Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
ITEM 8 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 688 )
F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-7
59
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Xenetic Biosciences, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets of Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements
of comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and
the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We
are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are
required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the
standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged
to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding
of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal
control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess
the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond
to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below
are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to
the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our
especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion
on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions
on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
F- 1
Going Concern Assessment
Description of the Matter
As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements, management believes that the Company has sufficient funding available to it at the date of approval of these financial statements
and that it will be able to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from the date of these financial statements.
In making this assessment, management has considered the July 2021 private placement that resulted in approximately $11.5 million of net
proceeds, coupled with the Company’s existing resources.
We identified the Company’s assessment of
its ability to continue as a going concern and related disclosures as a critical audit matter. The Company prepared future cash flow forecasts
which involves judgement and estimation of key variables such as future expected revenue royalty proceeds and costs associated with progressing
XCART technology. Auditing the Company’s going concern assessment described above involves a high degree of auditor judgment to
assess the reasonableness of the cash flow forecasts and other assumptions used in the Company’s going concern analysis.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We evaluated the assumptions used in the model
to estimate the future cash flows for the next twelve months from the date of our opinion by comparing assumptions used by management
against historical performance, budgets, and the Company’s strategic plans. We also assessed the key assumptions including those
pertaining to revenue royalty proceeds and the timing of significant payments in the cash flow forecast by comparing them to historical
data and the underlying agreements. We performed sensitivity analyses on key assumptions such as future expected costs to determine their
impact on the projections of future cash flows. Further, we assessed the Company’s disclosures with respect to its going concern
assessment.
Revenue Recognition over Royalty Revenue
Description of the Matter
As described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial
statements, the Company’s sources of revenue include royalty proceeds from a royalty agreement with a third-party based on potential
net sales of approved commercial pharmaceutical products which is based on estimated variable consideration. The Company must use significant
judgment to determine when the reported sales are reliably measurable, the Company has no remaining performance obligations, and all other
revenue recognition criteria are met. The Company’s policy is to recognize expected royalties as revenue when they are reliably
measurable, which is upon receipt of reports from the third-party. The Company typically receives these reports in the quarter subsequent
to the actual sublicensee sales.
The principal consideration for our determination
that performing procedures relating to revenue recognition, specifically related to management’s estimate of the potential net sales
as expected variable consideration, is a critical audit matter that requires significant judgment by management in determining the best
estimate of the amount of expected variable consideration. This in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort
in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence related to management’s identification of expected variable consideration
within the royalty contract with the third-party and the judgments made by management used to estimate the best estimate of variable consideration.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures
and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures
included evaluating management’s best estimate of the potential net sales by the third-party to determine variable consideration.
These procedures also included, among others, (i) evaluating and testing the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management,
(ii) consideration of both historical or current trends, noting a relative lack of historical experience available in relation to expected
amounts and (iii) obtaining and vouching evidence including reports received from the third-party.
Marcum LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.
Boston, Massachusetts
March 22, 2022
F- 2
XENETIC BIOSCIENCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash
$ 18,244,030
$ 11,527,552
Prepaid expenses and other
479,399
841,958
Total current assets
18,723,429
12,369,510
Other assets
1,091,931
809,985
Total assets
$ 19,815,360
$ 13,179,495
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 362,470
$ 327,396
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
1,058,633
609,532
Total current liabilities
1,421,103
936,928
Other long-term liabilities
–
27,043
Total liabilities
1,421,103
963,971
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
–
–
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized
Series B, $ 0.001 par value: 1,804,394 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
1,804
1,804
Series A, $ 0.001 par value: 970,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
970
970
Common stock, $ 0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 13,466,603 and 8,772,198 shares issued as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; 13,439,612 and 8,745,207 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
13,465
8,771
Additional paid in capital
205,952,729
194,133,511
Accumulated deficit
( 182,547,265 )
( 176,902,086 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
253,734
253,734
Treasury stock
( 5,281,180 )
( 5,281,180 )
Total stockholders' equity
18,394,257
12,215,524
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$ 19,815,360
$ 13,179,495
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these consolidated financial statements.
F- 3
XENETIC BIOSCIENCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2021
2020
Revenue
Royalty revenue
$ 1,160,692
$ 436,942
Total revenue
1,160,692
436,942
Operating costs and expenses:
Research and development
( 3,163,485 )
( 1,731,406 )
General and administrative
( 3,743,972 )
( 3,400,071 )
Asset impairment charges (Note 6)
–
( 9,243,128 )
Total operating costs and expenses
( 6,907,457 )
( 14,374,605 )
Loss from operations
( 5,746,765 )
( 13,937,663 )
Other income (expense):
Other income (expense)
1,119
( 492 )
Interest income, net
100,467
126,171
Total other income, net
101,586
125,679
Loss before income taxes
( 5,645,179 )
( 13,811,984 )
Income tax benefit
–
2,918,518
Net loss
$ ( 5,645,179 )
$ ( 10,893,466 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share
$ ( 0.55 )
$ ( 1.70 )
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted
10,279,408
6,392,381
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these consolidated financial statements.
F- 4
XENETIC BIOSCIENCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred
Stock
Common
Stock
Accumulated
Number
of
Shares
Par
Value
($0.001)
Number
of
Shares
Par
Value
($0.001)
Additional
Paid
in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Treasury
Stock
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
Balance as of January
1, 2020
2,774,394
$ 2,774
6,092,432
$ 6,092
$ 188,240,451
$ ( 166,008,620 )
$ 253,734
$ ( 5,281,180 )
$ 17,213,251
Issuance of common stock in registered
direct offering, net of issuance costs
–
–
2,448,980
2,499
5,424,376
–
–
–
5,426,825
Exercise of purchase warrants
–
–
229,598
229
( 229 )
–
–
–
–
Issuance of common stock to vendor
–
–
1,188
1
( 1 )
–
–
–
–
Share-based expense
–
–
–
–
468,914
–
–
–
468,914
Net loss
–
–
–
–
–
( 10,893,466 )
–
–
( 10,893,466 )
Balance as of December 31, 2020
2,774,394
$ 2,774
8,772,198
$ 8,771
$ 194,133,511
$ ( 176,902,086 )
$ 253,734
$ ( 5,281,180 )
$ 12,215,524
Issuance of common stock and warrants, net of issuance costs
–
–
950,000
950
11,449,916
–
–
–
11,450,866
Exercise of pre-funded warrants
–
–
3,679,630
3,679
–
–
–
–
3,679
Exercise of purchase warrants
–
–
5,988
6
( 6 )
–
–
–
–
Share-based expense
–
–
–
–
410,437
–
–
–
410,437
Issuance of common stock to vendor
–
–
7,153
7
( 7 )
–
–
–
–
Issuance of common stock in connection with warrant buyout
–
–
51,634
52
( 41,122 )
–
–
–
( 41,070 )
Net loss
–
–
–
–
–
( 5,645,179 )
–
–
( 5,645,179 )
Balance as of December 31, 2021
2,774,394
$ 2,774
13,466,603
$ 13,465
$ 205,952,729
$ ( 182,547,265 )
$ 253,734
$ ( 5,281,180 )
$ 18,394,257
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these consolidated financial statements.
F- 5
XENETIC BIOSCIENCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2021
2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss
$ ( 5,645,179 )
$ ( 10,893,466 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Asset impairment charges
–
9,243,128
Deferred income taxes
–
( 2,918,518 )
Depreciation
–
757
Amortization of right of use asset
35,482
28,080
Gain on settlement with vendor
–
( 143,639 )
Share-based expense
410,437
468,914
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets
4,061
325,662
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
457,132
( 378,111 )
Net cash used in operating activities
( 4,738,067 )
( 4,267,193 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants
11,450,866
–
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
–
5,426,825
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
3,679
–
Net cash provided by financing activities
11,454,545
5,426,825
Net change in cash
6,716,478
1,159,632
Cash at beginning of period
11,527,552
10,367,920
Cash at end of period
$ 18,244,030
$ 11,527,552
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest
$ –
$ –
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for lease liability
$ –
$ 70,564
Issuance of common stock to vendor
$ 7
$ 1
Issuance of common stock in connection with warrant buyout
$ 41,070
$ –
Issuance of common stock from cashless exercise of purchase warrants
$ 6
$ 229
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these consolidated financial statements.
F- 6
XENETIC BIOSCIENCES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.
The Company
Background
Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. (“Xenetic”
or the “Company”), incorporated in the state of Nevada and based in Framingham, Massachusetts, is a biopharmaceutical company
focused on progressing XCART ™ , a personalized Chimeric Antigen Receptor (“CAR”) T platform technology engineered
to target patient- and tumor-specific neoantigens. The Company is initially advancing cell-based therapeutics targeting the unique B-cell
receptor on the surface of an individual patient’s malignant tumor cells, for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas. The XCART technology,
developed by the Scripps Research Institute (“Scripps Research”) in collaboration with the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute
of Bioorganic Chemistry, is believed to have the potential to significantly enhance the safety and efficacy of cell therapy for B-cell
lymphomas by generating patient- and tumor-specific CAR T cells.
Additionally, Xenetic is leveraging its proprietary
drug delivery platform, PolyXen ® , by partnering with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. PolyXen is an enabling
platform technology which can be applied to protein or peptide therapeutics. It employs the natural polymer polysialic acid (“PSA”)
to prolong a drug’s circulating half-life and potentially improve other pharmacological properties. Xenetic incorporates its patented
and proprietary technologies into drug candidates currently under development with biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry collaborators
to create what the Company believes will be the next-generation biologic drugs with improved pharmacological properties over existing
therapeutics.
The Company, directly or indirectly, through its
wholly-owned subsidiaries, Hesperix S.A. (“Hesperix”) and Xenetic Biosciences (U.K.) Limited (“Xenetic UK”), and
the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Xenetic UK, Lipoxen Technologies Limited (“Lipoxen”), Xenetic Bioscience, Incorporated and
SymbioTec, GmbH (“SymbioTec”), own various United States (“U.S.”) federal trademark registrations and applications
along with unregistered trademarks and service marks, including but not limited to XCART, OncoHist™, PolyXen, ErepoXen™, and
ImuXen™, which are used throughout this Annual Report. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies
with which they are associated.
Going Concern and Management’s Plan
Management evaluates whether there are conditions
or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern
within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The Company has incurred substantial losses since its inception
and expects to continue to incur operating losses in the near-term. These factors raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue
as a going concern. The Company believes that it has access to capital resources through possible public or private equity offerings,
debt financings, corporate collaborations, related party funding, or other means to continue as a going concern. On July 28, 2021, the
Company completed a $ 12.5 million private placement of the Company’s common stock, par value $ 0.001 , resulting in approximately
$ 11.5 million of net proceeds to the Company. The Company believes that this financing, coupled with the Company’s existing resources,
will be adequate to fund the Company’s operations into the second quarter of 2023. However, the Company anticipates it may need
additional capital in the long-term to pursue its business initiatives. The terms, timing and extent of any future financing will depend
upon several factors, including the achievement of progress in its clinical development programs, its ability to identify and enter into
licensing or other strategic arrangements, and factors related to financial, economic, geo-political, industry and market conditions,
many of which are beyond its control. The capital markets for the biotech industry can be highly volatile, which make the terms, timing
and extent of any future financing uncertain.
F- 7
2.
Impact of COVID-19
During March 2020, a global pandemic was declared
by the World Health Organization related to the outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus, or COVID-19. The pandemic has significantly
affected economic conditions in the U.S., accelerating during the first half of March 2020 and continuing throughout 2020 and 2021 and
into 2022, as federal, state and local governments reacted to the public health crisis with mitigation measures, creating significant
uncertainties in the U.S. economy. The Company continues to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business and while there
has been no significant impact to the Company’s operations to date, the Company at this time is uncertain of the impact this event
may have on the Company’s future operations. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic affects our business, operations and financial
results will depend on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict, and such uncertainty is expected to continue
for some time.
3.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company
include the accounts of Hesperix, Xenetic UK and Xenetic UK’s wholly-owned subsidiaries: Lipoxen, Xenetic Bioscience, Incorporated,
and SymbioTec. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified
to conform to the presentation for the current period.
Use of Estimates
The consolidated financial statements and accompanying
notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of the
financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenue, costs and expenses in the financial statements and disclosures in
the accompanying notes. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from management’s estimates, judgments and assumptions.
Functional Currency Change
The functional currency for the Company’s
foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s UK-based subsidiaries changed from the British
Pound Sterling to the U.S. dollar when the Company relocated to the U.S. in 2014. The change in functional currency was applied on a prospective
basis. Therefore, any gains and losses that were previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income remain unchanged.
Foreign Currency
Transactions
Realized and unrealized gains and losses resulting
from foreign currency transactions arising from exchange rate fluctuations on balances denominated in currencies other than the functional
currencies are recognized in “Other income (expense)” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. Monetary assets
and liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are re-measured to the functional currency using
the exchange rate at the balance sheet date and gains or losses are recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
F- 8
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)
Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer
a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company applies the following fair value
hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy
upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 utilizes
quoted market prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels
of price transparency. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability in which there is little, if any, market activity
for the asset or liability at the measurement date. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the carrying amount of certain of the Company’s
financial instruments approximates fair value due to their short maturities. See Note 8, Fair Value Measurements , for discussion
of the Company’s fair value measurements.
Cash
The Company considers all highly liquid investments
with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Investments with original maturities of greater than
90 days from the date of purchase but less than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as short-term investments, while investments
with maturities of one year or beyond from the balance sheet date are classified as long-term investments. Management determines the appropriate
classification of its cash equivalents and investment securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such determination as of each
balance sheet date. The Company maintains cash primarily with one major financial institution that management believes is of high credit
quality. The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Property and Equipment
The Company records property and equipment at
cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements which extend the life or usefulness of the asset
are capitalized. Items of an ordinary repair or maintenance nature are charged directly to operating expense as incurred. The Company
calculates depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets:
Schedule of Estimated Useful Life of Assets
Asset Classification
Estimated Useful Life
Office and computer equipment
3 years
Leasehold improvements
5 years or the remaining term of the lease, if shorter
Furniture and fixtures
5 years
The Company eliminates the cost of assets retired
or otherwise disposed of, along with the corresponding accumulated depreciation, from the related accounts, and the resulting gain or
loss is reflected in the results of operations.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets consisted
of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) related to the Company’s business combination with SymbioTec, which
was recorded at fair value on the acquisition date. At acquisition, we generally determine the fair value of intangible assets, including
IPR&D, using the “income method.” IPR&D intangible assets are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets and are
not amortized until completion or abandonment of the associated research and development efforts. Substantial additional research and
development may be required before the Company’s IPR&D reaches technological feasibility. Upon completion of the IPR&D project,
the IPR&D assets will be amortized over their estimated useful lives.
F- 9
IPR&D is not amortized but is reviewed for
impairment at least annually or when events or changes in the business environment indicate the carrying value may be impaired. T he
Company also has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances
leads the Company to determine that it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50%) that the acquired IPR&D is
impaired. If the Company chooses to first assess the qualitative factors and it is determined that it is not more likely than not acquired
IPR&D is impaired, the Company is not required to take further action to test for impairment. The Company also has the option to bypass
the qualitative assessment and perform only the quantitative impairment test, which the Company may choose to perform in some periods
but not in others.
The impairment loss, if any, is measured as the
excess of the carrying value of the intangible asset over its fair value. The Company historically had performed its annual impairment
review as of October 1. The Company determined that IPR&D was impaired during the year ended December 31, 2020. See Note 6 Indefinite-Lived
Intangible Assets and Other Long-Term Assets .
Intangible assets are highly vulnerable to impairment
charges, particularly newly acquired assets for IPR&D. Considering the high risk nature of research and development and the industry’s
success rate of bringing developmental compounds to market, IPR&D impairment charges are likely to occur in future periods. Estimating
the fair value of IPR&D for potential impairment is highly sensitive to changes in projections and assumptions and changes to assumptions
could potentially lead to impairment. The Company believes its estimates and assumptions are reasonable and otherwise consistent with
assumptions market participants would use in their estimates of fair value. However, if future results are not consistent with the Company’s
estimates and assumptions, then the Company may be exposed to an impairment charge, which could be material. Use of different estimates
and judgments could yield materially different results in the Company’s analysis and could result in materially different asset
values or expense.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets to be held
and used, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount
of the assets or asset group may not be fully recoverable. No such impairments were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021
and 2020.
Evaluation of recoverability
is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition.
Impairment, if any, is calculated as the amount by which an asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, typically using discounted
cash flows to determine fair value.
Revenue Recognition
The Company enters into supply, license and collaboration
arrangements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners, some of which include royalty agreements based on potential net sales of
approved commercial pharmaceutical products.
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with
ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). This standard applies to all contracts with customers,
except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards, such as leases, insurance, collaboration arrangements and financial
instruments. Under ASC 606, an entity recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount
that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition
for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the entity performs the following five steps: (i) identify
the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv)
allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue at a point in time, or over time,
as it satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that it will collect
the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the
contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract, determines
those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as
revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation
is satisfied.
F- 10
As part of the accounting for these arrangements,
the Company must use significant judgment to determine: a) the number of performance obligations based on the determination under step
(ii) above; b) the transaction price under step (iii) above; and c) the stand-alone selling price for each performance obligation identified
in the contract for the allocation of transaction price in step (iv) above. The Company uses judgment to determine whether milestones
or other variable consideration should be included in the transaction price as described further below. The transaction price is allocated
to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling price basis, for which the Company recognizes revenue as or when the
performance obligations under the contract are satisfied. In developing the stand-alone price for a performance obligation, the Company
considers applicable market conditions and relevant entity-specific factors, including factors that were contemplated in negotiating the
agreement with the customer and estimated costs. The Company validates the stand-alone selling price for performance obligations by evaluating
whether changes in the key assumptions used to determine the stand-alone selling prices will have a significant effect on the allocation
of transaction price between multiple performance obligations. The Company recognizes a contract asset or liability for the difference
between the Company’s performance (i.e., the goods or services transferred to the customer) and the customer’s performance
(i.e., the consideration paid by, and unconditionally due from, the customer).
The terms of the Company’s license agreements
may include delivery of an IP license to a collaboration partner. The Company may be compensated under license arrangements through a
combination of non-refundable upfront receipts, development and regulatory objective receipts and royalty receipts on future product sales
by partners. The Company anticipates recognizing non-refundable upfront license payments and development and regulatory milestone payments
received by the Company in license and collaboration arrangements that include future obligations, such as supply obligations, ratably
over the Company’s expected performance period under each respective arrangement. The Company makes its best estimate of the period
over which the Company expects to fulfill the Company’s performance obligations, which may include technology transfer assistance,
research activities, clinical development activities, and manufacturing activities from development through the commercialization of the
product. Given the uncertainties of these collaboration arrangements, significant judgment is required to determine the duration of the
performance period.
When the Company enters into an arrangement to
sublicense some of its patents, it will consider the performance obligations to determine if there is a single element or multiple elements
to the arrangement as it determines the proper method and timing of revenue recognition. The Company considers the terms of the license
or sublicense for such elements as price adjustments or refund clauses in addition to any performance obligations for it to provide such
as services, patent defense costs, technology support, marketing or sales assistance or any other elements to the arrangement that could
constitute an additional deliverable to it that could change the timing of the revenue recognition. Non-refundable upfront license and
sublicense fees received, whereby continued performance or future obligations are considered inconsequential or perfunctory to the relevant
licensed technology, are recognized as revenue upon delivery of the technology.
The Company expects to recognize royalty revenue
in the period of sale, based on the underlying contract terms, provided that the reported sales are reliably measurable, the Company has
no remaining performance obligations, and all other revenue recognition criteria are met. The Company anticipates reimbursements for research
and development services completed by the Company related to the collaboration agreements to be recognized in operations as revenue on
a gross basis. The Company’s license and collaboration agreements with certain collaboration partners could also provide for future
milestone receipts to the Company based solely upon the performance of the respective collaboration partner in consideration of deadline
extensions or upon the achievement of specified sales volumes of approved drugs. For such receipts, the Company expects to recognize the
receipts as revenue when earned under the applicable contract terms on a performance basis or ratably over the term of the agreement.
These receipts may also be recognized as revenue when continued performance or future obligations by the Company are considered inconsequential
or perfunctory.
See also Note 4, Significant Strategic Collaborations .
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist of expenses
incurred in performing research and development activities, including compensation and benefits, facilities expenses, overhead expenses,
pre-clinical development, clinical trial and related clinical manufacturing expenses, fees paid to contract research organizations (“CROs”)
and contract manufacturing organizations and other outside expenses. The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred.
The Company expenses upfront, non-refundable payments made for research and development services as obligations are incurred. The value
ascribed to intangible assets acquired but which have not met capitalization criteria is expensed as research and development at the time
of acquisition.
F- 11
The Company is required to estimate accrued research
and development expenses at each reporting period. This process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with
Company personnel to identify services that have been performed on its behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated
cost incurred for the service when the Company has not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual costs. The majority of the Company’s
service providers invoice in arrears for services performed, on a pre-determined schedule or when contractual milestones are met. However,
some require advanced payments. The Company makes estimates of accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in the financial statements
based on facts and circumstances known at that time. The Company periodically confirms the accuracy of the estimates with the service
providers and makes adjustments, if necessary. Examples of estimated accrued research and development expenses include fees paid to:
·
·
Collaborative partners performing research and development and pre-clinical
activities;
Program managers in connection with overall program management of clinical
trials;
·
CROs in connection with clinical trials; and
·
Investigative sites in connection with clinical trials.
The Company bases its expenses related to research
and development, pre-clinical activities and clinical trials on its estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to
quotes and contracts with multiple research institutions and CROs that conduct and manage clinical trials on the Company’s behalf.
The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows.
There may be instances in which payments made to vendors will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the
expense. In accruing service fees, the Company estimates the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort
to be expended in each period. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the estimate, the
Company adjusts the accrual or prepaid accordingly. Although it does not expect its estimates to be materially different from amounts
actually incurred, the Company’s understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and
timing of services performed may vary and may result in reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. To date,
there have not been any material adjustments to the Company’s prior estimates of accrued research and development expenses. As of
each of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has recorded accrued program expense of approximately $ 0.2 million and $ 0.1 million as
a component of accrued expenses as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In addition, the Company has recorded approximately $ 0.3
million and $ 0.2 million of prepayments as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively.
Share-based Expense
The Company grants share-based payments in the
form of options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to employees and non-employees, Joint Share Ownership Plan (“JSOP”)
awards to employees and agreements to issue common stock in exchange for services provided by non-employees.
Share-based expense is based on the estimated
fair value of the option or calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the appropriate fair value model and
related assumptions requires judgment, including estimating share price volatility and expected terms of the awards. The expected volatility
rates are estimated based on the historical volatility of the Company. To the extent Company data is not available for the full expected
term of the awards the Company uses a weighted-average of the historical volatility of the Company and of a peer group of comparable publicly
traded companies over the expected term of the option. The expected term represents the time that options are expected to be outstanding.
The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur and not at the time of grant. The Company has not paid dividends and does not anticipate
paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, accordingly, uses an expected dividend yield of zero. The risk-free interest rate
is based on the rate of U.S. Treasury securities with maturities consistent with the estimated expected term of the awards. Upon exercise,
stock options are redeemed for newly issued shares of common stock. RSUs are redeemed for newly issued shares of common stock as the vesting
and settlement provisions of the grant are met.
F- 12
For employee options that vest based solely on
service conditions, the fair value measurement date is generally on the date of grant and the related compensation expense is recognized
on a straight-line basis over the requisite vesting period of the awards. For non-employee options issued in exchange for goods or services
consumed in the Company’s operations, the fair value measurement date is the earlier of the date the performance of services is
complete or the date the performance commitment has been reached. The Company generally determines that the fair value of the stock options
is more reliably measurable than the fair value of the services received. Compensation expense related to stock options granted to non-employees
is recognized on a straight-line basis over requisite vesting periods of the awards.
Warrants
In connection with certain
financing, consulting and collaboration arrangements, the Company has issued warrants to purchase shares of its common stock. The outstanding
warrants are standalone instruments that are not puttable or mandatorily redeemable by the holder and are classified as equity awards.
The Company measures the fair value of the awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model as of the measurement date. Warrants issued
to collaboration partners in conjunction with the issuance of common stock are initially recorded at fair value as a reduction in additional
paid-in capital of the common stock issued. All other warrants are recorded at fair value as expense on a straight-line basis over the
requisite service period or at the date of issuance if there is not a service period or if service has already been rendered. Warrants
granted in connection with ongoing arrangements are more fully described in Note 10, Stockholders’ Equity .
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the
asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences resulting
from the different treatment of items for tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Additionally,
the Company must assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered as deductions from future taxable income. The Company
evaluates the recoverability of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis.
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share
The Company computes basic net loss per share
by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding
during the period. The Company computes diluted net loss per share after giving consideration to the dilutive effect of stock options
that are outstanding during the period, except where such non-participating securities would be anti-dilutive. The Company’s JSOP
awards, prior to exercise, are considered treasury shares by the Company and thus do not impact the Company’s net loss per share
calculation. As of each of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were approximately 27,000 JSOP awards issued.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020,
basic and diluted net loss per share are the same for each year due to the Company’s net loss position. Potentially dilutive, non-participating
securities have not been included in the calculations of diluted net loss per share, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. As of
December 31, 2021 and 2020, approximately 0.5 million and 0.4 million potentially dilutive securities, respectively, were deemed anti-dilutive.
Segment Information
Operating segments are identified as components
of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker,
who is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company
views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment.
F- 13
Leases
The Company leases administrative facilities under
operating leases. Lease agreements may include rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and tenant improvement allowances. The Company accounts
for leases in accordance with ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and
a right-of-use asset for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases, at the commencement date. See Note 13, Commitments and
Contingencies for further information.
Acquisitions
The Company has a history of engaging in acquisition
transactions that require the Company to evaluate whether the transaction meets the criteria of a business combination. If the transaction
does not meet the business combination requirements, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition or recapitalization and
no goodwill is recognized. If the acquisition meets the definition of a business combination, the Company allocates the purchase price,
including any contingent consideration, to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date
of the acquisition with any excess of the purchase price paid over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired recorded as goodwill.
The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or
discounted cash flow valuation methods.
When determining the fair value of tangible assets
acquired, the Company estimates the cost to replace the asset with a new asset, taking into consideration such factors as age, condition
and the economic useful life of the asset. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, the Company uses judgment to
estimate the applicable discount rate, growth rates and the timing and amount of future cash flows. The fair value of assets acquired
and liabilities assumed is typically determined using the assistance of an independent third-party specialist.
Business combination related costs are expensed
in the period in which the costs are incurred. Asset acquisition related costs are generally capitalized as a component of cost of the
assets acquired.
Recent Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial
Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments . The guidance modifies the measurement
and recognition of credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments. The amendment updates the guidance for measuring
and recording credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost by replacing the “incurred loss” model with an
“expected loss” model. This may result in earlier recognition of allowance for losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for smaller
reporting public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, but early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating
the impact of adoption, but we do not anticipate that it will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Issuers
Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options – Earnings per Share (Topic
260), Debt Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and
Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Topic 815-40) . The guidance clarifies, among other things, an issuer’s
accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity classified after modification
or exchange that are not within the scope of another Topic. The revised guidance requires an exchange of the original instrument for a
new instrument and recognizes the effect on the basis of the substance of the transaction in the same manner as if cash had been paid
as consideration. ASU 2021-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 but early adoption is permitted. The new
guidance was adopted on January 1, 2021, and it did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
F- 14
4.
Significant Strategic Collaborations
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. ( together
with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, “Takeda”)
The Company was a party to an exclusive research,
development and license agreement with Takeda related to the development of a novel series of polysialylated blood coagulation factors.
This collaboration with Takeda relied on the Company’s PolyXen technology to conjugate PSA with therapeutic blood-clotting factors,
with the goal of improving the pharmacokinetic profile and extending the active half-life of these biologic molecules. The agreement granted
Takeda a worldwide, exclusive, royalty-bearing license to the Company’s PSA patented and proprietary technology in combination with
Takeda’s proprietary molecules designed for the treatment of blood and bleeding disorders. There are no active projects under the
exclusive research, development and license agreement, and the parties mutually terminated the agreement in August 2021.
In October 2017, the Company granted to Takeda
the right to grant a non-exclusive sublicense to certain patents related to the Company’s PolyXen technology that were previously
exclusively licensed to Takeda in connection with products related to the treatment of blood and bleeding disorders. Royalty payments
of approximately $ 1.2 million and $ 0.4 million were recorded as revenue by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively, and are based on single digit royalties on net sales of certain covered products. The Company’s policy is to recognize
royalty payments as revenue when they are reliably measurable, which is upon receipt of reports from Takeda. The Company receives these
reports in the quarter subsequent to the actual sublicensee sales. At the time the revenue was received, there were no remaining performance
obligations and all other revenue recognition criteria were met. The termination of the exclusive research, development and license agreement
had no impact on the Company’s non-exclusive sublicense agreement and the royalties being generated.
Scripps Research
On May 15, 2020, the Company and Scripps Research
entered into a Research Funding and Option Agreement (the “Scripps Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to
provide Scripps Research an aggregate of up to $ 3.0 million to fund research relating to advancing the pre-clinical development of XCART.
The research funding is payable by the Company to Scripps Research on a quarterly basis in accordance with a negotiated budget, which
provides for an initial payment of approximately $ 300,000 on the date of the Scripps Agreement and subsequent quarterly payments of approximately
$ 300,000 over a 27-month period. Under the Scripps Agreement, Scripps Research has granted the Company a license within the Field (as
defined in the Scripps Agreement) to any Patent Rights or Technology (as defined in the Scripps Agreement) under the terms of that certain
license agreement with Scripps Research, dated February 25, 2019, assigned to the Company on March 1, 2019. Additionally, the Company
has the option to acquire a worldwide exclusive license to Scripps Research’s rights in the Technology or Patent Rights not already
licensed to the Company, as well as a non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferrable license to make and use Scripps Research Technology
(as defined in the Scripps Agreement) solely for the Company’s internal research purposes during the performance of the research
program contemplated by the Scripps Agreement. The Company has paid $ 2.1 million to Scripps Research under this agreement through December
31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, approximately $ 0.2 million has been recognized as an advance payment under this
agreement and is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets.
PJSC Pharmsynthez
In November 2009, the Company entered into a collaborative
research and development license agreement with Pharmsynthez (the “Pharmsynthez Arrangement”) pursuant to which the Company
granted an exclusive license to Pharmsynthez to develop, commercialize and market six product candidates based on the Company’s
PolyXen and ImuXen technology in certain territories. In exchange, Pharmsynthez granted an exclusive license to the Company to use any
preclinical and clinical data developed by Pharmsynthez, within the scope of the Pharmsynthez Arrangement, and to engage in further research,
development and commercialization of drug candidates outside of certain territories at the Company’s own expense.
F- 15
Pharmsynthez directly, and indirectly through
its wholly-owned subsidiary, SynBio, LLC (“SynBio”), had a share ownership in the Company of approximately 3.3 % and 5.1 % of
the total outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In addition to its common stock ownership, Pharmsynthez
owns approximately 1.5 million shares of our outstanding Series B Preferred Stock (as defined in Note 10, Stockholders’ Equity ),
and all of our issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Stock (as defined in Note 10, Stockholders’ Equity ) through SynBio.
During the third quarter of 2019, the Company
entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement with Pharmsynthez (the “SRA”) related to experiments identified by the Company
to support its efforts for initial tech transfer of the XCART methods to a future academic collaborator. Under the agreement, the Company
made a $ 350,000 payment to Pharmsynthez during the third quarter of 2019, which was refundable on a pro rata basis if the project is terminated
prematurely as a result of Pharmsynthez failing to perform the work. On June 12, 2020, the Company and Pharmsynthez entered into a Master
Services Agreement (“MSA”) to advance the development of the Company’s XCART technology for B-cell malignancies. The
MSA terminated and superseded the SRA. The Company expensed approximately $ 0.1 million and $ 0.2 million related to work performed under
these agreements during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. There were no amounts recorded on the consolidated balance
sheet as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2020, approximately $ 25,000 was recorded as an advanced payment and included in prepaid
expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
Under the MSA, Pharmsynthez agreed to provide
services pursuant to work orders agreed upon by the parties from time to time, which services include, but are not limited to, acting
as the Company’s primary contract research organization to assist in managing collaborations with multiple academic institutions
in Russia and Belarus. The Company is required to pay reasonable fees, expenses and pass-through costs incurred by Pharmsynthez in providing
the services in accordance with a budget and payment terms set forth in each work order. Additionally, in the event that a work order
provides for milestone payments, the Company is required to make such payments to Pharmsynthez, or third party service providers designated
by Pharmsynthez, in accordance with the terms set forth in the work order, which milestone payments may be made, at the sole discretion
of the Company, in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock.
The Company and Pharmsynthez executed a work order
on June 12, 2020 (the “Work Order”) under the MSA pursuant to which Pharmsynthez agreed to conduct a Stage 1 study of the
Company’s XCART technology under the research program as set forth in the Work Order. The activities to be performed under the Work
Order were expected to take approximately 20 months unless earlier terminated in accordance with the MSA. Under the terms of the Work
Order, the Company paid Pharmsynthez $ 51,000 as an initial payment for trial startup costs, which amount was credited against the amounts
paid under the SRA. The Work Order provided for additional pass-through costs to be invoiced by Pharmsynthez upon execution of contracts
with third party sites, which were to be further credited against the SRA. Through December 31, 2021, all costs incurred under the MSA
were credited against the amounts paid under the SRA. Additionally, the Work Order provided for milestone payments of up to an aggregate
of $ 1,050,000 , or, in the Company’s sole discretion, up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock,
to be paid or issued, as applicable, by the Company upon achievement of milestones associated with completion of early stages of the research
program as set forth in the Work Order. As of December 31, 2021, approximately $ 0.1 million of milestone payments had been made and no
further milestone payments are expected.
On October 12, 2021, the Company entered into
Amendment Number One to the MSA (the “MSA Amendment”) with Pharmsynthez to, among other things, terminate all work orders
under the MSA. As a result, no further services were to be performed under the Work Order and any additional services will be covered
by new work orders. In exchange, the Company entered into a new work order (the “Second Work Order”) simultaneously with the
MSA Amendment. Under the terms of the Second Work Order, Pharmsynthez shall provide certain enumerated services to support the Company’s
development of its XCART technology upon the written request of the Company, which work may be requested by the Company from time to time.
Pursuant to the MSA Amendment and Second Work
Order, upon entry into the Second Work Order, the Company made a one-time $ 40,000 payment to Pharmsynthez, of which $ 21,000 was a one-time
payment in full for all money and other compensation owed by the Company under the Work Order, and the remaining $ 19,000 will be creditable
against any out of pocket costs and expenses incurred by Pharmsynthez on behalf of the Company pursuant to any new work orders initiated
after the effective date of the MSA Amendment, including the Second Work Order.
F- 16
In August 2011, SynBio, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Pharmsynthez, and the Company entered into a stock subscription and collaborative development agreement (the “Co-Development
Agreement”). The Company granted an exclusive license to SynBio to develop, market and commercialize certain drug candidates utilizing
molecules based on SynBio’s technology and the Company’s proprietary technologies (PolyXen, OncoHist and ImuXen) in Russia
and CIS, collectively referred to herein as the SynBio Market. In return, SynBio granted an exclusive license to the Company to use the
preclinical and clinical data generated by SynBio in certain agreed products and to engage in the development of commercial candidates
in any territory outside of the SynBio Market.
SynBio and the Company are each responsible for
funding and conducting their own research and clinical development activities. There are no milestone or other research-related payments
provided for under the Co-Development Agreement other than fees for the supply of each company’s respective research supplies based
on their technology, which, when provided, are due to mutual convenience and not representative of an ongoing or recurring obligation
to supply research supplies. Serum Institute of India Limited (“Serum Institute”) has agreed to directly provide the research
supplies to SynBio, where the Company is not liable for any failure to supply the research supplies as a result of any act or fault of
Serum Institute. Upon successful commercialization of any resultant products, the Company is entitled to receive a 10% royalty on sales
in certain territories and pay royalties to SynBio for sales outside those certain territories, subject to the terms of the Co-Development
Agreement. Effective December 20, 2021, SynBio assigned the Co-Development Agreement to Pharmsynthez.
Through December 31, 2021, Pharmsynthez continued
to engage in research and development activities with no resultant commercial products. In December 2020, Pharmsynthez reported positive
data from its Phase 3 clinical study of Epolong, a treatment for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease leveraging the Company’s
PolyXen technology. In February 2021, Pharmsynthez reported in a press release that it had started the registration phase of Epolong by
filing a registration dossier to obtain approval in Russia. Pharmsynthez had reported in its press release that it expected that the Russian
stage of registration activities would be completed in 2021 and that it would be able to start production of the product as early as the
first quarter of 2022. Pharmsynthez has not informed the Company that the registration process has been completed or that production of
the product has commenced. The Company did not recognize revenue in connection with the Co-Development Agreement during the years ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020. 0
Serum Institute of India Limited
In August 2011, the Company entered into a collaborative
research and development agreement with Serum Institute providing Serum Institute an exclusive license to use the Company’s PolyXen
technology to research and develop one potential commercial product, Polysialylated Erythropoietin. Serum Institute is responsible for
conducting all preclinical and clinical trials required to achieve regulatory approvals within the certain predetermined territories at
Serum Institute’s own expense. Royalty payments are payable by Serum Institute to the Company for net sales to certain customers
in the Serum Institute sales territory. Royalty payments are payable by the Company to Serum Institute for net sales received by the Company
over the term of the license. There are no milestone or other research-related payments due under the collaborative arrangement.
Through December 31, 2021, no commercial products
were developed and no royalty revenue or expense was recognized by the Company related to the arrangement, Serum Institute had a share
ownership of less than 1% of the total outstanding common stock of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
5.
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
Schedule of Property and Equipment, Net
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Office and computer equipment
$ 35,505
$ 42,289
Furniture and fixtures
14,738
14,738
Property and equipment – at cost
50,243
57,027
Less accumulated depreciation
( 50,243 )
( 57,027 )
Property and equipment, net
$ –
$ –
There was no depreciation expense for the year
ended December 31, 2021. Depreciation expense was approximately $ 1,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
F- 17
6.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Other Long-Term Assets
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible
asset, OncoHist, is IPR&D relating to the Company’s business combination with SymbioTec in 2012. IPR&D is tested for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, although it is to be tested at least
annually until the project is completed or abandoned. The Company completed an impairment analysis of the IPR&D during 2020 and concluded
that the following factors indicated that the IPR&D was impaired: a decision by management to delay indefinitely any further development
of the IPR&D and to not support the underlying intellectual property; the failure to sell or license the IPR&D to a third party;
and the reduction in market capitalization. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded an asset impairment charge
of $ 9.2
million, which is presented within operating costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, representing
the excess of the IPR&D asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value. A reconciliation of the change in the carrying
value of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets is as follows:
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Balance as of January 1, 2020
$ 9,243,128
Impairment
( 9,243,128 )
Balance as of December 31, 2020
$ –
Other Long-Term Assets
In 2016, the Company
entered into an agreement with Serum Institute for the prepayment of clinical PSA supply in exchange for the
Company’s common stock . As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has classified $ 0.7 million of prepaid clinical supply
as long-term as it does not anticipate utilizing the majority of the PSA supply within the next 12 months. No clinical supply was utilized
during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
See also Note 14, Related
Party Transactions for a description of the Pharmsynthez Loan.
7.
Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
Schedule of Accrued Expenses
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Accrued payroll and benefits
$ 436,207
$ 126,615
Accrued professional fees
378,985
375,694
Accrued research costs
177,240
62,607
Other
39,158
9,134
Total accrued expenses
$ 1,031,590
$ 574,050
8.
Fair Value Measurements
ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement,
defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date. The Company applies the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used
to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available
and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 utilizes quoted market prices in markets that are
not active, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Level 3 inputs are
unobservable inputs for the asset or liability in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement
date. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments approximate fair
value due to their short maturities. There were no financial instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy during the
years ended December 30, 2021 and 2020.
F- 18
9.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined
based on temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items for tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to reverse. Additionally, the Company must assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered as
deductions from future taxable income. The Company has provided a full valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets
because the Company believes it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company evaluates the recoverability
of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis. There was no income tax provision (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 2021, as
the Company has incurred losses to date. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized a deferred tax benefit representing
the reversal of its deferred tax liability related to the impairment of its IPR&D.
The components of loss before income taxes are
as follows:
Components of loss before income taxes
Year ended December 31,
2021
2020
Domestic (U.S.)
$ ( 6,349,632 )
$ ( 4,368,330 )
Foreign (U.K.)
862,248
( 61,867 )
Foreign (Germany)
( 128,869 )
( 9,357,256 )
Foreign (Switzerland)
( 28,926 )
( 24,531 )
Loss before income taxes
$ ( 5,645,179 )
$ ( 13,811,984 )
The reconciliation of
income tax benefit at the U.S. corporation tax rate, being the rate applicable to the country of domicile of the Company to net income
tax benefit, is as follows:
Reconciliation of income tax provision (benefit)
Year ended December 31,
2021
2020
Federal
$ ( 1,185,488 )
$ ( 2,900,517 )
State
( 376,463 )
( 230,238 )
Change in valuation allowance
1,839,716
3,089,617
Permanent differences, net
110,821
1,399
Foreign rate differential
( 27,240 )
( 985,231 )
Share-based payments, net
14,827
22,267
Enhanced research and development tax credits
( 101,416 )
( 56,564 )
Rate change
–
( 2,015,683 )
Other items
( 274,757 )
156,432
Net benefit for income taxes
$ –
$ ( 2,918,518 )
F- 19
Deferred tax assets
and liabilities reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial
reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets are
as follows:
Schedule of deferred tax assets and liabilities
Year ended December 31,
2021
2020
Deferred tax assets:
U.K. net operating loss carryforwards
$ 11,361,647
$ 10,733,568
U.K. capital loss carryforwards
1,545,934
1,550,659
U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards
5,709,292
4,671,789
Switzerland net operating loss carryforwards
21,758
72,614
IPR&D
6,537,654
7,020,109
Share-based payments
2,052,590
1,961,112
Enhanced research and development tax credits
1,519,074
1,375,136
Germany net operating loss carryforwards
628,574
636,378
U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards
1,730,756
1,408,866
Other
268,309
214,010
Lease liability
7,388
17,082
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
31,382,975
29,661,323
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
( 31,375,587 )
( 29,644,241 )
Net deferred tax assets
7,388
17,082
Deferred tax liabilities:
Right of use asset – leases
( 7,388 )
( 17,082 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
( 7,388 )
( 17,082 )
Net deferred liability
$ –
$ –
For the years ended December
31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had U.K. net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $ 59.8 million and $ 56.5 million, respectively,
U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $ 27.2 million and $ 22.2 million, respectively, U.S. state net operating
loss carryforwards of approximately $ 27.4 million and $ 22.3 million, respectively, Germany net operating loss carryforwards of approximately
$ 2 .0 million and $ 2 .0 million, respectively, and Switzerland net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $ 0.3 million and $ 0.9 million,
respectively. The U.K. and Germany net operating loss carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely. $13.8 million of the U.S. federal
net operating loss carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely, and the remaining U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards
begin to expire in 2032 . The Switzerland net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2026 .
The Company’s ability
to use its operating loss carryforwards and tax credits generated in the U.S. to offset future taxable income is subject to restrictions
under Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). These restrictions may limit the future use of the
operating loss carryforwards and tax credits if certain ownership changes described in the Code occur. Future changes in stock ownership
may occur that would create further limitations on the Company’s use of the operating loss carryforwards and tax credits. In such
a situation, the Company may be required to pay income taxes, even though significant operating loss carryforwards and tax credits exist.
The Company’s ability
to use its operating loss carryforwards and tax credits generated in the U.K. are subject to restrictions under U.K. tax legislation.
These regulations may limit the future use of operating loss carryforwards (i) if there is a change in ownership and a change in the nature
or conduct of the business carried on by the Company, and (ii) in certain circumstances where there is a change in the nature or conduct
of the business only. In such cases the carryforwards would cease to be available to set against future income.
F- 20
The Company’s ability
to use its operating loss carryforwards and tax credits generated in Germany and Switzerland are also subject to restrictions under German
and Swiss tax legislation. These regulations may limit the future use of operating loss carryforwards if there is a change in ownership.
In such cases the carryforwards would cease to be available to set against future income.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company
did no t record any uncertain tax positions.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S.
federal tax jurisdiction, Massachusetts state tax jurisdiction, and certain foreign tax jurisdictions. The Company is subject to examination
by the U.S. federal, state, foreign, and local income tax authorities for calendar tax years through 2021 due to available net operating
loss carryforwards and research and development tax credits arising in those years. The Company has not been notified of any examinations
by the Internal Revenue Service or any other tax authorities as of December 31, 2021. The Company has no t recorded any interest or penalties
for unrecognized tax benefits since its inception.
Potential 382 Limitation
The Company’s net operating loss and tax
credit carryforwards are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company’s ability to utilize
its net operating loss (“NOL”) and research and development credit (“R&D”) carryforwards may be substantially
limited due to ownership changes that may have occurred or that could occur in the future, as required by Section 382 of the Code, as
well as similar state provisions. These ownership changes may limit the amount of NOL and R&D credit carryforwards that can be utilized
annually to offset future taxable income and tax, respectively. In general, an ownership change, as defined in Section 382 of the Code,
results from a transaction or series of transactions over a three-year period resulting in an ownership change of more than 50% of the
outstanding stock of a company by certain stockholders or public groups.
The Company has not completed a study to assess
whether one or more ownership changes have occurred since it became a loss corporation as defined in Section 382 of the Code, but the
Company believes that it is likely that an ownership change has occurred. If the Company has experienced an ownership change, utilization
of the NOL and R&D credit carryforwards would be subject to an annual limitation, which is determined by first multiplying the value
of the Company’s common stock at the time of the ownership change by the applicable long-term, tax-exempt rate, and then could be
subject to additional adjustments, as required. Any such limitation may result in the expiration of a portion of the NOL or R&D credit
carryforwards before utilization. Until a study is completed, and any limitation known, no amounts are being considered as an uncertain
tax position or disclosed as an unrecognized tax benefit. Any carryforwards that expire prior to utilization as a result of such limitations
will be removed from deferred tax assets with a corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance. Due to the existence of the valuation
allowance, it is not expected that any potential limitation will have a material impact on the Company’s operating results.
From time to time the Company may be assessed
interest or penalties by major tax jurisdictions, namely the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no
material unrecognized tax benefits and no adjustments to liabilities or operations were required. No interest and penalties have been
recognized by the Company to date.
10.
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock
Each share of the Company’s
common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. Common stockholders
are entitled to dividends when and if declared by the Board of Directors. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding-up of the Company, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets of the Company available for distribution.
F- 21
At the Market (“ATM”) Offering
On November 19, 2021, the Company entered into
an ATM Offering Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, as the exclusive sales agent (“Wainwright”),
pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through Wainwright, shares of its common stock, par value $ 0.001 per
share. The offer and sale of the shares will be made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-260201) and
the related prospectus, filed with the SEC on October 12, 2021 and declared effective on October 22, 2021, and is currently limited to
a number of shares of up to $4,000,000 of common stock pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3.
Pursuant to the ATM Agreement, Wainwright may
sell the shares in sales deemed to be “at-the-market” equity offerings as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities
Act, including sales made directly on or through the Nasdaq Capital Market. If agreed to in a separate terms agreement, the Company may
sell shares to Wainwright as principal, at a purchase price agreed upon by Wainwright and the Company. Wainwright may also sell shares
in privately negotiated transactions with the Company’s prior approval. Sales of the shares through Wainwright, if any, will be
made in amounts and at times to be determined by the Company from time to time, but the Company has no obligation to sell any of the shares
and either the Company or Wainwright may at any time suspend offers under the agreement or terminate the agreement. Actual sales will
depend on a variety of factors to be determined by the Company from time to time, including (among others) market conditions, the trading
price of the Company’s common stock and determinations by the Company of the appropriate sources of funding for the Company. The
offer and sale of the shares pursuant to the ATM Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (a) the issuance and sale of all of the
shares subject to the ATM Agreement or (b) the termination of the ATM Agreement by Wainwright or the Company pursuant to the terms thereof.
No shares were sold under the ATM Agreement during
the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company incurred $ 0.1 million of costs associated with the ATM which have been recorded within prepaid
expenses and other current assets on the December 31, 2021 consolidated balance sheet.
Private Placement
On July 26, 2021, the Company entered into a
securities purchase agreement in connection with a private placement pursuant to which the Company
issued and sold in a private placement priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules, (i) 950,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock, par value $ 0.001 per share (ii) warrants to purchase an aggregate of 4,629,630 shares of the Company’s common stock,
with an exercise price of $ 3.30 per share (the “Series A Warrants”) which expire three and one half years from the
earlier of (a) the six month anniversary of the initial exercise date and (b) the date that the registration statement registering
all of the warrant shares underlying the Series A Warrants is declared effective, and (iii) pre-funded warrants to
purchase up to 3,679,630 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $ 0.001 per share (the “Series
B Warrants”) with no expiration (the “Private Placement”), at a purchase price of $2.70 per one share and one
Series A Warrant and $2.699 per one Series B Warrant and one Series A Warrant. The Private Placement closed on July 28, 2021
resulting in gross proceeds from the Private Placement of approximately $ 12.5 million, before deducting placement agent fees and
offering expenses, and excluding the exercise of any such warrants. Net proceeds from the Private Placement were $ 11.5
million.
On July 26, 2021, in connection with the Private
Placement, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which the Company filed a registration statement on Form
S-3 to register for resale the shares, as well as the shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of the Series
A Warrants and the Series B Warrants, which was declared effective on August 23, 2021.
The Series
B Warrants were immediately exercisable at a price of $0.001 per share of common stock. The holders of the Series B Warrants did not have
the right to exercise any portion of the Series B Warrants if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess
of 4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage
ownership was determined in accordance with the terms of the Series B Warrants. The holder, upon notice to the Company, could increase
or decrease the beneficial ownership limitation provisions, provided that the beneficial ownership limitation in no event exceeds 9.99%
of the number of shares of the common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon
exercise of a warrant held by the holder. Any increase in the beneficial ownership limitation would not be effective until the 61st day
after notice is delivered to the Company. The Series B Warrants had an intrinsic value of approximately $ 9.3 million. During
the year ended December 31, 2021, all of the Series B Warrants to purchase 3,679,630 shares
of common stock were exercised resulting in $ 3,679 of net proceeds to the Company. As a result, no Series B Warrants were outstanding
as of December 31, 2021.
F- 22
The Series
A Warrants are immediately exercisable at a price of $3.30 per share of common stock. The holders of the Series A Warrants will not have
the right to exercise any portion of the Series A Warrants if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess
of 4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage
ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Series A Warrants. The holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or
decrease the beneficial ownership limitation provisions, provided that the beneficial ownership limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of
the number of shares of the common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise
of a warrant held by the holder. Any increase in the beneficial ownership limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after notice
is delivered to the Company. The Company evaluated the terms of the warrants issued and determined
that they should be classified as equity instruments. The grant date fair value of these warrants was estimated to be $ 1.98 per share,
for a total of approximately $ 9.2 million. The fair value of these warrants was estimated using a Black-Scholes model utilizing the following
key valuation assumptions: the Company’s stock price, a risk free rate of 0.49 %, an expected life of 3.6 years and an expected volatility
of 138.76 %. No Series A Warrants were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Registered Direct Offering
On December 10, 2020, the Company entered
into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional and accredited investors named therein, pursuant to which the
Company agreed to issue and sell, in a registered direct offering, 2,448,980
shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share, at an offering price of $ 2.45 per share. The net proceeds to
the Company from the 2020 offering were approximately $ 5.4 million, after deducting expenses of $ 0.6 million, including the
placement agent’s fees and related offering expenses. The shares were offered by the Company pursuant to a prospectus
supplement to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-227572), which was
initially filed with the SEC on September 27, 2018, and was declared effective on October 12, 2018. The 2020 offering closed on
December 14, 2020.
Authorized Share
Increase
On December 4, 2020,
shareholders of the Company voted to approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized
shares of common stock to 50,000,000 shares (the “Authorized Share Increase”). The Company filed a Certificate of Amendment
to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of the State of Nevada to effect the Authorized Share Increase as
of December 4, 2020.
Series A Preferred Stock
The Company has designated
1,000,000 shares as Series A preferred stock with each share having a par value of $0.001 and stated value of $ 4.80 (the “Series
A Preferred Stock”). The following is a summary of the material terms of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Liquidation . Upon
any dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to
receive distributions out of the Company’s assets, of an amount equal to the stated value per share of Series A Preferred Stock
(as adjusted for stock splits, combinations, reorganizations and the like) plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon before any distributions
shall be made on the common stock or any series of preferred stock ranked junior to the Series A Preferred Stock.
Dividends . Holders
of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive a non-cumulative cash dividend at an annual rate of 5 % of the stated value per
share of Series A Preferred Stock, when and if declared by the Company’s Board, out of the Company’s assets legally available
therefor. No dividends or other distribution will be made on the common stock or any series of preferred stock ranked junior to the Series
A Preferred Stock unless the dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock has been paid current and a reserve has been made for the next calendar
year. The Company’s ability to pay dividends on Series A Preferred Stock is subject to restrictions in the Company’s Series
B Preferred Stock, which ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Stock in right of payment.
Conversion . Series
A Preferred Stock is convertible, at any time and from time to time at the option of the holder thereof, with a minimum of 61 days’
advance notice to the Company, at a rate of twelve shares of Series A Preferred Stock to one share of common stock basis.
F- 23
Redemption . Upon 30 days’ prior written notice, the Company may require the holder of any Series A Preferred Stock to convert any or all of
such holder’s Series A Preferred Stock to common stock at a rate of twelve shares of Series A Preferred Stock to one share of common
stock basis.
The Series A Preferred
Stock has additional terms covering stock dividends and splits, voting rights, fractional shares and fundamental transactions. As
of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were approximately 1.0 million shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding which are
convertible into 80,834 shares of common stock. There were no Series A Preferred Stock conversions during the years ended December 31,
2021 and 2020.
Series B Preferred Stock
The Company has designated
2,500,000 shares as Series B preferred stock with each share having a stated value of $ 4.00 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”).
The following is a summary of the material terms of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock.
Liquidation . Upon
any dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to
receive distributions out of the Company’s assets of an amount equal to the stated value per share of Series B Preferred Stock (as
adjusted for stock splits, combinations, reorganizations and the like) plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon and any other fees
or liquidated damages then due and owing thereon under the amended and restated certificate of designation before any distributions shall
be made on the common stock or any series of preferred stock ranked junior to the Series B Preferred Stock, which includes Series A Preferred
Stock. A fundamental transaction or change of control under the amended and restated certificate of designation shall constitute a liquidation
for purposes of this right. Xenetic will give each holder of Series B Preferred Stock written notice of any liquidation at least 30 days
before any meeting of stockholders to approve such liquidation or at least 45 days before the date of such liquidation if no meeting is
to be held.
Dividends . Subject
to any preferential rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock created by the Company’s Board from time to time, the holders
of shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to such cash dividends, non-cumulative, as may be declared
from time to time by the Company’s Board on shares of the Company’s common stock (on an as-converted basis) from funds available
therefore. The Company shall not directly or indirectly pay or declare any dividend or make any distribution upon, nor shall any distribution
be made in respect of, any junior securities, including Series A Preferred Stock, as long as any dividends due on the Series B Preferred
Stock remain unpaid, nor shall any monies be set aside for or applied to the purchase or redemption of any junior securities or shares
pari passu with the Series B Preferred Stock.
Conversion .
Series B Preferred Stock is convertible, at any time and from time to time at the option of the holder thereof, at a rate of one preferred
share to approximately 0.33 common share basis, subject to an issuable maximum and the adjustments described below. There were no Series
B Preferred Stock conversions during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Subsequent Equity
Sales . The Series B Preferred Stock has ratchet price based anti-dilution protection, subject to customary
carve outs, in the event of a down-round financing at a price per share below the stated value of the Series B Preferred Stock. There
is no bifurcation of the embedded conversion option being clearly and closely related to the host instrument.
The Series B Preferred
Stock has additional terms covering stock dividends and splits, voting rights, fractional shares and fundamental transactions. As
of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were approximately 1.8 million shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding which are
convertible into approximately 0.6 million shares of common stock in each year, respectively, which represents the issuable maximum that
can be issued upon the conversion of the currently outstanding Series B Preferred Stock.
F- 24
Warrants Related
to Collaboration and Consulting Agreements
In connection with certain
of the Company’s collaboration agreements and consulting arrangements, the Company had issued warrants to purchase shares of common
stock as payment for services. No collaboration warrants were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2020, collaboration
warrants to purchase 30,307 shares of common stock were outstanding, respectively. The fair value of these warrants was determined at
each issuance date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The warrants were subject to re-measurement at each reporting period
until the measurement date was reached. Expense was recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected service period or at the date
of issuance if there is not a service period. The Company did not recognize warrant expense related to collaboration agreements during
the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, collaboration warrants to purchase 30,307
shares and 2,015 shares expired, respectively. No collaboration or consulting service warrants were granted or exercised during the years
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Warrants Related to Financing Arrangements
In addition to the Series A Warrants issued in
connection with the July 2021 Private Placement discussed above, warrants to purchase approximately 31,000 and 0.4 million shares of the
Company’s common stock related to financing arrangements were outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as described
below.
Publicly traded warrants to purchase approximately
23,000 and 29,000 shares of common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These warrants have an exercise
price of $ 13.00 per share and expire on July 17, 2024 . The warrants trade on NASDAQ under the symbol “XBIOW.” The warrants
also provide that if the weighted-average price of common stock on any trading day on or after 30 days after issuance is lower than the
then-applicable exercise price per share, each warrant may be exercised, at the option of the holder, on a cashless basis for one share
of common stock. Warrants to purchase approximately 6,000 shares and 0.2 million shares of common stock were exercised on a cashless,
one-for-one basis during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. None of these warrants were forfeited during the years
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Warrants to purchase approximately 8,000 shares
of the Company’s common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. These warrants have an exercise price of $ 2.91
per share and expire on July 3, 2026 . None of these warrants were exercised or forfeited during the years ended December 31, 2021 and
2020.
Warrants to purchase approximately 129,000 shares
of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $ 27.00 per share were outstanding as of December 31, 2020. These warrants
were exercisable beginning on September 8, 2019 and expire on September 8, 2026 . On November 15, 2021, the Company entered into a letter
agreement with the holders of these warrants to exchange such warrants for an aggregate of approximately 52,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock. The Company recorded a gain of approximately $ 41,000 as a result of this exchange as the fair value of the warrants immediately
before the exchange was more than the fair value of the shares issued in the exchange. As a result, all of these warrants were cancelled
and none were outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
In addition to the financing warrants discussed
above, the Company had additional outstanding debt and equity financing warrants to purchase an aggregate of approximately 0.2 million
shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020. All of these debt and equity financing warrants expired unexercised during the year ended
December 31, 2021. As a result, none of these debt and equity warrants were outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
11.
Share-Based Expense
Total share-based expense related to stock options,
RSUs and common stock awards was approximately $ 0.4
million and $ 0.5
million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Share-based expense is classified in the consolidated statements
of comprehensive loss as follows:
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Research and development expenses
$ 68,208
$ 49,190
General and administrative expenses
342,229
419,724
$ 410,437
$ 468,914
F- 25
Stock Options
The Company grants stock option awards and RSUs
to employees and non-employees with varying vesting terms under the Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan
(“Stock Plan”). The Company measures the fair value of stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which
uses the assumptions noted in the tables below, including the risk-free interest rate, expected term, share price volatility, dividend
yield and forfeiture rate. The risk-free interest rate is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant, with
a term that approximates the expected life of the option. For stock options issued in 2021 and 2020 that qualify as “plain vanilla”
stock options, the expected term is based on the simplified method. The Company has a limited history of stock option exercises, which
does not provide a reasonable basis for the Company to estimate the expected term of employee and non-employee stock options. For all
other stock options, the Company estimates the expected life using judgment based on the anticipated research and development milestones
of the Company’s clinical projects and behavior of the Company’s employees and non-employees. The expected life of non-employee
options is the contractual life of the option. The expected volatility rates are estimated based on the actual volatility of the Company.
To the extent Company data is not available for the full expected term of the awards the Company uses a price volatility based on a blended
rate of the Company’s historical volatility with that of comparable publicly traded companies with drug candidates in similar therapeutic
areas and stages of nonclinical and clinical development to the Company’s drug candidates. The Company has applied an expected dividend
yield of 0% as the Company has not historically declared a dividend and does not anticipate declaring a dividend during the expected life
of the options. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
Employee Stock Options
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020,
325,000 and 125,000 total stock options to purchase shares of common stock were granted by the Company, respectively. The weighted average
grant date fair value per option was $ 1.93 and $ 0.95 , respectively. No stock options were exercised and none expired during the years
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020,
258,315 and 271,515 total stock options vested, respectively, with total fair values of approximately $ 0.3 million and $ 0.8 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2021, there was approximately $ 0.8 million of unrecognized share-based payments related to employee stock options that
are expected to vest. The Company expects to recognize this expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years.
Key assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option
pricing model for options granted to employees during the years ending December 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:
Assumptions used
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Weighted-average expected dividend yield (%)
–
–
Weighted-average expected volatility (%)
132.64
127.87
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate (%)
1.16
0.49
Weighted-average expected life of option (years)
5.73
5.50
Weighted-average exercise price ($)
2.15
1.10
F- 26
The following is a summary of employee stock option activity for the
years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Schedule of option activity
Number of
shares
Weighted-
average
exercise
price
Weighted-
average
remaining
life
(years)
Aggregate
intrinsic
value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020
662,059
$ 10.88
9.34
$ 66,125
Granted
125,000
1.10
Expired
( 23,337 )
52.55
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
763,722
8.01
8.68
$ 498,625
Granted
325,000
2.15
Expired
–
–
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021
1,088,722
$ 6.26
8.22
$ 23,750
Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2021
1,088,722
$ 6.26
8.22
$ 23,750
Exercisable as of December 31, 2020
372,042
$ 15.12
8.09
$ 186,449
Exercisable as of December 31, 2021
630,357
$ 9.42
7.63
$ 23,750
A summary of the status
of the Company’s non-vested employee stock option shares as of December 31, 2021, and the changes during the year ended December
31, 2021, is as follows:
Non-vested option activity
Number of
shares
Weighted-
average
grant date
fair value
Balance as of January 1, 2021
391,680
$ 1.15
Granted
325,000
$ 1.93
Forfeited
–
$ –
Vested
( 258,315 )
$ 1.11
Balance as of December 31, 2021
458,365
$ 1.73
Restricted Stock
Units
There are 4,167 RSUs
outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The RSUs vested annually over a 3 -year period and had a grant date fair value
of $ 25.37 per share. No RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2021 as all RSUs were fully vested. During the year ended December
31, 2020, 1,389 RSUs vested. No RSUs were granted or expired during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Non-Employee Stock
Options
Share-based expense related to stock options granted
to non-employees is recognized as the services are rendered on a straight-line basis. The Company determined that the fair value of the
stock options is more reliably measurable than the fair value of the services received. No stock options to purchase shares of common
stock were granted by the Company to non-employees during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. No non-employee stock options were
exercised during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
F- 27
No non-employee stock options vested during the
year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2020, 15,500 total stock options vested, with total fair values of approximately
$ 15,000 . The Company did not recognize any compensation expense related to non-employee options during the year ended December 31, 2021.
For the year ended December 31, 2020 the Company recognized approximately $ 400 of compensation expense related to non-employee options.
The following is a summary of non-employee stock
option activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
Schedule of option activity
Number of
shares
Weighted-
average
exercise
price
Weighted-
average
remaining
life
(years)
Aggregate
intrinsic
value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020
20,560
$ 17.09
4.74
$ –
Granted
–
–
Expired
( 242 )
225.72
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
20,318
14.61
3.79
$ 14,880
Granted
–
–
Expired
( 243 )
225.72
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021
20,075
$ 12.06
2.83
$ 3,255
Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2021
20,075
$ 12.06
2.83
$ 3,255
Exercisable as of December 31, 2020
20,318
$ 14.61
3.79
$ 14,880
Exercisable as of December 31, 2021
20,075
$ 12.06
2.83
$ 3,255
All of the Company’s
non-employee stock option shares as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were vested.
Common Stock Awards
The Company granted common stock awards to non-employees
in exchange for services provided. The Company measures the fair value of these awards using the fair value of the services provided
or the fair value of the awards granted, whichever is more reliably measurable. The fair value measurement date of these awards is generally
the date the performance of services is complete. The fair value of the awards is recognized as services are rendered on a straight-line
basis. A summary of the Company’s common stock awards granted and issued during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are
as follows:
Common stock awards granted and issued
Number of shares
Balance as of January 1, 2020
8,594
Granted
–
Issued
( 1,188 )
Balance as of December 31, 2020
7,406
Granted
–
Issued
( 7,153 )
Balance as of December 31, 2021
253
No common stock awards were granted during the
years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The balance of the common stock awards has not been issued as of December 31, 2021.
F- 28
Joint Share Ownership Plan
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were approximately
27,000 JSOP awards issued and outstanding to two former senior executives. Under the JSOP, shares in the Company are jointly purchased
at fair market value by the participating executives and the trustees of the JSOP trust, with such shares held in the JSOP trust. For
U.S. GAAP purposes the awards were valued as employee options and recorded as a reduction in equity as treasury shares until they are
exercised by the employee. The JSOP awards are fully vested and have no expiration date. There were no compensation charges during the
years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
12.
Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has a defined
contribution 401(k) savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”). The 401(k) Plan covers substantially all U.S. employees, and allows
participants to defer a portion of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis or make post-tax contributions. Company contributions
to the 401(k) Plan may be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company
made contributions of approximately $ 28,000 and $ 27,000 to the 401(k) Plan, respectively.
13.
Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company determines whether an
arrangement is a lease at inception. On October
1, 2020 , the Company entered into a 2 two-year lease for its corporate headquarters in Framingham, Massachusetts. This lease
called for total future minimum rent payments of approximately $ 78,000 at inception and has a termination date of September 30,
2022 . The Company does not have options to extend, termination options or material residual value guarantees. The Company recorded a
right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and corresponding lease liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company recognized a
ROU asset and a lease liability of approximately $ 71,000 during the year ended December 31, 2020. As the sublease does not provide
an implicit rate, we used our incremental borrowing rate ( 10.2 %) based on the information available at the lease’s
commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash
activity related to our operating leases are as follows:
Cash flow information regarding leases
Year Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Operating cash flow information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
$ 35,482
$ 28,080
Non-cash activity:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
$ –
$ 70,564
Supplemental balance sheet information related
to our operating leases is as follows:
Supplemental information related to operating leases
Balance Sheet Classification
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Right-of-use assets - ST
Prepaid expenses and other
$ 27,043
$ 35,482
Right-of-use assets - LT
Other assets
$ –
$ 27,043
Current lease liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
$ 27,043
$ 35,482
Non-current lease liabilities
Other liabilities
$ –
$ 27,043
F- 29
The Company did not apply the provisions of ASU
2016-02 to the lease of its office space lease in Miami, Florida. Effective November 1, 2021 , the Company renewed its Miami office lease
for twelve-months to November 2022. As this lease has a term of 12 -months at inception, the Company will account for it as an operating
lease. As of December 31, 2021, total minimum lease payments on this lease was approximately $ 23,000 .
14.
Related Party Transactions
The Company has entered into various research,
development, license and supply agreements with Serum Institute and Pharmsynthez, each a related party whose relationship, ownership,
and nature of transactions is disclosed within other sections of these footnotes. Please refer to Note 4, Significant Strategic Collaborations,
and Note 6, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Other Long-Term Assets , for details on arrangements with collaboration partners
that are also related parties.
During the fourth quarter
of 2019, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Pharmsynthez (the “Pharmsynthez Loan”), pursuant to which the Company
advanced Pharmsynthez an aggregate principal amount of up to $ 500,000 to be used for the development of a specific product under the Company’s
Co-Development Agreement with Pharmsynthez. The Pharmsynthez Loan had a term of 15-months and accrued interest at a rate of 10 % per annum.
The Pharmsynthez Loan is guaranteed by all of the operating subsidiaries of Pharmsynthez, including SynBio and AS Kevelt, and is secured
by all of the common and preferred stock of the Company owned by Pharmsynthez and SynBio, as more fully described in Note 4 Significant
Strategic Collaborations . The Company recognized approximately $ 48,000 and $ 51,000 of interest income related to this loan during
the twelve-months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Effective January 23, 2021, the Company entered
into a First Amendment to Loan Agreement and Other Loan Documents with Pharmsynthez, Kevelt and SynBio (the “Pharmsynthez Loan Extension”)
to modify the repayment terms and maturity of the Pharmsynthez Loan to January 2022. The terms of the Pharmsynthez Loan Extension called
for two (2) equal monthly principal payments of $ 25,000 in each of January 23, 2021 and February 28, 2021 and the payment of all outstanding
accrued interest in six (6) equal monthly installments from January 31, 2021 through June 30, 2021. In addition, the Pharmsynthez Loan
Extension required monthly interest payments and the repayment of the remaining principal amount in six (6) equal monthly installments
from August 2021 through January 2022.
Effective August 31, 2021, the Company
entered into a Second Amendment to Loan Agreement and Other Loan Documents with Pharmsynthez, Kevelt and SynBio (the “Second
Pharmsynthez Loan Extension”) to modify the repayment terms and maturity of the Pharmsynthez Loan to July 2022. The terms of
the Second Pharmsynthez Loan Extension called for an upfront fee of $12,500 and two (2) equal monthly principal payments of $25,000
on September 30, 2021 and October 31, 2021. In addition, the Second Pharmsynthez Loan Extension requires monthly interest payments
and the repayment of the remaining principal amount in six (6) equal monthly installments from February 2022 through July 2022. All
other terms of the Pharmsynthez Loan, as amended, remain in effect. All required payments under the Second Pharmsynthez Loan
Extension have been made through January 31, 2022. In February 2022, the Company received a request from Pharmsynthez to further
extend the principal repayments until September 2022. The Company agreed to extend the maturity date, although
final terms of such extension are under negotiation. All other terms of the Pharmsynthez Loan, as amended, are expected to remain
in effect including the continued payment of interest on a monthly basis. As a result of this request and the current economic uncertainty due to the
conflict between Russia and Ukraine and associated sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries in response, the Company has
classified the loan receivable as long-term as of December 31, 2021. The Company assessed the collectability of the loan and
determined that the collateral held by the Company, consisting of all of the common and preferred stock of the Company owned by
Pharmsynthez and SynBio, was adequate to support the outstanding principal balance. As of December 31, 2021, approximately $0.4
million was included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2020, approximately $0.5 million was
classified within prepaid expenses and other assets and approximately $0.1 million was classified within other assets on the
consolidated balance sheet.
15.
Subsequent Events
The Company performed a review of events subsequent
to the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued and determined that, other than the further extension
of the Pharmsynthez Loan discussed in Note 14 Related Party Transactions , there were no such events requiring recognition or disclosure
in the financial statements.
F- 30
ITEM 9 – CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.