Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 April (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2021

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number 001-36138

ADVAXIS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(609) 452-9813

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has fled 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 fling requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] 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). Yes [X] 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 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 [  ] No [X]

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of June 7, 2021 was 145,638,459.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING-STATEMENTS

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) of Advaxis, Inc. (the “Company”) includes statements that are “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. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of such terms as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “approximately” or the negative or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. They appear in a number of places throughout this Form 10-Q and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things, our ongoing and planned discovery and development of drug candidates, the strength and breadth of our intellectual property, our ongoing and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials, the timing of and our ability to make regulatory filings and obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our product candidates, the degree of clinical utility of our product candidates, particularly in specific patient populations, expectations regarding clinical trial data, our results of operations, financial condition, our available cash, liquidity, prospects, growth and strategies, impacts of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the length of time that we will be able to continue to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditures, our expected financing needs and sources of financing, the industry in which we operate and the trends that may affect our industry or us.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to the occurrence and timing of events or circumstances, many of which are beyond the control of the Company As a result of these, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q will prove to be accurate. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this Form 10-Q, we caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate, may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q, they may not be predictive of results or developments in future periods.

Some of the material factors that we believe could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated or predicted include:

You should also read carefully the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this Form 10-Q speak only as of the date of such statement, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q except as required by the federal securities laws.

This Form 10-Q includes statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable, we have not independently verified such data.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

ADVAXIS, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements.

ADVAXIS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements.

ADVAXIS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements.

ADVAXIS, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Advaxis, Inc. (“Advaxis” or the “Company”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary Listeria monocytogenes (“Lm”)-based antigen delivery products. The Company is using its Lm platform directed against tumor-specific targets in order to engage the patient’s immune system to destroy tumor cells. Through a license from the University of Pennsylvania, Advaxis has exclusive access to this proprietary formulation of attenuated Lm called Lm Technology^TM. Advaxis’ proprietary approach is designed to deploy a unique mechanism of action that redirects the immune system to attack cancer in three distinct ways:

Advaxis’ proprietary Lm platform technology has demonstrated clinical activity in several of its programs and has been dosed in over 470 patients across multiple clinical trials and in various tumor types. The Company believes that Lm Technology immunotherapies can complement and address significant unmet needs in the current oncology treatment landscape. Specifically, its product candidates have the potential to work synergistically with other immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, while having a generally well-tolerated safety profile.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity and Management’s Plans

Similar to other development stage biotechnology companies, the Company’s products that are being developed have not generated significant revenue. As a result, the Company has suffered recurring losses and requires significant cash resources to execute its business plans. These losses are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

As of April 30, 2021, the Company had approximately $48.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. Although the Company expects to have sufficient capital to fund its obligations, as they become due, in the ordinary course of business until at least July 2022, the actual amount of cash that it will need to operate is subject to many factors. Over the past year, the Company has taken steps to obtain additional financing, including conducting sales of its common stock through its at-the-market (“ATM”) program through A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, an equity line financing arrangement with Lincoln Park Capital and the completion of a registered direct offering and concurrent private placement with two healthcare-focused, institutional investors in April 2021, as further described below. The Company received aggregate proceeds of about $3.8 million during the six months ended April 30, 2021 upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, which were payable upon exercise.

On April 12, 2021, the Company entered into definitive agreements with two healthcare-focused, institutional investors for the purchase of (i) 17,577,400 shares of common stock, (ii) 7,671,937 pre-funded warrants to purchase 7,671,937 shares of common stock and (iii) registered common share purchase warrants to purchase 11,244,135 shares of common stock ("Accompanying Warrants") in a registered direct offering (the “April 2021 Registered Direct Offering”). The Company also issued to the investors, in a concurrent private placement (the “April 2021 Private Placement” and together with the April 2021 Registered Direct Offering, the “April 2021 Offering”), unregistered common share purchase warrants to purchase 14,005,202 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Private Placement Warrants”).. The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $20 million, before deducting the fees and expenses payable by us in connection with the April 2021 Offering. 

On November 27, 2020, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 26,666,666 shares of common stock and common stock warrants to purchase up to 13,333,333 shares of common stock (the “November 2020 Offering”). On November 24, 2020, the underwriters notified us that they had exercised their option to purchase an additional 3,999,999 shares of common stock and 1,999,999 warrants in full. The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $9.2 million, before deducting the fees and expenses payable by us in connection with the November 2020 Offering. With these funds raised and a reduction in the operating expenses the Company believes that it has enough cash to fund its operations for one year from the date of filing.

The Company recognizes it will need to raise additional capital in order to continue to execute its business plan in the future. There is no assurance that additional financing will be available when needed or that management will be able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to the Company or whether the Company will become profitable and generate positive operating cash flow. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient additional funds, it will have to further scale back its operations.

The Company does not have any current plans to raise capital in the near term, absent an extraordinary change in circumstances, such as unforeseen liabilities or if we acquire new assets that require additional investment. We do not believe we will need to raise additional capital in the near term because we have a) built a strong balance sheet (including the proceeds from the financing completed in April 2021) and b) executed on our cost reduction plans that have reduced our annual cash burn by greater than 75% over the past few years, securing a cash runway through potential future clinical and corporate milestones. 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Basis of Presentation/Estimates

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with respect to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements and the accompanying unaudited interim condensed balance sheet as of April 30, 2021 has been derived from the Company’s October 31, 2020 audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed financial statements furnished include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the timelines associated with revenue recognition on upfront payments received, fair value and recoverability of the carrying value of property and equipment and intangible assets, fair value of warrant liability, grant date fair value of options, deferred tax assets and any related valuation allowance and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.

These unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 and notes thereto contained in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on January 22, 2021, and as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on February 26, 2021.

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Basic net income or loss per common share is computed by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share give effect to dilutive options, warrants, restricted stock units and other potential common stock outstanding during the period. In the case of a net loss, the impact of the potential common stock resulting from warrants, outstanding stock options and convertible debt are not included in the computation of diluted loss per share, as the effect would be anti-dilutive. In the case of net income, the impact of the potential common stock resulting from these instruments that have intrinsic value are included in the diluted earnings per share. The table below sets forth the number of potential shares of common stock that have been excluded from diluted net loss per share as of April 30, 2021 and April 30, 2020, 0 and 343,838 warrants, respectively, are included in the basic earnings per share computation because the exercise price was $0.

Sequencing Policy

The Company adopted a sequencing policy under ASC 815-40-35, if reclassification of contracts from equity to liabilities is necessary pursuant to ASC 815 due to the Company’s inability to demonstrate it has sufficient authorized shares. This was due to the Company committing more shares than authorized. Certain instruments are classified as liabilities, after allocating available authorized shares on the basis of the most recent grant date of potentially dilutive instruments. Pursuant to ASC 815, issuances of securities granted as compensation in a share-based payment arrangement are not subject to the sequencing policy.

Leases

At the inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease based on the facts and circumstances present in the arrangement. An arrangement is or contains a lease if the arrangement conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Most leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as operating lease right-of-use assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities, as applicable. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases “ASC 842”), The Company has elected not to recognize on the balance sheet leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company typically only includes the initial lease term in its assessment of a lease arrangement. Options to extend a lease are not included in the Company’s assessment unless there is reasonable certainty that the Company will renew.

Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as prepaid or accrued rent. The interest rate implicit in the Company’s leases is typically not readily determinable. As a result, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate, which reflects the fixed rate at which the Company could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term, in a similar economic environment.

Recent Accounting Standards

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material impact on the accompanying condensed financial statements.

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

Depreciation expense for the three months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the six months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020 was $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively. During the three months ended April 30, 2021, the Company incurred a loss on disposal of equipment of $1.5 million, $0.97 million of which is reflected in the research and development expenses and $0.53 million of which is reflected in the general and administrative expenses in the statement of operations.

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

The expiration dates of the existing patents range from 2021 to 2040 but the expiration dates can be extended based on market approval if granted and/or based on existing laws and regulations. Capitalized costs associated with patent applications that are abandoned without future value are charged to expense when the determination is made not to further pursue the application. Patent applications having a net book value of $0.1 million and $0.4 million were abandoned and were charged to general and administrative expenses in the statement of operations for each of the three months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Patent applications having a net book value of $0.1 million and $0.6 million were abandoned and were charged to general and administrative expenses in the statement of operations for the six months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets that was charged to general and administrative expense in the statement of operations aggregated approximately $0.1 million for each of the three months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets that was charged to general and administrative expense in the statement of operations aggregated $0.1 and $0.2 million for each of the six months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Management has reviewed its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset might not be recoverable. Net assets are recorded on the balance sheet for patents and licenses related to axalimogene filolisbac (AXAL), ADXS-HOT, ADXS-PSA and ADXS-HER2 and other products that are in development. However, if a competitor were to gain FDA approval for a treatment before us or if future clinical trials fail to meet the targeted endpoints, the Company will likely record an impairment related to these assets. In addition, if an application is rejected or fails to be issued, the Company would record an impairment of its estimated book value. Lastly, if the Company is unable to raise enough capital to continue funding its studies and developing its intellectual property, the Company would likely record an impairment to these assets.

As of April 30, 2021, the estimated amortization expense by fiscal year based on the current carrying value of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):

5. ACCRUED EXPENSES:

The following table summarizes accrued expenses included in the condensed balance sheets (in thousands):

6. COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS AND WARRANT LIABILITY

Warrants

As of April 30, 2021, there were outstanding and exercisable warrants to purchase 30,225,397 and 16,220,195 shares, respectively, of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0.30 to $281.25 per share. Information on the outstanding warrants is as follows:

As of October 31, 2020, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 398,226 shares of our common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0 to $281.25 per share. Information on the outstanding warrants is as follows:

A summary of warrant activity for the six months ended April 30, 2021 is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

As of April 30, 2021, the Company had 18,910,965 of its total 30,225,397 outstanding warrants classified as equity (equity warrants). At October 31, 2020, the Company had 327,363 of its total 398,226 outstanding warrants classified as equity (equity warrants). At issuance, equity warrants are recorded at their relative fair values, using the relative fair value method, in the stockholders’ equity section of the condensed balance sheets.

Warrant Liability

As of April 30, 2021, the Company had 11,314,432 of its total 30,225,397 outstanding warrants from April 2021 Private Placement Offering and September 2018 Public Offering classified as liabilities (liability warrants). At October 31, 2020, the Company had 70,863 of its total 398,226 outstanding warrants classified as liabilities (liability warrants).

The warrants issued in the April 2021 Private Placement will become exercisable only on such day, if ever, that is fourteen (14) days after the Company files an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share from 170,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares. These warrants expire five years after the date they become exercisable. As a result, liability classification is warranted. For these liability warrants, the Company utilized the Black Scholes model to calculate the fair value of these warrants at issuance and at each subsequent reporting date.

In measuring the warrant liability for the warrants issued in the April 2021 Private Placement at April 30, 2021 and April 14, 2021 (issuance date), the Company used the following inputs in its Black Scholes model:

The September 2018 Public Offering warrants contain a down round feature, except for exempt issuances as defined in the warrant agreement, in which the exercise price would immediately be reduced to match a dilutive issuance of common stock, options, convertible securities and changes in option price or rate of conversion. As of April 30, 2021, the down round feature was triggered three times and the exercise price of the warrants were reduced from $22.50 to $0.30. The warrants require liability classification as the warrant agreement requires the Company to maintain an effective registration statement and does not specify any circumstances under which settlement in other than cash would be permitted or required. As a result, net cash settlement is assumed and liability classification is warranted. For these liability warrants, the Company utilized the Monte Carlo simulation model to calculate the fair value of these warrants at issuance and at each subsequent reporting date.

In measuring the warrant liability for the September 2018 Public Offering warrants at April 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, the Company used the following inputs in its Monte Carlo simulation model:

7. SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense included in the condensed statements of operations (in thousands):

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

A summary of the Company’s RSU activity and related information for the six months ended April 30, 2021 is as follows:

As of April 30, 2021, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs.

Employee Stock Awards

Common Stock issued to executives and employees related to vested incentive retention awards, employment inducements, management purchases and employee excellence awards totaled 5,888 shares and 5,561 shares during the three months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total stock compensation expense associated with employee awards for the three months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $30,000 and $40,000, respectively.

Common Stock issued to executives and employees related to vested incentive retention awards, employment inducements, management purchases and employee excellence awards totaled 5,888 shares and 8,608 shares during the six months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total stock compensation expense associated with employee awards for the six months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Stock Options

A summary of changes in the stock option plan for the six months ended April 30, 2021 is as follows:

During the six months ended April 30, 2021, the Company granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of its common stock to an employee. The stock options have a ten-year term, vest over three years from the date of grant, and have an exercise price of $0.39.

Total compensation cost related to the Company’s outstanding stock options, recognized in the statement of operations for the three months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. For the six months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020, compensation cost related to the Company’s outstanding stock options was approximately $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively

As of April 30, 2021, there was approximately $0.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.75 years.

As of April 30, 2021, the aggregate intrinsic value of vested and exercisable options was $8 thousand and the aggregate intrinsic value of non-vested options was approximately $28 thousand.

In determining the fair value of the stock options granted during the six months ended April 30, 2021, the Company used the following inputs in its Black Scholes Merton model:

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

During the six months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company issued 1,000 and 8,249 shares, respectively, that were purchased under the 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).

8. COLLABORATION AND LICENSING AGREEMENTS

OS Therapies LLC

On September 4, 2018, the Company entered into a development, license and supply agreement with OS Therapies (“OST”) for the use of ADXS31-164, also known as ADXS-HER2, for evaluation in the treatment of osteosarcoma in humans. Under the terms of the license agreement, as amended, OST will be responsible for the conduct and funding of a clinical study evaluating ADXS-HER2 in recurrent, completely resected osteosarcoma. Under the most recent amendment to the licensing agreement, OST agreed to pay Advaxis $25,000 per month (“Monthly Payment”) starting on April 30, 2020 until it achieved its funding milestone of $2,337,500. Upon receipt of the first Monthly Payment, Advaxis initiated the transfer of the intellectual property and licensing rights of ADXS31-164, which were licensed pursuant to the Penn Agreement, back to the University of Pennsylvania. Contemporaneously, OST will enter negotiations with the University of Pennsylvania to establish a licensing agreement for ADXS31-164 to OST for clinical and commercial development of the ADXS31-164 technology.

In December 2020 and January 2021, the Company received an aggregate of $1,615,000 from OS Therapies upon achievement of the funding milestone set forth in the license agreement. The Company therefore transferred and OST took full ownership of, the IND application for ADXS31-164 in its entirety along with agreements and promises contained therein, as well as all obligations associated with this IND or any HER2 product/program development.

On April 26, 2021, the Company achieved the second milestone set forth in the license agreement for evaluation in the treatment of osteosarcoma in humans. The Company has a receivable due from OS Therapies of $1.375 million at April 30, 2021.

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

The Company is from time to time involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. The Company does not believe that any of these claims or proceedings against us is likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations.

10. LEASES

Operating Leases

The Company previously leased a corporate office and manufacturing facility in Princeton, New Jersey under an operating lease that was set to expire in November 2025. On March 26, 2021, the Company entered into a Lease Termination and Surrender Agreement with respect to this lease agreement. The Lease Termination and Surrender Agreement provides for the early termination of the lease, which became effective on March 31, 2021. In connection with the early termination of the lease, the Company was required to pay a $1,000,000 termination payment. The unapplied security deposit totaling approximately $182,000 was credited against the termination fee for a net payment of approximately $817,000. During the three months ended April 30, 2021, the Company wrote off of the remaining right-of-use asset of $4.5 million and lease liability of $5.6 million. After consideration of the termination payment and write off of remaining right-of-use asset and lease liability, the Company recorded a net gain of $0.1 million.

On March 25, 2021, the Company entered into a new lease agreement for its corporate office/lab with base rent of approximately $29,000 per year, plus other expenses. The lease expires on March 25, 2022 and the Company has the option to renew the lease for one additional successive one year term upon six months written notice to the landlord. This new lease is accounted for as a short-term lease and the Company has elected to not recognize the right-of-use asset and lease liability.

As a result of the termination of the Company's prior lease agreement pursuant to the Lease Termination and Surrender Agreement, the Company does not have an outstanding lease liability or operating right-of-use asset recorded as of April 30, 2021.

Supplemental lease expense related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases was as follows:

11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Public Offerings

On April 12, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors. The Purchase Agreement provided for the sale and issuance by the Company of an aggregate of 17,577,400 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value (the “Common Stock”), at an offering price of $0.7921 per Share and 7,671,937 pre-funded warrants to certain purchasers whose purchase of additional Shares would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 9.99% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock immediately following the consummation of the offering (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”). The Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants were sold together with warrants to purchase up to 11,244,135 shares of Common Stock (the “Accompanying Warrants” and together with the Shares and the Pre-Funded Warrants, the “Securities”). The Pre-Funded Warrants were sold for a purchase price of $0.7911 per share and have an exercise price of $0.001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants were immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until all of the Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full. Each Accompanying Warrant has an exercise price per share of $0.70, became exercisable immediately and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the original issuance date.

The Purchase Agreement also provided for a concurrent private placement (the “Private Placement”) of 14,005,202 warrants to purchase the Company’s Common Stock (the “Private Placement Warrants”) with the purchasers in the Registered Offering. The Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable for an aggregate of 14,005,202 shares of Common Stock at any time on or after such date, if ever, that is fourteen (14) days after the Company files an amendment (the “Authorized Shares Amendment”) to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share from 170,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares with the Delaware Secretary of State and on or prior to the date that is five years after such date. The Private Placement Warrants have an exercise price of $0.70 per share. 

In March 2021, the Company sold 886,048 shares of its common stock via the at-the-market (“ATM”) program through A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners netting about $0.7 million in proceeds.

In November 2020, the Company closed on a public offering of 30,666,665 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $0.30 per share, for gross proceeds of $9.2 million, which gives effect to the exercise of the underwriter’s option in full. In addition, the Company also undertook a concurrent private placement of warrants to purchase up to 15,333,332 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price per share of $0.35, are exercisable immediately and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The warrants also provide that if there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the issuance or resale of the warrant shares, the warrants may be exercised via a cashless exercise. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, the net proceeds from the offering were approximately $8.5 million.

During the six months ended April 30, 2021, warrant holders from the Company’s November 2020 offering exercised 10,754,932 warrants in exchange for 10,754,932 shares of the Company’s common stock and warrant holders from the Company’s April 2021 Offering exercised 7,671,937 pre-funded warrants in exchange for 7,671,937 shares of the Company’s common stock. Pursuant to these warrant exercises, the Company received aggregate proceeds of approximately $3.8 million which were payable upon exercise.

A summary of the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and six months ended April 30, 2021 and 2020 is presented below (in thousands, except share data):

12. FAIR VALUE

The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements 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 the most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact, and (iv) willing to transact. The guidance describes a fair value hierarchy based on the levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:

● Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

● Level 2— Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or corroborated by observable market data or substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

● Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the value of the assets or liabilities.

The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020 (in thousands):

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liabilities (in thousands):

13. Subsequent Events

None.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements about our plans and expectations of what may happen in the future. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and our results could differ materially from the results indicated by our forward-looking statements as a result of many known or unknown factors, including, but not limited to, those factors discussed in Part I Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, below in Part II Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-Q. and in the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” set forth at the beginning of this report.

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements, and the related footnotes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, and in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis and the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, we intend to use our media and investor relations website (www.advaxis.com/investor-relations), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts to communicate with the public about Advaxis, its services and other issues.

Overview

Advaxis, Inc. (“Advaxis” or the “Company”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary Lm Technology antigen delivery products based on a platform technology that utilizes live attenuated Listeria monocytogenes, or Lm, bioengineered to secrete antigen/adjuvant fusion proteins. These Lm-based strains are believed to be a significant advancement in immunotherapy as they integrate multiple functions into a single immunotherapy by accessing and directing antigen presenting cells to stimulate anti-tumor T cell immunity, stimulate and activate the innate immune system with the equivalent of multiple adjuvants, and simultaneously reduce tumor protection in the Tumor Microenvironment, or TME, to enable the T cells to attack tumor cells.

The Company believes that Lm Technology immunotherapies can complement and address significant unmet needs in the current oncology treatment landscape. Specifically, our product candidates (i.e., ADXS-PSA and ADXS-503) have the potential to optimize checkpoint performance, while having a generally well-tolerated safety profile, and most of our product candidates have an expected low cost of goods. A new Investigator-Sponsored-Study with our FDA-approved IND is expected to start with ADXS-504-HOT construct in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer patients at a leading US Medical Institution in the first half of 2021.

Advaxis is currently winding down clinical studies of Lm Technology immunotherapies in three program areas:

All these clinical program areas are anchored in the Company’s Lm Technology^TM, a unique platform designed for its ability to safely and effectively target various cancers in multiple ways. While we are currently winding down clinical studies of Lm Technology immunotherapies in these three program areas, our license agreements continue with OS Therapies, LLC for ADXS-HER2 and with Global BioPharma, or GBP, for the exclusive license for the development and commercialization of AXAL in Asia, Africa, and the former USSR territory, exclusive of India and certain other countries.

Recent Developments

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a pandemic, and on March 13, 2020, the United States declared a national emergency with respect to COVID-19. The pandemic has resulted in government-imposed quarantines, travel restrictions, business and school closures and other public health safety measures, many of which remain in effect to varying degrees. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and take steps intended to mitigate the potential risks to our workforce and our operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has, and may continue to, directly or indirectly affect the pace of enrollment in our clinical trials as patients may avoid or may not be able to travel to healthcare facilities and physicians’ offices unless due to a health emergency and clinical trial staff can no longer get to the clinic. Nonetheless, thus far, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a significant impact on our business or results of operations. However, we remain in contact with the clinical sites in our study and are in discussion with additional sites to combat any potential impact in enrollment. We are unable to determine or predict the extent, duration or scope of the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, financial condition or liquidity.

Strategic Transactions

As a matter of course, we are reviewing strategic transactions and alternatives and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying or completing any strategic transactions, that any such strategic transaction will result in additional value for our stockholders or that the process will not have an adverse impact on our business. These transactions could include, but are not limited to, collaboration agreements, co-development agreements, strategic mergers, reverse mergers, the issuance or buyback of public shares, or the purchase or sale of specific assets, in addition to other potential actions aimed at increasing stockholder value. There can be no assurance that the review of strategic transactions will result in the identification or consummation of any transaction. Our Board of Directors may also determine that our most effective strategy is to continue to effectuate our current business plan. Any potential transaction would be dependent upon a number of factors that may be beyond our control, including, but not limited to, market conditions, industry trends, the interest of third parties in our business and the availability of financing to potential buyers on reasonable terms. No decision has been made with respect to any transaction.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended April 30, 2021 and 2020

Revenue

Revenue increased by approximately $1.1 million to $1.4 million for the three months ended April 30, 2021 compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended April 30, 2020. In the current period, we recognized royalty payments from OST of $1.4 million.

Research and Development Expenses

We invest in research and development to advance our Lm technology through our pre-clinical and clinical development programs. Research and development expenses for the three months ended April 30, 2021 and April 30, 2020 were categorized as follows (in thousands):

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses primarily include salary and benefit costs and stock-based compensation expense for employees included in our finance, legal and administrative organizations, outside legal and professional services, and facilities costs. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended April 30, 2021 and April 30, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended April 30, 2021 increased approximately $703 thousand, or 27%, compared to the same period in 2020. This increase primarily relates to increases in sublicense fees, amounts paid in settlement of a shareholder demand letter and losses on disposal of property and equipment in connection with the termination of our office lease at our former location.

Changes in Fair Values

For the three months ended April 30, 2021, we recorded non-cash income from changes in the fair value of the warrant liability of approximately $995 thousand. The decrease in the fair value of liability warrants resulted from this issuance of Private Placement Offering warrants during the three months ended April 30, 2021. The Private Placement Offering warrants had a decrease in fair value of approximately $980 thousand from date of issuance to April 30, 2021.

For the three months ended April 30, 2020, we recorded non-cash income from changes in the fair value of the warrant liability of approximately $14 thousand. The decrease in the fair value of liability warrants resulted from a decrease in our share price from $0.86 at January 31, 2020 to $0.67 at April 30, 2020.

Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended April 30, 2021 and 2020

Revenue

Revenue increased approximately $2.7 million for the six months ended April 30, 2021 compared to $0.3 million for the six months ended April 30, 2020. In the current period, we recognized royalty payments from OST.

Research and Development Expenses

We invest in research and development to advance our Lm technology through our pre-clinical and clinical development programs. Research and development expenses for the six months ended April 30, 2021 and April 30, 2020 were categorized as follows (in thousands):

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses primarily include salary and benefit costs and stock-based compensation expense for employees included in our finance, legal and administrative organizations, outside legal and professional services, and facilities costs. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended April 30, 2021 and April 30, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended April 30, 2021 increased approximately $681 thousand, or 12%, compared to the same period in 2020. This increase primarily relates to increases in sublicense fees, amounts paid in settlement of a shareholder demand letter and losses on disposal of property and equipment in connection with the termination of our office lease at our former location.

Changes in Fair Values

For the six months ended April 30, 2021, we recorded non-cash income from changes in the fair value of the warrant liability of approximately $968 thousand. The decrease in the fair value of liability warrants resulted from this issuance of warrants in the April 2021 Private Placement during the three months ended April 30, 2021. The warrants issued in the April 2021 Private Placement had a decrease in fair value of approximately $980 thousand from date of issuance to April 30, 2021.

For the six months ended April 30, 2020, we recorded non-cash loss from changes in the fair value of the warrant liability of approximately $23 thousand. The increase in the fair value of liability warrants resulted from an increase in our share price from $0.32 at October 31, 2019 to $0.67 at April 30, 2020.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Management’s Plans

Similar to other development stage biotechnology companies, our products that are being developed have not generated significant revenue. As a result, we have historically suffered recurring losses and we have required significant cash resources to execute our business plans. These losses are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

Historically, the Company’s major sources of cash have comprised proceeds from various public and private offerings of its securities (including common stock), debt financings, clinical collaborations, option and warrant exercises, income earned on investments and grants, and interest income. From October 2013 through April 30, 2021, the Company raised approximately $338.5 million in gross proceeds ($29.1 million during the six months ended April 30, 2021) from various public and private offerings of our common stock. The Company has sustained losses from operations in each fiscal year since our inception, and we expect losses to continue for the indefinite future. As of April 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, the Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $419.8 million and $410.7 million, respectively, and stockholders’ equity of approximately $47.6 million and $30.2 million, respectively.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the global economy and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. An extended period of economic disruption could negatively affect the Company’s business, financial condition, and access to sources of liquidity. As of April 30, 2021, the Company had approximately $48.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. The actual amount of cash that the Company will need to continue operating is subject to many factors. The Company based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use available capital resources sooner than currently expected.

The Company recognizes that it will need to raise additional capital in order to continue to execute its business plan in the future. There is no assurance that additional financing will be available when needed or that the Company will be able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to it or whether the Company will become profitable and generate positive operating cash flow. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient additional funds, it will have to further scale back its operations.

On May 8, 2020, the Company entered into a sales agreement related to an at-the-market equity offering program pursuant to which the Company may sell, from time to time, common stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $40 million through A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, as sales agent, for general corporate purposes.

On July 30, 2020, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”). Over the 36-month term of the purchase agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, from time to time, in its sole discretion and subject to certain conditions, to direct Lincoln Park to purchase up to an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 of its common stock, subject to certain limitations.

The Company does not have any current plans to raise capital in the near term, absent an extraordinary change in circumstances, such as unforeseen liabilities or if we acquire new assets that require additional investment. The Company believes it has sufficient capital to fund its obligations, as they become due, in the ordinary course of business into the 3rd fiscal quarter of 2023. We do not believe we will need to raise additional capital in the near term because we have a) built a strong balance sheet (including the proceeds from the financing completed in April 2021) and b) executed on our cost reduction plans that have reduced our annual cash burn by greater than 75% over the past few years, securing a cash runway through potential future clinical and corporate milestones.

Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities includes reduced spending associated with our clinical trial programs and general and administrative activities. Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $8.9 million for the six months ended April 30, 2021 compared to $13.4 million for the six months ended April 30, 2020. The decrease was due to measures to control costs for non-essential items in areas that did not support our strategic direction, and as a result, we have continued to reduce non-strategic operating expenditures over the past several quarters.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $0.1 million for the six months ended April 30, 2021 compared to $0.4 million for the six months ended April 30, 2020. The decrease is a result of proceeds on disposal of property and equipment and reduction in purchases for intangible assets.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $31.9 million for the six months ended April 30, 2021, as compared to $9.6 million for the six months ended April 30, 2020. On April 12, 2021, the Company completed an offering of (i) 17,577,400 shares of common stock, (ii) 7,671,937 pre-funded warrants to purchase 7,671,937 shares of common stock and (iii) registered common share purchase warrants to purchase 11,244,135 shares of common stock (the “Registered Direct Offering”) with two healthcare focused, institutional investors. The Company also issued to the investors, in a concurrent private placement, unregistered common share purchase warrants to purchase 14,005,202 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Private Placement” and together with the Registered Direct Offering, the “April 2021 Offering”). We received gross proceeds of approximately $20 million, before deducting the fees and expenses payable by us in connection with the April 2021 Offering. On November 27, 2020, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 26,666,666 shares of common stock and common stock warrants to purchase up to 13,333,333 shares of common stock (the “November 2020 Offering”).

On November 24, 2020, the underwriters notified us that they had exercised their option to purchase an additional 3,999,999 shares of common stock and 1,999,999 warrants in full. After giving effect to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option, we issued and sold an aggregate 30,666,665 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 15,333,332 shares of common stock. We received gross proceeds of approximately $9.2 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and fees and expenses payable by us in connection with the November 2020 Offering. In January 2020, we completed a public offering of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock, which resulted in net proceeds of approximately $9.7 million. In January 2020, we completed a public offering of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock, which resulted in net proceeds of approximately $9.7 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of April 30, 2021, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures in the financial statements. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

While we base our estimates and judgments on our experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material. The most significant estimates impact the following transactions or account balances: stock compensation, warrant liability valuation and impairment of intangibles.

See Note 2 to our condensed financial statements for a discussion of our significant accounting policies.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Effective or Adopted

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material impact on the accompanying condensed financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

At April 30, 2021, we had approximately $48.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, which consisted primarily of bank deposits and money market funds. Our investment policy and strategy are focused on preservation of capital and supporting our liquidity requirements. We use a combination of internal and external management to execute our investment strategy and achieve our investment objectives. We typically invest in highly-rated securities, and our investment policy generally limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. The policy requires investments generally to be investment grade, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. Such interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk; however, historical fluctuations of interest income have not been significant.

We have not been exposed nor do we anticipate being exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates. A hypothetical 10% change in interest rates during any of the periods presented would not have had a material impact on our financial statements.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and interim principal financial officer of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange Act”). Based upon this evaluation, our chief executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is: (1) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; and (2) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended April 30, 2021, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officers, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent 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 system 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 all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is from time to time involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. The Company does not believe that any of these claims or proceedings against us is likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations. For more information regarding legal proceedings involving the Company, please see Note 9 – Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed financial statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business and financial results are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. As a result, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2020 Form 10-K should be carefully considered. There has been no material change in this information. The risks described in the 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the information in the section of this Form 10-Q entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business operations.

Item 6. Exhibits

* Filed herewith.

SIGNATURE

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

June 14, 2021