ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC. - Quarter Report: 2017 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017

or

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission file number 001-15771

ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

3333 Lee Parkway, Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75219

(Address of principal executive offices)

(214) 665-9495

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    Yes þ  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No þ 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of August 11, 2017 was 40,287,259 shares.

ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC.

INDEX

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including the information incorporated by reference) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements and other risks described below as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report Form 10-Q, documents incorporated by reference and other documents and reports that we file periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) include, without limitation, statements relating to uncertainties associated with research and development activities, clinical trials, our ability to raise capital, future cash flow, the future success of our marketed products and products in development, our sales projections, and the sales projections of our licensing partners, anticipated product launches and our commercialization strategies, the terms of future licensing arrangements, our ability to secure additional financing for our operations, our ability to establish new relationships and maintain current relationships, our expectation that we will continue to incur losses, our belief that we will expend substantial funds to conduct research and development programs, preclinical studies and clinical trials of potential products, our belief that we have a rich pipeline of products and product candidates, our ability to achieve profitability on a sustained basis or at all, our expected cash burn rate, that we believe emerging insights in genetics and advances in biotechnology, as well as new approaches and collaboration between researchers, industry, regulators and patient groups, provide significant opportunities to develop breakthrough treatments for rare diseases. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “could,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements in these sections. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions.

Forward-looking statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties, and our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q represent our judgment only as of the date of this report. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on such statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

The response to this Item is submitted as a separate section of this report. See page 14.

OVERVIEW

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (together with our subsidiaries, “we”, “our”, “Abeona” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation. We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies for life-threatening rare genetic diseases. Our lead programs are ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH), an adeno-associated virus (AAV) based gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A, and EB-101 (gene-corrected skin transplantations) for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). We are also developing ABO-101 (AAV NAGLU), an AAV gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type B, EB-201 for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), ABO-201 (AAV-CLN3) gene therapy for juvenile Batten disease (JNCL), ABO-202 (AAV-CLN1) gene therapy for treatment of infantile Batten disease (INCL), and ABO-301 (AAV-FANCC) for Fanconi anemia (FA) disorder and ABO-302 using a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing approach to gene therapy for rare blood diseases. Our principal executive office is located at 3333 Lee Parkway, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75219. Our website address is www.abeonatherapeutics.com.

Recent Developments

On July 25, 2017, we announced that Juan Ruiz, M.D., Ph.D., MBA joined the company as Chief Medical Officer. He will be responsible for leading all clinical development, medical affairs and related functions.

On July 18, 2017, we announced guidance from a recent Type-C meeting with the FDA which recommended accelerating the EB-101 program into a pivotal Phase 3 trial. EB-101 is a gene therapy program for patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEP), including recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), which are life threatening genetic skin disorders characterized by skin blisters and erosions that cover the body.

We also announced clinical data that was presented at the Society of Investigative Dermatology (SID) conference by Stanford collaborators, and which clinical data demonstrated that EB-101 treated wounds were significantly healed >50% for more than two years post-administration.

On June 29, 2017, we announced that the FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for our ABO-201 (AAV-CLN3) program, the AAV-based single intravenous gene therapy program for juvenile Batten disease, a fatal lysosomal storage disease of the central nervous system caused by autosomal-recessive mutations in the CLN3 gene.

On May 30, 2017, we announced that the FDA has granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for our EB-101 gene therapy program.

On May 25, 2017, we announced that the FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for our EB-101 gene therapy program.

On May 12, 2017, we announced an update on clinical results in the ongoing Phase 1/2 trial for ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH) at the American Society Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 20^th Annual Meeting. Per the design of the clinical trial, subjects received a single intravenous injection of ABO-102 to deliver the AAV viral vector systematically throughout the body to introduce a corrective copy of the gene that underlies the cause of the MPS IIIA disease. Subjects are evaluated at multiple time points post-injection for safety assessments and initial signals of biopotency and clinical activity, which suggest that ABO-102 successfully reached target tissues throughout the body, including the central nervous system.

On May 9, 2017, we announced Australian regulatory approval to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for the ABO-102 gene therapy program.

Product Development Strategy

Abeona is focused on developing and delivering gene therapy and plasma-based products for severe and life-threatening rare diseases. A rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. There are nearly 7,000 rare diseases, which may involve chronic illness, disability, and often, premature death. More than 25 million Americans and 30 million Europeans have a severe, life-threating disease. While rare diseases can affect any age group, about 50% of people affected are children (15 million) and rare diseases account for 35% of deaths in the first year of life. These rare diseases are often poorly diagnosed, very complex, and have no treatment or not very effective treatment - over 95% of rare diseases do not have a single FDA or EMA approved drug treatment. However, most rare diseases are often caused by changes in genes - approximately 80% are genetic in origin and can present at any stage of life. We believe emerging insights in genetics and advances in biotechnology, as well as new approaches and collaboration between researchers, industry, regulators and patient groups, provide significant opportunities to develop breakthrough treatments for rare diseases.

Developing Next Generation Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is the use of DNA as a potential therapy to treat a disease. In many disorders, particularly genetic diseases caused by a single genetic defect, gene therapy aims to treat a disease by delivering the correct copy of DNA into a patient’s cells. The healthy, functional copy of the therapeutic gene then helps the cell function correctly. In gene therapy, DNA that encodes a therapeutic protein is packaged within a “vector,” often a “naked” virus, which is used to transfer the DNA to the inside of cells within the body. Gene therapy can be delivered by a direct injection, either intravenously (IV) or directly into a specific tissue in the body, where it is taken up by individual cells. Once inside cells, the correct DNA is expressed by the cell machinery, resulting in the production of missing or defective protein, which in turn is proposed to treat the patient’s underlying disease and can provide long-term benefit.

Abeona is developing next-generation adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies. Viruses such as AAV are utilized because they have evolved a way of encapsulating and delivering one or more genes of the size needed for clinical application, and can be purified in large quantities at high concentration. Unlike AAV vectors found in nature, the AAV vectors used by Abeona have been genetically-modified such that they do not replicate. Although the preclinical studies in animal models of disease demonstrate the promising impact of AAV-mediated gene expression to affected tissues such as the heart, liver and muscle, our programs use a specific virus that is capable of delivering therapeutic DNA across the blood brain barrier and into the central nervous system (CNS) and the somatic system (body), making them attractive for addressing lysosomal storage diseases which have severe CNS manifestations of the disease.

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are a group of rare inborn errors of metabolism resulting from deficiency in normal lysosomal function. These diseases are characterized by progressive accumulation of storage material within the lysosomes of affected cells, ultimately leading to cellular dysfunction. Multiple tissues ranging from musculoskeletal and visceral to tissues of the CNS are typically involved in disease pathology. Since the advent of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) to manage some LSDs, general clinical outcomes have significantly improved; however, treatment with infused protein is lifelong and continued disease progression is still evident in patients. Thus, AAV-based gene therapy may provide a viable alternative or adjunctive therapy to current management strategies for LSDs.

Our initial programs are focused on LSDs such as Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIA and IIIB. MPSIII, also known as Sanfilippo syndromes type A and type B, is a progressive neuromuscular disease with profound CNS involvement. Our lead product candidates, ABO-101 and ABO-102, have been developed to replace the damaged, malfunctioning enzymes within target cells with the normal, functioning version. ABO-201 is a similar product, using an AAV to deliver the correct lysosomal gene that is defective in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Delivered via a single injection, these drugs are only given once to a patient.

ABO-101 for MPS III B and ABO-102 for MPS III A (Sanfilippo syndrome)

MPS type III (Sanfilippo syndrome) is a group of four inherited genetic diseases, described as type A, B, C or D, which cause enzyme deficiencies that result in the abnormal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (sugars) in body tissues. MPS III is a lysosomal storage disease, a group of rare inborn errors of metabolism resulting from deficiency in normal lysosomal function. The incidence of MPS III (all four types combined) is estimated to be 1 in 70,000 births.

Mucopolysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules used in the building of connective tissues in the body. There is a continuous process in the body of replacing used materials and breaking them down for disposal. Children with MPS III are missing an enzyme which is essential in breaking down used mucopolysaccharides. The partially broken down mucopolysaccharides remain stored in cells in the body causing progressive damage. Babies may show little sign of the disease, but as more and more cells become damaged, symptoms start to appear.

In MPS III, the predominant symptoms occur due to accumulation within the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord, resulting in cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and eventual death. To date, there is no cure for MPS III and treatments are largely supportive.

Abeona is developing next-generation AAV-based gene therapies for MPS III, which involves a one-time delivery of a normal copy of the defective gene to cells of the CNS with the aim of reversing the effects of the genetic errors that cause the disease.

After a single dose in Sanfilippo preclinical models, ABO-101 and ABO-102 induced cells in the CNS and peripheral organs to produce the missing enzymes which helped repair the damage caused to the cells. Preclinical in vivo efficacy studies in Sanfilippo syndrome have demonstrated functional benefits that remain for months after treatment. A single dose of ABO-101 or ABO-102 significantly restored normal cell and organ function, corrected cognitive defects that remained months after drug administration, increased neuromuscular control and increased the lifespan of animals with MPS III over 100% one year after treatment compared to untreated control animals. These results are consistent with studies from several laboratories suggesting AAV treatment could potentially benefit patients with Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A and B. In addition, safety studies conducted in animal models of Sanfilippo syndromes have demonstrated that delivery of AB0-101 or AB0-102 are well tolerated with minimal side effects.

EB-101 for the Treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa and EB-201 for the Correction of Gene Mutations in Skin Cells (Keratinocytes)

EB-101 (LZRSE-Col7A1 Engineered Autologous Epidermal Sheets (LEAES)), is an ex vivo gene therapy for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). EB-201 (AAV DJ COL7A1) is a pre-clinical candidate targeting a novel, AAV-mediated gene editing and delivery approach to correct gene mutations in skin cells (Keratinocytes). We entered into an agreement (the ’‘EB Agreement’’) with EB Research Partnership (’‘EBRP’’) and Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (’‘EBMRF’’) to collaborate on gene therapy treatments for EB. The EB Agreement became effective August 3, 2016, on the execution of two licensing agreements with The Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University (’’Stanford’’) described below.

EBRP and EBMRF have the contractual right to license from Stanford EB-101 (LZRSE-Col7A1 Engineered Autologous Epidermal Sheets (LEAES)), and authorized us to exercise such rights and enter into a license with Stanford for such technology, and to perform preclinical development and perform clinical trials of a gene therapy treatment for Epidermolysis Bullosa based upon such in-licensed technology.

We also entered into a license with Stanford for the AAV-based gene therapy EB-201 (AAV DJ COL7A1) technology, and we shall perform preclinical development and perform clinical trials of a gene therapy treatment for EB based upon such in-licensed technology. EB-201 (AAV DJ COL7A1) is a pre-clinical candidate targeting a novel, AAV-mediated gene editing and delivery approach (known as homologous recombination) to correct gene mutations in skin cells (keratinocytes) for patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB).

ABO-201 for Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (JNCL) (or Juvenile Batten Disease (JBD)) and ABO-202 (AAV-CLN1) gene therapy for treatment of infantile Batten disease (INCL)

ABO-201 (AAV CLN3) is an AAV-based gene therapy which has shown promising preclinical efficacy in delivery of a normal copy of the defective CLN3 gene to cells of the CNS with the aim of reversing the effects of the genetic errors that cause JNCL. JNCL is a rare, fatal, autosomal recessive (inherited) disorder of the nervous system that typically begins in children between 4 and 8 years of age. Often the first noticeable sign of JNCL is vision impairment, which tends to progress rapidly and eventually result in blindness. As the disease progresses, children experience loss of previously acquired skills (developmental regression). This regression usually begins with the loss of the ability to speak in complete sentences. Children then lose motor skills, such as the ability to walk or sit. They also develop movement abnormalities that include rigidity or stiffness, slow or diminished movements (hypokinesia), and stooped posture. Beginning in mid- to late childhood, affected children may have recurrent seizures (epilepsy), heart problems, behavioral problems, and difficulty sleeping. Life expectancy is greatly reduced. Most people with juvenile Batten disease live into their twenties or thirties. As yet, no specific treatment is known that can halt or reverse the symptoms of JNCL.

JNCL is the most common form of a group of disorders known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs). Collectively, all forms of NCL affect an estimated 2 to 4 in 100,000 live births in the United States. NCLs are more common in Finland, where approximately 1 in 12,500 individuals are affected, as well as Sweden, other parts of northern Europe, and Newfoundland, Canada.

Most cases of JNCL are caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene, which is the focus of our AAV-based gene therapy approach. These mutations disrupt the function of cellular structures called lysosomes. Lysosomes are compartments in the cell that normally digest and recycle different types of molecules. Lysosome malfunction leads to a buildup of fatty substances called lipopigments and proteins within these cell structures. These accumulations occur in cells throughout the body, but neurons in the brain seem to be particularly vulnerable to damage. The progressive death of cells, especially in the brain, leads to vision loss, seizures, and intellectual decline in children with JNCL.

ABO-202 (AAV9 CLN1) is an AAV-based gene therapy which has shown promising preclinical efficacy in delivery of a normal copy of the defective CLN1 gene to cells of the central nervous system with the aim of reversing the effects of the genetic errors that cause an infantile form of Batten disease (also known as infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis).

ABO-301 for Fanconi Anemia (FA) and ABO-302 for rare blood diseases using a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing approach to gene therapy for rare blood diseases

ABO-301 (AAV FANCC) is an AAV-based gene therapy which has shown promising preclinical efficacy in delivery of a normal copy of the defective gene to cells of the hematopoietic or blood system with the aim of reversing the effects of the genetic errors that cause FA. FA is a rare (1 in 160,000) pediatric, autosomal recessive (inherited) disease characterized by multiple physical abnormalities, organ defects, bone marrow failure, and a higher than normal risk of cancer. The average lifespan for people with FA is 20 to 30 years.

The major function of bone marrow is to produce new blood cells. In FA, a DNA mutation renders the FANCC gene nonfunctional. Loss of FANCC causes skeletal abnormalities and leads to bone marrow failure. FA patients also have much higher rates of hematological diseases, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or tumors of the head, neck, skin, gastrointestinal system, or genital tract. The likelihood of developing one of these cancers in people with FA is between 10 and 30 percent. Aside from bone marrow transplantation (BMT), there are no specific treatments known that can halt or reverse the symptoms of FA. Repairing fibroblast cells in FA patients with a functional FANCC gene is the focus of our AAV-based gene therapy approach.

Using a novel CRISPR (clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas9 (CRISPR associated protein 9) system, researchers used a protein-RNA complex composed of an enzyme known as Cas9 bound to a guide RNA molecule that has been designed to recognize a particular DNA sequence. The RNA molecules guide the Cas9 complex to the location in the genome that requires repair. CRISPR-Cas9 uniquely enables surgically efficient knock-out, knock-down or selective editing of defective genes in the context of their natural promoters, unlocking the potential to treat both recessive and dominant forms of genetic diseases. Most importantly, this approach has the potential to allow for more precise gene modification.

Polymer Hydrogel Technology (PHT™)

MuGard^® (mucoadhesive oral wound rinse) approved for mucositis, stomatitis, aphthous ulcers, and traumatic ulcers

MuGard is our marketed product for the management of oral mucositis, a frequent side-effect of cancer therapy for which there is no other established treatment. MuGard, a proprietary nanopolymer formulation, received marketing clearance from the FDA in the U.S. as well as Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand and Korea. We launched MuGard in the U.S. in 2010 and licensed MuGard for commercialization in the U.S. to AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMAG) in 2013. We licensed MuGard to RHEI Pharmaceuticals, N.V. (RHEI) for China and other Southeast Asian countries in 2010; Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Hanmi) for South Korea in 2014; and Norgine B.V. (Norgine) for the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Australia and New Zealand in 2014.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have historically funded our operations primarily through public and private sales of common stock, preferred stock, convertible notes and through licensing agreements. Our principal source of liquidity is cash and cash equivalents. Licensing payments and royalty revenues provided limited funding for operations during the period ended June 30, 2017. As of June 30, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents were $58,304,000.

As of June 30, 2017, our working capital was $55,049,000. Our working capital at June 30, 2017 represented a decrease of $6,076,000 as compared to our working capital of $61,125,000 as of December 31, 2016. The decrease in working capital at June 30, 2017 reflects six months of net operating costs offset by the waiver of the $4,000,000 payable we had to Plasma Technologies, LLC and other net changes in current assets and liabilities.

On May 26, 2017, we entered into agreements with Plasma Technologies, LLC (“Plasmatech”) and Acestor Therapeutics LLC (“Acestor”). Abeona holds an 80% membership interest in Acestor and Plasmatech holds the remaining 20% membership interest of a newly formed LLC. Acestor was formed for the purposes of seeking additional financing in the amount of approximately $5,000,000 to develop and commercial the technology of that certain license agreement for certain patent rights that was granted to Abeona from Plasmatech on September 19, 2014 and amended January 23, 2015 (“License Agreement”). The License Agreement was transferred to Acestor. In addition, the Abeona payment obligation of $4,000,000 to Plasmatech was waived and replaced with an obligation of Acestor to pay Plasmatech 10% of the aggregate proceeds in respect of any financing (whether public of private) undertaken by Acestor on or before November 26, 2017.

We have incurred negative cash flows from operations since inception, and have expended, and expect to continue to expend in the future, substantial funds to complete our planned product development efforts. Since inception, our expenses have significantly exceeded revenues, resulting in an accumulated deficit as of June 30, 2017 of $345,999,000. We cannot provide assurance that we will ever be able to generate sufficient product sales or royalty revenue to achieve profitability on a sustained basis, or at all.

Since our inception, we have devoted our resources primarily to fund our research and development programs. We have been unprofitable since inception and to date have received limited revenues from the sale of products. We expect to incur losses for the next several years as we continue to invest in product research and development, preclinical studies, clinical trials and regulatory compliance.

If we raise additional funds by selling additional equity securities, the relative equity ownership of our existing investors will be diluted and the new investors could obtain terms more favorable than previous investors.

SECOND QUARTER 2017 COMPARED TO SECOND QUARTER 2016

Our licensing revenue for the second quarter of each of 2017 and 2016 was $150,000. We recognize licensing revenue over the period of the performance obligation under our licensing agreements.

We recorded royalty revenue for MuGard of $67,000 for second quarter of 2017 and $64,000 for the same period of 2016, an increase of $3,000. We licensed MuGard to AMAG and Norgine and receive quarterly reports under our agreement.

Total research and development spending for the second quarter of 2017 was $5,808,000, as compared to $3,018,000 for the same period of 2016, an increase of $2,790,000. The increase in expenses was primarily due to:

Total general and administrative expenses were $2,642,000 for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $3,730,000 for the same period of 2016, a decrease of $1,088,000. The decrease in expenses was due primarily to the following:

Depreciation and amortization was $207,000 for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $181,000 for the same period in 2016, an increase of $26,000. We are amortizing the licenses for ABO-101 and ABO-201, and EB-102 over the life of the patents and SDF Alpha through May 26, 2017. The increase is due to amortization of licensed technology of ($12,000) and depreciation of ($14,000).

Total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2017 were $8,657,000 as compared to total operating expenses of $6,929,000 for the same period of 2016, an increase of $1,728,000 for the reasons listed above.

Interest and miscellaneous income was $164,000 for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $13,000 for the same period of 2016, an increase of $151,000. The increase was due to the Plasmatech/Acestor agreement resulting in miscellaneous income ($124,000) and interest income ($27,000).

Interest and other expense was $3,000 for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $1,000 in the same period of 2016, an increase of $2,000.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $8,279,000, or a $0.21 basic and diluted loss per common share as compared to a net loss of $6,703,000, or a $0.20 basic and diluted loss per common share, for the same period in 2016, an increased loss of $1,576,000.

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016

Our licensing revenue for the first six months of 2017 and 2016 was $301,000. We recognize licensing revenue over the period of the performance obligation under our licensing agreements.

We recorded royalty revenue for MuGard of $102,000 for first six months of 2017 and $148,000 for the same period of 2016, a decrease of $46,000. We licensed MuGard to AMAG and Norgine and receive quarterly reports under our agreement.

Total research and development spending for the first six months of 2017 was $8,006,000, as compared to $4,873,000 for the same period of 2016, an increase of $3,133,000. The increase in expenses was primarily due to:

Total general and administrative expenses were $5,664,000 for the first six months of 2017, as compared to $8,096,000 for the same period of 2016, a decrease of $2,432,000. The decrease in expenses was due primarily to the following:

Depreciation and amortization was $457,000 for the first six months of 2017 as compared to $355,000 for the same period in 2016, an increase of $102,000. We are amortizing the licenses for ABO-101 and ABO-201, and EB-102 over the life of the patents and SDF Alpha through May 26, 2017. The increase is due to amortization of licensed technology of ($70,000) and depreciation of ($32,000).

Total operating expenses for the first six months of 2017 were $14,127,000 as compared to total operating expenses of $13,324,000 for the same period of 2016, an increase of $803,000 for the reasons listed above.

Interest and miscellaneous income was $203,000 for the first six months of 2017 as compared to $631,000 for the same period of 2016, a decrease of $428,000. Most of the decrease was due to the change in the fair value of our contingent consideration liability resulting in miscellaneous income in 2016 ($591,000) offset by miscellaneous income ($133,000) due mostly to the Plasmatech/Acestor agreement resulting in miscellaneous income ($124,000) and interest income ($30,000).

Interest and other expense was $5,000 for the six months of 2017 as compared to $3,000 in the same period of 2016.

Net loss for the six months of 2017 was $13,526,000, or a $0.34 basic and diluted loss per common share as compared to a net loss of $12,247,000, or a $0.37 basic and diluted loss per common share, for the same period in 2016, an increased loss of $1,279,000.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

None.

Not applicable.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management and consultants, including the Executive Chairman (our principal executive officer) and Vice President Finance (our principal accounting officer), we have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (“Disclosure Controls and Procedures”), as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as of June 30, 2017.

Conclusion of Evaluation – Based on this Disclosure Controls and Procedures evaluation, the Executive Chairman and Chief Accounting Officer concluded that our Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of June 30, 2017 were effective.

Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting – There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

None.

None.

None.

None.

Exhibits:

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(unaudited)

Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (together with our subsidiaries, “we”, “our”, “Abeona” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation. We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies for life-threatening rare genetic diseases. Our lead programs are ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH), an adeno-associated virus (AAV) based gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A, and EB-101 (gene-corrected skin transplantations) for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). We are also developing ABO-101 (AAV NAGLU), an AAV gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type B, EB-201 for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), ABO-201 (AAV-CLN3) gene therapy for juvenile Batten disease (JNCL), ABO-202 (AAV-CLN1) gene therapy for treatment of infantile Batten disease (INCL), and ABO-301 (AAV-FANCC) for Fanconi anemia (FA) disorder and ABO-302 using a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing approach to gene therapy for rare blood diseases. Our efforts have been principally devoted to research and development, resulting in significant losses.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2017, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, were prepared by management without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise disclosed, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and changes in financial position for such periods, have been made.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The results of operations for the period ended June 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results which may be expected for a full year. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 contains financial information taken from the audited Abeona consolidated financial statements as of that date.

As of June 30, 2017, we had 4,924,685 options and 3,736,617 warrants that were not included in the EPS calculation as their effect would be antidilutive.

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

Amortization expense related to intangible assets totaled $158,000 and $361,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and totaled $146,000 and $291,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. The aggregate estimated amortization expense for intangible assets remaining as of June 30, 2017 is as follows (in thousands):

On May 26, 2017, we entered into agreements with Plasma Technologies, LLC (“Plasmatech”) and Acestor Therapeutics LLC (“Acestor”). Abeona holds an 80% membership interest in Acestor and Plasmatech holds the remaining 20% membership interest of a newly formed LLC. Acestor was formed for the purposes of seeking additional financing in the amount of approximately $5,000,000 to develop and commercial the technology of that certain license agreement for certain patent rights that was granted to Abeona from Plasmatech on September 19, 2014 and amended January 23, 2015 (“License Agreement”). The License Agreement was transferred to Acestor. In addition, the Abeona payment obligation of $4,000,000 to Plasmatech was waived and replaced with an obligation of Acestor to pay Plasmatech 10% of the aggregate proceeds in respect of any financing (whether public of private) undertaken by Acestor on or before November 26, 2017.

We calculate the fair value of our assets and liabilities which qualify as financial instruments and include additional information in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements when the fair value is different than the carrying value of these financial instruments. The estimated fair value of receivables, prepaids and other, accounts payable and payable due to Plasma Technologies, LLC approximate their carrying amounts due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments.

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This guidance establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

The guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

We have segregated all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date in the table below.

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring and recurring basis as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized below:

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized stock option-based compensation expense of $1,243,000 and $2,735,000, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 we recognized stock option-based compensation expense of $1,385,000 and $2,977,000, respectively.

The following table summarizes stock option-based compensation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we granted 185,000 and 185,000 stock options, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we granted 125,000 and 1,440,000 stock options.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized restricted common stock compensation expense of $324,000 and $686,000, respectively for granted restricted common stock. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 we recognized restricted stock compensation expense of $987,000 and $2,879,000, respectively for granted restricted common stock.

The following table summarizes restricted common stock compensation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 no common stock was granted to directors or employees.

We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings.