UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark one)
For the quarterly period ended
OR
For the transition period from _________ to _________
Commission File Number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
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(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ NO ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ NO ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer | ☐ |
| Accelerated Filer | ☐ |
☒ |
| Smaller Reporting Company | ||
Emerging growth company |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class of Common Stock |
| Outstanding Shares as of November 7, 2022 |
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value |
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Common Stock, $0.0001 par value |
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CHECKPOINT THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2022
Table of Contents
SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to risks of which you should be aware before making an investment decision. The risks described below are a summary of the principal risks associated with an investment in us and are not the only risks we face. You should carefully consider these risk factors, the risk factors described in Item 1A, and the other reports and documents that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Risks Related to our Finances and Capital Requirements
● | We have incurred significant losses since our inception and anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future. We have not generated any sales revenue from our development stage products, and we do not know when, or if, we will generate any revenue from sales of an approved product. |
● | Our short operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects. |
● | There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may hinder our ability to obtain future financing. |
● | Our success is contingent upon raising additional capital for our development programs and commercialization efforts, which may fail. Even if successful, our future capital raising activities may dilute our current stockholders, restrict our operations, or require us to relinquish proprietary rights. |
● | Our limited resources may cause us to fail to capitalize on programs or product candidates presenting commercial opportunity or high likelihood of success. |
Risks Pertaining to our Business Strategy, Structure and Organization
● | Our future growth and success depend on our ability to successfully develop and commercialize our product candidates, which we have yet to do. |
● | Our future growth depends on our acquiring or in-licensing products or product candidates and integrating such products into our business. |
Risks Inherent in Drug Development and Commercialization
● | Because results of preclinical studies and early clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future results, any product candidate we advance may not have favorable results in later clinical trials. Moreover, interim, “top-line,” and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish may change, or the perceived product profile may be impacted, as more patient data or additional endpoints are analyzed. |
● | We may not receive the required regulatory approvals for any of our product candidates on our projected timelines, if at all, which may result in increased costs and delay our ability to generate revenue. |
● | If a product candidate demonstrates lack of efficacy or adverse side effects, we may need to abandon or limit the development of such product candidate. |
● | We may not obtain the desired labeling claims or intended uses for product promotion, or favorable scheduling classifications, to successfully promote our products. |
● | Even if a product candidate is approved, it may be subject to various post-marketing requirements, including studies or clinical trials, and increased regulatory scrutiny. |
● | Our competitors have developed or may develop treatments for our products’ target indications, which could limit our product candidates’ commercial opportunity and profitability. |
● | If our products are not broadly accepted by the healthcare community, the revenues from any such product will likely be limited. |
● | Any successful products liability claim related to any of our current or future product candidates may cause us to incur substantial liability and limit the commercialization of such products. |
Risks Related to Reliance on Third Parties
● | We rely, and will rely in the future, on third-party contract research organizations and contract manufacturers for the conduct of our preclinical and clinical studies and trials, for the completion of commercial and pre-commercial manufacturing and, eventually, for commercialization. If such third parties fail to perform contractual obligations, meet deadlines, comply with applicable regulations, or if our relationships with such third parties are disrupted, our product candidates may be delayed, and our revenue potential may be limited. |
● | We rely on clinical data and results obtained by third parties, which may prove inaccurate or unreliable. |
Risks Relating to Legislation and Regulation Affecting the Biopharmaceutical and Other Industries
● | We operate in a heavily regulated industry, and we cannot predict the impact that any future legislation or administrative or executive action may have on our operations. |
● | We may be subject to anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, false claims, transparency, health information privacy and security and other healthcare laws and regulations, which could expose us to criminal sanctions, civil penalties, contractual damages, reputational harm, administrative burdens and diminished profits and future earnings. |
Risks Pertaining to Intellectual Property and Potential Disputes with Licensors Thereof
● | If we are unable to maintain sufficient patent protection for our technology and products, our competitors could develop and commercialize products similar or identical to ours, impairing our ability to successfully commercialize potential products. |
● | We or our licensors may be subject to costly and time-consuming litigation for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights or to enforce our or our licensors’ patents. |
● | Any dispute with our licensors may affect our ability to develop or commercialize our product candidates. |
Risks Relating to Our Platform and Data
● | Our business and operations would suffer in the event of computer system failures, cyber-attacks, or deficiencies in our or third parties’ cybersecurity. |
Risks Relating to Our Control by Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”)
● | Fortress controls a voting majority of our common stock and has the right to receive significant share grants annually, which will result in dilution of our other stockholders and could reduce the value of our common stock. |
● | We have entered into certain agreements with Fortress and may have received better terms from unaffiliated third parties. |
Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest
● | The Chairman of our Board of Directors is also the Executive Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of TG Therapeutics, Inc. (“TGTX”). We have entered a collaboration agreement and a sublicense agreement with TGTX, and as a result, certain conflicts of interest may arise. |
● | We share certain directors with Fortress, which could create conflicts of interest between us and Fortress. |
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| September 30, 2022 |
| December 31, 2021 | |||
ASSETS |
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Current Assets: |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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Other receivables - related party |
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Total current assets |
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Total Assets | $ | | $ | | ||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
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Current Liabilities: |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | | $ | | ||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses - related party |
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Total current liabilities |
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Total Liabilities |
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Commitments and Contingencies (note 5) |
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Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity |
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Common Stock ($ |
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Class A common shares, |
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Common shares, |
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Common stock issuable, |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Accumulated deficit |
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Total Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity |
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Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
3
Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
For the three months ended September 30, | For the nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
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Revenue - related party | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
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Operating expenses: |
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Total operating expenses |
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Loss from operations |
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Other income |
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Interest income |
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Total other income |
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Net Loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||
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Loss per Share: |
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Basic and diluted net loss per common share outstanding | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
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Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
4
Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Common | Additional | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Shares | Common Shares | Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||
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| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Issuable |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Equity | ||||||
Balances at June 30, 2022 |
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| $ | — |
| $ | | $ | ( |
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Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs - At-the-market offering |
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Issuance of common shares - Founders Agreement |
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Stock-based compensation expense |
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Net loss |
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Balances at September 30, 2022 |
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| $ | | $ | ( |
| $ | ( |
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Common | Additional | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Class A Common Shares | Common Shares | Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Issuable |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Equity | |||||||
Balances at December 31, 2021 | |
| $ | | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||||
Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs - At-the-market offering | — |
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Issuance of common shares - Founders Agreement | — | — | | — | ( | | — | | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | — |
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Net settlement of shares withheld for payment of employee taxes | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||
Net loss | — |
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Balances at September 30, 2022 | |
| $ | | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( |
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Common | Additional | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Class A Common Shares | Common Shares | Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
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| Issuable |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Equity | |||||||
Balances at June 30, 2021 |
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Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs - At-the-market offering |
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Issuance of common shares – Founders Agreement |
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Stock-based compensation expense |
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Net loss |
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Balances at September 30, 2021 |
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For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Common | Additional | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Class A Common Shares | Common Shares | Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Issuable |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Equity | |||||||
Balances at December 31, 2020 | |
| $ | | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||||
Issuance of common shares, net of offering costs - At-the-market offering | — | — | | | — | | — | | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares - Founders Agreement | — |
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Stock-based compensation expense | — | — | | — | — | | — | | ||||||||||||||
Net loss | |
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Balances at September 30, 2021 | |
| $ | | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
5
Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the nine months ended September 30, | ||||||
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
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Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
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Stock-based compensation expense |
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Issuance of common shares - Founders Agreement |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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Other receivables - related party |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses - related party | | | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
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Proceeds from issuance of common stock - At-the-market offering | | | ||||
Offering costs for the issuance of common stock - At-the-market offering | ( | ( | ||||
Net settlement of shares withheld for payment of employee taxes | ( | — | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
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Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | | $ | | ||
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities: |
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Issuance of common shares - Founders Agreement | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
6
Note 1 - Organization and Description of Business Operations
Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Checkpoint”) was incorporated in Delaware on November 10, 2014. Checkpoint is a clinical-stage immunotherapy and targeted oncology company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients with solid tumor cancers. The Company may acquire rights to these technologies by licensing the rights or otherwise acquiring an ownership interest in the technologies, funding their research and development and eventually either out-licensing or bringing the technologies to market. The Company may also enter into collaboration agreements with third and related parties including sponsored research agreements to develop these technologies for liquid tumors while retaining the rights in solid tumors.
The Company is a majority-controlled subsidiary of Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”).
The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market and trades under the symbol “CKPT.”
Reverse Stock Split
On November 3, 2022, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the Company executed a written consent approving a grant of discretionary authority to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) to, without further stockholder approval, (i) effect a 1:
Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, a Schedule 14C information statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and sent or provided to the stockholders of the Company. The Reverse Stock Split will become effective no earlier than twenty (
) days from the mailing of the information statement to the common stockholders of record, and the Authorized Share Reduction will become effective once the Amendment is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern
The Company has incurred substantial operating losses since its inception and expects to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company sold a total of
The Company expects to continue to use the proceeds from previous financing transactions primarily for general corporate purposes, which may include financing the Company’s growth, developing new or existing product candidates, and funding capital expenditures, acquisitions, and investments.
7
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $
The Company does not expect any material impact on its long-term development timeline and its liquidity due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”).
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the balances and results for the periods presented. They may not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Therefore, these condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2021, which were included in the Company’s Form 10-K, and filed with the SEC on March 28, 2022. The results of operations for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year or any other interim period.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Other Receivables - Related Party
Other receivables consist of amounts due to the Company from TG Therapeutics, Inc. (“TGTX”), a related party, and are recorded at the invoiced amount.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received rather than when the payment is made. Upfront and milestone payments due to third parties that perform research and development services on the Company’s behalf will be expensed as services are rendered or when the milestone is achieved.
8
Research and development costs primarily consist of personnel related expenses, including salaries, benefits, travel, and other related expenses, stock-based compensation, payments made to third parties for license and milestone costs related to in-licensed products and technology, payments made to third party contract research organizations for preclinical and clinical studies, investigative sites for clinical trials, consultants, the cost of acquiring and manufacturing clinical trial materials, costs associated with regulatory filings, laboratory costs and other supplies.
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 730-10-25-1, Research and Development, costs incurred in obtaining technology licenses are charged to research and development expense if the technology licensed has not reached commercial feasibility and has no alternative future use. Such licenses purchased by the Company require substantial completion of research and development, regulatory and marketing approval efforts in order to reach commercial feasibility and have no alternative future use.
Annual Equity Fee
Under the Founders Agreement with Checkpoint dated March 17, 2015, and amended and restated in July 2016 and October 2017 (the “Founders Agreement”), Fortress is entitled to an annual equity fee on January 1 of each year equal to
The Company records the Annual Equity Fee in connection with the Founders Agreement with Fortress as contingent consideration. Contingent consideration is recorded when probable and reasonably estimable. Due to the nature of the Company’s assets and stage of development, future share prices and shares outstanding cannot be estimated prior to the issuance of the Annual Equity Fee. Due to these uncertainties, the Company has concluded that it is unable to reasonably estimate the contingent consideration until shares are actually issued on January 1 of each year.
Pursuant to the Founders Agreement, the Company issued
Stock-Based Compensation Expenses
The Company expenses stock-based compensation over the requisite service period based on the estimated grant-date fair value of the awards and forfeiture rates. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
The Company estimates the fair value of stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent management’s best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. All stock-based compensation costs are recorded in general and administrative or research and development costs in the Condensed Statements of Operations based upon the underlying individual’s role at the Company.
Fair Value Measurement
The Company follows the accounting guidance in ASC 820 for its fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Under this accounting guidance, fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability.
9
The accounting guidance requires fair value measurements be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1: | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
Level 2: | Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, for similar assets or liabilities that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. |
Level 3: | Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity and that are financial instruments whose values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation. |
The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Certain of the Company’s financial instruments are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are recorded at amounts that approximate their fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature, such as accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The Company recognizes revenue under ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The core principle of the standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
● | Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer. |
● | Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract. |
● | Step 3: Determine the transaction price. |
● | Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract. |
● | Step 5: Recognize revenue when the company satisfies a performance obligation. |
In order to identify the performance obligations in a contract with a customer, a company must assess the promised goods or services in the contract and identify each promised good or service that is distinct. A performance obligation meets ASC 606’s definition of a “distinct” good or service (or bundle of goods or services) if both of the following criteria are met:
● | the customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (i.e., the good or service is capable of being distinct); and |
● | the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract (i.e., the promise to transfer the good or service is distinct within the context of the contract). |
If a good or service is not distinct, the good or service is combined with other promised goods or services until a bundle of goods or services is identified that is distinct.
10
The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer, excluding amounts collected on behalf of third parties (for example, some sales taxes). The consideration promised in a contract with a customer may include fixed amounts, variable amounts, or both. When determining the transaction price, an entity must consider the effects of all of the following:
● | variable consideration; |
● | constraining estimates of variable consideration; |
● | the existence of a significant financing component in the contract; |
● | noncash consideration; and |
● | consideration payable to a customer. |
Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.
The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The transaction price allocated to each performance obligation is recognized when that performance obligation is satisfied, at a point in time or over time as appropriate.
Revenue for a sales-based or usage-based royalty promised in exchange for a license of intellectual property is recognized only when (or as) the later of the following events occurs:
a. | the subsequent sale or usage occurs; and |
b. | the performance obligation to which some or all of the sales-based or usage-based royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). |
Incremental contract costs are expensed when incurred when the amortization period of the asset that would have been recognized is one year or less; otherwise, incremental contract costs are recognized as an asset and amortized over time as services are provided to a customer.
Income Taxes
The Company records income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax effects attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company establishes a valuation allowance if management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be recovered based on an evaluation of objective verifiable evidence. For tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, the Company recognizes the largest amount with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. The Company does not recognize any portion of the benefit for tax positions that are not more likely than not to be sustained upon audit. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company determined, based upon available evidence, that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset will not be realized and, accordingly, has provided a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax asset.
11
Net Loss per Share
Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share does not reflect the effect of shares of common stock to be issued upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. The following table summarizes potentially dilutive securities outstanding at September 30, 2022 and 2021 that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share, as they would be anti-dilutive:
September 30, | ||||
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Warrants (Note 6) |
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Stock options (Note 6) |
| | | |
Unvested restricted stock (Note 6) | | | ||
Unvested restricted stock units (Note 6) |
| | — | |
Total |
| | |
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act, among other things, includes tax provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferment of employer’s social security payments, net operating loss utilization and carryback periods and modifications to the net interest deduction limitations. The CARES Act did not have a material impact on the Company’s income tax provision. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of the CARES Act on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
On December 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“Consolidated Appropriations Act”) into law. The Consolidated Appropriations Act is intended to enhance and expand certain provisions of the CARES Act, allows for the deductions of expenses related to the Payroll Protection Program funds received by companies, and provides an update to meals and entertainment expensing for 2021. The Consolidated Appropriations Act did not have a material impact to the Company’s income tax provision for 2021 and the Company does not believe it will have a material impact on its income tax provision for 2022. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of the Consolidated Appropriations Act on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Significant Accounting Policies
There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies to those previously disclosed in the 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022, there were no new accounting pronouncements or updates to recently issued accounting pronouncements as disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 that affect the Company’s present or future results of operations, overall financial condition, liquidity or disclosures.
Note 3 – License Agreements
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
In March 2015, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (“Dana Farber”) to develop a portfolio of fully human immuno-oncology targeted antibodies. Under the terms of the license agreement, the Company paid Dana-Farber an up-front licensing fee of $
12
million for each licensed product upon the Company’s successful achievement of certain clinical development, regulatory and first commercial sale milestones. In addition, Dana-Farber is eligible to receive up to an aggregate of $
In December 2021, the Company expensed a non-refundable milestone payment of $
In connection with the license agreement with Dana-Farber, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with TGTX, which was amended and restated in June 2019, to develop and commercialize the anti-PD-L1 and anti-GITR antibody research programs in the field of hematological malignancies, while the Company retains the right to develop and commercialize these antibodies in solid tumors. Michael Weiss, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Checkpoint and Fortress’ Executive Vice Chairman, Strategic Development, is also the Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and a stockholder of TGTX. Under the terms of the original collaboration agreement, TGTX paid the Company $
Adimab, LLC
In October 2015, Fortress entered into a collaboration agreement with Adimab, LLC (“Adimab”) to discover and optimize antibodies using their proprietary core technology platform. Under this agreement, Adimab optimized cosibelimab (formerly referred to as CK-301), the Company’s anti-PD-L1 antibody which it originally licensed from Dana-Farber. In January 2019, Fortress transferred the rights to the optimized antibody to the Company, and Checkpoint entered into a collaboration agreement directly with Adimab on the same day. Under the terms of the agreement, Adimab is eligible to receive payments up to an aggregate of approximately $
In December 2021 the Company expensed non-refundable milestone payments of $
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NeuPharma, Inc.
In March 2015, Fortress entered into an exclusive license agreement with NeuPharma, Inc. (“NeuPharma”) to develop and commercialize novel irreversible, 3rd generation EGFR inhibitors, including olafertinib (formerly CK-101), on a worldwide basis other than certain Asian countries. On the same date, Fortress assigned all of its right and interest in the EGFR inhibitors to the Company. Under the terms of the license agreement, the Company paid NeuPharma an up-front licensing fee of $
Jubilant Biosys Limited
In May 2016, the Company entered into a license agreement with Jubilant Biosys Limited (“Jubilant”), whereby the Company obtained an exclusive, worldwide license to Jubilant’s family of patents covering compounds that inhibit BET proteins such as BRD4, including CK-103. Under the terms of the license agreement, the Company paid Jubilant an up-front licensing fee of $
In connection with the license agreement with Jubilant, the Company entered into a sublicense agreement with TGTX, a related party, to develop and commercialize the compounds licensed in the field of hematological malignancies, while the Company retains the right to develop and commercialize these compounds in the field of solid tumors. Under the terms of the sublicense agreement, TGTX paid the Company $
The collaborations with TGTX each contain single material performance obligations under Topic 606, which is the granting of a license that is functional intellectual property. The Company’s performance obligation was satisfied at the point in time when TGTX had the ability to use and benefit from the right to use the intellectual property. The performance obligations of the original agreements were satisfied prior to the adoption of Topic 606. The performance obligation of the amendment to the collaboration agreement was satisfied in June 2019.
The milestone payments are based on successful achievement of clinical development, regulatory, and sales milestones. Because these payments are contingent on the occurrence of a future event, they represent variable consideration and are constrained and included in the transaction price only when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The sales-based royalty payments are recognized as revenue when the subsequent sales occur. The Company also receives variable consideration for certain research and development, out-of-pocket material costs, and patent maintenance related activities. These amounts are dependent upon the Company’s actual expenditures under the collaborations and are constrained and included in the transaction price only when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur.
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As this revenue relates to an already satisfied performance obligation, it is recognized approximately when the amounts become due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company did not receive any milestone or royalty payments.
Note 4 – Related Party Agreements
Founders Agreement and Management Services Agreement with Fortress
Effective March 17, 2015, the Company entered into a Founders Agreement with Fortress, which was amended in July 2016 and October 2017. The Founders Agreement provides, that in exchange for the time and capital expended in the formation of Checkpoint and the identification of specific assets the acquisition of which resulted in the formation of a viable emerging growth life science company, the Company assumed $
Effective March 17, 2015, the Company entered into a Management Services Agreement (the “MSA”) with Fortress. Pursuant to the terms of the MSA, for a period of five (
Caribe BioAdvisors, LLC
In December 2016, the Company entered into an advisory agreement effective January 1, 2017 with Caribe BioAdvisors, LLC (“Caribe”), owned by Michael Weiss, to provide the advisory services of Mr. Weiss as Chairman of the Board. Pursuant to the agreement, Caribe will be paid an annual cash fee of $
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Note 5 – Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company is not a party to any leases for office space or equipment.
License Agreements
The Company has undertaken to make contingent milestone payments to the licensors of its portfolio of product candidates. In addition, the Company would pay royalties to such licensors based on a percentage of net sales of each product candidate following regulatory marketing approval (See Note 3).
Litigation
The Company recognizes a liability for a contingency when it is probable that liability has been incurred and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. When a range of probable loss can be estimated, the Company accrues the most likely amount of such loss, and if such amount is not determinable, then the Company accrues the minimum of the range of probable loss. As of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, there was
Note 6 – Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock
At the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 9, 2021, its stockholders approved an amendment to its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock available to issue by
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were
In November 2020, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “S-3”), which was declared effective in December 2020. Under the S-3, the Company may sell up to a total of $
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company sold a total of
Pursuant to the Founders Agreement, the Company issued to Fortress
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Pursuant to the Founders Agreement, the Company issued
As of September 30, 2022, approximately $
Equity Incentive Plan
The Company has in effect the Amended and Restated 2015 Incentive Plan (“2015 Incentive Plan”). The 2015 Incentive Plan was adopted in March 2015 by our stockholders. Under the 2015 Incentive Plan, the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors is authorized to grant stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees and consultants. An amendment to the 2015 Incentive Plan was approved by stockholders in June 2020 to increase the shares available for issuance to
As of September 30, 2022,
Restricted Stock
Certain employees, directors and consultants have been awarded restricted stock. The restricted stock vesting consists of milestone and time-based vesting. The following table summarizes restricted stock award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2022:
Weighted Average | |||||
Number of | Grant Date Fair | ||||
| Shares |
| Value | ||
Non-vested at December 31, 2021 | | $ | | ||
Granted | | | |||
Forfeited | ( | | |||
Vested | ( | | |||
Non-vested at September 30, 2022 | | $ | |
As of September 30, 2022, there was $
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes restricted stock units activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2022:
|
| Weighted Average | |||
Number of | Grant Date Fair | ||||
Shares | Value | ||||
Non-vested at December 31, 2021 |
| — | $ | — | |
Granted |
| |
| | |
Non-vested at September 30, 2022 |
| | $ | |
As of September 30, 2022, all restricted stock units outstanding are performance-based and vest upon achievement of certain corporate milestones. The expense for milestone awards will be measured and recorded if and when it is probable that the milestone will be achieved. Because the achievement of these corporate milestones was not probable as of September 30, 2022,
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Stock Options
The following table summarizes stock option award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2022:
Weighted Average | |||||||
Remaining | |||||||
Weighted Average | Contractual Life | ||||||
| Stock Options |
| Exercise Price |
| (in years) | ||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 | | $ | | ||||
Granted | | | |||||
Forfeited | ( | | |||||
Outstanding as of September 30, 2022 | | $ | | ||||
Vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2022 | | $ | |
Upon the exercise of stock options, the Company will issue new shares of its common stock.
The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model for determining the estimated fair value of stock-based compensation related to stock options. The table below summarizes the assumptions used:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| ||||
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| |
Risk-free interest rate |
| | % | % | |
Expected dividend yield |
| — | — | ||
Expected term in years |
| ||||
Expected volatility |
| | % | % |
Warrants
A summary of warrant activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 is presented below:
Weighted Average | |||||||
Remaining | |||||||
Weighted Average | Contractual Life | ||||||
| Warrants |
| Exercise Price |
| (in years) | ||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 | | $ | | ||||
Exercised | | | |||||
Outstanding as of September 30, 2022 | | $ | |
Upon the exercise of warrants, the Company will issue new shares of its common stock.
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Stock-Based Compensation
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 ($ in thousands):
For the three months ended September 30, | For the nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2022 |
| 2021 | ||||
Research and development | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
General and administrative |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
Note 7 - Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following ($ in thousands):
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
|
| 2022 |
| 2021 | ||
Accounts payable | $ | | $ | | ||
Accrued compensation | |
| | |||
Research and development |
| |
| | ||
Other |
| |
| | ||
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | | $ | |
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Item 2. Financial Information.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in the following discussion and throughout this report that are not historical in nature are “forward-looking statements.” You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “intend,” “believe,” and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Although we believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurances that our expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described in this report because of numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, without limitation, those described under Item 1A “Risk Factors.” We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect actual outcomes.
Overview
We are a clinical-stage immunotherapy and targeted oncology company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients with solid tumor cancers. We are evaluating our lead antibody product candidate, cosibelimab, an anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (“PD-L1”) antibody licensed from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (“Dana-Farber”), in an ongoing global, open-label, multicohort Phase 1 clinical trial in checkpoint therapy-naïve patients with selected recurrent or metastatic cancers, including ongoing cohorts in locally advanced and metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (“CSCC”) intended to support one or more applications for marketing approval. In addition, we are evaluating our lead small-molecule, targeted anti-cancer agent, olafertinib (formerly CK-101), a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (“EGFR”) inhibitor, as a potential new treatment for patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”).
In June 2022, we announced interim results from a registration-enabling cohort of our multi-regional, Phase 1 clinical trial of cosibelimab in patients with locally advanced CSCC that are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. Cosibelimab demonstrated a confirmed objective response rate (“ORR”) of 54.8% (95% CI: 36.0, 72.7) based on independent central review of 31 patients enrolled in the cohort using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (“RECIST 1.1”). The design of the interim analysis incorporated feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and is intended to potentially support the approval of cosibelimab in this indication.
In January 2022, we announced topline results from a registration-enabling cohort of our multi-regional, Phase 1 clinical trial of cosibelimab in patients with metastatic CSCC. The cohort met its primary endpoint, with cosibelimab demonstrating a confirmed ORR of 47.4% (95% CI: 36.0, 59.1) based on independent central review of 78 patients enrolled in the metastatic CSCC cohort using RECIST 1.1.
In December 2021, we announced the initiation of our CONTERNO study, a multi-regional, open-label, multi-center, randomized Phase 3 trial of cosibelimab in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC. The February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing response has disrupted our ability to conduct clinical trials in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. We evaluated our ability to expand the number of CONTERNO study sites in our planned Latin American, South African and Asian Pacific countries, as well as add additional countries to conduct this clinical trial. However, the substantially longer enrollment period as a result of the conflict makes the CONTERNO study no longer viable. At the time of the conflict, only Russia was open for enrollment. We expect that the study will be wound down and closed over the coming months.
We have also entered into various collaboration agreements with TG Therapeutics, Inc. (“TGTX”), a related party, to develop and commercialize certain assets in connection with our licenses in the field of hematological malignancies, while we retain the right to develop and commercialize these assets in solid tumors.
To date, we have not received approval for the sale of any product candidate in any market and, therefore, have not generated any product sales from any product candidates. In addition, we have incurred substantial operating losses since our inception, and expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As of September 30, 2022, we have an accumulated deficit of $241.5 million.
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We are a majority-controlled subsidiary of Fortress.
Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on November 10, 2014 and commenced principal operations in March 2015. Our executive offices are located at 95 Sawyer Road, Suite 110, Waltham, MA 02453. Our telephone number is (781) 652-4500 and our email address is ir@checkpointtx.com.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis, including, but not limited to, those related to research and development expenses, accrued research and development expenses and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
For a discussion of our critical accounting estimates, see the MD&A in the 2021 Form 10-K. There were no material changes in our critical accounting estimates or accounting policies from December 31, 2021.
Accounting Pronouncements
During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022, there were no new accounting pronouncements or updates to recently issued accounting pronouncements disclosed in the 2021 Form 10-K that are expected to materially affect the Company’s present or future financial statements.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
Revenue
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, revenue was approximately $48,000 compared to approximately $29,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of approximately $19,000. The current and prior period revenue consisted of patent fees related to our collaborations with TGTX.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses primarily consist of personnel related expenses, including salaries, benefits, travel, and other related expenses, stock-based compensation, payments made to third parties for license and milestone costs related to in-licensed products and technology, payments made to third party CROs for preclinical and clinical studies, investigative sites for clinical trials, consultants, the cost of acquiring and manufacturing clinical trial materials, costs associated with regulatory filings and patents, laboratory costs and other supplies.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, research and development expenses were approximately $8.9 million, compared to $9.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $0.5 million. The current period research and development expenses primarily consisted of $3.6 million related to manufacturing costs as we complete our validation work for cosibelimab, $2.7 million related to clinical costs for our product candidates, $0.7 million related to regulatory expenses, $1.2 million related to salary expenses, and $0.3 million related to stock compensation expense. The prior period research and development expenses primarily consisted of $3.9 million related to clinical costs for our product candidates, $4.6 million related to manufacturing costs of our product candidates, $0.1 million related to regulatory expenses, $0.3 million related to salary expenses, and $0.2 million related to stock compensation expense.
We anticipate our research and development expenses will remain relatively consistent for the remainder of 2022.
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General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses, including stock-based compensation, for executives and other administrative personnel, recruitment expenses, professional fees and other corporate expenses, including investor relations, legal activities, marketing and facilities-related expenses.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, general and administrative expenses were approximately $1.8 million, compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $0.1 million. The current period general and administrative expenses primarily consisted of stock compensation expense of $0.5 million, $0.4 million related to salary expenses, $0.3 million related to legal and accounting fees, and $0.1 million related to investor relation fees. The prior period general and administrative expenses primarily consisted of stock compensation expense of $0.6 million, $0.3 million related to salary expenses, $0.2 million related to legal and accounting fees, and $0.1 million related to investor relation fees.
We anticipate our general and administrative expenses will remain relatively consistent for the remainder of 2022.
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
Revenue
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, revenue was approximately $118,000 compared to approximately $252,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of approximately $134,000. The current and prior period revenue consisted of patent fees related to our collaborations with TGTX.
Research and Development Expenses
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, research and development expenses were approximately $35.6 million, compared to $20.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $14.8 million. The current period research and development expenses primarily consisted of $18.2 million related to manufacturing costs as we complete our validation work for cosibelimab, $10.1 million related to clinical costs for our product candidates, $1.7 million related to regulatory expenses, $3.3 million related to salary expenses, and $0.8 million related to stock compensation expense. The prior period research and development expenses primarily consisted of $9.4 million related to clinical costs for our product candidates, $8.7 million related to manufacturing costs of our product candidates, $0.6 million related to regulatory expenses, $0.9 million related to salary expenses, and $0.5 million related to stock compensation expense.
General and Administrative Expenses
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, general and administrative expenses were approximately $6.2 million, compared to $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $0.2 million. The current period general and administrative expenses primarily consisted of stock compensation expense of $1.5 million, $1.2 million related to salary expenses, $1.0 million related to legal and accounting fees, $0.3 million related to marketing costs, $0.3 million related to investor relation fees, and $0.2 million related to our issuance of shares to Fortress pursuant to the Founders Agreement in connection with the sale of shares of our common stock. The prior period general and administrative expenses primarily consisted of stock compensation expense of $1.8 million, $1.0 million related to salary expenses, $0.8 million related to legal and accounting fees, $0.3 million related to investor relation fees and $0.9 million related to our issuance of shares to Fortress pursuant to the Founders Agreement in connection with the sale of shares of our common stock.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have incurred substantial operating losses since our inception and expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As of September 30, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $241.5 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we sold a total of 5,157,914 shares of common stock under the ATM, at an average selling price of $1.93 per share, resulting in aggregate total gross proceeds of approximately $9.9 million and net proceeds of approximately $9.7 million after deducting approximately $0.2 million in commissions and other transaction costs.
22
Our major sources of cash have been proceeds from the sale of equity securities. We expect to use these proceeds primarily for general corporate purposes, which may include financing our growth, developing new or existing product candidates, and funding capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments.
As of September 30, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $20.5 million. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents are only sufficient to fund our operating expenses into the second quarter of 2023. We will need to secure additional funds through equity or debt offerings, or other potential sources such as partnerships to fully develop and commercialize our product candidates. Our estimate as to how long we expects our existing cash to be able to continue to fund our operations is based on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Further, changing circumstances, some of which may be beyond our control, could cause us to consume capital faster than we currently anticipates, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned. We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. These factors individually and collectively raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We do not expect any material impact on our long-term development timeline and our liquidity due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”).
Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $42.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to approximately $16.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The increase in net cash used in operating activities was primarily related to an increase in clinical and manufacturing costs related to cosibelimab in the current period.
Investing Activities
There were no investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $36.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Cash provided by financing activities was related to the net proceeds from the issuance of common stock as part of our At-the-Market Issuance Sales Agreement offerings. The current period amount was partially offset by cash paid for taxes related to the net settlement of shares for employee stock vestings.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
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With respect to the quarter ended September 30, 2022, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Management does not expect that our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control systems are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, no evaluation of internal control over financial reporting can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been or will be detected.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022 which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
We are not involved in any litigation that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of our executive officers, threatened against or affecting our company or our officers or directors in their capacities as such.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following information sets forth risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements we have made in this report and those we may make from time to time. You should carefully consider the risks described below, in addition to the other information contained in this report and our other public filings, before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be harmed by any of these risks. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or other factors not perceived by us to present significant risks to our business at this time also may impair our business operations.
Risks Related to Our Finances and Capital Requirements
We have incurred significant losses since our inception and anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future. We may never achieve or maintain profitability.
We are an emerging growth company with a limited operating history. We have focused primarily on in-licensing and developing our product candidates, with the goal of supporting regulatory approval for these product candidates. We have incurred losses since our inception in November 2014 and have an accumulated deficit of $241.5 million as of September 30, 2022. We expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future. We also do not anticipate that we will achieve profitability for a period of time after generating material revenues, if ever. If we are unable to generate revenues, we will not become profitable and may be unable to continue operations without continued funding. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing pharmaceutical products, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or when or if, we will be able to achieve profitability. Our net losses may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if:
● | one or more of our product candidates are submitted for marketing approval or are approved for commercial sale, due to our need to establish the necessary commercial infrastructure to launch this product candidate without substantial delays, including manufacturing to build pre-commercial inventory, hiring sales and marketing personnel and contracting with third parties for warehousing, distribution, cash collection and related commercial activities; |
● | we are required by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities, to perform studies in addition to those currently expected; |
● | we initiate one or more clinical trials to pursue additional indications for our product candidates; |
● | there are any delays in completing our clinical trials or the development of any of our product candidates; |
● | we execute other collaborative, licensing or similar arrangements and the timing of payments we may make or receive under these arrangements; |
● | there are variations in the level of expenses related to our current and future development programs; |
● | there are any product liability or intellectual property infringement lawsuits in which we may become involved; |
● | there are any regulatory developments affecting product candidates of our competitors; and |
● | one or more of our product candidates receives regulatory approval. |
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Our ability to become profitable depends upon our ability to generate revenue. To date, we have not generated any revenue from the sale of our development stage products, and we do not know when, or if, we will generate any revenue. To obtain revenues from sales of our product candidates, we must succeed, either alone or with third parties, in developing, obtaining regulatory approval for, manufacturing and marketing products with commercial potential. Our ability to generate revenue depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to:
● | obtain regulatory approval for one or more of our product candidates, or any future product candidate that we may license or acquire; |
● | manufacture commercial quantities of one or more of our product candidates or any future product candidate, if approved, at acceptable cost levels; and |
● | develop a commercial organization and the supporting infrastructure required to successfully market and sell one or more of our product candidates or any future product candidate, if approved. |
Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Our failure to become and remain profitable would depress the value of our company and could impair our ability to raise capital, expand our business, maintain our research and development efforts, diversify our product offerings or even continue our operations. A decline in the value of our company could also cause you to lose all or part of your investment.
Our short operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects.
We were incorporated in November 2014 and have only been conducting operations with respect to our product candidates since March 2015. Our operations to date have been limited to preclinical and clinical operations and the in-licensing of our product candidates. We have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully complete clinical trials, obtain regulatory approvals, manufacture a commercial scale product, or arrange for a third party to do so on our behalf, or conduct sales and marketing activities necessary for successful product commercialization. Consequently, any predictions about our future performance may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a history of successfully developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products.
In addition, as a young business, we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other known and unknown factors. We will need to expand our capabilities to support increased clinical and manufacturing activities and future potential commercial activities. We may not be successful in adding such capabilities.
We expect our financial condition and operating results to continue to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, you should not rely upon the results of any past quarterly period as an indication of future operating performance.
We will require substantial additional funding which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise the necessary additional capital, we may be unable to complete the development and commercialization of our product candidates, or continue our development programs.
Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. We expect to significantly increase our spending to advance the preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates, submit applications for marketing approvals, and launch and commercialize any product candidates for which we may receive regulatory approval, including building our own commercial organizations to address certain markets. We will require additional capital for the further development, regulatory reviews and, if approved, commercialization of our product candidates, as well as to fund our other operating expenses and capital expenditures. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents are only sufficient to fund our operating expenses into the second quarter of 2023.
We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or, if approved, commercialization of one or more of our product candidates. We may also seek collaborators for one or more of our current or future product candidates at an earlier stage than otherwise would be desirable or on terms that are less favorable than might otherwise be available. Any of these events could significantly harm our business, financial condition and prospects.
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Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:
● | the timing, design and conduct of, and results from, preclinical studies and clinical trials for our product candidates; |
● | the potential for delays in our efforts to seek regulatory approval for our product candidates, and any costs associated with such delays; |
● | the costs of establishing a commercial organization to sell, market and distribute our product candidates; |
● | the rate of progress and costs of our efforts to prepare for the submission of an NDA or BLA for any of our product candidates or any product candidates that we may in-license or acquire in the future, and the potential that we may need to conduct additional clinical trials to support applications for regulatory approval; |
● | the costs of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights associated with our product candidates, including any such costs we may be required to expend if our licensors are unwilling or unable to do so; |
● | the cost and timing of securing sufficient supplies of our product candidates from our third-party manufacturers for clinical trials and in preparation for commercialization; |
● | the effect of competing technological and market developments; |
● | the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing, co-promotion or other arrangements that we may establish; |
● | if one or more of our product candidates are approved, the potential that we may be required to file a lawsuit to defend our patent rights or regulatory exclusivities from challenges by companies seeking to market generic versions of one or more of our product candidates; and |
● | the success of the commercialization of one or more of our product candidates, if approved. |
Future capital requirements will also depend on the extent to which we acquire or invest in additional complementary businesses, products and technologies, but we currently have no commitments or agreements relating to any of these types of transactions.
In order to carry out our business plan and implement our strategy, we anticipate that we will need to obtain additional financing from time to time and may choose to raise additional funds through strategic collaborations, licensing arrangements, public or private equity or debt financing, bank lines of credit, asset sales, government grants, or other arrangements. We cannot be sure that any additional funding, if needed, will be available on terms favorable to us or at all. Furthermore, any additional equity or equity-related financing may be dilutive to our stockholders, and debt or equity financing, if available, may subject us to restrictive covenants and significant interest costs. If we obtain funding through a strategic collaboration or licensing arrangement, we may be required to relinquish our rights to certain of our product candidates or marketing territories.
Our inability to raise capital when needed would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could cause our stock price to decline or require that we wind down our operations altogether.
There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may hinder our ability to obtain future financing.
Our unaudited condensed financial statements as of September 30, 2022 have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern for the next twelve months. As of September 30, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $20.5 million and an accumulated deficit of $241.5 million. We do not believe that our cash and cash equivalents are sufficient for the next twelve months. As a result of our financial condition and other factors described herein, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern will depend on our ability to obtain additional funding, as to which no assurances can be given. We continue to analyze various alternatives, including potentially obtaining debt or equity financings or other arrangements. Our future success depends on our ability to raise capital. We cannot be certain that raising additional capital, whether through selling additional debt or equity securities or obtaining a line of credit or other loan, will be available to us or, if available, will be on terms acceptable to us. If we issue additional securities to raise funds, these securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those of our common stock, and our current shareholders may experience dilution. If we are unable to obtain funds when needed or on acceptable terms, we may be required to curtail our current development programs, cut operating costs, forego future development and other opportunities or even terminate our operations.
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Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our existing stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish proprietary rights.
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, grants and license and development agreements in connection with any collaborations. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, your ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a stockholder. Debt financing and preferred equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends.
If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.
We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company,” and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”), and may remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of the initial public offering of our common stock, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our outstanding common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three year period. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we are permitted and intend to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These exemptions include:
● | being permitted to provide only two years of our audited financial statements, in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements, with correspondingly reduced “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; |
● | not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting; |
● | not being required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements; |
● | disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation; and |
● | exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. |
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, will adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which has opted into using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.
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We are also a smaller reporting company, and we will remain a smaller reporting company until the fiscal year following the determination that our voting and non-voting common shares held by non-affiliates is more than $250 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenues are more than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non-voting common shares held by non-affiliates is more than $700 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter. Similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies are able to provide simplified executive compensation disclosure, are exempt from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404, and have certain other reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, being required to provide only two years of audited financial statements and not being required to provide selected financial data, supplemental financial information or risk factors.
We have elected to take advantage of certain of the reduced reporting obligations. We cannot predict whether investors will find our common stock less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be reduced or more volatile.
We may expend our limited resources to pursue certain product candidates or indications and fail to capitalize on product candidates or indications that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.
Because we have limited financial and managerial resources, we focus on research programs and product candidates that we identify for specific indications. As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or for other indications that later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities. Our spending on current and future research and development programs and product candidates for specific indications may not yield any commercially viable products. If we do not accurately and/or effectively evaluate the commercial potential or target market for a particular product candidate, we may relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole development and commercialization rights to such product candidate.
Risks Related to our Business Strategy, Structure, and Organization
We currently have no drug products for sale and are dependent on the future success of our product candidates. We can give no assurances that any of our product candidates will receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized.
To date, we have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in the acquisition and development of our product candidates. As a development-stage company, we have limited experience and have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully overcome many of the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in new and rapidly evolving fields, particularly in the biopharmaceutical area. Our future success is substantially dependent on our ability to successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval for, and then successfully commercialize such product candidates. Our product candidates are currently in preclinical development or in clinical trials. Our business depends entirely on the successful development and commercialization of our product candidates, which may never occur. We currently have no drug products for sale, currently generate no revenues from sales of any drug products and may never be able to develop or commercialize a marketable drug.
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The successful development, and any commercialization of our technologies and any product candidates that may occur, would require us to successfully perform a variety of functions, including:
● | developing our technology platform; |