Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements on page ii, the “Risk Factors” set forth in Item 1A, and elsewhere in this Annual Report. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements or the risk factors. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Certain figures, such as interest rates and other percentages included in this section have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this section have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this section may vary slightly from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in our consolidated financial statements or in the associated text. Certain other amounts that appear in this section may similarly not sum due to rounding.
Executive Summary
Clinical Development
Our key objectives in the fourth quarter of 2023 are completing enrollment for the RZ402 Phase 2 study in DME to enable announcement of topline results in the first quarter of 2024, as well as initiation of the sunRIZE Phase 3 study for RZ358.
RZ358 Regulatory Status
As discussed in our disclosures on Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, toxicology studies in rats and monkeys were conducted as part of the early RZ358 development program and in these studies, rats demonstrated a microvascular liver injury at potentially clinically relevant doses and exposures (“ rat findings ”). However, there were no adverse liver findings in monkeys at dose levels that were more than 10 times higher than doses that were toxic in rats, and more than 4 times higher than human doses evaluated in clinical studies. Based on the absence of liver toxicity in monkeys and the lack of adverse liver findings in closely monitored human trials, the Company believes that the toxicity is unique to rats and unlikely relevant to humans.
As is customary in pediatric drug development, there is a progression of the inclusion of younger participants as a program advances through different stages and continues to demonstrate a good safety profile and a prospect of benefit for children based on previous stages. After the completion of Phase 1 adult healthy volunteer studies for RZ358, Phase 2a single-dose proof of concept studies (“ Phase 2a ”) were conducted in participants with congenital HI who were 12 years of age and older in countries governed by the Regulatory Authorities in the European Union and elsewhere in Europe. In the US, FDA restricted enrollment in Phase 2a to participants 18 years of age and older and, based on the rat findings, imposed a human drug exposure limit equating to repeat doses of approximately 3 mg/kg per week (“ exposure cap ”).
Subsequently, in the RIZE study European Authorities and other regulatory bodies continued the expected downward age progression, lowering the age for study participants down from 12 years of age to 2 years of age and older. At the start of the RIZE study the clinical program in the US remained under the 18 years of age and older restriction as well as the exposure cap. However, in the first half of 2020, while the RIZE study was underway, we reached agreement with FDA to proceed with the RIZE study in the US at all dose levels (no exposure cap) and in younger participants (ages 12 and older). Following these developments, the study protocol was harmonized globally, other than a regional difference in the minimum permitted age (12 years and older in the US versus 2 years and older in all other geographies).
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After the completion of the RIZE study, in the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023, the Company conducted scientific advice meetings with the Regulatory Authorities in Europe which resulted in alignment with our proposed Phase 3 program including overall study design, dosing regimen, endpoints, sample size and patient population. Notably, with all available nonclinical (including the rat findings) and clinical information under review, European Authorities aligned with a further downward age progression whereby participants 3 months of age and older will be permitted to be enrolled in the Phase 3 study.
Prior to engaging FDA on Phase 3 planning in the US, we began interacting with the agency in the second half of 2022 to further liberalize the age restriction to achieve alignment with the parameters established by the European Authorities in the RIZE study. Over the course of these post-RIZE regulatory interactions with FDA, the agency revisited prior concerns regarding the rat findings and, despite the absence of new clinical or nonclinical data (other than the RIZE data), the agency decided to maintain the age restriction of 12 years and above and re-imposed the previous exposure cap which had been removed during the RIZE study (collectively, “ New Restrictions ”). In the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023, we interacted with FDA to resolve the New Restrictions, particularly in the context of the advancement of the clinical program in the rest of the world. Nonetheless, FDA affirmed the New Restrictions at a meeting held with us on May 24, 2023.
We have concluded pre-Phase 3 regulatory and scientific advice meetings with Regulatory Authorities outside of the U.S. and have reached agreement on the design of the Phase 3 study that will include participants 3 months of age and older. We believe that the New Restrictions make it infeasible to include the U.S. in the Phase 3 study at this time, particularly given that the pediatric population with congenital HI has the greatest therapeutic need. We are evaluating potential nonclinical studies to address FDA’s concerns in parallel with the initiation and advancement of the Phase 3 study outside of the U.S.
Specifically, in the fourth quarter of 2023, we plan to initiate the Phase 3 sunRIZE clinical study of RZ358 which will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel arm evaluation of RZ358 in participants with congenital HI who are not adequately responding to standard of care medical therapies. Topline results from the study are anticipated to be available in the first half of 2025.
RZ402
In December 2022, we initiated a Phase 2 multi-center, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of RZ402 administered as a monotherapy over a 12-week treatment period in participants with DME who are naïve to, or have received limited anti-VEGF injections. The study population is comprised of DME patients with mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Eligible participants are being randomized equally, to one of three RZ402 active treatment arms at doses of 50, 200, and 400 mg, or a placebo control arm, to receive study drug once daily for 12 weeks, before completing a four-week follow-up. The study is expected to enroll up to approximately 100 patients overall, across approximately 25 investigational sites in the United States. The principal endpoints of the trial include (i) changes in central subfield thickness of the macula, as measured by Spectral Domain Ocular Coherence Tomography, (ii) changes in visual acuity as measured by the early treatment diabetic retinopathy scale, (iii) the repeat dose pharmacokinetics of RZ402 in patients with DME, and (iv) the safety and tolerability of RZ402. We expect to complete enrollment in 2023 and to announce results from the study in the first quarter of 2024.
Investment in Marketable Debt Securities
In January 2023, our Board of Directors determined that it was in our best interest to diversify our cash position, which amounted to $146.7 million as of December 31, 2022. Accordingly, we reinvested an aggregate of $115.0 million of cash held in demand deposit accounts in a portfolio of marketable debt securities and an overnight money market mutual fund with the objective of achieving higher returns on investment.
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Factors Impacting our Results of Operations
We have not generated any meaningful revenues since our inception in March 2010. Over the last several years, we have conducted private placements and public offerings to raise additional capital, adopted a licensing model to pursue development of product candidates, conducted pre-clinical and clinical trials, and conducted other research and development activities on our pipeline of product candidates.
Due to the time required to conduct clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, we anticipate it will be some time before we generate substantial revenues, if ever. We expect to generate operating losses for the foreseeable future; therefore, we expect to continue efforts to raise additional capital to maintain our current operating plans over the next several years. We cannot assure you that we will secure such financing or that it will be adequate for the long-term execution of our business strategy. Even if we obtain additional financing, it may be costly and may require us to agree to covenants or other provisions that will favor new investors over our existing shareholders.
Key Components of Consolidated Statements of Operations
Research and development expenses. Research and development (“R&D”) expenses consist primarily of clinical trial costs, compensation and benefits for our personnel engaged in R&D activities, licensing costs, and consultants and outside services. Our R&D costs include an allocable portion of our cash and share-based compensation, employee benefits, and consulting costs related to personnel engaged in the design and development of product candidates and other scientific research projects. We also allocate a portion of our facilities and overhead costs based on the personnel and other resources devoted to R&D activities.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses consist primarily of (i) an allocable portion of our cash and share-based compensation and employee benefits related to personnel engaged in our administrative, finance, accounting, and executive functions, and (ii) an allocable portion of our facilities and overhead costs based on the personnel and other resources devoted to G&A activities. G&A expenses also include travel, legal, auditing, investor relations and other costs primarily related to our status as a public company.
Interest and other income. Interest and other income consist primarily of interest income earned on marketable debt securities and temporary cash investments, amortization of investment premiums and accretion of investment discounts.
Gain from change in fair value of derivative liabilities, net. We recognize derivative liabilities if we issue stock options and warrants but don’t have sufficient authorized shares of common stock to accommodate all potential exercise. Under these circumstances, accounting as a derivative liability was required since the possibility existed that we could have been required to settle stock options and warrants in cash. Such derivative liabilities were recorded at fair value on the date that the deficiency occurred and subsequently adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period through the date the deficiency was cured. We also recognize liabilities for embedded derivatives that arose in connection with our legacy debt agreement. Derivative liabilities are adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period until the derivative liability contracts are settled, expire, or meet the conditions for equity classification. Changes in fair value are reflected as gains and losses in our consolidated statements of operations. Gains and losses reflected prior to the date a deficiency is cured are not subsequently reversed.
Employee retention credit. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States government designed programs to assist businesses in dealing with the financial hardships caused by the pandemic. We recognize the right to receive governmental assistance payments in the period in which the related conditions on which they depend are substantially met.
Underwriting discount on issuance of derivative. For derivative liabilities that were issued at a discount versus the grant date fair value of the financial instrument, an expense equal to the amount of the discount was recognized on the issuance date since the derivative liability would have been required to be settled at fair value.
Interest expense. The components of interest expense include the amount of interest payable in cash at the stated interest rate set forth in the debt agreement, and accretion of debt discounts and issuance costs (“DDIC”) using the effective interest
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method. DDIC arises from the issuance of debt instruments and other related contracts or agreements which possess certain terms and conditions resulting in additional financing costs arising from origination, exit and final fees, and other incremental and direct costs incurred to consummate the financing, among others.
Loss on extinguishment of loan agreement. When we repay our debt arrangements prior to the maturity date, we evaluate the terms to determine if the repayment should be accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring, a modification or an extinguishment. If we conclude that accounting as an extinguishment is required, the extinguishment charge includes the write-off of any unaccreted DDIC, prepayment premiums required under the debt agreement, and professional fees incurred to complete the transaction.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
Overview
Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These items are monitored and analyzed for changes in facts and circumstances, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results for the period in which they become known. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
With respect to our significant accounting policies that are described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report, we believe that the following accounting policies involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity. Accordingly, these are the policies we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
Investments in Marketable Debt Securities
We account for our investments in marketable debt securities as available-for-sale securities whereby they are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Interest income consists of accrued interest earned based on the coupon rate of the security, plus the impact of accreting discounts and amortizing premiums to maturity using the straight-line method which approximates the interest method. Unrealized gains and losses due to subsequent changes in fair value of the investments are reported in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The individual debt securities in our portfolio are subject to credit risk in the event of default by the issuers. We review the components of our portfolio of available-for-sale debt securities, using both quantitative and qualitative factors, to determine if declines in fair value below amortized cost have resulted from a credit-related loss or other factors. If declines in fair value are due to a deterioration of credit quality of the issuer, we recognize (i) a loss in other comprehensive income (loss) if the reduction in fair value is considered temporary, or (ii) a loss in the consolidated statement of operations if the reduction in fair value is considered other than temporary. For a decline in fair value that is solely due to changes in interest rates, impairment is not recognized if we have the ability and intent to hold the investment until maturity. The cost basis of any securities sold prior to maturity will be determined using the specific identification method.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Intangible assets related to in-licensing costs under license agreements with third parties are charged to expense unless we are able to determine that the licensing rights have an alternative future use in other research and development projects or otherwise.
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Clinical Trial Accruals
Clinical trial costs are a component of research and development expenses. We accrue and charge to expenses clinical trial activities performed by third parties based upon estimates of the percentage of work completed over the life of the individual study in accordance with agreements established with clinical research organizations and clinical trial sites. We determine our estimates through discussions with internal clinical personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of trials or services and the agreed-upon fee to be paid for such services.
Nonrefundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used or rendered in future research and development activities are deferred and recognized as expense in the period that the related goods are delivered, or services are performed.
Share-Based Compensation Expense
We measure the fair value of services received in exchange for all stock options granted based on the fair market value of the award as of the grant date. We compute the fair value of stock options with time-based vesting using the BSM option-pricing model and recognize the cost of the equity awards over the period that services are provided to earn the award. For awards granted which contain a graded vesting schedule, and the only condition for vesting is a service condition, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period as if the award was, in substance, a single award. We recognize the impact of forfeitures in the period that the forfeiture occurs, rather than estimating on the grant date the number of awards that are not expected to vest in accounting for share-based compensation. For stock options that are voluntarily surrendered by employees, all unrecognized compensation is immediately recognized in the period the options are cancelled.
Gain from Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities
We recognize derivative liabilities whenever we issue stock options and warrants but do not have sufficient authorized shares of common stock to accommodate all potential exercises. Under these circumstances, accounting as a derivative liability was required since the possibility existed that we could have been required to settle these financial instruments in cash. Such derivative liabilities were recorded at fair value on the date that the deficiency occurred and subsequently adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period through the date the deficiency was cured.
Changes in fair value are reflected as gains and losses in our consolidated statements of operations. Gains and losses reflected prior to the date a deficiency is cured are not subsequently reversed. We also recognize liabilities for embedded derivatives that arose in connection with a legacy debt agreement.
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Results of Operations
Results of operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 reflect net losses of approximately $51.8 million and $41.1 million, respectively. Our consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, along with the changes between fiscal years, are presented below (in thousands, except percentages):
Changes
2023
2022
Amount
Percent
Operating expenses:
Research and development:
$
43,813
$
32,486
$
11,327
35
%
General and administrative:
12,177
9,357
2,820
30
%
Total operating expenses
55,990
41,843
14,147
34
%
Operating loss
(55,990)
(41,843)
(14,147)
34
%
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest and other income
4,208
80
4,128
5,160
%
Gain (loss) from change in fair value of derivative liabilities
(5)
6,545
(6,550)
(100)
%
Employee retention credit
—
231
(231)
(100)
%
Underwriting discount on issuance of derivative
—
(2,495)
2,495
(100)
%
Interest expense
—
(1,807)
1,807
(100)
%
Loss on extinguishment of loan agreement
—
(1,771)
1,771
(100)
%
Total non-operating income, net
4,203
783
3,420
437
%
Net loss
$
(51,787)
$
(41,060)
$
(10,727)
26
%
Presented below is a discussion of the key factors that resulted in changes in our results of operations for these periods.
Revenue. As a clinical stage company, we did not generate any revenue for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. We are at an early stage of development and do not currently have any commercial products. Our existing product candidates will require extensive additional clinical evaluation, regulatory review, significant marketing efforts and substantial investment before they generate any revenues. We do not expect to be able to market any of our product candidates for several years.
Research and Development Expenses. R&D expenses for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
Increase
2023
2022
Amount
Percent
Total R&D expenses
$
43,813
$
32,486
$
11,327
35
%
The increase of $11.3 million was primarily attributable to an increase of $5.3 million in R&D compensation and benefits for our R&D workforce. Cash-based R&D compensation and benefits increased by $3.5 million from $8.2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 to $11.7 million for the fiscal year ended June 20, 2023. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the average number of R&D employees from 26 to 36 and an increase in bonuses. R&D share-based compensation increased by $1.8 million from $1.4 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 to $3.2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. This increase is primarily attributable to the expense related to stock options granted to employees in June 2022.
Additional increases of $4.3 million were incurred for our two clinical candidate programs, of which the RZ358 had an increase in spending of $1.1 million and the RZ402 program had an increase in spending of $3.2 million.
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The increase in RZ358 program costs of $1.1 million primarily was driven by an increase of $3.1 million for higher spending for drug substance and drug product manufacturing and other development activities as we began manufacturing activities for a Phase 3 study where enrollment is planned to be initiated during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. This increase was partially offset by a $2.0 million reduction in milestone payments under our license agreement with XOMA. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, we incurred a milestone payment due to XOMA upon dosing of the last patient in the Phase 2b clinical study. We did not incur any RZ358 milestone related costs during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
The RZ402 program cost increase of $3.2 million was primarily attributable to a $3.0 million increase in milestone payments due under our license agreement with ActiveSite. In February 2023, we dosed the first patient in the RZ402 Phase 2 study, triggering a milestone payment due for $3.0 million to ActiveSite. There were no RZ402 related milestone costs incurred during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. In addition to the $3.0 million increase in milestone costs, there was a $1.9 million increase in clinical operation costs related to the ongoing Phase 2 study. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in preclinical, toxicology and other related costs of approximately $1.7 million.
In addition to the increases in R&D compensation and benefits and our clinical programs noted above for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, an increase of approximately $0.8 million was incurred related to facilities and employee related travel costs allocable to R&D due to the increased headcount as noted above.
General and Administrative Expenses. G&A expenses for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
Increase
2023
2022
Amount
Percent
Total G&A expenses
$
12,177
$
9,357
$
2,820
30
%
The increase in G&A expenses of $2.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 was primarily attributable to an increase in G&A compensation and benefits related to our administrative workforce of $2.8 million. Cash-based G&A compensation and benefits increased by $1.1 million from $2.7 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 to $3.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 20, 2023. This increase was attributable to an increase in the average number of G&A employees from 9 to 12 and an increase in compensation related to bonuses. G&A share-based compensation increased by $1.8 million from $2.2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 to $4.0 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. This increase is primarily attributable to the expense related to stock options granted to employees in June 2022.
Interest and other income. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, we recognized $4.2 million of interest income compared to $0.1 million of interest income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. This increase was primarily due to our decision in January 2023 to invest an aggregate of approximately $115.0 million in marketable debt securities and an overnight money market mutual fund that bear interest at a weighted average effective rate of approximately 5.0%, whereas our temporary cash investments as of June 30, 2022 provided for earnings that were less than 1.0%. This change in strategy midway through the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 resulted in interest income of $1.2 million for the first half of the fiscal year and $3.0 million for the second half of the fiscal year.
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, we recognized a gain of $6.6 million that was primarily due to a reduction of $0.60 per share in our stock price, resulting in changes in fair value of the derivative liability related to our authorized share deficiency that arose when we entered into an underwriting agreement for issuance of the Class B PFWs on May 4, 2022. This authorized share deficiency existed until June 16, 2022 when our shareholders approved an increase in our authorized shares of common stock. Our stock price decreased from $3.80 per share on May 4, 2022, to $3.20 per share on June 16, 2022 when the authorized share deficiency was cured. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we recognized losses from the change in fair value of embedded derivative liabilities of $5,000 and $20,000, respectively.
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Employee Retention Credit. Employee retention credit income was $0.2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. This income is a result of CARES Act benefits for the period of July 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, no income was recognized since governmental assistance was no longer available under the CARES Act.
Underwriting discount on issuance of derivative liability. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, we did not recognize any expense related to underwriting discounts. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, we recognized an expense of approximately $2.5 million for an underwriting discount related to the issuance of the Class B PFWs. The fair value of the Class B PFWs on the date of issuance amounted to $41.6 million and the Class B PFWs were sold to the underwriter for a discounted price of $39.1 million. Accordingly, an expense was recognized on the issuance date for the amount of the underwriting discount of $2.5 million.
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $1.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. Interest expense for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 was solely attributable to a loan agreement entered in April 2021 and consisted of (i) accretion of discount of $0.4 million, and (ii) interest expense of $1.4 million based on the contractual rate of approximately 8.9%. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 we did not incur any interest expense due to the repayment of a loan agreement on June 30, 2022.
Loss on extinguishment of loan agreement. We incurred a loss on extinguishment of a loan agreement of approximately $1.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. This extinguishment loss was attributable to our exercise of the loan prepayment option that required a 2.00% prepayment penalty of $0.3 million and the unaccreted discount of $1.5 million was written off. We did not incur any losses on extinguishment for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
Income Taxes. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we did not recognize any income tax benefit due to our net losses and our determination that a full valuation allowance was required for our deferred income tax assets.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Short-term Liquidity Requirements
As of June 30, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $16.0 million, investments in marketable debt securities $102.3 million and working capital was approximately $99.7 million. We have incurred cumulative net losses of $261.0 million since our inception and as a clinical stage company we have not generated any meaningful revenue to date.
Accordingly, our primary source of liquidity has historically been from the completion of private placements and public offerings of our equity securities, as well as proceeds from the issuance of debt securities. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we received net proceeds from the issuance of equity securities of $11.6 million and $165.2 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, we exercised the prepayment option under a loan agreement which used approximately $16.0 million of the funding from issuances of equity securities earlier in the fiscal year. The completion of these equity financings is the primary source of remaining cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable debt securities as of June 30, 2023. For further information about the key terms and results of our debt and equity financing activities, please refer to the discussion above under the caption Executive Summary .
In April 2022 we entered into a lease agreement for a new corporate headquarters facility in Redwood City, California. This lease, which commenced in October 2022, provides for total base rent payments of approximately $2.9 million through the expected expiration of the lease in July 2027. Cash payments related to existing contractual obligations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 include approximately (i) $0.7 million under all of our operating lease agreements, and (ii) a potential milestone payment to XOMA of $5.0 million that will be due upon dosing of the first patient in a Phase 3 clinical trial for RZ358 that we expect will occur in the next twelve months. Due to uncertainties in the timing associated with clinical trial activities, it is possible that the milestone payments to XOMA could be delayed beyond our the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
Based on our cash and cash equivalents balance of $16.0 million combined with our investment in marketable debt security balance of $102.3 million as of June 30, 2023, we believe we have adequate capital resources to meet all of our contractual obligations and conduct all planned activities to advance our clinical trials at least through the third quarter of calendar year 2025.
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Long-term Liquidity Requirements
Our most significant long-term contractual obligations consist of additional clinical and regulatory milestone payments up to $35.0 million payable to XOMA and additional milestone payments up to $25.0 million payable to ActiveSite. Of this total, we expect that $5.0 million will be payable to XOMA during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 as discussed above under the caption Short-term Liquidity Requirements . The remaining $55.0 million is considered a long-term liquidity requirement. Due to uncertainties in the timing associated with clinical trial activities and regulatory approvals, there is even greater uncertainty in forecasting the timing of future clinical and regulatory milestone payments to XOMA and ActiveSite that may be required during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 and thereafter.
In addition to the clinical and regulatory milestone payments discussed above, upon the future commercialization of RZ358 and RZ402 we will be obligated to pay additional milestone payments and royalties based on the net sales of the related products sales-based and alternative indication regulatory approvals to XOMA and ActiveSite for an additional $202.5 million. These future milestones include $185.0 million in potential payments to XOMA and $17.5 million to ActiveSite for various sales-based milestones and alternative indication regulatory approvals. No assurance can be provided that commercialization will ever be achieved for either of RZ358 and RZ402, whereby none of these future payments may ever be required.
In addition to our licensing obligations, we also have long-term contractual obligations under existing operating lease agreements ranging between approximately $0.6 million to $0.7 million for each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025 through 2027. Based on our current forecast, we expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our contractual obligations and conduct all planned activities to advance our clinical trials at least through the third quarter of calendar year 2025. Therefore, we will need to obtain additional equity or debt financing in order to fund all of our long-term liquidity requirements.
Presented below is additional discussion about the ongoing requirements pursuant to our license agreements with XOMA and ActiveSite, along with additional information about our ongoing financing activities that impacted our liquidity and capital resources for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
XOMA License Agreement
In December 2017, we entered into a license agreement (“XOMA License Agreement”) with XOMA through its wholly-owned subsidiary, XOMA (U.S.) LLC, pursuant to which XOMA granted an exclusive global license to develop and commercialize XOMA 358 (formerly X358, now RZ358) for all indications. In January 2019, the XOMA License Agreement was amended with an updated payment schedule, as well as revised the amount we were required to expend on development of RZ358 and related licensed products, and revised provisions with respect to our diligence efforts in conducting clinical studies.
Upon the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory events, we will be required to make up to $37.0 million in aggregate milestone payments to XOMA. The first such milestone payment of $2.0 million was triggered upon enrollment of the last patient in our ongoing phase 2 clinical study in January 2022. The next milestone payment of $5.0 million will be due upon the enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 3 study, which we believe will occur in the next twelve months. Additionally, upon the future commercialization of RZ358, we will be required to pay royalties to XOMA based on the net sales of the related products, and milestone payments up to an additional $185.0 million if future annual sales related to RZ358 exceed targets ranging from $100.0 million to $1.0 billion. Through June 30, 2023, no events have occurred that would result in the requirement to make additional milestone payments and no royalties have been incurred.
ActiveSite License Agreement
In August 2017, we entered into a Development and License Agreement with ActiveSite (“ActiveSite License Agreement”) pursuant to which we acquired the rights to ActiveSite’s PKI portfolio. We are planning to use the PKI Program to develop, file, manufacture, market and sell products for diabetic macular edema and other therapeutic indications. The ActiveSite License Agreement requires various milestone payments ranging from $1.0 million to $10.0 million when milestone events occur, up to an aggregate of $46.5 million of aggregate milestone payments. The first milestone payment for $1.0 million was paid in December 2020 after completion of preclinical work and submission of an IND to the FDA for RZ402. The second milestone payment for $3.0 million became due upon dosing of the first patient
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in a Phase 2 study in February 2023. Remaining milestone payments under the ActiveSite License Agreement for various clinical and regulatory milestones amount to $25.0 million and milestones after commercial success or alternative indication approvals amount to $17.5 million. We will also be required to pay royalties equal to 2.0% of any sales of products that use the PKI Program. Through June 30, 2023, no events have occurred that would result in the requirement to make additional milestone payments and no royalties have been incurred.
Cash Flows Summary
Presented below is a summary of our operating, investing and financing cash flows for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
2023
2022
Change
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities
$
(44,481)
$
(39,616)
$
(4,865)
Investing activities
(101,464)
—
(101,464)
Financing activities
11,571
148,979
(137,408)
Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities
For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, cash flows used in operating activities amounted to $44.5 million and $39.6 million, respectively. The key components in the calculation of our cash used in operating activities are as follows (in thousands):
2023
2022
Change
Net loss
$
(51,787)
$
(41,060)
$
(10,727)
Non-cash expenses
7,655
8,331
(676)
Non-cash gains, net
(1,370)
(6,545)
5,175
Prepayment premium
—
300
(300)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
1,021
(642)
1,663
Total
$
(44,481)
$
(39,616)
$
(4,865)
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, our net loss was $51.8 million compared to $41.1 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. For further discussion about changes in our operating results for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, please refer to Results of Operations above.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, our non-cash expenses of $7.7 million primarily consisted of share-based compensation expense of $7.3 million and non-cash lease expense of $0.4 million. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, our non-cash expenses of $8.3 million primarily consisted of share-based compensation expense of $3.7 million, a discount on the issuance of the Class B PFWs derivate liability of $2.5 million, a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.5 million, accretion of debt discount and issuance costs of $0.4 million, and non-cash lease expense of $0.2 million.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, non-cash gains consisted of discount accretion on investments in marketable debt securities of $1.4 million. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, non-cash gains consisted of a gain of $6.5 million attributable to changes in fair value of the Class B PFW derivative liability related to a deficiency in our authorized shares that existed from May 4, 2022 until June 16, 2022.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, we paid a prepayment premium of $0.3 million in connection with the termination of the loan agreement. The cash payment for this amount is included as a financing cash outflow and as a component of our net loss. Accordingly, an adjustment is required to remove this amount from our operating cash outflows. A similar charge was not incurred for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, net changes in operating assets and liabilities increased operating cash flow by $1.0 million, primarily driven by an increase accounts payable and other accrued liabilities of $2.3 million, partially offset by an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $1.3 million that associated with prepayments for clinical trials and
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manufacturing activities. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, net changes in operating assets and liabilities reduced operating cash flow by $0.6 million, primarily driven by an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $0.9 million that was associated with to prepayments for clinical trials and manufacturing activities, partially offset by a decrease in other accrued liabilities of $0.2 million
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, our net cash utilized in investing activities amounted to $101.5 million, primarily related to the purchase of $107.3 million of marketable debt securities offset by cash inflows provided by $6.0 million of marketable debt securities. Additionally, our investing activities used $0.2 million for the purchase of furniture and equipment primarily for use in our new office location in Redwood City, California . We did not have any cash flows from investing activities for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022.
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 amounted to $11.6 million. This amount consisted of proceeds of $12.3 million from the 2022 Private Placement. The total proceeds from the 2022 Private Placement of $12.3 million were partially offset by payments of $0.8 million for underwriting commissions and other costs related to this offering.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 amounted to $149.0 million. This amount included (i) $50.7 million received from an underwritten offering of Units in October 2021 for the issuance of approximately 6.8 million shares of common stock at a purchase price of $6.50 per share and issuance of 1.7 million of PFWs at a purchase price of $6.49 per share, (ii) $5.0 million received from a registered direct offering related to the issuance of common stock in October 2021 for the purchase of approximately 0.8 million shares at a purchase price of $6.50 per share, (iii) $110.5 million of proceeds after underwriter discounts from the 2022 RDO in May 2022 for the purchase of approximately 18.0 million shares of common stock at a purchase price of $3.80 per share and purchase of an aggregate of approximately 12.9 Class A PFWs and Class B PFWs at a purchase price of $3.799 per share, and (iv) $2.7 million in gross proceeds for the issuance of common stock under the a purchase agreement and an agent equity distribution agreement. The total proceeds from equity financing activities amounted to $168.9 million and were partially offset by payments of $3.7 million related to financial advisory fees and other costs of equity financings, resulting in net cash proceeds from equity financing activities of $165.2 million.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, we used cash of $16.3 million related to our debt financing activities. Debt financing payments consisted of $0.3 million for payment of additional debt discount and issuance costs under our loan agreement, and $16.0 million for contractual payments required to terminate the loan agreement on June 30, 2022. The contractual payments included (i) repayment of the principal balance of the loan for $15.0 million, (ii) a prepayment fee equal to 2.00% of the outstanding principal balance for a total of $0.3 million, and (iii) a final fee equal to 4.75% of the aggregate amount of the term loan funded for a total of $0.7 million. The security interests and liens granted in April 2021 when we entered into the loan agreement were released on June 30, 2022.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated organizations or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special purpose entities, which were established for the purpose of facilitating off - balance sheet arrangements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report regarding the impact of certain accounting pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this item.
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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.