Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This section and other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and our actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Part I, Item 1A of the our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 under the heading “Risk Factors.” We assume no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report.
Overview
Product Candidate PEDMARK TM
Our only product candidate in the clinical stage of development is:
● PEDMARK TM (a unique formulation of sodium thiosulfate (STS)) for the prevention of ototoxicity induced by cisplatin chemotherapy in patients one month to <18 years of age with localized, non-metastatic, solid tumors. We have announced results of two Phase 3 clinical trials for the prevention of cisplatin induced hearing loss, or ototoxicity in children, including the pivotal Phase 3 study SIOPEL 6, “A Multicentre Open Label Randomised Phase 3 Trial of the Efficacy of Sodium Thiosulfate in Reducing Ototoxicity in Patients Receiving Cisplatin Chemotherapy for Standard Risk Hepatoblastoma,” and the proof of concept Phase 3 study in collaboration with the Children’s Oncology Group (“COG ACCL0431”) “A Randomized Phase 3 Study of Sodium Thiosulfate for the Prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Children”. COG ACCL0431 final results were published in the Lancet Oncology in 2016. SIOPEL 6 final results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June 2018.
We continue to focus our resources on the development of PEDMARK TM .
We have licensed from Oregon Health and Science University (“OHSU”) intellectual property rights for the use of PEDMARK TM as a chemoprotectant and are developing PEDMARK TM as a protectant against the hearing loss often caused by platinum-based anti-cancer agents in children. Preclinical and clinical studies conducted by OHSU and others have indicated that PEDMARK TM can effectively reduce the incidence of hearing loss caused by platinum-based anti-cancer agents.
Hearing loss among children receiving platinum-based chemotherapy is frequent, permanent and often severely disabling. The incidence of hearing loss in these children depends upon the dose and duration of chemotherapy, and many of these children require lifelong hearing aids. In addition, adults undergoing chemotherapy for several common malignancies, including ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, and particularly head and neck cancer and brain cancer, often receive intensive platinum-based therapy and may experience severe, irreversible hearing loss, particularly in the high frequencies.
In the U.S. and Europe, it is estimated that, annually, over 10,000 children may receive platinum-based chemotherapy. The incidence of ototoxicity depends upon the dose and duration of chemotherapy, and many of these children require lifelong hearing aids. There is currently no established preventive agent for this hearing loss and only expensive, technically difficult and sub-optimal cochlear (inner ear) implants have been shown to provide some benefit.
19
Table of Contents
Infants and young children that suffer ototoxicity at critical stages of development lack speech language development and literacy, and older children and adolescents lack social-emotional development and educational achievement.
In March 2018, PEDMARK TM received Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Further, PEDMARK TM has received Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. in this setting.
We initiated our rolling New Drug Application (“NDA”) for PEDMARK TM for the prevention of ototoxicity induced by cisplatin chemotherapy patients 1 month to < 18 years of age with localized, non-metastatic, solid tumors with the FDA in December 2018. We announced that we had submitted full completion of the NDA in February 2020. On April 13, 2020, we announced that the FDA had accepted for filing and granted Priority Review for our NDA. The FDA set a Prescription Drug Fee Act (“PDUFA”) target action date of August 10, 2020 for the completion of the FDA’s review. On August 10, 2020, we announced that we received a Complete Response Letter (“CRL”) from the FDA regarding our NDA for PEDMARK TM , which identified deficiencies in the third-party manufacturing facility that manufactures PEDMARK TM on our behalf. Importantly, no clinical safety or efficacy issues were identified during the review and there is no requirement for further clinical data. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we engaged in a Type A meeting with the FDA concerning the CRL that we believe was constructive and collaborative. In May 2021, we announced the resubmission of our NDA for PEDMARK TM and in June 2021 we further announced that the FDA accepted for filing the resubmission of our NDA and set a PDUFA target action date of November 27, 2021.
In August 2018, the Pediatric Committee (“PDCO”) of the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) accepted our pediatric investigation plan (“PIP”) for sodium thiosulfate with the trade name Pedmarqsi for the condition of the prevention of platinum-induced hearing loss. An accepted PIP is a prerequisite for filing a Marketing Authorization Application (“MAA”) for any new medicinal product in Europe. The indication targeted by the Company’s PIP is for the prevention of platinum-induced ototoxic hearing loss for standard risk hepatoblastoma (“SR-HB”). Additional tumor types of the proposed indication will be subject to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (“CHMP”) assessment at the time of the MAA. No deferred clinical studies were required in the positive opinion given by PDCO. The Company was also advised that sodium thiosulfate (tradename to be determined) is eligible for submission of an application for a Pediatric Use Marketing Authorization (“PUMA”). Therefore, this decision allows Fennec to proceed with the submission of a PUMA in the European Union (“EU”) with incentives of automatic access to the centralized procedure and up to 10 years of data and market protection The PUMA is a dedicated marketing authorization covering the indication and appropriate formulation for medicines developed exclusively for use in the pediatric population and provides data and market protection up to 10 years. In February 2020, Fennec announced that it has submitted a MAA for the prevention of otoxicity induced by cisplatin chemotherapy patients 1 month to < 18 years of age with localized, non-metastatic, solid tumors.
Clinical Studies
PEDMARK TM has been studied by cooperative groups in two Phase 3 clinical studies of survival and reduction of ototoxicity, COG ACCL0431 and SIOPEL 6. Both studies have been completed. The COG ACCL0431 protocol enrolled one of five childhood cancers typically treated with intensive cisplatin therapy for localized and disseminated disease, including newly diagnosed hepatoblastoma, germ cell tumor, osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma, and medulloblastoma. SIOPEL 6 enrolled only hepatoblastoma patients with localized tumors.
SIOPEL 6
In October 2007, we announced that our collaborative partner, the International Childhood Liver Tumour Strategy Group, known as SIOPEL, a multi-disciplinary group of specialists under the umbrella of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology, had launched a randomized Phase 3 clinical trial SIOPEL 6 to investigate whether STS reduces hearing loss in standard risk hepatoblastoma (liver) cancer patients receiving cisplatin as a monotherapy.
The study was initiated in October 2007 initially in the United Kingdom and completed enrollment at the end of 2014. 52 sites from 11 countries enrolled 109 evaluable patients. Under the terms of our agreement, SIOPEL conducted and funded all clinical activities and we provided drug, drug distribution and pharmacovigilance, or safety monitoring, for the study.
20
Table of Contents
SIOPEL 6 was completed in December 2014 and the final results of SIOPEL 6 were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in June 2018.
The primary objectives of SIOPEL 6 were:
● To assess the efficacy of STS to reduce the hearing impairment caused by cisplatin.
● To carefully monitor any potential impact of sodium thiosulfate on response to cisplatin and survival.
SIOPEL 6 - Results
Background / Objectives:
Bilateral high-frequency hearing loss is a serious permanent side-effect of cisplatin therapy, particularly debilitating when occurring in young children. STS has been shown to reduce cisplatin induced hearing loss. SIOPEL 6 was a Phase 3 randomized trial to assess the efficacy of STS in reducing ototoxicity in young children treated with cisplatin (Cis) for SR-HB.
Design / Methods:
Newly diagnosed patients with SR-HB, defined as tumor limited to PRETEXT I, II or III, no portal or hepatic vein involvement, no intra-abdominal extrahepatic disease, AFP >100ng/ml and no metastases, were randomized to Cis or Cis+STS for 4 preoperative and 2 postoperative courses. Cisplatin 80mg/m2 was administered over 6 hours, STS 20g/m2 was administered intravenously over 15 minutes exactly 6 hours after stopping cisplatin. Tumor response was assessed after 2 and 4 preoperative cycles with serum AFP and liver imaging. In case of progressive disease (PD), STS was to be stopped and doxorubicin 60mg/m2 combined with cisplatin. The primary endpoint was centrally reviewed absolute hearing threshold, at the age of ≥3.5 years by pure tone audiometry.
Results:
109 randomized patients (52 Cisplatin only ("Cis") and 57 Cis+STS) were evaluable. The combination of Cis+STS was generally well tolerated. With a patient follow-up time of 52 months, the three-year Event Free Survival ("EFS") for Cis was 78.8% Cisplatin and 82.1% for the Cis + STS. The three-year Overall Survival ("OS") is 92.3% for Cis and 98.2% for Cis + STS. Treatment failure defined as Progressive Disease ("PD") at 4 cycles was equivalent in both arms. Among the first 101 evaluable patients, hearing loss occurred in 29/46=63.0% under Cis and in 18/55=32.7% under Cis +STS, corresponding to a relative risk of 0.52(P=0.002).
21
Table of Contents
Conclusions:
This randomized Phase 3 trial in SR-HB of cisplatin versus cisplatin plus STS shows that the addition of STS significantly reduces the incidence of cisplatin-induced hearing loss without any evidence of tumor protection.
COG ACCL0431
In March 2008, we announced the activation of a Phase 3 trial with STS to prevent hearing loss in children receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy in collaboration with the Children’s Oncology Group. The goal of this Phase 3 study was to evaluate in a multi-centered, randomized trial whether STS is an effective and safe means of preventing hearing loss in children receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy for newly diagnosed germ cell, liver (hepatoblastoma), brain (medulloblastoma), nerve tissue (neuroblastoma) or bone (osteosarcoma) cancers. Eligible children, one to eighteen years of age, were to receive cisplatin according to their disease-specific regimen and, upon enrollment in this study, were randomized to receive STS or not. Efficacy of STS was determined through comparison of hearing sensitivity at follow-up relative to baseline measurements using standard audiometric techniques. The Children’s Oncology Group was responsible for funding the clinical activities for the study and we were responsible for providing the drug, drug distribution and pharmacovigilance, or safety monitoring, for the study. The trial completed enrollment of 131 pediatric patients in the first quarter of 2012. The final results of COG ACCL0431 were published in Lancet Oncology in December 2016.
COG ACCL0431 - Results
COG Study ACCL0431, “A Randomized Phase 3 Study of Sodium Thiosulfate for the Prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Children,” finished enrollment of 131 patients of which 125 were eligible patients. The patients had been previously diagnosed with childhood cancers.
The primary endpoint was to evaluate the efficacy of STS for prevention of hearing loss in children receiving cisplatin chemotherapy (hypothesis: 50% relative reduction in hearing loss).
Secondary endpoints included:
● Compare change in mean hearing thresholds.
● Compare incidence of other Grade 3/4 toxicities (renal and hematological).
● Monitor Event Free Survival (EFS) and Overall Survival (OS) in two groups.
125 eligible subjects were enrolled with germ cell tumor (32), osteosarcoma (29), neuroblastoma (26), medulloblastoma/pnet (26), hepatoblastoma (7), or other (5). Of these, 104 subjects (64 male and 29 <5 years old) were evaluable for the primary endpoint.
Subjects were randomized either to no treatment (control) or treatment with STS 16 grams/m2 IV over 15 minutes, 6 hours after each cisplatin dose. Hearing was measured using standard audiometry for age and data was reviewed centrally using American Speech-Language-Hearing Association criteria.
The proportion of subjects with hearing loss assessed at 4 weeks post the final cisplatin dose (primary endpoint):
● The proportion of hearing loss for STS vs. Control was 28.6% (14/49) vs. 56.4% (31/55), respectively (p=0.004).
● In a predefined subgroup of patients less than 5 years old with 29 eligible subjects: STS vs. Control was 21.4% (3/14) vs. 73.3% (11/15), respectively (p=0.005).
Conclusions:
● STS protects against cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children across a heterogeneous range of tumor types, with even stronger efficacy in the protocol predefined subgroup of patients under five years old, and is not associated with serious adverse events attributed to its use.
22
Table of Contents
● Further potential clinical use will be informed by the final results of SIOPEL 6 study.
Capital Funding
We have not received and do not expect to have significant revenues from our product candidate until we are either able to sell our product candidate after obtaining applicable regulatory approvals or we establish collaborations that provide us with up-front payments, licensing fees, milestone payments, royalties or other revenue.
We generated a net loss of approximately $12.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and a net loss of $14.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2021, our accumulated deficit was approximately $175.1 million ($162.1 million at December 31, 2020).
We believe that our cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2021, which totaled $24.3 million, plus the Bridge Bank Loan and Security Agreement, will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements through at least the next twelve months, including anticipated NDA approval and, if approved, the first commercial launch of PEDMARK TM in the United States. Our projections of our capital requirements are subject to substantial uncertainty, and more capital than we currently anticipate may be required thereafter. To finance our continuing operations, we may need to raise substantial additional funds through either the sale of additional equity, the issuance of debt, the establishment of collaborations that provide us with funding, the out-license or sale of certain aspects of our intellectual property portfolio or from other sources. We may not be able to raise the necessary capital, or such funding may not be available on financially acceptable terms if at all. If we cannot obtain adequate funding in the future, we might be required to further delay, scale back or eliminate certain research and development studies, consider business combinations, or even shut down some, or all, of our operations.
Our operating expenses will depend on many factors, including the progress of our drug development efforts and efficiency of our operations and current resources. Our research and development expenses, which include expenses associated with our clinical trials, drug manufacturing to support clinical programs, stock-based compensation, consulting fees, sponsored research costs, toxicology studies, license fees, milestone payments, and other fees and costs related to the development of our product candidate, will depend on the availability of financial resources, the results of our clinical trials, and any directives from regulatory agencies, which are difficult to predict. Our general and administration expenses include expenses associated with the compensation of employees, stock-based compensation, professional fees, consulting fees, insurance and other administrative matters associated in support of our drug development programs.
Results of Operations
Three months ended September 30, 2021 versus three months ended September 30, 2020:
Three Months Ended
Three Months Ended
In thousands of U.S. Dollars
September 30, 2021
%
September 30, 2020
%
Change
Revenue
$
—
$
—
$
—
Operating expenses:
Research and development
1,242
30
%
1,368
23
%
(126)
General and administration
2,931
70
%
4,491
77
%
(1,560)
Total operating expense
4,173
100
%
5,859
100
%
(1,686)
Loss from operations
(4,173)
(5,859)
1,686
Unrealized gain on securities
39
—
39
Amortization expense
(8)
(355)
347
Other losses
(56)
(8)
(48)
Interest income and other, net
13
22
(9)
Net loss
$
(4,185)
$
(6,200)
$
2,015
Research and development expenses decreased by $126 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 as the Company’s development activities shifted back to product launch readiness and pre-commercial development of PEDMARK TM . General and administrative expenses decreased by $1,560 compared to same period in 2020 due to the timing to NDA approval of the comparative periods. The three months ended September 30, 2020 was the
23
Table of Contents
same quarter as the initial NDA approval and the three months ended September 30, 2021 is one quarter prior to our current potential NDA approval. The reduction in general and administrative expenses was slightly offset by higher expenses associated with additional employees.
The Company holds shares of Processa (NASDAQ: PCSA), which are marked to market each balance sheet date and unrealized gains or losses are recognized at that time. The unrealized gain on those shares for the three months ended on September 30, 2021, was $39. Other losses were driven mainly by interest expense and unrealized losses related to the Company’s foreign currency transactions. The Company has vendors that transact in Euros, Great British Pounds and Canadian Dollars. There was an increase of $48 in other losses for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. Amortization expense is a non-cash expense and relates to amortization of the deferred issuance cost of the loan facilities with Bridge Bank. Amortization expense decreased by $347 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. In 2021, the Company is amortizing the capitalized costs associated with the renegotiated Bridge Bank loan facility. During the same period in 2020, the Company wrote off the remaining capitalized cost associated with the former facility after it received the CRL from the FDA in August 2020. Interest income was $9 lower for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. This was driven by lower average cash balance for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Nine months ended September 30, 2021 versus nine months ended September 30, 2020:
Nine Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
In thousands of U.S. Dollars
September 30, 2021
%
September 30, 2020
%
Change
Revenue
$
—
$
—
$
—
Operating expenses:
Research and development
4,458
34
%
3,882
27
%
576
General and administration
8,558
66
%
10,657
73
%
(2,099)
Total operating expenses
13,016
100
%
14,539
100
%
(1,523)
Loss from operations
(13,016)
(14,539)
1,523
Unrealized gain on securities
137
—
137
Other losses
(73)
(4)
(69)
Amortization expense
(8)
(402)
394
Interest income
41
74
(33)
Net loss
$
(12,919)
$
(14,871)
$
1,952
Research and development expenses increased by $576 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. The Company’s research and development activities for the first nine months of 2021 increased as the Company prepared for the NDA resubmission. General and administrative expenses decreased by $2,099 over same period in 2020 as expenses associated with pre-commercialization activities decreased on a year over year basis. This relates to the planned timing and the fact that many pre-commercialization activities were performed in 2020.
The Company holds shares of Processa (NASDAQ: PCSA) which are marked to market each balance sheet date and unrealized gains or losses are recognized at that time. The unrealized gain on those shares for the nine months ended on September 30, 2021 was $137. Other losses were driven mainly by interest expense and unrealized losses related to the Company’s foreign currency transactions. The Company has vendors that transact in Euros, Great British Pounds and Canadian Dollars. There was an increase of $69 in other losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. Amortization expense is also a non-cash expense and relates to amortization of the deferred issuance cost of the loan facilities with Bridge Bank. Amortization expense decreased by $394 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. In 2021, the Company is amortizing the capitalized costs associated with the renegotiated Bridge Bank loan facility. During the same period in 2020, the Company wrote off the remaining capitalized cost associated with the former facility after it received the CRL from the FDA in August 2020. Interest income was $33 lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. This was driven mainly by a sharp decrease in interest rates and lower average cash balance for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
24
Table of Contents
Quarterly Information
The following table presents selected condensed financial data for each of the last eight quarters through September 30, 2021, as prepared under U.S. GAAP (U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share information):
Net (Loss)/Income for the
Basic Net (Loss)/Income per
Diluted Net (Loss)/Income per
Period
Period
Common Share
Common Share
December 31, 2019
(3,610)
(0.18)
(0.18)
March 31, 2020
(3,826)
(0.19)
(0.19)
June 30, 2020
(4,845)
(0.21)
(0.21)
September 30, 2020
(6,200)
(0.24)
(0.24)
December 31, 2020
(3,238)
(0.13)
(0.13)
March 31, 2021
(4,733)
(0.18)
(0.18)
June 30, 2021
(4,001)
(0.15)
(0.15)
September 30, 2021
(4,185)
(0.16)
(0.16)
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As at
As at
Selected Asset and Liability Data (thousands):
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Cash and equivalents
$
24,335
$
30,344
Other current assets
1,644
1,073
Current liabilities
2,014
2,347
Working capital (1)
23,965
29,070
(1) [Current assets – current liabilities]
Selected Equity:
Common stock and additional paid in capital
192,829
189,967
Accumulated deficit
(175,059)
(162,140)
Shareholders’ equity
19,013
29,070
Cash and cash equivalents were $24,335 at September 30, 2021 and $30,344 at December 31, 2020. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents between September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020 is the result of expenses related to the development and preparation of the NDA resubmission of PEDMARK TM and general and administrative expenses, which was offset by a draw of $5,000 from the Bridge Bank Loan and Security Agreement. There was an increase of $571 in other current assets between September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. This is a result of a $242 increase in deferred charges related to the financing of the director and officer’s insurance policy, a $137 increase in the value of Processa shares and an increase in prepaid expenses of $192.
Current liabilities decreased primarily due to the reduction in manufacturing and regulatory expenses associated with the PEDMARK TM NDA resubmission.
Working capital decreased between December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021 by $5,105. The decrease relates to cash expenditures for operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, offset by the $5,000 draw from the Bridge Bank Loan and Security Agreement. The Company expects increases in cash outflows related to pre commercialization and commercialization activities in the coming quarters upon potential NDA approval.
25
Table of Contents
The following table illustrates a summary of cash flow data for the three and nine-month periods of September 30, 2021 and 2020:
Selected Cash Flow Data
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars and shares in thousands)
2021
2020
2021
2020
Net cash used in operating activities
$
(2,958)
$
(5,446)
$
(10,977)
$
(12,311)
Net cash provided by investing activities
—
—
—
—
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities
—
(117)
4,968
31,827
Net cash flow
$
(2,958)
$
(5,563)
$
(6,009)
$
19,516
Net cash used in operating activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 primarily reflected a net loss of $4,185 and $12,919, respectively. These three- and nine-month losses were adjusted for the add back of non-cash items consisting of $917 and $2,839, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense, with unrealized gains on securities of $39 and $137 added back for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, there was a net change in prepaid and other assets of $824 and $434, respectively; coupled with a net increase in current liabilities of $1,166 for the three months ended September 30, 2021, and a net decrease of $333 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Three- and nine-month cash flows from operating activities were negative $2,958 and $10,977, respectively, for the period ended September 30, 2021. Net cash provided by financing activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $0 and $4,968, respectively. Financing activities consisted of $5,000 gross proceeds from the Bridge Bank Loan Security Agreement, $24 from the exercise of options, netted against $56 in capitalized deferred loan costs. Net cash flows from the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2021 were negative $2,958 and $6,009, respectively.
We continue to pursue various strategic alternatives including collaborations with other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Our projections of further capital requirements are subject to substantial uncertainty. Our working capital requirements may fluctuate in future periods depending upon numerous factors, including: our ability to obtain additional financial resources; our ability to enter into collaborations that provide us with up-front payments, milestones or other payments; results of our research and development activities; progress or lack of progress in our preclinical studies or clinical trials; unfavorable toxicology in our clinical programs; our drug substance requirements to support clinical programs; change in the focus, direction, or costs of our research and development programs; headcount expense; the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining, defending and enforcing our patent claims; competitive and technological advances; the potential need to develop, acquire or license new technologies and products; our business development activities; new regulatory requirements implemented by regulatory authorities; the timing and outcome of any regulatory review process; and commercialization activities, if any.
Outstanding Share Information
Our outstanding share data as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows (in thousands):
September 30,
December 31,
Outstanding Share Type
2021
2020
Change
Common shares
26,007
26,003
4
Warrants
39
39
—
Stock options
3,653
2,952
701
Total
29,699
28,994
705
Financial Instruments
We invest excess cash and cash equivalents in high credit quality investments held by financial institutions in accordance with our investment policy designed to protect the principal investment. At September 30, 2021, we had approximately $428 in our cash accounts and $23,907 in savings and money market accounts. While we have never experienced any loss or write down of our money market investments since our inception, the amounts we hold in money market accounts are substantially above the $250,000 amount insured by the FDIC and may lose value.
26
Table of Contents
Our investment policy is to manage investments to achieve, in the order of importance, the financial objectives of preservation of principal, liquidity and return on investment. Investments may be made in U.S. or Canadian obligations and bank securities, commercial paper of U.S. or Canadian industrial companies, utilities, financial institutions and consumer loan companies, and securities of foreign banks provided the obligations are guaranteed or carry ratings appropriate to the policy. Securities must have a minimum Dun & Bradstreet rating of A for bonds or R1 low for commercial paper. The policy also provides for investment limits on concentrations of securities by issuer and maximum-weighted average time to maturity of twelve months. This policy applies to all of our financial resources.
The policy risks are primarily the opportunity cost of the conservative nature of the allowable investments. As our main purpose is research and development, we have chosen to avoid investments of a trading or speculative nature.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Since our inception, we have not had any material off-balance sheet arrangements. In addition, we do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. As such, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such activities.
Research and Development
Our research and development efforts have been focused on the development of PEDMARK TM since 2013.
We have established relationships with contract research organizations, universities and other institutions, which we utilize to perform many of the day-to-day activities associated with our drug development. Where possible, we have sought to include leading scientific investigators and advisors to enhance our internal capabilities. Research and development issues are reviewed internally by our executive management and supporting scientific team.
Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021, and 2020 were $1,242 and $1,368, respectively, and for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021, and 2020 were $4,458 and $3,882 , respectively. We have decreased our research and development expenses related to PEDMARK TM as our efforts have shifted to pre-commercialization activities after the NDA resubmission in May 2021.
Our product candidate still requires significant, time-consuming and costly research and development, testing and regulatory clearances. In developing our product candidate, we are subject to risks of failure that are inherent in the development of products based on innovative technologies. For example, it is possible that our product candidate will be ineffective or toxic, or will otherwise fail to receive the necessary regulatory clearances. There is a risk that our product candidate will be uneconomical to manufacture or market or will not achieve market acceptance. There is also a risk that third parties may hold proprietary rights that preclude us from marketing our product candidate or that others will market a superior or equivalent product. As a result of these factors, we are unable to accurately estimate the nature, timing and future costs necessary to complete the development of this product candidate. In addition, we are unable to reasonably estimate the period when material net cash inflows could commence from the sale, licensing or commercialization of such product candidate, if ever.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are based on assumptions and judgments that may be affected by commercial, economic and other factors. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Our accounting policies are materially consistent with those presented in our annual consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
27
Table of Contents
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.