UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the quarterly period ended April 30, 2024
or
☐ TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the transition period from ______ to ______
Commission
file number 001-37492
ANIXA
BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
11-2622630
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification No.)
3150
Almaden Expressway , Suite 250
San Jose , CA
95118
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(Zip
Code)
(408)
708-9808
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading
symbol
Name
of exchange on which registered
Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share
ANIX
NASDAQ
Capital Market
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files).
Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company,
or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller
reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated
filer ☐
Non-accelerated
filer ☒
Smaller
reporting company ☒
Emerging
growth company ☐
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
☐
No
☒
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
On
June 4, 2024 the registrant had outstanding 32,006,460 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, which is the registrant’s
only class of common stock.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1
Item 1. Financial Statements.
1
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of April 30, 2024 and October 31, 2023
1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three and six months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023
2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) for the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) for the six months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023
4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the six months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023
5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
16
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
21
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
21
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
22
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
22
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
22
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
22
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
22
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
22
Item 5. Other Information.
22
Item 6. Exhibits.
22
SIGNATURES
23
ii
PART
I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1. Financial Statements.
ANIXA
BIOSCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(in
thousands, except share and per share data)
April 30, 2024
October 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 995
$ 915
Short-term investments
22,244
22,929
Receivables
218
270
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
757
1,242
Total current assets
24,214
25,356
Operating lease right-of-use asset
141
166
Total assets
$ 24,355
$ 25,522
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 215
$ 206
Accrued expenses
1,410
1,770
Operating lease liability
56
52
Total current liabilities
1,681
2,028
Operating lease liability, non-current
93
123
Total liabilities
1,774
2,151
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; 32,006,460 and 31,145,219 shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2024 and October 31, 2023, respectively
320
311
Additional paid-in capital
257,893
252,222
Accumulated deficit
( 234,590 )
( 228,196 )
Total shareholders’ equity
23,623
24,337
Noncontrolling interest (Note 2)
( 1,042 )
( 966 )
Total equity
22,581
23,371
Total liabilities and equity
$ 24,355
$ 25,522
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)
For the three months ended
For the six months ended
April 30,
April 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
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 $ 520 , $ 492 , $ 1,009 and $ 998 , respectively)
1,646
998
2,995
2,066
General and administrative expenses (including non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $ 740 , $ 735 , $ 1,511 and $ 1,292 , respectively)
1,821
1,611
4,081
3,099
Total operating costs and expenses
3,467
2,770
7,076
5,326
Loss from operations
( 3,467 )
( 2,560 )
( 7,076 )
( 5,116 )
Interest income
287
253
606
455
Net loss
( 3,180 )
( 2,307 )
( 6,470 )
( 4,661 )
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
( 41 )
( 19 )
( 76 )
( 51 )
Net loss attributable to common shareholders
$ ( 3,139 )
$ ( 2,288 )
$ ( 6,394 )
$ ( 4,610 )
Net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted
$ ( 0.10 )
$ ( 0.07 )
$ ( 0.20 )
$ ( 0.15 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted
31,914
30,930
31,677
30,924
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, 2024
Common Stock
Additional
Total
Non-
Shares
Par
Value
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Shareholders’ Equity
controlling
Interest
Total
Equity
Balance, January 31, 2024
31,754,375
$ 318
$ 255,738
$ ( 231,451 )
$ 24,605
$ ( 1,001 )
$ 23,604
Stock option compensation to employees and directors
-
-
1,238
-
1,238
-
1,238
Stock options issued to consultants
-
-
22
-
22
-
22
Common stock issued in an at-the-market offering, net of offering expenses of $ 26
229,470
2
831
-
833
-
833
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options
19,999
-
57
-
57
-
57
Common stock issued to consultants
Common stock issued to consultants, shares
Common stock issued pursuant to an employee stock purchase plan
2,616
-
7
-
7
-
7
Net loss
-
-
-
( 3,139 )
( 3,139 )
( 41 )
( 3,180 )
Balance, April 30, 2024
32,006,460
$ 320
$ 257,893
$ ( 234,590 )
$ 23,623
$ ( 1,042 )
$ 22,581
FOR
THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023
Common Stock
Additional
Total
Non-
Shares
Par
Value
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Shareholders’
Equity
controlling
Interest
Total
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 an 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
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, 2024
Common Stock
Additional
Total
Non-
Shares
Par
Value
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Shareholders’
Equity
controlling
Interest
Total
Equity
Balance, October 31, 2023
31,145,219
$ 311
$ 252,222
$ ( 228,196 )
$ 24,337
$ ( 966 )
$ 23,371
Stock option compensation to employees and directors
-
-
2,346
-
2,346
-
2,346
Stock options issued to consultants
-
-
78
-
78
-
78
Common stock issued in an at-the-market offering, net of offering expenses of $ 94
785,290
8
3,021
-
3,029
-
3,029
Common stock issued in an at-the-market offering, net of offering expenses
785,290
8
3,021
-
3,029
-
3,029
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options
43,999
-
124
-
124
-
124
Common stock issued to consultants
29,336
1
95
-
96
-
96
Common stock issued pursuant to an employee stock purchase plan
2,616
-
7
-
7
-
7
Net loss
-
-
-
( 6,394 )
( 6,394 )
( 76 )
( 6,470 )
Balance, April 30, 2024
32,006,460
$ 320
$ 257,893
$ ( 234,590 )
$ 23,623
$ ( 1,042 )
$ 22,581
FOR
THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2023
Common Stock
Additional
Total
Non-
Shares
Par Value
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Shareholders’
Equity
controlling
Interest
Total
Equity
Balance, October 31, 2022
30,913,902
$ 309
$ 247,123
$ ( 218,385 )
$ 29,047
$ ( 847 )
$ 28,200
Balance
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 an 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
Balance
30,958,665
$ 310
$ 249,496
$ ( 222,995 )
$ 26,811
$ ( 898 )
$ 25,913
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)
For the six months ended
April 30,
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Net loss
$ ( 6,470 )
$ ( 4,661 )
Stock option compensation to employees and directors
2,346
2,112
Stock options issued to consultants
78
128
Common stock issued to consultants
96
50
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset
25
23
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables
52
( 209 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
485
286
Accounts payable
9
( 69 )
Accrued expenses
( 360 )
( 433 )
Operating lease liability
( 26 )
( 22 )
Net cash used in operating activities
( 3,765 )
( 2,795 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Disbursements to acquire short-term investments
( 34,738 )
( 17,406 )
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
35,423
13,377
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
685
( 4,029 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of common stock in an at-the-market offering, net of offering expenses of $ 94
3,029
-
Proceeds from sale of common stock in an at-the-market offering, net of offering expenses
3,029
-
Proceeds from sale of common stock pursuant to an employee stock purchase plan
7
6
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
124
78
Net cash provided by financing activities
3,160
84
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
80
( 6,740 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
915
12,360
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 995
$ 5,620
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 unless otherwise indicated.
Anixa
Biosciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company developing vaccines and therapies that are focused on critical unmet needs in oncology.
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. We have also recently launched a discovery program utilizing the same mechanism as our breast and ovarian
cancer vaccines, to develop additional cancer vaccines to address many intractable cancers, including high incidence malignancies in
lung, colon and prostate. 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.
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. The license
agreement requires us to make certain cash payments to Cleveland Clinic upon achievement of specific development milestones. Utilizing
this technology, we are working in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic to develop a method to vaccinate women against contracting breast
cancer, focused initially on TNBC. The focus of this vaccine is a specific protein, α-lactalbumin, that is only expressed during
lactation in a healthy woman’s mammary tissue. This protein disappears when the woman 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.
In
October 2021, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) authorization to proceed, 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 to Cleveland Clinic, 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 approximately 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 January 2023, the number of participants in each dose cohort was expanded, and as of August 2023, we had completed
vaccinating all patients in these expanded cohorts. In December 2023, we presented the immunological data collected to date at the
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. 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. We have begun vaccinating participants in up to three
additional dose cohorts at dose levels higher than the currently determined MTD and lower than the highest dose where we observed
dose limiting side effects. Further, in November 2023, we commenced vaccination of participants in the second segment of the trial,
Phase 1b, that includes participants who have never had cancer, but carry certain mutations in genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2,
that indicate a greater risk of developing TNBC in the future, and have elected to have a prophylactic mastectomy. Finally, in
January 2024, we commenced vaccination of participants in the third segment of the trial, Phase 1c, that includes
post-operative TNBC patients that have residual disease following treatment and are currently undergoing treatment with
pembrolizumab (Keytruda®).
6
We
hold an exclusive worldwide, royalty-bearing license to use certain intellectual property owned or controlled by Cleveland Clinic relating
to certain ovarian cancer vaccine technology. The license agreement requires us to make certain cash payments to Cleveland Clinic upon
achievement of specific development milestones. 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.
In
May 2021, Cleveland Clinic was granted acceptance for our ovarian cancer vaccine technology into 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 Investigational
New Drug (“IND”) application 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 payment of any future consideration
by the Company to NCI.
In
May 2024, based on the positive clinical results to date in the development of our breast cancer vaccine, we entered into a Joint Development
and Option Agreement with Cleveland Clinic to collaborate in efforts to develop additional vaccines for the prevention or treatment of
cancers. Working with Cleveland Clinic researchers, we will focus on the same novel scientific mechanism as in our breast and ovarian
cancer vaccines, and work to discover additional retired proteins that may be associated with other forms of cancer, specifically high
incidence malignancies in the lung, colon and prostate.
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, such equity
stake subject to dilution by further funding of Certainty’s activities by the Company. Due to such Company funding, Wistar’s
equity stake in Certainty was 4.5 % as of April 30, 2024.
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. After receiving authorization
from the FDA, we commenced enrollment of patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial and treated the first patient in August 2022. 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 was well-tolerated by the patients. In February 2024 and May 2024, we treated the first two patients, respectively,
in the second dose cohort, where the patients were administered a three-times higher dose of cells than the patients in the first cohort.
The treatment appears to have been well-tolerated by the patients. This study is a dose-escalation trial with two arms based on route
of delivery—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.
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.
7
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. 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 4, 2024, 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. During the six months ended April 30, 2024, we raised approximately $ 3,029,000 , net of expenses, through
an at-the-market equity offering of 785,290 shares of common stock, under which offering we may issue up to $ 100 million of common stock.
Under our at-the-market equity program, which is currently effective and may remain available for us to use in the future, as of April
30, 2024, we may sell an additional approximately $ 97 million of common stock. We may seek to obtain working capital during our fiscal
year 2024 or thereafter through sales of our equity securities or through bank credit facilities 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, 2023. The accompanying October 31, 2023 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, 2024, 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, 2024 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, 2024 (in thousands):
SCHEDULE
OF CHANGES IN NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Balance, October 31, 2023
$ ( 966 )
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
( 76 )
Balance, April 30, 2024
$ ( 1,042 )
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.
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 consist primarily of employee compensation, payments to third parties for research and development activities
and other direct costs associated with developing our therapeutics and vaccines. We recognize research and development expenses as incurred.
Advance payments for future research and development activities are deferred and expensed as the services are performed. We recognize
our preclinical studies and clinical trial expenses based on the services performed pursuant to contracts with research institutions,
clinical research organizations (“CROs”), clinical manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), and other parties that
conduct and manage various stages of research and development activities on our behalf. Fees for such services are recognized based on
management’s estimates after considering the activities and tasks completed by each service provider in a given period, the time
period over which services are expected to be performed, and the level of effort expended in each reporting period.
9
Investment
Policy
The
Company’s investment policy is to acquire U.S. government 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
We
account for stock options granted to employees, directors and others using the accounting guidance in ASC 718, Stock Compensation
(“ASC 718”). We estimate the fair value of service-based stock options on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes pricing
model, and recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant. We recorded stock-based compensation expense
related to service-based stock options granted to employees and directors of approximately $ 1,238,000 and $ 1,155,000 during the three
months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and approximately $ 2,346,000 and $ 2,112,000 during the six months ended April 30,
2024 and 2023, 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 $ 22,000 and $ 47,000 during the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and approximately
$ 78,000 and $ 128,000 during the six months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Stock
Option Plans
During
the three and six months ended April 30, 2024, 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, 2024 and 2023, we granted options to purchase 15,000 shares and 0 shares of common stock, respectively,
and during the six months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, we granted options to purchase 1,350,000 shares and 1,505,000 shares of common
stock, respectively, to employees, directors and consultants, with exercise prices ranging from $ 3.17 to $ 4.39 per share, pursuant to the 2018 Share
Plan. During the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, stock options to purchase 19,999 and 27,818 shares of common stock, respectively,
were exercised on a cash basis, with aggregate proceeds of approximately $ 57,000 and $ 75,000 , respectively. During the six months ended
April 30, 2024, stock options to purchase 43,999 shares of common stock were exercised on a cash basis, with aggregate proceeds of approximately
$ 124,000 . During the six months ended April 30, 2023 stock options to purchase 1,111 shares of common stock, of which 808 shares were
withheld, were exercised on a cashless basis and stock options to purchase 29,079 shares of common stock were exercised on a cash basis,
with aggregate proceeds of approximately $ 78,000
10
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, 2024 is as follows:
SCHEDULE OF OPTION ACTIVITY
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Options outstanding at October 31, 2023
1,189,000
$ 2.94
Granted
1,350,000
$ 4.38
Exercised
( 13,000 )
$ 2.92
Options outstanding and exercisable at April 30, 2024
1,176,000
$ 2.94
$ 643
The
following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable under the 2010 Share Plan as of April 30, 2024:
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
366,000
3.1
$ 1.27
$ 2.58 - $ 3.13
301,000
1.7
$ 2.91
$ 3.46 - $ 5.30
509,000
4.0
$ 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, 2024, the 2018 Share Plan had 938,907 shares
available for future grants. Information regarding the 2018 Share Plan for the six months ended April 30, 2024 is as follows:
SCHEDULE
OF OPTION ACTIVITY
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Options outstanding at October 31, 2023
10,241,000
$ 3.67
Granted
1,350,000
$ 4.38
Exercised
( 30,999 )
$ 2.78
Expirations
( 313,907 )
$ 4.21
Options outstanding at April 30, 2024
11,246,094
$ 3.74
$ 582
Options exercisable at April 30, 2024
7,363,587
$ 3.57
$ 505
The
following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable under the 2018 Share Plan as of April 30, 2024:
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
5,383,879
6.0
$ 3.24
4,953,309
5.8
$ 3.27
$ 3.96 - $ 5.30
5,862,215
7.9
$ 4.20
2,410,278
7.4
$ 4.21
11
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 ESPP 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, 2024 and 2023, employees purchased 2,616 and
1,903 shares, respectively, with aggregate proceeds of approximately $ 7,000 and $ 6,000 , respectively.
Warrants
As
of April 30, 2024, we 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 six months ended April 30, 2024 is as follows:
SCHEDULE
OF WARRANTS ACTIVITY
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
Warrants outstanding at October 31, 2023
300,000
$ 6.56
Warrants outstanding and exercisable at April 30, 2024
300,000
$ 6.56
$ 0
The
following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable warrants as of April 30, 2024:
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
1.9
$ 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 instrument.
12
The
following table presents the hierarchy for our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2024 (in
thousands):
SCHEDULE OF FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Money market funds:
Cash equivalents
$ 853
$ -
$ -
$ 853
U.S. treasury bills
Short-term investments
-
22,244
-
22,244
Total financial assets
$ 853
$ 22,244
$ -
$ 23,097
The
following table presents the hierarchy for our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 2023 (in
thousands):
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Money market funds:
Cash equivalents
$ 778
$ -
$ -
$ 778
Money market funds Cash equivalents
$ 778
$ -
$ -
$ 778
Certificates of deposit:
Short term investments
-
720
-
720
Certificates of deposit Short term investments
-
720
-
720
U.S. treasury bills:
Short-term investments
-
22,209
-
22,209
U.S. treasury bills Short-term investments
-
22,209
-
22,209
Total financial assets
$ 778
$ 22,929
$ -
$ 23,707
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,
2024
2023
(in thousands)
Payroll and related expenses
$ 718
$ 1,114
Accrued royalty and contingent legal fees
626
626
Accrued other
66
30
Accrued expenses
$ 1,410
$ 1,770
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, 2024 and 2023, were stock options to purchase
12,422,094 and 11,643,682 shares, respectively, and warrants to purchase 300,000 and 300,000 shares, respectively.
7.
EFFECT OF RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS
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. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements and related disclosures.
In November 2023, the FASB issued
Accounting Standards Update 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, to provide more disaggregated
expense information about a public entity’s reportable segments. The amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively
and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. We do not
expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-09,
Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, to require disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s
effect tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively,
with an option to apply them retrospectively, and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 for public entities.
We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
13
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, 2024 and October 31, 2023 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, as amended, will expire on 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 lease, as amended, 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, 2024 and 2023, and approximately $ 33,000 and $ 33,000 , respectively, for the six months ended April 30,
2024 and 2023.
For
operating leases, the lease liability is initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments. The remaining
29 -month lease term as of April 30, 2024 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, 2024, the annual minimum future lease payments of our operating lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
SCHEDULE OF MINIMUM LEASE PAYMENTS
For
years Ended October 31,
Operating
Leases
2024
$
34
2025
70
2026
65
Total
future minimum lease payments, undiscounted
169
Less:
Imputed interest
( 20
)
Present
value of future minimum lease payments
$
149
14
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.
Research
& Development Agreements
We
have entered into certain research and development agreements with various third-party vendors related to the manufacturing and stability
testing of the materials necessary for the development of our breast cancer vaccine and our CAR-T therapeutic. As of April 30, 2024,
future payments the Company may make under these agreements, dependent upon, among other things, development of analytical methods, formulation
feasibility studies, stability testing, and results of manufacturing processes, may be approximately $ 3.7 million and such payments may
be made over up to a five -year period.
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 three reportable
segments, each with different operating and potential revenue generating characteristics: (i) CAR-T Therapeutics, (ii) Cancer Vaccines
and (iii) Other. The following represents selected financial information for our segments for the three and six months ended April 30,
2024 and 2023 and as of April 30, 2024 and October 31, 2023, in thousands:
SCHEDULE OF SEGMENT INFORMATION
2024
2023
2024
2023
For the Three Months Ended
April 30,
For the Six Months Ended
April 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net income/(loss):
CAR-T Therapeutics
$ ( 1,444 )
$ ( 997 )
$ ( 2,970 )
$ ( 1,908 )
Cancer Vaccines
( 1,713 )
( 913 )
( 3,469 )
( 1,871 )
Other
( 23 )
( 397 )
( 31 )
( 882 )
Total
$ ( 3,180 )
$ ( 2,307 )
$ ( 6,470 )
$ ( 4,661 )
Net loss
$ ( 3,180 )
$ ( 2,307 )
$ ( 6,470 )
$ ( 4,661 )
Total operating costs and expenses
$ 3,467
$ 2,770
$ 7,076
$ 5,326
Less non-cash stock-based compensation
( 1,260 )
( 1,227 )
( 2,520 )
( 2,290 )
Operating costs and expenses excluding non-cash stock-based compensation
$ 2,207
$ 1,543
$ 4,556
$ 3,036
Operating costs and expenses excluding non-cash stock-based compensation:
CAR-T Therapeutics
$ 1,026
$ 620
$ 2,154
$ 1,218
Cancer Vaccines
1,160
523
2,373
1,111
Other
21
400
29
707
Total
$ 2,207
$ 1,543
$ 4,556
$ 3,036
Operating costs and expenses excluding non-cash share based compensation
$ 2,207
$ 1,543
$ 4,556
$ 3,036
April 30,
2024
October 31,
2023
Total assets:
CAR-T Therapeutics
$ 11,314
$ 7,523
Cancer Vaccines
12,778
17,215
Other
263
784
Total
$ 24,355
$ 25,522
Total assets
$ 24,355
$ 25,522
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.
12.
SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On
May 3, 2024, we entered into a Joint Development and Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Cleveland Clinic. Pursuant to
the Agreement, the parties agreed on the terms and conditions under which the parties will collaborate in efforts to develop vaccines
for the prevention or treatment of cancers using the same mechanism as our breast and ovarian cancer vaccines, focusing on high incidence
malignancies in lung, colon and prostate. As consideration, the Company paid Cleveland Clinic a non-refundable, option fee in May 2024.
The Company will also provide development funding in three tranches, the first payment was paid in May 2024, the second payment will
be paid on or before January 31, 2025 and the third payment will be paid on or before January 31, 2026. None of these payments are expected to have a material effect on the Company’s
results of operations or financial condition.
15
Item
2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Information
included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”). Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning
future events and results. We generally use the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,”
“anticipates,” “likely,” “will” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements, including those concerning our expectations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which
are beyond our control, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties
and factors include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October
31, 2023 and the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Report. Except as required by applicable law, including
the securities laws of the United States, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when
evaluating the information presented in this Report.
GENERAL
We
discuss the description of our business in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Three
months ended April 30, 2024 compared with three months ended April 30, 2023
Revenue
We
had no revenue during the three months ended April 30, 2024. For the three months ended April 30, 2023, we recorded revenue of approximately
$210,000 from one license agreement. The license agreement provided for a one-time, non-recurring, lump sum payment in exchange for a
non-exclusive retroactive and future license, and covenant not to sue. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, 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. Accordingly, the performance obligations from this license agreement were satisfied and 100% of the revenue was
recognized upon execution of the license agreement.
As
discussed in Note 1 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, as part of our legacy operations, the Company remains engaged
in limited patent licensing activities which we do not expect to be a significant part of our ongoing operations or revenue, nor do we
expect these activities to require material financial resources or attention of senior management.
16
We
have not generated any revenue to date from our therapeutics or vaccine programs. In addition, while we pursue our therapeutics and vaccine
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 therapy or vaccine programs in the near term. We intend 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 therapeutics or vaccines. 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.
Inventor
Royalties, Contingent Legal Fees, Litigation and Licensing Expenses
We
had no inventor royalties, contingent legal fees, litigation and licensing expenses during the three months ended April 30, 2024. Inventor
royalties, contingent legal fees, litigation and licensing expenses for the three months ended April 30, 2023 were approximately $161,000.
Inventor royalties and contingent legal fees are expensed in the period that the related revenues are recognized. Litigation and licensing
expenses related to patent assertion, other than contingent legal fees, are expensed in the period incurred.
Research
and Development Expenses
Research
and development expenses are related to the development of our cancer therapeutics and vaccine programs and the expenses incurred in
the three months ended April 30, 2024 consisted of approximately $798,000 and $848,000 for CAR-T therapeutics and cancer vaccines, respectively.
Research
and development expenses increased by approximately $648,000 to approximately $1,646,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2024, from
approximately $998,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2023. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due
to an increase in outside research and development expenses related to our CAR-T therapeutics program of approximately $266,000, an increase
in outside research and development expenses related to our breast cancer vaccine program of approximately $229,000, an increase in employee
compensation and related costs, other than stock option compensation expense, of approximately $111,000, and an increase in employee
stock option compensation of approximately $62,000.
General
and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses increased by approximately $210,000 to approximately $1,821,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2024,
from approximately $1,611,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2023. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily
due to an increase in investor and public relations expense of approximately $214,000, an increase in consulting fees of approximately
$89,000, and an increase in director stock option compensation expense of approximately $48,000, offset by a decrease in employee compensation and related costs, other than stock option compensation
expense,
of approximately $111,000.
Interest
Income
Interest
income increased by approximately $34,000 to approximately $287,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2024, from approximately $253,000
in the three months ended April 30, 2023, due to an increase in interest rates and the increased average dollar amount held in short-term
investments.
Net
Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
The
net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, representing Wistar’s ownership interest in Certainty’s net loss, increased
by approximately $22,000 to approximately $41,000 in the three months ended April 30, 2024, from approximately $19,000 in the three months
ended April 30, 2023, as Certainty’s net loss increased.
17
Six
months ended April 30, 2024 compared with six months ended April 30, 2023
Revenue
We
had no revenue during the six months ended April 30, 2024. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, we recorded revenue of approximately
$210,000 from one license agreement. The license agreement provided for a one-time, non-recurring, lump sum payment in exchange for a
non-exclusive retroactive and future license, and covenant not to sue. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, 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. Accordingly, the performance obligations from this license agreement were satisfied and 100% of the revenue was
recognized upon execution of the license agreement.
As
discussed in Note 1 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, as part of our legacy operations, the Company remains engaged
in limited patent licensing activities which we do not expect to be a significant part of our ongoing operations or revenue, nor do we
expect these activities to require material financial resources or attention of senior management.
We
have not generated any revenue to date from our therapeutics or vaccine programs. In addition, while we pursue our therapeutics and vaccine
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 therapy or vaccine programs in the near term. We intend 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 therapeutics or vaccines. 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.
Inventor
Royalties, Contingent Legal Fees, Litigation and Licensing Expenses
We
had no inventor royalties, contingent legal fees, litigation and licensing expenses during the six months ended April 30, 2024. Inventor
royalties, contingent legal fees, litigation and licensing expenses for the six months ended April 30, 2023 were approximately $161,000.
Inventor royalties and contingent legal fees are expensed in the period that the related revenues are recognized. Litigation and licensing
expenses related to patent assertion, other than contingent legal fees, are expensed in the period incurred.
Research
and Development Expenses
Research
and development expenses are related to the development of our cancer therapeutics and vaccine programs and the expenses incurred in
the six months ended April 30, 2024 consisted of approximately $1,427,000 and $1,568,000 for CAR-T therapeutics and cancer vaccines,
respectively.
Research
and development expenses increased by approximately $929,000 to approximately $2,995,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2024, from
approximately $2,066,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2023. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due
to an increase in outside research and development expenses related to our CAR-T therapeutics program of approximately $407,000, an increase
in outside research and development expenses related to our breast cancer vaccine program of approximately $394,000, an increase in employee
compensation and related costs, other than stock option compensation expense, of approximately $195,000, and an increase in employee
stock option compensation of approximately $80,000, offset by a decrease in outside research and development expenses related to our
ovarian cancer vaccine program of approximately $96,000 and a decrease in consultant stock option expense of approximately $68,000.
General
and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses increased by approximately $982,000 to approximately $4,081,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2024, from
approximately $3,099,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2023. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due
to an increase in investor and public relations expense of approximately $579,000, an increase in director stock option compensation
expense of approximately $86,000, an increase in consulting fees of approximately $84,000, an increase in employee stock option compensation
expense of approximately $68,000, an increase in legal fees of approximately $68,000, and an increase in director fees of approximately
$67,000.
18
Interest
Income
Interest
income increased by approximately $151,000 to approximately $606,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2024, from approximately $455,000
in the six months ended April 30, 2023, due to an increase in interest rates and the increased average dollar amount held in short-term
investments.
Net
Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
The
net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, representing Wistar’s ownership interest in Certainty’s net loss, increased
by approximately $25,000 to approximately $76,000 in the six months ended April 30, 2024, from approximately $51,000 in the six months
ended April 30, 2023, as Certainty’s net loss increased.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our
primary sources of liquidity are cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Based
on currently available information as of June 4, 2024, 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. During the six months ended April 30, 2024, we raised approximately $3,029,000, net of expenses, through
an at-the-market equity offering of 785,290 shares of common stock, under which offering we may issue up to $100 million of common stock.
Under our at-the-market equity program, which is currently effective and may remain available for us to use in the future, as of April
30, 2024, we may sell an additional approximately $97 million of common stock. We may seek to obtain working capital during our fiscal
year 2024 or thereafter through sales of our equity securities or through bank credit facilities 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.
During
the six months ended April 30, 2024, cash used in operating activities was approximately $3,765,000. Cash provided by investing activities
was approximately $685,000, resulting from the maturities of short-term investments of approximately $35,423,000, offset by purchases
of short-term investments totaling approximately $34,738,000. Cash provided by financing activities was approximately $3,160,000, resulting
from the sale of 785,290 shares of common stock in an at-the-market equity offering of approximately $3,029,000, net of expenses, proceeds
from stock option exercises of approximately $124,000, and proceeds from the sale of common stock pursuant to an employee stock purchase
plan of approximately $7,000. As a result, our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at April 30, 2024 decreased approximately
$605,000 to approximately $23,239,000 from approximately $23,844,000 at the end of fiscal year 2023.
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The
Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America. In preparing these financial statements, we make assumptions, judgments and estimates that can have
a significant impact on amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements. We base our assumptions, judgments and estimates
on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ
materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. On a regular basis, we evaluate our assumptions, judgments
and estimates and make changes accordingly.
19
We
believe that, of the significant accounting policies discussed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the following accounting policies require our most difficult, subjective or
complex judgments:
●
Revenue
Recognition,
●
Stock-Based
Compensation, and
●
Research
and Development Expenses.
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.
Stock-Based
Compensation
The
compensation cost for service-based stock options granted to employees, directors and consultants is measured at the grant date, based
on the fair value of the award using the Black-Scholes pricing model, and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the
requisite service period (the vesting period of the stock option) which is one to four years. For employee options vesting if the trading
price of the Company’s common stock exceeds 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.
For
stock awards granted to employees and directors that vest at date of grant we recognize expense based on the grant date market price
of the underlying common stock. For restricted stock awards vesting upon achievement of a price target of our common stock, 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).
20
The
Black-Scholes pricing model and the Monte Carlo Simulation we use to estimate fair value requires valuation assumptions of expected term,
expected volatility, risk-free interest rates and expected dividend yield. The expected term of stock options represents the weighted
average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding. For employees we use the simplified method, which is a weighted
average of the vesting term and contractual term, to determine expected term. The simplified method was adopted since we do not believe
that historical experience is representative of future performance because of the impact of the changes in our operations and the change
in terms from historical options. For consultants we use the contract term for expected term. Under the Black-Scholes pricing model,
we estimated the expected volatility of our shares of common stock based upon the historical volatility of our share price over a period
of time equal to the expected term of the grants. We estimated the risk-free interest rate based on the implied yield available on the
applicable grant date of a U.S. Treasury note with a term equal to the expected term of the underlying grants. We made the dividend yield
assumption based on our history of not paying dividends and our expectation not to pay dividends in the future.
We
will reconsider use of the Black-Scholes pricing model and the Monte Carlo Simulation if additional information becomes available in
the future that indicates another model would be more appropriate. If factors change and we employ different assumptions in future periods,
the compensation expense that we record may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period.
Research
and Development Expenses
We
recognize research and development expenses as incurred. Advance payments for future research and development activities are deferred
and expensed as the services are performed. We recognize our preclinical studies and clinical trial expenses based on the services performed
pursuant to contracts with research institutions, clinical research organizations (“CROs”), clinical manufacturing organizations
(“CMOs”), and other parties that conduct and manage various stages of research and development activities on our behalf.
Fees for such services are recognized based on management’s estimates after considering the activities and tasks completed by each
service provider in a given period, the time period over which services are expected to be performed, and the level of effort expended
in each reporting period.
At
each balance sheet date, management estimates prepaid and accrued research and development costs by discussing progress or stage of completion
of activities with internal personnel and external service providers, and comparing this information to payments made, invoices received,
and the agreed-upon contractual fee to be paid for such services in the applicable contract or statements of work.
In
addition, we allocate certain internal compensation costs to research and development expenses based on management’s estimates
of each employee’s time and effort expended.
EFFECT
OF RECENTLY ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS
We
discuss the effect of recently issued pronouncements in Note 7 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item
3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
As
of April 30, 2024, we had investments in short-term, fixed rate and highly liquid instruments that have historically been reinvested
when they mature throughout the year. Although our existing instruments are not considered at risk with respect to changes in interest
rates or markets for these instruments, our rate of return on these securities could be affected at the time of reinvestment, if any.
Item
4. Controls and Procedures.
We
carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management including our Chief Executive Officer and
our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule
13(a)-15(b) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that
our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.
There
was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended April 30, 2024, that has materially affected,
or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
21
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1. Legal Proceedings.
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.
Item
1A. Risk Factors.
There
have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October
31, 2023.
Item
2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
During
the six months ended April 30, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 29,336 shares of our common stock to companies in payment of
investor relations services. The common stock was issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities
Act as they were issued to recipients, without a view to distribution, and were not issued through any general solicitation or advertisement.
Item
3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. None.
Item
4 . Mine Safety Disclosures. Not Applicable.
Item
5. Other Information.
As of April 30, 2024, there were no Rule 10b5-1 plans in place for any of our directors or officers.
Item
6. Exhibits.
10.1
Joint Development and Option Agreement, dated May 3, 2024, between the Company and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. (Certain information has been redacted in the marked portions of the exhibit.)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated June 4, 2024.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated June 4, 2024.
32.1
Statement of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code, dated June 4, 2024.
32.2
Statement of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code, dated June 4, 2024.
101.INS
Inline
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover
Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
22
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ANIXA
BIOSCIENCES, INC.
By:
/s/
Dr. Amit Kumar
Dr.
Amit Kumar
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
June
4, 2024
(Principal
Executive Officer)
By:
/s/
Michael J. Catelani
Michael
J. Catelani
President,
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
June
4, 2024
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
23
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.