Item 1. Financial Statements
ITEM
1. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
LIPOCINE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
March
31,
December
31,
2022
2021
Assets
Current
assets:
Cash
and cash equivalents
$ 5,733,231
$ 2,950,552
Marketable
investment securities
36,266,299
41,667,405
Accrued
interest income
120,094
247,253
Prepaid
and other current assets
1,377,925
1,514,465
Total
current assets
43,497,549
46,379,675
Marketable
investment securities
-
2,021,800
Contract
asset
4,050,000
4,050,000
Property
and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $ 1,145,796 and $ 1,144,077 , respectively
32,289
7,211
Other
assets
23,753
23,753
Total
assets
$ 47,603,591
$ 52,482,439
Liabilities
and Stockholders’ Equity
Current
liabilities:
Accounts
payable
$ 469,887
$ 1,289,342
Accrued
expenses
567,901
1,016,458
Debt
- current portion
1,482,165
2,310,825
Litigation
settlement liability - current portion
1,000,000
1,000,000
Total
current liabilities
3,519,953
5,616,625
Warrant
liability
1,173,785
795,796
Litigation
settlement liability - non-current portion
500,000
500,000
Total
liabilities
5,193,738
6,912,421
Commitments
and contingencies (notes 6, 8, 9 and 11)
-
Stockholders’
equity:
Preferred
stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized; zero issued and outstanding
-
-
Common
stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 88,504,634 and 88,296,360 issued and 88,498,924 and 88,290,650
outstanding
8,850
8,829
Additional
paid-in capital
218,663,319
218,286,324
Treasury
stock at cost, 5,710 shares
( 40,712 )
( 40,712 )
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
( 67,416 )
( 18,016 )
Accumulated
deficit
( 176,154,188 )
( 172,666,407 )
Total
stockholders’ equity
42,409,853
45,570,018
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 47,603,591
$ 52,482,439
See
accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
3
LIPOCINE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)
2022
2021
Three
Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Revenues
$ -
$ -
Operating
expenses:
Research
and development
1,887,953
1,580,540
General
and administrative
1,243,687
1,533,953
Total
operating expenses
3,131,640
3,114,493
Operating
loss
( 3,131,640 )
( 3,114,493 )
Other
income (expense):
Interest
and investment income
41,576
10,649
Interest
expense
( 19,529 )
( 68,973 )
Unrealized
loss on warrant liability
( 377,988 )
( 195,065 )
Total
other expense, net
( 355,941 )
( 253,389 )
Loss
before income tax expense
( 3,487,581 )
( 3,367,882 )
Income
tax expense
( 200 )
( 200 )
Net
loss
$ ( 3,487,781 )
$ ( 3,368,082 )
Basic
loss per share attributable to common stock
$ ( 0.04 )
$ ( 0.04 )
Weighted average
common shares outstanding, basic
88,309,628
81,881,392
Diluted
loss per share attributable to common stock
$ ( 0.04 )
$ ( 0.04 )
Weighted average
common shares outstanding, diluted
88,309,628
81,881,392
Comprehensive
loss:
Net
loss
$ ( 3,487,781 )
$ ( 3,368,082 )
Net
unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities
( 49,400 )
( 22,459 )
Comprehensive
loss
$ ( 3,537,181 )
$ ( 3,390,541 )
See
accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
4
LIPOCINE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For
the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
(Unaudited)
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Number
of Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-In Capital
Other
Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Common
Stock
Treasury
Stock
Accumulated
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Number
of Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-In Capital
Other
Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Balances
at December 31, 2020
70,036,257
$ 7,004
5,710
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 87,407,635
$ -
$ ( 172,032,008 )
$ 15,341,919
Net
loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 3,368,082 )
( 3,368,082 )
Unrealized
net loss on marketable investment securities
-
-
-
-
-
( 22,459 )
-
( 22,459 )
Stock-based
compensation
-
-
-
-
147,566
-
-
147,566
Option
exercises
4,584
-
-
-
6,693
-
-
6,693
Common
stock sold through equity offering
16,428,571
1,643
-
-
26,838,814
-
-
26,840,457
Common
stock issued for warrant exercises
10,000
1
-
-
4,999
-
-
5,000
Settlement
of warrant liability on warrant exercises
-
-
-
-
18,365
-
-
18,365
Common
stock sold through ATM offering
1,811,238
181
-
-
3,421,209
-
-
3,421,390
Balances
at March 31, 2021
88,290,650
$ 8,829
5,710
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 117,845,281
$ ( 22,459 )
$ ( 175,400,090 )
$ 42,390,849
Balances
at December 31, 2021
88,290,650
$ 8,829
5,710
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 218,286,324
$ ( 18,016 )
$ ( 172,666,407 )
$ 45,570,018
Net
loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 3,487,781 )
( 3,487,781 )
Unrealized
net loss on marketable investment securities
-
-
-
-
-
( 49,400 )
-
( 49,400 )
Stock-based
compensation
-
-
-
-
171,028
-
-
171,028
Option
exercises
208,274
21
-
-
205,967
-
-
205,988
Balances
at March 31, 2022
88,498,924
$ 8,850
5,710
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 218,663,319
$ ( 67,416 )
$ ( 176,154,188 )
$ 42,409,853
See
accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
5
LIPOCINE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
2022
2021
Three
Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Cash
flows from operating activities:
Net
loss
$ ( 3,487,781 )
$ ( 3,368,082 )
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation
expense
1,719
-
Stock-based
compensation expense
171,028
147,566
Non-cash
interest expense
4,674
18,695
Non-cash
loss on change in fair value of warrant liability
377,989
195,065
Amortization
of premium on marketable investment securities
51,282
65,290
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued
interest income
127,159
( 135,996 )
Prepaid
and other current assets
136,540
202,835
Accounts
payable
( 819,455 )
( 1,038,876 )
Accrued
expenses
( 448,557 )
( 148,271 )
Cash
used in operating activities
( 3,885,402 )
( 4,061,774 )
Cash
flows from investing activities:
Purchases
of property and equipment
( 26,797 )
-
Purchases
of marketable investment securities
( 17,906,250 )
( 34,444,221 )
Maturities
of marketable investment securities
25,228,474
450,000
Cash
provided by (used in) investing activities
7,295,427
( 33,994,221 )
Cash
flows from financing activities:
Debt
repayments
( 833,334 )
( 833,333 )
Net
proceeds from common stock offering
-
26,840,457
Net
proceeds from sale of common stock through ATM
-
3,421,390
Proceeds
from stock option exercises
205,988
6,693
Net
proceeds exercise of warrants
-
5,000
Cash
provided by (used in) financing activities
( 627,346 )
29,440,207
Net
increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
2,782,679
( 8,615,788 )
Cash
and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
2,950,552
24,217,382
Cash
and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$ 5,733,231
$ 15,601,594
Supplemental
disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest
paid
$ 14,855
$ 50,278
Supplemental
disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activity:
Settlement
of warrant liability on warrant exercises
$ -
$ 18,365
Net
unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities
49,400
22,459
Accrued
final payment charge on debt
4,674
18,695
See
accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
6
LIPOCINE
INC.
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(1) Basis of Presentation
The
accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Lipocine Inc. (“Lipocine”
or the “Company”) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are comprised of the financial statements of Lipocine and its subsidiaries,
collectively referred to as the Company. In management’s opinion, the interim financial data presented includes all adjustments
(consisting solely of normal recurring items) necessary for fair presentation. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Certain information required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles has been condensed or omitted in accordance with rules
and regulations of the SEC. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results
that may be expected for any future period or for the year ending December 31, 2022.
These
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial
statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The
preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions relating
to reporting of the assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these condensed consolidated
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The
Company believes that its existing capital resources, together with interest thereon, will be sufficient to meet its projected operating
requirements through at least March 31, 2023 which includes an on-going clinical study for LPCN 1148, compliance with regulatory requirements
and on-going litigation activities. The Company has based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and the Company could
utilize its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects if additional activities are performed by the Company including
clinical studies for LPCN 1148, LPCN 1144, LPCN 1111, LPCN 1107 and neuroactive steroids (“NAS”) including LPCN 1544 and
LPCN 2101. While the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity and capital resources to fund our projected operating requirements
through at least March 31, 2023, the Company will need to raise additional capital at some point through the equity or debt markets or
via out-licensing activities, before or after March 31, 2023, to support its operations. If the Company is unsuccessful in raising additional
capital, its ability to continue as a going concern will become a risk. Further, the Company’s operating plan may change, and the
Company may need additional funds to meet operational needs and capital requirements for product development, regulatory compliance and
clinical trial activities sooner than planned. In addition, the Company’s capital resources may be consumed more rapidly if it
pursues additional clinical studies for LPCN 1148, LPCN 1144, LPCN 1111, LPCN 1107, and NAS including LPCN 1154 and LPCN 2101. Conversely,
the Company’s capital resources could last longer if it reduces expenses, reduces the number of activities currently contemplated
under our operating plan, if it terminates, modifies the design or suspends on-going clinical studies, or if it terminates or settles
any on-going litigation activities.
(2) Revenue
The
Company generates most of its revenue from license and royalty arrangements. At inception of each contract, the Company identifies the
goods and services that have been promised to the customer and each of those that represent a distinct performance obligation, determines
the transaction price including any variable consideration, allocates the transaction price to the distinct performance obligations and
determines whether control transfers to the customer at a point in time or over time. Variable consideration is included in the transaction
price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when
the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The Company reassess its reserves for variable consideration
at each reporting date and makes adjustments, if necessary, which may affect revenue and earnings in periods in which any such changes
become known.
7
See
Note 8 for a description of the license agreement with Antares Pharma, Inc. See Note 12 for a description of the agreement with Spriaso.
License
Fees . For distinct license performance obligations, upfront license fees are recognized when the Company satisfies the underlying
performance obligation. This generally occurs upon transfer of the right to use the Company’s licensed technology to the customer.
In addition, license arrangements may include contingent milestone payments, which are due following achievement by our licensee of specified
sales or regulatory milestones and the licensee and/or Company will fulfill its performance obligation prior to achievement of these
milestones. Because of the uncertainty of the milestone achievement, and/or the dependence on sales of our licensee, variable consideration
for contingent milestones is fully constrained and is not recognized as revenue until the milestone is achieved by our licensee, to the
extent collectability is reasonably certain.
Royalties.
Royalties revenue consists of sales-based and minimum royalties earned under licenses agreements for our products. Performance obligations
under these licenses, which consist of the right to use the Company’s proprietary technology, are satisfied at a point in time
corresponding with delivery of the underlying technology rights to the licensee, which is generally upon transfer of the licensed technology/product
to the customer. Sales-based royalties revenue represents variable consideration under the license agreements and is recognized in the
period a customer sells products incorporating the Company’s licensed technologies/products. The Company estimates sales-based
royalties revenue earned but unpaid at each reporting period using information provided by the licensee. The Company’s license
arrangements may also provide for minimum royalties, which the Company recognizes upon the satisfaction of the underlying performance
obligation, which generally occurs with delivery of the underlying technology rights to the licensee. Sales-based and minimum royalties
are generally due within 45 days after the end of each quarter in which they are earned.
Contract
Assets
Contract
assets consist of minimum royalty revenue earned in relation to the license agreement but not yet payable based on the terms of the contract.
The contract asset as of March 31, 2022 is related to the Antares License Agreement.
Revenue
Concentration
A
major customer is considered to be one that comprises more than 10 % of the Company’s total revenues. There was no revenue recognized
for either the three months ended March 31, 2022, or March 31, 2021.
(3) Earnings (Loss) per Share
Basic
earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding plus, where applicable, the additional potential common shares that would have been outstanding related to dilutive options,
warrants and, unvested restricted stock units to the extent such shares are dilutive.
8
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock for the three months ended
March 31, 2022 and 2021:
Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Three
Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Basic
loss per share attributable to common stock:
Numerator
Net
loss
$ ( 3,487,781 )
$ ( 3,368,082 )
Denominator
Weighted
avg. common shares outstanding
88,309,628
81,881,392
Basic
loss per share attributable to common stock
$ ( 0.04 )
$ ( 0.04 )
Diluted
loss per share attributable to common stock:
Numerator
Net
loss
$ ( 3,487,781 )
$ ( 3,368,082 )
Denominator
Weighted
avg. common shares outstanding
88,309,628
81,881,392
Diluted
loss per share attributable to common stock
$ ( 0.04 )
$ ( 0.04 )
The
computation of diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 does not include the following stock options
and warrants to purchase shares or unvested restricted stock units in the computation of diluted loss per share because these instruments
were antidilutive:
Schedule of Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
March
31,
2022
2021
Stock
options
4,229,739
3,849,790
Warrants
1,934,366
1,934,366
(4) Marketable Investment Securities
The
Company has classified its marketable investment securities as available-for-sale securities, all of which are debt securities. These
securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, included in accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity until realized. Gains and losses on investment security transactions
are reported on the specific-identification method. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized
on an accrual basis. The amortized cost, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value for available-for-sale
securities by major security type and class of security as of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, were as follows:
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities
March
31, 2022
Amortized
Cost
Gross
unrealized holding gains
Gross
unrealized holding losses
Aggregate
fair value
Government
treasury bills
$ 9,525,107
$ -
$ ( 44,622 )
9,480,485
Corporate
bonds, notes and commercial paper
26,808,608
-
( 22,794 )
26,785,814
$ 36,333,715
$ -
$ ( 67,416 )
$ 36,266,299
9
December
31, 2021
Amortized
Cost
Gross
unrealized holding gains
Gross
unrealized holding losses
Aggregate
fair value
Government
treasury bills
$ 5,526,122
$ -
$ ( 10,202 )
$ 5,515,920
Corporate
bonds, notes and commercial paper
38,181,099
-
( 7,814 )
38,173,285
$ 43,707,221
$ -
$ ( 18,016 )
$ 43,689,205
Maturities
of debt securities classified as available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2022, are as follows:
Schedule of Maturities of Debt Securities Classified as Available-for-sale Securities
March
31, 2022
Amortized
Cost
Aggregate
fair value
Due
within one year
$ 36,333,715
$ 36,266,299
Due
after one year through two years
-
-
$ 36,333,715
$ 36,266,299
There
were no sales of marketable investment securities during the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021 and therefore no realized gains
or losses. Additionally, $ 25.2 million and $ 450,000 of marketable investment securities matured during the three months ended March 31,
2022, and 2021, respectively. The Company determined there were no other-than-temporary impairments for the three months ended March
31, 2022, and 2021.
(5) Fair Value
The
Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent
possible. The Company determines fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability
in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following
fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels:
●
Level
1 Inputs: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
●
Level
2 Inputs: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets
that are not active, and model-derived valuation in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in
active markets.
●
Level
3 Inputs: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
10
All
of the Company’s financial instruments are valued using quoted prices in active markets or based on other observable inputs. For
accrued interest income, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, the carrying amounts approximate fair
value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The following table presents the placement in the fair value hierarchy of assets
and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis
Fair
value measurements at reporting date using
March
31, 2022
Level
1 inputs
Level
2 inputs
Level
3 inputs
Assets:
Cash
equivalents - money market funds
$ 4,933,293
$ 4,933,293
$ -
$ -
Government
treasury bills
9,480,485
9,480,485
-
-
Commercial
paper
14,744,099
-
14,744,099
-
Corporate
bonds and notes
12,041,715
-
12,041,715
-
$ 41,199,592
$ 14,413,778
$ 26,785,814
$ -
Liabilities:
Warrant
liability
$ 1,173,785
-
-
$ 1,173,785
$ 42,373,377
$ 14,413,778
$ 26,785,814
$ 1,173,785
Fair
value measurements at reporting date using
December
31, 2021
Level
1 inputs
Level
2 inputs
Level
3 inputs
Assets:
Cash
equivalents - money market funds
$ 2,089,751
$ 2,089,751
$ -
$ -
Government
treasury bills
5,515,920
5,515,920
-
-
Commercial
paper
15,385,634
-
15,385,634
-
Corporate
bonds and notes
22,787,651
-
22,787,651
-
$ 45,778,956
$ 7,605,671
$ 38,173,285
$ -
Liabilities:
Warrant
liability
$ 795,796
-
-
$ 795,796
$ 46,574,752
$ 7,605,671
$ 38,173,285
$ 795,796
The
following methods and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of each class of assets and liabilities recorded at fair value
in the balance sheets:
Cash
equivalents: Cash equivalents primarily consist of highly-rated money market funds and treasury bills with original maturities to the
Company of three months or less and are purchased daily at par value with specified yield rates. Cash equivalents related to money market
funds and treasury bills are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices
or broker or dealer quotations for similar assets.
11
Corporate
bonds, notes, and commercial paper: The Company uses a third-party pricing service to value these investments. Corporate bonds, notes
and commercial paper are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using broker/dealer quotes, bids
and offers, benchmark yields and credit spreads and other observable inputs.
Warrant
liability: The warrant liability (which relates to warrants to purchase shares of common stock)
is marked-to-market each reporting period with the change in fair value recorded to other income (expense) in the accompanying statements
of operations until the warrants are exercised, expire or other facts and circumstances lead the warrant liability to be reclassified
to stockholders’ equity. The fair value of the warrant liability is estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The significant
assumptions used in preparing the option pricing model for valuing the warrant liability as of March 31, 2022, include (i) volatility
of 100 %, (ii) risk free interest rate of 2.64 %, (iii) strike price of $ 0.50 , (iv) fair value of common stock of $ 1.38 , and (v) expected
life of 2.63 years. The significant assumptions used in preparing the option pricing model for valuing the warrant liability as of December
31, 2021, include (i) volatility of 100 %, (ii) risk free interest rate of 0.97 %, (iii) strike price of $ 0.50 , (iv) fair value of common
stock of $ 0.99 , and (v) expected life of 2.88 years.
The
Company’s accounting policy is to recognize transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy on the date of the event or change
in circumstances that caused the transfer. There were no transfers into or out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 for the three months ended
March 31, 2022.
(6) Loan and Security Agreements
Silicon
Valley Bank Loan
On
January 5, 2018, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan and Security Agreement”) with Silicon
Valley Bank (“SVB”) pursuant to which SVB agreed to lend the Company $ 10.0 million. The principal borrowed under the Loan
and Security Agreement bears interest at a rate equal to the Prime Rate, as reported in the money rates section of The Wall Street Journal
or any successor publication representing the rate of interest per annum then in effect, plus one percent per annum ( 4.5 % as of March
31, 2022), which interest is payable monthly . Additionally on April 1, 2020, the Company entered into a Deferral Agreement with SVB.
Under the Deferral Agreement, principal repayments were deferred by six months and the Company was only required to make monthly interest
payments. The loan matures on June 1, 2022 . Previously, the Company only made monthly interest payments until December 31, 2018, following
which the Company also made equal monthly payments of principal and interest until the signing of the Deferral Agreement. The Company
will also be required to pay an additional final payment at maturity equal to $ 650,000 (the “Final Payment Charge”). The
Final Payment Charge will be due on the scheduled maturity date and as of March 31, 2022, approximately $ 649,000 has been recognized
as an increase to the principal balance with a corresponding charge to interest expense with the remaining final payment charge to be
recognized over the term of the facility using the effective interest method. At its option, the Company may prepay all amounts owed
under the Loan and Security Agreement (including all accrued and unpaid interest and the Final Payment Charge).
In
connection with the Loan and Security Agreement, the Company granted to SVB a security interest in substantially all of the Company’s
assets now owned or hereafter acquired, excluding intellectual property and certain other assets. In addition, as TLANDO was not approved
by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) prior to May 31, 2018, the Company maintained $ 5.0 million of cash
collateral at SVB as required under the Loan and Security Agreement until such time as TLANDO is approved by the FDA. However, on February
16, 2021, the Company amended the Loan and Security Agreement with SVB to, among other things, remove the financial trigger and financial
trigger release event provisions requiring the Company to maintain a minimum cash collateral value and collateral pledge thereof.
While
any amounts are outstanding under the Loan and Security Agreement, the Company is subject to a number of affirmative and negative covenants,
including covenants regarding dispositions of property, business combinations or acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness
and transactions with affiliates, among other customary covenants. The credit facility also includes events of default, the occurrence
and continuation of which could cause interest to be charged at the rate that is otherwise applicable plus 5.0 % and would provide SVB,
as collateral agent, with the right to exercise remedies against the Company and the collateral securing the credit facility, including
foreclosure against the property securing the credit facilities, including its cash . These events of default include, among other things,
any failure by the Company to pay principal or interest due under the credit facility, a breach of certain covenants under the credit
facility, the Company’s insolvency, a material adverse change, and one or more judgments against the Company in an amount greater
than $ 100,000 individually or in the aggregate.
12
Future
maturities of principal payments on the Loan and Security Agreement as of March 31, 2022, are as follows:
Schedule
of Future Maturities of Principal Payments
Years
Ending December 31,
Amount
(in
thousands)
2022
$ 833
Thereafter
—
$ 833
(7) Income Taxes
The
tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of the Company’s effective tax rate for the full year adjusted
for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter the Company updates its estimate of the
annual effective tax rate, and if the estimated tax rate changes, the Company makes a cumulative adjustment.
At
March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets, net of expected reversals
of existing deferred tax liabilities, as it believes it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized.
(8) Contractual Agreements
(a) Abbott
Products, Inc.
On
March 29, 2012, the Company terminated its collaborative agreement with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (later acquired by Abbott Products,
Inc.) for TLANDO. As part of the termination, the Company reacquired the rights to the intellectual property from Abbott. All obligations
under the prior license agreement have been completed except that Lipocine will owe Abbott a perpetual 1 % royalty on our licensee’s
net sales of TLANDO. Such royalties are limited to $ 1.0 million in the first two calendar years following product launch, after which
period there is not a cap on royalties and no maximum aggregate amount. If generic versions of any such product are introduced, then
royalties are reduced by 50 %. The Company did not incur any royalties during the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021.
(b)
Antares
Pharma, Inc.
On
October 14, 2021, the Company entered into a license agreement (“License Agreement”) with Antares Pharma, Inc. (“Antares”)
pursuant to which the Company granted to Antares an exclusive, royalty-bearing, sublicensable right and license to develop and commercialize,
upon final approval of TLANDO® from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), the Company’s TLANDO product
with respect to testosterone replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone,
as indicated in NDA No. 208088, treatment of Klinefelter syndrome, and pediatric indications relating to testosterone replacement therapy
in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone (the “Field”), in each case within
the United States. The Antares License Agreement also provides Antares with an option, exercisable on or before March 31, 2022, to license
TLANDO XR, the Company’s potential once-daily oral product candidate for testosterone replacement therapy. On April 1, 2022, the
Company entered into the First Amendment to the License Agreement (the “Amendment”), pursuant to which the License Agreement
was amended to extend the deadline by which Antares shall exercise its option to license TLANDO XR to June 30, 2022. As consideration
for the Company agreeing to enter into the Amendment, in April 2022 Antares paid the Company a non-refundable cash fee of $ 500,000 which
will be creditable toward the license fee agreed to in the License Agreement of $ 4 million. Upon execution of the Antares License Agreement,
Antares paid to the Company an initial payment of $ 11.0 million. Antares will also make additional payments of $ 5.0 million to the Company
on each of January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026, provided that certain conditions are satisfied. The Company is also eligible to receive
milestone payments of up to $ 160.0 million in the aggregate, depending on the achievement of certain sales milestones in a single calendar
year with respect to all products licensed by Antares under the Antares License Agreement. In addition, upon commercialization, the Company
will receive tiered royalty payments at rates ranging from percentages in the mid-teens to up to 20 % of net sales of TLANDO in the United
States, subject to certain minimum royalty obligations. If Antares exercises its option to license TLANDO XR, the Company will be entitled
to an additional payment of $ 3.5 million, as well as development milestone payments of up to $ 35.0 million in the aggregate and tiered
royalty payments at rates ranging from percentages in the mid-teens to 20 % of net sales of TLANDO XR in the United States. The Company
retains development and commercialization rights in the rest of the world, and with respect to applications outside of the Field inside
or outside the United States. Antares will also purchase certain existing inventory of licensed products from the Company, subject to
testing and acceptance procedures. Finally, pursuant to the terms of the Antares License Agreement, Antares is generally responsible
for expenses relating to the development (including the conduct of any clinical trials) and commercialization of licensed products in
the Field in the United States, while the Company is generally responsible for expenses relating to development activities outside of
the Field and/or the United States. The Company did not recognize any revenue under the Antares Licensing Agreement during either the
three months ended March 31, 2022, or March 31, 2021.
13
(c) Contract
Research and Development
The
Company has entered into agreements with various contract organizations that conduct preclinical, clinical, analytical and manufacturing
development work on behalf of the Company as well as a number of independent contractors and primarily clinical researchers who serve
as advisors to the Company. The Company incurred expenses of $ 1.0 million and $ 837,000 , respectively, for the three months ended March
31, 2022 and 2021 under these agreements and has recorded these expenses in research and development expenses.
(9) Leases
The
Company has a non-cancelable operating lease for office space and laboratory facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah. The term of the lease
has been extended through February 28, 2023.
Future
minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of March 31, 2022 are:
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases
Operating
leases
Quarter
ending March 31:
2022
$ 257,729
2023
57,273
Total
minimum lease payments
$ 315,002
The
Company’s rent expense was $ 84,000 and $ 83,000 for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(10) Stockholders’ Equity
(a) Issuance
of Common Stock
On
January 28, 2021, the Company completed a public offering of securities registered under an effective registration statement filed pursuant
to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“January 2021 Offering”). The gross proceeds from the January 2021 Offering were
approximately $ 28.7 million, before deducting underwriter fees and other offering expenses of $ 1.9 million. In the January 2021 Offering,
the Company sold 16,428,571 shares of its common stock.
On
February 27, 2020, the Company completed a registered direct offering of securities registered under an effective registration statement
filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“February 2020 Offering”). The gross proceeds from the February
2020 Offering were approximately $ 6.0 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses of $ 347,000 . In the
February 2020 Offering, the Company sold 10,084,034 Class A Units at an offering price of $ 0.595 per unit, with each Class A Unit consisting
of one share of its common stock and one-half of a common warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $ 0.53
per share of common stock. Additionally, the common stock warrants were immediately exercisable and expire on February 27, 2025. By their
terms, however, the common stock warrants cannot be exercised at any time that the common stock warrant holder would beneficially own,
after such exercise, more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the shares of common stock then outstanding after
giving effect to such exercise.
14
On
November 18, 2019, the Company completed a public offering of securities registered under an effective registration statement filed pursuant
to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“November 2019 Offering”). The gross proceeds from the November 2019 Offering
were approximately $ 6.0 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses of $ 404,000 . In the November 2019
Offering, the Company sold (i) 10,450,000 Class A Units, with each Class A Unit consisted of one share of its common stock and a common
warrant to purchase one share of its common stock, and (ii) 1,550,000 Class B Units, with each Class B Unit consisting of one pre-funded
warrant to purchase one share of its common stock and a common warrant to purchase one share of its common stock, at a price of $ 0.50
per Class A Unit and $ 0.4999 per Class B Unit. The pre-funded warrants, which were exercised for common stock in December 2019, were
issued in lieu of common stock in order to ensure the purchaser did not exceed certain beneficial ownership limitations. The pre-funded
warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $ .0001 per share, subject to adjustment. Additionally, the common stock
warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $ 0.50 per share, subject to adjustment, and expire on November 17, 2024.
By their terms, however, neither the pre-funded warrants nor the common stock warrants can be exercised at any time that the pre-funded
warrant holder or the common stock warrant holder would beneficially own, after such exercise, more than 4.99% (or, at the election of
the holder, 9.99%) of the shares of common stock then outstanding after giving effect to such exercise. On the date of the November 2019
Offering, the Company allocated approximately $ 768,000 and $ 4.8 million to common stock/additional paid-in capital and warrant liability,
respectively.
On
March 6, 2017, the Company entered into the Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Cantor”) pursuant to which
the Company may issue and sell, from time to time, shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to the amount
the Company registered on an effective registration statement pursuant to which the offering is being made. The Company currently has
registered up to $ 50.0 million for sale under the Sales Agreement, pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-250072)
through Cantor as the Company’s sales agent. Cantor may sell the Company’s common stock by any method permitted by law deemed
to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, including sales made directly on or
through the Nasdaq Capital Market or any other existing trade market for our common stock, in negotiated transactions at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to prevailing market prices, or any other method permitted by law. Cantor uses its
commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell these
shares. The Company pays Cantor 3.0 % of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of shares under the Sales Agreement. In addition,
the Company has also provided Cantor with customary indemnification rights.
The
shares of the Company’s common stock sold under the Sales Agreement are sold and issued pursuant to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (File No. 333-250072) (the “Form S-3”), which was previously declared effective by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the related prospectus and one or more prospectus supplements.
The
Company is not obligated to make any sales of its common stock under the Sales Agreement. The offering of common stock pursuant to the
Sales Agreement will terminate upon the termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein. The Company and Cantor may each terminate
the Sales Agreement at any time upon ten days’ prior notice.
As
of March 31, 2022, we had sold an aggregate of 15,023,073 shares at a weighted-average sales price of $ 2.19 per share under the ATM for
aggregate gross proceeds of $ 32.9 million and net proceeds of $ 31.7 million, after deducting sales agent commission and discounts and
our other offering costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company did not sell any shares of our common stock pursuant
to the Sales Agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company sold 1,811,238 shares of our common stock pursuant
to the Sales Agreement at a weighted-average sales price of $ 1.95 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $ 3.4 million
under the Sales Agreement, which is net of $ 112,000 in expenses. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $ 41.2 million available for sale
under the Sales Agreement.
(b) Rights
Agreement
On
November 13, 2015, the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, entered into a Rights Agreement.
Also on November 12, 2015, the board of directors of the Company authorized and the Company declared a dividend of one preferred stock
purchase right (each a “Right” and collectively, the “Rights”) for each outstanding share of common stock of
the Company. The dividend was payable to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 30, 2015 and entitles the registered
holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock of the Company at a price of $ 63.96 per one-thousandth share (the “Purchase Price”). The Rights will generally become
exercisable upon the earlier to occur of (i) 10 business days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons has become an Acquiring Person (as defined below) or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined
by action of the board of directors prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring
Person) following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of
which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the outstanding common stock of the Company. Except
in certain situations, a person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an “Acquiring Person” upon acquiring
beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.
15
In
general, in the event a person becomes an Acquiring Person, then each Right not owned by such Acquiring Person will entitle its holder
to purchase from the Company, at the Right’s then current exercise price, in lieu of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock, common stock of the Company with a market value of twice the Purchase Price. In addition, if after any person has become an Acquiring
Person, (a) the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination, or (b) 50% or more of the Company’s assets, or assets
accounting for 50% or more of its earning power, are sold, leased, exchanged or otherwise transferred (in one or more transactions),
proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right (other than the Acquiring Person, its affiliates and associates and certain
transferees thereof, whose Rights became void) shall thereafter have the right to purchase from the acquiring corporation, for the Purchase
Price, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring corporation which at the time of such transaction would have a market value
of twice the Purchase Price.
The
Company will be entitled to redeem the Rights at $ 0.001 per Right at any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such. The
terms of the Rights are set forth in the Rights Agreement, which is summarized in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
November 13, 2015. The rights plan was originally set to expire on November 12, 2018; however, on November 5, 2018 our Board of Directors
approved an Amended and Restated Rights Agreement pursuant to which the expiration date was extended to November 5, 2021, and again on
November 1, 2021, the Company adopted a Second Amended and Restated Rights Agreement pursuant to which the expiration date was extended
to November 1, 2024, unless the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company.
(c) Share-Based
Payments
The
Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for grants of stock option awards, restricted stock units and restricted stock under
the Company’s Incentive Plan to employees, nonemployees and nonemployee members of the Company’s board of directors based
on the grant-date fair value of those awards. The grant-date fair value of an award is generally recognized as compensation expense over
the award’s requisite service period. In addition, the Company has granted performance-based stock option awards and restricted
stock units, which vest based upon the Company satisfying certain performance conditions. Potential compensation cost, measured on the
grant date, related to these performance options will be recognized only if, and when, the Company estimates that these options or units
will vest, which is based on whether the Company considers the performance conditions to be probable of attainment. The Company’s
estimates of the number of performance-based options or units that will vest will be revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods.
16
The
Company uses the Black-Scholes model to compute the estimated fair value of stock option awards. Using this model, fair value is calculated
based on assumptions with respect to (i) expected volatility of the Company’s common stock price, (ii) the periods of time over
which employees and members of the board of directors are expected to hold their options prior to exercise (expected term), (iii) expected
dividend yield on the Common Stock, and (iv) risk-free interest rates. Stock-based compensation expense also includes an estimate, which
is made at the time of grant, of the number of awards that are expected to be forfeited. This estimate is revised, if necessary, in subsequent
periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Stock-based compensation cost that has been expensed in the statements of
operations amounted to approximately $ 171,000 and $ 148,000 , respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 and
is allocated as follows:
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Three
Months Ended
March 31,
2022
2021
Research
and development
$ 79,652
$ 66,887
General
and administrative
91,376
80,679
$ 171,028
$ 147,566
The
Company issued 332,500 and 310,000 stock options, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
Key
assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of stock options granted are as follows:
Expected
Term : The expected term represents the period that the stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. Due to limited historical
experience of similar awards, the expected term was estimated using the simplified method in accordance with the provisions of Staff
Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107, Share-Based Payment, for awards with stated or implied service periods. The simplified
method defines the expected term as the average of the contractual term and the vesting period of the stock option. For awards with performance
conditions, and that have the contractual term to satisfy the performance condition, the contractual term was used.
Risk-Free
Interest Rate: The risk-free interest rate used was based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury issues with an
equivalent remaining term.
Expected
Dividend : The expected dividend assumption is based on management’s current expectation about the Company’s anticipated
dividend policy. The Company does not anticipate declaring dividends in the foreseeable future.
Expected
Volatility : The volatility factor is based solely on the Company’s trading history.
For
options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company calculated the fair value of each option grant on
the respective dates of grant using the following weighted average assumptions:
Schedule of Key Assumption of Fair Value of Stock Options Granted
2022
2021
Expected
term
5.85
years
5.85
years
Risk-free
interest rate
1.41 %
0.47 %
Expected
dividend yield
0.00 %
0.00 %
Expected
volatility
102.43 %
100.96 %
FASB
ASC 718, Stock Compensation, requires the Company to recognize compensation expense for the portion of options that are expected
to vest. Therefore, the Company applied estimated forfeiture rates that were derived from historical employee termination behavior. If
the actual number of forfeitures differs from those estimated by management, additional adjustments to compensation expense may be required
in future periods.
17
As
of March 31, 2022, there was $ 1.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements
granted under the Company’s stock option plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.23 years
and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures.
(d) Stock
Option Plan
In
April 2014, the board of directors adopted the 2014 Stock and Incentive Plan (“2014 Plan”) subject to shareholder approval
which was received in June 2014. The 2014 Plan provides for the granting of nonqualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation
rights, restricted stock units, restricted stock and dividend equivalents. The 2014 Plan has been amended and restated several times
to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock of the Company issuable under all awards granted under the 2014 Plan. The
board of directors, on an option-by-option basis, determines the number of shares, exercise price, term, and vesting period for options
granted. Options granted generally have a ten-year contractual life. The Company issues shares of common stock upon the exercise of options
with the source of those shares of common stock being either newly issued shares or shares held in treasury. An aggregate of 5,721,906
shares are authorized for issuance under the 2014 Plan, with 1,062,651 shares remaining available for grant as of March 31, 2022.
A
summary of stock option activity is as follows:
Schedule of Stock Option Activity
Outstanding
stock options
Number
of shares
Weighted
average exercise price
Balance
at December 31, 2021
4,551,205
$ 2.82
Options
granted
332,500
1.09
Options
exercised
( 208,274 )
0.99
Options
forfeited
( 445,692 )
1.16
Balance
at March 31, 2022
4,229,739
2.94
Options
exercisable at March 31, 2022
2,796,497
3.87
The
following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2022:
Schedule of Share-based Compensation of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable
Options
outstanding
Options
exercisable
Number
outstanding
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (Years)
Weighted
average exercise price
Aggregate
intrinsic value
Number
exercisable
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (Years)
Weighted
average exercise price
Aggregate
intrinsic value
4,229,739
5.97
$ 2.94
$ 666,686
2,796,497
4.30
$ 3.87
$ 330,331
The
intrinsic value for stock options is defined as the difference between the current market value and the exercise price. There were 208,274
and 4,584 stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2021, respectively.
18
(e) Common
Stock Warrants
The
Company accounts for its common stock warrants under ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity , which requires any financial
instrument, other than an outstanding share, that, at inception, embodies an obligation to repurchase the issuer’s equity shares,
or is indexed to such an obligation, and requires or may require the issuer to settle the obligation by transferring assets, to be classified
as a liability. In accordance with ASC 480, the Company’s outstanding warrants from the November 2019 Offering are classified as
a liability. The liability is adjusted to fair value at each reporting period, with the changes in fair value recognized as gain (loss)
on change in fair value of warrant liability in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The warrants issued in the
November 2019 Offering allow the warrant holder, if certain change in control events occur, the option to receive an amount of cash equal
to the value of the warrants as determined in accordance with the Black-Scholes option pricing model with certain defined assumptions
upon a fundamental transaction.
As
of March 31, 2022, the Company had 1,094,030 common stock warrants outstanding from the November 2019 Offering to purchase an equal number
of shares of common stock. The fair value of these warrants on March 31, 2022, and on December 31, 2021. was determined using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following Level 3 inputs (as defined in the November 2019 Offering):
Schedule of Fair Value of Warrants
March
31, 2022
December
31, 2021
Expected
life in years
2.63
2.88
Risk-free
interest rate
2.64 %
0.97 %
Dividend
yield
—
—
Volatility
100.00 %
100.00 %
Stock
price
$ 1.38
$ 0.99
During
the three months ended March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2021, the Company recorded a non-cash loss of approximately $ 378,000 and $ 195,000 ,
respectively, from the change in fair value of the November 2019 Offering warrants. The following table is a reconciliation of the warrant
liability measured at fair value using level 3 inputs:
Schedule of Reconciliation of Warrant Liability
Warrant
Liability
Balance
at December 31, 2021
$ 795,796
Settlement
of liability on warrant exercise
-
Change
in fair value of common stock warrants
377,989
Balance
at March 31, 2022
$ 1,173,785
Additionally,
in the February 2020 Offering, the Company issued 5,042,017 common stock warrants, however, because these warrants do not provide the
warrant holder the option to put the warrant back to the Company, the warrants are classified as equity. As of March 31, 2022, and March
31, 2021, there were 840,336 warrants outstanding that were issued in conjunction with the February 2020 Offering.
There
were no common stock warrants exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, 10,000
common stock warrants to purchase one share of our common stock were exercised, resulting in proceeds of approximately $ 5,000 in the
three months ended March 31, 2021.
The
following table summarizes information about common stock warrants outstanding at March 31, 2022:
Schedule of Number of Weighted Average Exercise Price
Warrants
outstanding
Number
exercisable
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (Years)
Weighted
average exercise price
Aggregate
intrinsic value
1,934,366
2.75
$ 0.51
$ 1,657,688
19
(11) Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The
Company is involved in various lawsuits, claims and other legal matters from time to time that arise in the ordinary course of conducting
business. The Company records a liability when a particular contingency is probable and estimable.
On
April 2, 2019, the Company filed a lawsuit against Clarus in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging that
Clarus’s JATENZO® product infringes six of Lipocine’s issued U.S. patents: 9,034,858; 9,205,057; 9,480,690; 9,757,390;
6,569,463; and 6,923,988. However, on February 11, 2020, the Company voluntarily dismissed allegations of patent infringement for expired
U.S. Patent Nos. 6,569,463 and 6,923,988 in an effort to streamline the issues and associated costs for dispute. Clarus answered the
complaint and asserted counterclaims of non-infringement and invalidity. The Company answered Clarus’s counterclaims on April 29,
2019. The Court held a scheduling conference on August 15, 2019, a claim construction hearing on February 11, 2020, and a summary judgment
hearing on January 15, 2021. In May 2021, the Court granted Clarus’ motion for Summary Judgment, finding the asserted claims of
Lipocine’s U.S. patents 9,034,858; 9,205,057; 9,480,690; and 9,757,390 invalid for failure to satisfy the written description requirement
of 35 U.S.C. § 112. Clarus still had remaining claims before the Court. On July 13, 2021, the Company entered into the Global Agreement
with Clarus which resolved all outstanding claims of this litigation as well as the on-going United States Patent and Trademark Office
(“USPTO”) Interference No. 106,128 between the parties. Under the terms of the Global Agreement, the Company agreed to pay
Clarus $ 4.0 million payable as follows: $ 2.5 million immediately, $ 1.0 million on July 13, 2022 and $ 500,000 on July 13, 2023. On April
29, 2022, the Company agreed to an amendment to Section 3.1 of the Global Agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay Clarus
$ 1,250,000 in May 2022, with no additional payments required thereafter. No future royalties are owing from either party. On July 15,
2021, the Court dismissed with prejudice the Company’s claims and Clarus’ counterclaims.
On
November 14, 2019, the Company and certain of our officers were named as defendants in a purported shareholder class action lawsuit,
Solomon Abady v. Lipocine Inc. et al., 2:19-cv-00906-PMW, filed in the United District Court for the District of Utah. The complaint
alleges that the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that the Company’s filing of the
NDA for TLANDO to the FDA contained deficiencies and as a result the defendants’ statements about our business and operations were
false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis in violation of federal securities laws. The lawsuit seeks certification as a class
action (for a purported class of purchasers of the Company’s securities from March 27, 2019 through November 8, 2019), compensatory
damages in an unspecified amount, and unspecified equitable or injunctive relief. The Company has insurance that covers claims of this
nature. The retention amount payable by us under our policy is $ 1.25 million. The Company filed a motion to dismiss this class action
lawsuit on July 24, 2020. In response, the plaintiffs filed their response to the motion to dismiss the class action lawsuit on September
22, 2020, and the Company filed its reply to the motion to dismiss on October 22, 2020. A hearing on the motion to dismiss occurred on
January 12, 2022. The Company intends to vigorously defend ourselves against these allegations and have not recorded a liability related
to this shareholder class action lawsuit as the outcome is not probable nor can an estimate be made of loss, if any.
On
March 13, 2020, the Company filed U.S. patent application serial number 16/818,779 (the “Lipocine ‘779 Application”)
with the USPTO. On October 16 and November 3, 2020, the Company filed suggestions for interference with the USPTO requesting that a patent
interference be declared between the Lipocine ‘779 Application and US patent application serial number 16/656,178 to Clarus Therapeutics,
Inc. (the “Clarus ‘178 Application”). Pursuant to our request, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”)
at the USPTO declared the interference on January 4, 2021 to ultimately determine, as between the Company and Clarus, who is entitled
to the claimed subject matter. The interference number is 106,128, and we were initially declared Senior Party. A conference call with
the PTAB was held on January 25, 2021 to discuss proposed motions. On February 1, 2021, the PTAB issued an order authorizing certain
motions and setting the schedule for the preliminary motions phase. On July 13, 2021, the Company entered into the Global Agreement with
Clarus to resolve interference No. 106,128 among other items. On July 26, 2021, the PTAB granted the Company’s request for adverse
judgment in interference No. 106,128 in accordance with the Global Agreement.
Beyond
Solomon Abady v. Lipocine Inc. et al., 2:19-cv-00906-PM
matter, management does not currently believe that any other matter, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
Guarantees
and Indemnifications
In
the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements, such as lease agreements, licensing agreements, clinical trial agreements,
and certain services agreements, containing standard guarantee and / or indemnification provisions. Additionally, the Company has indemnified
its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware.
20
(12) Agreement with Spriaso, LLC
The
Company has a license and a services agreement with Spriaso, a related-party that is majority-owned by certain current and former directors
of Lipocine Inc. and their affiliates. Under the license agreement, the Company assigned and transferred to Spriaso all of the Company’s
rights, title and interest in its intellectual property to develop products for the cough and cold field. In addition, Spriaso received
all rights and obligations under the Company’s product development agreement with a third-party. In exchange, the Company will
receive a royalty of 20 percent of the net proceeds received by Spriaso, up to a maximum of $ 10.0 million. Spriaso also granted back
to the Company an exclusive license to such intellectual property to develop products outside of the cough and cold field. The Company
also agreed to continue providing up to 10 percent of the services of certain employees to Spriaso for a period of time. The agreement
to provide services expired in 2021; however, it may be extended upon written agreement of Spriaso and the Company. The Company did not
receive any reimbursements from Spriaso for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Additionally, during the three
months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not receive any royalty revenue from Spriaso. Spriaso filed its first NDA and as
an affiliated entity of the Company, it used up the one-time waiver for user fees for a small business submitting its first human drug
application to the FDA. Spriaso is considered a variable interest entity under the FASB ASC Topic 810-10, Consolidations, however the
Company is not the primary beneficiary and has therefore not consolidated Spriaso.
(13) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting
Pronouncements Issued Not Yet Adopted
In
2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
(“ASU 2016-13”). This standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that
reflects expected credit losses on instruments within its scope, including trade receivables, and requires entities to measure all expected
credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable
forecasts. The original effective date for ASU 2016-13 was for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019.
However,
in October 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Leases: Effective
Dates , which deferred the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for certain entities, including those that are eligible to be smaller reporting
companies . A company’s determination about whether it is eligible for the deferral is a one-time assessment as of November
15, 2019, based on its most recent determination of its small reporting company eligibility as of the last business day of the most recently
completed second quarter. Based on this determination, the Company qualifies as a smaller reporting entity and is therefore eligible
for the deferral of adoption of ASU 2016-13, resulting in a new effective date of January 1, 2023. The Company has historically not had
credit losses on financial instruments and is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on its consolidated
financial statements.
(14) Subsequent Events
Amendment
to Antares License Agreement
The
Antares License Agreement provides Antares with an option, exercisable on or before March 31, 2022, to license TLANDO XR, the Company’s
potential once-daily oral product candidate for testosterone replacement therapy. On April 1, 2022, the Company entered into the First
Amendment to the License Agreement (the “Amendment”) with Antares, pursuant to which the License Agreement was amended to
extend the deadline by which Antares shall exercise its option to license TLANDO XR to June 30, 2022. As consideration for the Company
agreeing to enter into the Amendment, in April 2022 Antares paid the Company a non-refundable cash fee of $ 500,000 which will be creditable
toward the license fee agreed to in the License Agreement of $ 4 million. If Antares exercises its option to license TLANDO XR, the Company
will be entitled to additional upfront payments in 2022 totaling $ 3.5 million, as well as development milestone payments of up to $ 35.0
million in the aggregate, and tiered royalty payments at rates ranging from percentages in the mid-teens to 20 % of net sales of TLANDO
XR in the United States.
Amendment
to Global Agreement with Clarus
On
April 29, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment to the Global Agreement with Clarus, pursuant to which installment payment provisions
and amounts of Section 3.1 of the Global Agreement were amended. The terms of the original Agreement provided for the Company to make
two installment payments to Clarus: $ 1,000,000 on or before the twelve-month anniversary of the Global Agreement, and $ 500,000 on or
before the twenty-four-month anniversary of the Agreement. Under the terms of the amendment, the Company will make one payment of $ 1,250,000
in May 2022, and no additional payments thereafter. All remaining provisions of the Global Agreement remain unchanged.
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