Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM
2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes a number of forward-looking
statements that reflect Management’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. You can identify
these statements by forward-looking words such as “may” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,”
“believe,” “estimate” and “continue,” or similar words. Those statements include statements
regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of us and members of its management team as well as the assumptions on which
such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance and involve risk and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by
such forward-looking statements.
Readers
are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report and in our other reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Important factors known to us could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect
changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in the future operating results over time. We believe that
its assumptions are based upon reasonable data derived from and known about our business and operations. No assurances are made
that actual results of operations or the results of our future activities will not differ materially from its assumptions. Factors
that could cause differences include, but are not limited to: the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on the Company, substantial
competition; our possible need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government
or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related
to failure to obtain clearances or approvals from the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and noncompliance with
FDA regulations.
Business
Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering,
licensing, acquiring and developing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Our portfolio is composed
of infectious disease, central nervous system (CNS), rare disease, and immunology product candidates. Our infectious disease pipeline
consists of a vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, next-generation vaccines to prevent COVID-19, and a platform to
make fully human monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19. TNX-801, Tonix’s vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox,
is expected to enter a Phase 1 study in Kenya, in the first half of 2023. TNX-801 also serves as the live virus vaccine platform or recombinant
pox vaccine (RPV) platform for other infectious diseases. Our lead vaccine candidate for COVID-19 is TNX-1850, a live virus vaccine based
on Tonix’s RPV platform encoding the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2, BA.2 strain. A Phase 1 study of the COVID-19 vaccine is expected
to be initiated in the second half of 2023. Our CNS portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric
and addiction conditions. Our lead CNS candidate, TNX-102 SL (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablet), is in mid-Phase 3 development for
the management of fibromyalgia with a potentially confirmatory Phase 3 study launched in the second quarter of 2022 and interim data expected
in the first quarter of 2023. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat Long COVID, a chronic post-acute COVID-19 condition. We expect
to initiate a Phase 2 study in Long COVID in the third quarter of 2022. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat posttraumatic stress
disorder, or PTSD. We expect to begin enrolling a Phase 2 study in PTSD in police in Kenya in the third quarter of 2022. TNX-1300 (cocaine
esterase) is a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication that is in mid-Phase 2 development with a new potentially pivotal Phase
2 study expected to be initiated in the fourth quarter of 2022. This study will be partially funded by the National Institute of Drug
Abuse or NIDA. TNX-1300 has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA. TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin), a small
molecule in development for chronic migraine, is expected to enter the clinic with a Phase 2 study in the first half of 2023. Finally,
TNX-601 ER (tianeptine hemioxalate and extended-release tablets) is in development for the treatment of major depressive disorder with
a Phase 2 study expected to be initiated in the first quarter of 2023. Our rare disease portfolio includes TNX-2900 (intranasal potentiated
oxytocin) for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome. TNX-2900 has been granted Orphan-Drug Designation by the FDA. Our immunology
portfolio includes biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500 which is a humanized
monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand being developed for the prevention of allograft and xenograft rejection and for the treatment
of autoimmune diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-1500 is expected to be initiated in the first half of 2023. In July 2022, Tonix announced
that it was terminating development of TNX-3500, an antiviral inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2, based on technology licensed from OyaGen, Inc.
The associated License Agreement with OyaGen, Inc. is expected to be terminated, effective September 20, 2022. We own and operate an infectious
disease research and development facility in Frederick, MD and a live virus vaccine process development and manufacturing facility in
the New Bedford Business Park in Dartmouth, MA. Both facilities are expected to be fully functional during the third quarter of 2022.
All of our product candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics
and none has been approved for any indication.
25
Results
of Operations
We
anticipate that our results of operations will fluctuate for the foreseeable future due to several factors, such as the progress
of our research and development efforts and the timing and outcome of regulatory submissions. Due to these uncertainties, accurate
predictions of future operations are difficult or impossible to make.
Three
Months Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
Research
and Development Expenses . Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022 were $16.6 million,
a decrease of $1.5 million, or 9%, from $18.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. This decrease is predominately
due to decreased clinical expenses of $0.4 million, non-clinical expenses of $4.3 million, manufacturing expenses of $0.9 million,
offset by an increase in employee-related expenses of $2.2 million and increased lab supplies of $0.8 million. We expect research
and development expenses to increase during 2022 as we move our clinical development programs forward and continue to invest in
our development pipeline.
The
table below summarizes our direct research and development expenses for our product candidates and development platform for the
three months ended June 30, 2022, and 2021.
Three months ended June 30,
(in thousands)
2022
2021
Change
Research and development expenses:
Direct expenses – TNX - 102 SL
$ 2,607
$ 2,867
$ (260 )
Direct expenses – TNX – 601 ER
383
624
(241 )
Direct expenses – TNX - 1300
319
1,680
(1,361 )
Direct expenses – TNX - 1500
1,660
826
834
Direct expenses – TNX - 1800
486
1,060
(574 )
Direct expenses – TNX - 1900
815
387
428
Direct expenses – TNX - 2100
851
858
(7 )
Direct expenses – TNX - 3500
431
4,991
(4,560 )
Direct expenses – Other programs
2,067
1,898
169
Internal staffing, overhead and other
6,960
2,942
4,018
Total research & development
$ 16,579
$ 18,133
$ (1,554 )
Our
direct research and development expenses consist principally of external costs for clinical, nonclinical and manufacturing, such
as fees paid to contractors, consultants and CROs in connection with our development work. Included in “Internal Staffing,
Overhead and Other” is overhead, supplies, research and development employee costs (including stock option expenses), travel,
regulatory and legal.
General
and Administrative Expenses . General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022 were $6.8
million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 26%, from $5.4 million incurred in the three months ended June 30, 2021. The increase
in primarily due to an increase in employee-related expenses of $1.2 million, and an increase in travel-related expenses of $0.2
million.
Net
Loss . As a result of the forgoing, the net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $23.1 million, compared
to a net loss of $23.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Six
Months Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
Research
and Development Expenses . Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2022 were $35.0 million,
an increase of $1.5 million, or 5%, from $33.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. This increase is predominately
due to increased employee-related expenses of $4.1 million, regulatory/legal expenses of $0.3 million and lab supplies of $1.0
million offset by a decrease in non-clinical expenses of $3.3 million, clinical expenses of $1.4 million and manufacturing expenses
of $0.7 million. We expect research and development expenses to increase during 2022 as we move our clinical development programs
forward and continue to invest in our development pipeline.
26
The
table below summarizes our direct research and development expenses for our product candidates and development platform for the
six months ended June 30, 2022, and 2021.
Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)
2022
2021
Change
Research and development expenses:
Direct expenses – TNX - 102 SL
$ 6,130
$ 7,454
$ (1,324 )
Direct expenses – TNX – 601 ER
647
1,533
(886 )
Direct expenses – TNX - 1300
1,662
4,740
(3,078 )
Direct expenses – TNX - 1500
3,512
2,002
1,510
Direct expenses – TNX - 1800
3,462
3,476
(14 )
Direct expenses – TNX - 1900
1,553
700
853
Direct expenses – TNX - 2100
1,049
995
54
Direct expenses – TNX - 3500
1,064
4,991
(3,927 )
Direct expenses – Other programs
3,834
2,398
1,436
Internal staffing, overhead and other
12,088
5,171
6,917
Total research & development
$ 35,001
$ 33,460
$ 1,541
Our
direct research and development expenses consist principally of external costs for clinical, nonclinical and manufacturing, such
as fees paid to contractors, consultants and CROs in connection with our development work. Included in “Internal Staffing,
Overhead and Other” is overhead, supplies, research and development employee costs (including stock option expenses), travel,
regulatory and legal.
General
and Administrative Expenses . General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2022 were $14.8
million, an increase of $4.0 million, or 37%, from $10.8 million incurred in the six months ended June 30, 2021. The increase
is primarily due to employee-related expenses of $2.9 million, and an increase in travel related expenses of $0.3 million.
Net
Loss . As a result of the foregoing, the net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $49.6 million, compared to
a net loss of $44.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
27
License
Agreements
On
May 18, 2022, we entered into an exclusive License Agreement with the University of Alberta focused on identifying and testing
broad-spectrum antiviral drugs against future variants of SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses. As consideration for entering into
the License Agreement, we paid a low-five digit license fee to University of Alberta. The License Agreement also provides for
single-digit royalties and contingent milestone payments. As of June 30, 2022, other than the upfront fee, no payments have been accrued or paid in relation to
this agreement.
On
April 14, 2021, we and OyaGen, Inc. (“OyaGen”) entered into an exclusive License Agreement (the “OyaGen License
Agreement”) pursuant to which OyaGen granted us an exclusive license to certain patents and technical information related
to an antiviral inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2, sangivamycin, and to develop and commercialize products thereunder, and to acquire rights
to any technology based thereon for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19 developed by OyaGen during the term of the License
Agreement.
As
consideration for entering into the License Agreement, we agreed to pay a low-seven digit license fee to OyaGen, and agreed to
issue to OyaGen and an affiliated entity an aggregate of 86,010 shares of our common stock, valued at $3.0 million, which are
unregistered and subject to a six-month lock-up and a voting agreement, pursuant to which OyaGen and the affiliated entity have
agreed to vote the common stock on any matter put to a vote of the shareholders of the Company in accordance with management’s
recommendations. The OyaGen License also provides for single-digit royalties and contingent milestone payments. As of June 30,
2022, no milestone payments have been accrued or paid in relation to this agreement. In July 2022, we notified OyaGen of
our intent to terminate the License Agreement, with an effective date of September 20, 2022.
On
February 11, 2021, we entered into a license agreement (the “Inserm License Agreement”) pursuant to which we licensed
technology using oxytocin-based therapeutics for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome and non-organic failure to thrive disease
from Inserm (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Aix-Marseille Université and Centre Hospitalier
Universitaire of Toulouse. The Inserm License Agreement provides for the payment of annual fees and milestone payments upon the
occurrence of specified sales milestones, totaling approximately $0.4 million, as well royalties on net sales of products based
on the licensed technology, and assignment/transfer and sublicense royalties. As of June 30, 2022, no milestone payments have
been accrued or paid in relation to this agreement.
On
September 16, 2019, we entered into an exclusive License Agreement (the “Columbia License Agreement”) with the Trustees
of Columbia University in the City of New York (“Columbia”) pursuant to which Columbia granted to us an exclusive
license, with the right to sublicense, certain patents and technical information (collectively, the “TFF2 Technology”)
related to a recombinant Trefoil Family Factor 2 (TFF2), and to develop and commercialize products thereunder (each, a “TFF2
Product”). Pursuant to the terms of the Columbia License Agreement, Columbia has reserved for itself the right to practice
the TFF2 Technology for academic research and educational purposes.
We
paid a five-digit license fee to Columbia as consideration for entering into the Columbia License Agreement, which was recorded
to research and development expenses in the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019. We are obligated to
use Commercially Reasonable Efforts, as defined in the Columbia License Agreement, to develop and commercialize the TFF2 Product,
and to achieve specified developmental milestones.
We
paid Columbia single-digit royalties on net sales of (i) TFF2 Products sold by us or a sublicensee and (ii) any
other products that involve material or technical information related to the TFF2 Product and transferred to us pursuant to the
License Agreement (“Other Products”) sold by us or a sublicensee. Royalties on each particular TFF2 Product are payable
on a country-by-country and Product-by-Product basis until the latest of (i) the date of expiration of the last valid claim in
the last to expire of the issued patents covered by the Columbia License Agreement, and (ii) a specified period of time after
the first commercial sale of a TFF2 Product in the country in question. Royalties on each particular Other Product are payable
on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis until a specified period of time after the first commercial sale of such
particular Other Product in such country. Royalties payable on net sales of the TFF2 Product and Other Products may be reduced
by 50% of the royalties payable by us to any third party for intellectual property rights which are necessary for the practice
of the rights licensed to us under the Columbia License Agreement, provided that the royalty payable on a TFF2 Product or Other
Product may not be reduced by more than 50%.
We
are also obligated to make contingent milestone payments to Columbia totaling $4.1 million on a Product-by-Product basis upon
the achievement of certain development, approval and sales milestones related to a TFF2 Product. In addition, we shall pay Columbia
5% of consideration, other than royalty payments and certain other categories of consideration, payable to us by a sublicensee.
As of June 30, 2022, no milestone payments have been accrued or paid in relation to this agreement.
On
May 20, 2019, we entered into an exclusive License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Columbia pursuant to which
Columbia, for itself and on behalf of the University of Kentucky and the University of Michigan (collectively, the “Institutions”)
granted to us an exclusive license, with the right to sublicense, certain patents, technical information and material (collectively,
the “Technology”) related to a double-mutant cocaine esterase, and to develop and commercialize products thereunder
(each, a “Product”). Pursuant to the terms of the License Agreement, Columbia has reserved for itself and the Institutions
the right to practice the Technology for academic research and educational purposes.
28
We paid a six-digit license fee
to Columbia as consideration for entering into the License Agreement. We are obligated to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts, as defined
in the License Agreement, to develop and commercialize the Product, and to achieve specified developmental milestones.
We paid Columbia single-digit
royalties on net sales of (i) Products sold by us or a sublicensee and (ii) any other products that involve material or technical information
related to the Product and transferred to us pursuant to the License Agreement (“Other Products”) sold by us or a sublicensee.
Royalties on each particular Product are payable on a country-by-country and Product-by-Product basis until the latest of (i) the date
of expiration of the last valid claim in the last to expire of the issued patents covered by the License Agreement, (ii) a specified period
of time after the first commercial sale of a Product in the country in question, or (iii) expiration of any market exclusivity period
granted by a regulatory agency. Royalties on each particular Other Product are payable on a country-by-country and product-by-product
basis until the later of (i) a specified period of time after the first commercial sale of such particular Other Product in such country
or (ii) expiration of any market exclusivity period granted by a regulatory agency. Royalties payable on net sales of the Product and
Other Products may be reduced by 50% of the royalties payable by us to any third party for intellectual property rights which are necessary
for the practice of the rights licensed to us under the License Agreement, provided that the royalty payable on a Product or Other Product
may not be reduced by more than 50%.
We
are also obligated to make contingent milestone payments to Columbia totaling $3 million on a Product-by-Product basis upon the
achievement of certain development, approval and sales milestones related to a Product. In addition, we shall pay Columbia 5%
of consideration, other than royalty payments and certain other categories of consideration, payable to us by a sublicensee. As
of June 30, 2022, no milestone payments have been accrued or paid in relation to this agreement.
Asset
Purchase Agreements
On December 22, 2020, we entered into an asset purchase agreement (the
“Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Katana Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Katana”) pursuant to which we acquired Katana
assets related to insulin resistance and related syndromes, including obesity (the “Katana Assets”). In connection with the
acquisition of the Assets, we assumed Katana’s rights and obligations under that certain Exclusive License Agreement by and between
Katana and The University of Geneva (“Geneva”) (the “Geneva License “Agreement”) pursuant to an Assignment
and Assumption Agreement with Geneva (“Geneva Assignment and Assumption Agreement”), dated December 22, 2020. As consideration
for entering into the Asset Purchase Agreement, we paid $0.7 million to Katana. Because the Katana intellectual property was acquired
prior to FDA approval, the cash consideration totaling $0.7 million, was expensed as research and development costs since there is no
alternative future use and the acquired intellectual property does not constitute a business.
Pursuant
to the terms of the Geneva Assignment and Assumption Agreement, Geneva granted us an exclusive license, with the right to sublicense,
certain patents related to the Katana Assets. We are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to diligently develop, manufacture,
and sell products claimed or covered by the patent and will use commercially reasonable efforts to diligently develop markets
for such products. The Geneva License Agreement specifies developmental milestones and the period of time during which such milestones
must be completed and provides for an annual maintenance fee payable to Geneva. As of June 30, 2022, no milestone payments have
been accrued or paid in relation to this agreement.
On
June 11, 2020, we entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Trigemina Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Trigemina,
Inc. (“Trigemina”) and certain shareholders named therein (the “Executive Shareholders”) pursuant to which
we acquired Trigemina assets related to migraine and pain treatment technologies (the “Trigemina Assets”). In connection
with the acquisition of the Trigemina Assets, we assumed Trigemina’s rights and obligations under that certain Amended and
Restated Exclusive License Agreement, dated November 30, 2007, as amended, by and between Trigemina and The Board of Trustees
of the Leland Stanford Junior University (“Stanford”) (the “Stanford License “Agreement”) pursuant
to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement with Stanford (“Assignment and Assumption Agreement”), dated June 11, 2020.
As consideration for entering into the Trigemina Asset Purchase Agreement, we paid $824,759 to Trigemina and issued to Trigemina
62,500 shares of our common stock and paid Stanford $250,241 pursuant to the terms of the Assignment and Assumption Agreement.
The common stock is unregistered and subject to a 12 month lock-up and a Shareholder Voting Agreement, dated June 11, 2020, pursuant
to which Trigemina and the Executive Shareholders have agreed to vote the common stock on any matter put to a vote of our shareholders
in accordance with management’s recommendations. Both the costs associated with the cash payments and share issuance, totaling
$2.4 million, were recorded to research and development in the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. Because
the Trigemina intellectual property was acquired prior to FDA approval, the cash and stock consideration was expensed as research
and development costs since there is no alternative future use and the acquired intellectual property does not constitute a business.
29
Pursuant
to the terms of the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, Stanford has granted us an exclusive license, with the right to
sublicense, certain patents related to the Trigemina Assets. Stanford has reserved for itself the right to practice under the
patents for academic research and educational purposes. We are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to diligently
develop, manufacture, and sell products claimed or covered by the patent and will use commercially reasonable efforts to
diligently develop markets for such products. The Stanford License Agreement specifies developmental milestones and the
period of time during which such milestones must be completed, and provides for an annual maintenance fee payable to
Stanford. As of June 30, 2022, other than the annual maintenance fee, no milestone payments have been accrued or paid
in relation to this agreement.
On
August 19, 2019, we entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “TRImaran Asset Purchase Agreement”) with TRImaran
Pharma, Inc. (“TRImaran”) and the selling shareholders named therein (the “Selling Shareholders”) pursuant
to which we acquired TRImaran’s assets related to certain pyran-based compounds (the “TRImaran Assets”). In
connection with the acquisition of the TRImaran Assets, we entered into a First Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement
(the “WSU License Agreement”) with Wayne State University (“WSU”) on August 19, 2019. As consideration
for entering into the TRImaran Asset Purchase Agreement, we paid $100,000 to TRImaran and have assumed certain liabilities of
TRImaran totaling $68,500. The $168,500 was recorded to research and development expenses in the statement of operations in 2019.
Upon the achievement of specified development, regulatory and sales milestones, we also agreed to pay TRImaran and the Selling
Shareholders, in restricted stock or cash, at our option, a total of approximately $3.4 million. Pursuant to the terms of the
TRImaran Asset Purchase Agreement, TRImaran and the Selling Shareholders are prohibited from disclosing confidential information
related to the TRImaran Assets and are restricted from engaging, for a period of three years, in the development or commercialization
of any therapeutic containing any pyran-based drug compound for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder or major depressive disorder. Also for a period of three years, if TRImaran or any Selling Shareholder
engage in the research or development of any potential therapeutic compound for the treatment of any central nervous system disorder,
TRImaran or such Selling Shareholder is obliged to provide notice and opportunity to Tonix to make an offer to acquire or license
rights with respect to such product candidate. As of June 30, 2022, no milestone payments have been accrued or paid in relation
to this agreement.
Pursuant
to the terms of the WSU License Agreement, WSU granted us an exclusive license, with the right to sublicense, certain patents,
technical information and material (collectively, the “Technology”) related to the TRImaran Assets. WSU has reserved
for itself the right to practice the Technology for academic research and educational purposes. We are obligated to use commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain regulatory approval for one or more products utilizing the Technology (“WSU Products”)
and to use commercially reasonable marketing efforts throughout the term of the WSU License Agreement. The WSU License Agreement
specifies developmental milestones and the period of time during which such milestones must be completed and provides for an annual
maintenance fee payable to WSU. We are obligated to substantially manufacture WSU Products in the United States if WSU Products
will be sold in the United States.
Pursuant
to the WSU License Agreement, we paid $75,000 to WSU as reimbursement of certain patent expenses, and, upon the achievement of
specified development, regulatory and sales milestones, we also agreed to pay WSU, milestone payments totaling approximately $3.4
million. We have also agreed to pay WSU single-digit royalties on net sales of WSU Products sold by us or a sublicensee on a tiered
basis based on net sales, and additional sublicense fees on certain consideration received from sublicensees. Royalties on each
particular WSU Product are payable on a country-by-country and Product-by-Product basis until the date of expiration of the last
valid claim in the last to expire of the issued patents covered by the WSU License Agreement. Royalties payable on net sales of
WSU Products may be reduced by 50% of the royalties payable by us to any third party for intellectual property rights which are
necessary for the practice of the rights licensed to us under the WSU License Agreement, provided that the royalty payable on
a WSU Product may not be reduced by more than 50%. Each party also has the right to terminate the agreement for customary reasons
such as material breach and bankruptcy. The WSU License Agreement contains provisions relating to termination, indemnification,
confidentiality and other customary matters for an agreement of this kind. As of June 30, 2022, no milestone payments have been
accrued or paid in relation to this agreement.
30
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2022,
we had working capital of $144.3 million, which excludes restricted cash of $31.5 million, comprised primarily of cash and cash equivalents of $145.5 million and prepaid expenses
and other of $14.8 million, offset by $9.6 million of accounts payable, $5.8 million of accrued expenses and current lease liabilities
of $0.5 million. A significant portion of the accounts payable and accrued expenses are due to work performed in relation to our
Phase 3 clinical trial in FM, our vaccine program and the build-out of our facilities.
The following table
provides a summary of operating, investing and financing cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and 2021, respectively
(in thousands):
June 30,
2022
2021
Net cash used in operating activities
$
(52,217
)
$
(40,166
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(34,656
)
(1,934
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
85,240
130,759
For the six months ended June, 2022 and 2021, we used approximately $52.2
million and $40.2 million of cash in operating activities, respectively, which represents cash outlays for research and development and
general and administrative expenses in such periods. The increase in cash outlays principally resulted from an increase in both research
and development and general and administrative activities. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, net proceeds from financing
activities were $85.2 million and $130.8 million, respectively, predominately from the sale of our common and preferred stock, $31.5 million
of which is expected to fund the redemption of our outstanding redeemable preferred stock. Cash used in investing activities for the six
months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, was $34.7 million and $1.9 million respectively, related to the purchase of property and equipment.
We believe that our cash resources at June 30, 2022, and the proceeds that
we raised from equity offerings subsequent to the end of the second quarter of 2022 will meet our operating and capital expenditure requirements
into the second quarter of 2023, but not beyond.
We continue to face
significant challenges and uncertainties and, as a result, our available capital resources may be consumed more rapidly than currently
expected due to changes we may make in our research and development spending plans. These factors raise substantial doubt about
our ability to continue as a going concern for the one year period from the date of filing of this Form 10-Q. We have the ability
to obtain additional funding through public or private financing or collaborative arrangements with strategic partners to increase
the funds available to fund operations. Without additional funds, we may be forced to delay, scale back or eliminate some of our
research and development activities, or other operations and potentially delay product development in an effort to provide sufficient
funds to continue our operations. If any of these events occurs, our ability to achieve our development and commercialization goals
would be adversely affected.
Future Liquidity Requirements
We expect to incur
losses from operations for the near future. We expect to incur increasing research and development expenses, including expenses
related to clinical trials and the build out of recently acquired research and development and manufacturing facilities. We will
not have enough resources to meet our operating requirements for the one-year from filing date of this report.
Our future capital
requirements will depend on a number of factors, including the progress of our research and development of product candidates,
the timing and outcome of regulatory approvals, the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining, defending and
enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights, the status of competitive products, the availability of financing
and our success in developing markets for our product candidates.
We will need to obtain
capital in order to fund future research and development activities and the build out of our recently acquired research and development
and manufacturing facilities. Future financing may include the issuance of equity or debt securities, obtaining credit facilities,
or other financing mechanisms. Even if we are able to raise the funds required, it is possible that we could incur unexpected costs
and expenses, fail to collect significant amounts owed to us, or experience unexpected cash requirements that would force us to
seek alternative financing. Furthermore, if we issue additional equity or debt securities, shareholders may experience additional
dilution or the new equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of our common
stock.
If additional financing
is not available or is not available on acceptable terms, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate our research
and development programs, reduce our commercialization efforts or obtain funds through arrangements with collaborative partners
or others that may require us to relinquish rights to certain product candidates that we might otherwise seek to develop or commercialize
independently.
31
Convertible redeemable Preferred stock
On
June 24, 2022, we issued 2,500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 500,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to certain
institutional investors in a private placement. The Preferred Stock has an aggregate stated value of $30,000,000. Each share of
the Preferred Stock has a purchase price of $9.50, representing an OID of 5% of the stated value. The shares of the Preferred
Stock are convertible into shares of our common stock, upon the occurrence of certain events, at a conversion price of $4.00 per
share. The Preferred Stock may convert at the option of the holder. We may compel conversion of the Preferred Stock after the
fulfillment of certain conditions and subject to certain limitations. The Company and the holders of the Preferred Stock also
entered into a registration rights agreement to register the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of
the Preferred Stock. The $28.5 million in gross proceeds of the Offering are held in an escrow account, along with an additional
$3.0 million deposited by the Company to cover the aggregate OID as well as the additional amount that would be necessary to fund
the 105% redemption price until the expiration of the redemption period for the Preferred Stock, as applicable, subject to the
earlier payment to redeeming holders. We expect redemption to occur in 2022.
The holders of Preferred Stock
are entitled to dividends, on an as-if converted basis, equal to dividends actually paid, if any, on shares of common stock. The
Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holders and, in certain circumstances, by the Company, into shares of common
stock at a conversion price of $4.00 per share. The conversion price will be adjusted for stock dividends and stock splits, subsequent
rights offering, pro rata distributions of dividends or the occurrence of a fundamental transaction. The holders of the Preferred
Stock have the right to require the Company to redeem their shares of Preferred Stock for cash at 105% of the stated value of
such shares through September 22, 2022. The Company has the option to redeem
the Preferred Stock for cash at 105% of the stated value, subject to the holders’ rights to convert the shares prior to such redemption.
Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park
On December 3, 2021,
we entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park”) and a registration rights agreement
(the “Lincoln Park Registration Rights Agreement”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park agreed to purchase from us up to $80,000,000
of our common stock (subject to certain limitations) from time to time during the term of the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park.
Pursuant to the terms of the Lincoln Park Registration Rights Agreement, we filed with the SEC a registration statement to register
for resale under the Securities Act the shares that have been or may be issued to Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement with
Lincoln Park.
Pursuant to the terms
of the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park, at the time we signed the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Park
Registration Rights Agreement, we issued 90,910 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park as consideration for its commitment to purchase
shares of our common stock under the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park. The commitment shares were valued at $1.6 million and
recorded as an addition to equity for the issuance of the common stock and treated as a reduction to equity as a cost of capital
to be raised under the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park.
During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we sold 1.1 million shares of
common stock under the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park, for net proceeds of approximately $6.5 million. Subsequent to June 30, 2022,
we sol d 1.8 million shares of common stock under the
Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park, for net proceeds of approximately $ 2.2 million.
Under applicable rules of the NASDAQ
Global Market, the Company could not issue or sell more than 19.99% of the shares of its common stock outstanding immediately prior to
the execution of the Purchase Agreement (approximately 3 million shares) with Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement without stockholder
approval, unless the average price of all applicable sales of its common stock to Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement equals or
exceeds a threshold amount. As we have issued approximately 3,000,000 shares to Lincoln Park under the Purchase Agreement at less than
the threshold amount, we will not sell any additional shares under the Purchase Agreement without shareholder approval.
2021 Lincoln Park Transaction
On
May 14, 2021, we entered into a purchase agreement (the “2021 Purchase Agreement”) and a registration rights agreement
(the “2021 Registration Rights Agreement”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”). Pursuant
to the terms of the 2021 Purchase Agreement, Lincoln Park agreed to purchase from us up to $80,000,000 of our common stock
(subject to certain limitations) from time to time during the term of the 2021 Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the
2021 Registration Rights Agreement, we filed with the SEC a registration statement to register for resale under the Securities
Act the shares that have been or may be issued to Lincoln Park under the 2021 Purchase Agreement.
Pursuant
to the terms of the 2021 Purchase Agreement, at the time we signed the 2021 Purchase Agreement and the 2021 Registration Rights
Agreement, we issued 40,000 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park as consideration
for its commitment to purchase shares of our common stock under the 2021 Purchase Agreement. The commitment shares were valued
at $1.6 million and recorded as an addition to equity for the issuance of the common stock and treated as a reduction to equity
as a cost of capital to be raised under the 2021 Purchase Agreement.
During
the six months ended June 30, 2021, we sold an aggregate of approximately 86,000 shares of common stock under the 2021 Purchase
Agreement, for gross proceeds of approximately $3.3 million.
February 2021 Financing
On February 8, 2021,
we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors relating to the issuance and sale of 1.8 million
shares of our common stock, in a registered direct public offering (the “February 2021 Financing”), with A.G.P/Alliance
Global Partners (“AGP”), acting as placement agent. The public offering price for each share of common stock was $38.40.
The February 2021 Financing closed on February 9, 2021. AGP received a cash fee of 7% of the gross proceeds, for an aggregate amount
of $4.9 million. We incurred other offering expenses of approximately $0.1 million. We received net proceeds of approximately $65.0
million, after deducting the fees and other offering expenses.
32
January 2021 Financing
On January 11, 2021,
we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors relating to the issuance and sale of 1.6 million
shares of our common stock in a registered direct public offering (the “January 2021 Financing”), with AGP as placement
agent. The public offering price for each share of common stock was $25.60. The January 2021 Financing closed on January 13, 2021.
AGP received a cash fee of 7% of the gross proceeds, for an aggregate of $2.8 million. We incurred other offering expenses of approximately
$0.3 million. We received net proceeds of approximately $36.9 million, after deducting the fees and other offering expenses.
At-the-Market Offerings
On April 8, 2020, we entered into a sales agreement (the “Sales Agreement”)
with AGP pursuant to which we may issue and sell, from time to time, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of
up to $240.0 million in at-the-market offerings (“ATM”) sales. AGP will act as sales agent and will be paid a 3% commission
on each sale under the Sales Agreement. Our common stock will be sold at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, and, as a result,
prices will vary. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we sold approximately 15.0 million shares of common stock under the Sales
Agreement, for net proceeds of approximately $51.5 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we sold approximately 0.8 million
shares of common stock under the Sales Agreement, for net proceeds of approximately $25.5 million. Subsequent to June 30, 2022, we sold
9.6 million shares of common stock under the Sales Agreement, for net proceeds of approximately $16.2 million.
Stock Compensation
On May 3, 2019, our stockholders approved the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding
Corp. 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). The 2019 Plan provided for the issuance of up to 4,375 shares of common
stock. With the adoption of the 2020 Plan (as defined below), no further grants may be made under the 2019 Plan. On January 16, 2020,
our stockholders approved the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”). The 2020 Plan
provided for the issuance of up to 18,750 shares of common stock. With the adoption of the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan (as defined
below), no further grants may be made under the 2020 Plan.
On May 1, 2020, our
stockholders approved the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. Amended and Restated 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (“Amended and
Restated 2020 Plan”), and together with the 2020 Plan and the 2019 Plan, the “Plans”).
Under the terms of
the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan, we may issue (1) stock options (incentive and nonstatutory), (2) restricted stock, (3) SARs,
(4) RSUs, (5) other stock-based awards, and (6) cash-based awards. The Amended and Restated 2020 Plan initially provided for the
issuance of up to 312,500 shares of common stock, which amount will be increased to the extent that awards granted under the
Plans are forfeited, expire or are settled for cash (except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan). In addition,
the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan contains an “evergreen provision” providing for an annual increase in the number
of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan on January 1 of each year for a period
of ten years, commencing on January 1, 2021 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2030, in an amount equal to the difference
between (x) twenty percent (20%) of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar
year, and (y) the total number of shares of common stock reserved under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan on December 31st of
such preceding calendar year (including shares subject to outstanding awards, issued pursuant to awards or available for future
awards). The Board of Directors determines the exercise price, vesting and expiration period of the grants under the Amended and
Restated 2020 Plan. However, the exercise price of an incentive stock option may not be less than 110% of fair value of the common
stock at the date of the grant for a 10% or more shareholder and 100% of fair value for a grantee who is not a 10% shareholder.
The fair value of the common stock is determined based on quoted market price or in absence of such quoted market price, by the
Board of Directors in good faith. Additionally, the expiration period of grants under the Amended and Restated 2020 Plan may not
be more than ten years. As of June 30, 2022, 606,227 shares were available for future grants under the Amended and Restated 2020
Plan.
We measure the
fair value of stock options on the date of grant, based on the Black Scholes option pricing model using certain assumptions discussed
below, and the closing market price of our common stock on the date of the grant. For employees and directors, the fair value of
the award is measured on the grant date. Most stock options granted pursuant to the Plans typically vest 1/3rd 12 months from the
date of grant and 1/36th each month thereafter for 24 months and expire ten years from the date of grant. In addition, we issue
options to directors which vest over a one-year period. We also issue premium options to executive officers, which have an exercise
price greater than the grant date fair value, subject to a one year minimum service period prior to vesting. Stock-based compensation
expense related to awards is amortized over the applicable vesting period using the straight-line method.
33
The weighted average fair value of options granted during the three and
six months ended June 2022 was $3.78 per share and $5.25 per share, respectively. The weighted average fair value of options granted during
the three and six months ended June 2021 was $30.62 per share and $34.45 per share, respectively.
The risk-free interest
rate is based on the yield of Daily U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rates with terms equal to the expected term of the options as of
the grant date. The expected term of options is determined using the simplified method, as provided in an SEC Staff Accounting
Bulletin, and the expected stock price volatility is based on the Company’ historical stock price volatility.
Stock-based compensation
expense relating to options granted of $2.8 million, of which $2.0 million and $0.8 million, related to General and Administration
and Research and Development, respectively was recognized for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. Stock-based compensation expense
relating to options granted of $2.1 million, of which $1.5 million and $0.6 million, related to General and Administration and
Research and Development, respectively was recognized for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.
Stock-based compensation
expense relating to options granted of $5.4 million, of which $3.9 million and $1.5 million, related to General and Administration
and Research and Development, respectively was recognized for the six-month period ended June 30, 2022. Stock-based compensation
expense relating to options granted of $3.3 million, of which $2.3 million and $1.0 million, related to General and Administration
and Research and Development, respectively was recognized for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021.
As of June 30, 2022,
we have approximately $17.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards granted under the Plans,
which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of 2.09 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
On May 3, 2019, our
stockholders approved the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holdings Corp. 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2019 ESPP”).
As a result of adoption of the 2020 ESPP, as defined below, by our stockholders, no further grants may be made under the 2019 ESPP
Plan. On May 1, 2020, our stockholders approved the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holdings Corp. 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
“2020 ESPP”). As a result of the adoption of the 2022 ESPP, as defined below, by our stockholders, no further grants
may be made under the 2020 ESPP Plan. On May 6, 2022, our stockholders approved the Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holdings Corp. 2022 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (the “2022 ESPP”, and together with the 2019 ESPP and the 2020 ESPP, the “ESPP Plans”)).
The 2022 ESPP allows
eligible employees to purchase up to an aggregate of 93,750 shares of our common stock. Under the 2020 ESPP, on the first
day of each offering period, each eligible employee for that offering period has the option to enroll for that offering period,
which allows the eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock at the end of the offering period. Each offering period
under the 2020 ESPP is for six months, which can be modified from time-to-time. Subject to limitations, each participant will be
permitted to purchase a number of shares determined by dividing the employee’s accumulated payroll deductions for the offering
period by the applicable purchase price, which is equal to 85 percent of the fair market value of our common stock at
the beginning or end of each offering period, whichever is less. A participant must designate in his or her enrollment package
the percentage (if any) of compensation to be deducted during that offering period for the purchase of stock under the 2020 ESPP,
subject to the statutory limit under the Code. As of June 30, 2022, 1 share was available for future sales under the 2020 ESPP
and 93,750 shares were available for future sales under the 2022 ESPP.
The 2022 and 2020 ESPP are considered
compensatory plans with the related compensation cost expensed over the six-month offering period. For the six months ended June 30, 2022
and 2021, $0 and $47,000, respectively were expensed. In January 2021, 1,703 shares that were purchased as of December 31, 2020, under
the 2020 ESPP, were issued. Accordingly, during the first quarter of 2021, approximately $28,000 of employee payroll deductions accumulated
at December 31, 2020, related to acquiring such shares, was transferred from accrued expenses to additional paid in capital. The remaining
$4,000 was returned to the employees. In January 2022, 4,033 shares that were purchased as of December 31, 2021, under the 2020 ESPP,
were issued. Accordingly, during the first quarter of 2022, approximately $40,000 of employee payroll deductions accumulated at December
31, 2021, related to acquiring such shares, was transferred from accrued expenses to additional paid in capital. The remaining $30,000
was returned to the employees.
34
Commitments
Contractual agreements
We have entered into
contracts with various contract research organizations with outstanding commitments aggregating approximately $62.5 million at
June 30, 2022 for future work to be performed.
We have entered into
a construction contract with outstanding commitments aggregating approximately $8.4 million at June 30, 2022 for future work to
be performed.
Operating leases
As of June 30, 2022,
future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
2022
275
2023
409
2024
154
2025
159
2026 and beyond
11
Included interest
(23
)
$
985
35
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and
analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which
have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial
statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses. We
evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that
we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying
values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
We believe the
following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed
consolidated financial statements.
Research and Development.
We outsource our research and development efforts and expense the related costs as incurred, including the cost of manufacturing
product for testing, licensing fees and costs associated with planning and conducting clinical trials. The value ascribed to patents
and other intellectual property acquired was expensed as research and development costs, as it related to particular research and
development projects and had no alternative future uses.
We estimate our accrued
expenses. Our clinical trial accrual process is designed to account for expenses resulting from our obligations under contracts
with vendors, consultants and clinical research organizations and clinical site agreements in connection with conducting clinical
trials. The financial terms of these contracts are subject to negotiations, which vary from contract to contract and may result
in payment flows that do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided to us under such contracts. We account
for trial expenses according to the progress of the trial as measured by participant progression and the timing of various aspects
of the trial. We determine accrual estimates that take into account discussions with applicable personnel and outside service providers
as to the progress or state of completion of trials, or the services completed. During the course of a clinical trial, we adjust
our clinical expense recognition if actual results differ from our estimates. We make estimates of our accrued expenses as of each
balance sheet date based on the facts and circumstances known to us at that time. Our clinical trial accruals and prepaid assets
are dependent upon the timely and accurate reporting of contract research organizations and other third-party vendors.
Stock-Based Compensation.
All stock-based payments to employees and to nonemployee directors for their services as directors consisted of grants of restricted
stock and stock options, which are measured at fair value on the grant date and recognized in the condensed consolidated statements
of operations as compensation expense over the relevant vesting period. In addition, for awards that vest immediately and are nonforfeitable,
the measurement date is the date the award is issued.
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock. Preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption are classified as liability instruments and are
measured at fair value. The Company classifies conditionally redeemable preferred shares, which includes preferred shares that feature
redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not
solely within the Company’s control, as temporary equity (“mezzanine”) until such time as the conditions are removed
or lapse.
Other than contractual
obligations incurred in the normal course of business, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or liabilities,
guarantee contracts, retain or contingent interests in transferred assets or any obligation arising out of a material variable
interest in an unconsolidated entity.
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ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
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.