UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the transition period from ________________ to ________________
Commission
File Number: 001-38803
Hoth
Therapeutics, Inc .
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Nevada 82-1553794
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1 Rockefeller Plaza , Suite 1039
New York , NY 10020
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(646)
756-2997
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Not
applicable
(Former
name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report
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, $0.0001 par value HOTH The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
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 ☒ 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 ☒ 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 ☒
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
☒
The number of shares of the issuer’s common stock, $0.0001 par
value per share, outstanding at November 10, 2021 was 23,974,178 .
Table
of Contents
Page
No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1.
Financial Statements
1
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three and Nine months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)
2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three and Nine months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)
5
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
6
Item
2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
14
Item
3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
19
Item
4.
Controls and Procedures
20
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1.
Legal Proceedings
21
Item
1A.
Risk Factors
21
Item
2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
21
Item
3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
21
Item
4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
21
Item
5.
Other Information
21
Item
6.
Exhibits
22
Signatures
23
i
CAUTIONARY
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INDUSTRY DATA
This
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “may,”
“should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,”
“estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other
comparable terminology. Our forward-looking statements are based on a series of expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections
about our company, are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve substantial risks and uncertainty. We may not actually
achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially
from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements. Our business and our forward-looking statements
involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in our statements regarding:
●
our business strategies;
●
the timing of regulatory
submissions;
●
our ability to obtain and
maintain regulatory approval of our existing product candidates and any other product candidates we may develop, and the labeling
under any approval we may obtain;
●
the timing and costs of
clinical trials and the timing and costs of other expenses;
●
market acceptance of our
products;
●
the ultimate impact of
the current Coronavirus pandemic, or any other health epidemic, on our business, our clinical trials, our research programs, healthcare
systems or the global economy as a whole;
●
our intellectual property;
●
our reliance on third party
organizations;
●
our competitive position;
●
our industry environment;
●
our anticipated financial
and operating results, including anticipated sources of revenues;
●
assumptions regarding the
size of the available market, benefits of our products, product pricing and timing of product launches;
●
management’s expectation
with respect to future acquisitions;
●
our goals, intentions,
plans and expectations, including the introduction of new products and markets; and
●
our cash needs and financing
plans.
All
of our forward-looking statements are as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q only. In each case, actual results may differ
materially from such forward-looking information. We can give no assurance that such expectations or forward-looking statements will
prove to be correct. An occurrence of, or any material adverse change in, one or more of the risk factors or risks and uncertainties
referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or included in our other public disclosures or our other periodic reports or other
documents or filings filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) could materially
and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Except as required by law, we do not undertake
or plan to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or
projections or other circumstances affecting such forward-looking statements occurring after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q, even if such results, changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized. Any public
statements or disclosures by us following this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements
contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q.
This
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may include market data and certain industry data and forecasts, which we may obtain from internal company
surveys, market research, consultant surveys, publicly available information, reports of governmental agencies and industry publications,
articles and surveys. Industry surveys, publications, consultant surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained
therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed.
While we believe that such studies and publications are reliable, we have not independently verified market and industry data from third-party
sources.
ii
PART
I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Hoth
Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30,
December 31,
2021
2020
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash
$ 12,445,379
$ 2,629,670
Marketable equity securities, at fair value
2,031,968
2,063,236
Prepaid expenses
250,365
89,836
Note receivable - current
50,000
-
Total current assets
14,777,712
4,782,742
Note receivable
-
50,000
Investment in joint venture
410,000
410,000
Total assets
$ 15,187,712
$ 5,242,742
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
$ 1,301,378
$ 129,469
Accrued expenses
217,771
128,180
Accrued license fee - current portion
87,500
54,500
Total current liabilities
1,606,649
312,149
Accrued license fee - less current portion
235,000
285,000
Total liabilities
1,841,649
597,149
Commitments and contingencies
-
-
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $ 0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
-
-
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $ 0.0001 par value, 1,897,250 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020
-
-
Common stock, $ 0.0001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 23,973,994 and 13,438,535 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
2,398
1,343
Additional paid-in-capital
43,570,947
24,073,059
Accumulated deficit
( 30,247,069 )
( 19,413,458 )
Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)
19,787
( 15,351 )
Total stockholders’ equity
13,346,063
4,645,593
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 15,187,712
$ 5,242,742
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
Hoth
Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Operating costs and expenses
Research and development
$ 2,123,548
$ 517,839
$ 5,408,166
$ 2,092,763
Research and development - licenses acquired (including stock-based compensation)
38,967
231,090
164,812
625,605
Compensation and related expenses (including stock-based compensation)
358,699
667,694
2,488,775
1,225,090
Professional fees (including stock-based compensation)
519,592
620,620
2,021,151
2,176,683
Rent
6,297
7,525
32,634
18,533
Other general and administrative expenses
206,093
122,063
605,787
360,424
Total operating expenses
3,253,196
2,166,831
10,721,325
6,499,098
Loss from operations
( 3,253,196 )
( 2,166,831 )
( 10,721,325 )
( 6,499,098 )
Other income (expenses)
Other income (expenses), net
( 42,852 )
49,908
( 112,286 )
58,069
Total other income (expenses)
( 42,852 )
49,908
( 112,286 )
58,069
Net loss
$ ( 3,296,048 )
$ ( 2,116,923 )
$ ( 10,833,611 )
$ ( 6,441,029 )
Other comprehensive gain (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
19,601
( 2,829 )
35,138
( 3,491 )
Total comprehensive loss
$ ( 3,276,447 )
$ ( 2,119,752 )
$ ( 10,798,473 )
$ ( 6,444,520 )
Net loss per share applicable to common stockholders - basic and diluted
$ ( 0.14 )
$ ( 0.16 )
$ ( 0.50 )
$ ( 0.54 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
23,887,839
13,434,884
21,776,009
12,001,987
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
Hoth
Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
For
the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Cumulative Translation
Total Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Adjustment
Equity
Balance at June 30, 2021
23,872,733
$ 2,388
$ 43,523,060
$ ( 26,951,021 )
$ 186
$ 16,574,613
Offering cost related with issuance of common stock, common stock warrants and prefunded warrants (net of offering costs of $1,591,600)
-
-
( 100,000 )
-
-
( 100,000 )
Stock-based compensation
1,261
-
23,897
-
-
23,897
Prepaid stock-based compensation
100,000
10
123,990
-
-
124,000
Cumulative translation adjustment
-
-
-
-
19,601
19,601
Net loss
-
-
-
( 3,296,048 )
-
( 3,296,048 )
Balance at September 30, 2021
23,973,994
$ 2,398
$ 43,570,947
$ ( 30,247,069 )
$ 19,787
$ 13,346,063
For
the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Cumulative Translation
Total Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Adjustment
Equity
Balance at June 30, 2020
13,433,267
$ 1,343
$ 23,375,090
$ ( 16,539,748 )
$ ( 662 )
$ 6,836,023
Stock-based compensation
2,634
-
661,132
-
-
661,132
Cumulative translation adjustment
-
-
-
-
( 2,829 )
( 2,829 )
Net loss
-
-
-
( 2,116,923 )
-
( 2,116,923 )
Balance at September 30, 2020
13,435,901
$ 1,343
$ 24,036,222
$ ( 18,656,671 )
$ ( 3,491 )
$ 5,377,403
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
Hoth
Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
For
the Nine months Ended September 30, 2021
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Cumulative Translation
Total Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Adjustment
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2020
13,438,535
$ 1,343
$ 24,073,059
$ ( 19,413,458 )
$ ( 15,351 )
$ 4,645,593
Issuance of common stock, common stock warrants and prefunded warrants (net of offering costs of $ 1,591,600 )
6,826,962
683
13,406,949
-
-
13,407,632
Issuance of common stock and warrants (net of offering costs of $ 572,500 )
2,475,248
248
4,427,253
-
-
4,427,501
Warrant exercise
1,126,720
113
359,400
-
-
359,513
Stock-based compensation
6,529
1
1,180,296
-
-
1,180,297
Prepaid stock-based compensation
100,000
10
123,990
-
-
124,000
Cumulative translation adjustment
-
-
-
-
35,138
35,138
Net loss
-
-
-
( 10,833,611 )
-
( 10,833,611 )
Balance at September 30, 2021
23,973,994
$ 2,398
$ 43,570,947
$ ( 30,247,069 )
$ 19,787
$ 13,346,063
For
the Nine months Ended September 30, 2020
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Cumulative Translation
Total Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Adjustment
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2019
10,119,844
$ 1,012
$ 14,610,638
$ ( 12,215,642 )
$ -
$ 2,396,008
Issuance of common stock and warrants (net of offering costs of $ 806,243 )
1,449,275
145
4,193,611
-
-
4,193,756
Issuance of common stock (net of offering costs of $ 525,000 )
1,818,182
182
4,474,818
-
-
4,475,000
Cancellation of common stock
( 15,000 )
( 2 )
2
-
-
-
Warrant exercise
56,250
6
56,244
-
-
56,250
Stock-based compensation
7,350
-
700,909
-
-
700,909
Cumulative translation adjustment
-
-
-
-
( 3,491 )
( 3,491 )
Net loss
-
-
-
( 6,441,029 )
-
( 6,441,029 )
Balance at September 30, 2020
13,435,901
$ 1,343
$ 24,036,222
$ ( 18,656,671 )
$ ( 3,491 )
$ 5,377,403
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
Hoth
Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021
2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss
$ ( 10,833,611 )
$ ( 6,441,029 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation expense
-
919
Research and development-acquired license, expensed
82,500
525,000
Stock-based compensation
1,180,297
700,909
Amortization of prepaid stock-based compensation
16,533
-
Realized loss (gain) on marketable securities
41,798
11,060
Unrealized loss (gain) on marketable securities
37,843
( 49,024 )
Loss on foreign currency exchange
60,628
-
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses
( 54,740 )
30,509
Accounts payable
1,280,821
( 254,266 )
Net cash used in operating activities
( 8,187,931 )
( 5,475,922 )
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of investments in joint venture
-
( 410,000 )
Purchase of research and development licenses
( 99,500 )
( 107,500 )
Purchase of marketable securities
( 2,556,126 )
( 1,500,000 )
Purchase of convertible promissory note in Isoprene
-
( 50,000 )
Sale of marketable securities
2,507,750
1,051,606
Net cash used in investing activities
( 147,876 )
( 1,015,894 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance common stock, common stock warrants and prefunded warrants, net of offering cost
13,407,632
-
Proceeds from issuance common stock and warrants, net of offering cost
4,427,501
4,193,756
Proceeds from issuance common stock, net of offering cost
-
4,475,000
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
359,513
56,250
Net cash provided by financing activities
18,194,646
8,725,006
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
( 43,130 )
( 3,491 )
Net change in cash
9,858,839
2,233,190
Cash, beginning of period
2,629,670
1,890,866
Cash, end of period
$ 12,445,379
$ 4,120,565
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Cancellation and retirement of common stock
$ -
$ 2
Prepaid stock-based compensation
$ 124,000
-
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
Hoth
Therapeutics, Inc.
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note
1-Organization and description of business operations
Hoth
Therapeutics, Inc. (together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hoth Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd., the “Company”) was incorporated
under the laws of the State of Nevada on May 16, 2017. The Company is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company which was formed to
initially focus on developing new generation therapies for dermatological disorders including atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema),
chronic wounds, psoriasis, asthma and acne. Since its formation, the Company expanded its business to also focus on developing a topical
formulation for treating side effects from drugs used for the treatment of cancer; a treatment for asthma and allergies using inhalational
administration; a topical treatment for patients with lupus; a treatment for mast-cell derived cancers and anaphylaxis; and a treatment
for lung diseases resulting from bacterial infections. The Company is also potentially developing a COVID-19 treatment as well as a diagnostic
device for the detection of viruses via a mobile device.
Liquidity
and capital resources
Accounting
Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern , requires management to
evaluate the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern one year beyond the filing date of the given financial statements.
This evaluation requires management to perform two steps. First, management must evaluate whether there are conditions and events that
raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Second, if management concludes that substantial
doubt is raised, management is required to consider whether it has plans in place to alleviate that doubt. Disclosures in the notes to
the consolidated financial statements are required if management concludes that substantial doubt exists or that its plans alleviate
the substantial doubt that was raised.
The
Company has funded its operations from proceeds from the sale of equity and debt securities. The Company will require significant additional
capital to make the investments it needs to execute its longer-term business plan. The Company’s ability to successfully raise
sufficient funds through the sale of debt or equity securities when needed is subject to many risks and uncertainties and, even if it
were successful, future equity issuances may result in dilution to its existing stockholders and future debt securities may contain covenants
that limit the Company’s operations or ability to enter into certain transactions.
Based
on management’s evaluation, the Company’s current cash is sufficient to fund operations for at least the next 12 months from the
date of these financial statements. However, the Company will need to raise additional funding, through strategic relationships, public
or private equity or debt financings, grants or other arrangements, to develop and seek regulatory approvals for the Company’s
existing and new product candidates. If such funding is not available, or not available on terms acceptable to the Company, the Company’s
current development plan and plans for expansion of its general and administrative infrastructure may be curtailed.
Note
2-Significant accounting policies
Basis
of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The
accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and
Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments,
which include only normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the balances and results for the periods presented.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements prepared
in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statement results are
not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year or any future period. The accompanying unaudited interim
condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) on March 16, 2021.
6
The
accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary,
Hoth Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd., which was incorporated under the laws of the State of Victoria in Australia on June 5, 2019. All
significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use
of estimates
The
preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated
financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates in the Company’s
condensed consolidated financial statements relate to stock-based compensation and the valuation allowance of deferred tax assets resulting
from net operating losses. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience and various other factors
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values
of assets and liabilities and the recording of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially
and adversely from these estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and actual results, the Company’s
future results of operations will be affected.
Significant
Accounting Policies
There
have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2021.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “ Fair Value Measurements ,” approximates
the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Fair
Value Measurement
FASB
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements , provides guidance on the development and disclosure of fair value measurements. Under this accounting
guidance, fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer
a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement
that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability.
The
accounting guidance classifies fair value measurements in one of the following three categories for disclosure purposes:
Level 1:
Quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:
Inputs other than Level
1 prices for similar assets or liabilities that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs which
are supported by little or no market activity and values determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or
similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation.
7
In
some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In
those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input
that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The
following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at September 30, 2021 and December
31, 2020:
Fair value measured at September 30, 2021
Total at September 30,
Quoted prices in active markets
Significant other observable inputs
Significant unobservable inputs
2021
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Assets
Marketable securities - mutual funds
$ 2,031,968
$ 2,031,968
$ -
$ -
Fair value measured at December 31, 2020
Total at December 31,
Quoted prices in active markets
Significant other observable inputs
Significant unobservable inputs
2020
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Assets
Marketable securities - mutual funds
$ 2,063,236
$ 2,063,236
$ -
$ -
Net
loss per share
Net
loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
Since the Company had a net loss in the periods presented, basic and diluted net loss per common share are the same. The following were
excluded from the computation of diluted shares outstanding due to the losses for each period presented, as they would have had an anti-dilutive
impact on the Company’s net loss:
As of September 30,
Potentially dilutive securities
2021
2020
Warrants
10,070,764
1,235,266
Options
1,321,212
739,212
Non-vested restricted stock awards
3,354
12,516
Total
11,395,330
1,986,994
Recent
accounting pronouncements
In
December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU
2019-12”), which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions
to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This guidance
is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption
permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 effective January 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its condensed
consolidated financial statements.
Management
does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have an
effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
Note
3-License agreements
The
following summarizes the Company’s research and development expenses for licenses acquired (including stock-based compensation)
during three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021
2020
2021
2020
The George Washington University
$ 22,551
$ 153,590
$ 82,312
$ 195,605
Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
15,000
30,000
15,000
30,000
North Carolina State University
-
-
30,000
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
30,000
30,000
30,000
365,000
University of Cincinnati
-
17,500
7,500
35,000
Adjustment
( 28,584 )
-
-
-
$ 38,967
$ 231,090
$ 164,812
$ 625,605
The
George Washington University
During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded an expense of approximately $ 23,000 and $ 82,000 , respectively,
related to warrants granted to The George Washington University pursuant to a patent license agreement.
Isoprene
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company paid $ 15,000 for a license fee.
North
Carolina State University
During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company paid $ 0 and $ 30,000 , respectively, for a license fee.
Virginia
Commonwealth University
During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company paid $ 30,000 for annual maintenance fees. As of September 30, 2021, the
Company accrued $ 285,000 for five years of annual minimum payments and $ 30,000 for annual maintenance fees.
University
of Cincinnati
During
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company paid $ 0 and $ 8,000 , respectively, for yearly minimum annual royalty fees.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company accrued $ 8,000 for an upfront license payment.
Note
4-Note Receivable
Pursuant
to the sublicense agreement dated July 30, 2020 by and between the Company and Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Isoprene”),
the Company made an investment of $ 50,000 in Isoprene in the form of a convertible promissory note (the “Isoprene Note”)
on September 10, 2020. The Isoprene Note matures on September 10, 2022 and accrues interest at a rate equal to the lower of: (i) the
highest lawful rate permitted under applicable law and (ii) 6% per annum. The Isoprene Note may not be prepaid without the prior written
consent of the Company. In the event a Qualified Financing (as defined below) occurs before the Isoprene Note is repaid in full or the
conversion of such note pursuant to a Change of Control (as defined in the Isoprene Note) transaction, the Isoprene Note may be converted
into such number of convertible preferred stock issued in the Qualified Financing equal to the balance of such note divided by the Capped
Conversion Price (as defined below). “Qualified Financing” means the first sale of Isoprene’s convertible preferred
stock in a private financing that results in gross proceeds of at least $5 million. “Capped Conversion Price” means the lesser
of (i) the per share or unit price in the Qualified Financing and (ii) an amount determined by dividing (A) $15 million by (B) the fully
diluted capitalization of Isoprene immediately prior to the conversion of the Isoprene Note. In the event a Change of Control occurs
before the Isoprene Note is repaid in full or the conversion of such note pursuant to a Qualified Financing, the Isoprene Note may be
converted into such number of shares of Isoprene’s common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the balance of the
Isoprene Note by (ii) two times the fair market value of a share of Isoprene common stock as set for in the acquisition agreement pertaining
to such Change of Control.
9
Note
5-Investments in Marketable Securities
The
realized gain or loss, unrealized gain or loss, and dividend income related to marketable securities for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2021 and 2020, which are recorded as a component of other income (expenses) on the condensed consolidated statements of
operations and comprehensive loss, are as follows:
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Unrealized gain
$ 9,566
$ 46,051
$ ( 37,843 )
$ 49,024
Realized loss
( 41,214 )
( 15,952 )
( 41,798 )
( 11,060 )
Dividend income
17,932
10,392
27,982
16,626
Interest income
-
-
-
8
$ ( 13,716 )
$ 40,491
$ ( 51,659 )
$ 54,598
Note
6-Investment in HaloVax
On
March 23, 2020, the Company entered into a Development and Royalty Agreement (the “Development and Royalty Agreement”) with
Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. (“Voltron”) to form a joint venture entity named HaloVax, LLC (“HaloVax”) to jointly
develop potential product candidates for the prevention of COVID-19 based upon certain technology that had been exclusively licensed
by Voltron from The General Hospital Corporation (d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital). Pursuant to the Development and Royalty Agreement,
the Company is entitled to receive sales-based royalties. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Development and Royalty Agreement,
on March 23, 2020, the Company and HaloVax entered into a membership interest purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company purchased
5 % of HaloVax’s outstanding membership interests for $ 250,000 on March 27, 2020 (the “Initial Closing Date”) and had
the option to purchase up to an additional 25 % of HaloVax’s membership interests (for $ 3,000,000 (inclusive of the $ 250,000 )),
which option expired 30 days after the Initial Closing Date. On May 28, 2020, the Company entered into a membership interest purchase
agreement to purchase 1 % of HaloVax’s outstanding membership interest for a purchase price of $ 100,000 . The Company accounts for
the foregoing investments under the equity method. There was no significant change in HaloVax’s operations from March 23, 2020
to September 30, 2021. The $350,000 investment in HaloVax, together with $60,000 investment in Zylö Therapeutics, Inc., is recorded
as investment on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Note
7-Stockholders’ Equity
Common
Stock
Securities
Purchase Agreements
On
January 5, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors pursuant to which the Company
offered and sold to the investors an aggregate of 2,475,248 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase up to 1,237,624 shares
of common stock in a private placement for aggregate net proceeds to the Company of $ 4.6 million, after deducting estimated offering
expenses payable by the Company. The combined purchase price for each share of common stock and accompanying warrant to purchase one
half of a share of common stock was $ 2.02 . The closing of the offering occurred on January 7, 2021. Each warrant is exercisable for a
period of five years from the issuance date at an exercise price of $ 2.25 per share, subject to adjustment, and may be exercised on a
cashless basis. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the offering, the Company issued The Benchmark Company, LLC (“Benchmark”)
warrants to purchase up to 185,644 shares of the Company’s common stock. Benchmark’s warrants are exercisable for a period
of five years from the closing date of the offering at an exercise price of $ 2.25 per share, subject to adjustment, and may be exercised
on a cashless basis.
10
On
March 8, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional and accredited investors pursuant
to which it offered and sold to the investors 6,826,962 shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”)
to purchase up to 767,975 shares of common stock and warrants (the “Common Stock Warrants”) to purchase up to 7,594,937 shares
of common stock in a private placement for aggregate net proceeds to the Company of $ 13.5 million, after deducting estimated offering
expenses payable by the Company. The combined purchase price for each share of common stock and accompanying warrant was $ 1.975 . The
closing of the offering occurred on March 10, 2021. Each Common Stock Warrant is exercisable for a period of three years from the issuance
date at an exercise price of $ 1.86 per share, subject to adjustment, and may be exercised on a cashless basis. Each Pre-Funded Warrant
is exercisable until exercised in full at an exercise price of $ 0.001 per share and may be exercised by means of a cashless exercise.
In addition, pursuant to the terms of the offering, the Company issued H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC warrants (“Wainwright Warrants”)
to purchase up to 379,747 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Wainwright Warrants are exercisable for a period of three years
from the issuance date at an exercise price of $ 2.4688 per share, subject to adjustment, and may be exercised by on a cashless basis.
2018
Equity Incentive Plan
The
compensation committee of the board of directors increased the number of shares reserved pursuant to the Company’s 2018 Equity
Incentive Plan (“2018 Plan”) by 671,926 shares effective as of January 1, 2021, such that as of January 1, 2021, the Company
had an aggregate of 1,671,926 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the 2018 Plan. On June 24, 2021, at the annual
shareholder meeting, shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2018 Plan to further increase the number of shares reserved
for issuance thereunder from 1,671,926 shares to 3,671,926 shares.
Restricted
Stock Awards
A
summary of the Company’s restricted stock awards granted under the 2018 Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 is
as follows:
Number of Restricted Stock Awards
Weighted Average Grant Day Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2020
9,882
$ 1.86
Granted
100,000
$ 1.24
Vested
( 106,528 )
$ 1.20
Nonvested at September 30, 2021
3,354
$ 3.00
As
of September 30, 2021, approximately $ 3,000 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense was related to restricted stock awards.
The weighted average remaining contractual terms of unvested restricted stock awards was approximately 0.76 years at September 30, 2021.
11
Stock Options
A summary of option activity under the Company’s
stock option plan for nine months ended September 30, 2021 is presented below.
Number of Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Total Intrinsic Value
Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Life (in years)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
689,212
$ 4.52
$ -
8.8
Employee options issued
632,000
2.11
-
9.3
Outstanding as of September 30, 2021
1,321,212
$ 3.37
$ -
8.6
Options vested and exercisable
1,321,212
$ 3.37
$ -
8.6
Stock Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Employee stock option awards
$ -
$ 487,963
$ 1,092,428
$ 487,963
Non-employee stock option awards
-
100,104
-
$ 100,104
Employee restricted stock awards
1,346
4,475
5,557
12,237
Non-employee restricted stock awards
16,533
-
16,533
-
Non-employee stock warrant awards
22,551
68,590
82,312
100,605
$ 40,430
$ 661,132
$ 1,196,830
$ 700,909
Employee related stock-based compensation is recognized
as “compensation and related expenses” and non-employee related stock-based compensation is recognized as “professional
fees” or “research and development - licenses acquired” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive
loss.
Warrants
A summary of warrant activity for the nine months
ended September 30, 2021 is as follows:
Number of Warrants
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Total Intrinsic Value
Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Life (in years)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
1,235,266
$ 3.07
$ 696,334
3.4
Issued
10,165,927
1.80
-
0.1
Expired
( 203,709 )
8.00
-
-
Exercised
( 1,126,720 )
0.32
-
-
Outstanding as of September 30, 2021
10,070,764
$ 1.99
$ 57,546
2.6
Warrants exercisable as of September 30, 2021
10,013,495
$ 1.99
$ 57,546
3.0
The Company has determined that the warrants should
be accounted as a component of stockholders’ equity.
Note 8-Commitments and contingencies
Office lease
The Company leases office space for approximately
$ 4,500 a month. Rent expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $ 33,000 and $ 19,000 , respectively.
The Company is not a party to any lease that is in excess of 12 months.
12
Litigation
From time to time, the Company may be subject
to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities; however, as of September 30, 2021,
the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings and is not aware of any pending or threatened claims.
Note 9-Risk and Uncertainties
The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
evolved into a global pandemic as COVID-19 spread to many regions of the world. The extent to which the Coronavirus impacts the Company’s
business and operating results will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including
new information that may emerge concerning the Coronavirus, including variants such as the delta variant, and the actions to contain the
Coronavirus or treat its impact, among others.
As a result of the continuing spread of the Coronavirus,
certain aspects of the Company’s business operations have been delayed, and the Company may be subject to additional delays or interruptions.
Specifically, as a result of the shelter-in-place orders and other mandated local travel restrictions, among other things, the research
and development activities of certain of the Company’s partners may be affected, which may result in delays to the Company’s
clinical trials, and the Company can provide no assurance as to when such trials, if delayed, will resume at this time or the revised
timeline to complete trials once resumed.
Furthermore, site initiation, participant recruitment
and enrollment, participant dosing, distribution of clinical trial materials, study monitoring and data analysis may be paused or delayed
due to changes in hospital or university policies, federal, state or local regulations, prioritization of hospital resources toward pandemic
efforts, or other reasons related to the pandemic. If the Coronavirus continues to spread, some participants and clinical investigators
may not be able to comply with clinical trial protocols. For example, quarantines or other travel limitations (whether voluntary or required)
may impede participant movement, affect sponsor access to study sites, or interrupt healthcare services, and the Company may be unable
to conduct its clinical trials. Further, if the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic continues and the Company’s operations are adversely
impacted, the Company risks a delay, default and/or nonperformance under existing agreements which may increase its costs. These cost
increases may not be fully recoverable or adequately covered by insurance.
Infections and deaths related to the pandemic
may disrupt the United States’ healthcare and healthcare regulatory systems. Such disruptions could divert healthcare resources
away from, or materially delay U.S. Food and Drug Administration review and/or approval with respect to the Company’s clinical trials.
It is unknown how long these disruptions could continue, were they to occur. Any elongation or de-prioritization of the Company’s
clinical trials or delay in regulatory review resulting from such disruptions could materially affect the development and study of the
Company’s product candidates.
The Company currently utilizes third parties to,
among other things, manufacture raw materials. If any third-party party in the supply chain for materials used in the production of the
Company’s product candidates are adversely impacted by restrictions resulting from the Coronavirus outbreak, the Company’s
supply chain may be disrupted, limiting the Company’s ability to manufacture its product candidates for its clinical trials and
research and development.
The spread of the Coronavirus, which has caused
a broad impact globally, including restrictions on travel and quarantine policies put into place by businesses and governments, may have
a material economic effect on the Company’s business. While the potential economic impact brought by and the duration of the pandemic
may be difficult to assess or predict, it has already caused, and is likely to result in further, significant disruption of global financial
markets, which may negatively impact the Company’s ability to access capital on favorable terms, if at all. In addition, a recession,
depression or other sustained adverse market event resulting from the spread of the Coronavirus could materially and adversely affect
the Company’s business and the value of its common stock.
The ultimate impact of the current pandemic, or
any other health epidemic, is highly uncertain and subject to change. The Company does not yet know the full extent of potential delays
or impacts on its business, its clinical trials, its research programs, healthcare systems or the global economy as a whole. However,
these effects could have a material impact on the Company’s operations, and the Company will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Note 10-Subsequent events
The Company evaluates events that have occurred
after the balance sheet date through the date for which the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. Based upon the evaluation,
the Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the
condensed consolidated financial statements.
13
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
You should read the following discussion and
analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with and our financial statements and the related notes appearing
elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. Factors
that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below, and those discussed in the
section titled “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 as may
be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC. All amounts in this report are in U.S.
dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
and were formed in May 2017 to initially focus on developing new generation therapies for dermatological disorders. We believe that our
pipeline has the potential to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from indications including atopic dermatitis (also known
as eczema), chronic wounds, psoriasis, asthma and acne. Since our formation, we have expanded our business to also focus on developing
(i) a topical formulation for treating side effects from drugs used for the treatment of cancer; (ii) a treatment for asthma and allergies
using inhalation administration; (iii) a topical treatment for patients with lupus; (iv) a treatment for mast-cell derived cancers and
anaphylaxis; and (v) a treatment for lung diseases resulting from bacterial infections. We are also potentially developing a COVID-19
treatment as well as a diagnostic device for the detection of viruses via a mobile device.
Dermatological Disorders
The BioLexa Platform
We have obtained an exclusive
license from the University of Cincinnati to make, use, have made, import, offer for sale, and sell products based upon or involving the
use of a proprietary, patented, drug compound platform (“BioLexa”) for the treatment of eczema. BioLexa combines a U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved zinc chelator with one or more approved antibiotics in a topical dosage form to address
unchecked eczema flare-ups by preventing the formation of infectious biofilms and the resulting clogging of sweat ducts. We intend to
initially use BioLexa to develop two different topical cream products: (i) a product to treat eczema and (ii) a product that reduces post-procedure
infections, accelerates healing and improves clinical outcomes for patients undergoing aesthetic dermatology procedures. We intend to
develop BioLexa for use in patients following the Section 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway of the FDA rules which permits us rely upon publicly
available data with respect to gentamicin and zinc chelator in our New Drug Application (“NDA”) submission to the FDA for
marketing approval. Based on our meetings with the FDA, we are conducting our first clinical trial for BioLexa in Australia in order to
enroll both adults and adolescents to support future clinical development before conducting trials on pediatric patients.
HT-001
On February 1, 2020, we entered into a patent
license agreement with The George Washington University (“GW”) pursuant to which GW granted us a license to certain patent
rights to, among other things, make, use, offer and sell certain licensed products throughout the world with respect to HT-001, which
we intend to potentially use for treating dermatological side effects from epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, and potentially
other drugs used for the treatment of cancer. We intend to develop HT-001 for use in patients following the Section 505(b)(2) regulatory
pathway of the FDA rules which permits us to rely upon publicly available data in our NDA submission to the FDA for marketing approval.
Based on our meetings with the FDA, we plan to conduct our first clinical trial for HT-001 in the United States after completing the required
safety and toxicology studies.
14
On February 23, 2021, we filed a provisional patent
application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the use of the active ingredient of HT-001 to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s
disease and other neuroinflammatory diseases. We intend to develop this drug under the name HT-ALZ pursuant to the 505(b)(2) regulatory
pathway of the FDA rules which permits us to rely upon publicly available data in our NDA submission to the FDA for marketing approval.
HT-003
On July 30, 2020, we entered into a Sublicense
Agreement with Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Isoprene”) pursuant to which Isoprene granted us an exclusive sublicense to
certain intellectual property (i) to make, have made, use, sell, offer to sell and import certain licensed products, (ii) in connection
therewith, to use certain inventions and licensed materials and (iii) to practice certain patent rights for the treatment of dermatological
conditions or diseases, referred to as HT-003.
In December 2019, we entered into a research collaboration
agreement with Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College for the completion of pre-clinical studies investigating the mechanism of action
of HT-003 that was renewed in January 2021 as a result of positive pre-clinical results. On July 2, 2021, we entered into a Sublicense
Agreement with Isoprene (“Sublicense Agreement”) to expand the therapeutic indication of the sublicensed retinoic
acid metabolism blocking agent (“RAMBA”) from Isoprene. The Sublicense Agreement includes the investigation of RAMBAs
for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
HT-005 Z-Pods™
On August 19, 2019, we entered into a sublicense
agreement with Zylö Therapeutics, Inc. (“Zylö”) pursuant to which Zylö granted us an exclusive sublicense to
certain licensed patent rights and certain licensed technology to, among other things, develop, make and sell certain licensed products
and to practice certain licensed technology in the United States and Canada initially with respect to therapeutic uses related to lupus
in humans.
Respiratory Products
HT-004
On November 20, 2019, we entered into a license
agreement with North Carolina State University (“NC State”) pursuant to which NC State granted us an exclusive license to,
among other things, develop, make, use, offer and sell certain licensed products throughout the world with respect to HT-004 for treating
allergic diseases. HT-004 is currently under investigation for the treatment of asthma and allergies using inhalational administration.
HT-006
On December 22, 2020, we entered into a non-exclusive
commercial evaluation license agreement with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (“USAMRDC”), as amended,
pursuant to which USAMRDC granted us a non-exclusive commercial evaluation license to HT-006 for the treatment of lung diseases resulting
from bacterial infections. We will initially target treatment of serious bacterial infections of the lung, such as hospital-acquired pneumonia
and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Given the indication, we intend to develop HT-006 for inhalational administration.
Cancer Treatments
HT-KIT
On February 25, 2021, we entered into a license
agreement with NC State pursuant to which NC State granted us an exclusive, worldwide, royalty bearing license to certain intellectual
property to, among other things, discover, develop, make, have made, use and sell certain licensed products and sell, use and practice
certain licensed services with respect to cancer and anaphylaxis; this is being developed as HT-KIT. We intend to initially target mast
cell neoplasms for development of HT-KIT, which is a rare, aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. In addition, we intend pursue the anaphylaxis
indication for HT-KIT in parallel to cancer treatment.
15
COVID-19 Products
HT-002
On May 18, 2020, we entered into an Exclusive
License Agreement with the Virginia Commonwealth University Intellectual Property Foundation (“VCU”) pursuant to which VCU
granted us an exclusive, royalty bearing license to HT-002, a novel peptide developed by researchers at VCU that may be used to slow the
transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the “VCU Peptide”) and a non-exclusive royalty bearing, worldwide license with respect to certain
licensed technical information patents to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell and import certain licensed products and perform certain
licensed services. On June 29, 2020, we entered into a Sponsored Project Agreement (“SPA”) with VCU for the development of
a potential COVID-19 treatment using the VCU Peptide, and amended the SPA on April 28, 2021.
VaxCelerate SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
On March 23, 2020, we entered into Royalty and
Development Agreement with Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. (“Voltron”) pursuant to which we formed a joint venture entity named
HaloVax, LLC (“HaloVax”) to jointly develop potential product candidates for the prevention of COVID-19 based upon certain
technology that had been exclusively licensed by Voltron from The General Hospital Corporation (d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital)
(“Mass Gen”). The joint venture is seeking to develop a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine using VaxCelerate, a self-assembling vaccine platform
licensed from Mass Gen by HaloVax. VaxCelerate offers two unique elements to combat SARS-CoV-2: a fixed immune adjuvant and variable immune
targeting, the combination which is designed to illicit a robust, protective immune response.
Devices
Direct Detect Breath Diagnostic Device
On August 7, 2020, we entered into a Patent License
Agreement (“f Patent License Agreement”) with GW pursuant to which GW granted us an exclusive, worldwide, royalty bearing
license to certain intellectual property that can be used to develop a device designed to detect the presence of viruses. Specifically,
the GW Patent License Agreement permits us to make, have made, use, import, offer for sale and sell certain licensed products in the field
of virus sensing and detection. We have engaged a company to develop a platform prototype and, once developed, we will select target analytes
for further development.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September
30, 2021 and 2020
Operating Costs and Expenses
Research and Development Expenses
During the three months ended September 30, 2021,
we incurred research and development expenses of approximately $2.2 million as compared to approximately $0.7 million during the three
months ended September 30, 2020. The increase of approximately $1.5 million was primarily attributable to the increased number of research
and development activities undertaken by us.
16
We expect our research and development activities
to increase as we develop our existing product candidates and potentially acquire new product candidates, reflecting increasing costs
associated with the following:
●
employee-related expenses, which include salaries and benefits, and rent expenses;
●
fees related to in-licensed products and technology;
●
expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations, investigative sites and consultants that conduct our clinical trials and a substantial portion of our pre-clinical activities;
●
the cost of acquiring and manufacturing clinical trial materials; and
●
costs associated with non-clinical activities and regulatory approvals.
Compensation, Professional Fees, Rent and
Other (“General and Administrative Expenses”)
During the three months ended September 30, 2021,
we incurred General and Administrative Expenses of approximately $1.1 million as compared to approximately $1.4 million during the three
months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease of approximately $0.3 million was primarily attributable to decrease in stock-based compensation
and decrease in professional fees.
We anticipate that our General and Administrative
Expenses will increase in future periods, reflecting continued and increasing costs associated with:
●
support of our research and development activities;
●
stock compensation granted to key employees and non-employees;
●
support of business development activities; and
●
increased professional fees and other costs associated with the regulatory requirements.
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September
30, 2021 and 2020
Operating Costs and Expenses
Research and Development Expenses
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
we incurred research and development expenses of approximately $5.6 million as compared to approximately $2.7 million during the nine
months ended September 30, 2020. The increase of approximately $2.9 million was primarily attributable to the increased number of research
and development activities undertaken by us.
We expect our research and development activities
to increase as we develop our existing product candidates and potentially acquire new product candidates, reflecting increasing costs
associated with the following:
●
employee-related expenses, which include salaries and benefits, and rent expenses;
●
fees related to in-licensed products and technology;
●
expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations, investigative sites and consultants that conduct our clinical trials and a substantial portion of our pre-clinical activities;
●
the cost of acquiring and manufacturing clinical trial materials; and
●
costs associated with non-clinical activities and regulatory approvals.
17
General and Administrative Expenses
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
we incurred General and Administrative Expenses of approximately $5.1 million as compared to approximately $3.8 million during the nine
months ended September 30, 2020. The increase of approximately $1.3 million was primarily attributable to an increase in compensation
and related expenses as a result of options granted to our officers and directors. Specifically, during the nine months ended September
30, 2021, we incurred $1.1 million in stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock option awards as we granted options
to purchase an aggregate of 0.6 million shares of our common stock to our officers and directors.
We anticipate that our General and Administrative
Expenses will increase in future periods, reflecting continued and increasing costs associated with:
●
support of our research
and development activities;
●
stock compensation granted
to key employees and non-employees;
●
support of business development
activities; and
●
increased professional
fees and other costs associated with the regulatory requirements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have incurred substantial operating losses
since inception and expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future, and we may never become profitable.
As of September 30, 2021, we had approximately $12.4 million in cash, marketable securities of approximately $2.0 million, current liabilities
of approximately $1.6 million and an accumulated deficit of approximately $30.2 million.
We have entered into certain license, sublicense,
sponsored research and option agreements with third parties. Pursuant to such agreements, we may be required make certain: (i) license
maintenance fee payments; (ii) out-of-pocket expense payments, including, but not limited to, payments related to intellectual property
and research related expenses; (iii) development and commercialization expense payments; (iv) annual and quarterly minimum payments;
(v) diligence expense payments; and (vi) revenue interest payments. In addition, subject to the achievement of certain development and/or
commercialization events, we may also be required to make certain: (i) minimum royalty payments, ranging from middle to high five figures,
(ii) sales-based royalties and running royalties, ranging from low single digits to low double digits; and (iii) milestone payments,
of up to approximately $21 million (if all milestones in all of our current agreements are achieved).
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
net cash used in operations was approximately $8.2 million, which primarily resulted from a net loss of approximately $10.8 million,
and was partially offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities of approximately $1.1 million and approximately $1.3 million
stock-based compensation.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020,
net cash used in operations was approximately $5.5 million, which primarily resulted from a net loss of approximately $6.4 million
and changes in operating assets and liabilities of approximately $0.2 million, and was partially offset by approximately $0.5 million
research and development expense related with license acquisitions and $0.6 million stock-based compensation.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
net cash provided by investing activities was approximately $0.2 million, which was primarily related to the sale of marketable securities
of approximately $2.6 million, and was partially offset by the purchase of marketable securities of approximately $2.5 million.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020,
net cash used in investing activities was approximately $1.0 million, which was primarily related to the purchase of marketable securities
of $1.5 million and purchase of investments in HaloVax, LLC and Zylö of approximately $0.4 million, and was partially offset by
the sale of marketable securities of approximately $1.1 million.
18
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $18.2 million. The cash provided by financing activities primarily resulted
from approximately $17.8 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common stock, common stock warrants and/or pre-funded warrants,
and $0.4 million in proceeds from the exercise of warrants.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020,
net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $8.7 million. The cash provided by financing activities primarily resulted
from approximately $8.7 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common stock and warrants.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments
and Contractual Obligations
As of September 30, 2021, we did not have any
off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues,
expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources, nor did we have any commitments or contractual
obligations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
A description of recently issued accounting pronouncements
that may potentially impact our financial position and results of operations is set forth in Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
JOBS Act
On April 5, 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business
Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company”
can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised
accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards
until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.
We have chosen to take advantage of the extended
transition periods available to emerging growth companies under the JOBS Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards until
those standards would otherwise apply to private companies provided under the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not
be comparable to those of companies that comply with public company effective dates for complying with new or revised accounting standards.
Subject to certain conditions set forth in the
JOBS Act, as an “emerging growth company,” we intend to rely on certain of these exemptions, including, without limitation,
(i) providing an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b)
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and (ii) complying with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information
about the audit and the financial statements, known as the auditor discussion and analysis. We will remain an “emerging growth
company” until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion
or more; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of our initial public offering; (iii) the date
on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are
deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK.
The Company is not required to provide the information
required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
19
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined
in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of September 30, 2021, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that the information required to be disclosed by
us in reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial
Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control
over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and
Procedures
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls
and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute
assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control
issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures
must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits
of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
20
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time to time, we may be subject to litigation
and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings and we are not
aware of any pending or threatened legal proceeding against us that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our business,
operating results, cash flows or financial condition.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
Risk factors that affect our business and financial
results are discussed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2020 as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2021 (“Annual Report”). There have been no material changes in our risk factors from
those previously disclosed in our Annual Report. You should carefully consider the risks described in our Annual Report, which could
materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report are not the only risks
we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial
condition, and/or results of operations could be negatively affected.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
During
the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company issued:
● an
aggregate of 1,261 shares of the Company’s common stock, which shares were subject
to a vesting schedule, to members of the Company’s Board of Directors for services;
and
● 100,000
shares of the Company’s common stock to a consultant for services.
The foregoing issuances were exempt from registration
under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
21
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit
No.
Description
31.1*
Certification
of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
Certification
of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*
Certification
of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
32.2*
Certification
of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
101.INS*
Inline
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104*
Cover
Page Interactive Data File - the cover page from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 2021 is formatted in Inline XBRL
*
Filed herewith.
22
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
HOTH THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Date: November 10, 2021
By:
/s/
Robb Knie
Robb Knie,
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: November 10, 2021
By:
/s/
David Briones
David Briones,
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
23
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.