Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. 10-K

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures Disclosure Controls and Procedures: As of December 31, 2023, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer we have evaluated, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2023. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting: Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, any projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management has concluded as of December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was effective, as management did not identify any deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that was determined to be a material weakness. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. 76 Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting: There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 covered by this report that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. Item 9B. Other Information None. Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections None PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers And Corporate Governance All directors hold office for one-year terms until the election and qualification of their successors. Officers are appointed by our board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board, subject to applicable employment agreements. The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and the members of our board of directors. Name Age Position(s) Eric Ende 55 Chairman of the Board, Director Jerome D. Jabbour 49 Chief Executive Officer and President, Director James J. Ferguson 70 Chief Medical Officer Thomas J. Hoover 54 Chief Business Officer Keith A. Kucinski 54 Chief Financial Officer Hui Liu 56 Chief Technology Officer Theresa Matkovits 56 Chief Development Officer Herbert Conrad 91 Director Kathryn Corzo 63 Director Natasha Giordano 63 Director James S. Scibetta 59 Director Matthew Wikler 74 Director Management Jerome D. Jabbour, JD was appointed Chief Executive Officer in March 2018. He has served as our President since March 2016. Prior to that he served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer, General Counsel and Secretary since October 2013 and as one of our directors from April 2012 until November 2013. Mr. Jabbour is also a Co-founder of Matinas BioPharma. Prior to joining our management team, he was the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of MediMedia USA, or MediMedia, from 2012 to October 2013, a privately held diversified healthcare services company. Prior to MediMedia, he was the Senior Vice President, Head of Global Legal Affairs of Wockhardt Limited (2008-2012), a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, and Senior Counsel and Assistant Secretary at Reliant (2004-2008). Earlier in his career, he held positions as Commercial Counsel at Alpharma, Inc. (2003-2004) and as a Corporate Associate at Lowenstein Sandler LLP (1999-2003). Mr. Jabbour earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in New Jersey and a B.A. in Psychology from Loyola University in Baltimore. 77 James J. Ferguson, MD was appointed Chief Medical Officer in February 2019. Prior to joining the Company, he served as the Cardiovascular and Bone Therapeutic Area Head for U.S. Medical Affairs, at Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN), multinational biopharmaceutical company, from 2016 to 2019. Prior to Amgen Dr. Ferguson held a number of senior positions at AstraZeneca, a multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company, including Vice President of U.S. Cardiovascular Medical and Scientific External Relations, Therapeutic Area Vice President of Cardiovascular Global Medical Affairs, U.S. Development Brand Leader for BRILINTA ® , and Senior Director, Clinical Research. Before joining AstraZeneca he was Vice President of Surgical and Critical Care for The Medicines Company. In addition, Dr. Ferguson had more than 20 years of academic experience as the Associate Director of Clinical Cardiology Research at the Texas Heart Institute, Co-Director of the Cardiology Fellowship Training Program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, where he was an Associate Professor of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dr. Ferguson has served on the Editorial Board of numerous peer-reviewed journals and has over 400 publications and book chapters. Dr. Ferguson received his B.A. (cum Laude) in Biology from Harvard University, his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed his post-graduate training at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Thomas J. Hoover, MBA has served as Chief Business Officer since December 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hoover was the Chief Business Officer at Millendo Therapeutics (now Tempest Therapeutics (NASDAQ: TPST)), a public, clinical stage biotech, from 2016 to 2021. Prior to joining Millendo, Mr. Hoover was Vice President of New Product Planning and Corporate Development and Licensing at Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc, a global biopharmaceutical company. Mr. Hoover started his pharmaceutical career at GSK in 2001 working in the Global Commercial Strategy group. Earlier in his career, Mr Hoover worked for The Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Hoover holds an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina and a B.A. from Harvard College. Keith A. Kucinski, MBA, CPA was appointed Chief Financial Officer in January 2019. He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer at RemedyOne, a privately held healthcare consulting organization, during 2018. Prior to that, he served as Vice President & Treasurer at Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., an operating company of Endo International plc, a leading generics and specialty-branded pharmaceutical company, from 2009 to 2015. In addition, Mr. Kucinski held various roles at Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., including Senior Director, Finance & Corporate Development and Assistant Treasurer & Senior Director, Finance. Mr. Kucinski is a Certified Public Accountant. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. in Finance & Management from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University. Hui Liu, PhD, MBA has serves as Chief Technology Officer since December 2020. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Liu was Director of Formulation and Delivery at Seqirus USA Inc., a privately held global leader in influenza and pandemic response, from 2017 to 2020. Prior to joining Seqirus, Dr. Liu was Director of CMC at Cellics Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held development stage biopharmaceutical company, in 2017, and Senior Technical Lead at Alcon Inc. (SIX/NYSE: ALC), a global leader in eye care, from 2015 to 2017. Earlier in his career, Dr. Liu held positions at Cellics Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biotech company, and Allergan. Dr. Liu holds a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from the University of Michigan, an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a B.S. from The University of Science and Technology of China. Theresa Matkovits, PhD has served as Chief Development officer since October 2018. She joined the Company after having most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of ContraVir Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CTRV) (now Hepion Pharmaceuticals), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, from 2015 to 2018. From 2013 to 2015, Dr. Matkovits served as Global Program Leader at NPS Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company that was purchased by Shire in 2015. Prior to her time at NPS, Dr. Matkovits was Vice President, Innovation Leader at The Medicines Company. Earlier in her career, Dr. Matkovits held a number of global leadership positions at Novartis across Global Development and the U.S. Commercial Organization, including as Head, Strategic Planning and Operations, U.S. Medical and Drug Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Matkovits began her career at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology and Organon where she held positions in clinical development in women’s health and research in the area of infertility. Dr. Matkovits serves on the Board of Directors of Appili Therapeutics (TSX: APLI; OTCQX: APLIF), and is Chairperson of GoodCap Pharmaceuticals, a privately held pharmaceutical company. Dr. Matkovits earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ. 78 Directors Eric Ende has served on our board of directors since April 2017 and was selected to be Chairman of the Board of Directors of our Company in October, 2022. Dr. Ende is president of Ende BioMedical Consulting Group, a privately-held consulting company which is focused on helping life sciences companies raise capital, identify licensing partners, and optimize corporate structure as well as analyzing both private and public investment opportunities for clients within the life sciences industry, a position he has held since 2009. In addition, Dr. Ende consulted with Icahn Enterprises in their efforts to appoint board members at Forest Labs, Genzyme, Biogen IDEC, and Amylin. Dr. Ende served on the board of directors and as a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee of Genzyme Corp. (NASDAQ: GENZ) from 2010 until it was acquired by Sanofi (NSYE: SNY) in 2011. Through another activist campaign, Dr. Ende served on the board of directors of Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an oncology company, from 2019 until it was acquired by Lantheus Holdings, Inc. in 2020, as Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Science Committees. Dr. Ende also serves on the board of directors of Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc, a biopharmaceutical company, as Chair of the Nomination & Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. Dr. Ende is currently serving on the Technology Transfer Committee of Mount Sinai Innovation Partners and served as the Chairman of the Unsecured Creditor’s Committee overseeing the bankruptcy of Egenix, Inc. From 2002 through 2008, Dr. Ende was the senior biotechnology analyst at Merrill Lynch. From 2000 through 2002, Dr. Ende was the senior biotechnology analyst at Banc of America Securities and, from 1997 to 2000, he was a biotechnology analyst at Lehman Brothers. Dr. Ende received an MBA in Finance & Accounting from NYU – Stern Business School in 1997, an MD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1994, and a BS in Biology and Psychology from Emory University in 1990. We believe Dr. Ende is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his industry experience, including as president of Ende BioMedical Consulting Group and as a biotechnology analyst, and his prior public company board experience. Jerome D. Jabbour. See description under “Management.” Herbert Conrad served as our Chairman of the Board from July 2013 until October 2022, and as Chairman of the Board of Matinas BioPharma, Inc. from October 2012 until October 2022. He continues to serve as a member of our Board of Directors today. He also serves on the board of directors of Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDX), biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of immunotherapies and other targeted biologics, and as an Advisor to the Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai Hospital. Mr. Conrad was the President of the U.S. Pharmaceuticals Division of Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. from 1982 until his retirement in 1993. Prior to that, he held many positions of increasing responsibility at Roche Pharmaceuticals in the United States. Mr. Conrad previously served on the board of directors of Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (NASDAQ: ABUS), Pharmasset, Inc. (chairman), Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SVNT), Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc., UroCor, Inc., GenVec, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNVC) (chairman), Sicor, Inc., Bone Care International, Inc. (chairman), Sapphire Therapeutics, Inc. (chairman), the medical advisory board of Henry Schein Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), and he was a Director and Co-Founder of Reliant Pharmaceuticals. Pharmasset was acquired by Gilead Sciences, Inc. for $11 billion in 2011 and Reliant was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline for $1.65 billion in 2007. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy and an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Long Island University. We believe Mr. Conrad is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive expertise and experience in the life sciences industry and his extensive board experience. Kathryn Corzo has served on our board of directors since September 2021 and is currently the Chief Operating Officer of bit.bio. Prior to bit.bio, Ms. Corzo was a partner at Takeda Ventures, Inc., the corporate investment arm of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, and previously Head, Oncology Cell Therapy Development at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502/NYSE: TAK), a global biopharmaceutical company, a position she has held since 2020. Prior to joining Takeda, Ms. Corzo held positions of increasing responsibility at Sanofi Genzyme, a specialty care global business unit of Sanofi, from 2010 to 2019. Prior to joining Sanofi, Ms. Corzo worked at Hoffman – La Roche, Roche Molecular Systems, Eli Lilly and Syndax from 1989 to 2010, during which time she held roles of increasing seniority in operations, global clinical development, medical affairs, business development, market access and brand management across multiple therapeutic products and indications. We believe Ms. Corzo is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors due to her broad experience in the life sciences industry. Natasha Giordano . Ms. Giordano has served as a member of our board of directors since September 2020. Ms. Giordano has been President, Chief Executive Officer and director of PLx Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: PLXP) since January 2016. Previously, Ms. Giordano served as Chief Executive Officer of ClearPoint Learning, Inc., a privately held learning and training platform company, from May 2015 through November 2015. She also served on the ClearPoint board of directors from December 2009 through November 2015. Previously, Ms. Giordano served as the Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Corporation of America (NYSE: HCA), a leading healthcare provider, from January 2014 through August 2014. From June 2009 to August 2012, Ms. Giordano served as Chief Operating Officer and then as Chief Executive Officer, President and a member of the board of directors of Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held a branded specialty pharmaceutical company with development and commercial capabilities focused on pain management and women’s health. Prior to that, she served as President, Americas, for Cegedim Dendrite (formerly Dendrite International Inc.), a global technology services company, from 2007 to 2008 and as Senior Vice President of the Global Customer Business Unit of Cegedim Dendrite from 2004 to 2007. Ms. Giordano holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Wagner College. We believe Ms. Giordano is qualified to serve as a director due to her extensive experience in commercialization, general management and knowledge of the pharmaceutical and health care industries. 79 James S. Scibetta has served as a member of our board of directors since November 2013. Mr. Scibetta is currently a senior consultant with Rock Springs Capital, an investment firm that manages long-biased, healthcare-focused public equity funds. Between 2021 and 2023, Mr. Scibetta was the Chief Executive Officer of ImmuneID, Inc., a privately held company that leverages existing antibody responses to rapidly unveil the complexities of the immune system, thereby revealing pathways leading to precise, transformative therapies. Prior to ImmuneID, Mr. Scibetta was Chief Executive Officer of Maverick Therapeutics, a development stage immune-oncology company, from 2017 until 2021 when it was acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Prior to Maverick, he was President and Chief Financial Officer of Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCRX), a specialty pharmaceutical company, a position he has held since October 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Scibetta was the Chief Financial Officer of Pacira since 2008. Prior to joining Pacira in August 2008, he served as a consultant to Genzyme Corporation following the sale of Bioenvision Inc. (NASDAQ: BIVN) to Genzyme in 2007. From 2006 to 2007 Mr. Scibetta was CFO of Bioenvision. From 2001 to 2006, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: MACK). Mr. Scibetta has previously served on the board of directors at the following life sciences companies: Nephros Inc. (NASDAQ: NEPH), Merrimack Pharmaceuticals and Labopharm Inc. Prior to his executive management experience, Mr. Scibetta spent over a decade in investment banking where he was responsible for sourcing and executing transactions for a broad base of public and private healthcare and life sciences companies. Mr. Scibetta received his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Wake Forest University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. We believe Mr. Scibetta is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive management experience in the pharmaceutical industry, his investment banking experience and his experience as a chief financial officer and audit committee member of several publicly traded companies. Matthew A. Wikler has served as a member of our board of directors since January 2018. Dr. Wikler currently serves as the Principal of Infectious Disease Technology Development Consulting (IDTD Consulting), a privately-held consulting firm, where he provides clinical, medical and regulatory strategic insight to companies developing new technologies for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, a position he has held since 2015. Prior to that from 2012 to 2015, Dr. Wikler served at The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO), a biopharmaceutical company, as VP, New Business Ventures and VP and Medical Director, Infectious Disease Care. Over the course of his career Dr. Wikler held senior leaderships positions for a number of pharmaceutical companies, including as Chief Development Officer of Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing new antibiotics to provide expanded coverage, safety and convenience for the treatment of serious and life-threatening infections, President and Chief Executive Officer of IASO Pharma Inc., a privately-held clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of antibacterial and antifungal therapeutics, the Institute for One World Health, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit drug development organization, Mpex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held company focused on developing and manufacturing therapies for antibiotic resistance with focus on gram-negative organisms, Peninsula Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing antibiotics to treat life-threatening infections (acquired by Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)), ViroPharma Incorporated (NASDAQ: VPHM), Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY), and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical (a division of Johnson & Johnson). Dr. Wikler began his career at Smith Kline & French/Smith Kline Beecham where he held positions of increasing responsibilities over ten years. Dr. Wikler held a variety of positions at the FDA, including the Deputy Director of the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products. Dr. Wikler earned a B.A. in Chemistry from Franklin and Marshall College, an M.D. degree from Temple University School of Medicine, and his M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. He completed his Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. We believe Dr. Wikler is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive management experience in the pharmaceutical industry and his clinical, drug development and regulatory experience. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. 80 Scientific Advisory Board We believe in seeking and attracting scientific and clinical leaders in the field of infectious diseases to provide counsel and support our growth. We have established a Scientific Advisory Board for MAT2203 which consists of individuals who are experts in their chosen fields and recipients of many academic honors and awards. Board Committees Our board of directors has three standing committees — an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Audit Committee . The Audit Committee oversees and monitors our financial reporting process and internal control system, reviews and evaluates the audit performed by our registered independent public accountants and reports to the Board any substantive issues found during the audit. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of our registered independent public accountants. The Audit Committee reviews and approves all transactions with affiliated parties. James Scibetta, Herbert Conrad and Natasha Giordano currently serve as members of the Audit Committee, with Mr. Scibetta serving as its chair. All members of the Audit Committee have been determined to be financially literate and are considered independent directors as defined under the NYSE MKT’s listing standards and applicable SEC rules and regulations. Mr. Scibetta qualifies as an audit committee “financial expert” as that term is defined by SEC regulations. The Audit Committee met four times during 2023. Our Board has adopted an Audit Committee Charter, which is available for viewing at www.matinasbiopharma.com . Compensation Committee . The Compensation Committee provides advice and makes recommendations to the Board in the areas of employee salaries, benefit programs and director compensation. The Compensation Committee also reviews the compensation of our executive officers, including our chief executive officer, and makes recommendations in that regard to the Board as a whole. Kathryn Corzo, James Scibetta and Matthew Wikler currently serve as members of the Compensation Committee, with Mr. Scibetta serving as its chair. All members of the Compensation Committee are considered independent directors as defined under the NYSE MKT’s listing standards. The Compensation Committee met six times during 2023. Our Board has adopted a Compensation Committee Charter, which is available for viewing at www.matinasbiopharma.com . Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee . The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee nominates individuals to be elected to the full Board by our stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers recommendations from stockholders if submitted in a timely manner in accordance with the procedures set forth in our Bylaws and applies the same criteria to all persons being considered. Herbert Conrad, Kathryn Corzo, Eric Ende, and Natasha Giordano currently serve as members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with Ms. Giordano serving as its chair. All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are considered independent directors as defined under the NYSE MKT’s listing standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met four times during 2023. Our Board has adopted a Nominating and Corporate Governance Charter, which is available for viewing at www.matinasbiopharma.com . Code of Business Conduct and Ethics We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers, and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial and accounting officer, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code is posted on the corporate governance section of our website, which is located at www.matinasbiopharma.com. If we make any substantive amendments to, or grant waivers from, the code of business conduct and ethics for any officer or director, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website. 81 Insider Trading Policy We have adopted an insider trading policy (the “Trading Policy”) that is designed to promote compliance with federal securities laws, rules and regulations, as well as the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange. The Trading Policy provides Matinas’s standards on trading and causing the trading of our securities or securities of other publicly traded companies while in possession of confidential information. It prohibits trading in certain circumstances and applies to all of our directors, officers and employees as well as independent contractors or consultants who have access to material nonpublic information of Matinas. Additionally, our Trading Policy imposes special additional trading restrictions applicable to all of our directors and executive officers. The Trading Policy is annexed to this Annual Report as an exhibit. Item 11. Executive Compensation Summary Compensation Table – 2023 The following table presents information regarding the total compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our chief executive officer and the two most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2023 for services rendered in all capacities to us for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. These individuals are our named executive officers for 2023. Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) Option Awards ($) (1) All Other Compensation ($) Total ($) Jerome D. Jabbour 2023 598,000 244,375 757,176 - 1,599,551 Chief Executive Officer 2022 575,000 306,500 792,707 - 1,674,207 James J. Ferguson 2023 468,000 153,000 259,603 - 880,603 Chief Medical Officer 2022 450,000 169,920 249,179 - 869,099 Theresa Matkovits 2023 430,000 140,080 281,237 - 851,317 Chief Development Officer 2022 412,000 189,000 249,179 - 850,179 (1) Amounts reflect the grant date fair value of option awards granted in 2023 and 2022 in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named executive officers. Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table Employment Agreements with Our Named Executive Officers Jabbour On March 22, 2018, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Jabbour, as subsequently amended on March 3, 2023. Under the terms of Mr. Jabbour’s employment agreement, Mr. Jabbour received a signing bonus of $84,000 and a base salary of $350,000 per year. Mr. Jabbour’s current salary is $598,000. In addition, Mr. Jabbour is eligible to receive an annual bonus, which is targeted at 50% of his base salary but which may be adjusted by our Compensation Committee based on his individual performance and our performance as a whole. Mr. Jabbour is also eligible to receive option grants at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. Mr. Jabbour is eligible to receive option grants and equity grants at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. If we terminate Mr. Jabbour’s employment without cause or Mr. Jabbour resigns with good reason (absent a change of control), we are required to pay him severance of up to twelve months of his base salary plus COBRA benefits for twelve months, and his target annual bonus for the year pro rated to the date of termination. In addition, the vesting of 50% of his outstanding options issued prior to December 31, 2021 will be accelerated in full upon such termination and Mr. Jabbour will be provided with an extension through two years after the separation date of the exercise period for his vested stock options. If we terminate Mr. Jabbour’s employment without cause during the 24-month period immediately following a change of control or Mr. Jabbour resigns with good reason during the 24-month period immediately following a change of control, we are required to pay him severance of 18 months of his base salary and 1.5 times his target annual bonus plus 18 months of COBRA benefits. In addition, his outstanding options will be vested in full and Mr. Jabbour will be provided with an extension through two years after the separation date of the exercise period for his vested stock options. Mr. Jabbour is also subject to a customary non-disclosure agreement, pursuant to which Mr. Jabbour has agreed to be subject to a non-compete during the term of his employment and for a period of eighteen months following termination of his employment. 82 Ferguson On February 22, 2019, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Ferguson which was effective as of February 25, 2019, as subsequently amended on March 3, 2023. Under the terms of Mr. Ferguson’s employment agreement, Mr. Ferguson base salary was $375,000 per year, and is currently $468,000. In addition, Mr. Ferguson is eligible to receive an annual bonus, which is targeted at 35% of his base salary but which may be adjusted by our Compensation Committee based on his individual performance and our performance as a whole. Mr. Ferguson is also eligible to receive option grants at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. If we terminate Mr. Ferguson’s employment without cause or Mr. Ferguson resigns with good reason, we are required to pay him severance of up to twelve months of his base salary plus benefits. In addition, the vesting of 50% of his outstanding options issued prior to December 31, 2021 will be accelerated in full upon such termination. If we terminate Mr. Ferguson’s employment without cause during the 12-month period immediately following a change of control or Mr. Jabbour resigns with good reason during the 12-month period immediately following a change of control, we are required to pay him severance of 12 months of his base salary and his target annual bonus plus 12 months of COBRA benefits. In addition, his outstanding options will be vested in full. Mr. Ferguson is also subject to a customary non-disclosure agreement, pursuant to which Mr. Ferguson has agreed to be subject to a non-compete during the term of his employment and for a period of eighteen months following termination of his employment. Matkovits On September 25, 2018, we entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Matkovits which was effective as of October 15, 2018, as subsequently amended on March 3, 2023. Under the terms of Ms. Matkovits’ employment agreement, Ms. Matkovits’s base salary was $350,000 per year, and is currently $430,000. In addition, Ms. Matkovits is eligible to receive an annual bonus, which is targeted at 35% of her base salary but which may be adjusted by our Compensation Committee based on her individual performance and our performance as a whole. Ms. Matkovits is also eligible to receive option grants at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. If we terminate Ms. Matkovits’ employment without cause or Ms. Matkovits resigns with good reason, we are required to pay her severance of up to twelve months of his base salary plus benefits. In addition, the vesting of 50% of her outstanding options issued prior to December 31, 2021 will be accelerated in full upon such termination. If we terminate Ms. Matkovits’s employment without cause during the 12-month period immediately following a change of control or Matkovits resigns with good reason during the 12-month period immediately following a change of control, we are required to pay her severance of 12 months of her base salary and her target annual bonus plus 12 months of COBRA benefits. In addition, her outstanding options will be vested in full. Ms. Matkovits is also subject to a customary non-disclosure agreement, pursuant to which Ms. Matkovits has agreed to be subject to a non-compete during the term of her employment and for a period of eighteen months following termination of her employment. Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table – 2023 The following table summarizes, for each of the named executive officers, the number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding stock options held as of December 31, 2023. Option Awards Name Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable Option exercise price ($) Option expiration date Jerome D. Jabbour - 3,500,000 $ 0.25 Dec 14, 2033 538,432 1,449,868 $ 0.53 Dec 19, 2032 863,558 794,542 $ 0.92 Dec 13, 2031 1,166,667 433,333 $ 1.36 Dec 31, 2030 979,167 20,833 $ 2.27 Dec 31, 2029 750,000 - $ 1.08 Feb 10, 2029 1,000,000 - $ 0.98 Mar 21, 2028 400,000 - $ 3.32 Feb 20, 2027 350,000 - $ 0.43 Feb 4, 2026 175,000 - $ 0.41 Jan 27, 2025 350,000 - $ 1.28 July 20, 2024 James J. Ferguson - 1,200,000 $ 0.25 Dec 14, 2033 169,250 455,750 $ 0.53 Dec 19, 2032 306,029 281,571 $ 0.92 Dec 13, 2031 419,271 155,729 $ 1.36 Dec 31, 2030 489,584 10,416 $ 2.27 Dec 31, 2029 350,000 - $ 1.09 Feb 24, 2029 Theresa Matkovits - 1,300,000 $ 0.25 Dec 14, 2033 169,250 455,750 $ 0.53 Dec 19, 2032 260,406 239,594 $ 0.92 Dec 13, 2031 309,896 115,104 $ 1.36 Dec 31, 2030 342,709 7,291 $ 2.27 Dec 31, 2029 350,000 - $ 1.08 Feb 10, 2029 350,000 - $ 0.79 Oct 14, 2028 83 2013 Equity Compensation Plan General On August 2, 2013, our Board of Directors adopted the 2013 Equity Compensation Plan pursuant to the terms described herein. The 2013 Equity Compensation Plan was approved by the stockholders on August 7, 2013. Effective May 8, 2014, upon the approval of our Board of Directors and our stockholders, we amended and restated our 2013 Equity Compensation Plan, primarily to include “evergreen” provisions, which provides that the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan is subject to an automatic annual increase on January 1 of each year beginning in 2015 equal to 4% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year or a lesser number of shares of common stock determined by the Board of Directors; to amend the definition of “fair market value”; and to increase the limits on awards under the Plan. The 2013 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, is referred to herein as the “2013 Plan.” The general purpose of the 2013 Plan is to provide an incentive to our employees, directors, consultants and advisors by enabling them to share in the future growth of our business. Our Board of Directors believes that the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards and similar kinds of equity-based compensation promotes continuity of management and increases incentive and personal interest in the welfare of our Company by those who are primarily responsible for shaping and carrying out our long range plans and securing our growth and financial success. Our Board of Directors believes that the 2013 Plan will advance our interests by enhancing our ability to (a) attract and retain employees, consultants, directors and advisors who are in a position to make significant contributions to our success; (b) reward our employees, consultants, directors and advisors for these contributions; and (c) encourage employees, consultants, directors and advisors to take into account our long-term interests through ownership of our shares. Description of the 2013 Equity Compensation Plan The following description of the principal terms of the 2013 Plan is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2013 Plan, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto. 84 Administration . The 2013 Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, provided that the entire Board of Directors may act in lieu of the Compensation Committee on any matter, subject to certain requirements set forth in the 2013 Plan. The Compensation Committee may grant options to purchase shares of our common stock, stock appreciation rights, stock units, restricted shares of our common stock, performance shares, performance units, incentive bonus awards, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. The Compensation Committee also has broad authority to determine the terms and conditions of each option or other kind of award, and adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of the 2013 Plan. Subject to applicable law, the Compensation Committee may authorize one or more reporting persons (as defined in the 2013 Plan) or other officers to make awards (other than awards to reporting persons, or other officers whom the Compensation Committee has specifically authorized to make awards). No awards may be granted under the 2013 Plan on or after the ten year anniversary of the adoption of the 2013 Plan by our Board of Directors, but awards granted prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date. Eligibility . Awards may be granted under the 2013 Plan to any person who is an employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor or other individual service provider of the Company or any subsidiary, or any person who is determined by the Compensation Committee to be a prospective employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor or other individual service provider of the Company or any subsidiary. Shares Subject to the 2013 Plan . As of March 18, 2024, the aggregate number of shares of common stock available for issuance in connection with awards granted under the 2013 Plan is 62,984,400 shares, subject to customary adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions (the “Initial Limit”). Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the 2013 Plan with respect to all of those shares. The number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2013 Plan will automatically increase on January 1st of each year for a period of ten years, commencing on January 1, 2015, in an amount equal to four percent (4%) of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year (the “Annual Increase”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may act prior to the first day of any calendar year, to provide that there shall be no increase in the share reserve for such calendar year or that the Annual Increase in the share reserve for such calendar year shall be a lesser number of shares of common stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. The number of shares of common stock which may be issued in respect of Incentive Stock Options is equal to the Current Limit, and will be increased on each January 1, by the Annual Increase for such calendar year. To the extent that any award under the 2013 Plan payable in shares of common stock is forfeited, cancelled, returned to the Company for failure to satisfy vesting requirements or upon the occurrence of other forfeiture events, or otherwise terminates without payment being made thereunder, the shares of common stock covered thereby will be available for future grants under the 2013 Plan. Shares of common stock that otherwise would have been issued upon the exercise of a stock option or in payment with respect to any other form of award, that are surrendered in payment or partial payment of taxes required to be withheld with respect to the exercise of such stock option or the making of such payment, will also be available for future grants under the 2013 Plan. Terms and Conditions of Options . Options granted under the 2013 Plan may be either “incentive stock options” that are intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or “nonqualified stock options” that do not meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Compensation Committee will determine the exercise price of options granted under the 2013 Plan. The exercise price of stock options may not be less than the fair market value, on the date of grant, per share of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the option (or 110% of fair market value in the case of incentive options granted to a ten-percent stockholder). If on the date of grant the common stock is listed on a stock exchange or national market system, the fair market value shall generally be the closing sale price as of such date, or if there were no trades recorded on such date, then the most recent date preceding such date on which trades were recorded. If on the date of grant the common stock is traded in an over-the-counter market, the fair market will generally be the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the shares of common stock as of such date, or, if there are no closing bid and asked prices for the shares of common stock on such date, then the average of the bid and asked prices for the shares of common stock on the most recent date preceding such date on which such closing bid and asked prices are available. If the common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or national market system or traded in an over-the-counter market, the fair market value shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on the date of grant the common stock is listed on a stock exchange or is quoted on a national market system, or is traded in an over-the-counter market, then solely for purposes of determining the exercise price of any grant of a stock option or the base price of any grant of a stock appreciation right, the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, base fair market value on the last sale before or the first sale after the grant, the closing price on the trading day before or the trading day of the grant, the arithmetic mean of the high and low prices on the trading day before or the trading day of the grant, or any other reasonable method using actual transactions of the common stock as reported by the exchange or market on which the common stock is traded. In addition, the determination of fair market value also may be made using any other method permitted under Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv). 85 No option may be exercisable for more than ten years from the date of grant (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a ten-percent stockholder). Options granted under the 2013 Plan will be exercisable at such time or times as the Compensation Committee prescribes at the time of grant. No employee may receive incentive stock options that first become exercisable in any calendar year in an amount exceeding $100,000. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, permit a holder of a nonqualified stock option to exercise the option before it has otherwise become exercisable, in which case the shares of our common stock issued to the recipient will continue to be subject to the vesting requirements that applied to the option before exercise. Generally, the option price may be paid in cash or by bank check, or such other means as the Compensation Committee may accept. As set forth in an award agreement or otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, at or after grant, payment in full or part of the exercise price of an option may be made (a) in the form of shares of common stock that have been held by the participant for such period as the Compensation Committee may deem appropriate for accounting purposes or otherwise, valued at the fair market value of such shares on the date of exercise; (ii) by surrendering to the Company shares of common stock otherwise receivable on exercise of the option; (iii) by a cashless exercise program implemented by the Compensation Committee in connection with the 2013 Plan; and/or (iv) by such other method as may be approved by the Compensation Committee and set forth in an award agreement. No option may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during a recipient’s lifetime an option may be exercised only by the recipient or the recipient’s guardian or legal representative. However, the Compensation Committee may permit the transfer of a nonqualified stock option, share-settled stock appreciation right, restricted stock award, performance share or share-settled other stock-based award either (a) by instrument to the participant’s immediate family (as defined in the 2013 Plan), (b) by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust (or other entity) in which the award is to be passed to the participant’s designated beneficiaries, or (c) by gift to charitable institutions. The Compensation Committee will determine the extent to which a holder of a stock option may exercise the option following termination of service. Stock Appreciation Rights . The Compensation Committee may grant stock appreciation rights independent of or in connection with an option. The Compensation Committee will determine the terms applicable to stock appreciation rights. The base price of a stock appreciation right will be determined by the Compensation Committee, but will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock with respect to the date of grant of such stock appreciation right. The maximum term of any SAR granted under the 2013 Plan is ten years from the date of grant. Generally, each SAR stock appreciation right will entitle a participant upon exercise to an amount equal to: ● the excess of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over the base price of such stock appreciation right, multiplied by ● the number of shares as to which such stock appreciation right is exercised. Payment may be made in shares of our common stock, in cash, or partly in common stock and partly in cash, all as determined by the Compensation Committee. Restricted Stock and Stock Units . The Compensation Committee may award restricted common stock and/or stock units under the 2013 Plan. Restricted stock awards consist of shares of stock that are transferred to a participant subject to restrictions that may result in forfeiture if specified conditions are not satisfied. Stock units confer the right to receive shares of our common stock, cash, or a combination of shares and cash, at a future date upon or following the attainment of certain conditions specified by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each award of restricted stock or stock units, which may include performance-based conditions. Dividends with respect to restricted stock may be paid to the holder of the shares as and when dividends are paid to stockholders or at the times of vesting or other payment of the restricted stock award. Stock unit awards may be granted with dividend equivalent rights, which may be accumulated and may be deemed reinvested in additional stock units, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. If any dividend equivalents are paid while a stock unit award is subject to restrictions, the dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the underlying stock units, unless otherwise set forth in an award agreement. Unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise, holders of restricted stock will have the right to vote the shares. 86 Performance Shares and Performance Units . The Compensation Committee may award performance shares and/or performance units under the 2013 Plan. Performance shares and performance units are awards which are earned during a specified performance period subject to the attainment of performance criteria, as established by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each award of performance shares and performance units. Incentive Bonus Awards . The Compensation Committee may award Incentive Bonus Awards under the 2013 Plan. Incentive Bonus Awards may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company or subsidiary performance as measured by pre-established, objective performance criteria determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Incentive Bonus Awards will be paid in cash or common stock, as set forth in an award agreement. Other Stock-Based and Cash-Based Awards . The Compensation Committee may award other types of equity-based or cash-based awards under the 2013 Plan, including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted shares of our common stock and payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares of common stock. Effect of Certain Corporate Transactions . The Compensation Committee may, at the time of the grant of an award, provide for the effect of a change in control (as defined in the 2013 Plan) on any award, including (i) accelerating or extending the time periods for exercising, vesting in, or realizing gain from any award, (ii) eliminating or modifying the performance or other conditions of an award, (iii) providing for the cash settlement of an award for an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Compensation Committee, or (iv) such other modification or adjustment to an award as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate to maintain and protect the rights and interests of participants upon or following a change in control. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion and without the need for the consent of any recipient of an award, also take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of a change in control: (a) cause any or all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights to become immediately exercisable, in whole or in part; (b) cause any other awards to become non-forfeitable, in whole or in part; (c) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for a substitute option; (d) cancel any award of restricted stock, stock units, performance shares or performance units in exchange for a similar award of the capital stock of any successor corporation; (e) redeem any restricted stock, stock unit, performance share or performance unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the fair market value of an unrestricted share of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (f) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration based on the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control , and cancel any option or stock appreciation right without any payment if its exercise price exceeds the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (g) cancel any stock unit or performance unit held by a participant affected by the change in control in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of the change in control, or (h) make such other modifications, adjustments or amendments to outstanding awards as the Compensation Committee deems necessary or appropriate. Amendment, Termination . The Compensation Committee may amend the terms of awards in any manner not inconsistent with the 2013 Plan, provided that no amendment shall adversely affect the rights of a participant with respect to an outstanding award without the participant’s consent. In addition, our board of directors may at any time amend, suspend, or terminate the 2013 Plan, provided that (i) no such amendment, suspension or termination shall materially and adversely affect the rights of any participant under any outstanding award without the consent of such participant and (ii) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, the 2013 Plan requires us to obtain stockholder consent. Stockholder approval is required for any plan amendment that increases the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2013 Plan or changes the persons or classes of persons eligible to receive awards. 87 Tax Withholding The Company has the power and right to deduct or withhold, or require a participant to remit to the Company, the minimum statutory amount to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulations to be withheld. Director Compensation We maintain a policy pursuant to which our non-employee directors receive annualized compensation. The policy provides for the following compensation amounts payable in cash, or upon election by such non-employee director, in shares of unrestricted common stock: (i) each non-employee director is entitled to receive an annual fee of $50,000; (ii) the chairman of the board is entitled to receive an additional annual fee of $25,000; (iii) the vice chair, if one is appointed, is entitled to receive an additional annual fee of $20,000; (iv) the chair of our audit committee is entitled to receive an annual fee of $15,000 and other members of our audit committee are entitled to receive $7,500; (v) the chair of our compensation committee is entitled to receive an annual fee of $10,000 and other members of our compensation committee are entitled to receive $6,000; and (vi) the chair of our nominating and corporate governance committee is entitled to receive an annual fee of $8,000 and other members are entitled to receive $4,000. As of the date of each annual meeting of the shareholders, each non-employee director will receive an option grant to purchase shares of our common stock valued at $80,000 as determined by the Black Scholes method on the date of grant under our existing equity incentive plan, or any other equity incentive plan we may adopt in the future, which shall vest in twelve equal monthly installments. All fees under the director compensation policy are paid on a quarterly basis in arrears and no per meeting fees are paid. All fees may be paid in unrestricted shares of common stock at the election of the director. We also reimburse non-employee directors for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attending board of director and committee meetings. Director Compensation Table – 2023 The following table summarizes the annual compensation for our non-employee directors during 2023. Name Cash Compensation ($) Option Awards ($) (1) Total ($) Herbert Conrad 61,500 80,000 141,500 Kathryn Corzo 60,000 80,000 140,000 Eric Ende 79,000 80,000 159,000 Natasha Giordano 65,500 80,000 145,500 James S. Scibetta 75,000 80,000 155,000 Matthew Wikler 56,000 80,000 136,000 (1) Amounts reflect the grant date fair value of stock awards and option awards granted in 2023 in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the directors. Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is currently composed of the following three non-employee directors: Kathryn Corzo, James Scibetta, Chair, and Matthew Wikler. No member of the Compensation Committee is or was formerly an officer or an employee of the Company during the last fiscal year. In addition, no executive officer of the Company serves on the compensation committee or board of directors of a company for which any of the Company’s directors serve as an executive officer. See Item 13. 88 Item 12. Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management And Related Stockholder Matters. The following table sets forth the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned as of March 18, 2024 by: ● each of our stockholders who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our common stock; ● each of our executive officers; ● each of our directors; and ● all of our directors and current executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined based on the rules and regulations of the SEC. A person has beneficial ownership of shares if such individual has the power to vote and/or dispose of shares. This power may be sole or shared and direct or indirect. Applicable percentage ownership in the following table is based on 217,482,830 shares outstanding as of March 18, 2024. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock that are subject to options or warrants held by that person and exercisable as of, or within 60 days of, March 18, 2024 are counted as outstanding. These shares, however, are not counted as outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person(s). Except as may be indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of common stock set forth opposite that person’s name. Unless indicated below, the address of each individual listed below is c/o Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc., 1545 Route 206 South, Suite 302, Bedminster, NJ 07921. Name of Beneficial Owner Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned Directors and Executive Officers Jerome D. Jabbour (1) 6,912,028 3.1 % Herbert Conrad (2) 6,057,976 2.8 % Kathryn Corzo (3) 549,186 * % Eric Ende (4) 1,519,169 * % Natasha Giordano (5) 776,515 * % James Scibetta (6) 1,937,535 * % Matthew Wikler (7) 1,515,549 * % James J. Ferguson (8) 1,905,501 * % Thomas J. Hoover (9) 681,758 * % Keith A. Kucinski (10) 1,909,578 * % Hui Liu (11) 894,770 * % Theresa Matkovits (12) 1,927,578 * % Directors and Executive Officers as a group (12 persons) (13) 26,587,143 11.2 % * Less than 1% (1) Includes 6,451,704 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 5,707,196 shares of common stock underlying options. (2) Includes 1,363,410 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 182,185 shares of common stock underlying options. (3) Includes 549,186 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 212,478 shares of common stock underlying options. (4) Includes 1,375,077 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 182,185 shares of common stock underlying options. (5) Includes 776,515 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of. Does not include 182,185 shares of common stock underlying option. (6) Includes 1,287,577 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 182,185 shares of common stock underlying options. (7) Includes 1,225,077 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 182,185 shares of common stock underlying options. (8) Includes 1,905,501 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 1,932,099 shares of common stock underlying options. (9) Includes 691,758 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 1,643,242 shares of common stock underlying options. (10) Includes 1,815,078 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 1,684,922 shares of common stock underlying options. (11) Includes 894,770 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 1,605,230 shares of common stock underlying options. (12) Includes 1,927,578 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options. Does not include 1,972,422 shares of common stock underlying options. (13) See notes (1) through (12). 89 Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans The following table summarizes information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2023. Plan Category Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options (a) Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options (b) Number of Options Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)(2) Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders(1) 46,707,934 $ 0.83 2,905,170 Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders — — — Total 46,707,934 $ 0.83 2,905,170 (1) The amounts shown in this row include securities under the Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”). (2) In accordance with the “evergreen” provision in our 2013 Plan, an additional 8,690,581 shares were automatically made available for issuance on the first trading day of 2024, which represents 4% of the number of shares outstanding on December 31, 2023; these shares are excluded from this calculation. Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions, And Director Independence Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Other than compensation arrangements for our named executive officers and directors, there has been no transaction or series of similar transactions, since January 1, 2023, to which we were a party or will be a party, in which: ● the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of (i) $120,000 and (ii) one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years; and ● any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Indemnification Agreements We entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide for indemnification against expenses, judgments, fines and penalties actually and reasonably incurred by an indemnitee in connection with threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or other proceedings, subject to certain limitations. The indemnification agreements also provide for the advancement of expenses in connection with a proceeding prior to a final, non-appealable judgment or other adjudication, provided that the indemnitee provides an undertaking to repay to us any amounts advanced if the indemnitee is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification by us. The indemnification agreement set forth procedures for making and responding to a request for indemnification or advancement of expenses, as well as dispute resolution procedures that apply to any dispute between us and an indemnitee arising under the Indemnification Agreements. Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions We have adopted a policy that our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as a director, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our common stock, any members of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons and any firms, corporations or other entities in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest, which we refer to collectively as related parties, are not permitted to enter into a transaction with us without the prior consent of our board of directors acting through the audit committee or, in certain circumstances, the chairman of the audit committee. Any request for us to enter into a transaction with a related party, in which the amount involved exceeds $100,000 and such related party would have a direct or indirect interest must first be presented to our audit committee, or in certain circumstances the chairman of our audit committee, for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our audit committee, or the chairman of our audit committee, is to consider the material facts of the transaction, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances, the extent of the benefits to us, the availability of other sources of comparable products or services and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction. Director Independence Based on information requested from and provided by each of our directors, our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Herbert Conrad, Eric Ende, James Scibetta, Matthew Wikler and Mses. Kathryn Corzo and Natasha Giordano are “independent directors” as such term is defined in the rules of the NYSE MKT’s corporate governance requirements and Rule 10A-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 90 Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees And Services The following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, by EisnerAmper LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Audit Fees $ 270 $ 265 Audit-Related Fees - - Tax Fees - - Total Fees $ 270 $ 265 Audit Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, audit of internal controls over financial reporting, review of our interim consolidated financial statements, comfort and consent letters. Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for assurance related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial services. Tax Fees are for tax-related services related primarily to tax consulting and tax planning. The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services and any non-audit services that the independent registered public accounting firm is permitted to render under Section 10A (h) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee may delegate the pre-approval to one of its members, provided that if such delegation is made, the full Audit Committee must be presented at its next regularly scheduled meeting with any pre-approval decision made by that member. 91 Part IV Item 15. Exhibits And Financial Statement Schedules Exhibit No. Description 2.1 Merger Agreement, dated July 11, 2013, by and among the Company, Matinas Merger Sub, Inc., and Matinas BioPharma, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014). 2.2 Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Aquarius Biotechnologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Aquarius”), Saffron Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) and J. Carl Craft, as the stockholder representative (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 30, 2015). 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014). 3.2 Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014). 3.3 Certificate of Amendment, dated October 29, 2015 to Certificate of Incorporation. (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 5, 2015). 4.1 Common Stock Specimen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed March 31, 2017 with the Securities and Exchange Commission). 4.6 Description of Securities* 10.1 Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2015.) † 10.2 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014). † 92 10.3 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014). † 10.4 Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014). † 10.5 Lease, effective as of November 4, 2013, by and between the company and A-K Bedminster Associates, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014). 10.6 Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement dated as of January 29, 2015, by and between Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and Aquarius Biotechnologies, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2015). + 10.8 Lease Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2016, by and between CIP II/AR Bridgewater Holdings LLC, and Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 28, 2017). 10.9 Employment Agreement, dated March 22, 2018, between the Company and Jerome D. Jabbour (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 27, 2018). † 10.10 Employment Agreement, dated October 15, 2018, between Matinas Biopharma Holdings, Inc. and Theresa Matkovits (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 15, 2018). † 10.11 Employment Agreement, dated January 3, 2019, between Matinas Biopharma Holdings, Inc. and Keith Kucinski (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 3, 2019). † 10.12 Employment Agreement, dated February 25, 2019, between Matinas Biopharma Holdings, Inc. and James J. Ferguson III (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2019). † 10.13 At-The-Market Sales Agreement, dated July 2, 2020, between Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. and BTIG, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.01 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2020). 10.14 Therapeutic Development Award Agreement, dated November 19, 2020, between Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2021). 10.15 Employment Agreement, dated December 1, 2020, between Matinas Biopharma Holdings, Inc. and Hui Liu. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 8, 2022) † 10.16 Employment Agreement, dated December 6, 2021, between Matinas Biopharma Holdings, Inc. and Thomas Hoover. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 8, 2022) † Consulting Agreement, dated August 8, 2022, by and between the Company and Raphael J. Mannino (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly report on Form 10-Q, filed on November 2, 2022). 10.17 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 3, 2023, between Matinas Biopharma Holdings, Inc. and Jerome Jabbour (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Quarterly report on Form 10-K, filed on March 15, 2023)† 10.18 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 3, 2023, between Matinas Biopharma Holdings, Inc. and Theresa Matkovits (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Quarterly report on Form 10-K, filed on March 15, 2023)† 10.19 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 3, 2023, between Matinas Biopharma Holdings, Inc. and Keith Kucinski (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Quarterly report on Form 10-K, filed on March 15, 2023)† 10.20 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 3, 2023, between Matinas Biopharma Holdings, Inc. and James Ferguson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Quarterly report on Form 10-K, filed on March 15, 2023)† 19.1 Matinas BioPharma Holdings Corp. Insider Trading Policy* 21.1 Subsidiaries Index* 23.1 Consent of EisnerAmper LLP* 31.1 Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* 31.2 Certification of Acting Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* 32.1 Section 1350 Certifications** 97.1 Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. Compensation Recovery Policy* 101 The following financial information from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language), is filed electronically herewith: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022; (iii) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.* 104 The cover page from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, formatted as Inline XBRL. + Confidential treatment has been requested for certain provisions of this Exhibit pursuant to Rule 24b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. † Indicates a management contract or compensation plan, contract or arrangement. * Filed herewith. ** Furnished herewith. Item 16. Form 10-K Summary. None. 93 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Bedminster, State of New Jersey on March 27, 2024. MATINAS BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ Jerome D. Jabbour Name: Jerome D. Jabbour Title: Chief Executive Officer By: /s/ Keith A. Kucinski Name: Keith A. Kucinski Title: Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Person Capacity Date /s/ Jerome D. Jabbour Chief Executive Officer and Director March 27, 2024 Jerome D. Jabbour (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Keith A. Kucinski Chief Financial Officer March 27, 2024 Keith A. Kucinski (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ Eric Ende Chairman of the Board March 27, 2024 Eric Ende /s/ Herbert Conrad Director March 27, 2024 Herbert Conrad /s/ Kathryn Corzo Director March 27, 2024 Kathryn Corzo /s/ Natasha Giordano Director March 27, 2024 Natasha Giordano /s/ James S. Scibetta Director March 27, 2024 James S. Scibetta /s/ Matthew A. Wikler Director March 27, 2024 Matthew A. Wikler 94 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Going Concern The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has recurring net losses and net cash flow used in operations that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matter The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. F- 1 Accruals and prepaid balance for research and development expenses As disclosed in the consolidated statements of operations, for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred significant research and development (“R&D”) expenses, which amounted to approximately $14.5 million. At December 31, 2023, the Company had accrued approximately $0.9 million for R&D expenses on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company also recorded prepaid R&D expense of approximately $0.7 million on the consolidated balance sheet. A significant amount of the Company’s R&D expenses are service fees paid to contract research organizations (“CROs”) and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”). The R&D activities with these CROs and CMOs are documented in contractual agreements and are typically performed over an extended period. The amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheet for such R&D contracts represent the Company’s estimates of the unpaid and prepaid R&D expenses based on facts and circumstances known to the Company at that time, and are dependent upon the timely and accurate reporting of CROs and CMOs. The amount of R&D expense to be recognized under these agreements based on the Company’s estimate of the progress of work completed during the financial reporting period and involves judgement and estimation. We identified management’s estimate of accruals and prepaid balances for R&D expenses as a critical audit matter due to the significance of these expenses to the financial statements and the significant judgement and estimation required by management in determining the progress or state of completion of clinical studies or services rendered. As a result, a high degree of auditor judgement and additional testing were required to evaluate audit evidence relating to estimates made by management. Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. Our audit procedures related to accruals and prepaid balances for R&D expenses included the following, among others, (i) we obtained an understanding of management’s process and evaluated the design and implementation of controls over developing its estimate of accrued and prepaid R&D expenses, including the process of estimating the expenses incurred to date based on the status of the clinical studies; (ii) we read selected agreements and contract amendments with CROs and CMOs and evaluating the significant assumptions described above and the methods used in developing the R&D estimates and recalculating the amounts that were unpaid and prepaid at the balance sheet date, (iii) we confirmed with certain CROs and CMOs contractual commitments and amounts completed, paid and unpaid, and (iv) made direct inquiries of the Company research personnel regarding project status, and inspected invoices received subsequent to year-end and additional documents and correspondence with the CROs and CMOs when used by management to develop its estimate of R&D expenditures. / s/ EisnerAmper LLP We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2011 EISNERAMPER LLP Iselin, New Jersey March 27, 2024 F- 2 Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except for share data) 2023 2022 December 31, 2023 2022 ASSETS: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,787 $ 6,830 Marketable debt securities 8,969 21,933 Restricted cash – security deposit 50 50 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,737 5,719 Total current assets 15,543 34,532 Non-current assets: Leasehold improvements and equipment - net 1,923 2,091 Operating lease right-of-use assets - net 3,064 3,613 Finance lease right-of-use assets - net 21 30 In-process research and development 3,017 3,017 Goodwill 1,336 1,336 Restricted cash - security deposit 200 200 Total non-current assets 9,561 10,287 Total assets $ 25,104 $ 44,819 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 514 $ 618 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,447 3,099 Operating lease liabilities - current 656 562 Financing lease liabilities - current 5 7 Total current liabilities 2,622 4,286 Non-current liabilities: Deferred tax liability 341 341 Operating lease liabilities - net of current portion 2,877 3,533 Financing lease liabilities - net of current portion 18 22 Total non-current liabilities 3,236 3,896 Total liabilities 5,858 8,182 Stockholders’ equity: Common stock par value $ 0.0001 per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively; 217,264,526 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively 22 22 Additional paid-in capital 195,018 190,070 Accumulated deficit ( 175,573 ) ( 152,631 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss ( 221 ) ( 824 ) Total stockholders’ equity 19,246 36,637 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 25,104 $ 44,819 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F- 3 Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except share and per share data) 2023 2022 For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Revenue: Contract Revenue $ 1,096 $ 3,188 Costs and Expenses: Research and development 14,489 16,678 General and administrative 10,373 11,100 Total costs and expenses 24,862 27,778 Loss from operations ( 23,766 ) ( 24,590 ) Sale of New Jersey net operating loss & tax credits 484 3,491 Other income, net 340 102 Net loss $ ( 22,942 ) $ ( 20,997 ) Net loss per share – basic and diluted $ ( 0.11 ) $ ( 0.10 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic and diluted 217,264,526 216,811,439 Other comprehensive gain/(loss), net of tax Unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-sale 603 ( 679 ) Other comprehensive gain/(loss), net of tax 603 ( 679 ) Comprehensive loss $ ( 22,339 ) $ ( 21,676 ) The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F- 4 Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (in thousands, except for share data) Shares Amount Capital Deficit (Loss)/Income Equity Common Stock Additional Paid-in Accumulated Accumulated Other Comprehensive Total Stockholders’ Shares Amount Capital Deficit (Loss)/Income Equity Balance, December 31, 2021 216,269,450 $ 22 $ 184,251 $ ( 131,634 ) $ ( 145 ) $ 52,494 Stock-based compensation — — 5,228 — — 5,228 Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options 195,076 — 99 — — 99 Issuance of common stock in exchange for warrants 400,000 — 201 — — 201 Issuance of common stock pursuant to license agreement amendment 400,000 — 291 — — 291 Other comprehensive loss — — — — ( 679 ) ( 679 ) Net loss — — — ( 20,997 ) — ( 20,997 ) Balance, December 31, 2022 217,264,526 $ 22 $ 190,070 $ ( 152,631 ) $ ( 824 ) $ 36,637 Balance 217,264,526 $ 22 $ 190,070 $ ( 152,631 ) $ ( 824 ) $ 36,637 Stock-based compensation — — 4,948 — — 4,948 Other comprehensive income — — — — 603 603 Net loss — — — ( 22,942 ) — ( 22,942 ) Balance, December 31, 2023 217,264,526 $ 22 $ 195,018 $ ( 175,573 ) $ ( 221 ) $ 19,246 Balance 217,264,526 $ 22 $ 195,018 $ ( 175,573 ) $ ( 221 ) $ 19,246 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F- 5 Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) 2023 2022 For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ ( 22,942 ) $ ( 20,997 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 385 337 Loss on disposal of equipment 1 2 Stock-based compensation expense 4,948 5,228 Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets 548 542 Amortization of finance lease right-of-use assets 8 19 Amortization of bond discount 107 211 Stock issued pursuant to license agreement amendment — 291 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,983 ( 4,197 ) Accounts payable ( 103 ) ( 321 ) Accrued expenses and other liabilities ( 1,651 ) 249 Operating lease liabilities ( 562 ) ( 520 ) Net cash used in operating activities ( 15,278 ) ( 19,156 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of marketable debt securities — ( 9,481 ) Proceeds from sales of marketable debt securities 13,460 15,250 Purchases of leasehold improvements and equipment ( 218 ) ( 892 ) Net cash provided by investing activities 13,242 4,877 Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from exercise of options — 99 Payments of capital lease liability – principal ( 7 ) ( 20 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities ( 7 ) 79 Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash ( 2,043 ) ( 14,200 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 7,080 21,280 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 5,037 $ 7,080 Supplemental non-cash financing and investing activities: Unrealized gain/(loss) on marketable debt securities $ 603 $ ( 679 ) Cash exercise of warrants in prepaid expenses and other current assets $ — $ ( 201 ) Right-of-use asset in exchange from liabilities from an operating lease modification $ — $ ( 64 ) Right-of-use asset in exchange from liabilities from finance leases $ — $ 14 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F- 6 Note 1 – Description of Business Matinas BioPharma Holdings Inc. (“Holdings”) is a Delaware corporation formed in 2013. Holdings is the parent company of Matinas BioPharma, Inc. (“BioPharma”), and Matinas BioPharma Nanotechnologies, Inc. (“Nanotechnologies,” formerly known as Aquarius Biotechnologies, Inc.), its operating subsidiaries (“Nanotechnologies”, and together with “Holdings” and “BioPharma”, “the Company”). The Company is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a focus on identifying and developing novel pharmaceutical products. Note 2 – Liquidity, Plan of Operations and Going Concern The Company has experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operations each period since its inception. Through December 31, 2023, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $ 175,573 . The Company’s net loss for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $ 22,942 and $ 20,997 , respectively. The Company has been engaged in developing its lipid nanocrystal (“LNC”) platform delivery technology and a pipeline of associated product candidates, including MAT2203 and MAT2501, since 2011. To date, the Company has not obtained regulatory approval for any of its product candidates nor generated any revenue from product sales, and the Company expects to incur significant expenses to complete development of its product candidates. The Company may never be able to obtain regulatory approval for the marketing of any of its product candidates in any indication in the United States or internationally and there can be no assurance that the Company will generate revenues or ever achieve profitability. If the Company obtains U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approval for one or more of its product candidates, the Company expects that its expenses will continue to increase once the Company reaches commercial launch. The Company also expects that its research and development expenses will continue to increase as it moves forward with additional clinical studies for its current product candidates and development of additional product candidates. As a result, the Company expects to continue to incur substantial losses for the foreseeable future, and that these losses will be increasing. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $ 4,787 , marketable debt securities of $ 8,969 and restricted cash of $ 250 . The Company does not believe that the cash and cash equivalents and marketable debt securities on hand are sufficient to fund planned operations beyond the next twelve months from the filing date of these financial statements. As a result, substantial doubt exists about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon control over its operating expenses, anticipated proceeds from future sales of common stock through the At-The-Market Sales Agreement (“Sales Agreement”) with BTIG, LLC. and securing additional financing. While the Company believes in the viability of this strategy and believes the actions presently being taken by the Company provide the opportunity for it to continue as a going concern, there can be no assurance the Company will be successful in its implementation. In particular, utilization of the Sales Agreement may not be viable due to market conditions and new financing may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern. Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries, BioPharma, and Nanotechnologies. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and reflect the operations of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. F- 7 Financial impact of events beyond our control Our financial condition and results of operations may be impacted by factors we may not be able to control, such as pandemics, global supply chain disruptions, global trade disputes and/or political instability. Increases in interest rates, especially if coupled with reduced government spending and volatility in financial markets, may have the effect of further increasing economic uncertainty and heightening these risks. Additionally, rising inflation rates may affect us by increasing operating expenses, such as employee-related costs and clinical trial expenses, negatively impacting our results of operations. The Company’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023 were not significantly impacted by factors beyond our control, such as those described above. However, the Company cannot predict the impact of any of these factors on future results or the Company’s ability to raise capital due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to the continued good health of Company employees, the ability of service providers and suppliers to continue to operate and deliver, the ability of the Company to maintain operations, and any government and/or public actions taken in response to these factors. Use of estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the Company’s research and development expenses and the assessment of the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets. Segment and geographic information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating and reporting segment. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash The Company considers all highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents and all investments with maturities of greater than three months from date of purchase are classified as marketable debt securities. Cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash in bank checking and savings accounts, money market funds and short-term U.S. treasury bonds that mature within three months of settlement date. The Company presents restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Restricted cash represents funds the Company is required to set aside to cover building operating leases and other purposes. For a complete disclosure of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, see Note 4 – Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Debt Securities. Marketable Debt Securities Marketable debt securities, all of which are available-for-sale, consist of U.S. treasury bonds, U.S. government notes and corporate debt securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as accumulated other comprehensive loss, except for losses from impairments which are determined to be other-than-temporary. Any premium or discount arising at purchase is amortized and/or accreted to interest income and/or expense over the life of the instrument. The Company reviews its portfolio of available-for-sale debt securities, using both qualitative and quantitative factors, to determine if declines in fair value below cost have resulted from a credit-related loss or other factors. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary are included in the determination of net loss and are included in other income, net. Fair values are based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. Interest and dividends on available-for-sale securities are included in other income, net. For a complete disclosure of the Company’s marketable debt securities, see Note 4 – Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Debt Securities. F- 8 Concentration of credit risk The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable debt securities. The Company’s investment policy is to invest only in institutions that meet high credit quality standards and establishes limits on the amount and time to maturity of investments with any individual counterparty. Balances are maintained at U.S. financial institutions and may from time to time exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit of $ 250 per depositor, per insured bank for each account ownership category. The Company has not experienced any credit losses associated with its balances in such accounts for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Leasehold improvements and equipment Leasehold improvements and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation on equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to ten years . Capitalized costs associated with leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and related accumulated depreciation and amortization is removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in loss from operations. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. For a complete disclosure of the Company’s leasehold improvements and equipment, see Note 6 – Leasehold Improvements and Equipment. Goodwill and other intangible assets Goodwill is recorded when consideration paid for an acquired entity exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but rather is assessed for impairment at least annually on a reporting unit basis, or more frequently when events and circumstances indicate the goodwill may be impaired. U.S. GAAP provides that the Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines this is the case, the Company can perform further quantitative analysis to identify and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized, if any. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment. Historically, the Company has conducted its business in a single operating segment and reporting unit. For the year ended December 31, 2023, due primarily to there being substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern, the Company assessed goodwill impairment by performing a quantitative analysis for its reporting unit. As part of the quantitative review, the Company considered whether its fair value, determined as the price a market participant would be willing to pay in a potential acquisition of the Company, exceeds its carrying value, including goodwill. Based on the results of the Company’s assessment, it was determined that its goodwill was not impaired. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company assessed goodwill impairment by performing a qualitative analysis for its reporting unit. As part of the qualitative review, the Company considered relevant events and circumstances, with an emphasis on the fact that the Company’s fair value, as determined by its market capitalization, was well in excess of its book value. Based on the results of the Company’s assessment, it was determined that it is more-likely-than-not that its goodwill was not impaired. Indefinite lived intangible assets are composed of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) and represent projects acquired in a business combination that have not reached technological feasibility or that lack regulatory approval at the time of acquisition. These IPR&D assets are reviewed for impairment annually, or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, and upon establishment of technological feasibility or regulatory approval. An impairment loss, if any, is calculated by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying value. If the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recorded for the difference and its carrying value is reduced accordingly. Similar to the impairment test for goodwill, the Company may perform a qualitative review of its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment in order to determine the necessity of performing a quantitative analysis to identify and measure the amount of impairment loss to be recognized, if any. F- 9 For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company performed a quantitative analysis, using a discounted cash flow approach to determine fair value, and concluded that its indefinite-lived assets were not impaired. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company used the qualitative approach and concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that its indefinite-lived assets were not impaired. Leases The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, “Leases”, establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement. Lessor accounting under the new standard is substantially unchanged. Additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures are also required. For a complete disclosure of the Company’s leases, see Note 8 – Leases. Income taxes Deferred taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 740-10 and has analyzed its filing positions in 2023 and 2022 in jurisdictions where it may be obligated to file returns. The Company believes that its income tax filing position and deductions will be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that will result in a material change to its financial position. Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accrual for interest or penalties as of December 31, 2023. Since the Company incurred net operating losses in every tax year since inception, the 2014 through 2022 income tax returns are subject to examination and adjustments by the Internal Revenue Service for at least three years following the year in which the tax attributes are utilized. Fair Value Measurements As defined in ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement”, fair value measurements should be disclosed separately by three levels of the fair value hierarchy. For assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, it is the Company’s policy to maximize the use of observable inputs (quoted prices in active markets) and minimized the use of unobservable inputs (the Company’s assumptions) when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the established fair value hierarchy. For a complete disclosure of the Company’s fair value measurements, see Note 5 – Fair Value Measurements. Stock-based compensation Stock-based compensation to employees consist of stock option grants and restricted shares. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of ASC 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation , which requires all share-based payments to employees, non-employees and directors, including grants of stock options and restricted shares, to be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss based on their fair values on the date of grant over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. Generally, the Company issues stock option awards with only service-based vesting conditions and records the expense for these awards using the straight-line method. The Company classifies stock-based compensation expense in the same manner in which the awards recipient’s payroll or service provider’s costs are classified. F- 10 The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to non-employees in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 505, subtopic 50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees based upon the fair-value of the underlying instrument. The equity instruments, consisting of stock options granted to consultants, are valued using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company calculates the fair value of option grants utilizing the Black-Scholes pricing model and estimates the fair value of restricted stock based upon the estimated fair value or the common stock. The resulting compensation expense for both employee and non-employee awards is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. Basic and diluted net loss per common share Net loss per share information is determined using the two-class method, which includes the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and other securities. Under the two-class method, basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is computed using the more dilutive of (1) the two-class method or (2) the if-converted method. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, diluted earnings per common share is the same as basic earnings per common share because, as the Company incurred a net loss during each period presented, the potentially dilutive securities from the assumed exercise of all outstanding stock options and warrants would have an anti-dilutive effect. The reconciliation of the diluted shares as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows: Schedule of Anti-dilutive Securities As of December 31, 2023 2022 Stock options 46,708 34,739 Warrants — 238 Total 46,708 34,977 Revenue recognition Pursuant to Topic 606, the Company recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this core principle, Topic 606 outlines a five-step process for recognizing revenue from customer contracts that includes i) identification of the contract with a customer, ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract, iii) determining the transaction price, iv) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations in the contract, and v) recognizing revenue associated with performance obligations as they are satisfied. At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and assess whether each promised good or service is distinct and determine those that are performance obligations. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when the performance obligation is satisfied. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s revenues primarily consist of contract research revenue from the BioNTech Agreement to evaluate the combination of mRNA formats utilizing the Company’s proprietary LNC Platform. For a complete disclosure of the Company’s Revenue Recognition, see Note 9 – Revenue Recognition, Collaboration Agreements, and Other Research and Development Agreements. On December 12, 2019, the Company entered into a feasibility study agreement (the “Agreement”) with Genentech, Inc. (“Genentech”). This feasibility study involves the development of oral formulations using the Company’s LNC Platform, which enables the development of a wide range of difficult-to-deliver molecules. Under the terms of the Agreement, Genentech paid the Company a total of $ 100 for three molecules, or approximately $ 33 per molecule, which will be recognized upon the Company fulfilling its obligations for each molecule under the Agreement. The Agreement has a single performance obligation that is recognized over time as the services are performed. There are no contract assets associated with this Agreement. The Company recognized $ 33 and $ 0 of Genentech revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the Company completed its obligations for all three molecules. F- 11 Collaboration Agreements The Company assess whether its collaboration agreements are subject to ASC Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808) based on whether they involve joint operating activities and whether both parties have active participation in the arrangement and are exposed to significant risks and rewards. To the extent that the arrangement falls within the scope of Topic 808, the Company will apply by analogy the unit of account guidance under Topic 606 to identify distinct performance obligations, and then determine whether a customer relationship exists for each distinct performance obligation. If the Company determines a performance obligation within the arrangement is with a customer, the Company applies the guidance in Topic 606. If a portion of a distinct bundle of goods or services within an arrangement is not with a customer, then the unit of account is not within the scope of Topic 606, and the recognition and measurement of that unit of account shall be based on analogy to authoritative accounting literature or, if there is no appropriate analogy, a reasonable, rational, and consistently applied accounting policy election. The terms of such arrangements typically include payments to the Company for one or more of the following: up-front fees; development and regulatory payments; product supply services; research and development cost reimbursements; profit-sharing arrangements; and royalties on certain products if they are successfully commercialized. As part of the accounting for these arrangements, the Company develops assumptions that require judgment to determine the standalone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract. These key assumptions may include forecasted revenues, clinical development timelines and costs, reimbursement rates for personnel costs, discount rates and probabilities of technical and regulatory success. Up-front License Fees: If the license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company would recognize revenues from nonrefundable up-front fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the licensee and the licensee is able to use and benefit from the license, which generally would occur at or near the inception of the contract. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, the Company would utilize judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenues from nonrefundable up-front fees. The Company will evaluate the measure of progress at the end of each reporting period and, if necessary, adjust the measure of performance and related revenue recognition. Research and Development Milestone Payments: At the inception of each arrangement that includes development milestone payments, the Company will evaluate whether the milestones are considered probable of being reached and estimate the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within the Company’s or the licensee’s control, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until uncertainty associated with the approvals has been resolved. The transaction price is then allocated to each performance obligation, on a relative standalone selling price basis, for which the Company will recognize revenue as or when the performance obligations under the contract are satisfied. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company re-evaluates the probability of achieving such development and regulatory milestones and any related variable consideration constraint, and if necessary, adjust the Company’s estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis. Research and Development Cost Reimbursements: The Company’s collaboration arrangements may include promises of future clinical development and drug safety services, as well as participation on certain joint committees. When such services are provided to a customer or partner, and they are distinct from the licenses provided to the Company’s collaboration partners, these promises are accounted for as a separate performance obligation which the Company estimates using internal development costs incurred and projections through the term of the arrangements. The Company records revenues for these services as the performance obligations are satisfied over time based on measure of progress. However, if the Company concludes that its collaboration partner is not a customer for those collaborative research and development activities, it presents such payments as a reduction of research and development expenses. F- 12 Research and Development Arrangement: Under the terms of our research and development agreement with the CFF Agreement, the Company did not account for this arrangement in accordance with Topic 606. However, the Company has determined that it is a partner under a collaboration agreement as it shares in the risks and rewards that would be received if the product is successful and commercialized. Therefore the funds received under the terms of this agreement will be recorded as reimbursements of research and development costs and reduce the research and development expenses in the Company’s Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The Company records the reimbursements for certain materials and other research and development costs associated with the agreement when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative costs have been recognized. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $ 88 and $ 811 , respectively, of reimbursed research and development costs associated with the CFF Agreement. For a complete disclosure of the CFF Agreement, see Note 9 – Collaboration Agreements, Collaboration Agreements, and other Research and Development Agreements. Research and development expenses Research and development expenses primarily consist of costs associated with the preclinical and clinical development of our product candidate portfolio, including the following: ● external research and development expenses incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as contract research organizations (“CROs”) and other vendors and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”) for the production of drug substance and drug product; and ● employee-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and share-based compensation expense. Research and development expenses also include costs of acquired product licenses and related technology rights where there is no alternative future use, costs of prototypes used in research and development, consultant fees and amounts paid to certain of our collaborative partners. All research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 730, Research and Development. The Company accounts for non-refundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities as expenses when the service has been performed or when the goods have been received, rather than when the payment is made. Accrued Research and Development Expenses As part of the process of preparing the Company’s financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its accrued expenses. This process involves reviewing quotations and contracts, identifying services that have been performed on the Company’s behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when the Company has not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of the actual cost. Certain of the Company’s service providers invoice the Company monthly in arrears for services performed or when contractual milestones are met. The Company makes estimates of its accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in its financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to the Company at that time. The Company periodically confirms the accuracy of its estimates with the service providers and adjust if necessary. The significant estimates in the Company’s accrued research and development expenses are related to expenses incurred with respect to CROs, CMOs and other vendors in connection with research and development and manufacturing activities. The Company bases its expense related to CROs and CMOs on its estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to quotations and contracts with such vendors that conduct research and development and manufacturing activities on its behalf. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. There may be instances in which payments made to the Company’s vendors will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the applicable research and development or manufacturing expense. In accruing service fees, the Company estimates the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from its estimate, the Company adjust the accrual or prepaid expense accordingly. Although the Company does not expect its estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, the Company’s understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and could result in us reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. There have been no material changes in estimates for the periods presented. F- 13 Patent expenses Legal fees and other direct costs incurred in obtaining and protecting patents are also expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Other comprehensive loss Other comprehensive loss consists of net gains/(losses) and unrealized losses on marketable debt securities available-for-sale and is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Recent accounting pronouncements In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). This ASU requires disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), an amount for other segment items with description of composition, and disclosure of the title and position of the CODM. ASU 2023-17 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and this ASU should be applied retrospectively to each period presented in the financial statements. Since the Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating and reporting segment, the Company believes this additional disclosure will not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. As a result, we intend to adopt the provision of this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2024. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclousres (“ASU 2023-09”) . This ASU requires public business entities on an annual basis to disclose specific categories in a tabular rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a five percent quantitative threshold. Additionally, the ASU requires all entities to disclose the amount of income taxed paid disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes, as well as individual jurisdictions where income taxes paid are equal to or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and this ASU should be applied on a prospective basis, a retrospective application permitted in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. As a result, we intend to adopt the provisions of this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2025. Note 4 – Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Debt Securities The Company considers all highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents and all investments with maturities of greater than three months from date of purchase are classified as marketable debt securities. Cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash in bank checking and savings accounts, money market funds and short-term U.S. treasury bonds that mature within three months of settlement date. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company presents restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Restricted cash at each of December 31, 2023 and 2022 of $ 250 represents funds the Company is required to set aside as collateral, primarily for one of the Company’s operating leases and other purposes. F- 14 The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total of the amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as of December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021: Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,787 $ 6,830 $ 21,030 Restricted cash included in current/non-current assets 250 250 250 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows $ 5,037 $ 7,080 $ 21,280 Marketable Debt Securities The Company has classified its investments in marketable debt securities as available-for-sale and as a current asset. The Company’s investments in marketable debt securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Unrealized losses and gains are classified as other comprehensive (loss)/income and costs are determined on a specific identification basis. Realized gains and losses from marketable debt securities are recorded in other income, net. The Company did not incur any realized gains and losses during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded unrealized gains/(losses) of $ 603 and ($ 679 ), respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had net accumulated unrealized losses of $ 221 and $ 824 , respectively. The following tables summarize the Company’s marketable debt securities as of December 31, 2023: Schedule of Marketable Debt Securities Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Cost Gain (Loss) Fair Value U.S. Treasury Bonds $ 999 $ — $ ( 3 ) $ 996 U.S. Government Notes 8,191 — ( 218 ) 7,973 Total marketable debt securities $ 9,190 $ — $ ( 221 ) $ 8,969 All debt securities classified as available-for-sale are due to mature within one year of December 31, 2023. The Company’s marketable debt securities for the year ended December 31, 2022 consisted of the following: Amortized Cost Unrealized Gain Unrealized (Loss) Fair Value U.S. Treasury Bonds $ 993 $ — $ ( 34 ) $ 959 U.S. Government Notes 16,324 — ( 721 ) 15,603 Corporate Debt Securities 5,440 — ( 69 ) 5,371 Total marketable debt securities $ 22,757 $ — $ ( 824 ) $ 21,933 Maturities of debt securities classified as available-for-sale were as follows at December 31, 2022: Schedule of Maturities of Debt Securities Available-for-sale Fair Value Due within one year $ 13,240 Due after one year through five years 8,693 $ 21,933 The Company determined that the unrealized (losses) and gains are temporary as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Unrealized (losses) and gains generally are the result of increases in the risk premiums required by market participants rather than an adverse change in cash flows for a fundamental weakness in the credit quality of the issuer or underlying assets. F- 15 Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements The Company uses the fair value hierarchy to measure the value of its financial instruments. The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon its own market assumptions. The basis for fair value measurements for each level within the hierarchy is described below: ● Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. ● Level 2 – Quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other model-derived valuations whose inputs are directly or indirectly observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. ● Level 3 – Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable and for which assumptions are used based on management estimates. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, current portion of restricted cash, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, current portion of lease liabilities and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. A summary of the assets and liabilities carried at fair value in accordance with the hierarchy defined above is as follows: Schedule of Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities Fair Value Hierarchy December 31, 2023 Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets Marketable Debt Securities: U.S. Treasury Bonds $ 996 $ 996 $ — $ — U.S. Government Notes 7,973 — 7,973 — Total $ 8,969 $ 996 $ 7,973 $ — Fair Value Hierarchy December 31, 2022 Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets Marketable Debt Securities: U.S. Treasury Bonds $ 959 $ 959 $ — $ — U.S. Government Notes 15,603 — 15,603 — Corporate Debt Securities 5,371 — 5,371 — Total $ 21,933 $ 959 $ 20,974 $ — U.S. treasury bonds are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices for identical assets in active markets. Marketable debt securities consisting of U.S. government notes and corporate debt securities are classified as Level 2 and are valued using quoted market prices in markets that are not active. F- 16 Note 6 – Leasehold Improvements and Equipment Leasehold improvements and equipment, summarized by major category, consist of the following for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022: Schedule of Leasehold Improvements and Equipment December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Equipment $ 2,463 $ 2,305 Leasehold improvements 1,155 1,155 Total 3,618 3,460 Leasehold improvements and equipment, gross 3,618 3,460 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 1,695 1,369 Leasehold improvements and equipment, net $ 1,923 $ 2,091 Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $ 385 and $ 337 , respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company purchased equipment and leasehold improvements of $ 218 and $ 892 , respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded an asset write-off of $ 60 , including $ 59 of related accumulated depreciation. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded an asset write-off of $ 7 , including $ 5 of related accumulated depreciation. Note 7 – Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities Accrued expenses and other liabilities, summarized by major category, consist of the following for years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022: Schedule of Accrued Expenses 2023 2022 As of December 31, 2023 2022 Payroll and incentives $ 1,176 $ 1,705 General and administrative expenses 196 455 Research and development expenses 75 130 Deferred revenue * — 721 Other deferred liabilities ** — 88 Total $ 1,447 $ 3,099 * At December 31, 2022, the balance included $ 688 related to an exclusive research collaboration with BioNTech SE (the “BioNTech Agreement”) and $ 33 is related to a feasibility study agreement with Genentech, Inc. (the “Genentech Agreement”). (See Note 9 – Revenue Recognition, Collaboration Agreements, and Other research and Development Agreements). ** At December 31, 2022, the balance of $ 88 was related to an award agreement with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (the “CFF Agreement). (See Note 9 – Revenue Recognition, Collaboration Agreements, and Other Research and Development Agreements). Note 8 – Leases The Company has various lease agreements including leases of office space, a laboratory and manufacturing facility, and various equipment. Some leases include purchase, termination or extension options for one or more years. These options will be included in the lease term when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Certain of the Company’s lease agreements contain rent escalation clauses. Operating and finance leases are presented in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as right-of-use assets from leases, current lease liabilities and long-term lease liabilities. The assets and liabilities from our leases are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term using the Company’s incremental borrowing rates or implicit rates, when readily determinable. Short-term leases, which have an initial term of 12 months or less, are not recorded on the balance sheet. As the Company’s operating leases do not provide implicit rates, the Company has utilized its incremental borrowing rate, determined based on the long-term borrowing costs of companies with similar credit profiles, to record its lease obligations. The Company’s finance leases provide readily determinable implicit rates. For operating leases, the Company recognizes the minimum rental expense on a straight-line basis based on the fixed components of a lease arrangement. The Company will amortize this expense over the term of the lease beginning with the lease commencement date. F- 17 Operating lease obligations On November 1, 2013, the Company entered into a 7 -year lease for office space in Bedminster, New Jersey which commenced in June 2014 at a monthly rent of approximately $ 13 , increasing to approximately $ 14 toward the end of the term. The lease was subsequently amended, including most recently on September 13, 2022 to provide additional space and to extend the term of the lease until June 30, 2029 at a monthly rent of approximately of approximately $ 20 , increasing to approximately $ 23 toward the end of the term. There is no renewal option, no security deposit, no residual value or significant restrictions or covenants other than those customary in such arrangements. Except as expressly provided, all other terms, covenants, conditions and agreements as set forth in the lease will remain unchanged and in full force and effect. On December 15, 2016, the Company entered into a 10-year, 3-month lease of laboratory and manufacturing space in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The lease began August 2017. The monthly rent started at approximately $ 43 , increasing to approximately $ 64 in the final year. To obtain the lease, the Company provided an initial security deposit of $ 586 which was subsequently reduced and is currently $ 200 at December 31, 2023. The Company incurred lease expense for its operating leases of $ 902 and $ 872 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company incurred amortization expense on its operating lease right-of-use assets of $ 548 and $ 542 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Finance Leases The Company incurred interest expense on its finance leases of $ 3 and $ 1 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company incurred amortization expense on its finance lease right-of-use assets of $ 8 and $ 19 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The following table presents information about the amount and timing of liabilities arising from the Company’s operating leases and finance leases as of December 31, 2023: Schedule of Maturity of Operating and Finance Leases Liabilities Maturity of Lease Liabilities Operating Lease Liabilities Finance Lease Liabilities 2024 $ 956 $ 7 2025 998 7 2026 1,040 7 2027 944 7 2028 273 — Thereafter 138 — Total undiscounted operating lease payments $ 4,349 $ 28 Less: Imputed interest 816 5 Present value of operating lease liabilities $ 3,533 $ 23 Weighted average remaining lease term in years 4.3 3.9 Weighted average discount rate 9.2 % 11.6 % The following table presents information about the amount and timing of liabilities arising from the Company’s operating leases and finance leases as of December 31, 2022: Maturity of Lease Liabilities Operating Lease Liabilities Finance Lease Liabilities 2023 $ 916 $ 10 2024 956 7 2025 998 7 2026 1,040 7 2027 944 7 Thereafter 411 — Total undiscounted operating lease payments $ 5,265 $ 38 Less: Imputed interest 1,170 9 Present value of operating lease liabilities $ 4,095 $ 29 Weighted average remaining lease term in years 5.3 4.5 Weighted average discount rate 9.2 % 11.1 % F- 18 Note 9 – Revenue Recognition, Collaboration Agreements, and Other Research and Development Agreements BioNTech Research Collaboration On April 8, 2022, the Company entered into the BioNTech Agreement to evaluate the combination of mRNA formats utilizing the Company’s proprietary LNC Platform. Under the terms of the BioNTech Agreement, the Company received an exclusivity fee in the amount of $ 2,750 , and BioNTech SE will fund certain of the Company’s research expenses to be incurred under the agreement. The term of the agreement began on the effective date and expired on April 8, 2023. The Company assessed the BioNTech Agreement under ASC 808 Collaboration Arrangements and ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) and concluded that the contract counterparty, BioNTech SE, is a customer based on the arrangement structure. The Company identified two material promises to deliver under the contract: (1) grant of an exclusive research license and (2) clinical research services. However, given the nature of the promises, the license and research services are not considered to be distinct from each other within the context of the contract. The Company therefore concluded that there is one combined performance obligation for both the license and research services. The $ 2,750 license fee was recorded as deferred revenue and was recognized over the term of the contract performance obligation period, which the Company concluded to be 12 months after the execution of the contract. The clinical research services were invoiced as service revenue was earned on a monthly basis during the term of the contract. For the year ended December 31, 2023, $ 688 of the contract research revenue was recognized from the license fee and $ 375 was earned from the monthly clinical research services performed by the Company. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had recognized all of contract research revenue from the BioNTech Agreement. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Development Award On November 19, 2020, the Company entered into an award agreement (the “CFF Agreement”) with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (“CFF”), pursuant to which it received a Therapeutics Development Award of up to $ 4,234 (the “Award”) (of which $ 484 had been previously received) to support the preclinical development (the “Development Program”) of the Company’s MAT2501 product candidate. On November 19, 2021, the Company and CFF entered into an Amendment to the CFF Agreement which added an additional milestone payment in the amount of $ 321 . As of December 31, 2023, the Company has received $ 3,635 of the $ 4,555 commitment, inclusive of the Amendment’s additional milestone payment, and a related deferred liability balance of $ 0 and $ 88 is included in accrued expenses at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $ 88 and $ 811 , respectively, as credits to research and development expenses related to the CFF award. During the fourth quarter of 2022, for financial and technical reasons, the Company determined that it was not commercially reasonable to continue the development of MAT2501 and instead elected to focus existing resources on other initiatives. As a result, the Company does not anticipate receiving the balance of the commitment and has no further obligations to CFF. F- 19 Genentech Feasibility Study Agreement On December 12, 2019, the Company entered into the Genentech Agreement which involves the development of oral formulations using the Company’s LNC Platform. Under the terms of the Genentech Agreement, Genentech paid the Company a total of $ 100 for the development of three molecules, or approximately $ 33 per molecule, which is being recognized upon the Company fulfilling its obligations for each molecule under the Genentech Agreement. The Company recorded the upfront consideration as deferred revenue, which is included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2022, the Company completed its obligations related to the first and second of the three molecules. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company completed its obligations related to the remaining molecule. License Agreement Through the acquisition of Aquarius, the Company acquired a license from Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey (successor in interest to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) for certain patents related to the LNC Platform (the “License Agreement”). The Second Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement provides for, among other things, the payment of (1) royalties on a tiered basis between low single digits and the mid-single digits of net sales of products using such licensed technology, (2) a one-time sales milestone fee of $100 when and if sales of products using the licensed technology reach the specified sales threshold and (3) an annual license fee of $50 over the term of the License Agreement. The term of the License Agreement will remain in effect until the expiration of the last-to-expire patent rights licensed or seven and one-half years from the date of the first commercial sale of a licensed product under this agreement, whichever is later. Note 10 – Commitments Royalty payment rights Pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Rights and Limitations (the “Certificate of Designations”) for our Series A Preferred Stock, the Company may be required to pay royalties of up to $ 35 million per year. If and when the Company obtains FDA or EMA approval of MAT2203 and/or MAT2501, which we do not expect to occur before 2027, if ever, and/or if the Company generates sales of such products, or receives any proceeds from the licensing or other disposition of MAT2203 or MAT2501, the Company will be required to pay to certain former holders of its Series A Preferred Stock, in aggregate, a royalty equal to (i) 4.5% of Net Sales (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), subject in all cases to a cap of $25 million per calendar year, and (ii) 7.5% of Licensing Proceeds (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), subject in all cases to a cap of $10 million per calendar year. The Royalty Payment Rights will expire when the patents covering the applicable product expire, which is currently expected to be in 2033 . Employment agreements The Company also has employment agreements with certain employees which require the funding of a specific level of payments, if certain events, such as a change in control, termination without cause or retirement, occur. Other normal business operating agreements In addition, in the course of normal business operations, the Company enters into agreements with contract service providers to assist in the performance of research and development and manufacturing activities. Expenditures to these third parties represent significant costs in clinical development and may require upfront payments and long-term commitments of cash. Subject to required notice periods and obligations under binding purchase orders, the Company can elect to discontinue the work under these agreements at any time. Legal proceedings The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings, and the Company is not aware of any claims or actions pending or threatened against its business. In the future, the Company might from time to time become involved in litigation relating to claims arising from our ordinary course of business. F- 20 Note 11 – Income Taxes The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company does not believe any material uncertain tax positions were present. Accordingly, interest and penalties have not been accrued due to an uncertain tax position. The components of the income tax provision are as follows: Schedule of Income Tax Provision 2023 2022 Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Current expense (benefit): Federal $ — $ — State — — Foreign — — Total current expense (benefit): $ — $ — Deferred expense (benefit): Federal $ — $ — State — — Foreign — — Total deferred expense (benefit): $ — $ — Total income tax expense (benefit): $ — $ — Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows: Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation 2023 2022 Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Income at U.S. Statutory Rate 21.00 % 21.00 % State Taxes, net of Federal benefit 7.91 % 7.65 % Permanent Differences ( 1.20 )% ( 1.25 )% Tax Credits 2.49 % 2.52 % Valuation Allowance ( 30.19 )% ( 29.92 )% Effective income tax rate 0.00 % 0.00 % The Company has no current income taxes payable other than certain state minimum taxes which are included in general and administrative expenses. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets (liabilities) for 2023 and 2022 consist of the following: Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities 2023 2022 Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Share-based Compensation $ 5,383 $ 4,512 Depreciation and Amortization ( 23 ) ( 18 ) Accrued Liability 307 481 Net Operating Loss Carry-forwards 25,146 21,755 R&D Credit Carryforwards 4,432 3,773 R&D Section 174 Costs 5,953 4,268 Other 1 ( 1 ) IPR&D ( 851 ) ( 851 ) ROU Asset ( 870 ) ( 1,027 ) ROU Liability 996 1,155 Total Deferred tax assets $ 40,474 $ 34,047 Valuation allowance ( 40,815 ) ( 34,388 ) Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ ( 341 ) $ ( 341 ) F- 21 On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law making several changes to the Internal Revenue Code. The changes include but are not limited to: increasing the limitation on the amount of deductible interest expense, allowing companies to carryback certain net operating losses, and increasing the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that corporations can use to offset taxable income. The tax law changes in the Act did not have a material impact on the Company’s income tax provision. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of taxable income during the periods in which the temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible, and is impacted by the Company’s ability to carryforward losses to years in which the Company has taxable income. Due to the Company’s history of losses and lack of other positive evidence to support taxable income, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against those deferred tax assets that are not expected to be realized. The valuation allowances were $ 40,815 , $ 34,388 and $ 31,023 as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, representing increases of $ 6,427 and $ 3,365 for the years ending December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had Federal net operating loss carryforwards of $ 38,080 which will begin to expire in 2032. In addition, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of $ 77,025 which have an indefinite carryforward period. The Company also had federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of $ 4,432 . The federal net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards will expire at various dates beginning in 2032, if not utilized. The difference between the statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the valuation allowance offsetting deferred tax assets. Utilization of the net operating losses and general business tax credits carryforwards may be subject to a substantial limitation under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 due to changes in ownership of the Company that have occurred previously or that could occur in the future. These ownership changes may limit the amount of net operating losses and general business tax credits carryforwards that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income and tax, respectively. In general, an ownership change, as defined by Section 382, results from transactions increasing the ownership of certain stockholders or public groups in the stock of a corporation by more than 50 percentage points over a three-year period. The Company has not completed a study to determine whether it had undergone an ownership change since the Company’s inception. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, research and development costs are no longer fully deductible and are required to be capitalized and amortized for U.S. tax purposes effective January 1, 2022. The mandatory capitalization requirement increases our deferred tax assets. Sale of net operating losses (NOLs) & tax credits The Company recognized $ 484 and $ 3,491 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, in connection with the sale of certain State of New Jersey Net Operating Losses (“NOL”) and Research and Development (“R&D”) tax credits to a third party under the New Jersey Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program. In addition, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law on December 22, 2017 imposes significant additional limitations on the deductibility of interest and limits NOL deductions to 80% of net taxable income for losses arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Note 12 – Stockholders’ Equity At-The-Market Equity Offering On July 2, 2020, the Company entered into an At-The-Market Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with BTIG, LLC (“BTIG”), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, through BTIG, as sales agent and/or principal, shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $ 50,000 , subject to certain limitations on the amount of common stock that may be offered and sold by the Company set forth in the Sales Agreement. BTIG will be paid a 3 % commission on the gross proceeds from each sale. The Company may terminate the Sales Agreement at any time; BTIG may terminate the Sales Agreement in certain limited circumstances. The Company did not sell any shares of its common stock under the Sales Agreement during either 2023 or 2022. At December 31, 2023, the Sales Agreement’s available capacity was $ 44,247 . F- 22 Common Stock On February 8, 2022, the Company issued 400,000 unregistered shares of its common stock to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (“Rutgers”), as partial consideration pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement between the Company and Rutgers. The agreement provides for (1) royalties on a tiered basis between low single digits and the mid-single digits of net sales of products using such licensed technology, (2) a one-time sales milestone fee of $100,000 when and if sales of products using the licensed technology reach the specified sales threshold and (3) an annual license fee of $50,000 over the term of the license agreement. There was also a reduction in the consideration paid to Rutgers in the event of a sublicense to a third party of the exclusive patent rights granted pursuant to the Agreement. The Company recorded a $ 291 research and development expense related to the issuance of the 400,000 shares based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $ 0.728 on the date of issuance. Preferred Stock In accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 preferred shares at a par value of $ 0.001 . Warrants As of December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock. A summary of warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 is presented below: Schedule of Shareholder Equity Warrants Outstanding Shares Outstanding at December 31, 2021 988 Issued — Exercised ( 400 ) Expired ( 350 ) Outstanding at December 31, 2022 238 Issued — Exercised — Expired ( 238 ) Outstanding at December 31, 2023 — Note 13 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) by components during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022: Schedule of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Net Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Balance, December 31, 2021 $ ( 145 ) $ ( 145 ) Net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale ( 679 ) ( 679 ) Balance, December 31, 2022 $ ( 824 ) $ ( 824 ) Net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale 603 603 Balance, December 31, 2023 $ ( 221 ) $ ( 221 ) All components of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) are net of tax. F- 23 Note 14 – Stock-based Compensation The Company’s Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) provides for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock units, performance units, and stock purchase rights to eligible employees, officers, non-employee directors and other individual service providers. Options under the Plan may be granted at prices not less than 100% of the fair value of the shares on the date of grant as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee determines the period over which the options become exercisable subject to certain restrictions as defined in the Plan, with the current outstanding options generally vesting over three or four years. The term of the options is no longer than ten years . As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 54,293,819 shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the Plan. With the approval of the Board of Directors and a majority of shareholders, effective May 8, 2014, the Plan was amended and restated. The amendment provides for an automatic increase in the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan each January (with Board approval), commencing January 1, 2015 in an amount up to four percent ( 4 %) of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on the preceding December 31st. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense (options and restricted share grants) in the following expense categories of its consolidated statements of operations as follows: Schedule of Recognized Stock-Based Compensation Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Research and Development $ 2,120 $ 2,400 General and Administrative 2,828 2,828 Total $ 4,948 $ 5,228 The following table contains information about the Company’s stock plan at December 31, 2023: Schedule of Equity Compensation Plan by Arrangements Awards Reserved for Issuance Awards Issued & Exercised Awards Available for Grant 2013 Equity Compensation Plan (in thousands) 54,294 * 51,389 ** 2,905 * Increased by 8,691 on January 1, 2023, representing 4 % of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31, 2022. ** Includes both stock grants and option grants Stock Options The following table summarizes the Company’ stock option activity and related information for the period from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023 (options in thousands): Schedule of Stock Option Activity Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Contractual Term in Years Outstanding at January 1, 2022 28,184 $ 1.21 7.2 Granted 8,509 0.56 Exercised ( 195 ) 0.51 Forfeited ( 175 ) 0.96 Expired ( 1,584 ) 1.06 Outstanding at December 31, 2022 34,739 $ 1.07 7.1 Granted 13,928 0.24 Exercised — - Forfeited ( 296 ) 0.63 Expired ( 1,663 ) 0.94 Outstanding at December 31, 2023 46,708 $ 0.83 7.4 F- 24 The following table summarizes outstanding options at December 31, 2023, by their exercise price (options in thousands): Summary of Outstanding Options Range of Exercise Prices Number Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share $ 0.15 - $ 0.69 22,128 $ 0.35 $ 0.73 - $ 0.92 9,684 $ 0.86 $ 0.93 - $ 1.28 6,659 $ 1.11 $ 1.36 - $ 3.32 8,237 $ 1.88 46,708 $ 0.83 As of December 31, 2023, the number of vested shares underlying outstanding options was 24,507,007 at a weighted average exercise price of $ 1.18 . The aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 was $ 22 . The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the Company’s closing stock price of $ 0.22 on December 31, 2023, and the exercise price of options, multiplied by the number of options. As of December 31, 2023, there was $ 7,836 of total unrecognized share-based compensation. Such costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.6 years. All outstanding options expire ten years from date of grant. Options granted to employees prior to 2018 vest in equal monthly installments over three years. Beginning in 2018, options granted to employees vest over four years, with 25 % of the shares vesting on the first annual anniversary of grant and the remaining shares vesting in 36 equal monthly installments over the following 3 years. The resulting compensation expense for stock options is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The following weighted-average assumptions were used to calculate share-based compensation for the comparative periods presented: Schedule of Compensation Expense for Stock Options For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 Volatility 91.2 % - 120.5 % 92.1 % - 98.7 % Risk-free interest rate 3.50 % - 4.69 % 1.57 % - 4.32 % Dividend yield 0.0 % 0.0 % Expected life 6.0 years 6.0 years The Company does not have sufficient historical information to develop reasonable expectations about future exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior. Hence, the Company uses the “simplified method” described in Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 107 to estimated the expected term of share option grants. The expected stock price volatility assumption is based on the Company’s historical stock price volatility. Note 15 – Subsequent Events None. F- 25