10-Q
1
form10-q.htm
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission
file number: 000-51476
LIXTE
BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
20-2903526
(State
or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S.
Employer
incorporation
or organization)
Identification
Number)
248
Route 25A, No. 2
East
Setauket, New York 11733
(Address
of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
(631)
880-2907
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Not
applicable
(Former
name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
[X] No [ ]
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant
to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes
[X] No [ ]
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”,
“smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer [ ]
Accelerated
filer [ ]
Non-accelerated
filer [ ]
Smaller
reporting company [X]
Emerging
growth company [ ]
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
[ ] No [X]
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of Each Class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name
of each exchange on which registered
Common
Stock
LIXT
OTCQB
As
of May 1, 2020, the Company had 67,045,814 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value, issued and outstanding.
LIXTE
BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
SUBSIDIARY
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
Number
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
4
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2020 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2019
4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) –Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
8
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
19
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
27
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
27
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
28
Item 1A. Risk Factors
28
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
28
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
28
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
28
Item 5. Other Information
28
Item 6. Exhibits
28
SIGNATURES
29
2
Forward-Looking
Statements
This
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) contains certain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. These might include statements regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and other plans and objectives
for future operations, and assumptions and predictions about future clinical trials and their timing and costs, product demand,
supply, manufacturing costs, marketing and pricing factors are all forward-looking statements. These statements are generally
accompanied by words such as “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “potential(ly)”,
“continue”, “forecast”, “predict”, “plan”, “may”, “will”,
“could”, “would”, “should”, “expect” or the negative of such terms or other comparable
terminology. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable,
based on information available to it on the date hereof, but the Company cannot provide assurances that these assumptions and
expectations will prove to have been correct or that the Company will take any action that the Company may presently be planning.
These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or experience
may differ materially from those expected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause
or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, regulatory policies or changes thereto, available cash, research
and development results, competition from other similar businesses, and market and general economic factors. This discussion should
be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, including
the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors”. The Company does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking
statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.
3
PART
I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM
1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
LIXTE
BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March
31, 2020
December
31, 2019
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current
assets:
Cash
$
2,184,831
$
2,598,864
Advances
on research and development contract services
43,411
—
Accrued
interest receivable
285
14,367
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
47,750
58,802
Total
current assets
2,276,277
2,672,033
Total
assets
$
2,276,277
$
2,672,033
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current
liabilities:
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
$
160,927
$
143,549
Research
and development contract liabilities
64,390
94,349
Total
current liabilities
225,317
237,898
Commitments
and contingencies
Stockholders’
equity:
Preferred
Stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized – 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding – 350,000 shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock, $10.00 per share stated value, $50.00 per share cash redemption value; aggregate cash redemption
value – $17,500,000; liquidation preference based on assumed conversion into common shares – 4,375,000 shares
3,500,000
3,500,000
Common
stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized – 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding – 67,045,814 shares
6,704
6,704
Additional
paid-in capital
26,016,317
26,016,317
Accumulated
deficit
(27,472,061
)
(27,088,886
)
Total
stockholders’ equity
2,050,960
2,434,135
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
2,276,277
$
2,672,033
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
LIXTE
BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
2020
2019
Revenues
$
—
$
—
Costs
and expenses:
General
and administrative costs, including $27,000 and $39,936 to related parties for the three months ended March
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
292,484
390,428
Research
and development costs
94,673
48,314
Total
costs and expenses
387,157
438,742
Loss
from operations
(387,157
)
(438,742
)
Interest
income
3,982
10,006
Net
loss
$
(383,175
)
$
(428,736
)
Net
loss per common share – basic and diluted
$
(0.01
)
$
(0.01
)
Weighted
average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted
67,045,814
67,045,814
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
LIXTE
BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
Series
A
Convertible
Preferred
Stock
Common
Stock
Additional
Total
Par
Paid-in
Accumulated
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Shares
Value
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Balance,
December 31, 2019
350,000
$
3,500,000
67,045,814
$
6,704
$
26,016,317
$
(27,088,886
)
$
2,434,135
Net
loss
—
—
—
—
—
(383,175
)
(383,175
)
Balance,
March 31, 2020
350,000
$
3,500,000
67,045,814
$
6,704
$
26,016,317
$
(27,472,061
)
$
2,050,960
Balance,
December 31, 2018
350,000
$
3,500,000
67,045,814
$
6,704
$
25,267,662
$
(24,648,543
)
$
4,125,823
Stock-based
compensation expense
—
—
—
—
12,936
—
12,936
Net
loss
—
—
—
—
—
(428,736
)
(428,736
)
Balance,
March 31, 2019
350,000
$
3,500,000
67,045,814
$
6,704
$
25,280,598
$
(25,077,279
)
$
3,710,023
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
LIXTE
BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
2020
2019
Cash
flows from operating activities:
Net
loss
$
(383,175
)
$
(428,736
)
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Stock-based
compensation expense included in -
General
and administrative costs
—
12,936
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase)
decrease in -
Advances
on research and development contract services
(43,411
)
—
Accrued
interest receivable
14,082
(4,161
)
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
11,052
6,656
Increase
(decrease) in -
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
17,378
15,462
Research
and development contract liabilities
(29,959
)
18,435
Net
cash used in operating activities
(414,033
)
(379,408
)
Cash:
Net
decrease
(414,033
)
(379,408
)
Balance
at beginning of period
2,598,864
4,273,012
Balance
at end of period
$
2,184,831
$
3,893,604
Supplemental
disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash
paid for -
Interest
$
—
$
—
Income
taxes
$
—
$
—
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
LIXTE
BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
SUBSIDIARY
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
1.
Organization and Basis of Presentation
The
condensed consolidated financial statements of Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”),
including its wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary, Lixte Biotechnology, Inc. (“Lixte”) (collectively, the “Company”),
at March 31, 2020, and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, are unaudited. In the opinion of management of the
Company, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, have been made that are necessary to present fairly the financial
position of the Company as of March 31, 2020, and the results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and
2019, and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Operating results for the interim periods presented
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year. The consolidated balance sheet at December
31, 2019 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at such date.
The
condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted pursuant
to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and other information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2019, as filed with the SEC.
2.
Business
The
Company is a drug discovery company that uses biomarker technology to identify enzyme targets associated with serious common diseases
and then designs novel compounds to attack those targets. The Company’s product pipeline is primarily focused on inhibitors
of protein phosphatases, used alone and in combination with cytotoxic agents and/or x-ray and immune checkpoint blockers, and
encompasses two major categories of compounds at various stages of pre-clinical and clinical development that the Company believes
have broad therapeutic potential not only for cancer but also for other debilitating and life-threatening diseases.
The
Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the need for additional capital. The
Company has not yet commenced any revenue-generating operations, does not have positive cash flows from operations, and is dependent
on periodic infusions of equity capital to fund its operating requirements.
The
Company’s common stock is traded on the OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets under the symbol “LIXT”.
Going
Concern
The
Company’s consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that it is a going concern, which contemplates
the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has not generated any
revenues from operations to date and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the Company has experienced
recurring operating losses and negative operating cash flows since inception and has financed its working capital requirements
during this period primarily through the recurring sale of its equity securities and the exercise of outstanding common stock
options and purchase warrants.
As
a result, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern
within one year of the date that the consolidated financial statements are being issued. In addition, the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm, in their report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2019, has also expressed substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to raise additional equity capital to fund
its research and development activities and to ultimately achieve sustainable operating revenues and profits. The Company’s
consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. The
Company expects that it will need to raise additional capital in early 2021.
8
At
March 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2,184,831 available to fund its operations. Because the Company
is currently engaged in Phase 2 clinical trials, it is expected that it will take a significant amount of time to develop any
product or intellectual property capable of generating sustainable revenues. Accordingly, the Company’s business is unlikely
to generate any sustainable operating revenues in the next several years and may never do so. In addition, to the extent that
the Company is able to generate revenues through licensing its technologies or through product sales, there can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to achieve positive earnings and operating cash flows.
The
amount and timing of future cash requirements will depend on the pace and design of the Company’s clinical trial program.
Current indications from the clinical research organizations conducting the clinical trials for the Company indicate that such
clinical trials will be delayed for at least three to six months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As market conditions
present uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to secure additional funds, there can be no assurances that the Company
will be able to secure additional financing on acceptable terms, or at all, as and when necessary to continue to conduct operations.
There is also significant uncertainty as to the affect that the coronavirus may have on the availability, amount and type of financing
in the future.
If
cash resources are insufficient to satisfy the Company’s ongoing cash requirements, the Company would be required to scale
back or discontinue its clinical trial program and its technology and product development efforts, or obtain funds, if available
(although there can be no certainty), through strategic alliances that may require the Company to relinquish rights to certain
of its compounds, or to discontinue its operations entirely.
3.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles
of Consolidation
The
accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with United States generally
accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the financial statements of Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiary,
Lixte. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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 expenses during
the reporting period. Some of those judgments can be subjective and complex, and therefore, actual results could differ materially
from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on
various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole under the circumstances,
the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily
apparent from other sources. Management regularly evaluates the key factors and assumptions used to develop the estimates utilizing
currently available information, changes in facts and circumstances, historical experience and reasonable assumptions. After such
evaluations, if deemed appropriate, those estimates are adjusted accordingly. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Significant estimates include those related to assumptions used in accruals for potential liabilities, valuing equity instruments
issued for services, and the realization of deferred tax assets.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
Cash
and cash equivalents include cash and short-term certificates of deposit. The Company maintains its cash balances with financial
institutions with high credit ratings and in accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).
The Company may periodically have cash balances in banks in excess of FDIC insurance limits. The Company has not experienced any
losses to date resulting from this practice.
Research
and Development
Research
and development costs consist primarily of fees paid to consultants and outside service providers, and other expenses relating
to the acquisition, design, development and testing of the Company’s compounds and product candidates.
Research
and development costs are charged to operations ratably over the life of the underlying contracts, unless the achievement of milestones,
the completion of contracted work, or other information indicates that a different expensing schedule is more appropriate.
Obligations
incurred with respect to mandatory scheduled payments under research agreements without milestone provisions are recognized ratably
over the appropriate period, as specified in the agreement, and are recorded as liabilities in the Company’s consolidated
balance sheet, with a corresponding charge to research and development costs in the Company’s consolidated statement of
operations.
9
Payments
made pursuant to research and development contracts are initially recorded as advances on research and development contract services
in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and are then charged to research and development costs in the Company’s
consolidated statement of operations as those contract services are performed. Expenses incurred under research and development
contracts in excess of amounts advanced are recorded as research and development contract liabilities in the Company’s consolidated
balance sheet, with a corresponding charge to research and development costs in the Company’s consolidated statement of
operations. The Company reviews the status of its research and development contracts on a quarterly basis.
Patent
and Licensing Related Legal and Filing Costs
Due
to the significant uncertainty associated with the successful development of one or more commercially viable products based on
the Company’s research efforts and related patent applications, all patent-related legal and filing fees and licensing-related
legal fees are charged to operations as incurred. Patent and licensing-related legal and filing costs were $133,467 and $190,773
for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Patent and licensing related legal and filing costs are included
in general and administrative costs in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Concentration
of Risk
The
Company periodically contracts with vendors and consultants to provide services related to the Company’s operations. Charges
incurred for these services can be for a specific time period (typically one year) or for a specific project or task. Costs and
expenses so incurred that represented 10% or more of general and administrative costs or research and development costs for the
three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is described as follows.
General
and administrative costs for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 include charges from a legal firm for general licensing
and patent prosecution costs relating to the Company’s intellectual properties representing 45.6% and 48.9%, respectively,
of total general and administrative costs for those periods.
Research
and development costs for the three months ended March 31, 2020 include charges from five vendors and consultants representing
31.7%, 20.8%, 14.4%, 12.5% and 11.0%, respectively, of total research and development costs for that period. Research and
development costs for the three months ended March 31, 2019 include charges from two vendors and consultants representing 68.2%
and 20.7%, respectively, of total research and development costs for that period.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes.
Accordingly, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected impact of differences between the financial
statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.
The
Company has elected to deduct research and development costs on a current basis for federal income tax purposes. For federal tax
purposes, start-up and organization costs were deferred until January 1, 2008, at which time the Company began to amortize such
costs over a 180-month period.
The
Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
In the event the Company was to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of
its recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be credited to operations in the period such determination
was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax assets in
the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to operations in the period such determination was made.
The
Company is subject to U.S. federal income taxes and income taxes of various state tax jurisdictions. As the Company’s net
operating losses have yet to be utilized, all previous tax years remain open to examination by Federal authorities and other jurisdictions
in which the Company currently operates or has operated in the past. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits as of March
31, 2020 or December 31, 2019 and does not anticipate any material amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.
The
Company accounts for uncertainties in income tax law under a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement,
presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns as prescribed by GAAP.
The tax effects of a position are recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority
as of the reporting date. If the tax position is not considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, then no benefits
of the position are recognized. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had not recorded any liability for uncertain tax positions.
In subsequent periods, any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions will be recognized as a component of income
tax expense.
10
Stock-Based
Compensation
The
Company periodically issues common stock and stock options to officers, directors, Scientific Advisory Committee members and consultants
for services rendered. Options vest and expire according to terms established at the issuance date of each grant. Stock grants,
which are generally time vested, are measured at the grant date fair value and charged to operations ratably over the vesting
period.
The
Company accounts for stock-based payments to officers, directors, Scientific Advisory Committee members, and to outside consultants
by measuring the cost of services received in exchange for equity awards utilizing the grant date fair value of the awards, with
the cost recognized as compensation expense on the straight-line basis in the Company’s financial statements over the vesting
period of the awards.
The
fair value of stock options granted as stock-based compensation is determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model,
and is affected by several variables, the most significant of which are the life of the equity award, the exercise price of the
stock option as compared to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, and the estimated volatility of the common
stock. Estimated volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock, calculated utilizing a
one-year look-back period, as the Company believes that such measurement period provides a more accurate and meaningful volatility
factor given the changes in the Company’s research and development program and capital requirements over the past several
years. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The fair market value
of the common stock is determined by reference to the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.
The
Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation awards in general and administrative costs and in research and development
costs, as appropriate, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company issues new shares of common stock
to satisfy stock option exercises.
Earnings
(Loss) Per Share
The
Company’s computation of earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) includes basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured
as the income (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period.
Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares (e.g., preferred
shares, warrants and stock options) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date,
if later. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss
per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.
Loss
per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during
the respective periods. Basic and diluted loss per common share was the same for all periods presented because all preferred shares,
warrants and stock options outstanding were anti-dilutive.
At
March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company excluded the outstanding securities summarized below, which entitle the holders thereof to
acquire shares of common stock, from its calculation of earnings per share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
March
31,
2020
2019
Series
A Convertible Preferred Stock
4,375,000
4,375,000
Common
stock warrants
9,000,000
9,000,000
Common
stock options, including options issued in the form of warrants
7,850,000
7,750,000
Total
21,225,000
21,125,000
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
authoritative guidance with respect to fair value established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation
techniques used to measure fair value into three levels and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified
and disclosed in one of three categories, as presented below. Disclosure as to transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2, and activity
in Level 3 fair value measurements, is also required.
Level
1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for an identical asset or liability that the Company has the ability
to access as of the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include active-exchange traded
securities and exchange-based derivatives.
11
Level
2. Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly
observable through corroboration with observable market data. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include
fixed income securities, non-exchange-based derivatives, mutual funds, and fair-value hedges.
Level
3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data for the asset or liability which requires the reporting entity
to develop its own assumptions. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include infrequently traded non-exchange-based
derivatives and commingled investment funds and are measured using present value pricing models.
The
Company determines the level in the fair value hierarchy within which each fair value measurement falls in its entirety, based
on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In determining the appropriate levels,
the Company performs an analysis of the assets and liabilities at each reporting period end.
The
carrying value of financial instruments (consisting of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts payable and accrued expenses) is
considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to the short-term nature of those instruments.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 simplifies
the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and enhances and simplifies various aspects of the income tax accounting
guidance in ASC 740. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s financial statement
presentation or disclosures subsequent to its adoption.
Management
does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would have
a material impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.
4.
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred
Stock
The
Company is authorized to issue a total of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. On March 17, 2015,
the Company filed a Certificate of Designations, Preferences, Rights and Limitations (the “Certificate of Designations”)
of its Series A Convertible Preferred Stock with the Delaware Secretary of State to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation.
The Company has designated a total of 350,000 shares as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which are non-voting and are not
subject to increase without the written consent of a majority of the holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock or as
otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Designations. The holders of each tranche of 175,000 shares of the Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock are entitled to receive a per share dividend equal to 1% of the annual net revenue of the Company divided by 175,000,
until converted or redeemed. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 9,650,000 shares of preferred stock were undesignated
and may be issued with such rights and powers as the Board of Directors may designate.
Each
share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock may be converted, at the option of the holder, into 12.5 shares of common stock
(subject to customary anti-dilution provisions) and the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is subject to mandatory conversion
at the conversion rate in the event of a merger or sale transaction resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $21,875,000.
The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference based on its assumed conversion into shares of common stock.
The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock does not have a cash liquidation preference.
If
fully converted, the 350,000 outstanding shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock would convert into 4,375,000 shares of
common stock at December 31, 2019. The Company has the right to redeem the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock up to the fifth
anniversary of their respective closing dates (March 17, 2015 and January 21, 2016) at a price per share equal to $50.00. The
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has no right to cash, except with respect to the payment of the aforementioned dividend based
on the generation of revenues by the Company, and does not have any registration rights.
Based
on the attributes of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock described above, the Company has determined to account for the Series
A Convertible Preferred Stock as a permanent component of stockholders’ equity.
12
Common
Stock
The
Company is authorized to issue a total of 100,000,000 shares of common stock (par value $0.0001). As of March 31, 2020 and December
31, 2019, the Company had 67,045,814 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Common
Stock Warrants
A
summary of common stock warrant activity during the three months ended March 31, 2020 is presented below.
Number
of Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(in Years)
Warrants
outstanding at December 31, 2019
9,000,000
$
1.000
Issued
—
—
Exercised
—
—
Expired
—
—
Warrants
outstanding at March 31, 2020
9,000,000
$
1.000
2.67
At
March 31, 2020, all outstanding warrants are exercisable at $1.000 per common share.
Based
on a fair market value of $0.98 per share on March 31, 2020, there were no exercisable but unexercised in-the-money common stock
warrants on that date. Accordingly, there was no intrinsic value attributed to exercisable but unexercised common stock warrants
at March 31, 2020.
Information
with respect to the issuance of common stock in connection with various stock-based compensation arrangements is provided at Note
6.
5.
Related Party Transactions
The
Company’s Chairman and major stockholder, Dr. John Kovach, was paid a salary of $15,000 for the three months ended March
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which amounts are included in general and administrative costs in the Company’s consolidated
statements of operations.
In
September 2007, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Gil Schwartzberg for Mr. Schwartzberg to provide financial
advisory and consulting services to the Company with respect to financing matters, capital structure and strategic development,
and to assist management in communications with investors and shareholders. In January 2014 and August 2018, the Company entered
into respective amendments to this consulting agreement, which have extended the consulting agreement through January 28, 2024.
Consideration under this consulting agreement, including amendments, has been paid exclusively in the form of stock options. Mr.
Schwartzberg is currently a significant stockholder of the Company and continues to be a consultant to the Company.
Legal
and consulting fees charged to operations for services rendered by the Eric Forman Law Office were $12,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Eric Forman is the son-in-law of Gil Schwartzberg, a significant stockholder of and
consultant to the Company, and is the son of Dr. Stephen Forman, who was elected to the Company’s Board of Directors on
May 13, 2016. Julie Forman, the wife of Eric Forman and the daughter of Gil Schwartzberg, is Vice President of Morgan Stanley
Wealth Management, where the Company maintains a continuing banking relationship.
A
summary of related party costs for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
2020
2019
Related
party costs:
Cash-based
$
27,000
$
27,000
Stock-based
—
12,936
Total
$
27,000
$
39,936
Stock-based
compensation arrangements involving members of the Company’s Board of Directors and affiliates are described at Note 6.
13
6.
Stock-Based Compensation
The
Company issues common stock and stock options as incentive compensation to directors and as compensation for the services of independent
contractors and consultants of the Company.
On
June 20, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the 2007 Stock Compensation Plan (the “2007 Plan”),
which provided for the granting of awards, consisting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, and restricted
shares of common stock, to employees and independent contractors, for up to 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock,
under terms and conditions as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. The 2007 Plan terminated on June 19, 2017.
As of March 31, 2020, unexpired stock options for 1,250,000 shares were issued and outstanding under the 2007 Plan.
The
fair value of each stock option awarded is calculated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free
interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve in effect as of the grant date. The expected dividend yield assumption
is based on the Company’s expectation of dividend payouts and is assumed to be zero. The expected volatility is based on
the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected life of the stock option is considered its full contractual
term. The fair market value of the common stock is determined by reference to the quoted market price of the common stock on the
grant date.
There
were no stock options requiring an assessment of value during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
Effective
August 4, 2018, in conjunction with their appointments as directors of the Company, the Company granted stock options to each
of Dr. Winson Sze Chun Ho and Dr. Yun Yen to purchase an aggregate of 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable
for a period of five years from the vesting date at $0.28 per share, which was the approximate fair market value of the Company’s
common stock on such date, with one-half of such stock options (100,000 shares for each director) vesting on August 4, 2018 and
the remaining one-half of such stock options (100,000 shares for each director) vesting on August 4, 2019. The aggregate fair
value of these stock options, as calculated pursuant to the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was determined to be $104,920
($0.2623 per share), of which $52,460 was attributable to the stock options fully-vested on August 4, 2018 and was therefore charged
to operations on that date. The remaining unvested portion of the fair value of the stock options was charged to operations ratably
from August 4, 2018 through August 4, 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded a charge to operations
of $12,936, with respect to these stock options.
Effective
May 22, 2019, in recognition with their service as directors of the Company over the past year, the Company granted to each of
Dr. Winson Sze Chun Ho, Dr. Yun Yen, Dr. Stephen Forman, and Dr. Philip Palmedo, fully-vested stock options to purchase an aggregate
of 200,000 shares (50,000 shares for each director) of the Company’s common stock, exercisable for a period of five years
from the vesting date at $1.10 per share, which was the approximate fair market value of the Company’s common stock on such
date. The fair value of these stock options, as calculated pursuant to the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was determined
to be $189,060 ($0.9453 per share), which was charged to operations on the grant date.
Effective
May 22, 2019, in recognition of his continuing service as consultant to the Company, the Company granted to Eric Forman fully-vested
stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable for a period of five years from the
vesting date at $1.10 per share, which was the approximate fair market value of the Company’s common stock on such date.
The fair value of these stock options, as calculated pursuant to the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was determined to be
$94,525 ($0.9453 per share), which was charged to operations on the grant date.
Effective
July 23, 2019, the Company granted Francis Johnson, a consultant to the Company, fully vested stock options to purchase 500,000
shares of the Company’s common stock in recognition of Mr. Johnson’s continuing contributions to the development of
the Company’s proprietary compounds. The stock options are exercisable for a period of five years from the date of grant
at $1.00 per share, which was the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The fair value of these
stock options, as calculated pursuant to the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was determined to be $434,024 ($0.8680 per share),
which was attributable to the stock options fully vested on July 23, 2019 and was therefore charged to operations on that date.
A
summary of stock-based compensation costs for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
2020
2019
Related
parties
$
—
$
12,936
Non-related
parties
—
—
Total
stock-based compensation costs
$
—
$
12,936
14
A
summary of stock option activity, including options issued in the form of warrants, during the three months ended March 31, 2020
is presented below.
Weighted
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Number
of
Average
Contractual
Shares
Exercise
Price
Life
(in Years)
Stock
options outstanding at December 31, 2019
7,850,000
$
0.608
Granted
—
—
Exercised
—
—
Expired
—
—
Stock
options outstanding at March 31, 2020
7,850,000
$
0.608
2.89
Stock
options exercisable at March 31, 2020
7,850,000
$
0.608
2.89
There
was no deferred compensation expense for the outstanding value of unvested stock options at March 31, 2020.
The
exercise prices of common stock options outstanding and exercisable, including options issued in the form of warrants, at March
31, 2020 are as follows:
Exercise
Prices
Options
Outstanding (Shares)
Options
Exercisable (Shares)
$
0.120
450,000
450,000
$
0.150
300,000
300,000
$
0.160
200,000
200,000
$
0.200
500,000
500,000
$
0.280
400,000
400,000
$
0.500
4,200,000
4,200,000
$
1.000
1,000,000
1,000,000
$
1.100
300,000
300,000
$
2.000
500,000
500,000
7,850,000
7,850,000
The
intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money stock options at March 31, 2020 was approximately $3,486,000, based
on a fair market value of $0.98 per share on March 31, 2020.
All
outstanding stock options to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock were vested at March 31, 2020.
The
Company expects to satisfy such stock obligations through the issuance of authorized but unissued shares of common stock.
7.
Commitments and Contingencies
Legal
Claims
The
Company may be subject to legal claims and actions from time to time as part of its business activities. As of March 31, 2020,
the Company was not subject to any pending or threatened legal claims or actions.
15
Clinical
Trial Agreements
Effective
August 20, 2018, the Company and the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Hospital Inc., Tampa, Florida (“Moffitt”)
entered into a Clinical Trial Research Agreement (the “Clinical Trial Research Agreement”) effective for a term of
five years, unless terminated earlier by the Company pursuant to 30 days written notice. Pursuant to the Clinical Trial Research
Agreement, Moffitt agreed to conduct and manage a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial to evaluate the therapeutic benefit of the Company’s
lead anti-cancer clinical compound LB-100 to be administered intravenously in patients with low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic
syndrome (MDS).
In
November 2018, the Company received approval from the FDA for its Investigational New Drug (IND) Application to conduct a Phase
1b/2 clinical trial to evaluate the therapeutic benefit of LB-100 in patients with low and intermediate-1 risk MDS who have failed
or are intolerant of standard treatment. This clinical trial began in April 2019 and the first patient was entered into the clinical
trial in July 2019. The clinical trial is expected to be completed over a period of two years, with final analysis and reporting
expected within three years. This Phase 1b/2 clinical trial utilizes LB-100 as a single agent in the treatment of patients with
del(5q) myelodysplastic syndrome (del5qMDS) failing first line therapy. The bone marrow cells of these patients are deficient
in PP2A and are especially vulnerable to further inhibition of PP2A by LB-100. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and
2019, the Company paid Moffitt $13,667 and $0, respectively, pursuant to this agreement. As of March 31, 2020, total costs of
$58,760 have been incurred pursuant to this agreement.
Effective
as of July 31, 2019, the Company entered into a Collaboration Agreement for an Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trial with the
Spanish Sarcoma Group (Grupo Espanol de Investigacion en Sarcomas or “GEIS”), Madrid, Spain, to carry out a clinical
trial entitled “Randomized phase I/II trial of LB-100 plus doxorubicin vs. doxorubicin alone in first line of advanced soft
tissue sarcoma”. The purpose of this clinical trial is to obtain information about the efficacy and safety of the Company’s
lead anti-cancer clinical compound LB-100 combined with doxorubicin in soft tissue sarcomas. Doxorubicin is the global standard
for initial treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcomas (ASTA). Doxorubicin alone has been the mainstay of first line treatment
of ASTS for over 40 years, with little therapeutic gain from adding cytotoxic compounds to or substituting other cytotoxic compounds
for doxorubicin. In animal models, LB-100 consistently enhances the antitumor activity of doxorubicin without apparent increases
in toxicity. GEIS has a network of referral centers in Span and across Europe that have an impressive track record of efficiently
conducting innovative studies in ASTS. The Company has agreed to provide GEIS with a supply of LB-100 to be utilized in the conduct
of this clinical trial, as well as to provide funding for the clinical trial. The goal is to enter the first patient into this
clinical trial during the quarter ending June 30, 2020, with approximately 170 patients to be subsequently enrolled over a period
of two years. The Company estimates that this clinical trial will be completed and results will be published by June 30, 2023.
The original start date for patient entry was delayed due to longer than expected processing
of formal approval of importation of LB-100 into the European Union. This approval was originally expected to be received in the
quarter ended September 30, 2019 but was delayed and is now expected to be received during the quarter ending June 30, 2020. During
the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company did not incur any costs pursuant to this agreement; however, on February 18,
2020, the Company advanced $43,411 to GEIS towards an upcoming second milestone payment of $87,471. Excluding the advance made
on February 18, 2020, as of March 31, 2020, total costs of $87,471 have been incurred pursuant to this agreement.
The
Company’s aggregate commitments pursuant to these clinical trial agreements, less amounts previously paid to date under
these agreements, totaled approximately $4,806,000 as of March 31, 2020, which are expected to be incurred over the next five
years through March 31, 2025.
Clinical
Trial Monitoring Agreements
On
September 12, 2018, the Company finalized a work order agreement with Theradex Systems, Inc. (Theradex”), an international
contract research organization (“CRO”), to monitor the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial being managed and conducted by Moffitt.
The clinical trial is expected to be completed over a period of two years, with final analysis and reporting expected within three
years. Costs under this work order agreement are estimated to be approximately $954,000, with such payments expected to be divided
approximately 94% to Theradex for services and approximately 6% for payments for pass-through costs. The costs of the Phase 1b/2
clinical trial being paid to or through Theradex are being recorded and charged to operations based on the periodic documentation
provided by the CRO. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred costs of $5,686 and $32,964,
respectively, pursuant to this work order. As of March 31, 2020, total costs of $69,178 have been incurred pursuant to this work
order agreement.
16
Patent
and License Agreements
On
March 22, 2018, the Company entered into a Patent Assignment and Exploitation Agreement (the “Agreement”) with INSERM
TRANSFERT SA, acting as delegatee of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (“INSERM”), for
the assignment to the Company of INSERM’S interest in United States Patent No. 9,833,450 entitled “Oxabicyloheptanes
and Oxabicycloheptenes for the Treatment of Depressive and Stress Disorders”, which was filed with the United States Patent
and Trademark Office in the name of INSERM and the Company as co-owners on February 19, 2015 and granted on May 12, 2017, and
related patent applications and filings. INSERM is a French public institution dedicated to research in the field of health and
medicine that had previously entered into a Material Transfer Agreement (“MTA”) with the Company to allow INSERM to
conduct research on the Company’s proprietary compound LB-100 and/or its analogs for the treatment of depressive or stress
disorders in humans. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company has agreed to make certain milestone payments to INSERM aggregating
up to $1,750,000 upon achievement of development milestones and up to $6,500,000 upon achievement of commercial milestones. The
Company also agreed to pay INSERM certain commercial royalties on net sales of products attributed to the Agreement. The Company’s
current plan is to complete the validation process to evaluate LB-100 for the treatment of depressive or stress disorders in humans
within three years; however, the exploitation of this patent for the treatment of depressive and stress disorders in humans will
require substantial additional capital and/or a joint venture or other type of business arrangement with a pharmaceutical company
with substantially greater capital and business resources than those available to the Company. As there can be no assurances that
the Company will be able to obtain the capital or business resources necessary to focus on the exploitation of this patent, it
is uncertain as to when the Company may reach any of the development or commercialization milestones under the Agreement, if at
all. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, no amounts were due under this agreement.
Effective
April 2, 2018, the Company entered into a consulting agreement for a term of two years with Liberi Life Sciences Consultancy BV,
located in The Netherlands, for consulting and advisory services with respect to sales and licensing, as well as the procurement
of investors in China, Japan and South Korea (the “Consulting Agreement”). The Consulting Agreement provided for the
payment of a fixed, one-time retainer of EURO 15,000 (US $18,348), which was paid on April 5, 2018, and 2.5% of the net payments
received by the Company from sales of products or licensing activities arising directly and exclusively from leads generated by
the advisor during the term of the Consulting Agreement, and any investors introduced to the Company by the advisor that results
in an investment in the Company during the term of the Consulting Agreement. The Company recorded the payment of the retainer
as a prepaid expense in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, and is amortizing the retainer payment over the two-year
life of the Consulting Agreement, as a result of which the Company recorded charges to operations of $2,294 and $2,294 during
the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of March 31, 2020, the prepaid consulting fee had been fully
amortized. At December 31, 2019, the unamortized balance of the retainer payment was $9,174, all of which was classified as a
current asset in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at such date.
Effective
August 20, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), the Company and Moffitt entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “License
Agreement”). Pursuant to the License Agreement, Moffitt granted the Company an exclusive license under certain patents owned
by Moffitt (the “Licensed Patents”) relating to the treatment of MDS and a non-exclusive license under inventions,
concepts, processes, information, data, know-how, research results, clinical data, and the like (other than the Licensed Patents)
necessary or useful for the practice of any claim under the Licensed Patents or the use, development, manufacture or sale of any
product for the treatment of MDS which would otherwise infringe a valid claim under the Licensed Patents. The Company was obligated
to pay Moffitt a non-refundable license issue fee of $25,000 after the first patient is entered into a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial
to be managed and conducted by Moffitt. The clinical trial began in April 2019 and the first patient was entered into the clinical
trial in July 2019. The clinical trial is expected to be completed over a period of two years, with final analysis and reporting
expected within three years. The Company is also obligated to pay Moffitt an annual license maintenance fee of $25,000 commencing
on the first anniversary of the Effective Date and every anniversary thereafter until the Company commences payment of minimum
royalty payments. The Company has also agreed to pay non-refundable milestone payments to Moffitt, which cannot be credited against
earned royalties payable by the Company, based on reaching various clinical and commercial milestones aggregating $1,897,000,
subject to reduction by 40% under certain circumstances relating to the status of Valid Claims, as such term is defined in the
License Agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded charges to operations of $6,165
and $15,274, respectively, in connection with its obligations under the License Agreement. As of March 31, 2020, no milestones
had yet been attained.
The
Company will be obligated to pay Moffitt earned royalties of 4% on worldwide cumulative net sales of royalty-bearing products,
subject to reduction to 2% under certain circumstances, on a quarterly basis, with a minimum royalty payment of $50,000 in the
first four years after sales commence, and $100,000 in year five and each year thereafter, subject to reduction by 40% under certain
circumstances relating to the status of Valid Claims, as such term is defined in the License Agreement. The Company’s obligation
to pay earned royalties under the License Agreement commences on the date of the first sale of a royalty-bearing product, and
shall automatically expire on a country-by-country basis on the date on which the last valid claim of the Licensed Patents expires,
lapses or is declared invalid, and the obligation to pay any earned royalties under the License Agreement shall terminate on the
date on which the last valid claim of the Licensed Patents expires, lapses, or is declared to be invalid in all countries.
Other
Significant Agreements and Contracts
On
December 24, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with NDA Consulting Corp. (“NDA”) for consultation and advice
in the field of oncology research and drug development. As part of the agreement, NDA also agreed to cause its president, Dr.
Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D., to become a member of the Company’s Scientific Advisory Committee. The term of the agreement was
for one year and provided for a quarterly cash fee of $4,000. The agreement has been automatically renewed for additional one-year
terms on its anniversary date since 2014. Consulting and advisory fees charged to operations pursuant to this agreement for the
three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were $4,000 and $4,000, respectively, which were included in research and development
costs in the consolidated statements of operations.
17
Effective
September 14, 2015, the Company entered into a Collaboration Agreement with BioPharmaWorks, pursuant to which the Company engaged
BioPharmaWorks to perform certain services for the Company. Those services included, among other things: (a) assisting the Company
to (i) commercialize its products and strengthen its patent portfolio, (ii) identify large pharmaceutical companies with potential
interest in the Company’s product pipeline, and (iii) prepare and deliver presentations concerning the Company’s products;
(b) at the request of the Board of Directors, serving as backup management for up to three months should the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and scientific leader be temporarily unable to carry out his duties; (c) being available for consultation in
drug discovery and development; and (d) identifying providers and overseeing tasks relating to clinical use and commercialization
of new compounds.
BioPharmaWorks
was founded in 2015 by former Pfizer scientists with extensive multi-disciplinary research and development and drug development
experience. The Collaboration Agreement was for an initial term of two years and automatically renews for subsequent annual periods
unless terminated by a party not less than 60 days prior to the expiration of the applicable period. In connection with the Collaboration
Agreement, the Company agreed to pay BioPharmaWorks a monthly fee of $10,000, subject to the right of the Company to pay a negotiated
hourly rate in lieu of the monthly payment and agreed to issue to BioPharmaWorks certain equity-based compensation. In November
2016, it was mutually agreed to suspend services and payments under the Collaboration Agreement, without extending its term, for
the period from November 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017. The Collaboration Agreement resumed as scheduled on April 1, 2017. In
April 2018, it was again mutually agreed to suspend services and payments under the Collaboration Agreement, without extending
its term, for the period from February 1, 2018 through the September 13, 2019 anniversary date. In February 2019, the Company
and BioPharmaWorks subsequently agreed to resume the Collaboration Agreement effective March 1, 2019, and the Collaboration Agreement
is currently in effect. The Company recorded charges to operations pursuant to this Collaboration Agreement for the three months
ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 of $30,000 and $10,000, respectively, which were included in research and development costs in the
consolidated statements of operations.
8.
Subsequent Events
The
Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date of filing of these consolidated financial statements with
the SEC. There were no material subsequent events which affected, or could affect, the amounts or disclosures in the consolidated
financial statements.
18
ITEM
2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The
Company is a drug discovery company that uses biomarker technology to identify enzyme targets associated with serious common diseases
and then designs novel compounds to attack those targets. The Company’s product pipeline is primarily focused on inhibitors
of protein phosphatases, used alone and in combination with cytotoxic agents and/or x-ray and immune checkpoint blockers, and
encompasses two major categories of compounds at various stages of pre-clinical and clinical development that the Company believes
have broad therapeutic potential not only for cancer but also for other debilitating and life-threatening diseases.
The
Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the need for additional capital. The
Company has not yet commenced any revenue-generating operations, does not have positive cash flows from operations, and is dependent
on periodic infusions of equity capital to fund its operating requirements.
The
Company’s common stock is traded on the OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets under the symbol “LIXT”.
Recent
Development
Summary
of Article published in the April 27, 2020 online edition of Journal of Neuro-Oncology – Inhibition of protein phosphatase
2A (PP2A) with LB-100 enhances anti-tumor immunity against glioblastoma:
Investigators
at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) reported that LB-100,
the Company’s lead clinical compound, enhanced pharmacological immunotherapy of intracranial brain tumors in immune-competent
mice. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors, the most common and aggressive brain tumors of adults, are generally resistant to
treatment. Radiation combined with the chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide has been the standard therapy for decades, with no major
advances in overall survival for the majority of patients despite studies of many other regimens.
In
recent years, a new class of anti-cancer drugs, known as immune checkpoint blockers, particularly those targeting an immune regulatory
factor called programmed death protein 1 (PD-1), has been shown to induce long-term regressions of several types of cancer, but
anti-PD-1 treatment of GBM has not been encouraging. The article reports that the combination of LB-100 plus a PD-1 blocker shrank
the GBM cancers implanted in the brain, including elimination of tumor and development of immunity to re-challenge with the same
tumor in 25% of the animals.
These
investigators had previously shown that LB-100 enhances the anti-tumor activity of a PD-1 blocker in a mouse model of colon cancer,
but this is the first report that inhibition of PP2A activity improves the efficacy of a PD-1 blocker in a model of GBM. The mechanism(s)
by which LB-100 synergizes with an anti-PD-1 agent to cause significant tumor regression is not fully understood, but it appears
that the anti-cancer activity of the combination of the two agents is mediated by activating the normal immune system to attack
the cancer, rather than a direct action of LB-100 on the tumor itself. Given that the human safety profiles of several anti-PD-1
drugs and LB-100 are well established, the Company believes the new animal data justifies the conduct of a Phase 1b/2 trial of
LB-100 plus a PD-1 blocker in GBM patients who have relapsed after initial standard therapy.
Going
Concern
The
Company’s consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that it is a going concern, which contemplates
the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has not generated any
revenues from operations to date and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the Company has experienced
recurring operating losses and negative operating cash flows since inception and has financed its working capital requirements
during this period primarily through the recurring sale of its equity securities and the exercise of outstanding common stock
options and purchase warrants.
As
a result, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern
within one year of the date that the consolidated financial statements are being issued. In addition, the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm, in their report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2019, has also expressed substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to raise additional equity capital to fund
its research and development activities and to ultimately achieve sustainable operating revenues and profits. The Company’s
consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. The
Company expects that it will need to raise additional capital in early 2021.
19
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Information
with respect to recent accounting pronouncements is provided at Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for
the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 included elsewhere in this document.
Concentration
of Risk
Information
with respect to concentration of risk is provided at Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months
ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 included elsewhere in this document.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
in the United States (“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 expenses during the reporting period.
Some of those judgments can be subjective and complex, and therefore, actual results could differ materially from those estimates
under different assumptions or conditions. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions
that are believed to be reasonable in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole under the circumstances, the results
of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other sources. Management regularly evaluates the key factors and assumptions used to develop the estimates utilizing currently
available information, changes in facts and circumstances, historical experience and reasonable assumptions. After such evaluations,
if deemed appropriate, those estimates are adjusted accordingly. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant
estimates include those related to assumptions used in accruals for potential liabilities, valuing equity instruments issued for
services, and the realization of deferred tax assets.
The
following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgements and estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
Research
and Development
Research
and development costs consist primarily of fees paid to consultants and outside service providers, and other expenses relating
to the acquisition, design, development and testing of the Company’s compounds and product candidates.
Research
and development costs are charged to operations ratably over the life of the underlying contracts, unless the achievement of milestones,
the completion of contracted work, or other information indicates that a different expensing schedule is more appropriate.
Obligations
incurred with respect to mandatory scheduled payments under research agreements without milestone provisions are recognized ratably
over the appropriate period, as specified in the agreement, and are recorded as liabilities in the Company’s consolidated
balance sheet, with a corresponding charge to research and development costs in the Company’s consolidated statement of
operations.
Payments
made pursuant to research and development contracts are initially recorded as advances on research and development contract services
in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and then charged to research and development costs in the Company’s consolidated
statement of operations as those contract services are performed. Expenses incurred under research and development contracts in
excess of amounts advanced are recorded as research and development contract liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance
sheet, with a corresponding charge to research and development costs in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
The Company reviews the status of its research and development contracts on a quarterly basis.
Patent
and Licensing Related Legal and Filing Costs
Due
to the significant uncertainty associated with the successful development of one or more commercially viable products based on
the Company’s research efforts and related patent applications, all patent-related legal and filing fees and licensing-related
legal fees are charged to operations as incurred. Patent and licensing related legal and filing costs are included in general
and administrative costs in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Stock-Based
Compensation
The
Company periodically issues common stock and stock options to officers, directors, Scientific Advisory Committee members and consultants
for services rendered. Options vest and expire according to terms established at the issuance date of each grant. Stock grants,
which are generally time vested, are measured at the grant date fair value and charged to operations ratably over the vesting
period.
20
The
Company accounts for stock-based payments to officers, directors, Scientific Advisory Committee members, and to outside consultants
by measuring the cost of services received in exchange for equity awards utilizing the grant date fair value of the awards, with
the cost recognized as compensation expense on the straight-line basis in the Company’s financial statements over the vesting
period of the awards.
The
fair value of stock options granted as stock-based compensation is determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model,
and is affected by several variables, the most significant of which are the life of the equity award, the exercise price of the
stock option as compared to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, and the estimated volatility of the common
stock. Estimated volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock, calculated utilizing a
one-year look-back period, as the Company believes that such measurement period provides a more accurate and meaningful volatility
factor given the changes in the Company’s research and development program and capital requirements over the past several
years. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The fair market value
of the common stock is determined by reference to the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.
The
Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation awards in general and administrative costs and in research and development
costs, as appropriate, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company issues new shares of common stock
to satisfy stock option exercises.
Plan
of Operation
The
Company has two classes of drugs under development for the treatment of cancer, consisting of protein phosphatase inhibitors (PTase-i),
designated by the Company as the LB-100 series of compounds, and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), designated by the Company
as the LB-200 series of compounds. Compounds of both types also have potential use in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative
diseases. The LB-100 series consists of novel structures, which have the potential to be first in their class and may be useful
in the treatment of not only several types of cancer, but also vascular and metabolic diseases. The LB-200 series contains compounds
which have the potential to be the most effective in its class and may be useful for the treatment of chronic hereditary diseases,
such as Gaucher’s disease, in addition to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
The
Company’s immediate goals are to demonstrate significant therapeutic benefit of LB-100, the Company’s lead anti-cancer
clinical compound, against one or more specific human cancers in Phase 2 clinical trials. The Company has several attractive targets
for new therapies incorporating LB-100. The potentiation of cancer immunotherapy by adding LB-100 to regimens of PD-1 blockers,
as reported by Ho et al (2018), and the unexpected findings of Muschen et al (2018) that a metabolic imbalance involving over
activity of the enzyme PP2A in B cell cancers, which is the target of LB-100, may provide a selective advantage in the therapy
of B cell cancers. These findings have also led the Company to reexamine the most attractive cancer targets for demonstrating
the clinical effectiveness of LB-100 and to enter into discussions with cancer centers that focus on the inhibition of PP2A as
an important cancer target.
LB-200
has not yet advanced to the clinical stage and would require additional capital to fund further development. Accordingly, because
of the Company’s focus on the clinical development of LB-100 and analogs for cancer therapy, the Company has decided not
to actively pursue the pre-clinical development of its LB-200 series of compounds at this time. At this time, the Company intends
to only maintain its composition of matter patents for LB-200.
As
a compound moves through the FDA-approval process, it becomes an increasingly valuable property, but at a cost of additional investment
at each stage. As the potential effectiveness of LB-100 has been documented at the clinical trial level, the Company has allocated
resources to expand the breadth and depth of its patent portfolio. The Company’s approach has been to operate with a minimum
of overhead, moving compounds forward as efficiently and inexpensively as possible, and to raise funds to support each of these
stages as certain milestones are reached. The Company’s longer-term objective is to secure one or more strategic partnerships
or licensing agreements with pharmaceutical companies with major programs in cancer.
Impact
of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Company’s Business
In
light of the uncertain and rapidly evolving situation relating to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), this pandemic
could pose a risk to the Company’s business. The extent to which the coronavirus may impact the Company’s business
operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time. The Company intends
to continue to monitor the situation and may adjust its current business plans as more information and guidance become available.
21
The
coronavirus pandemic presents a challenge to medical facilities worldwide. As the Company’s clinical trials are conducted
on an outpatient basis, it is not currently possible to predict the full impact of this developing health crisis on such clinical
trials, which could include delays in and increased costs of such clinical trials.
Current
indications from the clinical research organizations conducting the clinical trials for the Company are that such clinical trials
will be delayed for at least three to six months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. There is also significant uncertainty
as to the affect that the coronavirus may have on the availability, amount and type of financing in the future. The Company expects
that it will need to begin to raise additional capital in early 2021.
Results
of Operations
At
March 31, 2020, the Company had not yet commenced any revenue-generating operations, does not have any positive cash flows from
operations, and is dependent on its ability to raise equity capital to fund its operating requirements.
The
Company’s consolidated statements of operations as discussed herein are presented below.
Three
Months Ended March 31,
2020
2019
Revenues
$
—
$
—
Costs
and expenses:
General
and administrative costs
292,484
390,428
Research
and development costs
94,673
48,314
Total
costs and expenses
387,157
438,742
Loss
from operations
(387,157
)
(438,742
)
Interest
income
3,982
10,006
Net
loss
$
(383,175
)
$
(428,736
)
Net
loss per common share – basic and diluted
$
(0.01
)
$
(0.01
)
Weighted
average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted
67,045,814
67,045,814
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
Revenues .
The Company did not have any revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
General
and Administrative Costs . For the three months ended March 31, 2020, general and administrative costs were $292,484, which
consisted of patent and licensing legal fees and costs of $133,467, other consulting and professional fees of $107,742, insurance
expense of $14,284, officer’s salary and related costs of $17,021, licensing fees of $6,165, stock transfer fees of $3,591,
listing fees of $3,000, filing fees of $5,000, and other operating costs of $2,214.
For
the three months ended March 31, 2019, general and administrative costs were $390,428, which consisted of the fair value of vested
stock options issued to directors and consultants of $12,936, patent and licensing legal fees and costs of $190,773, other consulting
and professional fees of $125,461, insurance expense of $13,546, officer’s salary and related costs of $17,028, licensing
fees of $15,274, stock transfer fees of $3,345, listing fees of $3,000, filing fees of $5,000, and other operating costs of $4,065.
General
and administrative costs decreased by $97,945 or 25.1% in 2020 as compared to 2019, primarily as a result of decreases in the
fair value of stock options issued to directors and consultants of $12,936, patent and licensing legal fees and costs of $57,306,
other consulting and professional fees of $17,719, and licensing fees of $9,109.
Research
and Development Costs . For the three months ended March 31, 2020, research and development costs were $94,673, which consisted
of contractor costs, primarily in connection with the Company’s pre-clinical research focused on the development of additional
novel anti-cancer compounds to add to its clinical pipeline, including $13,667 to Moffitt, $5,685 to Theradex for oversight of
the Moffitt study, and $30,000 to BioPharma Works.
For
the three months ended March 31, 2019, research and development costs were $48,314, which consisted of contractor costs, primarily
in connection with the Company’s pre-clinical research focused on the development of additional novel anti-cancer compounds
to add to its clinical pipeline, including $32,964 to Theradex for oversight of the Moffitt study, and $10,000 to BioPharma Works.
22
Research
and development costs increased by $46,359 in 2020 as compared to 2019, as a result of an increase in contractor costs, primarily
in connection with the Company’s pre-clinical research focused on the development of additional novel anti-cancer compounds
to add to its clinical pipeline, including $13,667 to Moffitt, and $20,000 to BioPharma Works.
Interest
Income . For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company had interest income of $3,982, as compared to interest income
of $10,006 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as a result of a reduction in the Company’s cash resources previously
invested in short-term federally insured certificates of deposit.
Net
Loss . For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company incurred a net loss of $383,175, as compared to a net loss of
$428,736 for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources – March 31, 2020
The
Company’s consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that it is a going concern, which contemplates
the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has not generated any
revenues from operations to date and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the Company has experienced
recurring operating losses and negative operating cash flows since inception and has financed its working capital requirements
during this period primarily through the recurring sale of its equity securities and the exercise of outstanding common stock
options and purchase warrants. As a result, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date that the consolidated financial statements are being issued.
In addition, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, in their report on the Company’s consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, has also expressed substantial doubt about the Company’s ability
to continue as a going concern (see “Going Concern” above).
At
March 31, 2020, the Company had working capital of $2,050,960, as compared to working capital of $2,434,135 at December 31, 2019,
reflecting a decrease in working capital of $383,175 for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease in working capital
during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was the result of working capital being utilized to fund the Company’s research
and development activities and ongoing operating expenses, including maintaining and developing the Company’s patent portfolio.
At
March 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2,184,831 available to fund its operations. Because the Company
is currently engaged in Phase 2 clinical trials, it is expected that it will take a significant amount of time to develop any
product or intellectual property capable of generating sustainable revenues. Accordingly, the Company’s business is unlikely
to generate any sustainable operating revenues in the next several years and may never do so. In addition, to the extent that
the Company is able to generate revenues through licensing its technologies or through product sales, there can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to achieve positive earnings and operating cash flows.
The
amount and timing of future cash requirements will depend on the pace and design of the Company’s clinical trial program.
Current indications from the clinical research organizations conducting the clinical trials for the Company indicate that such
clinical trials will be delayed for at least three to six months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As market conditions
present uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to secure additional funds, there can be no assurances that the Company
will be able to secure additional financing on acceptable terms, or at all, as and when necessary to continue to conduct operations.
The impact of the coronavirus on capital markets may affect the availability, amount and type of financing available to the Company
in the future.
If
cash resources are insufficient to satisfy the Company’s ongoing cash requirements, the Company would be required to scale
back or discontinue its clinical trial program and its technology and product development efforts, or obtain funds, if available
(although there can be no certainty), through strategic alliances that may require the Company to relinquish rights to certain
of its compounds, or to discontinue its operations entirely.
The
Company’s longer-term objective is to secure one or more strategic partnerships or licensing agreements with pharmaceutical
companies with major programs in cancer. The Company expects that it will need to raise additional capital in early 2021.
Operating
Activities . For the three months ended March 31, 2020, operating activities utilized cash of $414,033, as compared to utilizing
cash of $379,408 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, to fund the Company’s ongoing research and development activities
and to fund its other ongoing operating expenses, including maintaining and developing its patent portfolio.
23
Investing
Activities . For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no investing activities.
Financing
Activities . For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no financing activities.
Principal
Commitments
Clinical
Trial Agreements
Effective
August 20, 2018, the Company and the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Hospital Inc., Tampa, Florida (“Moffitt”)
entered into a Clinical Trial Research Agreement (the “Clinical Trial Research Agreement”) effective for a term of
five years, unless terminated earlier by the Company pursuant to 30 days written notice. Pursuant to the Clinical Trial Research
Agreement, Moffitt agreed to conduct and manage a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial to evaluate the therapeutic benefit of the Company’s
lead anti-cancer clinical compound LB-100 to be administered intravenously in patients with low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic
syndrome (MDS).
In
November 2018, the Company received approval from the FDA for its Investigational New Drug (IND) Application to conduct a Phase
1b/2 clinical trial to evaluate the therapeutic benefit of LB-100 in patients with low and intermediate-1 risk MDS who have failed
or are intolerant of standard treatment. This clinical trial began in April 2019 and the first patient was entered into the clinical
trial in July 2019. The clinical trial is expected to be completed over a period of two years, with final analysis and reporting
expected within three years. This Phase 1b/2 clinical trial utilizes LB-100 as a single agent in the treatment of patients with
del(5q) myelodysplastic syndrome (del5qMDS) failing first line therapy. The bone marrow cells of these patients are deficient
in PP2A and are especially vulnerable to further inhibition of PP2A by LB-100. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and
2019, the Company paid Moffitt $13,667 and $0, respectively, pursuant to this agreement. As of March 31, 2020, total costs of
$58,760 have been incurred pursuant to this agreement.
Effective
as of July 31, 2019, the Company entered into a Collaboration Agreement for an Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trial with the
Spanish Sarcoma Group (Grupo Espanol de Investigacion en Sarcomas or “GEIS”), Madrid, Spain, to carry out a clinical
trial entitled “Randomized phase I/II trial of LB-100 plus doxorubicin vs. doxorubicin alone in first line of advanced soft
tissue sarcoma”. The purpose of this clinical trial is to obtain information about the efficacy and safety of the Company’s
lead anti-cancer clinical compound LB-100 combined with doxorubicin in soft tissue sarcomas. Doxorubicin is the global standard
for initial treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcomas (ASTA). Doxorubicin alone has been the mainstay of first line treatment
of ASTS for over 40 years, with little therapeutic gain from adding cytotoxic compounds to or substituting other cytotoxic compounds
for doxorubicin. In animal models, LB-100 consistently enhances the antitumor activity of doxorubicin without apparent increases
in toxicity. GEIS has a network of referral centers in Span and across Europe that have an impressive track record of efficiently
conducting innovative studies in ASTS. The Company has agreed to provide GEIS with a supply of LB-100 to be utilized in the conduct
of this clinical trial, as well as to provide funding for the clinical trial. The goal is to enter the first patient into this
clinical trial during the quarter ending June 30, 2020, with approximately 170 patients to be subsequently enrolled over a period
of two years. The Company estimates that this clinical trial will be completed and results will be published by June 30, 2023.
The original start date for patient entry was delayed due to longer than expected processing
of formal approval of importation of LB-100 into the European Union. This approval was originally expected to be received in the
quarter ended September 30, 2019 but was delayed and is now expected to be received during the quarter ending June 30, 2020. During
the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company did not incurred costs pursuant to this agreement, however, on February 18,
2020, the Company advanced $43,411 to GEIS towards an upcoming second milestone payment of $87,471. Excluding the advance made
on February 18, 2020, as of March 31, 2020, total costs of $87,471 have been incurred pursuant to this agreement.
The
Company’s aggregate commitments pursuant to these clinical trial agreements, less amounts previously paid to date under
these agreements, totaled approximately $4,806,000 as of March 31, 2020, which are expected to be incurred over the next five
years through March 31, 2025.
Clinical
Trial Monitoring Agreements
On
September 12, 2018, the Company finalized a work order agreement with Theradex Systems, Inc. (Theradex”), an international
contract research organization (“CRO”), to monitor the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial being managed and conducted by Moffitt.
The clinical trial is expected to be completed over a period of two years, with final analysis and reporting expected within three
years. Costs under this work order agreement are estimated to be approximately $954,000, with such payments expected to be divided
approximately 94% to Theradex for services and approximately 6% for payments for pass-through costs. The costs of the Phase 1b/2
clinical trial being paid to or through Theradex are being recorded and charged to operations based on the periodic documentation
provided by the CRO. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred costs of $5,686 and $32,964,
respectively, pursuant to this work order. As of March 31, 2020, total costs of $69,178 have been incurred pursuant to this work
order agreement.
24
Patent
and License Agreements
On
March 22, 2018, the Company entered into a Patent Assignment and Exploitation Agreement (the “Agreement”) with INSERM
TRANSFERT SA, acting as delegatee of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (“INSERM”), for
the assignment to the Company of INSERM’S interest in United States Patent No. 9,833,450 entitled “Oxabicyloheptanes
and Oxabicycloheptenes for the Treatment of Depressive and Stress Disorders”, which was filed with the United States Patent
and Trademark Office in the name of INSERM and the Company as co-owners on February 19, 2015 and granted on May 12, 2017, and
related patent applications and filings. INSERM is a French public institution dedicated to research in the field of health and
medicine that had previously entered into a Material Transfer Agreement (“MTA”) with the Company to allow INSERM to
conduct research on the Company’s proprietary compound LB-100 and/or its analogs for the treatment of depressive or stress
disorders in humans. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company has agreed to make certain milestone payments to INSERM aggregating
up to $1,750,000 upon achievement of development milestones and up to $6,500,000 upon achievement of commercial milestones. The
Company also agreed to pay INSERM certain commercial royalties on net sales of products attributed to the Agreement. The Company’s
current plan is to complete the validation process to evaluate LB-100 for the treatment of depressive or stress disorders in humans
within three years; however, the exploitation of this patent for the treatment of depressive and stress disorders in humans will
require substantial additional capital and/or a joint venture or other type of business arrangement with a pharmaceutical company
with substantially greater capital and business resources than those available to the Company. As there can be no assurances that
the Company will be able to obtain the capital or business resources necessary to focus on the exploitation of this patent, it
is uncertain as to when the Company may reach any of the development or commercialization milestones under the Agreement, if at
all. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, no amounts were due under this agreement.
Effective
April 2, 2018, the Company entered into a consulting agreement for a term of two years with Liberi Life Sciences Consultancy BV,
located in The Netherlands, for consulting and advisory services with respect to sales and licensing, as well as the procurement
of investors in China, Japan and South Korea (the “Consulting Agreement”). The Consulting Agreement provided for the
payment of a fixed, one-time retainer of EURO 15,000 (US $18,348), which was paid on April 5, 2018, and 2.5% of the net payments
received by the Company from sales of products or licensing activities arising directly and exclusively from leads generated by
the advisor during the term of the Consulting Agreement, and any investors introduced to the Company by the advisor that results
in an investment in the Company during the term of the Consulting Agreement. The Company recorded the payment of the retainer
as a prepaid expense in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, and is amortizing the retainer payment over the two-year
life of the Consulting Agreement, as a result of which the Company recorded charges to operations of $2,294 and $2,294 during
the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of March 31, 2020, the prepaid consulting fee had been fully
amortized. At December 31, 2019, the unamortized balance of the retainer payment was $9,174, all of which was classified as a
current asset in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at such date.
Effective
August 20, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), the Company and Moffitt entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “License
Agreement”). Pursuant to the License Agreement, Moffitt granted the Company an exclusive license under certain patents owned
by Moffitt (the “Licensed Patents”) relating to the treatment of MDS and a non-exclusive license under inventions,
concepts, processes, information, data, know-how, research results, clinical data, and the like (other than the Licensed Patents)
necessary or useful for the practice of any claim under the Licensed Patents or the use, development, manufacture or sale of any
product for the treatment of MDS which would otherwise infringe a valid claim under the Licensed Patents. The Company was obligated
to pay Moffitt a non-refundable license issue fee of $25,000 after the first patient is entered into a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial
to be managed and conducted by Moffitt. The clinical trial began in April 2019 and the first patient was entered into the clinical
trial in July 2019. The clinical trial is expected to be completed over a period of two years, with final analysis and reporting
expected within three years. The Company is also obligated to pay Moffitt an annual license maintenance fee of $25,000 commencing
on the first anniversary of the Effective Date and every anniversary thereafter until the Company commences payment of minimum
royalty payments. The Company has also agreed to pay non-refundable milestone payments to Moffitt, which cannot be credited against
earned royalties payable by the Company, based on reaching various clinical and commercial milestones aggregating $1,897,000,
subject to reduction by 40% under certain circumstances relating to the status of Valid Claims, as such term is defined in the
License Agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded charges to operations of $6,165
and $15,274, respectively, in connection with its obligations under the License Agreement. As of March 31, 2020, no milestones
had yet been attained.
The
Company will be obligated to pay Moffitt earned royalties of 4% on worldwide cumulative net sales of royalty-bearing products,
subject to reduction to 2% under certain circumstances, on a quarterly basis, with a minimum royalty payment of $50,000 in the
first four years after sales commence, and $100,000 in year five and each year thereafter, subject to reduction by 40% under certain
circumstances relating to the status of Valid Claims, as such term is defined in the License Agreement. The Company’s obligation
to pay earned royalties under the License Agreement commences on the date of the first sale of a royalty-bearing product, and
shall automatically expire on a country-by-country basis on the date on which the last valid claim of the Licensed Patents expires,
lapses or is declared invalid, and the obligation to pay any earned royalties under the License Agreement shall terminate on the
date on which the last valid claim of the Licensed Patents expires, lapses, or is declared to be invalid in all countries.
25
Other
Significant Agreements and Contracts
On
December 24, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with NDA Consulting Corp. (“NDA”) for consultation and advice
in the field of oncology research and drug development. As part of the agreement, NDA also agreed to cause its president, Dr.
Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D., to become a member of the Company’s Scientific Advisory Committee. The term of the agreement was
for one year and provided for a quarterly cash fee of $4,000. The agreement has been automatically renewed for additional one-year
terms on its anniversary date since 2014. Consulting and advisory fees charged to operations pursuant to this agreement for the
three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were $4,000 and $4,000, respectively, which were included in research and development
costs in the consolidated statements of operations.
Effective
September 14, 2015, the Company entered into a Collaboration Agreement with BioPharmaWorks, pursuant to which the Company engaged
BioPharmaWorks to perform certain services for the Company. Those services included, among other things: (a) assisting the Company
to (i) commercialize its products and strengthen its patent portfolio, (ii) identify large pharmaceutical companies with potential
interest in the Company’s product pipeline, and (iii) prepare and deliver presentations concerning the Company’s products;
(b) at the request of the Board of Directors, serving as backup management for up to three months should the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and scientific leader be temporarily unable to carry out his duties; (c) being available for consultation in
drug discovery and development; and (d) identifying providers and overseeing tasks relating to clinical use and commercialization
of new compounds.
BioPharmaWorks
was founded in 2015 by former Pfizer scientists with extensive multi-disciplinary research and development and drug development
experience. The Collaboration Agreement was for an initial term of two years and automatically renews for subsequent annual periods
unless terminated by a party not less than 60 days prior to the expiration of the applicable period. In connection with the Collaboration
Agreement, the Company agreed to pay BioPharmaWorks a monthly fee of $10,000, subject to the right of the Company to pay a negotiated
hourly rate in lieu of the monthly payment and agreed to issue to BioPharmaWorks certain equity-based compensation. In November
2016, it was mutually agreed to suspend services and payments under the Collaboration Agreement, without extending its term, for
the period from November 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017. The Collaboration Agreement resumed as scheduled on April 1, 2017. In
April 2018, it was again mutually agreed to suspend services and payments under the Collaboration Agreement, without extending
its term, for the period from February 1, 2018 through the September 13, 2019 anniversary date. In February 2019, the Company
and BioPharmaWorks subsequently agreed to resume the Collaboration Agreement effective March 1, 2019, and the Collaboration Agreement
is currently in effect. The Company recorded charges to operations pursuant to this Collaboration Agreement for the three months
ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 of $30,000 and $10,000, respectively, which were included in research and development costs in the
consolidated statements of operations.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
At
March 31, 2020, the Company did not have any transactions, obligations or relationships that could be considered off-balance sheet
arrangements.
26
ITEM
3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not
applicable.
ITEM
4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As
required by Rule 15d-15(b) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company carried out an evaluation,
under the supervision and with the participation of its management, consisting of the Company’s principal executive and
financial officer (who is the same person), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure
controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020, the end of the most recent period covered by this report.
The
term “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), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure
that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in 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
by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s
management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure.
The
Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting
as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed
to ensure that material information regarding the Company’s operations is made available to management and the board of
directors to provide them reasonable assurance that the published financial statements are fairly presented.
There
are limitations inherent in any internal control, such as the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of
controls. As a result, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement
preparation. As conditions change over time so too may the effectiveness of internal controls. Any controls and procedures, no
matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily
applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
The
Company’s management has concluded that the Company has a material weakness in its internal controls resulting from the
Chief Executive Officer having almost complete responsibility for the processing of invoices and the preparation of checks, and
the Company’s finance department not having adequate internal staff to process the accounting information and prepare periodic
financial statements and footnotes. While the Company has designed and implemented measures and systems that it believes address
and mitigate these control weaknesses, through expanded bookkeeping and review procedures and the services of qualified outside
consultants with expertise to perform specific accounting and finance functions, as well as review of major transactions and agreements
by the Board of Directors, the Company may not be successful in such efforts, which may undermine its ability to provide accurate,
timely and reliable reports on its financial and operating results. In addition, if the Company identifies additional material
weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, the Company may not detect errors on a timely basis and its financial
statements may be materially misstated. Moreover, in the future the Company may engage in business activities or transactions
that could negatively affect its internal control over financial reporting and result in additional material weaknesses.
27
PART
II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM
1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The
Company is not currently subject to any pending or threatened legal actions or claims.
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
The
Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be impacted by a number of factors, many
of which are beyond the Company’s control, including those set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2020 (the “2019
Form 10-K”).
The
Risk Factors set forth in the 2019 Form 10-K should be read carefully in connection with evaluating the Company’s business
and in connection with the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of the risks described
in the 2019 Form 10-K could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results and
the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made. These are not the only risks that the Company faces.
Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also
may materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or operating results.
As
of the date of this filing, there have been no material changes to the Risk Factors previously disclosed in the Company’s
2019 Form 10-K, except as noted below.
Impact
of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Company’s Business
In
light of the uncertain and rapidly evolving situation relating to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), this pandemic
could pose a risk to the Company’s business. The extent to which the coronavirus may impact the Company’s business
operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time. The Company intends
to continue to monitor the situation and may adjust its current business plans as more information and guidance become available.
The
coronavirus pandemic presents a challenge to medical facilities worldwide. As the Company’s clinical trials are conducted
on an outpatient basis, it is not currently possible to predict the full impact of this developing health crisis on such clinical
trials, which could include delays in and increased costs of such clinical trials.
Current
indications from the clinical research organizations conducting the clinical trials for the Company are that such clinical trials
will be delayed for at least three to six months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. There is also significant uncertainty
as to the affect that the coronavirus may have on the availability, amount and type of financing in the future. The Company expects
that it will need to begin to raise additional capital in early 2021.
ITEM
2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not
applicable.
ITEM
3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not
applicable.
ITEM
4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not
applicable.
ITEM
5. OTHER INFORMATION
Not
applicable.
ITEM
6. EXHIBITS
The
following documents are filed as part of this report:
Exhibit
Number
Description
of Document
31.1*
Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*
Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS**
XBRL
Instance Document
101.SCH**
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB**
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*
Filed herewith.
**
In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information on Exhibit No. 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall
be deemed “furnished” herewith but not “filed”.
28
SIGNATURES
In
accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
LIXTE
BIOTECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
(Registrant)
Date:
May 11, 2020
By:
/s/
JOHN S. KOVACH
John
S. Kovach
Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal
financial and accounting officer)
29
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.