Item 1. Financial Statements
Item
1. Financial Statements.
ANIXA
BIOSCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(in
thousands, except share and per share data)
April 30, 2023
October 31, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 5,620
$ 12,360
Short-term investments
21,356
17,327
Receivables
256
47
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
178
466
Total current assets
27,410
30,200
Operating lease right-of-use asset
189
212
Total assets
$ 27,599
$ 30,412
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 195
$ 265
Accrued expenses
1,293
1,726
Operating lease liability
49
46
Total current liabilities
1,537
2,037
Operating lease liability, non-current
149
175
Total liabilities
1,686
2,212
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
-
-
Equity:
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $ 100 per share; 19,860 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
-
-
Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $ 100 per share; 140 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
-
-
Preferred
stock, value
-
-
Common stock, par value $ .01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 30,958,665 and 30,913,902 shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively
310
309
Additional paid-in capital
249,496
247,123
Accumulated deficit
( 222,995 )
( 218,385 )
Total shareholders’ equity
26,811
29,047
Noncontrolling interest (Note 2)
( 898 )
( 847 )
Total equity
25,913
28,200
Total liabilities and equity
$ 27,599
$ 30,412
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
ANIXA
BIOSCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(in
thousands, except per share data)
2023
2022
2023
2022
For the three months ended
For the six months ended
April 30,
April 30,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Revenue
$ 210
$ -
$ 210
$ -
Operating costs and expenses:
Inventor royalties, contingent legal fees, litigation and licensing expenses
161
-
161
-
Research and development expenses (including non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $ 492 , $ 966 , $ 998 and $ 2,243 , respectively)
998
1,735
2,066
3,573
General and administrative expenses (including non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $ 735 , $ 779 , $ 1,292 and $ 1,856 , respectively)
1,611
1,854
3,099
3,896
Total operating costs and expenses
2,770
3,589
5,326
7,469
Loss from operations
( 2,560 )
( 3,589 )
( 5,116 )
( 7,469 )
Interest income
253
1
455
2
Net loss
( 2,307 )
( 3,588 )
( 4,661 )
( 7,467 )
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
( 19 )
( 44 )
( 51 )
( 94 )
Net loss attributable to common shareholders
$ ( 2,288 )
$ ( 3,544 )
$ ( 4,610 )
$ ( 7,373 )
Net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted
$ ( 0.07 )
$ ( 0.12 )
$ ( 0.15 )
$ ( 0.24 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted
30,930
30,152
30,924
30,138
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
ANIXA
BIOSCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED )
(in
thousands, except share data)
FOR
THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023
Shares
Par Value
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Interest
Equity
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in
Accumulated
Total Shareholders’
Non- controlling
Total
Shares
Par Value
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Interest
Equity
Balance, January 31, 2023
30,922,830
$ 309
$ 248,189
$ ( 220,707 )
$ 27,791
$ ( 879 )
$ 26,912
Stock option compensation to employees and directors
-
-
1,155
-
1,155
-
1,155
Stock options issued to consultants
-
-
47
-
47
-
47
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options
27,818
1
74
-
75
-
75
Common stock issued to consultants
6,114
-
25
-
25
-
25
Common stock issued pursuant to employee stock purchase plan
1,903
-
6
-
6
-
6
Net loss
-
-
-
( 2,288 )
( 2,288 )
( 19 )
( 2,307 )
Balance, April 30, 2023
30,958,665
$ 310
$ 249,496
$ ( 222,995 )
$ 26,811
$ ( 898 )
$ 25,913
FOR
THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2022
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in
Accumulated
Total Shareholders’
Non- controlling
Total
Shares
Par Value
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Interest
Equity
Balance, January 31, 2022
30,132,319
$ 301
$ 242,281
$ ( 208,619 )
$ 33,963
$ ( 721 )
$ 33,242
Stock option compensation to employees and directors
-
-
1,462
-
1,462
-
1,462
Stock options and warrants issued to consultants
-
-
219
-
219
-
219
Common stock issued to consultants
20,000
1
63
-
64
-
64
Common stock issued pursuant to employee stock purchase plan
2,389
-
7
-
7
-
7
Net loss
-
-
-
( 3,544 )
( 3,544 )
( 44 )
( 3,588 )
Balance, April 30, 2022
30,154,708
$ 302
$ 244,032
$ ( 212,163 )
$ 32,171
$ ( 765 )
$ 31,406
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
ANIXA
BIOSCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED )
(in
thousands, except share data)
FOR
THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in
Accumulated
Total Shareholders’
Non- controlling
Total
Shares
Par Value
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Interest
Equity
Balance, October 31, 2022
30,913,902
$ 309
$ 247,123
$ ( 218,385 )
$ 29,047
$ ( 847 )
$ 28,200
Stock option compensation to employees and directors
-
-
2,112
-
2,112
-
2,112
Stock options issued to consultants
-
-
128
-
128
-
128
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options
29,382
1
77
-
78
-
78
Common stock issued to consultants
13,478
-
50
-
50
-
50
Common stock issued pursuant to employee stock purchase plan
1,903
-
6
-
6
-
6
Net loss
-
-
-
( 4,610 )
( 4,610 )
( 51 )
( 4,661 )
Balance, April 30, 2023
30,958,665
$ 310
$ 249,496
$ ( 222,995 )
$ 26,811
$ ( 898 )
$ 25,913
FOR
THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2022
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in
Accumulated
Total Shareholders’
Non- controlling
Total
Shares
Par Value
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Interest
Equity
Balance, October 31, 2021
30,050,894
$ 301
$ 239,927
$ ( 204,790 )
$ 35,438
$ ( 671 )
$ 34,767
Balance, value
30,050,894
$ 301
$ 239,927
$ ( 204,790 )
$ 35,438
$ ( 671 )
$ 34,767
Stock option compensation to employees and directors
-
-
3,598
-
3,598
-
3,598
Stock options and warrants issued to consultants
-
-
437
-
437
-
437
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options and warrants
81,425
-
-
-
-
-
-
Common stock issued to consultants
20,000
1
63
-
64
-
64
Common stock issued pursuant to employee stock purchase plan
2,389
-
7
-
7
-
7
Net loss
-
-
-
( 7,373 )
( 7,373 )
( 94 )
( 7,467 )
Balance, April 30, 2022
30,154,708
$ 302
$ 244,032
$ ( 212,163 )
$ 32,171
$ ( 765 )
$ 31,406
Balance, value
30,154,708
$ 302
$ 244,032
$ ( 212,163 )
$ 32,171
$ ( 765 )
$ 31,406
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
ANIXA
BIOSCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(in
thousands)
2023
2022
For the six months ended
April 30,
2023
2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Net loss
$ ( 4,661 )
$ ( 7,467 )
Stock option compensation to employees and directors
2,112
3,598
Stock options and warrants issued to consultants
128
437
Common stock issued to consultants
50
64
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset
23
21
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables
( 209 )
-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
286
( 56 )
Accounts payable
( 69 )
( 44 )
Accrued expenses
( 433 )
( 37 )
Operating lease liability
( 22 )
( 19 )
Net cash used in operating activities
( 2,795 )
( 3,503 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Disbursements to acquire short-term investments
( 17,406 )
( 4,249 )
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
13,377
6,349
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
( 4,029 )
2,100
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan
6
7
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
78
-
Net cash provided by financing activities
84
7
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
( 6,740 )
( 1,396 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
12,360
29,128
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 5,620
$ 27,732
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
ANIXA
BIOSCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1.
BUSINESS AND FUNDING
Description
of Business
As
used herein, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Anixa” means Anixa Biosciences,
Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Our primary operations involve developing therapies and vaccines that are focused on critical
unmet needs in oncology and infectious disease. Our vaccine programs include (i) the development of a preventative vaccine against triple
negative breast cancer (“TNBC”), the most lethal form of breast cancer, as well other forms of breast cancer and (ii) the
development of a preventative vaccine against ovarian cancer. Our therapeutics programs include (i) the development of a chimeric endocrine
receptor T-cell therapy, a novel form of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (“CAR-T”) technology, initially focused on treating
ovarian cancer, which is being developed at our subsidiary, Certainty Therapeutics, Inc. (“Certainty”), and (ii) until March
2023, the development of anti-viral drug candidates for the treatment of COVID-19 focused on inhibiting certain protein functions of
the virus.
We
hold an exclusive worldwide, royalty-bearing license to use certain intellectual property owned or controlled by The Cleveland Clinic
Foundation (“Cleveland Clinic”) relating to certain breast cancer vaccine technology developed at Cleveland Clinic. Utilizing
this technology, we are working in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic to develop a method to vaccinate women against contracting breast
cancer, focused specifically on TNBC. The focus of this vaccine is a specific protein, α-lactalbumin, that is only expressed during
lactation in a healthy mother’s mammary tissue. This protein disappears when the mother is no longer lactating, but reappears in
many forms of breast cancer, especially TNBC. Studies have shown that vaccinating against this protein prevents breast cancer in mice.
Following
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) authorization to proceed with clinical trials in December 2020, in
October 2021, we commenced dosing patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial of our breast cancer vaccine. This study, which is being funded
by a U.S. Department of Defense grant, is a multiple-ascending dose Phase 1 trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose (“MTD”)
of the vaccine in patients with early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer as well as monitor immune response. The study is being conducted
at Cleveland Clinic and will consist of 18 to 24 patients who have completed treatment for early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer
within the past three years and are currently tumor-free but at high risk for recurrence. During the course of the study, participants
will receive three vaccinations, each two weeks apart, and will be closely monitored for side effects and immune response. In December
2022, we announced that we had reached the MTD and in April 2023 we presented the immunological data collected to date at the annual
meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. The data presented show that in the vaccinated women who had been tested to
date, various levels of antigen-specific T cell responses were observed at all dose levels. Upon reaching MTD, we began expanding the
dose cohorts and are vaccinating additional participants. Further, we have commenced recruitment for participants in the second stage
of our Phase 1 trial, that will include participants who have never had cancer, but carry certain genetic mutations that indicate a greater
risk of developing TNBC in the future.
In
November 2020, we executed a license agreement with Cleveland Clinic pursuant to which the Company was granted an exclusive worldwide,
royalty-bearing license to use certain intellectual property owned or controlled by Cleveland Clinic relating to certain ovarian cancer
vaccine technology. This technology pertains to among other things, the use of vaccines for the treatment or prevention of ovarian cancers
which express the anti-Mullerian hormone receptor 2 protein containing an extracellular domain (“AMHR2-ED”). In healthy tissue,
this protein regulates growth and development of egg-containing follicles in the ovary. While expression of AMHR2-ED naturally and markedly
declines during menopause, this protein is expressed at high levels in the ovaries of postmenopausal women with ovarian cancer. Researchers
at Cleveland Clinic believe that a vaccine targeting AMHR2-ED could prevent the occurrence of ovarian cancer. We entered into a joint
development agreement with Cleveland Clinic to advance this vaccine toward human clinical testing.
6
In
May 2021, Cleveland Clinic was granted an award for our ovarian cancer vaccine technology by the National Cancer Institute’s (“NCI”)
PREVENT program. The NCI is a part of the National Institutes of Health. The PREVENT program is a peer-reviewed agent development program
designed to support pre-clinical development of innovative interventions and biomarkers for cancer prevention and interception towards
clinical trials. The scientific and financial resources of the PREVENT program will be used for our ovarian cancer vaccine technology
to perform virtually all pre-clinical research and development, manufacturing and IND-enabling studies. This work is being performed
at NCI facilities, by NCI scientific staff and with NCI financial resources and will require no material financial expenditures by the
Company, nor the transfer of any rights of the Company’s assets.
Our
subsidiary, Certainty, is developing immuno-therapy drugs against cancer. Certainty holds an exclusive worldwide, royalty-bearing license
to use certain intellectual property owned or controlled by The Wistar Institute (“Wistar”), the nation’s first independent
biomedical research institute and a leading National Cancer Institute designated cancer research center, relating to Wistar’s chimeric
endocrine receptor targeted therapy technology. We have initially focused on the development of a treatment for ovarian cancer, but we
also may pursue applications of the technology for the development of treatments for additional solid tumors. The license agreement requires
Certainty to make certain cash and equity payments to Wistar upon achievement of specific development milestones. With respect to Certainty’s
equity obligations to Wistar, Certainty issued to Wistar shares of its common stock equal to five percent ( 5 %) of the common stock of
Certainty.
Certainty,
in collaboration with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc. (“Moffitt”), has begun human clinical
testing of the CAR-T technology licensed by Certainty from Wistar aimed initially at treating ovarian cancer. We received authorization
from the FDA in August 2021, to commence enrollment and treatment of patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial. We began patient recruitment
for the trial in March 2022, and in August 2022, we treated the first patient in the trial. The treatment appears to have been well-tolerated
by the patient, and we continue to monitor her condition. Further, in May 2023, we treated the second patient in the trial, at the same
dose level as the first patient, and the treatment appears to have been well-tolerated by this patient as well. We anticipate treating
one additional patient (the third) at the same dose level. The successive three-patient cohort is expected to receive a higher dose of
cells. The process of recruiting additional patients is ongoing. This study is a dose-escalation trial with two arms based on injection
method—intraperitoneal or intravenous—to determine the maximum tolerated dose in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian
cancer and to assess persistence, expansion and efficacy of the modified T-cells. The study is being conducted at Moffitt and will consist
of 24 to 48 patients who have received at least two prior lines of chemotherapy. The study is estimated to be completed in two to four
years depending on multiple factors including when maximum tolerated dose is reached, the rate of patient recruitment, and how long we
maintain the two different injection methods.
In
April 2020, we entered into a collaboration with OntoChem GmbH (“OntoChem”) which was later assigned to MolGenie GmbH (“MolGenie”),
a company spun-out from OntoChem focused on drug discovery and development, to discover and ultimately develop anti-viral drug candidates
against COVID-19. Through this collaboration, we identified compounds that appeared to be effective in disrupting the main protease of
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19. While our compounds have shown promise as an effective treatment, results of
animal studies indicate that there is not sufficient oral bioavailability, and it is unclear whether an orally delivered treatment may
be developed. We do not currently believe that there is a viable market for an injectable treatment given the current oral treatments
available. Furthermore, we believe the needed additional investment in research for alternative delivery methods would divert resources
from more promising projects. Therefore, on March 9, 2023, we decided to pause further development of our COVID-19 therapeutic. We continue
to prosecute our U.S. patent applications of this technology and may decide to restart development at some time in the future.
7
Over
the next several quarters, we expect the development of our vaccines and therapeutics to be the primary focus of the Company. As part
of our legacy operations, the Company remains engaged in limited patent licensing activities of its various patent portfolios. We do
not expect these activities to be a significant part of the Company’s ongoing operations nor do we expect these activities to require
material financial resources or attention of senior management.
Over
the past several years, our revenue was derived from technology licensing and the sale of patented technologies, including revenue
from the settlement of litigation (during the three months ended April 30, 2023, we derived approximately $ 210,000 of revenue from these activities). We have not generated any revenue to date from our vaccine or therapeutics programs. In
addition, while we pursue our vaccine and therapeutics programs, we may also make investments in and form new companies to develop
additional emerging technologies. We do not expect to begin generating revenue with respect to any of our current vaccine or therapy
programs in the near term. We hope to achieve a profitable outcome by eventually licensing our technologies to large pharmaceutical
companies that have the resources and infrastructure in place to manufacture, market and sell our technologies as vaccines or
therapeutics. The eventual licensing of any of our technologies may take several years, if it is to occur at all, and may depend on
positive results from human clinical trials.
Funding
and Management’s Plans
Based
on currently available information as of June 14, 2023, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments
and expected cash flows will be sufficient to fund our activities for at least the next twelve months. We have implemented a business
model that conserves funds by collaborating with third parties to develop our technologies. However, our projections of future cash needs
and cash flows may differ from actual results. If current cash on hand, cash equivalents, short-term investments and cash that may be
generated from our business operations are insufficient to continue to operate our business, or if we elect to invest in or acquire a
company or companies or new technology or technologies that are synergistic with or complementary to our technologies, we may be required
to obtain more working capital. Under our at-the-market equity program as of April 30, 2023, we may sell up to $ 100 million of common
stock. We did not sell any shares under our at-the-market equity program during the three and six months ended April 30, 2023. We may
seek to obtain working capital during our fiscal year 2023 or thereafter through sales of our equity securities or public or private
debt from various financial institutions where possible. We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable
terms, or at all. If we do identify sources for additional funding, the sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt will
result in dilution to our stockholders. We can give no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash flows in the future to satisfy
our liquidity requirements or sustain future operations, or that other sources of funding, such as sales of equity or debt, would be
available or would be approved by our security holders, if needed, on favorable terms or at all. If we fail to obtain additional working
capital as and when needed, such failure could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Furthermore, such lack of funds may inhibit our ability to respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated capital needs, or may force
us to reduce operating expenses, which would significantly harm the business and development of operations.
2.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form
10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles
in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read
in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. The accompanying October 31, 2022 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from
the audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by US GAAP. The condensed consolidated financial statements
include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of our financial
position as of April 30, 2023, and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods represented. The results of operations
for the three and six months ended April 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.
8
Noncontrolling
Interest
Noncontrolling
interest represents Wistar’s equity ownership in Certainty and is presented as a component of equity. The following table sets
forth the changes in noncontrolling interest for the six months ended April 30, 2023 (in thousands):
SCHEDULE
OF CHANGES IN NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Balance, October 31, 2022
$ ( 847 )
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
( 51 )
Balance, April 30, 2023
$ ( 898 )
Revenue
Recognition
Our
revenue has been derived solely from technology licensing and the sale of patented technologies. Revenue is recognized upon transfer
of control of intellectual property rights and satisfaction of other contractual performance obligations to licensees in an amount that
reflects the consideration we expect to receive.
Our
revenue recognition policy requires us to make certain judgments and estimates in connection with the accounting for revenue. Such areas
may include determining the existence of a contract and identifying each party’s rights and obligations to transfer goods and services,
identifying the performance obligations in the contract, determining the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to separate
performance obligations, estimating the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, determining whether a promise to grant a license
is distinct from other promised goods or services and evaluating whether a license transfers to a customer at a point in time or over
time.
Our
revenue arrangements provide for the payment, within 30 days of execution of the agreement, of contractually determined, one-time, paid-up
license fees in settlement of litigation and in consideration for the grant of certain intellectual property rights for patented technologies
owned or controlled by the Company. These arrangements typically include some combination of the following: (i) the grant of a non-exclusive,
retroactive and future license to manufacture and/or sell products covered by patented technologies owned or controlled by the Company,
(ii) a covenant-not-to-sue, (iii) the release of the licensee from certain claims, and (iv) the dismissal of any pending litigation.
In such instances, the intellectual property rights granted have been perpetual in nature, extending until the expiration of the related
patents. Pursuant to the terms of these agreements, we have no further obligations with respect to the granted intellectual property
rights, including no obligation to maintain or upgrade the technology, or provide future support or services. Licensees obtained control
of the intellectual property rights they have acquired upon execution of the agreement. Accordingly, the performance obligations from
these agreements were satisfied and 100 % of the revenue was recognized upon the execution of the agreements.
9
Cost
of Revenues
Cost
of revenues include the costs and expenses incurred in connection with our patent licensing and enforcement activities, including inventor
royalties paid to original patent owners, contingent legal fees paid to external counsel, other patent-related legal expenses paid to
external counsel and licensing and enforcement related research, consulting and other expenses paid to third-parties. These costs are
included under the caption “Operating costs and expenses” in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Research
and Development Expenses
Research
and development expenses, consisting primarily of employee compensation, payments to third parties for research and development
activities and other direct costs associated with developing immuno-therapy drugs against cancer, developing anti-viral drug
candidates for COVID-19 (through March 2023), developing our breast cancer vaccine, and developing our ovarian cancer vaccine, are expensed in the
consolidated financial statements in the period incurred.
Investment Policy
The Company’s investment policy is to acquire debt securities with
fixed maturities and contractual cash flows that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. These securities
are recorded at amortized cost, net of any applicable discount which is amortized to interest income, and are accounted for as held-to-maturity
securities.
3.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The
Company maintains stock equity incentive plans under which the Company grants incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock
appreciation rights, stock awards, performance awards, or stock units to employees, directors and consultants.
Stock
Option Compensation Expense
The
compensation cost for service-based stock options granted to employees and directors is measured at the grant date, based on the fair
value of the award using the Black-Scholes pricing model, and is expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period
(the vesting period of the stock option) which is one to four years. We recorded stock-based compensation expense related to service-based
stock options granted to employees and directors of approximately $ 1,155,000 and $ 875,000 during the three months ended April 30, 2023
and 2022, respectively, and approximately $ 2,112,000 and $ 1,605,000 during the six months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
For
stock options granted to employees and directors that vest based on market conditions, such as the trading price of the Company’s
common stock exceeding certain price targets, we use a Monte Carlo Simulation in estimating the fair value at grant date and recognize
compensation cost over the implied service period (median time to vest). On June 1, 2021, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and
our President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer were awarded market condition stock options for 2,000,000 shares and
100,000 shares of common stock, respectively, that vest in four equal installments upon the Company’s share price achieving targets
ranging from $ 5.00 to $ 8.00 per share, with implied service periods of three to fifteen months. We recorded market condition stock-based
compensation expense during the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022 of $ 0 and approximately $ 587,000 , respectively, and $ 0 and
approximately $ 1,993,000 during the six months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The
compensation cost for service-based stock options granted to consultants is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the
award using the Black-Scholes pricing model, and is expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (the vesting
period of the stock option) which is one to three years. We recorded stock-based consulting expense related to stock options granted
to consultants of approximately $ 47,000 and $ 109,000 during the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and approximately
$ 128,000 and $ 218,000 during the six months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
10
Stock
Option Plans
During
the three months ended April 30, 2023, we had two stock option plans: the Anixa Biosciences, Inc. 2010 Share Incentive Plan (the “2010
Share Plan”) and the Anixa Biosciences, Inc. 2018 Share Incentive Plan (the “2018 Share Plan”), which were adopted
by our Board of Directors on July 14, 2010 and January 25, 2018, respectively. The 2018 Share Plan was approved by our shareholders on
March 29, 2018.
Stock
Option Activity
During
the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, we granted options to purchase 0 shares and 1,400,000 shares of common stock, respectively,
and during the six months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, we granted options to purchase 1,505,000 shares and 1,430,000 shares of common
stock, respectively, to employees and consultants, with exercise prices ranging from $ 4.19 to $ 4.81 per share, pursuant to the 2018 Share
Plan. During the three months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, stock options to purchase 27,818 and 0 shares of common stock, respectively,
were exercised with aggregate proceeds of $ 75,000 and $ 0 , respectively. During the six months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, stock options
to purchase 29,382 shares of common stock, net of 808 shares withheld on a cashless exercise and 46,909 shares of common stock, net of
53,091 shares withheld on a cashless exercise, respectively, were exercised with aggregate proceeds of $ 78,000 and $ 0 , respectively.
On January 30, 2023, we granted
an option, expiring on January 30, 2028 , to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock at $ 4.35 per share, to a consultant for investor relations
services. The option vests based on certain performance conditions related to Company common stock trading activity. As of April 30, 2023,
the performance conditions have not been achieved and it does not appear likely that they will be achieved. Accordingly, we have recorded
no consulting expense for this option during the three and six months ended April 30, 2023.
2010
Share Plan
The
2010 Share Plan provided for the grant of nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, performance awards and
stock units to employees, directors and consultants. In accordance with the provisions of the 2010 Share Plan, the plan terminated with
respect to the ability to grant future awards on July 14, 2020. Information regarding the 2010 Share Plan for the six months ended April
30, 2023 is as follows:
SCHEDULE
OF OPTION ACTIVITY
Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Options outstanding at October 31, 2022
1,501,500
$ 2.83
Exercised
( 21,818 )
$ 2.65
Options outstanding and exercisable at April 30, 2023
1,479,682
$ 2.83
$ 2,074
The
following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable under the 2010 Share Plan as of April
30, 2023:
SCHEDULE
OF OUTSTANDING AND EXERCISABLE
Range of Exercise Prices
Number Outstanding and Exercisable
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
Weighted Average Exercise Price
$ 0.67 - $ 2.27
477,500
3.3
$ 1.46
$ 2.58 - $ 3.13
493,182
1.9
$ 2.79
$ 3.46 - $ 5.30
509,000
5.0
$ 4.17
2018
Share Plan
The
2018 Share Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards,
performance awards and stock units to employees, directors and consultants. As of April 30, 2023, the 2018 Share Plan had 825,000 shares
available for future grants. Information regarding the 2018 Share Plan for the six months ended April 30, 2023 is as follows:
11
SCHEDULE
OF OPTION ACTIVITY
Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Options outstanding at October 31, 2022
8,817,372
$ 3.57
Granted
1,505,000
$ 4.29
Exercised
( 8,372 )
$ 2.84
Expirations
( 150,000 )
$ 5.30
Options outstanding at April 30, 2023
10,164,000
$ 3.68
$ 4,683
Options exercisable at April 30, 2023
5,964,554
$ 3.63
$ 3,354
The
following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable under the 2018 Share Plan as of April 30, 2023:
SCHEDULE
OF OUTSTANDING AND EXERCISABLE
Options Outstanding
Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices
Number Outstanding
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
(in years)
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Number Exercisable
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
(in years)
Weighted Average Exercise Price
$ 2.09
- $ 3.87
5,339,000
6.9
$ 3.24
4,423,444
6.6
$ 3.34
$ 3.96
- $ 5.30
4,825,000
8.1
$ 4.16
1,541,110
7.2
$ 4.02
Employee
Stock Purchase Plan
The
Company maintains the Anixa Biosciences, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) which permits eligible employees
to purchase shares at not less than 85 %
of the market value of the Company’s common stock on the offering date or the purchase date of the applicable offering period,
whichever is lower. The plan was adopted by our Board of Directors on August 13, 2018 and approved by our shareholders on September
27, 2018. During the three and six months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, employees purchased 1,903
and 2,389
shares, respectively, with aggregate proceeds of approximately $ 7,000
and $ 7,000 ,
respectively.
Warrants
On
October 30, 2020, we issued a warrant, expiring on October 30, 2025 , to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock at $ 2.06 per share, vesting
over five months, to a consultant for investor relations services. On November 16, 2021, the warrant was exercised on a cashless basis
and 25,484 shares were withheld as payment.
On
November 1, 2021, we issued a warrant, expiring on October 30, 2026 , to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock at $ 4.77 per share, vesting
over five months , to a consultant for investor relations services. We recorded consulting expense of approximately $ 110,000 and $ 220,000 ,
respectively, during the three and six months ended April 30, 2022, based on the fair value of the warrant on the date of grant recognized
on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The warrant terminated in May 2022 upon termination of the consulting agreement.
As
of April 30, 2023, we also had warrants outstanding to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock at $ 6.56 per share, issued during fiscal
year 2021 and expiring on March 22, 2026 .
12
Information
regarding the Company’s warrants for the six months ended April 30, 2023 is as follows:
SCHEDULE OF WARRANTS
ACTIVITY
Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Warrants outstanding at October 31, 2022
300,000
$ 6.56
Warrants outstanding and exercisable at April 30, 2023
300,000
$ 6.56
$ 0
The
following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable warrants as of April 30, 2023:
SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING
AND EXERCISABLE
Range
of Exercise Prices
Number
Outstanding and Exercisable
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
$ 6.56
300,000
2.9
$ 6.56
4.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
US
GAAP defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value. We have categorized our financial assets and liabilities,
based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy as set forth below. If the inputs
used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level
input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.
Financial
assets and liabilities recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the
valuation techniques as follows:
Level
1 – Financial instruments whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market
which we have the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level
2 – Financial instruments whose values are based on quoted market prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose
values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets.
Level
3 – Financial instruments whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable
and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions
a market participant would use in pricing the instruments.
The
following table presents the hierarchy for our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2023 (in
thousands):
SCHEDULE
OF FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Money market funds:
Cash equivalents
$ 2,499
$ -
$ -
$ 2,499
Certificates of deposit:
Short-term investments
-
9,236
-
9,236
U. S. treasury bills
Cash equivalents
-
2,974
-
2,974
Short-term investments
-
12,120
-
12,120
Total financial assets
$ 2,499
$ 24,330
$ -
$ 26,829
13
The
following table presents the hierarchy for our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 2022 (in
thousands):
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Money market funds:
Cash equivalents
$ 11,175
$ -
$ -
$ 11,175
Certificates of deposit:
Cash equivalents
-
1,000
-
1,000
Short term investments
-
13,700
-
13,700
U. S. treasury bills
-
Short-term investments
-
3,627
-
3,627
Total financial assets
$ 11,175
$ 18,327
$ -
$ 29,502
Our
non-financial assets that are measured on a non-recurring basis are property and equipment and other assets which are measured using
fair value techniques whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate a condition of impairment exists. The estimated fair value
of prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates their individual carrying amounts due
to the short-term nature of these measurements. Cash equivalents are stated at carrying value which approximates fair value.
5.
ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued
expenses consist of the following as of:
SCHEDULE
OF ACCRUED EXPENSES
April 30,
October 31,
2023
2022
(in thousands)
Payroll and related expenses
$ 663
$ 1,144
Accrued royalty and contingent legal fees
626
577
Accrued other
4
5
Accrued
expenses
$ 1,293
$ 1,726
6.
NET LOSS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
Basic
net loss per common share (“Basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding. Diluted net loss per common share (“Diluted EPS”) is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number
of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents and convertible securities then outstanding. Diluted EPS for all periods presented
is the same as Basic EPS, as the inclusion of the effect of common share equivalents then outstanding would be anti-dilutive. For this
reason, excluded from the calculation of Diluted EPS for the six months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022, were stock options to purchase
11,643,682 and 12,100,626 shares, respectively, and warrants to purchase 300,000 and 360,000 shares, respectively.
7.
EFFECT OF RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
January 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-01 (“ASU 2020-01”) Investments-Equity Securities (Topic 321),
Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in ASU 2020-01 clarify
certain interactions between the guidance to account for certain equity securities under Topic 321, the guidance to account for investments
under the equity method of accounting in Topic 323, and the guidance in Topic 815, which could change how an entity accounts for an equity
security under the measurement alternative or a forward contract or purchased option to purchase securities that, upon settlement of
the forward contract or exercise of the purchased option, would be accounted for under the equity method of accounting or the fair value
option in accordance with Topic 825, Financial Instruments. These amendments improve current GAAP by reducing diversity in practice and
increasing comparability of the accounting for these interactions. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact
on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
14
In
August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-06 (“ASU 2020-06”), Accounting for Convertible Instruments
and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. The amendments in ASU 2020-06 include guidance on convertible instruments and the derivative
scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity and simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments which include
beneficial conversion features or cash conversion features by removing certain separation models in Subtopic 470-20. Additionally, ASU
2020-06 will require entities to use the “if-converted” method when calculating diluted earnings per share for convertible
instruments. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods
within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and
related disclosures.
In
May 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2021-04 (“ASU 2021-04”), Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications
or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options. The guidance in ASU 2021-04 requires the issuer to treat a modification
of an equity-classified written call option (the “option”) that does not cause the option to become liability-classified
as an exchange of the original option for a new option. This guidance applies whether the modification is structured as an amendment
to the terms and conditions of the option or as termination of the original option and issuance of a new option. The amendments in this
update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption
of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In
October 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets
and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, to require that an acquirer recognize and measure contract assets and contract
liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. At the acquisition
date, an acquirer should account for the related revenue contracts in accordance with Topic 606 as if it had originated the contracts.
The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including
interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated
financial statements and related disclosures.
8.
INCOME TAXES
We
recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects of events that have been recognized in our financial
statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the
financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are
expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be
realized. We have provided a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset due to our historical pre-tax losses and the uncertainty
regarding the realizability of these deferred tax assets.
We
have substantial net operating loss carryforwards for Federal and California income tax returns. These net operating loss carryforwards
could be subject to limitations under Internal Revenue Code section 382, the effects of which have not been determined by the Company.
We have no unrecognized income tax benefits as of April 30, 2023 and October 31, 2022 and we account for interest and penalties related
to income tax matters, if any, in general and administrative expenses.
15
9.
LEASES
We
lease approximately 2,000 square feet of office space at 3150 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, California (our principal executive offices)
from an unrelated party pursuant to an operating lease that was to expire on September 30, 2021 . Effective August 17, 2021, the lease
was amended to extend the expiration date to September 30, 2024, with an option to extend the lease an additional two years . Our base
rent is approximately $ 5,000 per month and the lease provides for annual increases of approximately 3 % and an escalation clause for increases
in certain operating costs. The amendment to the lease resulted in a right-of-use asset and lease liability of approximately $ 260,000
with a discount rate of 10 % . Rent expense was approximately $ 17,000 and $ 17,000 , respectively, for the three months ended April 30, 2023
and 2022, and approximately $ 33,000 and $ 33,000 , respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022.
For
operating leases, the lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments. The remaining 41 -month
lease term as of April 30, 2023 for the Company’s lease includes the noncancelable period of the lease and the additional two-year
option period that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. All right-of-use assets are reviewed for impairment when indications
of impairment are present.
As
of April 30, 2023, the annual minimum future lease payments of our operating lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
SCHEDULE
OF MINIMUM LEASE PAYMENTS
For Periods Ended October 31,
Operating
Leases
2023
33
2024
67
2025
70
2026
65
Total future minimum lease payments, undiscounted
235
Less: Imputed interest
37
Present value of future minimum lease payments
$ 198
10.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCES
Litigation
Matters
Other
than lawsuits related to the enforcement of our patent rights, we are not a party to any material pending legal proceedings, nor are
we aware of any pending litigation or legal proceeding against us that would have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations
or financial condition.
16
11.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
We
follow the accounting guidance of ASC 280 “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 280”). Reportable operating segments are
determined based on the management approach. The management approach, as defined by ASC 280, is based on the way that the chief operating
decision-maker organizes the segments within an enterprise for making operating decisions and assessing performance. While our results
of operations are primarily reviewed on a consolidated basis, the chief operating decision-maker manages the enterprise in four reportable
segments, each with different operating and potential revenue generating characteristics: (i) CAR-T Therapeutics, (ii) Cancer Vaccines,
(iii) Anti-Viral Therapeutics and (iv) Other. The following represents selected financial information for our segments for the three
and six months ended April 30, 2023 and 2022 and as of April 30, 2023 and October 31, 2022, in thousands:
SCHEDULE
OF SEGMENT INFORMATION
2023
2022
2023
2022
For the Three Months Ended
April 30,
For the Six Months Ended
April 30,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Net income/(loss):
CAR-T Therapeutics
$ ( 997 )
$ ( 1,399 )
$ ( 1,908 )
$ ( 3,010 )
Cancer Vaccines
( 913 )
( 1,423 )
( 1,871 )
( 2,780 )
Anti-Viral Therapeutics
( 416 )
( 757 )
( 898 )
( 1,661 )
Other
19
( 9 )
16
( 16 )
Total
$ ( 2,307 )
$ ( 3,588 )
$ ( 4,661 )
$ ( 7,467 )
Total operating costs and expenses
$ 2,770
$ 3,589
$ 5,326
$ 7,469
Less non-cash stock-based compensation
( 1,227 )
( 1,745 )
( 2,290 )
( 4,099 )
Operating costs and expenses excluding non-cash stock-based compensation
$ 1,543
$ 1,844
$ 3,036
$ 3,370
Operating costs and expenses excluding non-cash stock-based compensation:
CAR-T Therapeutics
$ 620
$ 733
$ 1,218
$ 1,402
Cancer Vaccines
523
716
1,111
1,196
Anti-Viral Therapeutics
212
388
517
760
Other
188
7
190
12
Total
$ 1,543
$ 1,844
$ 3,036
$ 3,370
April 30,
2023
October 31,
2022
Total assets:
CAR-T Therapeutics
$ 11,682
$ 16,921
Cancer Vaccines
10,638
9,442
Anti-Viral Therapeutics
4,953
3,811
Other
326
238
Total
$ 27,599
$ 30,412
Operating
costs and expenses excluding non-cash stock-based compensation is the measurement the chief operating decision-maker uses in managing
the enterprise.
The
Company’s consolidated revenue of $ 210,000 and inventor royalties, contingent legal fees, litigation and licensing expense of $ 161,000
for the three and six months ended April 30, 2023 were solely related to our encrypted audio/video conference calling technology, which
is included in our Other segment. All our revenue is generated domestically (United States) based on the country in which the licensee
is located.
17
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.