Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 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 September 30, 2023
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 001-37487
Aethlon Medical, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
nevada
13-3632859
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
11555 SORRENTO VALLEY ROAD , SUITE 203 , SAN DIEGO , CA
92121
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(619) 941-0360
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area
code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of
the Act:
TITLE OF EACH CLASS
COMMON STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE
TRADING SYMBOL
AEMD
NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
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 ☒
As of November 10, 2023, the registrant had outstanding
2,492,908 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
4
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 (UNAUDITED) AND MARCH 31, 2023
4
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022 (UNAUDITED)
5
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022 (UNAUDITED)
6
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022 (UNAUDITED)
7
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
8
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
17
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
23
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
23
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
24
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
24
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
24
ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
25
ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
25
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
25
ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
25
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
26
SIGNATURES
27
2
CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or Quarterly Report,
contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities
Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which are subject to the safe harbor created
by those sections.
We may, in some cases, use words such as “anticipate,”
“believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,”
“potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” or
the negative of these terms, and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking
statements. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements
and are based upon our current expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections, and various assumptions, many of which, by their nature,
are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Such statements, include, but are not limited to, statements contained in this Quarterly
Report relating to our business, business strategy, products and services we may offer in the future, the timing and results of future
clinical trials, and capital outlook, successful completion of our clinical trials, our ability to raise additional capital, our ability
to maintain our Nasdaq listing, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approval of our products candidates, our ability to comply
with changing government regulations, patent protection of our proprietary technology, product liability exposure, uncertainty of market
acceptance, competition, technological change, and other risk factors detailed herein and in other of our filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business,
the economy and other future conditions. Because forward looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties,
risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by
the forward-looking statements. They are neither statement of historical fact nor guarantees of assurance of future performance. We caution
you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, a decline in general economic conditions nationally
and internationally, the ability to protect our intellectual property rights, competition from other providers and products, risks in
product development, inability to raise capital to fund continuing operations, changes in government regulation, and other factors (including
the risks contained in Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors”) relating to
our industry, our operations and results of operations and any businesses that may be acquired by us. Should one or more of these risks
or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those
anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned.
Factors or events that could cause our actual results
to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them, nor can we assess the impact of all factors
on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law,
we undertake no obligation to and do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual
results.
3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30,
2023
March 31,
2023
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash
$ 10,175,920
$ 14,532,943
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
311,397
557,623
Total current assets
10,487,317
15,090,566
Property and equipment, net
1,199,681
1,144,004
Right-of-use lease asset, net
1,019,145
1,151,909
Patents, net
1,375
1,650
Restricted cash
87,506
87,506
Deposits
33,305
33,305
Total assets
$ 12,828,329
$ 17,508,940
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
$ 684,942
$ 432,890
Due to related parties
249,781
214,221
Lease liability, current portion
279,737
269,386
Other current liabilities
496,074
588,592
Total current liabilities
1,710,534
1,505,089
Lease liability, less current portion
798,451
939,642
Total liabilities
2,508,985
2,444,731
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share; 60,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023; 2,492,908 and 2,299,259 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively
2,493
2,299
Additional paid-in capital
159,001,611
157,426,606
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
( 9,570 )
( 6,141 )
Accumulated deficit
( 148,675,190 )
( 142,358,555 )
Total stockholders’ equity
10,319,344
15,064,209
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 12,828,329
$ 17,508,940
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
condensed consolidated financial statements .
4
AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Three and Six Month Periods Ended September
30, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2023
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2022
Six Months
Ended
September 30,
2023
Six Months
Ended
September 30,
2022
OPERATING EXPENSES
Professional fees
$ 1,133,111
$ 1,003,870
$ 2,109,749
$ 1,847,899
Payroll and related expenses
1,191,426
1,112,955
2,314,665
2,142,641
General and administrative
850,809
1,548,484
2,159,092
2,582,505
Total operating expenses
3,175,346
3,665,309
6,583,506
6,573,045
OPERATING LOSS
( 3,175,346 )
( 3,665,309 )
( 6,583,506 )
( 6,573,045 )
OTHER EXPENSE/(INCOME)
Loss on dissolution of subsidiary
–
142,121
–
142,121
Interest and Other Income
( 140,890 )
–
( 266,871 )
–
NET LOSS
( 3,034,456 )
( 3,807,430 )
( 6,316,635 )
( 6,715,166 )
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
( 2,435 )
–
( 3,429 )
–
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
$ ( 3,036,891 )
$ ( 3,807,430 )
$ ( 6,320,064 )
$ ( 6,715,166 )
Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common stockholders
$ ( 1.22 )
$ ( 1.84 )
$ ( 2.57 )
$ ( 3.70 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted
2,483,649
2,074,500
2,457,711
1,813,018
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
For the Three and Six Months Ended September 30, 2023
and 2022
(Unaudited)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO AETHLON
MEDICAL, INC.
COMMON STOCK
ADDITIONAL
PAID IN
ACCUMULATED
ACCUMULATED
COMPREHENSIVE
NON-
CONTROLLING
TOTAL
SHARES
AMOUNT
CAPITAL
DEFICIT
LOSS
INTERESTS
EQUITY
BALANCE - MARCH 31,
2023
2,299,259
$ 2,299
$ 157,426,606
$ ( 142,358,555 )
$ ( 6,141 )
$ –
$ 15,064,209
Issuances of common stock for cash
under at the market program
177,891
178
1,085,941
–
–
–
1,086,119
Issuance of common shares upon
vesting of restricted stock units and net stock option exercises
6,397
7
( 8,379 )
–
–
–
( 8,372 )
Stock-based compensation expense
–
–
250,114
–
–
–
250,114
Net loss
–
–
–
( 3,282,179 )
–
–
( 3,282,179 )
Other comprehensive loss
–
–
–
–
( 994 )
–
( 994 )
BALANCE – JUNE 30, 2023
2,483,547
$ 2,484
$ 158,754,282
$ ( 145,640,734 )
$ ( 7,135 )
$ –
$ 13,108,897
Issuance of common shares upon
vesting of restricted stock units and net stock option exercises
9,329
9
( 9,852 )
–
–
–
( 9,843 )
Stock-based compensation expense
–
–
257,181
–
–
–
257,181
Rounding for reverse split
32
–
–
–
–
–
–
Net Loss
–
–
–
( 3,034,456 )
–
–
( 3,034,456 )
Other Comprehensive Loss
–
–
–
–
( 2,435 )
–
( 2,435 )
BALANCE – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
2,492,908
$ 2,493
$ 159,001,611
$ ( 148,675,190 )
$ ( 9,570 )
$ –
$ 10,319,344
COMMON STOCK
ADDITIONAL
PAID IN
ACCUMULATED
ACCUMULATED
COMPREHENSIVE
NON-
CONTROLLING
TOTAL
SHARES
AMOUNT
CAPITAL
DEFICIT
LOSS
INTERESTS
EQUITY
BALANCE - MARCH 31,
2022
1,541,917
$ 1,542
$ 147,460,747
$ ( 130,329,181 )
$ –
$ ( 141,708 )
$ 16,991,400
Issuances of common stock for cash
under at the market program
57,456
58
619,384
–
–
–
619,442
Stock-based compensation expense
–
–
215,437
–
–
–
215,437
Net loss
–
–
–
( 2,905,668 )
–
( 413 )
( 2,906,081 )
BALANCE – JUNE 30, 2022
1,599,373
$ 1,600
$ 148,295,568
$ ( 133,234,849 )
$ –
$ ( 142,121 )
$ 14,920,198
Issuance of common stock for cash
under at the market program
690,628
691
8,307,078
–
–
–
8,307,078
Issuance of common shares upon
vesting of restricted stock units and net stock option exercises
4,624
5
( 7,978 )
–
–
–
( 7,973 )
Stock-based compensation expense
–
–
313,539
–
–
–
313,539
Net Loss
–
–
–
( 3,807,430 )
–
–
( 3,807,430 )
Other Comprehensive Loss
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
BALANCE – SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
2,294,625
$ 2,296
$ 156,908,207
$ ( 137,042,279 )
$ –
$ ( 142,121 )
$ 19,868,224
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)
Six months
Ended
September 30, 2023
Six months
Ended
September 30, 2022
Cash flows used in operating activities:
Net loss
$ ( 6,316,635 )
$ ( 6,715,166 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
181,752
83,224
Stock based compensation
507,295
528,975
Loss on dissolution of subsidiary
–
142,121
Accretion of right-of-use lease asset
1,924
9,633
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
241,411
173,856
Accounts receivable
–
13,116
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
162,160
( 94,540 )
Deferred revenue
–
229,698
Due to related parties
35,560
21,785
Net cash used in operating activities
( 5,186,533 )
( 5,607,298 )
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
( 237,153 )
( 780,334 )
Net cash used in investing activities
( 237,153 )
( 780,334 )
Cash flows provided by financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net
1,086,119
8,927,211
Tax withholding payments or tax equivalent payments for net share settlement of restricted stock units and net stock option expense
( 18,215 )
( 7,973 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,067,904
8,919,238
Effect of exchange rate on changes on cash
( 1,241 )
–
Net change in cash and restricted cash
( 4,357,023 )
2,531,606
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period
14,620,449
17,159,925
Cash and restricted cash at end of period
$ 10,263,426
$ 19,691,531
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Par value of shares issued for vested restricted stock units and net stock option exercise
$ 16
$ 46
Initial recognition of right-of-use lease asset and lease liability
$ –
$ 625,471
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 10,175,920
$ 19,604,025
Restricted cash
87,506
87,506
Cash and restricted cash
$ 10,263,426
$ 19,691,531
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
condensed consolidated financial statements .
7
AETHLON MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2023
1. NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION ORGANIZATION
Aethlon Medical, Inc., or Aethlon, the Company, we
or us, is a medical therapeutic company focused on developing products to treat cancer and life-threatening infectious diseases. The Aethlon
Hemopurifier is a clinical-stage immunotherapeutic device designed to combat cancer and life-threatening viral infections. In cancer,
the Hemopurifier is designed to deplete the presence of circulating tumor-derived exosomes that promote immune suppression, seed the spread
of metastasis and inhibit the benefit of leading cancer therapies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has designated the Hemopurifier
as a “Breakthrough Device” for two independent indications:
·
the treatment of individuals with advanced or metastatic cancer who are either unresponsive to or intolerant of standard of care therapy, and with cancer types in which exosomes have been shown to participate in the development or severity of the disease; and
·
the treatment of life-threatening viruses that are not addressed with approved therapies.
We believe the Hemopurifier can be a substantial advance
in the treatment of patients with advanced and metastatic cancer through the clearance of exosomes that promote the growth and spread
of tumors through multiple mechanisms. We are currently working with our new contract research organization, or CRO, on preparations to
conduct a clinical trial in Australia in patients with solid tumors, including head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal cancers and other
cancers.
In January 2023, we entered into an agreement with
North American Science Associates, LLC, or NAMSA, a world leading MedTech CRO offering global end-to-end development services, to oversee
our clinical trials investigating the Hemopurifier for oncology indications. Pursuant to the agreement, NAMSA will manage our clinical
trials of the Hemopurifier for patients in the United States and Australia with various types of cancer tumors. We anticipate that the
initial clinical trials will begin in Australia.
We also believe the Hemopurifier can be part of the
broad-spectrum treatment of life-threatening highly glycosylated, or carbohydrate coated, viruses that are not addressed with an already
approved treatment. In small-scale or early feasibility human studies, the Hemopurifier has been used in the past to treat individuals
infected with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, hepatitis-C and Ebola.
Additionally, in vitro, the Hemopurifier has
been demonstrated to capture Zika virus, Lassa virus, MERS-CoV, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes simplex virus, Chikungunya
virus, Dengue virus, West Nile virus, smallpox-related viruses, H1N1 swine flu virus, H5N1 bird flu virus, Monkeypox virus and the reconstructed
Spanish flu virus of 1918. In several cases, these studies were conducted in collaboration with leading government or non-government research
institutes.
On June 17, 2020, the FDA approved a supplement to
our open Investigational Device Exemption, or IDE, for the Hemopurifier in viral disease to allow for the testing of the Hemopurifier
in patients with SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, or COVID-19, in a New Feasibility Study. That study was designed
to enroll up to 40 subjects at up to 20 centers in the United States. Subjects were to have established laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19,
be admitted to an intensive care unit, or ICU, and have acute lung injury and/or severe or life-threatening disease, among other criteria.
Endpoints for this study, in addition to safety, included reduction in circulating virus as well as clinical outcomes (NCT # 04595903).
In June 2022, the first patient in this study was enrolled and completed the Hemopurifier treatment phase of the protocol. Due
to lack of COVID-19 patients in the ICUs of our trial sites, we terminated this study in 2022.
8
Under Single Patient Emergency Use regulations, the
Company has treated two patients with COVID-19 with the Hemopurifier, in addition to the COVID-19 patient treated with our Hemopurifier
in our COVID-19 clinical trial discussed above.
We previously reported a disruption in our Hemopurifier
supply, as our then existing supply of Hemopurifiers expired on September 30, 2022, and also as previously disclosed, we are dependent
on FDA approval of qualified suppliers to manufacture our Hemopurifier. Our intended transition to a new supplier for galanthus nivalis
agglutinin, or GNA, a component of our Hemopurifier, was delayed as we work with the FDA for approval of our supplement to our IDE, which
is required to make this manufacturing change. We are continuing to work with the FDA to qualify this second supplier of our GNA. We also
are in the process of completing final testing in order to begin manufacturing Hemopurifiers at our new manufacturing facility in San
Diego for use in U.S. clinical trials, using GNA from our current supplier. We expect the first manufacturing lot that incorporates the
GNA from our original supplier to be approved and released by the end of December 2023. We also have sufficient Hemopurifiers on hand
for use in our planned Australia and India oncology trials.
In October 2022, we launched a wholly owned subsidiary
in Australia, formed to conduct clinical research, seek regulatory approval and commercialize our Hemopurifier in that country. The subsidiary
will initially focus on the oncology trials in Australia.
We also obtained ethics review board, or ERB approval,
from and entered into a clinical trial agreement with Medanta Medicity Hospital, a multi-specialty hospital in Delhi NCR, India, for a
COVID-19 clinical trial at that location. One patient has completed participation in the Indian COVID-19 study. The relevant authorities
in India have accepted the use of our Hemopurifiers made with the GNA from our new supplier.
In May 2023, we also received ERB approval from the
Maulana Azad Medical College, or MAMC, for a second site for our clinical trial in India to treat severe COVID-19. MAMC was established
in 1958 and is located in New Delhi, India. MMAC is affiliated with the University of Delhi and is operated by the Delhi government.
In October 2023, we announced
that we received clearance from the Drug Controller General of India, or DCGI, the central drug authority in India, to conduct a Phase
1 safety, feasibility and dose-finding trial of the Company's Hemopurifier in patients with solid tumors who have stable or progressive
disease during anti-PD-1 monotherapy treatment, such as Keytruda ® or Opdivo ® . The trial is expected to begin
following completion of an internal in vitro binding study of relevant targets, and subsequent approval by the respective Ethics Boards
of interested sites in India.
Additionally, we recently announced that we also have
begun investigating the use of our Hemopurifier in the organ transplant setting. Our objective is to confirm that the Hemopurifier, in
our translational studies, when incorporated into a machine perfusion organ preservation circuit, can remove harmful viruses and exosomes
from recovered organs. We initially are focused on recovered kidneys, in a research collaboration with 34 Lives, PBC. We have previously
demonstrated the removal of multiple viruses and exosomes from buffer solutions, in vitro, utilizing a scaled-down version of our Hemopurifier.
This process potentially may reduce complications following transplantation of the recovered organ, which can include viral infection,
delayed graft function and rejection. We believe this new approach could be additive to existing technologies that currently are in place
to increase the number of viable kidneys for transplant.
Successful outcomes of human trials will also be required
by the regulatory agencies of certain foreign countries where we plan to market and sell the Hemopurifier. Some of our patents may expire
before FDA approval or approval in a foreign country, if any, is obtained. However, we believe that certain patent applications and/or
other patents issued to us more recently will help protect the proprietary nature of our Hemopurifier treatment technology.
In addition to the foregoing, we are monitoring closely
the impact of inflation, recent bank failures and the war in Ukraine on our business. Given the level of uncertainty regarding the duration
and impact of these events on capital markets and the U.S. economy, we are unable to assess the impact on our timelines and future access
to capital. The full extent to which inflation, recent bank failures and the war in Ukraine will impact our business, results of operations,
financial condition, clinical trials and preclinical research will depend on future developments, as well as the economic impact on national
and international markets that are highly uncertain.
9
We incorporated in Nevada on March 10, 1999. Our executive
offices are located at 11555 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 203, San Diego, California 92121. Our telephone number is (619) 941-0360. Our
website address is www.aethlonmedical.com.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol
“AEMD.”
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
During the six months ended September 30, 2023,
there were no changes to our significant accounting policies as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2023.
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
On October 4, 2023, the Company effected a 1-for-10
reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of its common stock. Accordingly, each 10 shares of outstanding common stock held by the
Company’s stockholders were combined into one share of common stock. Any fractional shares resulting from the reverse split were
rounded up to the next whole share. Authorized common stock remained at 60,000,000 shares (see Note 11) following the stock split. The
accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been retroactively revised to reflect such
reverse stock split as if it had occurred on April 1, 2022. All shares and per share amounts have been revised accordingly.
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for
interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC,
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2023, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 28, 2023. The accompanying
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aethlon Medical, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Aethlon
Medical Australia Pty Ltd, as well as its previously majority-owned subsidiary, Exosome Sciences, Inc., which dissolved in September 2022.
All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements, taken as a whole, contain all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature necessary to present fairly the
operating results, cash flows, and financial position of the Company as of and for the period ended September 30, 2023. Estimates were
made relating to useful lives of fixed assets, impairment of assets, share-based compensation expense and accruals for clinical trial
and research and development expenses. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The accompanying condensed consolidated
balance sheet at March 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2023, contained in the above
referenced 10-K. The results of operations for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected for the full year or any future interim periods.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year balances within the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, including the impact of the reverse
stock split.
10
LIQUIDITY AND GOING CONCERN
Management expects existing cash as of September 30,
2023 to be sufficient to fund the Company’s operations for at least twelve months from the issuance date of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
Restricted Cash
To comply with the terms of our laboratory and office
lease and our lease for our manufacturing space, see Note 10, we caused our bank to issue two standby letters of credit, or L/Cs, in the
aggregate amount of $ 87,506 in favor of the landlord. The L/Cs are in lieu of a security deposit. In order to support the L/Cs, we agreed
to have our bank withdraw $87,506 from our operating accounts and to place that amount in a restricted certificate of deposit. We have
classified that amount as restricted cash, a long-term asset, on our balance sheet.
2. LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss
by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period of computation. Diluted loss per share is computed similar
to basic loss per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional dilutive common shares that would
have been outstanding if potential common shares had been issued, if such additional common shares were dilutive. Since we had net losses
for all periods presented, basic and diluted loss per share are the same, and additional potential common shares have been excluded, as
their effect would be antidilutive.
As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, an aggregate of
221,839 and 223,903 potential common shares, respectively, consisting of shares underlying outstanding stock options, warrants, and restricted
stock units were excluded, as their inclusion would be antidilutive.
3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
Our research and development costs are expensed as
incurred. We incurred research and development expenses during the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, which
are included in various operating expense line items in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our research
and development expenses in those periods were as follows:
Schedule of research and development expenses
September 30,
September 30,
2023
2022
Three months ended
$ 628,447
$ 852,464
Six months ended
$ 1,687,010
$ 1,570,654
4. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
None.
11
5. EQUITY TRANSACTIONS IN THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
2022 At The Market Offering Agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co.,
LLC
On March 24, 2022, we entered into an At The Market
Offering Agreement, or the 2022 ATM Agreement, with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, or Wainwright, which established an at-the-market
equity program pursuant to which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock from time to time as set forth in the 2022 ATM Agreement.
The offering was registered under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, pursuant to our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-259909),
as previously filed with the SEC and declared effective on October 21, 2021. We filed a prospectus supplement, dated March 24, 2022, with
the SEC that provides for the sale of shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $ 15,000,000 , or the 2022
ATM Shares.
Under the 2022 ATM Agreement, Wainwright may sell
the 2022 ATM Shares by any method permitted by law and deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated
under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or on any other existing trading market for the
2022 ATM Shares. In addition, under the 2022 ATM Agreement, Wainwright may sell the 2022 ATM Shares in privately negotiated transactions
with our consent and in block transactions. Under certain circumstances, we may instruct Wainwright not to sell the 2022 ATM Shares if
the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time.
We are not obligated to make any sales of the 2022
ATM Shares under the 2022 ATM Agreement. The offering of the 2022 ATM Shares pursuant to the 2022 ATM Agreement will terminate upon the
termination of the 2022 ATM Agreement by Wainwright or us, as permitted therein.
The 2022 ATM Agreement contains customary representations,
warranties and agreements by us, and customary indemnification and contribution rights and obligations of the parties. We agreed to pay
Wainwright a placement fee of up to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of the 2022 ATM Shares. We also agreed to reimburse
Wainwright for certain specified expenses in connection with entering into the 2022 ATM Agreement.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023,
no capital was raised under the 2022 ATM Agreement. During the six months ended September 30, 2023, we raised net proceeds of $ 1,086,119 ,
net of $ 27,999
in commissions to Wainwright and $ 5,846
in other offering expense, through the sale of, 177,891
shares of our common stock at an average price of $6.11 per share under the 2022 ATM Agreement.
Restricted Stock Unit Grants
On April 28, 2023, the Board approved, pursuant to
the terms of the Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, or the Director Compensation Policy, the grant of the
annual restricted stock units, or RSUs, under the Director Compensation Policy to each of the three non-employee directors of the Company
then serving on the Board. The Director Compensation Policy provides for a grant of stock options or $50,000 worth of RSUs at the beginning
of each fiscal year for current directors then serving on the Board, and for a grant of stock options or $75,000 worth of RSUs for a newly
elected director, with each RSU priced at the average for the closing prices for the five days preceding and including the date of grant,
or $4.30 per share for the RSUs granted in April 2023. As a result, in April 2023 the three eligible directors each were granted an RSU
in the amount of 11,628 shares under the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2020 Plan. The RSUs are subject to vesting
in four equal installments, with 25% of the restricted stock units vesting on each of June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, December 31,
2023, and March 31, 2024, subject in each case to the director’s Continuous Service (as defined in the 2020 Plan), through such
dates. Vesting will terminate upon the director’s termination of Continuous Service prior to any vesting date.
12
6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the six months ended September 30, 2023, we
accrued unpaid fees of $ 68,250 owed to our non-employee directors. Amounts due to related parties were comprised of the following items:
Schedule of amounts due to related parties
September 30,
2023
March 31,
2023
Accrued Board fees
$ 68,250
$ 57,000
Accrued vacation to all employees
181,531
157,221
Total due to related parties
$ 249,781
$ 214,221
7. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other current liabilities were comprised of the following items:
Schedule of other current liabilities
September 30,
March 31,
2023
2023
Accrued professional fees
$ 496,074
$ 588,592
Total other current liabilities
$ 496,074
$ 588,592
8. STOCK COMPENSATION
The following tables summarize share-based compensation
expenses relating to RSUs and stock options and the effect on basic and diluted loss per common share during the three and six month periods
ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Schedule of share-based compensation expense
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2023
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2022
Six Months
Ended
September 30,
2023
Six Months
Ended
September 30,
2022
Vesting of stock options and restricted stock units
$ 257,181
$ 313,538
$ 507,295
$ 528,975
Total stock-based compensation expense
$ 257,181
$ 313,538
$ 507,295
$ 528,975
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted
2,483,649
2,074,500
2,457,711
1,813,018
Basic and diluted loss per common share attributable to stock-based compensation expense
$ ( 0.10 )
$ ( 0.15 )
$ ( 0.21 )
$ ( 0.29 )
13
All of the stock-based compensation expense recorded
during the six months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, an aggregate of $ 507,295 and $ 528,975 , respectively, is included in payroll and
related expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Stock-based compensation expense recorded during
each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 represented an impact on basic and diluted loss per common share of $(0.21)
and $(0.29), respectively.
We review share-based compensation on a quarterly
basis for changes to the estimate of expected award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture experience. The cumulative effect of adjusting
the forfeiture rate for all expense amortization is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed. The effect of forfeiture
adjustments for the six months ended September 30, 2023 was insignificant.
Stock Option Activity
We did not issue any stock options during the
six months ended September 30, 2023. During the six months ended September 30, 2022, we
recognized a stock option grant made in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 to purchase 6,160
shares of our common stock under our 2020 Plan that previously was contingent on stockholder approval of an increase of
180,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2020 Plan, at the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of
stockholders. The increase was approved at the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders held in September
2022 .
Stock options outstanding that have vested as of September
30, 2023 and stock options that are expected to vest subsequent to September 30, 2023 are as follows:
Schedule of options outstanding that have vested and are expected to vest
Number of
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term in
Years
Vested
86,180
$ 24.60
7.49
Expected to vest
70,884
$ 20.87
8.04
Total
157,064
A summary of stock option activity during the six
months ended September 30, 2023 is presented below:
Schedule of stock option activity
Amount
Range of
Exercise Price
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2023
171,826
$
6.90 – 1,425
$
22.39
Exercised
–
$
–
$
–
Granted
–
$
–
$
–
Cancelled/Expired
14,762
$
12.10 - 750
$
13.80
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2023
157,064
$
6.90 – 1,425
$
22.92
Stock options exercisable at September 30, 2023
86,180
$
12.80 – 1,425
$
24.60
14
On September 30, 2023, our outstanding stock options
had no intrinsic value since the closing share price on that date of $ 2.30 per share was below the exercise price of our outstanding stock
options.
At September 30, 2023, there was approximately $ 1,514,000
of unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based payments, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of
1.77 years.
9. WARRANTS
During the six months ended September 30, 2023 and
2022, we did not issue any warrants.
A summary of warrant activity during the six months
ended September 30, 2023 is presented below:
Schedule of warrant activity
Amount
Range of
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Warrants outstanding at March 31, 2023
32,676
$
15.00 – 27.50
$
20.09
Exercised
–
$
–
$
–
Cancelled/Expired
–
$
–
$
–
Warrants outstanding at September 30, 2023
32,676
$
15.00 – 27.50
$
20.09
Warrants exercisable at September 30, 2023
32,676
$
15.00 – 27.50
$
20.09
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
LEASE COMMITMENTS
Office, Lab and Manufacturing Space Leases
In December 2020, we entered into an agreement to
lease approximately 2,823 square feet of office space and 1,807 square feet of laboratory space located at 11555 Sorrento Valley Road,
Suite 203, San Diego, California 92121 and 11575 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121, respectively. The agreement
carries a term of 63 months and we took possession of the office space effective October 1, 2021. We took possession of the laboratory
space effective January 1, 2022. In October 2021, we entered into another lease for approximately 2,655 square feet of space to house
our manufacturing operations located at 11588 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, California 92121. The term is for 55 months and we took
possession of the manufacturing space in August 2022. The current monthly base rent under the office and laboratory component of the lease
is $ 13,772 . The current monthly base rent under the manufacturing component of the lease is $ 12,080 .
The office, lab and manufacturing leases are coterminous
with a remaining term of 45 months. The weighted average discount rate is 4.25 %.
As of our September 30, 2023 balance sheet, we have
a right-of-use lease asset of $ 1,019,145 .
15
In addition, the lease agreements for the new office,
lab and manufacturing space required us to post a standby L/C in favor of the landlord in the aggregate amount of $ 87,506 in lieu of a
security deposit. We arranged for our bank to issue standby L/Cs for the new office and lab in the amounts of $46,726 in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2021 and for the manufacturing space in the amount of $40,780 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. We transferred
like amounts to a restricted certificate of deposit which secured the bank’s risk in issuing those L/Cs. We have classified those
restricted certificates of deposit on our balance sheet as restricted cash with a balance of $ 87,506 .
Mobile Clean Room
In addition, we rented a mobile clean room on a short
term, month-to-month basis, where we housed our manufacturing operations until our permanent manufacturing space was completed. The mobile
clean room was located on leased land near our office and lab and we paid $ 2,000 per month for the right to locate it there. The arrangement
was terminated in September 2022 and the mobile clean room was returned to the vendor that leased it to us.
Overall, our rent expense, which is included in general
and administrative expenses, approximated $ 210,000 and $ 309,000 for the six month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
LEGAL MATTERS
We may be involved from time to time in various claims,
lawsuits, and/or disputes with third parties or breach of contract actions incidental to the normal course of our business operations.
We are currently not involved in any litigation or any pending legal proceedings.
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has evaluated events subsequent to September
30, 2023 through the date that the accompanying consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
for transactions and other events which may require adjustment of and/or disclosure in such financial statements.
Reverse Split – Following the approval of a
reverse stock split at our Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on September 15, 2023, our Board of Directors approved a 1-for-10 reverse
stock split or our outstanding shares of Common Stock, effective as of the close of business on October 4, 2023. Accordingly, each 10
shares of outstanding common stock held by stockholders were combined into one share of common stock. Our authorized common stock remained
at 60,000,000 shares following the stock split. As the result of the rounding up of fractional shares related to the reverse split, we
have issued an additional 32 shares to our stockholders.
Management/Board Changes Effective November
7, 2023, James B. Frakes, MBA, Chief Financial Officer of Aethlon, was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company, replacing
Charles J. Fisher, Jr. M.D. Mr. Frakes also was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Frakes will additionally
remain as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Effective as of November 7, 2023, Guy Cipriani, MBA, formerly Chief Business Officer
of the Company, was appointed as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors.
16
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion of our financial condition
and results of operations should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the condensed consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Some of the information contained in this discussion
and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business,
includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. For a complete discussion of forward-looking statements, see
the section above entitled “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements.”
Overview
Aethlon Medical, Inc., or Aethlon, the Company, we
or us, is a medical therapeutic company focused on developing products to treat cancer and life-threatening infectious diseases. The Aethlon
Hemopurifier is a clinical-stage immunotherapeutic device designed to combat cancer and life-threatening viral infections. In cancer,
the Hemopurifier is designed to deplete the presence of circulating tumor-derived exosomes that promote immune suppression, seed the spread
of metastasis and inhibit the benefit of leading cancer therapies. The FDA has designated the Hemopurifier as a “Breakthrough Device”
for two independent indications:
·
the treatment of individuals with advanced or metastatic cancer who are either unresponsive to or intolerant of standard of care therapy, and with cancer types in which exosomes have been shown to participate in the development or severity of the disease; and
·
the treatment of life-threatening viruses that are not addressed with approved therapies.
We believe the Hemopurifier can be a substantial advance
in the treatment of patients with advanced and metastatic cancer through the clearance of exosomes that promote the growth and spread
of tumors through multiple mechanisms. We are currently working with our new contract research organization, or CRO, on preparations to
conduct a clinical trial in Australia in patients with solid tumors, including head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal cancers and other
cancers.
In January 2023, we entered into an agreement with
North American Science Associates, LLC, or NAMSA, a world leading MedTech CRO offering global end-to-end development services, to oversee
our clinical trials investigating the Hemopurifier for oncology indications. Pursuant to the agreement, NAMSA will manage our clinical
trials of the Hemopurifier for patients in the United States and Australia with various types of cancer tumors. We anticipate that the
initial clinical trials will begin in Australia.
We also believe the Hemopurifier can be part of the
broad-spectrum treatment of life-threatening highly glycosylated, or carbohydrate coated, viruses that are not addressed with an already
approved treatment. In small-scale or early feasibility human studies, the Hemopurifier has been used in the past to treat individuals
infected with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, hepatitis-C and Ebola.
Additionally, in vitro, the Hemopurifier has
been demonstrated to capture Zika virus, Lassa virus, MERS-CoV, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes simplex virus, Chikungunya
virus, Dengue virus, West Nile virus, smallpox-related viruses, H1N1 swine flu virus, H5N1 bird flu virus, Monkeypox virus and the reconstructed
Spanish flu virus of 1918. In several cases, these studies were conducted in collaboration with leading government or non-government research
institutes.
On June 17, 2020, the FDA approved a supplement to
our open Investigational Device Exemption, or IDE, for the Hemopurifier in viral disease to allow for the testing of the Hemopurifier
in patients with SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, or COVID-19, in a New Feasibility Study. That study was designed
to enroll up to 40 subjects at up to 20 centers in the United States. Subjects were to have established laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19,
be admitted to an intensive care unit, or ICU, and have acute lung injury and/or severe or life-threatening disease, among other criteria.
Endpoints for this study, in addition to safety, included reduction in circulating virus as well as clinical outcomes (NCT # 04595903).
In June 2022, the first patient in this study was enrolled and completed the Hemopurifier treatment phase of the protocol. Due
to lack of COVID-19 patients in the ICUs of our trial sites, we terminated this study in 2022.
17
Under Single Patient Emergency Use regulations, the
Company has treated two patients with COVID-19 with the Hemopurifier, in addition to the COVID-19 patient treated with our Hemopurifier
in our COVID-19 clinical trial discussed above.
We previously reported a disruption in our Hemopurifier
supply, as our then existing supply of Hemopurifiers expired on September 30, 2022 and, also as previously disclosed, we are dependent
on FDA approval of qualified suppliers to manufacture our Hemopurifier. Our intended transition to a new supplier for galanthus nivalis
agglutinin, or GNA, a component of our Hemopurifier, was delayed as we work with the FDA for approval of our supplement to our IDE, which
is required to make this manufacturing change. We are continuing to work with the FDA to qualify this second supplier of GNA. We also
are in the process of completing final testing in order to begin manufacturing Hemopurifiers at our new manufacturing facility in San
Diego for use in U.S. clinical trials, using GNA from our current supplier. We expect the first manufacturing lot that incorporates the
GNA from our original supplier to be approved and released by the end of December 2023. We also have sufficient Hemopurifiers on hand
for use in our planned Australia and India oncology trials.
In October 2022, we launched a wholly owned subsidiary
in Australia, formed to conduct clinical research, seek regulatory approval and commercialize our Hemopurifier in that country. The subsidiary
will initially focus on the oncology trials in Australia.
We also obtained ethics review board, or ERB, approval
from and entered into a clinical trial agreement with Medanta Medicity Hospital, a multi-specialty hospital in Delhi NCR, India, for a
COVID-19 clinical trial at that location. One patient has completed participation in the Indian COVID-19 study. The relevant authorities
in India have accepted the use of our Hemopurifiers made with the GNA from our new supplier.
In May 2023, we also received ERB approval from the
Maulana Azad Medical College, or MAMC, for a second site for our clinical trial in India to treat severe COVID-19. MAMC was established
in 1958 and is located in New Delhi, India. MMAC is affiliated with the University of Delhi and is operated by the Delhi government.
In October 2023, we announced
that we received clearance from the Drug Controller General of India, or DCGI, the central drug authority in India, to conduct a Phase
1 safety, feasibility and dose-finding trial of the Company's Hemopurifier in patients with solid tumors who have stable or progressive
disease during anti-PD-1 monotherapy treatment, such as Keytruda ® or Opdivo ® . The trial is expected
to begin following completion of an internal in vitro binding study of relevant targets, and subsequent approval by the respective Ethics
Boards of interested sites in India.
Additionally, we recently announced that we have begun
investigating the use of our Hemopurifier in the organ transplant setting. Our objective is to confirm that the Hemopurifier, in our translational
studies, when incorporated into a machine perfusion organ preservation circuit, can remove harmful viruses and exosomes from recovered
organs. We initially are focused on recovered kidneys, in a research collaboration with 34 Lives, PBC. We have previously demonstrated
the removal of multiple viruses and exosomes from buffer solutions, in vitro, utilizing a scaled-down version of our Hemopurifier. This
process potentially may reduce complications following transplantation of the recovered organ, which can include viral infection, delayed
graft function and rejection. We believe this new approach could be additive to existing technologies that currently are in place to increase
the number of viable kidneys for transplant.
Successful outcomes of human trials will also be required
by the regulatory agencies of certain foreign countries where we plan to market and sell the Hemopurifier. Some of our patents may expire
before FDA approval or approval in a foreign country, if any, is obtained. However, we believe that certain patent applications and/or
other patents issued to us more recently will help protect the proprietary nature of our Hemopurifier treatment technology.
In addition to the foregoing, we are monitoring closely
the impact of inflation, recent bank failures and the war in Ukraine on our business. Given the level of uncertainty regarding the duration
and impact of these events on capital markets and the U.S. economy, we are unable to assess the impact on our timelines and future access
to capital. The full extent to which inflation, recent bank failures and the war in Ukraine will impact our business, results of operations,
financial condition, clinical trials and preclinical research will depend on future developments, as well as the economic impact on national
and international markets that are highly uncertain.
18
We incorporated in Nevada on March 10, 1999. Our executive
offices are located at 11555 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 203, San Diego, California 92121. Our telephone number is (619) 941-0360. Our
website address is www.aethlonmedical.com.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol
“AEMD.”
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of
the Exchange Act, and must file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov)
that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, like us, which file electronically
with the SEC.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Operating Expenses
Consolidated operating expenses for the three months
ended September 30, 2023 were $3,175,346, compared to $3,665,309 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This decrease of $489,963,
or 13.4%, in the 2023 period was due to decreases in our general and administrative expenses of $697,675 offset by increases in professional
fees of $129,240, and an increase in our payroll and related expenses of $78,471.
The $697,675 decrease in general and administrative
expenses was primarily due to the combination of a $377,281 decrease in clinical trial expenses associated with the closed COVID trial,
$261,267 decrease in purchase of raw materials for research and development testing for use in our Hemopurifier, $139,752 decrease in
subcontract expenses associated with previous government contracts and $64,264 decrease in rent related to previously rented mobile cleanroom.
The decreases were offset by an increase $84,845 related to our Australian subsidiary’s activities, $38,852 increase in depreciation
related to leasehold improvements and new equipment for our manufacturing and lab facilities, $21,192 aggregated net increase in various
other general and administrative.
The $129,240 increase in our professional fees was
due to an increase of $72,232 in accounting fees associated with audit and compliance services, $55,625 increase in recruiting expense,
$54,028 increase in contract labor associated with pre-clinical and other research and development services, $37,757 increase relating
to services for our Australian subsidiary and an increase of $11,250 in director fess associated with adding a new member to our Board
of Directors. These increases were offset by a decrease of $52,256 in general corporate legal fees and 62,909 in scientific consulting
associated with completed studies.
The $78,471 increase in payroll expense was due to
$134,828 in salary expense related to increase in headcount, which was partially offset by a $56,357 decrease in stock-based compensation
related to employee stock option grants.
Net Loss
As a result of the changes in revenues and expenses
noted above, our net loss decreased from $3,807,430 in the three months ended September 30, 2022, to $3,036,891 in the three months ended
September 30, 2023.
Basic and diluted loss attributable to common stockholders
was ($1.22) for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to ($1.84) for the three month period ended September 30, 2022.
19
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 COMPARED TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 2022
Operating Expenses
Consolidated operating expenses for the six months
ended September 30, 2023 were $6,583,506, compared to $6,573,045 for the six months ended September 30, 2022. This increase of $10,461or
.2%, in the 2023 period was due to increases in our professional fees of $261,850, payroll and related expenses of $172,024 and a decrease
of $423,413 in our general and administrative expenses.
The $423,413 decrease in general and administrative
expenses was primarily due to the combination of a $537,570 decrease in clinical trial expenses associated with the previous COVID trial,
$279,504 decrease in subcontract expenses associated with previous government contracts, $98,615 decrease in rent associated to previously
rented mobile cleanroom and $17,905 decrease in office equipment and supplies. The decreases were offset by $244,809 increase in operating
expenses associated with our Australian subsidiary, $98,528 increase in depreciation expense related to leasehold improvements and new
equipment for our manufacturing and lab facilities, $82,635 increase in raw material supplies for production of our Hemopurifier, $56,516
increase in repairs and maintenance and fees for our manufacturing and lab facilities, and $29,647 in insurance expense.
The $261,850 increase in our professional fees was
due to an increase of $108,040 in investor relations associated with facilitating investor awareness, an increase of $79,783 in accounting
fees associated with audit and financial services, an increase of $61,151 in contract labor relating to outside services associated with
general research and development, $73,880 relating to services for our Australian subsidiary, $36,198 of legal expenses associated with
patent filings and maintenance, $28,101 increase in recruiting fees, $20,653 for website services relating to compliance to the American
Disability Act and $11,250 in director fees related to the addition to the board of directors. The increases were offset by $92,639 decreases
in scientific consulting for previously completed studies, and a decrease of $64,567 in regulatory services.
The $172,024 increase in payroll expense was due to
$193,704 in salary expense related to an increase in headcount, which was partially offset by a $21,680 decrease in stock-based compensation
related to employee stock option grants.
Net Loss
As a result of the changes in revenues and expenses
noted above, our net loss decreased from $6,715,166 in the six months ended September 30, 2022, to $6,320,064 in the six months ended
September 30, 2023.
Basic and diluted loss attributable to common stockholders
was ($2.57) for the six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to ($3.70) for the six month period ended September 30, 2022.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of September 30, 2023, we had a cash balance of
$10,175,920 and working capital of $8,776,783. This compares to a cash balance of $14,532,943 and working capital of $13,585,477 at March
31, 2023. We expect our existing cash as of September 30, 2023 to be sufficient to fund our operations for at least twelve months from
the issuance date of these financial statements.
2022 At The Market Offering Agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co.,
LLC
On March 24, 2022, we entered into an At The Market
Offering Agreement, or the 2022 ATM Agreement, with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, or Wainwright, which established an at-the-market
equity program pursuant to which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock from time to time as set forth in the 2022 ATM Agreement.
20
The offering was registered under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, pursuant to our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-259909),
as previously filed with the SEC and declared effective on October 21, 2021. We filed a prospectus supplement, dated March 24, 2022, with
the SEC that provides for the sale of shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $15,000,000, or the 2022
ATM Shares.
Under the 2022 ATM Agreement, Wainwright may sell
the 2022 ATM Shares by any method permitted by law and deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated
under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or on any other existing trading market for the
2022 ATM Shares. In addition, under the 2022 ATM Agreement, Wainwright may sell the 2022 ATM Shares in privately negotiated transactions
with our consent and in block transactions. Under certain circumstances, we may instruct Wainwright not to sell the 2022 ATM Shares if
the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time.
We are not obligated to make any sales of the 2022
ATM Shares under the 2022 ATM Agreement. The offering of the 2022 ATM Shares pursuant to the 2022 ATM Agreement will terminate upon the
termination of the 2022 ATM Agreement by Wainwright or us, as permitted therein.
The 2022 ATM Agreement contains customary representations,
warranties and agreements by us, and customary indemnification and contribution rights and obligations of the parties. We agreed to pay
Wainwright a placement fee of up to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of the 2022 ATM Shares. We also agreed to reimburse
Wainwright for certain specified expenses in connection with entering into the 2022 ATM Agreement.
During the six months ended September 30, 2023, we
raised net proceeds of $1,086,119, net of $27,999 in commissions to Wainwright and $5,846 in other offering expense, through the sale
of, 1,778,901 shares of our common stock at an average price of $0.61 per share under the 2022 ATM Agreement.
Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating, investing and financing
activities, as reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, are summarized as follows:
(In thousands)
For the three months ended
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
Cash (used in) provided by:
Operating activities
$ (5,187 )
$ (5,607 )
Investing activities
(237 )
(780 )
Financing activities
1,068
8,919
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(1 )
–
Net decrease in cash and restricted cash
$ (4,357 )
$ 2,532
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES. We used cash
in our operating activities due to our losses from operations. Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $5,187,000 in the
six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately $5,607,000 in the six months ended September 30, 2022. The primary component
in the $420,000 decrease in cash used in our operating activities in the 2023 period was a decrease in our net loss of approximately $398,000.
21
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES. We used approximately
$237,000 of cash in investing activities in the six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately $780,000 in the six months
ended September 30, 2022. The $543,000 decrease in the 2023 period was primarily a result of the bulk of the equipment purchase and leasehold
improvements for our manufacturing facility being incurred in the 2022 period.
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES. During
the six months ended September 30, 2023, we raised approximately $1,086,000 from the issuance of our common stock under our at the market
facility. That source of cash from our financing activities was partially offset by the use of approximately $16,000 to pay for the tax
withholding on restricted stock units, for a net aggregate amount of cash provided by financing activities of approximately $1,068,000.
During the six months ended September 30, 2022, we
raised approximately $8,927,000 from the issuance of our common stock under our at the market facility, which was partially offset by
the use of approximately $8,000 to pay for the tax withholding on restricted stock units, for a net aggregate amount of cash provided
by financing activities of approximately $8,919,000.
Material Cash Requirements
As noted above in the results of operations, our clinical
trial expense decreased by $537,570 in the six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the six-month period ended September 30, 2022.
However, we expect our clinical trial expenses will increase over the foreseeable future as we continue to expand our clinical trials
both in the United States and internationally.
Future capital requirements will depend upon many
factors, including progress with pre-clinical testing and clinical trials for our Hemopurifier, the number and breadth of our clinical
programs, the time and costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent claims and other proprietary
rights, the time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory approvals, competing technological and market developments, as well as our
ability to establish collaborative arrangements, effective commercialization, marketing activities and other arrangements. We expect to
continue to incur increasing negative cash flows and net losses for the foreseeable future. We will continue to need to raise additional
capital either through equity and/or debt financing for the foreseeable future.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, requires us to make a number of
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting
period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates and assumptions based upon historical experience and various other factors and circumstances.
We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances; however, actual results may differ from these estimates
under different future conditions.
We believe that the estimates and assumptions that
are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, in that they require the most difficult, subjective
or complex judgments, form the basis for the accounting policies deemed to be most critical to us. These critical accounting estimates
relate to long lived assets, stock compensation, deferred tax asset valuation allowance and contingencies.
There have been no changes to our critical accounting
estimates as disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2023.
22
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
As a smaller reporting company, as defined by Item
10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, we are not required to provide the information required by this item.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Under the supervision and with the participation of
our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of
the period covered by this Quarterly Report.
Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording,
processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit
under the Exchange Act and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit
under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There have been no changes in our internal control
over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect,
our internal control over financial reporting.
23
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time to time, claims are made against us in the
ordinary course of business, which could result in litigation. Claims and associated litigation are subject to inherent uncertainties
and unfavorable outcomes could occur, such as monetary damages, fines, penalties or injunctions prohibiting us from selling one or more
products or engaging in other activities.
The occurrence of an unfavorable outcome in any specific
period could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for that period or future periods. We are not presently a party
to any pending or threatened legal proceedings.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
RISK FACTOR SUMMARY
Below is a summary of the principal factors that make
an investment in our securities speculative or risky. This summary does not address all of the risks that we face. Additional discussion
of the risks summarized in this risk factor summary, and other risks that we face, can be found under the heading “Risk Factors”
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on June 28, 2023, or Annual Report, and
should be carefully considered, together with other information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the SEC
before making investment decisions regarding our securities.
·
We have incurred significant losses and expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future.
·
We will require additional financing to sustain our operations, achieve our business objectives and satisfy our cash obligations, which may dilute the ownership of our existing stockholders.
·
We have limited experience in identifying and working with large-scale contracts with medical device manufacturers; manufacture of our devices must comply with good manufacturing practices in the United States.
·
Delays, interruptions or the cessation of production by our third-party suppliers of important materials or delays in qualifying new materials, has and may continue to prevent or delay our ability to manufacture our Hemopurifier.
·
Our Hemopurifier technology may become obsolete.
·
If we fail to comply with extensive regulations of U.S. and foreign regulatory agencies, the commercialization of our products could be delayed or prevented entirely.
·
If we are unable to maintain compliance with the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market, our common stock may be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and could make it more difficult for you to sell your shares.
·
As a public company with limited financial resources undertaking the launch of new medical technologies, we may have difficulty attracting and retaining executive management and directors.
·
We plan to expand our operations, which may strain our resources; our inability to manage our growth could delay or derail implementation of our business objectives.
·
Delays in successfully completing our planned clinical trials could jeopardize our ability to obtain regulatory approval.
24
There have been no material changes to the risk factors
previously disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report. The risks described in our Annual Report are not
the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial
also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
We did not issue or sell any unregistered securities during the three months
ended September 30, 2023.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
We have no disclosure applicable to this item.
25
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
(a) Exhibits. The following documents are filed as
part of this report:
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
Form
SEC File No.
Exhibit
Number
Date
Filed
Herewith
3.1
Articles of Incorporation, as amended.
8-K
001-37487
3.1
September 19, 2022
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
8-K
001-37487
3.1
September 12, 2019
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate.
S-1
333-201334
4.1
December 31, 2014
4.2
Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock.
S-1/A
333-234712
4.14
December 11, 2019
4.3
Form of Underwriter Warrant.
S-1/A
333-234712
4.15
December 11, 2019
4.4
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant.
8-K
001-37487
4.1
January 17, 2020
31.1
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
X
32.1^
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
X
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document
X
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
X
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
X
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
X
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
X
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
X
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in XBRL, and included in exhibit 101)
^
The certifications attached as Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 accompanying this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are not deemed filed with the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act whether made before or after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.
26
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.
AETHLON MEDICAL, INC.
Date: November 14, 2023
By:
/s/ JAMES B. FRAKES
JAMES B. FRAKES
INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER
27
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.