in the financial statements. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical
if:
●
it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made, and
●
changes in the estimate or different estimates that could have been selected could have a material impact in our results of operations or financial condition.
While we base our estimates and judgments on our experience
and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ from those estimates
and the differences could be material. For a discussion of the critical accounting estimates that affect the unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements, see “Critical Accounting Estimates” included in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report.
See Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements for a discussion of our significant accounting policies.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Effective
or Adopted
See Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting standards not yet effective or adopted.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of
our management and consultants, including the Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (our
principal financial officer), we have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls
and procedures (“Disclosure Controls and Procedures”), as of March 31, 2025, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15I and
15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Conclusion of Evaluation — Based on this
Disclosure Controls and Procedures evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our Disclosure Controls
and Procedures as of March 31, 2025 were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
– There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2025
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business and financial results are subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties. As a result, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 should be carefully considered. There have been no material changes in the assessment
of our risk factors from those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 except as set forth below.
We recently received approval to market our first product, ZEVASKYN ™ ,
and will begin commercial sales, which make it difficult to assess our future viability.
We are a commercial-stage
biopharmaceutical company. Biopharmaceutical product development is a highly speculative undertaking and involves a substantial
degree of risk. On April 28, 2025, the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved our Biologics License
Application (“BLA”) for ZEVASKYN™ for treatment of wounds in adult and pediatric patients with recessive
dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (“RDEB”), a series and debilitating genetic skin disease. To date we have not recorded
any revenue from ZEVASKYN™ and recorded minimal other revenue and may recognize minimal revenue in the foreseeable future.
Even if we achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability in subsequent periods. Our prior losses,
combined with expected future losses, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and
working capital.
Disruptions at FDA and other government agencies,
such as those that may be caused by funding shortages, could hinder their ability to hire, retain or deploy key leadership and other personnel,
or otherwise prevent new or modified products from being developed, approved, or commercialized in a timely manner or at all, which could
negatively impact our business.
The ability of FDA to review and approve new products
can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, statutory, regulatory, and policy changes, FDA’s
ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and other events that may otherwise affect FDA’s ability
to perform routine functions. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. Disruptions at FDA and other
agencies may also increase the time necessary to meet with and provide feedback to entities developing drug products, review and/or approve
our submissions, conduct inspections, issue regulatory guidance, or otherwise authorize our actions requiring regulatory approval, which
would adversely affect our business. In addition, government funding of FDA and other government agencies on which our operations may
rely, including those that fund research and development activities, is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and
unpredictable. For example, the executive branch recently established the Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”), which
implemented a federal government hiring freeze and large scale layoffs of current federal employees and also announced additional efforts
to reduce federal government employee headcount and the size of the federal government. It is unclear how these executive actions or other
potential actions by the executive branch will impact the regulatory authorities that oversee our business. These budgetary pressures
may reduce FDA’s ability to perform its responsibilities. If a significant reduction in FDA’s workforce occurs, FDA’s
budget is significantly reduced, or there are other disruptions at FDA and other agencies, more time may be necessary for biological products,
or biologics, or modifications to approved biologics to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which could increase
our costs and would adversely affect our business. In addition, if a prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact
the ability of FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
For example, over the last several years, the United States government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such
as FDA, have had to furlough critical FDA employees and stop critical activities. Additionally, Congress may introduce and ultimately
pass healthcare related legislation that could impact the drug approval process.
31
We are subject to extensive
governmental regulation, which increases our cost of doing business and may affect our ability to commercialize any new products that
we may develop.
The FDA and comparable agencies
in foreign countries impose substantial requirements upon the introduction of pharmaceutical products through lengthy and detailed laboratory,
preclinical and clinical testing procedures and other costly and time-consuming procedures to establish safety and efficacy. All of our
drugs and drug candidates require receipt and maintenance of governmental approvals for commercialization. Preclinical and clinical trials
and manufacturing of our drug candidates will be subject to the rigorous testing and approval processes of the FDA and corresponding foreign
regulatory authorities. Satisfaction of these requirements typically takes a significant number of years and can vary substantially based
upon the type, complexity, and novelty of the product.
Due to the time-consuming
and uncertain nature of the drug candidate development process and the governmental approval process described above, we cannot be certain
when we, independently or with our collaborative partners, might submit a BLA for FDA or other regulatory review. Further, our ability
to commence and/or complete development projects will be subject to our ability to raise enough funds to pay for the development costs
of these projects. Government regulation also affects the manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products. Government regulations
may delay marketing of our potential drugs for a considerable or indefinite period of time, impose costly procedural requirements upon
our activities and furnish a competitive advantage to larger companies or companies more experienced in regulatory affairs. Delays in
obtaining governmental regulatory approval could adversely affect our marketing as well as our ability to generate significant revenues
from commercial sales.
Our drug candidates may not
receive FDA or other regulatory approvals on a timely basis or at all. Moreover, if regulatory approval of a drug candidate is granted,
such approval may impose limitations on the indicated use for which such drug may be marketed. Even if we obtain initial regulatory approvals
for our drug candidates, our drugs and our manufacturing facilities would be subject to continual review and periodic inspection, and
later discovery of previously unknown problems with a drug, manufacturer or facility may result in restrictions on the marketing or manufacture
of such drug, including withdrawal of the drug from the market. The FDA and other regulatory authorities stringently apply regulatory
standards and failure to comply with regulatory standards can, among other things, result in fines, denial or withdrawal of regulatory
approvals, product recalls or seizures, operating restrictions, and criminal prosecution.
Further, the current federal administration has announced
that it is looking for opportunities to improve efficiency and identify fraud and ineffective use of resources at government agencies,
including through the DOGE, This includes government agencies we may interact with like the FDA. There is a possibility that changes will
be made at the FDA, and other governmental agencies that we may interact with, and that these changes could have a material adverse impact
on our business.
32
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(c) The following table provides information about
purchases of equity securities that are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act for the quarter ended March 31, 2025:
Total number of shares (or units) purchased (a)
Average price paid per share (or unit)
Shares delivered or withheld pursuant to restricted stock awards
January 1, 2025 - January 31, 2025
—
$ —
February 1, 2025 - February 28, 2025
—
$ —
March 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025
866
$ 5.28
866
$ 5.28
(a)
Reflects shares of common stock surrendered to the Company for payment of tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Securities Trading Arrangements of Directors and Executive Officer s
During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025, Leila
Alland, M.D. , a member of the Company’s board of directors, adopted a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” as defined in
Regulation S-K Item 408 providing for the sale from time to time of an aggregate of up to 64,800 shares of our common stock. The duration
of the trading arrangement is until June 22, 2026 , or earlier if all transactions under the trading arrangement are completed .
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
See Exhibit Index below, which is incorporated by
reference herein.
Exhibit Index
Exhibits:
Description of Document
31.1
Principal Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2
Principal Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
The following materials from Abeona’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 (unaudited), (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (unaudited), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (unaudited), (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (unaudited), and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
* Pursuant to Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K,
this exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject
to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language
in any filing.
33
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, thereunto duly authorized.
ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC.
Date:
May 15, 2025
By:
/s/ Vishwas Seshadri
Vishwas Seshadri
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:
May 15, 2025
By:
/s/ Joseph Vazzano
Joseph Vazzano
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
34
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.