Item 1. Financial Statements
ITEM
1. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
LIPOCINE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
June 30,
December 31,
2025
2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 6,043,980
$ 6,205,926
Marketable investment securities
11,891,702
15,427,385
Accrued interest income
121,732
120,447
Prepaid and other current assets
362,629
567,915
Total current assets
18,420,043
22,321,673
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $ 1,254,975 and $ 1,223,297 respectively
133,397
165,075
Other assets
23,753
23,753
Total assets
$ 18,577,193
$ 22,510,501
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 442,994
$ 271,696
Accrued expenses
685,779
921,240
Deferred revenue
320,000
320,000
Total current liabilities
1,448,773
1,512,936
Total liabilities
1,448,773
1,512,936
Commitments and contingencies (notes 8 and 11)
-
-
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 5,374,431 and 5,348,276 issued and 5,374,095 and 5,347,940 outstanding, respectively
8,865
8,863
Additional paid-in capital
221,000,961
220,789,138
Treasury stock at cost, 336 shares
( 40,712 )
( 40,712 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
( 1,243 )
9,138
Accumulated deficit
( 203,839,451 )
( 199,768,862 )
Total stockholders’ equity
17,128,420
20,997,565
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 18,577,193
$ 22,510,501
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
3
LIPOCINE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
2025
2024
2025
2024
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2025
2024
2025
2024
Revenues:
License revenue
$ 500,000
$ -
$ 500,000
$ 7,500,000
Royalty revenue
122,849
89,565
216,713
206,738
Total revenues
622,849
89,565
716,713
7,706,738
Operating expenses:
Research and development
2,136,769
1,874,721
3,198,341
4,693,646
General and administrative
890,433
1,507,412
2,012,910
3,083,131
Total operating expenses
3,027,202
3,382,133
5,211,251
7,776,777
Operating loss
( 2,404,353 )
( 3,292,568 )
( 4,494,538 )
( 70,039 )
Other income (loss):
Interest and investment income
198,637
308,845
424,149
640,209
Unrealized loss on warrant liability
-
( 84,430 )
-
( 124,502 )
Total other income
198,637
224,415
424,149
515,707
Income (loss) before income tax expense
( 2,205,716 )
( 3,068,153 )
( 4,070,389 )
445,668
Income tax expense
-
( 481 )
( 200 )
( 681 )
Net loss attributable to common shareholders Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders
$ ( 2,205,716 )
$ ( 3,068,634 )
$ ( 4,070,589 )
$ 444,987
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stock
$ ( 0.41 )
$ ( 0.57 )
$ ( 0.76 )
$ 0.08
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
5,351,957
5,343,922
5,350,267
5,329,876
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stock
$ ( 0.41 )
$ ( 0.56 )
$ ( 0.76 )
$ 0.10
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted
5,351,957
5,343,922
5,350,267
5,459,204
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)
$ ( 2,205,716 )
$ ( 3,068,634 )
$ ( 4,070,589 )
$ 444,987
Net unrealized income (loss) on marketable investment securities
( 6,764 )
885
( 10,381 )
( 16,978 )
Comprehensive income (loss)
$ ( 2,212,480 )
$ ( 3,067,749 )
$ ( 4,080,970 )
$ 428,009
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
4
LIPOCINE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For
the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
(Unaudited)
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Additional Paid-In Capital
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Deficit
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholder’s Equity
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Accumulated
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Additional Paid-In Capital
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Deficit
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
Balances at March 31, 2024
5,315,830
8,860
336
( 40,712 )
220,262,456
( 10,604 )
( 196,263,593 )
23,956,407
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 3,068,634 )
( 3,068,634 )
Unrealized net income on marketable investment securities
-
-
-
-
-
885
-
885
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
102,265
-
-
102,265
Costs associated with ATM Offering
32,110
3
-
-
217,437
-
-
217,440
Balances at June 30, 2024
5,347,940
$ 8,863
336
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 220,582,158
$ ( 9,719 )
$ ( 199,332,227 )
$ 21,208,363
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Accumulated
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Additional Paid-In Capital
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Deficit
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Balances at December 31, 2023
5,315,830
$ 8,860
336
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 220,171,250
$ 7,259
$ ( 199,777,214 )
$ 20,369,443
Net income
-
-
-
-
-
-
444,987
444,987
Unrealized net loss on marketable investment securities
-
-
-
-
-
( 16,978 )
-
( 16,978 )
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
201,571
-
-
201,571
Common stock sold through ATM offering
32,110
3
-
-
209,337
-
-
209,340
Balances at June 30, 2024
5,347,940
$ 8,863
336
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 220,582,158
$ ( 9,719 )
$ ( 199,332,227 )
$ 21,208,363
5
Stockholder’s Equity
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Accumulated
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-In Capital
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Deficit
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
Balances at March 31, 2025
5,350,356
8,863
336
( 40,712 )
220,860,140
5,521
( 201,633,735 )
19,200,077
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 2,205,716 )
( 2,205,716 )
Unrealized net loss on marketable investment securities
-
-
-
-
-
( 6,764 )
-
( 6,764 )
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
65,205
-
-
65,205
Common stock sold through ATM offering
23,739
2
-
-
75,616
-
-
75,618
Balances at June 30, 2025
5,374,095
$ 8,865
336
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 221,000,961
$ ( 1,243 )
$ ( 203,839,451 )
$ 17,128,420
Stockholder’s Equity
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Accumulated
Total
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Number
of
Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-In Capital
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Deficit
Stockholders’ Equity
Balances at December 31, 2024
5,347,940
$ 8,863
336
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 220,789,138
$ 9,138
$ ( 199,768,862 )
$ 20,997,565
Balances
5,347,940
$ 8,863
336
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 220,789,138
$ 9,138
$ ( 199,768,862 )
$ 20,997,565
Net loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 4,070,589 )
( 4,070,589 )
Net income (loss)
-
-
-
-
-
-
( 4,070,589 )
( 4,070,589 )
Unrealized net loss on marketable investment securities
-
-
-
-
-
( 10,381 )
-
( 10,381 )
Stock-based compensation
-
-
-
-
136,207
-
-
136,207
Vesting of restricted stock units
2,416
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Common stock sold through ATM offering
23,739
2
-
-
75,616
-
-
75,618
Balances at June 30, 2025
5,374,095
$ 8,865
336
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 221,000,961
$ ( 1,243 )
$ ( 203,839,451 )
$ 17,128,420
Balances
5,374,095
$ 8,865
336
$ ( 40,712 )
$ 221,000,961
$ ( 1,243 )
$ ( 203,839,451 )
$ 17,128,420
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
6
LIPOCINE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
2025
2024
Six Months Ended June 30,
2025
2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$ ( 4,070,589 )
$ 444,987
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation expense
31,678
17,024
Stock-based compensation expense
136,207
201,571
Non-cash loss on change in fair value of warrant liability
-
124,502
Amortization of discounts on marketable investment securities
( 92,625 )
( 411,145 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest income
( 1,285 )
( 11,382 )
Prepaid and other current assets
205,286
476,373
Accounts payable
171,298
( 947,179 )
Accrued expenses
( 235,461 )
14,991
Cash used in operating activities
( 3,855,491 )
( 90,258 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities
( 5,082,073 )
( 17,537,469 )
Maturities of marketable investment securities
8,700,000
18,200,000
Net cash provided by investing activities
3,617,927
662,531
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from sale of common stock through ATM
75,618
209,340
Cash provided by financing activities
75,618
209,340
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
( 161,946 )
781,613
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
6,205,926
4,771,758
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 6,043,980
$ 5,553,371
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid
$ -
681
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activity:
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities
$ ( 10,381 )
$ ( 16,978 )
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
7
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 (“U.S. GAAP”) has been condensed or omitted
in accordance with rules and regulations of the SEC. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period or for the year ending December 31, 2025.
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, 2024.
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. GAAP. 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 August 5, 2026. 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. While the Company believes it has sufficient
liquidity and capital resources to fund our projected operating requirements through at least August 5, 2026, the Company will need to
raise additional capital through the equity or debt markets or via out-licensing activities to support its operations. If the Company
is unsuccessful in raising additional capital, its long-term 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 1154, LPCN 2401, LPCN 2101, LPCN 2203, LPCN
1148, LPCN 1144, and/or LPCN 1107. Conversely, the Company’s capital resources could last longer if the Company reduces expenses,
reduces the number of activities currently contemplated under its operating plan, or terminates, modifies the design of or suspends on-going
clinical studies.
On
January 12, 2024, the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “Verity License Agreement”) with Gordon Silver Limited
(“GSL”) and Verity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Verity Pharma”), pursuant to which the Company granted to GSL (an
affiliate of Verity Pharma) an exclusive, royalty-bearing, sublicensable right and license to commercialize the TLANDO product with respect
to testosterone replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone, as indicated
in a New Drug Application (“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 and Canada (the “Licensed Verity Territory”). The Verity License Agreement also provides
GSL with a license to develop and commercialize TLANDO XR (LPCN 1111), the Company’s potential once-daily oral product candidate
for testosterone replacement therapy in the Licensed Verity Territory. The Company retains development and commercialization rights for
TLANDO and TLANDO XR (LPCN 1111) outside of the Licensed Verity Territory, and with respect to applications outside of the Field inside
or outside the Licensed Verity Territory.
Upon
execution of the Verity License Agreement, GSL agreed to pay the Company a license fee of $ 11.0 million consisting of an initial payment
of $ 2.5 million which was received on signing of the Verity License Agreement, $ 5.0 million which was received on February 1, 2024, $ 2.5
million which was received on December 30, 2024, and $ 1.0 million to be paid no later than January 1, 2026. The Company is also eligible
to receive development and sales milestone payments of up to $ 259 million in the aggregate, depending primarily on the achievement of
certain sales milestones in a single calendar year with respect to all products licensed by GSL under the Verity License Agreement. In
addition, the Company is eligible to receive tiered royalty payments at rates ranging from 12 % up to 18 % of net sales of licensed products
in the Licensed Verity Territory.
8
In
addition to the Verity License Agreement, the Company entered into a license agreement in the territories of South Korea, the Gulf Corporation
Council, or GCC, and Brazil. The Company retains development and commercialization rights for TLANDO outside of the United States, Canada,
South Korea, the GCC, and Brazil and retains the development and commercialization rights for TLANDO XR (LPCN 1111) outside the United
States and Canada, and with respect to applications outside of the Field inside or outside the Licensed Verity Territory.
(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 reassesses 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.
See
Note 7 for a description of the Verity License Agreement, the SPC License Agreement (as defined below), the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement
(as defined below), and the Aché License Agreement (as defined below). See Note 11 for a description of the agreement with Spriaso,
a related party.
License
Fees
For
distinct license performance obligations, upfront license fees are recognized when the Company satisfies the underlying performance obligation.
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. 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
Royalty
revenue consists of sales-based and minimum royalties earned under license agreements for our products. Sales-based royalty revenue represents
variable consideration under license agreements and is recognized in the period a customer sells products incorporating the Company’s
licensed technologies/products. The Company estimates sales-based royalty 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.
Revenue
Concentration
A
major partner is considered to be one that comprises more than 10 % of the Company’s total revenues. For the three months ended
June 30, 2025, the Company recognized licensing revenue of $ 500,000 and royalty revenue of approximately $ 123,000 . Revenue recognized
in the three months ended June 30, 2025 was 80 % and 20 %, respectively, from two major customers, Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos
S.A. (“Aché”) and Verity Pharma. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company recognized licensing revenue
of $ 500,000 and royalty revenue of approximately $ 217,000 . Revenue recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2025 was 70 % and 30 %,
respectively, from two major customers, Aché and Verity Pharma. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the company recognized
royalty revenue of approximately $ 90,000 . Revenue recognized in the three months ended June 30, 2024 was 100 % from one major customer,
Verity Pharma. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company recognized licensing revenue of $ 7.5 million relating to the Verity
License Agreement, approximately $ 140,000 of royalty revenue from the Verity License Agreement, and $ 67,000 of royalty revenue from the
license agreement with Antares Pharma (“Antares”). Revenue recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2024 was 99 % from
one major customer, Verity Pharma.
9
(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.
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:
Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
2025
2024
2025
2024
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2025
2024
2025
2024
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stock:
Numerator
Net income (loss)
$ ( 2,205,716 )
$ ( 3,068,634 )
$ ( 4,070,589 )
$ 444,987
Denominator
Weighted avg. common shares outstanding
5,351,957
5,343,922
5,350,267
5,329,876
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stock
$ ( 0.41 )
$ ( 0.57 )
$ ( 0.76 )
$ 0.08
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stock:
Numerator
Net income (loss)
$ ( 2,205,716 )
$ ( 3,068,634 )
$ ( 4,070,589 )
$ 444,987
Effect of dilutive securities on net earnings (loss):
Common stock warrants
-
( 84,430 )
-
( 124,502 )
Total net income (loss) for purpose of calculating diluted net income
(loss) per common share
$ ( 2,205,716 )
$ ( 2,984,204 )
$ ( 4,070,589 )
$ 569,489
Total net income (loss) for purpose of calculating diluted
net income (loss) per common share
$ ( 2,205,716 )
$ ( 2,984,204 )
$ ( 4,070,589 )
$ 569,489
Denominator
Weighted avg. common shares outstanding
5,351,957
5,343,922
5,350,267
5,329,876
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options
-
-
-
122,074
Warrants
-
-
-
7,254
Dilutive securities
-
-
-
7,254
Total shares for purpose of calculating diluted net earnings (loss) per common share
5,351,957
5,343,922
5,350,267
5,459,204
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stock
$ ( 0.41 )
$ ( 0.56 )
$ ( 0.76 )
$ 0.10
The
computation of diluted loss per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 does not include the following stock
options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock or unvested restricted stock units in the computation of diluted earnings (loss)
per share because these instruments were antidilutive:
Schedule of Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
2025
2024
2025
2024
For the Three Months Ended
For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
June 30,
2025
2024
2025
2024
Stock options
354,908
295,517
354,908
173,443
Unvested restricted stock units
19,346
21,762
19,346
14,508
Warrants
-
49,333
-
49,433
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount
-
49,333
-
49,433
10
(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 June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024, were as follows:
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities
June 30, 2025
Amortized Cost
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
Aggregate Fair Value
Government treasury bills
$ 11,892,945
$ 646
$ ( 1,889 )
$ 11,891,702
$ 11,892,945
$ 646
$ ( 1,889 )
$ 11,891,702
December 31, 2024
Amortized Cost
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
Aggregate Fair Value
Government treasury bills
$ 15,418,247
$ 9,138
$ -
$ 15,427,385
$ 15,418,247
$ 9,138
$ -
$ 15,427,385
Maturities
of debt securities classified as available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2025 are as follows:
Schedule of Maturities of Debt Securities Classified as Available-for-Sale Securities
June 30, 2025
Amortized Cost
Aggregate Fair Value
Due within one year
$ 11,892,945
$ 11,891,702
$ 11,892,945
$ 11,891,702
There
were no sales of marketable investment securities during either the three or six months ended June 30, 2025 or 2024 and therefore no
realized gains or losses. Additionally, during the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, $ 4.5 million and $ 11.5 million of marketable
investment securities matured, respectively, and during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, $ 8.7 million and $ 18.2 million of
marketable investment securities matured, respectively. The Company determined there were no other-than-temporary impairments for either
the three or six months ended June 30, 2025 or 2024.
(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.
11
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 June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024:
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Fair value measurements at reporting date using
June 30, 2025
Level 1 inputs
Level 2 inputs
Level 3 inputs
Assets:
Cash equivalents - money market funds
$ 5,755,118
$ 5,755,118
$ -
$ -
Government treasury bills
11,891,702
11,891,702
-
-
$ 17,646,820
$ 17,646,820
$ -
$ -
Fair value measurements at reporting date using
December 31, 2024
Level 1 inputs
Level 2 inputs
Level 3 inputs
Assets:
Cash equivalents - money market funds
$ 6,155,167
$ 6,155,167
$ -
$ -
Government treasury bills
15,427,385
15,427,385
-
-
$ 21,582,552
$ 21,582,552
$ -
$ -
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.
Government
treasury bills: The Company uses a third-party pricing service to value these investments. United States treasury bills are classified
within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets
and reportable trades.
The
Company’s accounting policy is to recognize transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy on the date of the event or changes
in circumstances that caused the transfer. There were no transfers into or out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2025.
(6) 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
June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 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.
12
(7) Contractual
Agreements
(a)
Verity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
On
January 12, 2024, the Company entered into the Verity License Agreement with GSL and Verity Pharma, pursuant to which the Company granted
to GSL (an affiliate of Verity Pharma) an exclusive, royalty-bearing, sublicensable right and license to commercialize 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, in each
case within the Licensed Verity Territory. In June 2025, Verity Pharma filed a New Drug Submission (“NDS”)
for TLANDO in Canada. The Verity License Agreement also provides GSL with a license to develop and commercialize
TLANDO XR (LPCN 1111), the Company’s potential once-daily oral product candidate for testosterone replacement therapy in the Licensed
Verity Territory. Under the Verity License Agreement, the Company retains rights to TLANDO in applications outside of the Field and to
the development and commercialization rights outside of the United States and Canada. The Company retains rights to TLANDO XR in applications
outside of the Field and to development and commercialization rights in the field outside of the United States and Canada.
Upon
execution of the Verity License Agreement, GSL agreed to pay the Company a license fee of $ 11.0 million consisting of an initial payment
of $ 2.5 million which was received on signing of the Verity License Agreement, $ 5.0 million which was received on February 1, 2024, $ 2.5
which was received on December 30, 2024, and $ 1.0 million to be paid no later than January 1, 2026. The Company is also eligible to receive
development and sales milestone payments of up to $ 259.0 million in the aggregate, depending primarily on the achievement of certain
sales milestones in a single calendar year with respect to all products licensed by GSL under the Verity License Agreement. Under the
Verity License Agreement, GSL 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 Licensed Verity Territory, while the Company is generally responsible
for expenses relating to development activities outside of the Field and/or the Licensed Verity Territory.
The
Company concluded that licensing revenue recognized in conjunction with the Verity License Agreement met the requirements under ASC 606,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts
the measure of performance and related revenue recognition. License revenue from payments to be received in the future will be recognized
when it is probable that we will receive license payments under the terms of the Verity License Agreement.
Under
the Verity License Agreement with Verity Pharma, during the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized royalty
revenue of $ 123,000 and $ 90,000 , respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, $ 217,000 and $ 140,000 , respectively.
The Company also recognized $ 7.5 million in license revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2024 under the Verity License Agreement.
(b)
SPC Korea
In
September 2024, the Company entered into a Distribution and License Agreement (the “SPC License Agreement”) with SPC Korea
Limited (“SPC”), pursuant to which the Company granted to SPC a non-transferable, exclusive, royalty-bearing license to commercialize
the Company’s TLANDO product with respect to the Field, specific to the country of South Korea (the “SPC Territory”).
SPC paid the Company a one-time non-refundable, non-creditable upfront fee in October 2024. The Company also received an additional payment
for a non-refundable prepayment in consideration for TLANDO product inventory, and is eligible to receive additional payments for various
marketing authorization and sales milestones, and the Company will supply TLANDO to SPC and receive a supply price. In addition, the
Company will receive royalties on net sales in the SPC Territory.
(c)
Pharmalink
In
October 2024, the Company entered into a distribution and supply agreement (the “Pharmalink Distribution Agreement”) with
Pharmalink, pursuant to which the Company granted to Pharmalink a non-transferable, exclusive, license to commercialize the Company’s
TLANDO product with respect to the Field, specific to the GCC, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”),
Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman (the “GCC Territory”). Pharmalink paid the Company a one-time non-refundable, non-creditable upfront
fee. The Company is eligible to receive additional payments in regulatory authorization milestones related to the marketing approval
in countries in the GCC Territory under the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement and the Company will supply TLANDO to Pharmalink at an
agreed transfer price.
13
(d)
Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A .
In
April 2025, the Company entered into a License and Supply Agreement (the “Aché License Agreement”) with Aché,
pursuant to which the Company granted to Aché an exclusive license to commercialize the Company’s TLANDO ® product
with respect to the Field, specific to Brazil (the “Aché Territory”). Under the agreement, the Company is entitled
to receive fees upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, royalties on net sales and will supply TLANDO to Aché at
an agreed transfer price.
(e)
Abbott Products, Inc.
On
March 29, 2012, the Company terminated its collaborative agreement with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (later acquired by Abbott Products,
Inc. (“Abbott”)) 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 the Company will owe Abbott a perpetual 1 %
royalty on net sales. 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 %. TLANDO was commercially launched on June 7, 2022. The Company incurred royalty expense of approximately
$ 10,000 and $ 7,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company incurred royalty expense of approximately
$ 18,000 and $ 16,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(f)
Contract Research and Development
The
Company has entered into agreements with various contract organizations that conduct pre-clinical, 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 approximately $ 1.3 million and $ 1.1 million for the three months ended June
30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and approximately $ 1.4 million and $ 2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively,
under these agreements and has recorded these expenses in research and development expenses.
(8) 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, 2026.
Future
minimum lease payments under the non-cancelable operating lease as of June 30, 2025 are:
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases
Operating
Lease
2025
$ 188,639
2026
62,880
Total minimum lease payments
$ 251,519
The
Company’s rent expense was $ 94,000 and $ 92,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company’s
rent expense was $ 187,000 and $ 182,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(9) Stockholders’
Equity
On
June 4, 2025, the Company held its annual general meeting of shareholders, at which a proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Restated Certificate”) to reduce the number of authorized shares of the Company’s
common stock from 200,000,000 to 75,000,000 shares was approved. The Company filed the amendment to the Restated Certificate with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 4, 2025. The amendment to the Restated Certificate became effective upon filing with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
14
(a)
Issuance
of Common Stock
On
April 26, 2024, the Company entered into a sales agreement with A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (“A.G.P.”) (the “A.G.P.
Sales Agreement”) 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 $ 10,616,169 shares of common shares for sale under the A.G.P. Sales Agreement, pursuant to
the Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended (File No. 333-275716) (the “Form S-3”), through A.G.P. as the Company’s
sales agent. A.G.P. may sell the Company’s common stock by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market (“ATM”)
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. A.G.P. will use its commercially reasonable efforts
consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell shares under the A.G.P. Sales Agreement.
The Company will pay A.G.P. 3.0 % of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of shares under the A.G.P. Sales Agreement. In addition,
the Company has also provided A.G.P. with customary indemnification rights.
The
shares of the Company’s common stock to be sold under the A.G.P. Sales Agreement will be sold and issued pursuant to the Form S-3,
as amended, 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 A.G.P. Sales Agreement. The offering of common stock pursuant
to the A.G.P. Sales Agreement will terminate upon the termination of the A.G.P. Sales Agreement as permitted therein. The Company and
A.G.P. may each terminate the A.G.P. Sales Agreement at any time upon ten days’ prior notice.
During
the three and six month ended June 30, 2025, the Company sold 23,739 shares of common stock pursuant to the A.G.P. Sales Agreement at
a weighted average price of $ 3.29 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $ 78,000 , and net proceeds of $ 76,000 , after deducting sales
agent commission.
Previously,
on March 6, 2017, the Company entered into a sales agreement (the “Cantor Sales Agreement”) with Cantor Fitzgerald &
Co. (“Cantor”) pursuant to which the Company could 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
was made. During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company sold 32,110 shares of its common stock pursuant to
the Cantor Sales Agreement. On April 24, 2024, the Cantor Sales Agreement was terminated.
(b)
Rights
Agreement
On
November 13, 2015, the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, entered into a Rights Agreement
(the “Rights Agreement”). Also on November 12, 2015, the Board 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 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.
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.
15
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 approved
an Amended and Restated Rights Agreement pursuant to which the expiration date was extended to November 5, 2021, and again on November
2, 2021, the Company adopted a Second Amended and Restated Rights Agreement pursuant to which the expiration date was extended to November
1, 2024. On October 22, 2024, the Company adopted a Third Amended and Restated Rights Agreement pursuant to which the expiration date
was extended to October 22, 2027, 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 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.
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 $ 65,000 and $ 102,000 , respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, and approximately
$ 136,000 and $ 202,000 , respectively for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024. The expense is allocated as follows:
Schedule
of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
2025
2024
2025
2024
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2025
2024
2025
2024
Research and development
$ 31,016
$ 57,786
$ 66,989
$ 112,866
General and administrative
34,189
44,479
69,218
88,705
Total
$ 65,205
$ 102,265
$ 136,207
$ 201,571
The
Company issued 8,820 stock options during each of the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, and 25,191 and 34,446 stock options
during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
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. The expected term was estimated
using 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.
16
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 six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, 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
2025
2024
Expected term
5.73 years
5.76 years
Risk-free interest rate
4.30 %
4.32 %
Expected dividend yield
—
—
Expected volatility
94.19 %
97.78 %
The
Company recognizes 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.
As
of June 30, 2025, there was approximately $ 320,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option compensation
granted under the Company’s stock option plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years
and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures. Additionally, as of June 30, 2025, there was $ 68,000 of total unrecognized
compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock units that have either time-based or performance vesting.
(d)
Stock
Option Plan
In
April 2014, the Board 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. An aggregate of 58,823 shares were authorized for issuance under the 2014 Plan.
Additionally, 15,994 remaining authorized shares under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan were issuable under the 2014 Plan at the time of
the 2014 Plan adoption. Upon receiving shareholder approval in June 2016, the 2014 Plan was amended and restated to increase the authorized
number of shares of common stock of the Company issuable under all awards granted under the 2014 Plan from 74,817 to 145,405 . Additionally,
upon receiving shareholder approval in June 2018, the 2014 Plan was further amended and restated to increase the authorized number of
shares of common stock of the Company issuable under all awards granted under the 2014 Plan from 145,405 to 189,522 . Upon receiving shareholder
approval in June 2020, the 2014 Plan was further amended and restated to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock of
the Company issuable under all awards granted under the 2014 Plan from 189,522 to 336,582 . In June 2024, the 2014 Plan was further amended
and restated to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock of the Company issuable under all awards granted from 336,582
to 600,000 . The Board, 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 600,000
shares of common stock are authorized for issuance under the 2014 Plan, with 197,655 shares remaining available for grant as of June
30, 2025.
17
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, 2023
262,247
$ 34.21
Options granted
84,715
4.79
Options exercised
-
-
Options forfeited
( 10,209 )
142.99
Options cancelled
( 1,495 )
5.23
Balance at December 31, 2024
335,258
23.59
Options granted
25,191
4.28
Options exercised
-
-
Options forfeited
( 5,541 )
85.10
Options cancelled
-
-
Balance at June 30, 2025
354,908
21.26
Options exercisable at June 30, 2025
256,738
27.57
The
following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Schedule
of Share-based Compensation of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable
As of June 30, 2025
Options outstanding
Options exercisable
Number outstanding
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Years)
Weighted average exercise price
Aggregate intrinsic value
Number exerciseable
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Years)
Weighted average exercise price
Aggregate intrinsic value
354,908
6.60
$ 21.26
$ -
256,738
5.59
$ 27.57
$ -
As of June 30, 2024
Options outstanding
Options exercisable
Number outstanding
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Years)
Weighted average exercise price
Aggregate intrinsic value
Number exerciseable
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Years)
Weighted average exercise price
Aggregate intrinsic value
295,517
6.55
$ 30.36
$ 230,307
224,887
5.79
$ 37.54
$ 77,671
The
intrinsic value for stock options is defined as the difference between the current market value and the exercise price.
18
(e)
Restricted
Stock Units
A
summary of restricted stock unit activity is as follows:
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity
Number of Unvested Restricted Stock Units
Balance at December 31, 2024
21,762
Granted
-
Vested
( 2,416 )
Cancelled
-
Balance at June 30, 2025
19,346
Number of Unvested Restricted Stock Units
Balance at December 31, 2023
-
Granted
21,762
Vested
-
Cancelled
-
Balance at June 30, 2024
21,762
The
weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units awarded during the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $ 3.61 per share.
(f)
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 an offering conducted in 2019 (the “November
2019 Offering”) were classified as a liability. The liability was 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 allowed the warrant holder, if certain change in control events had occurred,
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. The warrants expired in November of 2024 and the related
warranty liability was extinguished.
During
the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company recorded a non-cash loss of approximately $ 84,000 and $ 125,000 from the change
in fair value of the November 2019 Offering warrants. The fair value of the warrants on June 30, 2024 was determined using the Black
Scholes option pricing model with the following Level 3 inputs (as defined in the November 2019 Offering) include (i) volatility of 110.64 %,
(ii) risk free interest rate of 5.45 %, (iii) strike price of $ 8.50 , (iv) fair value of common stock of $ 8.24 , and (v) expected life of
0.4 years.
Additionally,
in an offering in February 2020, the Company issued 296,593 common stock warrants. However, because these warrants did not provide the
warrant holder the option to put the warrant back to the Company, the warrants were classified as equity. The common stock warrants from
the February 2020 offering expired in February 2025 and no warrants were exercised during 2025 prior to their expiration.
No
common stock warrants were exercised during either the three or six months ended June 30, 2025 or 2024. As of June 30, 2024, there were
113,795 warrants outstanding, with a weighted average exercise price of $ 8.72 per share and a remaining life of 0.5 years, with an aggregate
intrinsic value of $ 0 . As of June 30, 2025, there are no warrants outstanding.
19
(10)
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.
The
Company is not currently aware of any matter, individually or in the aggregate, that could 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.
(11)
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. During the three
and six months ended June 30, 2025, and 2024, the Company did not receive any revenue from Spriaso. Spriaso filed its first NDA and as
an affiliated entity of the Company, using 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.
(12)
Segment
Reporting
Operating
segments are defined as components of an entity for which separate financial information is available and that is regularly reviewed
by the Chief Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance.
The Company operates as a single reporting segment, focused on leveraging its proprietary technology platform to augment therapeutics
through effective oral delivery of products and product candidates. The Company’s measure of segment profit or loss is net income
(loss). The CODM is the chief executive officer (“CEO”). The CODM manages and allocates resources to the operations of the
Company on a total company basis. Managing and allocating resources on a consolidated basis enables the CEO to assess the overall level
of resources available and how to best deploy these resources across functions, therapeutic target areas and research and development
projects that are in line with the Company’s long-term company-wide strategic goals. Consistent with this decision-making process,
the CEO uses consolidated financial information for purposes of evaluating performance, forecasting future period financial results,
allocating resources and setting incentive targets. Operating expenses are used to monitor budget versus actual results. The review of
budgeted versus actual results is used in assessing performance of the segment. All the Company’s long-lived assets are held in
the United States and all the Company’s revenues are primarily related to TLANDO.
20
The
following table is representative of the significant expense categories regularly provided to the CODM when managing the Company’s
single reporting segment. A reconciliation to the consolidated net income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and
2024 is included in the table below.
Schedule of Significant Expense Categories
2025
2024
2025
2024
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2025
2024
2025
2024
Total revenues
$ 622,849
$ 89,565
$ 716,713
$ 7,706,738
Program expenses (1)
LPCN 1154 (1)
1,042,929
1,024,607
1,049,621
2,677,093
Other research and development programs (1)
155,415
( 30,916 )
176,388
139,101
Program expenses (1)
155,415
( 30,916 )
176,388
139,101
Non-program expenses (2)
735,511
1,252,539
1,736,128
2,759,176
Personnel costs
1,028,142
1,033,638
2,112,907
1,999,836
Stock-based compensation
65,205
102,265
136,207
201,571
Total segment operating income (loss)
( 2,404,353 )
( 3,292,568 )
( 4,494,538 )
( 70,039 )
Other income (loss) (3)
198,637
223,934
423,949
515,026
Net income (loss)
$ ( 2,205,716 )
$ ( 3,068,634 )
$ ( 4,070,589 )
$ 444,987
(1)
Includes
external research and development expenses.
(2)
Includes
general and administrative expenses, information technology, infrastructure, facilities, and intellectual property, and legal and
professional fees.
(3)
Includes
interest income and loss on warrant liability.
(13)
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting
Pronouncements Issued Not Yet Adopted
In
November 2024, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive
Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“ASU 2024-03”).
This guidance requires the disaggregation of certain expense captions into specified categories in disclosures within the notes of the
financial statements to provide enhanced transparency into the expense captions presented on the statement of earnings. It is effective
for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption
permitted. Adoption may be applied either prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date
of ASU 2024-03 or retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in financial statements.
The
Company is evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s related disclosures.
21
I TEM
2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The
following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in this report. For
additional context with which to understand our financial condition and results of operations, see management’s discussion and
analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2024, filed with the SEC on March 13, 2025 (the “2024 Form 10-K”), our first quarter report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC
on May 8, 2025, as well as the financial statements and related notes contained therein.
As
used in the discussion below, “we,” “our,” and “us” refers to Lipocine.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This
section and other parts of this report contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”), 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
may refer to such matters as products, product benefits, pre-clinical and clinical development timelines, clinical and regulatory expectations
and plans, expected responses to regulatory actions, anticipated financial performance, future revenues or earnings, business prospects,
projected ventures, new products and services, anticipated market performance, expected research and development and other expenses,
future expectations for liquidity and capital resources needs and similar matters. Such words as “may,” “will,”
“expect,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” and “intend” and similar terms
and expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. 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 (Risk Factors) of our 2024 Form 10-K and Item 1A
of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on May 8, 2025. Except as required by applicable law, we assume
no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.
Overview
of Our Business
We
are a biopharmaceutical company focused on leveraging our proprietary Lip’ral platform to develop differentiated products through
the oral delivery of previously difficult to deliver molecules. Our proprietary delivery technologies are designed to improve patient
compliance and safety through orally available treatment options. Our primary development programs are based on oral delivery solutions
for poorly bioavailable drugs. We have a portfolio of differentiated innovative product candidates that target high unmet needs for neurological
and psychiatric CNS disorders, liver diseases, and hormone supplementation for men and women.
We
entered into our first license agreement for the development and commercialization of our product, TLANDO®, an oral testosterone
replacement therapy comprised of testosterone undecanoate in October 2021. On March 28, 2022, the FDA approved TLANDO as a testosterone
replacement therapy (“TRT”) in adult males for conditions associated with a deficiency of endogenous testosterone, also known
as hypogonadism and on June 7, 2022, our former commercial partner Antares (a wholly owned subsidiary of Halozyme) announced the commercial
launch of TLANDO.
On
January 12, 2024, we entered into the Verity License Agreement with Verity Pharma, pursuant to which we granted to Verity Pharma an exclusive,
royalty-bearing, sublicensable right and license to develop and commercialize the TLANDO product for TRT in the Licensed Verity Territory.
Any FDA post-marketing studies required will also be the responsibility of our licensee, Verity Pharma.
In
September 2024, we entered into the SPC License Agreement for the development and commercialization of TLANDO with SPC, pursuant to which
the Company granted to SPC a non-transferable, exclusive, royalty-bearing license to commercialize our TLANDO product for TRT in the
SPC Territory. In October 2024, we entered into the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement with Pharmalink, granting a non-transferable, exclusive,
license to commercialize our TLANDO product specific to the GCC, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman (the “Pharmalink
Territory”). In April 2025, we entered into the Aché License Agreement with Aché pursuant to which we granted to
Aché an exclusive license to commercialize our TLANDO product with respect to the Field, specific to the Aché Territory.
Our ex-U.S. commercialization partners are planning to file marketing approval applications in Canada, one or more of the GCC countries,
South Korea and Brazil in 2025 and/or 2026.
22
Additional
clinical development pipeline candidates include: LPCN 1154 for postpartum depression (“PPD”); LPCN 2401 for improved
body composition in GLP-1 agonist use such as obesity management; LPCN 2101 for epilepsy; and LPCN 2203 for essential tremor. In
addition to our clinical development product candidates, we have assets for which we expect to seek partnerships to enable further
development including TLANDO for territories outside of the United States, Canada, South Korea, the GCC and Brazil, LPCN 1148
comprising a novel prodrug of testosterone and testosterone laurate (“TL”), for the management of decompensated
cirrhosis, LPCN 1144, an oral prodrug of androgen receptor modulator for the treatment of non-cirrhotic metabolic
dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (“MASH”) which has completed Phase 2 testing; and LPCN 1107, potentially the
first oral hydroxy progesterone caproate (“HPC”) product indicated for the prevention of recurrent preterm birth
(“PTB”), which has completed a dose finding clinical study in pregnant women and has been granted orphan drug
designation by the FDA.
The
following chart summarizes the status of our product candidate development and partnering programs:
Corporate
Strategy
The
key components of our corporate strategy are to:
Continue
to leverage our drug delivery technology platform. Our goal is to become a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on leveraging
our Lip’ral drug delivery technology platform to develop and register differentiated products to treat conditions with large unmet
medical need through effective oral drug delivery. Our pipeline candidates are based on our Lip’ral drug delivery technology platform,
validated through TLANDO, an approved commercial product. Lip’ral technology entails lipidic compositions which form an optimal
dispersed phase in the gastrointestinal environment for improved absorption of highly water insoluble drugs. The drug loaded dispersed
phase presents the drug efficiently at the absorption site (gastrointestinal tract membrane) thus improving or enabling portal and /
or lymphatic absorption post oral administration.
Advance
LPCN 1154 and other CNS product candidates. We intend to focus on the development of endogenous neuroactive steroids (“NASs”)
which have broad applicability in treating various CNS conditions where we can leverage our technology platform to develop highly differentiated
oral therapeutics. Our priority is on the development of LPCN 1154, a fast-acting oral antidepressant for postpartum depression (“PPD”)
with potential for outpatient use.
Support
our partners, Verity Pharma, SPC, Pharmalink, and Aché, in commercialization and/or development of our licensed oral TRT option.
We believe the TRT market needs a differentiated, convenient oral option. We have exclusively licensed rights to TLANDO to Verity
Pharma for commercialization of TLANDO in the Licensed Verity Territory, to SPC for commercialization in the SPC Territory, to Pharmalink
the Pharmalink Territory and to Aché in the Aché Territory. We plan to support Verity Pharma’s, SPC’s, Pharmalink’s,
and Aché’s efforts to effectively enable the availability of TLANDO to patients in a timely manner, in addition to receiving
milestone and royalty payments associated with TLANDO commercialization as agreed to in the Verity License Agreement, the SPC License
Agreement, the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement and the Aché License Agreement.
23
Develop
partnership(s) to continue the advancement of pipeline assets . We continuously strive to prioritize our resources in seeking partnerships
for our pipeline assets. We are currently exploring partnerships for our liver programs including LPCN 1144, our candidate for treatment
of non-cirrhotic MASH and LPCN 1148 for the management of decompensated cirrhosis including prevention of the recurrence of overt hepatic
encephalopathy (“OHE”), and we are also exploring partnerships for LPCN 2401 for management of incretin mimetics use as an adjunct therapy to or as a monotherapy post cessation of incretin mimetics use and LPCN 1107, our candidate
for prevention of pre-term birth. We are also exploring the possibility of licensing LPCN 1021 (known as TLANDO in the United States)
to third parties outside of the Licensed Verity Territory, the SPC Territory, the Pharmalink Territory and the Aché Territory,
although as of the date of this report, no licensing agreement has been entered into by the Company in any other territories.
Our
Pipeline Product Candidates
Our
pipeline of clinical development candidates includes LPCN 1154 for PPD, LPCN 2401 as an aid for improved body composition and
functionality in the management of GLP-1 agonist use in obese patients, LPCN 2101 for epilepsy, and LPCN 2203 for essential tremor.
We will continue to explore other product development candidates targeting CNS indications with a significant unmet need. We will
also continue efforts to enter into partnership arrangements for the continued development and/or marketing of all of our products
including but not limited to LPCN 1144, LPCN 1148, LPCN 2401, and LPCN 1107 as well as for the TRT assets outside of the Licensed
Verity Territory, the SPC Territory, and the Pharmalink Territory.
TRT
Franchise – TLANDO and LPCN 1111 (TLANDO XR)
TLANDO:
An Oral Product for Testosterone Replacement Therapy
As
previously described, under the Verity License Agreement, in January 2024, we granted to Verity Pharma an exclusive,
royalty-bearing, sublicensable right and license to develop and commercialize TLANDO, our product for TRT, in the U.S. and Canada
effective February 1, 2024. TLANDO received FDA approval on March 28, 2022. Any FDA requirement to conduct certain post-marketing
studies will be the responsibility of Verity Pharma. Further, all future development and commercialization of LPCN 1111 in the
Licensed Verity Territory will be the responsibility of Verity Pharma. In addition, in September 2024, we granted SPC an exclusive,
royalty-bearing license to commercialize TLANDO in South Korea and in October 2024 we granted Pharmalink an exclusive license to
commercialize TLANDO in the GCC countries. In April 2025, we granted Aché an exclusive license to commercialize and supply
TLANDO in Brazil.
Proof-of-concept
for TLANDO was initially established in 2006, and TLANDO was subsequently licensed in 2009 to Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which was
then acquired by Abbott Products, Inc. (“Abbott”). Following a portfolio review associated with the spin-off of AbbVie Inc.
by Abbott in 2011, the rights to TLANDO were reacquired by us. All obligations under the prior license agreement have been completed
except that Lipocine will owe Abbott a perpetual 1% royalty on net sales of TLANDO. Such royalties are limited to $1 million in the first
two calendar years following product launch, after which period there is no cap on royalties and no maximum aggregate amount. If generic
versions of any such product are introduced, then royalties are reduced by 50%. TLANDO was commercially launched on June 7, 2022. During
the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we incurred royalty expense of approximately $10,000 and $7,000, respectively, and during
the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we incurred royalty expense of approximately $18,000 and $16,000, respectively.
Since
TLANDO received full FDA approval, under the terms of the Verity License Agreement, Verity Pharma will need to assess the safety and
effectiveness of TLANDO in pediatric patients, as required by the Pediatric Research Equity Act. The FDA may also require certain post-marketing
studies to be conducted which will also be the responsibility of Verity Pharma. Similarly, SPC, Pharmalink, and Aché are responsible
for obtaining any regulatory/marketing approvals for TLANDO required for the SPC Territory, the Pharmalink Territory, and the Aché
Territory, respectively.
Upon
execution of the Verity License Agreement, Verity Pharma paid us an initial payment of $2.5 million which was received on signing of
the License Agreement and $5 million which was received on February 1, 2024. Verity Pharma also paid an additional payment of $2.5 million
to us on December 30, 2024, and is required to make an additional payment of $1 million to us before January 1, 2026. We are also eligible
to receive milestone payments of up to $259 million in the aggregate, depending on the achievement of certain sales milestones in a single
calendar year and/or development milestones with respect to products licensed by Verity Pharma under the Verity License Agreement. In
addition, we will receive tiered royalty payments at rates ranging from 12% up to 18% of net sales of all products licensed under the
Verity License Agreement in the Licensed Verity Territory.
24
SPC
paid us a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront fee in October 2024. We also received additional payments including a non-refundable
payment in consideration for TLANDO product inventory, and we are eligible to receive additional payments for marketing authorization
and sales milestones, and we will supply TLANDO to SPC and receive a supply price. In addition, we will receive royalties on net sales
in South Korea under the SPC License Agreement.
Upon
execution of the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement, Pharmalink paid us a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront fee in October 2024.
Under the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement, we could receive additional payments in regulatory authorization milestones and we will
supply TLANDO to Pharmalink at an agreed transfer price.
Upon
execution of the Aché License Agreement, Aché paid us a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront fee in May 2025. Under the
Aché License Agreement, we may receive additional payments in regulatory authorization milestones, royalties on net sales and
will supply TLANDO to Aché at an agreed transfer price.
We
are exploring the possibility of licensing LPCN 1021 (known as TLANDO in the United States) to third parties outside the United States,
Canada, South Korea, the GCC countries and Brazil, although no licensing agreement has been entered into by the Company in any other
territories. If and when an agreement is made with a partner, the success of any such arrangement would likely be partially contingent
upon obtaining local regulatory approval. No assurance can be given that any license agreement will be completed or, if an agreement
is completed, that such an agreement would be on terms favorable to us.
Oral
Programs for CNS Disorders
Some
preferred endogenous or naturally occurring NAS present in the central nervous system act as positive allosteric modulators (“PAMs”)
of the GABA A receptor, the major biological target of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (“GABA A” ).
To improve oral delivery of these modulators, several synthetic NAS derivatives of endogenous GABA A receptor PAMs have been
developed for therapeutic use in the past few decades.
In
October 2024, we announced positive data from our qEEG study of our oral brexanolone with results indicating robust central nervous system
activity of oral brexanolone, with concentration- and time-dependent post-dose changes in qEEG as follows:
● Quantitative
Electroencephalogram (“qEEG”) in healthy subjects administered single doses of
oral brexanolone, a neuroactive steroid, confirmed GABA A modulation
● Rapid
and durable CNS target engagement confirms effective oral delivery of bioidentical brexanolone
● Promising
results support continued development of oral brexanolone for the treatment of neuropsychiatric
disorders
We
believe through utilization of our proprietary technology we may have the ability to enable effective oral delivery of endogenous GABA A
receptor PAMs which historically had been deemed to be not orally bioavailable. As a novel drug class, NASs have received considerable
attention because of their potential to treat various neuropsychiatric conditions including depression, movement disorders, epilepsy,
anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases. We have conducted Phase 1 pharmacokinetic (“PK”) studies for each of our three lead
NAS candidates which have demonstrated promising PK results, safety, and tolerability and we are evaluating additional undisclosed CNS-focused
candidates.
25
LPCN
1154: Product Candidate for PPD
Our
most advanced NAS candidate is LPCN 1154, a non-invasive, rapid onset, oral formulation of the neuroactive steroid brexanolone which
we are developing for the treatment of PPD. We have completed clinical oral PK studies including a pilot food effect study and a pilot
PK bridge study. In addition, as a prelude to a LPCN 1154 definitive PK bridge study, a multi-dose study was done confirming the dosing
regimen for the PK bridge study using the scaled up “to be marketed” formulation required for New Drug Application (“NDA”)
filing. In June 2024, we announced results from the definitive PK study which demonstrated LPCN 1154 meets bioequivalence with comparator,
IV brexanolone, meeting standard bioequivalence criteria and C trough criteria. LPCN 1154 treatment was well-tolerated with
no sedation nor somnolence events observed in the definitive study.
After
completing PK studies and labeling studies such as a food effect study and PK profiling in women with PPD, we met with the FDA in
the first quarter of 2025. In the meeting, we were advised that the FDA believes, in addition to the previously completed PK bridge
data, an efficacy and safety study of oral LPCN 1154 in the target population will be required for 505(b)(2) NDA submission. Based
on observed comparable exposure of LPCN 1154 and the reference drug in the PK bridge study, we have confirmed the target dosing regimen and
initiated a phase 3 safety and efficacy study and successfully dosed LPCN 1154 in the first patient in the second quarter of
2025.
We
are exploring the possibility of partnering with a third party for the development and/or marketing of LPCN 1154, although no partnering
agreement has been entered into by the Company. No assurance can be given that any partnering agreement will be completed, or, if an
agreement is completed, that such an agreement would be on terms favorable to us.
PPD
PPD,
a type of major depressive disorder with onset either during pregnancy or within four weeks of delivery, refers to depression persisting
up to 12 months after childbirth. PPD can be clinically segmented by the severity of symptoms and presence of a comorbidity, including
epilepsy. Approximately 1 in 8 mothers suffers from PPD in the United States alone; this equates to approximately 600,000 women being
affected by PPD annually.
Disease
Overview - PPD
● PPD
is distinct from the “baby blues,” a condition that up to 70% of all new mother’s
experience; “baby blues” tend to be short-lived emotional conditions that do
not interfere with daily activities.
● Symptoms
of PPD include hallmarks of major depression, including, but not limited to, sadness, depressed
mood, loss of interest, change in appetite, insomnia, sleeping too much, fatigue, difficulty
thinking/concentrating, excessive crying, fear of harming the baby/oneself, and/or thoughts
of death or suicide.
● During
pregnancy, levels of endogenous NASs increase considerably along with levels of progesterone;
however, they drop sharply postpartum. It has been hypothesized that the rapid perinatal
decrease in circulating levels of endogenous NASs may be involved in the development of PPD.
The first approved treatment option for PPD was an injectable containing endogenous NASs.
● Depression
may persist long after child delivery. Additionally, approximately 40% of women relapse in
subsequent pregnancies or on other occasions.
● Psychiatric
comorbidities are common in patients with epilepsy. Patients with epilepsy are at high risk
for major depressive disorders and PPD. Reported PPD rates are higher among women with epilepsy
than the general population.
Associated
Risk Factors
● Genetic:
family history and/or previous experience of depression or other mood disorders
● Physiological:
rapid changes in sex hormones, stress hormones, and thyroid hormone levels during and after
delivery
● Environmental:
stressful life events, changes in relationships at home and at work, and/or lack of familial
support
26
Unmet
Medical Need
We
believe there is considerable unmet need within women with PPD due to a lack of convenient and fast-acting oral therapies. Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (“SSRIs”) have been the traditional first-line choice for women with severe PPD and require
weeks for onset of efficacy; therefore, a need for an oral treatment option with a faster onset of action remains a significant unmet
need in treating PPD, especially in mothers with moderate to severe depression prone to harmful actions.
Injectable
brexanolone (Zulresso ® , Sage Therapeutics (“Sage”)) became the first FDA-approved treatment for postpartum
depression. However, numerous factors limited the utilization of injectable brexanolone such as method of administration, cost, and safety
concerns and at the end of 2024, Sage withdrew Zulresso from the market. In addition to Zulresso, Sage received FDA approval for
zuranolone (brand name ZURZUVAE ® ) in August 2023 and Zurzuvae was launched commercially in December 2023. Zuranolone,
a synthetic neuroactive steroid derivative, is an oral, once daily 14-day treatment for postpartum depression and is the first oral medication
approved by the FDA for the treatment of postpartum depression. Per label, besides a long terminal half-life of approximately 19.7 to
24.6 hours and dosage modifications needed for concomitant use with CYP3A4 modulators, warnings and precautions include CNS depressant
effects, impaired ability to drive or engage in other potentially hazardous activities and embryo-fetal toxicity. In June 2025, Sage announced the acquisition of Sage by Supernus Pharmaceuticals and Supernus’ intention to
strengthen their leading presence in neuropsychiatric conditions with Sage’s innovative commercial product, ZURZUVAE. The transaction,
which has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to customary
closing conditions.
We
believe LPCN 1154 targets the current unmet need for robust, rapid relief with 48-hour dosing duration through a convenient oral therapy
candidate comprising bioidentical NASs with good tolerability.
LPCN
2101: NAS for Epilepsy
We
are currently evaluating an additional NAS candidate, LPCN 2101, for epilepsy including women with epilepsy (“WWE”). We have
completed pre-clinical and Phase 1 studies for LPCN 2101 which demonstrated promising PK results, safety and tolerability. In July 2022
our IND was accepted by the FDA for LPCN 2101 for adults with epilepsy and we plan to initiate a Phase 2 IND opening proof-of-concept
study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of LPCN 2101, subject to resource prioritization.
Disease
Overview – Epilepsy
Epilepsy
is defined by the 1) occurrence of at least two unprovoked seizures more than 24 hours apart, 2) occurrence of one unprovoked seizure
and a probability of further seizures occurring over the next 10 years, and/or 3) diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome. Patients with epilepsy
have increased risk of mortality due to direct effects of seizures (e.g., status epilepticus, car accidents) and indirect effects of
seizures (e.g., suicide, cardiovascular effects).
Epilepsy
is a disorder of the brain that causes seizures, affecting the physical, mental, and social well-being of persons, and is associated
with a 2 to 3 times greater mortality rate compared with the general population. About 60-65% of epilepsy is idiopathic and about 30%
of patients are refractory (i.e., epilepsy not well managed with currently available Anti-Seizure Medications (“ASMs”). Epilepsy
is the most common neurological disorder during pregnancy.
It
is estimated that approximately 900,000 childbearing (“CB”) aged women suffer from active epilepsy in the U.S. Women of CB
age with epilepsy face many additional challenges due to hormonal influences on seizure activity and endocrine function throughout the
different phases of their reproductive cycles. Elevated estrogen or decreased progesterone levels can exacerbate seizure frequency. Often,
these women experience hormonal and endogenous NAS imbalances, coupled with fluctuations in the blood levels of ASMs that impact control
of seizures, efficacy of oral contraceptives, any coexisting anxiety and/or depression and any associated sleep impairment. Epileptic
patients are 5-20 times more likely to develop depression.
Clinical
segmentation can be categorized by epilepsy type, comorbidities and patient subgroups. Categorization of focal epilepsy, generalized
epilepsy, combined focal and generalized epilepsy, and unknown epilepsy can guide the choice of ASM. Special patient subgroups, including
WWE of CB age and elderly patients, require special care and management of epilepsy. Comorbidities such as depression and anxiety may
be co-treated with therapies that do not aggravate seizures and have no drug interaction with the ASM used for epilepsy. While lowest
effective dose and monotherapy are preferred, management of patients with epilepsy is focused on controlling seizures, avoiding adverse
events, and maintaining quality of life. Despite a wide range of ASMs available, about 30% of all people with epilepsy still fail to
respond to treatment effectively. Women with epilepsy face specific challenges throughout their lifespan because of seizures, ASMs, and
hormonal fluctuations.
Women
with epilepsy were once counseled to avoid pregnancy, but epilepsy is no longer considered a contraindication to pregnancy. Caregivers
for WWE in the preconception phase either intending to start a family (planning pregnancy) or using contraception to prevent an unplanned
pregnancy face significant challenges to balance seizure control efficacy with the selection and dosage of ASMs and ASM-related risks
such as, among other risks, fetal-neonatal toxicity, contraception failure, and psychiatric side effects.
27
Several
ASMs are known to have teratogenic effects on the developing fetus (converging evidence from registry studies indicates that teratogenic
risks are highest with valproate, followed by carbamazepine and topiramate). Other commonly prescribed ASMs, including older generation
agents, such as phenobarbital and phenytoin, have been associated with higher risks as compared with lamotrigine, levetiracetam, clonazepam
and gabapentin (Vajda et al., 2014; Voinescu and Pennell, 2015). Moreover, risks associated with ASMs are considerable early in pregnancy;
therefore, it is necessary that WWE of CB age undergo counseling, monitoring, and adjustment to the most appropriate ASM prior to becoming
pregnant. It is preferable that WWE of CB age discuss seizure control with their doctor for at least 6 months before conception and,
if possible, cease ASM therapy or use the lowest effective dose of a single anticonvulsant according to the type of epilepsy and the
fetal toxicity of the ASM. Anxiety, depression, lack of adherence to ASM, and/or contraception failure may be experienced by women who
are worried about unplanned pregnancy or are late in confirming pregnancy, planned or unplanned. ASMs can reduce the efficacy of oral
contraceptives, compounding this problem.
Complex,
multidirectional interactions between female hormones, seizures, and ASMs exist. Most hormones act as NASs and can thus modulate brain
excitability. Any changes in endogenous or exogenous hormone levels can affect the occurrence of seizures, either directly or via PK
interactions that modify the plasma levels of ASMs (Harden, 2008). The PK interactions between oral contraceptives and ASMs are bidirectional
(Johnston and Crawford, 2014). The efficacy of hormonal contraception may be diminished for women taking CYP-P450 enzyme inducing ASMs.
Epilepsy is not a medical condition in which contraceptives are contraindicated. Contraceptive failure, possibly related to ASMs, may
be responsible for up to 1 in 4 unplanned pregnancies in WWE (~12.5% of all WWE pregnancies), versus a rate of 1% in healthy women.
Unmet
need to treat WWE in CB age
It
is estimated that approximately 900,000 CB aged women suffer from active epilepsy in the U.S. Women of CB age with epilepsy face many
additional challenges such as hormonal influences on seizure activity and endocrine function throughout the different phases of their
reproductive cycles, and approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy cannot be efficiently controlled with available ASMs making consideration
of newer pharmacological treatment development options important.
Managing
uncontrolled seizures in WWE of CB age is the primary aim during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum phases. Therefore, uncompromised
ASM efficacy with acceptable variability and less or no drug-drug interactions achieved with lowest possible monotherapy dose to address
fetal toxicity concerns remain highly unmet needs. Moreover, control of seizures including prevention of breakthrough seizures is critical
when planning for pregnancy and also during pregnancy, as it can also lead to undesired falls or auto-accidents and compromise freedom
to drive.
Select
ASMs have the potential to induce contraception failures, reproductive hormone imbalance, anxiety, and depression. There remains an unmet
need for an ASM without the aforementioned downsides, with no to low fetal-neonatal toxicity and without breast-feeding concerns, as
well as the potential to treat associated comorbidities.
While
over 30 molecules have been approved for the treatment of epilepsy in the U.S., no epilepsy drug has been specifically approved for WWE
of CB age. We believe our endogenous NASs as GABA A PAMs, while targeting the goal of seizure control, also have the potential
for additional benefits in psychiatric disorders comorbidities (e.g., anxiety and/or depression) and sleep impairment. Moreover, these
oral endogenous NASs could potentially address some of the fetal toxicity concerns related to unplanned or planned pregnancy in WWE.
(1)
(1) Ref:
S.Bangar et al. Functional Neurology 2016; 31(3): 127-134; Reimers et al. Seizure. 2015 May;
28: 66-70.
LPCN
2203: Oral Product for Management of Essential Tremor
LPCN
2203 is an oral candidate for management of essential tremor comprising a bioidentical GABA modulating NAS. We have successfully completed
oral pharmacokinetics with bioidentical GABA Modulating NAS and are planning to submit a protocol for a proof-of-concept phase 2 study
for ET to the FDA.
Disease
Overview - Essential Tremor
Essential
Tremor (“ET”) is one of the most common movement disorders in the United States, affecting an estimated 7 million in the
U.S. For ET patients, uncontrollable shaking of the hands, head, voice, or legs creates difficulty eating, dressing, writing, and pursuing
other day-to-day tasks. The etiology of ET is largely unknown, but reduced GABA A receptor levels and decreased GABAergic activity
have been observed in ET.
While
ET is often associated with aging populations, ET can begin much earlier in life, with a progressive disease course that can eventually
necessitate a care partner. Social anxiety and depressive symptoms can manifest in patients with ET as tremor severity increases, and
may negatively impact a patient’s ability to work and engage in hobbies. In an interview study of ET patients and care partners,
the most common impacts on activities of daily living are pouring liquids and writing/typing (100%) and grooming/hygiene, drinking, dressing,
eating, and reading (80-85%). Overall, 90% of participants noted the emotional impact of ET, with 75% reporting tremor-related worry
or anxiety.
28
The
only FDA approved pharmacological treatment for ET was approved more than 50 years ago, and the majority of patients with ET experience
a sub-optimal response with standard-of-care treatments, highlighting numerous and compelling unmet needs in care such as daytime efficacy
and improved tolerability, a PRN (pro re nata) or “as needed” option, and a superior benefit-to-risk profile. (1) (2)
(1) Ref:
Louis ED, Ottman R. Tremor Other Kyperkinet Mov (NY). 2014;4:259.
(2) Ref:
Gerbasi et.al. Patient experiences in essential tremor: Mapping functional impacts to existing
measures using qualitative research. MDS 2023.
Other
Pipeline Candidates
We
continue to pursue opportunities for partnering and/or development arrangements for the continued development and/or marketing of LPCN
2401, LPCN 1148, LPCN 1144, and LPCN 1107. We are planning a POC study with LPCN 2401, but otherwise we do not currently anticipate conducting
any further significant development activities with respect to these products and product candidates without the participation of a partner.
There can be no guarantee that we will be able to identify or enter into partnering arrangements on terms that are beneficial to us or
at all. Even if we do enter into partnering arrangements, such arrangements may not be sufficient to successfully develop and commercialize
these products.
LPCN
2401: Management of Incretin Mimetic Use in Obesity Management
LPCN
2401 is targeted to be a once daily oral formulation comprising a proprietary anabolic androgen receptor agonist. LPCN 2401 is
expected to have a favorable benefit to risk profile as a non-invasive option for use as an adjunct to GLP-1 chronic weight
management therapies for quality weight loss and/or as a monotherapy post cessation of GLP-1 chronic weight management therapies
for weight and glycemic status maintenance with demonstrated benefits to the liver.
LPCN
2401 has potential for use as an adjunct to incretin mimetics (GLP-1/GIP agonists) including amplification of GLP-1 insulinotropic actions
which is supported by studies demonstrating the role of androgen receptor agonist in regulation of GLP-1 through:
● Enhancement
of GLP-1-mediated insulin release from β cells through genomic- and non-genomic mechanisms
● Increase
in GLP-1 Receptor Expression in diabetics and non-diabetics
● Promoting
proliferation of β cells and improving insulin sensitivity
Target
benefits of LPCN 2401 in combination with GLP-1 agonists include inducing quality weight loss by attenuation of functionality loss
through improved body composition, entailing majority of weight loss through fat mass loss, amplification/acceleration of fat mass
loss while lessening lean mass loss, a serious unmet need, especially for elderly and sarcopenic adult GLP-1 agonist users who are
most vulnerable to accelerated lean mass loss and functional decline. In a recent study with 16 weeks of GLP-1 agonist use for
weight management in elderly (60 yr and above) patients, a rapid loss of lean mass was observed with a median percentage of total
body weight loss that is due to lean mass of 32% in 16 weeks. In addition, 43% of GLP-1 users lost ≥10% Stair Climb Power from
baseline; the equivalent of almost eight years of expected age-related stair climb power loss was observed in just 4 months of GLP-1
use.
Moreover,
as an adjunct to incretin mimetics, LPCN 2401 may help maintain or increase weight loss, particularly in diabetics, through increased
expression activity of GLP1R and increased effectiveness of GIP1 therapies secondary to actions at GLP1R (glucose lowering). LPCN 2401
could also be potentially used as monotherapy post discontinuation of GLP-1 agonist to manage weight/fat regain and durability of diabetes
remission.
Data
from preclinical and clinical studies support the potential of LPCN 2401 and LPCN 2401+E in improving body composition. In April 2024,
Lipocine announced results from a multi-center prospective, blinded Phase 2 study, which demonstrated increases in lean mass of 4.4%,
decreases in fat mass of 6.7%, reduction in android fat of 4.1% and increased bone mineral content of 2.8% in a population consistent
with GLP-1 use for weight management. LPCN 2401 was well tolerated with minimal GI or androgenic adverse events and no reports of muscle
spasms.
29
Per
FDA Guidance (2025), for efficacy claims related to changes in body composition, trial design should include appropriate choice of population
and selection of endpoints that measure how a patient feels, functions, or survives, to potentially support such a claim. Consistent
with regulatory guidance, we plan to conduct a proof-of-concept phase 2 study for LPCN 2401 in elderly obese and overweight GLP-1 eligible
patients, with appropriate body composition and functional end points such as stair climb performance measure
We
plan to initiate a proof-of-concept study evaluating LPCN 2401 as an adjunct to GLP-1 agonist use in the third quarter of 2025. We
may explore the possibility of partnering LPCN 2401 with a third party, although no partnering agreement has been entered into by
us. No assurance can be given that any license agreement will be completed, or, if an agreement is completed, that such an agreement
would be on terms favorable to us.
Disease
and Market Overview – GLP-1 Agonist Use and Obesity Management
Approximately
74% of U.S. adults aged 20 and older are either obese or overweight, and an estimated 30% of the U.S. adult population has a BMI ≥ 30
kg/m 2 . Elderly and sarcopenic GLP-1 agonist users are the population of GLP-1 users who are most vulnerable to accelerated
lean mass loss and functional decline. Obesity is a chronic, relapsing health risk defined by excess body fat. Excess body fat increases
the risk of death and major comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis
of the knee, sleep apnea, and some cancers 1 . About 30% of overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2) adults 2 have
type 2 diabetes, 50% 3 have dyslipidemia, and 67% 4 have hypertension. In the US alone, ~34M older adults aged 60+
years are obese (BMI at or above 30.0) and ~31M older adults aged 60+ years are overweight (BMI between 25.0 to 30).
It
is estimated that the total GLP-1 users in the U.S. may reach 30 million (around 9% of the overall population) by 2030 5 .
Reportedly, ~24M 6 obese elderly are most vulnerable to losing muscle mass. The rapid weight loss observed with the currently
approved chronic weight management GLP-1 receptor agonist medications includes unwanted lean mass loss, up to 40% of the patient’s
total weight lost. Moreover, discontinuation of these therapies frequently results in a rapid regain in weight. Loss of lean mass has
multiple negative health implications including weakness/fatigue, lowered metabolism which can cause a regain in fat mass, declines in
neuromuscular function, potential effects on emotion and psychological states, and increased risk of injury.
Several
recent studies showed that body composition, especially lean body mass (muscle) may play an independent role in survival of patients
with diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases (DH Lee and EL Giovannucci, Exp Biol Med. 2018). Therefore, a focus on body
composition in obesity management to sustainably lose fat mass while maintaining lean mass should be an essential goal.
There
is a significant unmet need for an oral, efficacious, muscle preserving/gaining option for chronic obesity/weight management that ameliorates
the loss of lean mass associated with GLP-1/GIP agonist treatment, resulting in a higher quality weight loss. Moreover, there is a need
for a chronic long-term pharmacotherapy option to maintain weight upon cessation of incretin mimetic therapy, prevent fat/weight rebound
“overshoot” and minimize lag in muscle recovery to prevent collateral fattening as well as improve the durability of any
achieved diabetes remission while on GLP-1.
(1) Ref:
Caterson and Hubbard et al. 2004; Calle and Thun et al. 1999
(2) https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/03/the-big-setup/
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305895/
(4) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6316192/#sec3-nutrients-10-01976
(5) https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/global-research/current-events/obesity-drugs
(6) Ref:
Flynn et al. Morgan Stanley, February 27, 2024
LPCN
1148: Oral Product Candidate for the Management of Decompensated Cirrhosis
We
studied LPCN 1148 comprising testosterone laurate (“TL”) for the management of decompensated cirrhosis. We believe LPCN 1148
targets unmet needs for cirrhosis subjects including improvement in the quality of life of patients while on the liver transplant waiting
list, prevention or reduction in the occurrence of new decompensation events such as OHE, and improvement in post liver transplant survival,
including outcomes and costs. We are exploring the possibility of partnering with a third party for the development and/or marketing
of LPCN 1148, although no partnering agreement has been entered into by the Company. No assurance can be given that any partnering agreement
will be completed, or, if an agreement is completed, that such an agreement would be on terms favorable to us.
We
conducted a Phase 2 proof of concept (“POC”) study (NCT04874350) in male subjects with cirrhosis to evaluate the therapeutic
potential of LPCN 1148 for the management of sarcopenia. The Phase 2 POC study was a prospective, multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled
study in male sarcopenic cirrhotic patients. Subjects were initially randomized 1:1 to 1 of 2 arms.
30
The
treatment arm was an oral dose of LPCN 1148, and the second arm was a matching placebo. There were no restrictions on patients with respect
to background therapies, including current standard of care, diet or exercise. The primary endpoint was a change in skeletal muscle index
at week 24 with key secondary endpoints including change in liver frailty index, rates of breakthrough OHE, and number of waitlist events,
including all-cause mortality. Total treatment was 52 weeks, with 24-week placebo-controlled treatment subjects receiving LPCN 1148 in
the 28-week open-label extension (“OLE”) phase of the study for the duration of the study through week 52.
In
July 2023 we announced that the Phase 2 study met the study primary endpoint, increased skeletal muscle index (L3-SMI) relative to placebo
(P<.01), in patients with cirrhosis. The study also demonstrated improvements in clinical outcomes such as prevention of new decompensation
events including OHE, rates of hospitalizations, and patient reported outcomes (“PROs”). LPCN 1148 was well-tolerated, with
adverse event (“AE”) rates and severities similar to placebo and no mortality was noted in the LPCN 1148 treatment group,
nor were there any cases of drug-induced liver injury.
In
March 2024 we announced that 24-week L3-SMI increases were maintained through 52 weeks of LPCN 1148 intervention and that placebo patients
who switched to LPCN 1148 in the open label extension period of the study had increases in L3-SMI. Furthermore, fewer OHE events were
observed in LPCN 1148 treated patients and time to first recurrent OHE event was longer for treated patients. LPCN 1148 was well-tolerated,
with AE rates and severities similar to placebo and fewer participants experienced serious or severe adverse events when switched from
placebo to LPCN 1148 and patients on therapy were hospitalized for fewer days. We plan to request a Type C meeting with the FDA to discuss
the clinical development plan for LPCN 1148.
Disease
Overview – Cirrhosis
Annually,
cirrhosis has caused more than 1 million deaths worldwide, and there are over 500,000 people living with decompensated cirrhosis in
the U.S. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most rapidly increasing indication for liver transplant. 62% of those on the liver
transplant (“LT”) waitlist are male and the economic burden (approximately $812,500/transplant) is high and continues to
increase. Each year about half of the approximately 17,000 people in U.S. on the LT waitlist undergo transplant, while nearly 3,000
patients either die or are removed from the list because they were “too sick to transplant.”
Liver
cirrhosis is defined as the histological development of regenerative nodules surrounded by fibrous bands. Patients with cirrhosis typically
have a year-long silent, asymptomatic phase (compensated cirrhosis) until decreasing liver function and increasing portal pressure move
the patient into the symptomatic phase (decompensated cirrhosis). Transition to decompensated cirrhosis is marked by clinical events
including ascites, encephalopathy, jaundice, and/or variceal hemorrhage. Decompensated subjects survive on average less than 2 years.
Common causes of liver cirrhosis include alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (“NAFLD”), chronic hepatitis
B and C, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis and some patients have liver disease of unknown cause (cryptogenic).
Common
complications in patients with cirrhosis may include: compromised liver function, portal hypertension, varices in GI tract with internal
bleeding, edema, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy (“HE”), compromised immunity with post-transplant acute rejection risk,
high sodium levels, increased bilirubin, low albumin level, insulin resistance with impaired peripheral uptake of glucose, depression,
accelerated muscle disorder in the form of sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and frailty with compromised energetics, bone diseases (e.g., osteoporosis),
high alkaline phosphatase, cachexia, malnutrition, weight loss (>5%), symptoms of hypogonadism such as abnormal hair distribution,
anemia, sexual dysfunction, testicular atrophy, muscle wasting, fatigue, osteoporosis, gynecomastia, inflammation with elevated cytokines,
and infection risk leading to hospital admissions and possibly death.
HE,
a significant decompensation event in patients with cirrhosis, is a brain dysfunction caused by liver insufficiency and/or portal systemic
shunting. Because the damaged liver cannot function normally (as in cirrhosis), neurotoxins such as ammonia are inadequately removed
from systemic circulation and travel to the brain, where they affect neurotransmission. This can cause episodes of HE, which may present
as alterations in consciousness, cognition, and behavior that range from minimal to severe. Overt HE occurs in 30% to 40% of patients
with cirrhosis at some point during the clinical course of their disease. As the burden of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis is increasing,
the frequency of HE is also increasing.
LPCN
1144: An Oral Prodrug of Bioidentical Testosterone Product Candidate for the Treatment of MASH
We
are exploring the possibility of partnering with a third party for LPCN 1144, although no partnering agreement has been entered into
by the Company. No assurance can be given that any license agreement will be completed, or, if an agreement is completed, that such an
agreement would be on terms favorable to us.
31
Disease
Overview – MASH
MASH
is an advanced state of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (“NAFLD”) that can progress to a cirrhotic liver or liver failure,
require liver transplant, and can result in hepatocellular carcinoma/ liver cancer, and death. Progression of MASH to end stage liver
disease is one of the leading causes of liver failure requiring liver transplantation. Importantly, beyond these critical conditions,
MASH and NAFLD patients additionally suffer heightened cardiovascular risk and die more frequently from cardiovascular events than from
liver disease. NAFLD/MASH is becoming more common due to its strong correlation with obesity and metabolic syndrome, including components
of metabolic syndrome such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. 20% to 30% of the U.S. population is estimated
to suffer from NAFLD, with a large proportion of that group, 15% to 20%, progressing to MASH, which lacks an effective therapy. MASH
is a silent killer that affects millions in the U.S. Diagnoses have been on the rise and are expected to increase dramatically in the
next decade. Approximately 50% of MASH patients are adult males. In men, especially with comorbidities associated with NAFLD/MASH, testosterone
deficiency has been associated with an increased accumulation of visceral adipose tissue and insulin resistance, which could be factors
contributing to NAFLD/MASH. There is currently no approved therapy for the treatment of MASH although there are several drug candidates
currently under development with many having clinical failures to date.
The
critical pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the development and progression of MASH include reduced ability to handle lipids, increased
insulin resistance, injury to hepatocytes and liver fibrosis in response to hepatocyte injury. MASH patients have an excessive accumulation
of fat in the liver resulting primarily from a caloric intake above and beyond energy needs. A healthy liver contains less than 5% fat,
but a liver in someone with MASH can contain more than 20% fat. This abnormal liver fat contributes to the progression to MASH, a liver
necro-inflammatory state that can lead to scarring, also known as fibrosis, and, for some, can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Current
Status
We
have completed the LiFT Phase 2 clinical study in biopsy-confirmed non-cirrhotic MASH subjects. The LiFT clinical study
was a prospective, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multiple-arm study in biopsy-confirmed hypogonadal and
eugonadal male MASH subjects with grade F1-F3 fibrosis and a target NAFLD Activity Score ≥ 4 with a 36-week treatment period. The
LiFT clinical study enrolled 56 biopsy confirmed MASH male subjects. Subjects were randomized 1:1:1 to one of three arms (Treatment
A was a twice daily oral dose of 142 mg testosterone equivalent, Treatment B was a twice daily oral dose of 142 mg testosterone equivalent
formulated with 217 mg of d-alpha tocopherol equivalent, and the third arm was a twice daily matching placebo).
The
primary endpoint of the LiFT clinical study was change in hepatic fat fraction via MRI-PDFF and exploratory liver fat/marker end
points post 12 weeks of treatment. Additionally, key secondary endpoints post 36 weeks of treatment included assessment of histological
change for MASH resolution and/or fibrosis improvement (biopsy) as well as liver fat data (MRI-PDFF). The LiFT clinical study
was not powered to assess statistical significance of any of the secondary endpoints. Other important endpoints included the following:
change in liver injury markers, anthropomorphic measurements, body composition including lean mass, fat mass, and bone mineral density,
lipids, insulin resistance and inflammatory/fibrosis markers; as well as PROs.
Treatments
with LPCN 1144 post 12 weeks of treatment in the LiFT study resulted in robust liver fat reduction, assessed by MRI-PDFF, and
showed improvement of liver injury markers with no observed tolerability issues.
Liver
biopsies were performed at baseline (“BL”) and after 36 weeks of treatment (“EOS”). Pre-specified biopsy analyses
included MASH Clinical Research Network (“CRN”) scoring as well as a continuous paired and digital technique (“Digital
Technique-Fibronest”). All biopsy analyses were performed on the same slides and the reads for the three techniques were done independently.
Analysis sets included the MASH Resolution Set (all subjects that have BL and EOS biopsy with MASH at BL [NAS ≥4 with lobular inflammation
score ≥ 1 and hepatocyte ballooning score ≥1 at BL] (n=37)), the Biopsy Set (all subjects with baseline and EOS biopsies (n=44)),
and the Safety Set (all randomized subjects (n=56)).
Both
LPCN 1144 treatment arms met with statistical significance the pre-specified accelerated approval regulatory endpoint of MASH resolution
with no worsening of fibrosis based on MASH CRN scoring. Additionally, both treatment arms showed substantial improvement of the observed
MASH activity in steatosis, inflammation, and ballooning.
During
the 36 weeks of treatment, LPCN 1144 was well tolerated with an overall safety profile comparable to placebo. Additionally, subjects
were given the option to have access to LPCN 1144 through an open label extension (“OLE”) study.
The
extension study enabled the collection of additional data on LPCN 1144 for up to a total of 72 weeks of therapy, as well as data for
36 weeks of therapy for those subjects on placebo in the LiFT study. Key results from the OLE study are as follows:
● LPCN
1144 was well tolerated over 72-week exposure with no observed safety signals;
● Liver
injury markers were reduced and maintained with extended LPCN 1144 treatment; and
● Observed
liver histology improvements support further development.
32
In
November 2021, the FDA granted Fast Track Designation to LPCN 1144 as a treatment for non-cirrhotic MASH. The Fast Track program is designed
to accelerate the development and expedite the review of products, such as LPCN 1144, which are intended to treat serious diseases and
for which there is an unmet medical need.
We
had a written only response from the FDA for a LPCN 1144 Type C meeting with the FDA in January 2022 to discuss the development path
forward with LPCN 1144. The FDA acknowledged that the NDA submission of LPCN 1144 would be via the 505(b)2 regulatory pathway and agreed
that no additional non-clinical studies are needed to support an NDA submission. The FDA acknowledged that subjects in the LiFT study
achieved improvements in key components associated with MASH histopathology after 36-weeks of treatment with LPCN 1144 in adult males
and agreed that the proposed multicomponent primary surrogate endpoint is acceptable for seeking approval under the accelerated approval
pathway. The FDA agreed that the proposed primary multicomponent surrogate endpoint, MASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis, is
acceptable for seeking approval under the accelerated approval pathway and the FDA recommended a Phase 3 trial with a study duration
of 72 weeks. In July 2022, Lipocine held an End of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA for LPCN 1144 for MASH. The FDA recommended a Phase 2
dose ranging study be conducted to identify the optimal dose prior to conducting a pivotal study. The FDA agreed to the proposed unique
testosterone ester, testosterone laurate, for future clinical studies.
LPCN
1107: An Oral Product Candidate for the Prevention of Preterm Birth (“PTB”)
We
are exploring the possibility of partnering with a third party for the development and/or marketing of LPCN 1107, although no partnering
agreement has been entered into by us. No assurance can be given that any partnering agreement will be completed, or, if an agreement
is completed, that such an agreement would be on terms favorable to us.
We
believe LPCN 1107 has the potential to become the first oral hydroxyprogesterone caproate (“HPC”) product indicated for the
reduction of risk of PTB (delivery less than 37 weeks) in women with singleton pregnancy who have a history of singleton spontaneous
PTB. Prevention of PTB is a significant unmet need as approximately 11% of all U.S. pregnancies result in PTB, a leading cause of neonatal
mortality and morbidity.
Current
Status
We
have completed a multi-dose PK dose selection study in pregnant women. The objective of the multi-dose PK selection study was to assess
HPC blood levels in order to identify the appropriate LPCN 1107 Phase 3 dose. The multi-dose PK dose selection study was an open-label,
4-period, 4-treatment, randomized, single and multiple dose PK study in pregnant women with 3 dose levels of LPCN 1107 and the IM HPC
(Makena®). The study enrolled 12 healthy pregnant women (average age of 27 years) with a gestational age of approximately 16 to 19
weeks. Subjects received three dose levels of LPCN 1107 (400 mg BID, 600 mg BID, or 800 mg BID) in a randomized, crossover manner during
the first 3 treatment periods and then received 5 weekly injections of HPC during the fourth treatment period. During each of the LPCN
1107 treatment periods, subjects received a single dose of LPCN 1107 on Day 1 followed by twice daily administration from Day 2 to Day
8. Following completion of the 3 LPCN 1107 treatment periods and a washout period, all subjects received 5 weekly injections of HPC.
Results from this study demonstrated that average steady state HPC levels (Cavg0-24) were comparable or higher for all 3 LPCN 1107 doses
than for injectable HPC. Additionally, HPC levels as a function of daily dose were linear for the 3 LPCN 1107 doses. Also, unlike the
injectable HPC, steady state exposure was achieved for all 3 LPCN 1107 doses within 7 days.
A
traditional PK/PD based Phase 2 clinical study in the intended patient population is not expected to be required prior to entering into
Phase 3. Therefore, based on the results of our multi-dose PK study we had an End-of-Phase 2 meeting and subsequent guidance meetings
with the FDA to define a pivotal Phase 2b/3 development plan for LPCN 1107. We have completed a food effect study to characterize the
dosing regimen for the pivotal study and we have submitted a pivotal clinical study protocol to the FDA.
The
FDA has granted orphan drug designation to LPCN 1107 based on a major contribution to patient care. Orphan designation qualifies Lipocine
for various development incentives, including tax credits for qualified clinical testing, and a waiver of the prescription drug user
fee when we file our NDA.
Recent
Competition Update
On
October 5, 2020, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (“CDER”) proposed that Makena be withdrawn from
the market because the PROLONG trial failed to verify the clinical benefit of Makena and concluded that the available evidence does not
show Makena is effective for its approved use and on April 6, 2023, the FDA withdrew its approval of Makena and ordered the immediate
withdrawal of Makena and several approved generic versions of the drug, making it unlawful for the drug to be distributed in the U.S.
The FDA stated that in light of the unmet need for a treatment for preventing preterm birth and improving neonatal outcomes, it is imperative
that the medical and scientific communities increase their efforts to find effective treatments and stated their hope that the decision
to withdraw Makena will help galvanize further research. The FDA further stated their commitment to working together with patients, researchers,
and drug developers to advance the development of safe and effective therapies that are urgently needed as a treatment for the prevention
of preterm birth.
33
Financial
Operations Overview
Revenue
To
date, we have not generated any revenues from product sales and do not expect to do so until our FDA approved product receives regulatory
approval outside the U.S. and Canada or until one of our product candidates receives approval from the FDA. Revenues to date have been
generated substantially from license fees, royalty and milestone payments and research support from our licensees. Since our inception
through June 30, 2025, we have generated $53.8 million in revenue under our various license and collaboration arrangements and from government
grants. We have entered into the Verity License Agreement, the SPC License Agreement, the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement, and the
Aché License Agreement with the potential for revenue from future milestones, royalties and/or product sales, but we may never
generate revenues from any of our clinical or preclinical development programs or licensed products as we may never succeed in obtaining
regulatory approval or commercializing any of these product candidates.
Research
and Development Expenses
Research
and development expenses consist primarily of salaries, benefits, stock-based compensation and related personnel costs, fees paid to
external service providers such as contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations, contractual obligations
for clinical development, clinical sites, manufacturing and scale-up for late stage clinical trials, formulation of clinical drug supplies,
and expenses associated with regulatory submissions. Research and development expenses also include an allocation of indirect costs,
such as those for facilities, office expense, and depreciation of equipment based on the ratio of direct labor hours for research and
development personnel to total direct labor hours for all personnel. We expense research and development expenses as incurred. Since
our inception, we have spent approximately $157.8 million in research and development expenses through June 30, 2025.
We
expect to continue to incur significant costs as we develop our other product candidates, including our CNS product candidates, as well
as the development of any future pipeline product candidates.
In
general, the cost of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project as a result of uncertainties in clinical development,
including, among others:
● the
number of sites included in the trials;
● the
length of time required to enroll suitable subjects;
● the
duration of subject follow-ups;
● the
length of time required to collect, analyze and report trial results;
● the
cost, timing and outcome of regulatory review; and
● potential
changes by the FDA in clinical trial and NDA filing requirements.
Future
research and development expenditures are subject to numerous uncertainties regarding timing and cost to completion, including, among
others:
● the
timing and outcome of regulatory filings and FDA reviews and actions for product candidates;
● our
dependence on third-party manufacturers for the production of satisfactory finished products
for registration and launch should regulatory approval be obtained on any of our product
candidates;
● the
potential for future license or co-promote arrangements for our product candidates, when
such arrangements will be secured, if at all, and to what degree such arrangements would
affect our future plans and capital requirements; and
● the
effect on our product development activities of actions taken by the FDA or other regulatory
authorities.
34
A
change of outcome for any of these variables with respect to the development of our product development candidates could mean a substantial
change in the costs and timing associated with these efforts, could require us to raise additional capital, and may require us to reduce
operations.
Given
the stage of clinical development and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the clinical development, manufacturing, and
regulatory approval process, we are unable to estimate with any certainty the time or cost to complete the development of LPCN 1154,
LPCN 2401, LPCN 2101, LPCN 2203, LPCN 1148, LPCN 1144, LPCN 1111, LPCN 1107 and other product candidates. Clinical development timelines,
the probability of success, and development costs can differ materially from expectations and results from our clinical trials may not
be favorable. If we are successful in progressing LPCN 1154, LPCN 2401. LPCN 2101, LPCN 2203 or other future product candidates into
later stage development, we will require additional capital. The amount and timing of our future research and development expenses for
these product candidates will depend on the pre-clinical and clinical success of both our current development activities and potential
development of new product candidates, as well as ongoing assessments of the commercial potential of such activities. We will continue
efforts to enter into partnership arrangements for the continued development and/or marketing of LPCN 1154, LPCN 1144, LPCN 1148, LPCN
2401, LPCN 1107, for the development and commercialization of TLANDO outside of the United States, Canada, South Korea, the GCC countries
and Brazil, and LPCN 1111 outside of the United States and Canada.
We
expect to continue to incur significant research and development expenses in the future as we complete on-going clinical studies, including
studies for our CNS product candidates, including a Phase 3 study for LPCN 1154, and as we conduct future clinical studies, including
when and if we conduct Phase 2 clinical studies with LPCN 2401 or our development product candidates and when and if we conduct clinical
studies for LPCN 2101 or LPCN 2203 and/or Phase 3 clinical studies with LPCN 1144, LPCN 1148, and LPCN 1107. We are also exploring the
possibility of licensing all of our product candidates, although we have not entered into a licensing agreement and no assurance can
be given that any license agreement will be completed, or, if an agreement is completed, that such agreement would be on terms favorable
to us. If we are unable to raise additional capital or obtain non-dilutive financing, we may need to reduce research and development
expenses in order to extend our ability to continue as a going concern.
General
and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, and outside consulting
services related to our executive, finance, business development and administrative support functions. Other general and administrative
expenses include rent and utilities, travel expenses, and professional fees for auditing, tax, legal, and various other services.
General
and administrative expenses also include expenses for the cost of preparing, filling and prosecuting patent applications and maintaining,
enforcing and defending intellectual property-related claims.
We
expect that general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as we continue as a public company. These fees include legal
and consulting fees, accounting and audit fees, director fees, directors’ and officers’ insurance premiums, fees for investor
relations services and enhanced business and accounting systems, litigation costs, professional fees and other costs. However, if we
are unable to raise additional capital, we may need to reduce general and administrative expenses in order to extend our ability to continue
as a going concern.
Other
Income and Expense
Other
income and expense consists primarily of interest income earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities and
losses on our warrant liability in 2024.
35
Results
of Operations
Comparison
of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
The
following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:
Three
Months Ended June 30,
2025
2024
Variance
Revenue
$ 622,849
$ 89,565
$ 533,284
Research
and development expenses
2,136,769
1,874,721
262,048
General
and administrative expenses
890,433
1,507,412
(616,979 )
Interest
and investment income
198,637
308,845
(110,208 )
Unrealized
loss on warrant liability
-
(84,430 )
84,430
Income
tax expense
-
(481 )
481
Revenue
We
recognized royalty revenue from TLANDO sales of $123,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to royalty revenue of
$90,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2024. License revenue of $500,000 and $0 was recognized in the three months ended June
30, 2025, and 2024, respectively.
Research
and Development Expenses
The
increase in research and development expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the three months ended June
30, 2024 consists of a $153,000 increase in costs related to the initiation of our LPCN 2401 clinical studies, an $81,000 increase in
other research and development costs, and a $28,000 increase in personnel related costs.
General
and Administrative Expenses
The
decrease in general and administrative expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to the three months ended June
30, 2024 primarily consists of a $350,000 decrease in business development fees and consulting expenses incurred in 2024, a $184,000
decrease in legal fees, a $40,000 decrease in Delaware franchise tax as a result of the reduction in authorized common stock from 200,000,000
down to 75,000,000 shares, a $25,000 decrease in other professional fees and general and administrative related costs, and an $18,000
decrease in corporate insurance premiums.
Interest
and Investment Income
The
decrease in interest and investment income during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to interest and investment income during
the three months ended June 30, 2024 was due to lower interest rates and lower cash and marketable investment securities balances in
2025 as compared to 2024.
Gain
(Loss) on Warrant Liability
There
were no outstanding common stock warrants from the November 2019 Offering in 2025 as the liability was extinguished when the November
2019 warrants expired in November 2024.
We
recorded a loss of approximately $84,000 on warrant liability during the three months ended June 30, 2024, related to the change in the
fair value of outstanding common stock warrants issued in the November 2019 Offering. The loss in 2024 resulted from an increase in the
fair value of warrants mainly due to a higher stock price at the end of the second quarter of 2024 compared to the stock price at the
end of the first quarter of 2024. There were also no warrants exercised during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The warrants were
classified as a liability due to a provision contained within the warrant agreement which allowed the warrant holder the option to elect
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 change of control.
36
Comparison
of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
The
following table summarizes our results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:
Six
Months Ended June 30,
2025
2024
Variance
Revenue
$ 716,713
$ 7,706,738
$ (6,990,025 )
Research
and development expenses
3,198,341
4,693,646
(1,495,305 )
General
and administrative expenses
2,012,910
3,083,131
(1,070,221 )
Interest
and investment income
424,149
640,209
(216,060 )
Unrealized
loss on warrant liability
-
(124,502 )
124,502
Income
tax expense
(200 )
(681 )
481
Revenue
We
recognized revenue of $717,000 and $7.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Revenue during the
six months ended June 30, 2025, consists of license revenue of $500,000 compared to license revenue of $7.5 million resulting from our
Verity Licensing Agreement during the same period in 2024. During the six months ended June 30, 2025, and 2024, we recognized royalty
revenue from TLANDO sales of $217,000 and $207,000, respectively.
Research
and Development Expenses
The
decrease in research and development expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the six months ended June 30,
2024 consists of a $1.6 million decrease resulting from lower costs related to our LPCN 1154 Phase III clinical study in 2025 as compared
to LPCN 1154 studies which occurred in 2024 and a $22,000 decrease in other research and development related costs and supplies in 2025,
offset by a $126,000 increase in costs related to the initiation of our LPCN 2401 clinical studies and a $28,000 increase in personnel
related costs.
General
and Administrative Expenses
The
decrease in general and administrative expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to the six months ended June 30,
2024 primarily consists of a $512,000 decrease related to the one-time business development fees incurred in 2024 in conjunction with
the Verity License Agreement, a $410,000 decrease in other business development expense, a $110,000 decrease in legal fees, a $36,000
decrease in corporate insurance premiums, and a $22,000 decrease in professional fees and other general and administrative costs, offset
by a $20,000 increase in personnel related costs.
Interest
and Investment Income
The
decrease in interest and investment income during the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to interest and investment income during
the six months ended June 30, 2024 was due to lower interest rates and lower cash and marketable investment securities balances in 2025
as compared to 2024.
Gain
(Loss) on Warrant Liability
There
were no outstanding common stock warrants from the November 2019 Offering in 2025 as the liability had been extinguished when the November
2019 warrants expired in November 2024.
We
recorded a loss of approximately $125,000 on warrant liability during the six months ended June 30, 2024, related to the change in the
fair value of outstanding common stock warrants issued in the November 2019 Offering. The loss in 2024 resulted from an increase in the
fair value of warrants mainly due to a higher stock price at the end of the second quarter of 2024 compared to the stock price at the
end of the fourth quarter of 2023. No warrants were exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The warrants were classified
as a liability due to a provision contained within the warrant agreement which allowed the warrant holder the option to elect 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 change of control.
37
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Since
our inception, our operations have been primarily financed through sales of our equity securities, issuances of debt and payments received
under our license and collaboration arrangements. We have devoted our resources to funding research and development programs, including
discovery research, and preclinical and clinical development activities. We have incurred operating losses in most years since our inception
and we expect to continue to incur operating losses into the foreseeable future as we advance the clinical development of LPCN 1154,
LPCN 2401, LPCN 2101, LPCN 2203, and any other future product candidates, including continued research efforts.
As
of June 30, 2025, we had $17.9 million of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities compared to $21.6
million at December 31, 2024.
In
April 2025, we entered into the Aché License and Supply Agreement with Aché pursuant to which we granted to Aché
an exclusive license to commercialize our TLANDO® product with respect to the Field, specific to Brazil. Under the agreement, we
are entitled to receive fees upon the achievement of certain regulatory milestones, royalties on net sales and will supply TLANDO to
Aché at an agreed transfer price.
In
October 2024, we entered into the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement with Pharmalink, pursuant to which we granted to Pharmalink a non-transferable,
exclusive, license to commercialize our TLANDO product in the Pharmalink Territory. Pharmalink paid us a one-time non-refundable, non-creditable
upfront fee. We are eligible to receive additional payments in regulatory authorization milestones related to the marketing approval
in countries in the Pharmalink Territory under the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement and we have agreed to supply TLANDO to Pharmalink
at a specified transfer price.
In
September 2024, we entered into the SPC License Agreement with SPC, pursuant to which we granted to SPC a non-transferable, exclusive,
royalty-bearing license to develop and commercialize our TLANDO product with respect to TRT in South Korea. Under the terms of the SPC
License Agreement, SPC paid us a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront fee in October 2024. We also received a non-refundable payment
in consideration for certain TLANDO product inventory, and are eligible to receive additional payments upon the receipt of marketing
authorization and achievement of sales milestones, and we will supply TLANDO to SPC and receive a supply price. In addition, we will
receive royalties on net sales in the SPC Territory under the SPC License Agreement. Our ability to realize benefits from the SPC License
Agreement, including milestone, product sale and royalty payments, is subject to a number of risks. We may not realize milestone, product
sale or royalty payments in anticipated amounts, or at all.
On
January 12, 2024, we entered into the Verity License Agreement with Verity Pharma, pursuant to which we granted to Verity Pharma an exclusive,
royalty-bearing, sublicensable right and license to develop and commercialize our TLANDO product with respect to TRT in the Licensed
Verity Territory. Upon execution of the Verity License Agreement in January 2024 and upon transition of the commercialization of TLANDO
from Antares to Verity Pharma in February 2024, Verity Pharma paid us initial payments of $2.5 million and $5 million, respectively.
Verity Pharma also paid us of $2.5 million on December 30, 2024, has agreed to make additional payments to us of $1 million before January
1, 2026. The Verity License Agreement also provides Verity Pharma with a license to develop and commercialize TLANDO XR (LPCN 1111),
our potential next generation, once daily oral product candidate for testosterone replacement therapy comprised of TT in the U.S. and
Canada. We are eligible to receive milestone payments of up to $259 million in the aggregate, depending on the achievement of certain
development milestones and sales milestones in a single calendar year with respect to all products licensed by Verity Pharma under the
Verity License Agreement. In addition, we receive tiered royalty payments at rates ranging from 12% up to 18% of net sales of all products
licensed to Verity Pharma in the Licensed Verity Territory. Our ability to realize benefits from the Verity License Agreement, including
milestone and royalty payments, is subject to a number of risks. We may not realize milestone or royalty payments in anticipated amounts,
or at all.
Previously
on March 6, 2017, we entered into the Cantor Sales Agreement with Cantor under which we agreed to sell shares of our common stock, having
registered up to $50.0 million for sale under the Cantor Sales Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we sold 32,110 shares
of our common stock under the Cantor Sales Agreement at a weighted-average sales price of $6.77 per share, resulting in net proceeds
of approximately $209,000, which is net of approximately $8,000 in expenses. On April 24, 2024, we terminated the Cantor Sales Agreement.
From the inception to the termination of the Cantor Sales Agreement, we sold, in aggregate, 996,821 shares of our common stock for $33.5
million.
38
On
April 26, 2024, we entered into the A.G.P. Sales Agreement with A.G.P. pursuant to which we may issue and sell, from time to time, shares
of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to the amount we registered on an effective registration statement pursuant
to which the offering is being made. We currently have registered up to $10,616,169 of shares of common stock for sale under the A.G.P.
Sales Agreement, pursuant to the Form S-3, through A.G.P. as sales agent. A.G.P. may sell our common stock by any method permitted by
law deemed to be an ATM 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. A.G.P. will use its commercially
reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell shares under the
A.G.P. Sales Agreement. We will pay A.G.P. 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of shares under the A.G.P. Sales Agreement.
In addition, we have also provided A.G.P. with customary indemnification rights.
Our
shares of common stock to be sold under the A.G.P. Sales Agreement will be sold and issued pursuant to the Form S-3, as amended, which
was previously declared effective by the SEC, and the related prospectus and one or more prospectus supplements.
We
are not obligated to make any sales of our common stock under the A.G.P. Sales Agreement. The offering of common stock pursuant to the
A.G.P. Sales Agreement will terminate upon the termination of the A.G.P. Sales Agreement as permitted therein. We and A.G.P. may each
terminate the A.G.P. Sales Agreement at any time upon ten days’ prior notice.
During
the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, we sold 23,739 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $3.29 per share pursuant
to the A.G.P. Sales Agreement for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $76,000, after paying commissions of approximately $2,000 to
A.G.P, as sales agent.
We
believe that our existing capital resources, together with interest thereon, will be sufficient to meet our projected operating requirements
through at least August 5, 2026, which include a Phase 3 clinical study for LPCN 1154 and a POC study for LPCN 2401, research and development
activities, and compliance with regulatory requirements. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we
could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect if additional activities are performed by us including
new clinical studies for LPCN 2401, LPCN 2101, LPCN 2203, LPCN 1148, LPCN 1144, and/or LPCN 1107. While we believe we have sufficient
liquidity and capital resources to fund our projected operating requirements through at least August 5, 2026, we will need to raise additional
capital at some point through the equity or debt markets or through additional out-licensing activities, either before or after August
5, 2026, to support our operations. If we are unsuccessful in raising additional capital as necessary, our ability to continue as a going
concern will be limited. Further, our operating plan may change, and we 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, our capital
resources may be consumed more rapidly if we pursue additional clinical studies for LPCN 1154, LPCN 2401, LPCN 2101, LPCN 2203, LPCN
1148, LPCN 1144, and/or LPCN 1107. Conversely, our capital resources could last longer if we reduce expenses, reduce the number of activities
currently contemplated under our operating plan or if we terminate, modify or suspend on-going clinical studies. We can raise capital
pursuant to the A.G.P. Sales Agreement but may choose not to issue common stock if our market price is too low to justify such sales
in our discretion. There are numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and, subject to approval by the FDA, commercialization
of our product candidates. There are numerous risks and uncertainties impacting our ability to enter into collaborations with third parties
to participate in the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates. We are unable to precisely estimate the
amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with our anticipated or unanticipated clinical studies and
ongoing development efforts. All of these factors affect our need for additional capital resources. To fund future operations, we will
need to ultimately raise additional capital and our requirements will depend on many factors, including the following:
● the
scope, rate of progress, results and cost of our clinical studies, pre-clinical testing and
other related activities for all of our product candidates, including LPCN 1154, LPCN 2401,
LPCN 2101, LPCN 2203, LPCN 1148, LPCN 1144, and LPCN 1107;
● the
cost of manufacturing clinical supplies and establishing commercial supplies, of our product
candidates and any products that we may develop;
● the
cost and timing of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, if any;
● the
terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing, settlement and other arrangements that
we may establish;
● the
number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue;
● the
cost, timing and outcomes of regulatory approvals;
● the
timing, receipt and amount of sales, profit sharing, milestones or royalties, if any, from
our potential products;
● the
cost of preparing, filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other
intellectual property rights;
● the
extent to which we acquire or invest in businesses, products or technologies, although we
currently have no commitments or agreements relating to any of these types of transactions;
and
● the
extent to which we grow significantly in the number of employees or the scope of our operations.
39
Funding
may not be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. Also, market conditions may prevent us from accessing the debt and equity capital
markets, including sales of our common stock through the A.G.P. Sales Agreement. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing when needed,
we may have to delay, reduce the scope of or suspend one or more of our clinical studies, research and development programs or, if any
of our product candidates receive approval from the FDA, commercialization efforts. We may seek to raise any necessary additional capital
through a combination of public or private equity offerings, including the Sales Agreement, debt financings, collaborations, strategic
alliances, licensing arrangements and other marketing and distribution arrangements. These arrangements may not be available to us or
available on terms favorable to us. To the extent that we raise additional capital through marketing and distribution arrangements, other
collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our product
candidates, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.
If we do raise additional capital through public or private equity offerings, the ownership interest of our existing stockholders will
be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences, warrants or other terms that adversely affect
our stockholders’ rights or further complicate raising additional capital in the future. If we raise additional capital through
debt financing, we may be subject to covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional
debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we are unable, for any reason, to raise needed capital, we will have to
reduce costs, delay research and development programs, liquidate assets, dispose of rights, commercialize products or product candidates
earlier than planned or on less favorable terms than desired or reduce or cease operations.
Sources
and Uses of Cash
The
following table provides a summary of our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:
Six
Months Ended June 30,
2025
2024
Cash
used in operating activities
$ (3,855,491 )
$ (90,258 )
Cash
used in investing activities
3,617,927
662,531
Cash
used in financing activities
75,618
209,340
Net
Cash from Operating Activities
During
the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, net cash used in operating activities was $3.9 million and $90,000, respectively.
Net
cash used in operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2025, was primarily attributable to cash required to support ongoing
operations, including research and development activities related to the commencement of our LPCN 1154 Phase III clinical trial, offset
by the licensing fee received. Net cash used in operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2024, was primarily attributable
to cash outlays to support ongoing operations, including research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses, offset
by the cash provided by the Verity License Agreement of $7.5 million.
Net
Cash from Investing Activities
During
the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, net cash provided by investing activities was $3.6 million and $663,000, respectively.
Net
cash provided by investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, was primarily the result of the maturities
of marketable investments securities, net. There were no capital expenditures during either the six months ended June 30, 2025 or 2024.
Net
Cash from Financing Activities
During
the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $76,000 and $209,000, respectively.
Net
cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 primarily resulted from the sale of 23,739 shares of
common stock at a weighted average price of $3.29 per share pursuant to the A.G.P. Sales Agreement. Net cash provided by financing activities
during the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily resulted from the sale of 32,110 shares of common stock at a weighted average price
of $6.77 per share pursuant to the Cantor Sales Agreement.
40
Contractual
Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase
Obligations
We
enter into contracts and issue purchase orders in the normal course of business with clinical research organizations for clinical trials
and clinical and commercial supply manufacturing and with vendors for pre-clinical research studies, research supplies and other services
and products for operating purposes. These contracts generally provide for termination on notice and are cancellable obligations.
Operating
Leases
In
August 2004, we entered into an agreement to lease our facility in Salt Lake City, Utah consisting of office and laboratory space which
serves as our corporate headquarters. On December 2, 2024, we modified and extended the lease through February 28, 2026.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
Our
management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements
which we have prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In preparing our financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical
experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for
making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results
may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We concluded that licensing revenue recognized in conjunction
with the Verity License Agreement met the requirements under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We evaluate the measure
of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjust the measure of performance and related revenue recognition. License revenue
from payments to be received in the future will be recognized when it is probable that we will receive license payments under the terms
of the Verity License Agreement, the SPC License Agreement or the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement (see Footnote 7 – Contractual
Agreements for disclosure regarding the SPC License Agreement and the Pharmalink Distribution Agreement).
There
have been no significant and material changes in our critical accounting policies during the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared
to those disclosed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting
Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates” in our 2024 Form 10-K.
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.