Anixa Biosciences Inc 10-Q

Item 1. Financial Statements. ANIXA BIOSCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (in thousands, except share and per share data) July 31, 2023 October 31, 2022 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,198 $ 12,360 Short-term investments 22,336 17,327 Receivables 334 47 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 532 466 Total current assets 26,400 30,200 Operating lease right-of-use asset 178 212 Total assets $ 26,578 $ 30,412 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 94 $ 265 Accrued expenses 1,712 1,726 Operating lease liability 51 46 Total current liabilities 1,857 2,037 Operating lease liability, non-current 136 175 Total liabilities 1,993 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; 31,017,770 and 30,913,902 shares issued and outstanding as of July 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively 310 309 Additional paid-in capital 250,716 247,123 Accumulated deficit ( 225,506 ) ( 218,385 ) Total shareholders’ equity 25,520 29,047 Noncontrolling interest (Note 2) ( 935 ) ( 847 ) Total equity 24,585 28,200 Total liabilities and equity $ 26,578 $ 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 nine months ended July 31, July 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenue $ - $ - $ 210 $ - Operating costs and expenses: Inventor royalties, contingent legal fees, litigation and licensing expenses - - 161 - Research and development expenses (including non-cash share-based compensation expenses of $ 520 , $ 771 , $ 1,517 and $ 3,014 , respectively) 1,088 1,445 3,154 5,018 General and administrative expenses (including non-cash share-based compensation expenses of $ 697 , $ 675 , $ 1,990 and $ 2,531 , respectively) 1,756 1,352 4,855 5,248 Total operating costs and expenses 2,844 2,797 8,170 10,266 Loss from operations ( 2,844 ) ( 2,797 ) ( 7,960 ) ( 10,266 ) Interest income 296 22 751 24 Net loss ( 2,548 ) ( 2,775 ) ( 7,209 ) ( 10,242 ) Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest ( 37 ) ( 29 ) ( 88 ) ( 123 ) Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ ( 2,511 ) $ ( 2,746 ) $ ( 7,121 ) $ ( 10,119 ) Net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and diluted $ ( 0.08 ) $ ( 0.09 ) $ ( 0.23 ) $ ( 0.33 ) Basic $ ( 0.08 ) $ ( 0.09 ) $ ( 0.23 ) $ ( 0.33 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic and diluted 30,974 30,451 30,941 30,244 Basic 30,974 30,451 30,941 30,244 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 JULY 31, 2023 Additional Total Non- Common Stock Paid-in Accumulated Shareholders’ controlling Total Shares Par Value Capital Deficit Equity Interest Equity Balance, April 30, 2023 30,958,665 $ 310 $ 249,496 $ ( 222,995 ) $ 26,811 $ ( 898 ) $ 25,913 Stock option compensation to employees and directors - - 1,153 - 1,153 - 1,153 Stock options issued to consultants - - 47 - 47 - 47 Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options 55,029 - 3 - 3 - 3 Common stock issued to consultants 4,076 - 17 - 17 - 17 Net loss - - - ( 2,511 ) ( 2,511 ) ( 37 ) ( 2,548 ) Balance, July 31, 2023 31,017,770 $ 310 $ 250,716 $ ( 225,506 ) $ 25,520 $ ( 935 ) $ 24,585 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2022 Additional Total Non- Common Stock Paid-in Accumulated Shareholders’ controlling Total Shares Par Value Capital Deficit Equity Interest Equity Balance, April 30, 2022 30,154,708 $ 302 $ 244,032 $ ( 212,163 ) $ 32,171 $ ( 765 ) $ 31,406 Stock option compensation to employees and directors - - 1,329 - 1,329 - 1,329 Stock options issued to consultants - - 109 - 109 - 109 Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options 496,048 5 825 - 830 - 830 Common stock issued to consultants 2,662 - 8 - 8 - 8 Net loss - - - ( 2,746 ) ( 2,746 ) ( 29 ) ( 2,775 ) Balance, July 31, 2022 30,653,418 $ 307 $ 246,303 $ ( 214,909 ) $ 31,701 $ ( 794 ) $ 30,907 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 NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2023 Additional Total Non- Common Stock Paid-in Accumulated Shareholders’ 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 - - 3,265 - 3,265 - 3,265 Stock options and warrants issued to consultants - - 175 - 175 - 175 Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options 84,411 1 80 - 81 - 81 Common stock issued to consultants 17,554 - 67 - 67 - 67 Common stock issued pursuant to employee stock purchase plan 1,903 - 6 - 6 - 6 Net loss - - - ( 7,121 ) ( 7,121 ) ( 88 ) ( 7,209 ) Balance, July 31, 2023 31,017,770 $ 310 $ 250,716 $ ( 225,506 ) $ 25,520 $ ( 935 ) $ 24,585 FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2022 Additional Total Non- Common Stock Paid-in Accumulated Shareholders’ 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 30,050,894 $ 301 $ 239,927 $ ( 204,790 ) $ 35,438 $ ( 671 ) $ 34,767 Stock option compensation to employees and directors - - 4,928 - 4,928 - 4,928 Stock options and warrants issued to consultants - - 546 - 546 - 546 Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options and warrants 577,473 6 824 - 830 - 830 Common stock issued to consultants 22,662 - 72 - 72 - 72 Common stock issued pursuant to employee stock purchase plan 2,389 - 6 - 6 - 6 Net loss - - - ( 10,119 ) ( 10,119 ) ( 123 ) ( 10,242 ) Balance, July 31, 2022 30,653,418 $ 307 $ 246,303 $ ( 214,909 ) $ 31,701 $ ( 794 ) $ 30,907 Balance 30,653,418 $ 307 $ 246,303 $ ( 214,909 ) $ 31,701 $ ( 794 ) $ 30,907 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 nine months ended July 31, 2023 2022 Cash flows from operating activities: Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Net loss $ ( 7,209 ) $ ( 10,242 ) Stock option compensation to employees and directors 3,265 4,928 Stock options and warrants issued to consultants 175 546 Common stock issued to consultants 67 72 Amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset 34 31 Change in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables ( 288 ) - Prepaid expenses and other current assets ( 65 ) ( 400 ) Accounts payable ( 171 ) 91 Accrued expenses ( 14 ) 103 Operating lease liability ( 34 ) ( 28 ) Net cash used in operating activities ( 4,240 ) ( 4,899 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Disbursements to acquire short-term investments ( 27,502 ) ( 11,159 ) Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments 22,493 10,348 Net cash used in investing activities ( 5,009 ) ( 811 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from sale of common stock pursuant to employee stock purchase plan 6 6 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 81 830 Net cash provided by financing activities 87 836 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents ( 9,162 ) ( 4,874 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 12,360 29,128 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 3,198 $ 24,254 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. The first segment of the study, Phase 1a, 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. Studies show that 42% of TNBC patients will have a recurrence of their cancer, with most of the recurrences occurring in the first two to three years after standard of care treatment. During the course of the Phase 1a study, participants will receive three vaccinations, each two weeks apart, and will be closely monitored for side effects and immune response. 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. In January 2023, the number of participants in each dose cohort was expanded, and as of August 2023, we have completed vaccinating all patients in these expanded cohorts. The patient blood samples are currently being analyzed, and we anticipate presenting data from all Phase 1a trial participants vaccinated to date at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2023. In the coming months, we will begin vaccinating participants in two additional dose cohorts at dose levels higher than the currently determined maximum tolerated dose and lower than the highest dose where we saw dose limiting toxicity. Further, we have commenced recruitment for participants in the second segment of the trial, Phase 1b, 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. Finally, we have also commenced recruitment for participants in the third segment of the trial, Phase 1c, that will include participants who are currently undergoing treatment with pembrolizumab (Keytruda®). 6 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. 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 (“NIH”). 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 are being 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 NCI 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, and the treatment was well-tolerated by the patient. Further, in May 2023 and August 2023, we treated the second and third patients in the trial, respectively, at the same dose level as the first patient, and the treatment appears to have been well-tolerated by both patients. We anticipate that we will begin enrolling the successive patient cohort, that we expect to give a three-times higher dose of cells, in the fourth quarter of 2023. This study is a dose-escalation trial with two arms based on delivery 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 enrollment, and how long we maintain the two different delivery methods. 7 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. 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 nine months ended July 31, 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 September 6, 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 July 31, 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 nine months ended July 31, 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. 8 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 July 31, 2023, and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods represented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year. 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 nine months ended July 31, 2023 (in thousands): SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN NONCONTROLLING INTEREST Balance, October 31, 2022 $ ( 847 ) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest ( 88 ) Balance, July 31, 2023 $ ( 935 ) 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. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION The Company maintains 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 share-based compensation expense related to service-based stock options granted to employees and directors of approximately $ 1,153,000 and $ 941,000 during the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and approximately $ 3,265,000 and $ 2,546,000 during the nine months ended July 31, 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 July 31, 2023 and 2022 of approximately $ 0 and $ 388,000 , respectively, and approximately $ 0 and $ 2,381,000 during the nine months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. 10 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 July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and approximately $ 175,000 and $ 326,000 during the nine months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For stock options granted to consultants that vest based on market conditions, such as changes in trading activity in the Company’s common stock, we use the Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate the fair value at the time which we believe the market conditions are reasonably likely to be met. On January 30, 2023, we granted market condition stock options to a consultant for 200,000 shares of common stock, that vests in full upon the achievement of certain Company stock trading activity metrics that must be met within twelve months. We did not record any market condition stock-based compensation expense on the date of grant nor in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2023, as we do not believe it is likely that the market conditions will be met. Stock Option Plans During the three months ended July 31, 2023, we had securities outstanding that were granted from 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 July 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not grant any options to purchase shares of common stock, and during the nine months ended July 31, 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 July 31, 2023 and 2022, stock options to purchase 10,446 and 321,388 shares of common stock, respectively, were exercised on a cash basis, with aggregate proceeds of approximately $ 3,000 and $ 830,000 , respectively. During the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, stock options to purchase 160,000 shares of common stock, of which 115,417 shares were withheld, and 680,000 shares of common stock, of which 505,340 shares were withheld, were exercised on a cashless basis, respectively. During the nine months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, stock options to purchase 39,525 and 321,388 shares of common stock, respectively, were exercised on a cash basis, with aggregate proceeds of approximately $ 81,000 and $ 830,000 , respectively. During the nine months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, stock options to purchase 161,111 shares of common stock, of which 116,225 shares were withheld, and 780,000 shares of common stock, of which 558,431 shares were withheld, were exercised on a cashless basis, respectively. 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 nine months ended July 31, 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 ( 194,264 ) $ 2.46 Options outstanding and exercisable at July 31, 2023 1,307,236 $ 2.89 $ 1,252 11 The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable under the 2010 Share Plan as of July 31, 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 - $ 2.27 462,500 3.1 $ 1.48 $ 2.58 - $ 3.13 335,736 2.3 $ 2.89 $ 3.46 - $ 5.30 509,000 4.8 $ 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 July 31, 2023, the 2018 Share Plan had 825,000 shares available for future grants. Information regarding the 2018 Share Plan for the nine months ended July 31, 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 8,817,372 $ 3.57 Granted 1,505,000 $ 4.29 Exercised ( 6,372 ) $ 2.89 Expirations ( 150,000 ) $ 5.30 Options outstanding at July 31, 2023 10,166,000 $ 3.68 $ 2,308 Options exercisable at July 31, 2023 6,366,137 $ 3.51 $ 1,699 The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable under the 2018 Share Plan as of July 31, 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 5,341,000 6.7 $ 3.24 4,618,778 6.4 $ 3.31 $ 3.96 - $ 5.30 4,825,000 7.9 $ 4.16 1,747,359 7.1 $ 4.03 12 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 nine months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, employees purchased 1,903 and 2,389 shares, respectively, with aggregate proceeds of approximately $ 6,000 and $ 6,000 , 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 $ 0 and $ 220,000 , respectively, during the three and nine months ended July 31, 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 July 31, 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 . Information regarding the Company’s warrants for the nine months ended July 31, 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 July 31, 2023 300,000 $ 6.56 $ 0 The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable warrants as of July 31, 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 2.6 $ 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. 13 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 July 31, 2023 (in thousands): SCHEDULE OF FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Money market funds: Cash equivalents $ 1,070 $ - $ - $ 1,070 Certificates of deposit: Cash equivalents - 1,981 - 1,981 Short-term investments - 6,850 - 6,850 U.S. treasury bills: Short-term investments - 15,486 - 15,486 Total financial assets $ 1,070 $ 24,317 $ - $ 25,387 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 at fair value 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. The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value. 14 5. ACCRUED EXPENSES Accrued expenses consist of the following as of: SCHEDULE OF ACCRUED EXPENSES July 31, 2023 October 31, 2022 (in thousands) Payroll and related expenses $ 977 $ 492 Accrued royalty and contingent legal fees 626 577 Accrued collaborative research expenses 99 - Accrued other 10 26 Accrued expenses $ 1,712 $ 1,095 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 nine months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, were stock options to purchase 11,473,236 and 11,094,104 shares, respectively, and warrants to purchase 300,000 and 300,000 shares, respectively. 7. EFFECT OF RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS 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. 15 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 July 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022 and we account for interest and penalties related to income tax matters, if any, in general and administrative expenses. 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 July 31, 2023 and 2022, and approximately $ 50,000 and $ 50,000 , respectively, for the nine months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022. For operating leases, the lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments. The remaining 38 -month lease term as of July 31, 2023 for the Company’s lease includes the noncancelable period of the lease and the additional two-year option period that the Company expects to exercise. All right-of-use assets are reviewed for impairment when indications of impairment are present. As of July 31, 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 $ 17 2024 67 2025 70 2026 65 Total future minimum lease payments, undiscounted 219 Less: Imputed interest 32 Present value of future minimum lease payments $ 187 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 nine months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022 and as of July 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, in thousands: SCHEDULE OF SEGMENT INFORMATION 2023 2022 2023 2022 For the Three Months Ended July 31, For the Nine Months Ended July 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net Loss: CAR-T Therapeutics $ ( 1,091 ) $ ( 965 ) $ ( 2,999 ) $ ( 3,975 ) Cancer Vaccines ( 1,390 ) ( 903 ) ( 3,261 ) ( 3,684 ) Anti-Viral Therapeutics ( 62 ) ( 904 ) ( 960 ) ( 2,565 ) Other ( 5 ) ( 3 ) 11 ( 18 ) Total $ ( 2,548 ) $ ( 2,775 ) $ ( 7,209 ) $ ( 10,242 ) Total operating costs and expenses $ 2,844 $ 2,797 $ 8,170 $ 10,266 Less non-cash share-based compensation ( 1,217 ) ( 1,446 ) ( 3,507 ) ( 5,546 ) Operating costs and expenses excluding non-cash share-based compensation $ 1,627 $ 1,351 $ 4,663 $ 4,720 Operating costs and expenses excluding non-cash share-based compensation: CAR-T Therapeutics $ 713 $ 421 $ 1,930 $ 1,823 Cancer Vaccines 855 376 1,966 1,571 Anti-Viral Therapeutics 55 552 572 1,312 Other 4 2 195 14 Total $ 1,627 $ 1,351 $ 4,663 $ 4,720 July 31, 2023 October 31, 2022 Total assets: CAR-T Therapeutics $ 11,640 $ 16,921 Cancer Vaccines 13,968 9,442 Anti-Viral Therapeutics 898 3,811 Other 72 238 Total $ 26,578 $ 30,412 Operating costs and expenses excluding non-cash share-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 nine months ended July 31, 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