Bone Biologics Corp - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2019

For the transition period from _________ to _________

Commission File Number: 000-53078

Bone Biologics Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

42-1743430

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2 Burlington Woods Drive, Ste 100, Burlington, MA 01803

(781) 552-4452

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

None

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

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

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 [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 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 Company is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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 Company is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ] No [X]

Approximate aggregate market value of registrant’s common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant at the close of business on June 30, 2019, was $519,516.

As of March 25, 2020, there were 30,682,590 shares of common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

None.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report on form 10-K (“Annual Report”) contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include those that express plans, anticipation, intent, contingency, goals, targets or future development and/or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and projections about future events and they are subject to risks and uncertainties known and unknown that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.

All statements other than historical facts contained in this Annual Report, including statements regarding our future financial position, capital expenditures, cash flows, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipated,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “estimate,” “project,” “could,” “may,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, among others, information regarding future operations, future capital expenditures, and future net cash flow. Such statements reflect our management’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, obtaining Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and other regulatory authorization to market our drug and biological products, successful completion of our clinical trials, our ability to achieve regulatory authorization to market our lead product NELL-1/DBX®, our reliance on third party manufacturers for our drug products, market acceptance of our products, our dependence on licenses for certain of our products, our reliance on the expected growth in demand for our products, exposure to product liability and defect claims, development of a public trading market for our securities, and various other matters, many of which are beyond our control.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially and adversely from those anticipated, believed, estimated or otherwise indicated. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report are qualified by these cautionary statements and accordingly there can be no assurances made with respect to the actual results or developments. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Unless expressly indicated or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in this document refer to Bone Biologics Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and, our wholly owned subsidiary, as defined under Part I, Item 1-“Business” in this Annual Report.

PART I

Item 1. Business

OVERVIEW

We are a medical device company that is currently focused on bone regeneration in spinal fusion using the recombinant human protein, known as NELL-1/DBX®. The NELL-1/DBX® combination product is an osteostimulative recombinant protein that provides target specific control over bone regeneration. The protein, as part of the UCB-1 technology platform has been licensed exclusively for worldwide applications to us through a technology transfer from the UCLA Technology Development Group on behalf of UC Regents (“UCLA TDG”). UCLA TDG and the Company received guidance from the FDA that NELL-1/DBX® will be classified as a combination product with a device lead.

The Company was founded by University of California professors in collaboration with an Osaka University professor and a University of Southern California surgeon in 2004 as a privately-held company with proprietary, patented technology that has been validated in sheep and non-human primate models to facilitate bone growth. Our platform technology has application in delivering improved outcomes in the surgical specialties of spinal, orthopedic, general orthopedic, plastic reconstruction, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, and sports medicine. Lead product development and clinical studies are targeted on spinal fusion surgery, one of the larger segments in the orthopedic market.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, which we refer to as the JOBS Act. We would cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of: (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues are $1.07 billion or more; (ii) the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year; or (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.07 billion in non-convertible debt securities. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. We have elected to take advantage of these reduced disclosure obligations, and may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting obligations in the future.

The JOBS Act permits an emerging growth company like us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. We are choosing to irrevocably “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted.

We are a development stage entity. The production and marketing of our products and ongoing research and development activities will be subject to extensive regulation by numerous governmental authorities in the United States. Prior to marketing in the United States, any combination product developed by us must undergo rigorous preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) testing and an extensive regulatory approval process implemented by the FDA under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. There can be no assurance that we will not encounter problems in clinical trials that will cause us or the FDA to delay or suspend the clinical trials.

Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain patents and product license rights, maintain trade secrets, and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others, both in the United States and other countries. There can be no assurance that patents issued to or licensed by us will not be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented, or that the rights granted thereunder will provide proprietary protection or competitive advantages to us.

PRODUCTS

We have developed a stand-alone platform technology through significant laboratory and small and large animal research over more than ten years to generate the current applications across broad fields of use. The platform technology is our recombinant human protein, known as NELL-1, a proprietary skeletal specific growth factor which is a bone void filler. NELL-1 provides regulation over skeletal tissue formation and stem cell differentiation during bone regeneration. The Company obtained the platform technology pursuant to an exclusive license agreement with UCLA TDG.

We are currently focused on bone regeneration in lumbar spinal fusion, in keeping with our exclusive license agreement, using NELL-1 in combination with DBX®, a proprietary demineralized bone matrix from Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (“MTF”). The NELL-1/DBX® medical device is a combination product which is an osteostimulative recombinant protein that provides target specific control over bone regeneration. Leveraging the resources of investors and strategic partners, we have successfully surpassed four critical milestones:

Our lead product is expected to be purified NELL-1 mixed with 510(k) cleared DBX® Demineralized Bone Putty recommended for use in conjunction with applicable hardware consistent with the indication. The NELL-1/DBX® Fusion Device will be comprised of a single dose vial of NELL-1 recombinant protein freeze dried onto DBX®. A vial of NELL-1/DBX® will be sold in a convenience kit with a diluent and a syringe of 510(k) cleared demineralized bone (“DBX® Putty”) produced by MTF. A delivery device will allow the surgeon to mix the reconstituted NELL-1 with the appropriate quantity of DBX® Putty just prior to implantation.

The NELL-1/DBX® Fusion Device is intended for use in lumbar spinal fusion and may have a variety of other spine and orthopedic applications.

While the product is initially targeted at the lumbar spine fusion market, in keeping with our exclusive license agreement, we believe NELL-1’s unique set of characteristics, target specific mechanism of action, efficacy, safety and affordability position the product well for application in a variety of procedures including:

Spine Implants. This is the largest market for bone substitute product, representing greater than 70% of the total U.S. market according to Transparency Market Research. While use of the patient’s own bone, also referred to as autograft, to enhance fusion of vertebral segments remains the optimal use for this type of treatment, complications associated with use of autograft bone including pain, increased surgical time and infection limit its use.

Non-Union Trauma Cases. While the majority of fractures heal without the need for osteosynthetic products, bone substitutes are used in complicated breaks where the bone does not mend naturally. NELL-1 is expected to perform as well as high-priced growth factors in this market.

Hip & Knee Revisions. The use of bone substitutes in reconstruction surgery is generally limited to revision cases where the products are used to account for the significant bone loss that accompanies these cases. The treatment of osteoporotic patients also represents a substantial opportunity for NELL-1’s use in hip and knee reconstruction.

Implant Coating. The use of NELL-1 as a direct coating on hip and knee implants could have a very significant impact on the market. A NELL-1 coating may prolong the life of primary implants and allow for differentiation in a commodity market.

Osteoporosis. The medical need to find a solution to counter a decrease in bone mass and density seen in women most frequently after menopause or a similar effect on astronauts in microgravity environments for an extended period is a major medical challenge. The systemic use of NELL-1 to stimulate bone regeneration throughout the body thereby increasing bone density could have a very significant impact on the treatment of osteoporosis.

UCLA’s initial research was funded with approximately $18 million in resources from UCLA TDG and government grants. Since licensing the exclusive worldwide intellectual property rights from UCLA TDG, our continued development has been funded through various strategic investments. Our research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were $1,095,176 and $1,229,570 net of the fair value of stock options amortization and forfeitures by our consultants of $-0- and $(1,125,080), for a total expense of $1,074,687 and $104,490, respectively. We anticipate that it will require an additional $20 million to complete protein synthesis, animal studies, and commence first in man studies. An estimated additional $45 million will be required to achieve product launch for spine interbody fusion.

NELL-1’s powerful specific bone and cartilage forming properties are derived from the ability of NELL-1 to only target cells that exhibit an activated “master switch” to develop into bone or cartilage. NELL-1 is a function specific recombinant human protein that has been proven in laboratory bench models to recapitulate normal human growth and development to provide control over bone and cartilage regeneration.

NELL-1 was isolated in 1996, and the first NELL-1 patent on bone regeneration was filed in 1999. Subsequent patents and continuations in part describing NELL-1 manufacturing, delivery, and cartilage regeneration were filed to further strengthen the patent portfolio.

RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

Bone Biologics’ scientific evidence validates the many benefits of NELL-1. Currently there is a comprehensive database of more than 80 research publications and abstracts of preclinical studies with NELL-1.

Bone Biologics completed a preclinical study, which shows its rhNELL-1 growth factor effectively promotes bone formation in a phylogenetically advanced spine model. In addition, rhNELL-1 was shown to be well tolerated and there were no findings of inflammation.

Bone Biologics previously announced that it received Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval for the first center of a multicenter pilot clinical trial to evaluate NB1 (NELL-1/DBX®) in 30 patients in Australia. The pilot study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of NB1 in adult subjects with degenerative disc disease (DDD) at one level from L2-S1, who may also have up to Grade 1 spondylolisthesis or Grade 1 retrolisthesis at the involved level who undergo transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)

PROPOSED INITIAL CLINICAL APPLICATION

The NELL-1/DBX® Fusion Device will be indicated for spinal fusion procedures in skeletally mature patients with degenerative disc disease (“DDD”) at one level from L4-S1. These DDD patients may also have up to Grade I spondylolisthesis at the involved level. The NELL-1/DBX® Fusion Device is to be implanted via an anterior open or an anterior laparoscopic approach in conjunction with a cleared intervertebral body fusion device. Patients receiving the device should have had at least six months of non-operative treatment prior to treatment with the device. A cervical indication is currently under consideration. This indication for use would fill a current clinical gap, created by potentially dangerous inflammatory responses caused by commercially available catalytic bone growth agents, the subject of a Public Health Notification from the FDA on July 1, 2008 about life threatening complications associated with a recombinant human protein in cervical spine fusion. We do not expect our product to see the same adverse events with NELL-1/DBX® as have been observed with other commercially available protein. We have performed a rat femoral onlay model to compare proinflammatory response of rhBMP-2 and NELL-1 within Helistate collagen sponges. While NELL-1 induced normal healing, rhBMP-2 induced significant amounts of swelling and histological evidence of intense inflammatory response.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DBX® PUTTY TO BE USED WITH NELL-1

The DBX® Demineralized Bone Putty provided in the convenience kit with NELL-1/DBX® is a Class III device with a pre-market approval (PMA). The common name is “Bone Void Filler Containing Human Demineralized Bone Matrix.” The product is regulated under 21 C.F.R. §888.3045 Resorbable calcium salt bone void filler device, Product Codes MQV, GXP, and MBP. MTF is the manufacturer of the DBX® Putty. This product was cleared by the FDA under 510(k) number K053218 for spine indication in December 2006.

DBX® Putty is a matrix composed of processed human cortical bone. Demineralized bone granules are mixed with sodium hyaluronate to form the DBX® Putty. Every lot of final DBX® Putty product is tested in an athymic mouse model or in an alkaline phosphatase assay, which has been shown to have a positive correlation with the athymic mouse model, to ensure osteostimulation.

Based upon extensive discussions with regulatory experts and a specific communication from the FDA in response to a submission of our plan under the Restated License Agreement between UCLA TDG and the Company we believe the NELL-1/DBX® Fusion Device will be regulated as a Class III medical device and will therefore require submission and approval of a pre-market approval, (“PMA”). The FDA response to the submission of our plan is: “We have determined that the product is a combination product that will be regulated under Device authorities, with CDRH (Center for Devices and Radiological Health) as the lead center.”

OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY

Our business strategy is to develop our target specific platform technology to meet a current established market with improvement in patient outcomes and reduction in costs to the healthcare delivery system. Our focus continues to narrow from the research to the development stage to allow for the approval for use of our target specific protein exhibiting efficacy and safety by matching or exceeding current market approved products. Identifying the best future strategic partners to facilitate the development through pre Investigational Device Exemption (“IDE”), clinical, and ultimate commercialization is critical as we fund the pre-IDE work and continue achieving milestones. We believe that the licensing of the distribution of the NELL-1 product in the fields of use focused upon will generate sufficient funding to provide for the ongoing development of the Platform Technology across other surgical and therapeutic fields.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

Bone Biologics Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 18, 2007 as AFH Acquisition X, Inc. Pursuant to a Merger Agreement, dated September 19, 2014, by and among the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bone Biologics Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), and Bone Biologics, Inc. Merger Sub merged with and into Bone Biologics Inc., with Bone Biologics Inc. remaining as the surviving corporation in the merger. Upon the consummation of the merger, the separate existence of Merger Sub ceased. On September 22, 2014, the Company officially changed its name to “Bone Biologics Corporation” to more accurately reflect the nature of its business and Bone Biologics, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Bone Biologics, Inc. was incorporated in California on September 9, 2004.

On July 16, 2018, the Company closed a rights offering in which Hankey Capital purchased 3,539,654 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and executed amendments (the “Amendments”) to the convertible promissory notes (the “Existing Convertible Notes”) payable to Hankey Capital dated October 24, 2014, May 4, 2015 and February 24, 2016. The Amendments reduced the conversion price of the Existing Convertible Notes from $15.80 per share to $1.00 per share and extended the maturity date of the February 24, 2016 convertible promissory note from February 24, 2019 to December 31, 2019. As a result of the share issuance and Amendments, Hankey Capital and Don Hankey, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, acquired a majority of the voting common shares issued and outstanding and thus effective control of the Company. On October 1, 2019, the maturity date of the notes was extended to December 31, 2021.

Effective July 24, 2018, the Company implemented a reverse split of the common stock of the Company on a basis of 1 new common share for 10 old common share.

UCLA TDG Exclusive License Agreement

Effective April 9, 2019, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement dated as of March 21, 2019 (the “Amended License Agreement”) with the UCLA Technology Development Group on behalf of UC Regents (“UCLA TDG”). The Amended License Agreement amends and restates the Amended and Restated Exclusive License Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2017 (the “2017 Agreement”). The 2017 Agreement amended and restated the Exclusive License Agreement, effective March 15, 2006, between the Company and UCLA TDG, as amended by ten amendments. Under the terms of the Amended License Agreement, the Regents have continued to grant the Company exclusive rights to develop and commercialize NELL-1 (the “Licensed Product”) for spinal fusion, osteoporosis and trauma applications. The Licensed Product is a recombinant human protein growth factor that is essential for normal bone development.

We have agreed to pay an annual maintenance fee to UCLA TDG of $10,000 as well as to pay certain royalties to UCLA TDG under the Restated License Agreement at the rate of 3.0% of net sales of licensed products. We must pay the royalties to UCLA TDG on a quarterly basis. Upon a first commercial sale, we also must pay between $50,000 and $250,000, depending on the calendar year which is after the first commercial sale. If we are required to pay any third party any royalties as a result of us making use of UCLA TDG patents, then we may reduce the royalty owed to UCLA TDG by 0.333% for every percentage point paid to a third party. If we grant sublicense rights to a third party to use the UCLA TDG patent, then we will pay to UCLA TDG 10% to 20% of the sublicensing income we receive from such sublicense.

We are obligated to make the following milestone payments to UCLA TDG for each Licensed Product or Licensed Method:

We are also obligated to pay UCLA TDG a cash milestone payment within thirty (30) days of a Liquidity Event (including a Change of Control Transaction and a payment election by UCLA TDG exercisable after December 22, 2018) such payment to equal the greater of:

We are obligated to diligently proceed with developing and commercializing licensed products under UCLA TDG patents set forth in the Restated License Agreement. UCLA TDG has the right to either terminate the license or reduce the license to a non-exclusive license if we do not meet certain diligence milestone deadlines set forth in the Restated License Agreement.

We must reimburse or pre-pay UCLA TDG for patent prosecution and maintenance costs incurred during the term of the Restated License Agreement. We have the right to bring infringement actions against third party infringers of the Restated License Agreement, UCLA TDG may join voluntarily, at its own expense, or, at our expense, be joined involuntarily to the action. We are required to indemnify UCLA TDG against any third party claims arising out of our exercise of the rights under the Restated License Agreement or any sublicense.

COMPETITION

The orthobiologic and orthopedic industries are characterized by rapidly advancing technologies, intense competition and a strong emphasis on intellectual property. We face substantial competition from many different sources, including large and specialty orthopedic companies, biotechnology companies, academic research institutions and governmental agencies along with public and private research institutions.

Our business is in a very competitive and evolving field, that faces competition from large established orthopedic companies such as (but not limited to) Medtronic, Stryker, Zimmer-Biomet, and DePuy-Synthes that possess considerably more resources than Bone Biologics.

Our commercial opportunity could be reduced if our competitors develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, have fewer or less severe side effects, are more convenient or are less expensive than any products that we may develop. Our competitors also may obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly than we may obtain approval for ours, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market.

The NELL-1 growth factor is mechanistically distinct from BMPs and can minimize complications associated with BMP therapies. The early proof of concept animal studies has shown the efficacy of NELL-1 combined with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) as a novel bone graft material for interbody spine fusion.

CUSTOMERS

The populations of interest include spine surgeons, and patients with a skeletal bone defect or bone-related condition in their spine, for which intervention is undertaken to correct such a defect. Spine surgeons and patients can choose to eliminate the need to perform a second painful surgery to obtain autograft harvest of hip bone for fusion procedures by utilizing various other types of biologics.

Most cases of lower back pain can be linked to a general cause such as muscle strain, injury, overuse, or can be attributed to a specific condition like herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, or osteoarthritis.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

We have an intellectual property portfolio that includes exclusive, worldwide licenses from UCLA TDG which we believe constitute a formidable barrier to entry.

Additional patent applications are currently in preparation. The intellectual property is unique and comprehensively covers NELL-1 manufacture, NELL-1 compositions and NELL-1 use in wide ranging clinical and diagnostic applications. We protect our proprietary technology through all mechanisms including U.S. and foreign patent filings, trade secret protections, and collaboration agreements with domestic and international corporations, universities and research institutions. We are the exclusive licensee for the following fifteen (15) UCLA TDG issued patents:

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

The manufacturing and marketing of any product which we may formulate with our technologies as well as our related research and development activities are subject to regulation for safety, efficacy and quality by governmental authorities in the U.S. and other countries. We anticipate that these regulations will apply separately to each product. The Company believes that complying with these regulations will involve a considerable level of time, expense and uncertainty.

In the U.S., drugs are subject to rigorous federal regulation and, to a lesser extent, state regulation. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and other federal and state statutes and regulations govern, among other things, the testing, manufacture, safety, efficacy, labeling, storage, record keeping, approval, advertising and promotion of our products. Drug development and approval within this regulatory framework is difficult to predict, requires a number of years and involves the expenditure of substantial resources. Moreover, ongoing legislation by U.S. Congress and rule making by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) presents an ever-changing landscape where we could be required to undertake additional activities before any governmental approval is granted allowing us to market our products. The steps required before a pharmaceutical agent may be marketed in the U.S. include:

In addition to obtaining FDA approval for each product, each manufacturing establishment must be registered with, and approved by, the FDA. Moreover, manufacturing establishments are subject to biennial inspections by the FDA and must comply with the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices “cGMP” for products, drugs and devices.

Non-clinical Trials

Non-clinical testing includes laboratory evaluation of chemistry and formulation as well as tissue culture and animal studies to assess the safety and potential efficacy of the product. Non-clinical safety tests must be conducted by laboratories that comply with FDA regulations regarding good laboratory practices. Non-clinical testing is inherently risky and the results can be unpredictable or difficult to interpret. The results of non-clinical testing are submitted to the FDA as part of an IDE and are reviewed by the FDA prior to the commencement of clinical trials. Unless the FDA objects to an IDE, clinical studies may begin 30 days after the IDE is submitted. We have relied and intend to continue to rely on third-party contractors to perform non-clinical trials.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational product to healthy volunteers or to patients under the supervision of a qualified investigator. Clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with good clinical practices under protocols that detail the objectives of the study, the parameters to be used to monitor safety and the efficacy criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol must be submitted to the FDA prior to its conduct. Further, each clinical study must be conducted under the auspices of an independent institutional review board. The institutional review board will consider, among other things, ethical factors, the safety of human subjects and the possible liability of the institution. The drug product used in clinical trials must be manufactured according to the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices.

Clinical trials under IDE regulations are typically conducted in two sequential trials. In the Pilot trial, the initial introduction of the product into healthy human subjects, the drug is tested for safety (adverse side effects), absorption, metabolism, bio-distribution, excretion, food and drug interactions, abuse as well as limited measures of pharmacologic effect and proof of principle that involves studies in a limited patient population in order to:

When there is evidence that the product may be effective and has an acceptable safety profile in Pilot evaluations, Pivotal trials are undertaken to establish and confirm the clinical efficacy and establish the safety profile of the product within a larger population at geographically dispersed clinical study sites. Pivotal trials frequently involve randomized controlled trials and, whenever possible, studies are conducted in a manner so that neither the patient nor the investigator knows what treatment is being administered. The Company, or the FDA, may suspend clinical trials at any time if it is believed that the individuals participating in such trials are being exposed to unacceptable health risks. We intend to rely upon third-party contractors to advise and assist us in the preparation of our IDEs and the conduct of clinical trials that will be conducted under the IDEs.

Premarket Approval and FDA Approval Process

The results of the manufacturing process, development work, non-clinical studies and clinical studies are submitted to the FDA in the form of a PMA prior to marketing and selling the product. The testing and approval process is likely to require substantial time and effort. In addition to the results of non-clinical and clinical testing, the PMA applicant must submit detailed information about chemistry, manufacturing and controls that will describe how the product is made and tested through the manufacturing process.

The PMA review process involves FDA investigation into the details of the manufacturing process, as well as the design and analysis of each of the non-clinical and clinical studies. This review includes inspection of the manufacturing facility, the data recording process for the clinical studies, the record keeping at a sample of clinical trial sites and a thorough review of the data collected and analyzed for each non-clinical and clinical study. Through this investigation, the FDA reaches a decision about the risk-benefit profile of a product candidate. If the benefit is worth the risk, the FDA begins negotiating with the company about the content of an acceptable package insert and associated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (“REMS”), if required.

The approval process is affected by a number of factors, including the severity of the disease, the availability of alternative treatments and the risks and benefits demonstrated in clinical trials. Consequently, there is a risk that approval may not be granted on a timely basis, if at all. The FDA may deny a PMA if applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied, require additional testing or information or require post-marketing testing (Phase 4) and surveillance to monitor the safety of a company’s product if it does not believe the PMA contains adequate evidence of the safety and efficacy of the product. Moreover, if regulatory approval of a product is granted, such approval may entail limitations on the indicated uses for which it may be marketed. Finally, product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or health problems are identified that would alter the risk-benefit analysis for the product. Post-approval studies may be conducted to explore the use of the product for new indications or populations such as pediatrics.

Among the conditions for PMA approval is the requirement that any prospective manufacturer’s quality control and manufacturing procedures conform to the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices and the specifications approved in the PMA. In complying with standards set forth in these regulations, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of product and quality control to ensure full technical compliance. Manufacturing establishments, both foreign and domestic, also are subject to inspections by or under the authority of the FDA and by other federal, state or local agencies. Additionally, in the event of non-compliance, FDA may issue warning letters and/or seek criminal and civil penalties, enjoin manufacture, seize product or revoke approval.

International Approval

Whether or not FDA approval has been obtained, approval of a product by regulatory authorities in foreign countries must be obtained prior to the commencement of commercial sales of the drug in such countries. The requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials and drug approvals vary widely from country to country, and the time required for approval may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval. Although there are some procedures for unified filings for certain European countries, in general, each country at this time has its own procedures and requirements.

Other Regulation

In addition to regulations enforced by the FDA, we are also subject to U.S. regulation under the Controlled Substances Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and other present and potential future federal, state, local or similar foreign regulations. Our research and development may involve the controlled use of hazardous materials, chemicals and radioactive compounds. Although we believe that its safety procedures for handling and disposing of such materials comply with the standards prescribed by state and federal regulations, the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be completely eliminated. In the event of any accident, we could be held liable for any damages that result and any such liability could exceed our resources.

EMPLOYEES

As of the date hereof, we have one (1) full-time employee.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following factors, as well as factors described elsewhere in this Form 10-K, or in other filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could adversely affect the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Other factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material could also affect our business operations and financial results.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our ability to grow and compete in the future will be adversely affected if adequate capital is not available to us or not available on terms favorable to us.

The ability of our business to grow and compete depends on the availability of adequate capital. We currently have no cash flow. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain equity or debt financing on acceptable terms or at all to implement our growth strategy. As a result, we cannot assure you that adequate capital will be available to finance our current growth plans, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could harm our business.

We rely on Hankey Capital for Funding

For the past several years, we have depended on our relationship with Hankey Capital for working capital to fund our operations, which has been raised in the form of both debt and equity capital. Hankey Capital, directly and indirectly, controls approximately 89% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (including collateral shares) and has been issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal balance of $11,320,000 at December 31, 2019. No assurance can be given that any future financing from Hankey Capital will be available or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory to the Company. In the absence of financing from other sources, the inability to obtain additional financing from Hankey Capital will result in the scaling back or discontinuance of our product development programs or operations entirely.

Our recurring operating losses have raised substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our recurring operating losses raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. As a result, our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph in its report on our financial statements as and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 with respect to this uncertainty. The perception of our ability to continue as a going concern may make it more difficult for us to obtain financing for the continuation of our operations and could result in the loss of confidence by investors, suppliers and employees.

We have incurred losses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and we expect our operating expenses to increase in the foreseeable future, which may make it more difficult for us to achieve and maintain profitability.

We have no significant operating history and since inception to December 31, 2019 have incurred accumulated losses of approximately $67.0 million. We will continue to incur significant expenses for development activities for our lead product NELL-1/DBX®. Operating expenditures for the next twelve months are estimated at $6.4 million. Our auditors have included in their audit report for the year ended December 31, 2019 an explanatory paragraph regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. As reflected in the financial statements, we had a stockholders’ deficit of $11,867,620 at December 31, 2019, incurred a net loss of $3,404,322 and used net cash in operating activities of $3,251,229 during the year ended December 31, 2019. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.

We will continue to attempt to raise additional debt and/or equity financing to fund future operations and to provide additional working capital. However, there is no assurance that such financing will be consummated or obtained in sufficient amounts necessary to meet the Company’s needs. If cash resources are insufficient to satisfy the Company’s on-going cash requirements, the Company will be required to scale back or discontinue its product development programs, or obtain funds if available (although there can be no certainties) through strategic alliances that may require the Company to relinquish rights to its technology, substantially reduce or discontinue its operations entirely. No assurance can be given that any future financing will be available or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory to the Company. Even if the Company is able to obtain additional financing, it may contain undue restrictions on our operations, in the case of debt financing, or cause substantial dilution for our stockholders, in the case of equity financing. As a result, we can provide no assurance as to whether or if we will ever be profitability. If we are not able to achieve and maintain profitability, the value of our company and our common stock could decline significantly.

We face a number of risks associated with our incurrence of substantial debt which could adversely affect our financial condition.

The Company has the following debt outstanding with Hankey Capital, a related party:

Incurring a substantial amount of debt may require us to use a significant portion of any cash flow to pay principal and interest on the debt, which will reduce the amount available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, and other general purposes. Our indebtedness may negatively impact our ability to operate our business and limit our ability to borrow additional funds by increasing our borrowing costs, and impact the terms, conditions, and restrictions contained in possible future debt agreements, including the addition of more restrictive covenants; impact our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business as covenants and restrictions contained in possible future debt arrangements may require that we meet certain financial tests and place restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and place us at a disadvantage compared to similar companies in our industry that have less debt.

The Convertible Notes are secured by 23,404,255 collateral shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in the name of Hankey Capital, in such amount so as to maintain a loan to value ratio equal to 50% (the “Collateral Shares”). The number of shares in the Collateral Shares shall be adjusted on a yearly basis. A Collateral Shares adjustment of 18,009,696 shares of Common Stock was issued during the year ended December 31, 2019. The principal amount of the loans are pre-payable in whole or in part at any time, without premium or penalty. Upon any voluntary partial prepayment of outstanding principal, Hankey Capital will return Collateral Shares to the Company in the amount necessary, if any, to maintain the loan to value ratio at no less than 50%. Upon a full payment of the outstanding principal, all Collateral Shares shall be returned return and cancelled. Hankey Capital will also return Collateral Shares under the same terms in case of partial or full conversion of the Convertible Notes. All of the Company’s personal property further secure the Convertible Notes, including collateral assignments of all the Company’s license agreements and the MTF Sygnal Option Agreement.

We operate in a highly competitive environment.

The medical device industry is characterized by rapidly evolving technology and intense competition. Our competitors include major multi-national orthopedic and med-tech companies developing both generic and proprietary therapies to treat serious diseases. Many of these companies are well-established and possess technical, human, research and development, financial and sales and marketing resources significantly greater than ours. In addition, many of our potential competitors have formed strategic collaborations, partnerships and other types of joint ventures with larger, well established industry competitors that afford these companies potential research and development and commercialization advantages in the therapeutic areas we are currently pursuing.

Academic research centers, governmental agencies and other public and private research organizations are also conducting and financing research activities which may produce products directly competitive to those being developed by us. In addition, many of these competitors may be able to obtain patent protection, obtain FDA and other regulatory approvals, and begin commercial sales of their products before us.

Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our current business and future prospects.

We have a limited operating history, and there is a risk that we will be unable to continue as a going concern. We have minimal assets and no significant financial resources. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our current business model and future prospects. Accordingly, you should consider our prospects in light of the costs, uncertainties, delays and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in the early stages of development. Potential investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties that a new company with no operating history will face. In particular, potential investors should consider that there is a significant risk that we will not be able to:

If we cannot execute any one of the foregoing or similar matters relating to our business, the business may fail, in which case you would lose the entire amount of your investment in the Company.

Our future success is dependent, in part, on the performance and continued service of our officers and directors.

We are presently dependent largely upon the experience, abilities and continued services of Jeffrey Frelick, our President and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of services of Mr. Frelick could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation.

Acceptance of our formulations or products in the marketplace is uncertain and failure to achieve market acceptance will prevent or delay our ability to generate revenues.

Our future financial performance will depend, at least in part, upon the introduction and customer acceptance of our products. Even if approved for marketing by the necessary regulatory authorities, our formulations or products may not achieve market acceptance. The degree of market acceptance will depend upon a number of factors, including:

Physicians, patients, payers or the medical community in general may be unwilling to accept, utilize or recommend any of our proposed formulations or products. If we are unable to obtain regulatory approval, commercialize and market our proposed formulations or products when planned, we may not achieve any market acceptance or generate revenue.

Our long-term capital requirements are subject to numerous risks.

We anticipate that it will require an additional $20 million to complete protein synthesis, animal studies, and commence first in man studies. An estimated additional $45 million will be required to achieve product launch for spine interbody fusion. We anticipate we will need to raise substantial additional funds for the pivotal clinical trial prior to marketing our first product. Our long-term capital requirements are expected to depend on many factors, including, among others:

We may consume available resources more rapidly than currently anticipated, resulting in the need for additional funding. We may seek to raise any necessary additional funds through equity or debt financings, collaborative arrangements with corporate partners or other sources, which may be dilutive to existing stockholders or otherwise have a material effect on our current or future business prospects. If adequate funds are not available, we may be required to significantly reduce or refocus our development and commercialization efforts with regard to our delivery technologies and our proposed formulations and products.

We note that there is significant uncertainty from the affect that the novel coronavirus may have on the availability, cost and type of financing.

Competitors could develop and/or gain FDA approval of our products for a different indication.

We cannot provide any assurances that any other company won’t obtain FDA approval for similar products that might adversely affect our ability to develop and market these products in the U.S. We are aware that other companies have intellectual property protection and have conducted clinical trials. Many of these companies may have more resources than us. We cannot provide any assurances that our products will be FDA-approved prior to our competitors.

The FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine and, as a result, cannot direct physicians to select certain products for their patients. Consequently, we might be limited in our ability to prevent off-label use of a competitor’s product to treat the diseases we intend to commercialize, even if we have issued method of use patents for that indication. If we are not able to obtain and enforce our patents, a competitor could develop and commercialize similar products for the same indications that we are pursuing. We cannot provide any assurances that a competitor will not obtain FDA approval for a product that contains the same active ingredients as our products.

We rely on method patents and patent applications and various regulatory exclusivities to protect some of our product candidates, and our ability to compete may be limited or eliminated if we are not able to protect our products.

The patent positions of medical device companies are uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. We may incur significant expenses in protecting our intellectual property and defending or assessing claims with respect to intellectual property owned by others. Any patent or other infringement litigation by or against us could cause us to incur significant expense and divert the attention of our management.

Others may file patent applications or obtain patents on similar technologies or compounds that compete with our products. We cannot predict how broad the claims in any such patents or applications will be and whether they will be allowed. Once claims have been issued, we cannot predict how they will be construed or enforced. We may infringe upon intellectual property rights of others without being aware of it. If another party claims we are infringing their technology, we could have to defend an expensive and time consuming lawsuit, pay a large sum if we are found to be infringing, or be prohibited from selling or licensing our products unless we obtain a license or redesign our product, which may not be possible.

We also rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how to develop and maintain our competitive position. Some of our current or former employees, consultants, scientific advisors, current or prospective corporate collaborators, may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors or use our proprietary technology for their own benefit. Furthermore, enforcing a claim alleging the infringement of our trade secrets would be expensive and difficult to prove, making the outcome uncertain. Our competitors may also independently develop similar knowledge, methods, and know-how or gain access to our proprietary information through some other means.

We may fail to retain or recruit necessary personnel, and we may be unable to secure the services of consultants.

As of the date of this filing, we have one full-time employee. We also engaged regulatory consultants to advise us on our dealings with the FDA and other foreign regulatory authorities and have been and will be required to retain additional consultants and employees. Our future performance will depend in part on our ability to successfully integrate newly hired officers into our management team and our ability to develop an effective working relationship among senior management.

Certain of our directors, officers, scientific advisors, and consultants serve as officers, directors, scientific advisors, or consultants of other healthcare and life science companies or institutes that might be developing competitive products. Other than corporate opportunities, none of our directors are obligated under any agreement or understanding with us to make any additional products or technologies available to us. Similarly, we can give no assurances, and we do not expect and stockholders should not expect, that any biomedical or pharmaceutical product or technology identified by any of our directors or affiliates in the future would be made available to us other than corporate opportunities. We can give no assurances that any such other companies will not have interests that are in conflict with its interests.

Losing key personnel or failing to recruit necessary additional personnel would impede our ability to attain our development objectives. There is intense competition for qualified personnel in the drug-development field, and we may not be able to attract and retain the qualified personnel we need to develop our business.

We rely on independent organizations, advisors and consultants to perform certain services for us, including handling substantially all aspects of regulatory approval, clinical management, manufacturing, marketing, and sales. We expect that this will continue to be the case. Such services may not always be available to us on a timely basis.

We rely on third parties to supply our raw materials, and if certain manufacturing-related services do not timely supply these products and services, it may delay or impair our ability to develop, manufacture and market our products.

We rely on suppliers for raw materials and other third parties for certain manufacturing-related services to produce material that meets appropriate content, quality and stability standards and to use in clinical trials of our products. To succeed, clinical trials require adequate supplies of drug substance and drug product, which may be difficult or uneconomical to procure or manufacture. We and our suppliers and vendors may not be able to (i) produce our drug substance or drug product to appropriate standards for use in clinical studies, (ii) perform under any definitive manufacturing, supply or service agreements or (iii) remain in business for a sufficient time to successfully produce and market our product candidates. If we do not maintain important manufacturing and service relationships, we may fail to find a replacement supplier or required vendor or develop our own manufacturing capabilities which could delay or impair our ability to obtain regulatory approval for our products and substantially increase our costs or deplete profit margins, if any. If we do find replacement providers, we may not be able to enter into agreements with suppliers on favorable terms and conditions, or there could be a substantial delay before a new third party could be qualified and registered with the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities as a provider.

Clinical trials are very expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to implement.

Human clinical trials are very expensive and difficult to design and implement, in part because they are subject to rigorous regulatory requirements. The clinical trial process is also time-consuming. We estimate that clinical trials of our product candidates would take at least several years to complete. Furthermore, failure can occur at any stage of the trials, and we could encounter problems that cause us to abandon or repeat clinical trials. Commencement and completion of clinical trials may be delayed by several factors, including:

In addition, we, IRBs or the FDA may suspend clinical trials at any time if it appears that we are exposing participants to unacceptable health risks or if IRBs or the FDA finds deficiencies in our submissions or the conduct of our trials.

The results of our clinical trials may not support our product candidate claims and the results of preclinical studies and completed clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future results.

To date, long-term safety and efficacy have not yet been demonstrated in clinical trials for any of our diagnostic product candidates. Favorable results in early studies or trials, if any, may not be repeated in later studies or trials. Even if our clinical trials are initiated and completed as planned, it cannot be certain that the results will support our product candidate claims. Success in preclinical testing and pilot clinical trials does not ensure that later pilot or pivotal clinical trials will be successful. We cannot be sure that the results of later clinical trials would replicate the results of prior clinical trials and preclinical testing. In particular, the limited results we have obtained for our tests may not predict results from studies in larger numbers of subjects drawn from more diverse populations over a longer period of time. Clinical trials may fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe for humans and effective for indicated uses. Any such failure could cause us to abandon a product candidate and might delay development of other product candidates. Preclinical and clinical results are frequently susceptible to varying interpretations that may delay, limit or prevent regulatory approvals or commercialization. Any delay in, or termination of, our clinical trials would delay us in obtaining FDA approval for the affected product candidate and, ultimately, our ability to commercialize that product candidate.

We depend on third parties, including researchers, who are not under our control.

We depend upon independent investigators and scientific collaborators, such as universities and medical institutions or private physician scientists, to conduct our preclinical and clinical trials under agreements. These collaborators are not our employees, and they cannot control the amount or timing of resources that they devote to their programs or the timing of their procurement of clinical-trial data or their compliance with applicable regulatory guidelines. Should any of these scientific inventors/advisors become disabled or die unexpectedly, or should they fail to comply with applicable regulatory guidelines, we may be forced to scale back or terminate development of that program. They may not assign as great a priority to our programs or pursue them as diligently as we would if it were undertaking those programs itself. Failing to devote sufficient time and resources to our drug-development programs, or substandard performance and failure to comply with regulatory guidelines, could result in delay of any FDA applications and our commercialization of the drug candidate involved.

These collaborators may also have relationships with other commercial entities, some of which may compete with us. Our collaborators assisting our competitors at our expense could harm our competitive position. We have been and continue to be highly dependent on our strategic partner, MTF, for technical support.

We may incur substantial costs as a result of litigation or other proceedings relating to patent and other intellectual property rights, as well as costs associated with lawsuits.

If any other person files patent applications, or is issued patents, claiming technology also claimed by us, we may be required to participate in interference proceedings in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine priority of invention. Our licensors or we may also need to participate in interference proceedings involving issued patents and pending applications of another entity.

The intellectual property environment in our industry is particularly complex, constantly evolving and highly fragmented. Other companies and institutions have issued patents and have filed or will file patent applications that may issue into patents that cover or attempt to cover products, processes or technologies similar to us. We have not conducted freedom-to-use patent searches on all aspects of our product candidates or potential product candidates and may be unaware of relevant patents and patent applications of third parties. In addition, the freedom-to-use patent searches that have been conducted may not have identified all relevant issued patents or pending patents. We cannot provide assurance that our proposed products in this area will not ultimately be held to infringe one or more valid claims owned by third parties which may exist or come to exist in the future or that in such case we will be able to obtain a license from such parties on acceptable terms.

We cannot guarantee that our technologies will not conflict with the rights of others. In some foreign jurisdictions, we could become involved in opposition proceedings, either by opposing the validity of another’s foreign patent or by persons opposing the validity of our foreign patents.

We may also face frivolous litigation or lawsuits from various competitors or from litigious securities attorneys. The cost of any litigation or other proceeding relating to these areas, even if deemed frivolous or resolved in our favor, could be substantial and could distract management from its business. Uncertainties resulting from initiation and continuation of any litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue our operations.

If we infringe the rights of others, we could be prevented from selling products or forced to pay damages.

If our products, methods, processes, and other technologies are found to infringe the proprietary rights of other parties, we could be required to pay damages, or may be required to cease using the technology or to license rights from the prevailing party. Any prevailing party may be unwilling to offer us a license on commercially acceptable terms.

Our product candidates are at an early stage of development and may not be successfully developed or commercialized.

Our products are in the early stage of development and will require substantial further capital expenditures, development, testing, and regulatory clearances prior to commercialization. The development and regulatory approval process takes several years, and it is not likely that our products, technologies or processes, even if successfully developed and approved by the FDA, would be commercially available for five or more years. Of the large number of drugs in development, only a small percentage successfully completes the FDA regulatory approval process and is commercialized. Accordingly, even if we are able to obtain the requisite financing to fund our development programs, we cannot assure you that our product candidates will be successfully developed or commercialized. Our failure to develop, manufacture or receive regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize any of our product candidates, could result in the failure of our business and a loss of all of your investment in our company.

Any product candidates advanced into clinical development are subject to extensive regulation, which can be costly and time consuming, cause unanticipated delays or prevent the receipt of the required approvals to commercialize such product candidates.

The clinical development, manufacturing, labeling, storage, record-keeping, advertising, promotion, import, export, marketing and distribution of our product candidates are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA in the U.S. and by comparable health authorities in foreign markets. In the U.S., we may not be permitted to market our product candidates until we receive approval of our PMA from the FDA. The process of obtaining PMA approval is expensive, often takes many years and can vary substantially based upon the type, complexity and novelty of the products involved. In addition to the significant clinical testing requirements, our ability to obtain marketing approval for these products depends on obtaining the final results of required non-clinical testing, including characterization of the manufactured components of our product candidates and validation of our manufacturing processes. The FDA may determine that our product manufacturing processes, testing procedures or facilities are insufficient to justify approval. Approval policies or regulations may change and the FDA has substantial discretion in the approval process, including the ability to delay, limit or deny approval of a product candidate for many reasons. Despite the time and expense invested in clinical development of product candidates, regulatory approval is never guaranteed.

The FDA or another regulatory agency can delay, limit or deny approval of a product candidate for many reasons, including, but not limited to:

With respect to foreign markets, approval procedures vary among countries and, in addition to the aforementioned risks, can involve additional product testing, administrative review periods and agreements with pricing authorities. In addition, recent events raising questions about the safety of certain marketed pharmaceuticals may result in increased cautiousness by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities in reviewing new pharmaceuticals based on safety, efficacy or other regulatory considerations and may result in significant delays in obtaining regulatory approvals. Any delay in obtaining, or inability to obtain, applicable regulatory approvals could prevent us from commercializing our product candidates.

Any product candidate we advance into clinical trials may cause unacceptable adverse events or have other properties that may delay or prevent their regulatory approval or commercialization or limit their commercial potential.

Unacceptable adverse events caused by any of our product candidates that we advance into clinical trials could cause us or regulatory authorities to interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials and could result in the denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or other regulatory authorities for any or all targeted indications and markets. This, in turn, could prevent us from commercializing the affected product candidate and generating revenues from its sale.

We have not yet completed testing of any of our product candidates for the treatment of the indications for which we intend to seek product approval in humans, and we currently do not know the extent of adverse events, if any, that will be observed in patients who receive any of our product candidates. If any of our product candidates cause unacceptable adverse events in clinical trials, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval or commercialize such product or, if such product candidate is approved for marketing, future adverse events could cause us to withdraw such product from the market.

Delays in the commencement of clinical trials could result in increased costs and delay our ability to pursue regulatory approval.

The commencement of clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays in:

Any delays in the commencement of clinical trials will delay our ability to pursue regulatory approval for our product candidates. In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of a product candidate.

Suspensions or delays in the completion of clinical testing could result in increased costs to us and delay or prevent our ability to complete development of that product or generate product revenues.

Once a clinical trial has begun, patient recruitment and enrollment may be slower than we anticipate. Clinical trials may also be delayed as a result of ambiguous or negative interim results or difficulties in obtaining sufficient quantities of product manufactured in accordance with regulatory requirements. Further, a clinical trial may be modified, suspended or terminated by us, an IRB, an ethics committee or a data safety monitoring committee overseeing the clinical trial, any clinical trial site with respect to that site, or the FDA or other regulatory authorities due to a number of factors, including:

Any changes in the current regulatory requirements and guidance also may occur, and we may need to amend clinical trial protocols to reflect these changes. Amendments may require us to resubmit clinical trial protocols to IRBs for re-examination, which may impact the costs, timing and the likelihood of a successful completion of a clinical trial. If we experience delays in the completion of, or if we must suspend or terminate, any clinical trial of any product candidate, our ability to obtain regulatory approval for that product candidate will be delayed and the commercial prospects, if any, for the product candidate may suffer as a result. In addition, many of these factors may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of a product candidate.

Privacy Provisions of HIPAA

HIPAA, among other things, protects the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information by limiting its use and disclosure. HIPAA directly regulates “covered entities” (healthcare providers, insurers and clearinghouses) and indirectly regulates “business associates” with respect to the privacy of patients’ medical information. All entities that receive and process protected health information are required to adopt certain procedures to safeguard the security of that information. It is uncertain whether we would be deemed to be a covered entity under HIPAA, and it is unlikely that we, based on our current business model, would be a business associate. Nevertheless, we may be contractually required to physically safeguard the integrity and security of any patient information that we receive, store, create or transmit. If we fail to adhere to our contractual commitments, then certain of our contract counterparties may be subject to civil monetary penalties and this could adversely affect our ability to market our product. If we are deemed to be a vendor, under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, then we will be obligated to adopt various security measures. We may also be subject to state and foreign privacy laws under which breaches could lead to substantial fines and liability.

We may be subject to claims that our consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their other clients or former employers to us.

As is common in the medical device industry, we engage the services of consultants to assist in the development of our product candidates. Many of these consultants were previously employed at, or may have previously been or are currently providing consulting services to, other healthcare and life science companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. We may become subject to claims that we or our consultants have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of our former employers or their former or current customers. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.

We may expend our limited resources to pursue a particular product candidate or indication and fail to capitalize on product candidates or indications for which there may be a greater likelihood of success.

Because we have limited financial and managerial resources, we are focused on one research program. As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other product candidates or, for other indications for which there may be a greater likelihood of success or may prove to have greater commercial potential. Notwithstanding our investment to date and anticipated future expenditures, we may never successfully develop, any marketed treatments using these products. Research programs to identify new product candidates or pursue alternative indications for current product candidates require substantial technical, financial and administrative support.

We may incur substantial product liability or indemnification claims relating to the clinical testing of our product candidates.

We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of our product candidates in human clinical trials, and claims could be brought against us if use or misuse of one of our product candidates causes, or merely appears to have caused, personal injury or death. While we have and intend to maintain product liability insurance relating to our clinical trials, our coverage may not be sufficient to cover claims that may be made, and we may be unable to maintain such insurance. Any claims, regardless of their merit, could severely harm our financial condition, strain our management and other resources or destroy the prospects for commercialization of the product which is the subject of any such claim. We are unable to predict if we will be able to obtain or maintain product liability insurance for any products that may be approved for marketing. Additionally, it is expected that we will need to enter into various agreements where we indemnify third parties for certain claims relating to the testing of our product candidates. These indemnification obligations may require us to pay significant sums of money for claims that are covered by these indemnifications.

Our research and development activities could be affected or delayed as a result of possible restrictions on animal testing.

Certain laws and regulations require us to test our product candidates on animals before initiating clinical trials involving humans. Animal testing activities have been the subject of controversy and adverse publicity. Animal rights groups and other organizations and individuals have attempted to stop animal testing activities by pressing for legislation and regulation in these areas and by disrupting these activities through protests and other means. To the extent the activities of these groups are successful, our research and development activities may be interrupted, delayed or become more expensive.

We use biological materials and may use hazardous materials, and any claims relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of these materials could be time consuming or costly.

We may use hazardous materials, including chemicals and biological agents and compounds that could be dangerous to human health and safety or the environment. Our operations also produce hazardous waste products. Federal, state and local laws and regulations govern the use, generation, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and wastes. Compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations may be expensive, and current or future environmental laws and regulations may impair our product development efforts. In addition, we cannot entirely eliminate the risk of accidental injury or contamination from these materials or wastes. We do not carry specific biological or hazardous waste insurance coverage, and our property and casualty and general liability insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for damages and fines arising from biological or hazardous waste exposure or contamination. Accordingly, in the event of contamination or injury, we could be held liable for damages or penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources, and our clinical trials or regulatory approvals could be suspended.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

There is a limited public trading market for our Common Stock, and you may not be able to resell your Common Stock.

There is a limited public trading market for our securities. In the absence of an active trading market, an investor may be unable to liquidate its investment, which will result in the loss of such investor’s investment.

We have no plans to pay dividends.

To date, we have paid no cash dividends on our Common Stock. For the foreseeable future, earnings generated from our operations will be retained for use in our business and not to pay dividends.

The application of the SEC’s “penny stock” rules to our Common Stock could limit trading activity in the market, and our stockholders may find it more difficult to sell their stock.

It is expected that our Common Stock will be trading at less than $5.00 per share and will therefore be subject to the SEC’s penny stock rules. Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00. Penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The broker-dealer must also make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity, if any, in the secondary market for a security that becomes subject to the penny stock rules. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by such requirements may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our securities, which could severely limit their market price and liquidity of our securities. These requirements may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell our Common Stock and may affect your ability to resell our Common Stock.

If we are unable to establish appropriate internal financial reporting controls and procedures, it could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, result in the restatement of our financial statements, harm our operating results, subject us to regulatory scrutiny and sanction, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and have a negative effect on the market price for shares of our Common Stock.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. We maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting, which is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

As of December 31, 2018, management identified a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting as described in Item 9 A. Controls and Procedures. During the fourth quarter of 2018, management implemented a third-party review of all non-routine transactions. As of December 31, 2019, management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and based on that evaluation, they concluded that our internal controls and procedures were effective.

As a public company, we have significant additional requirements for enhanced financial reporting and internal controls. We are required to document and test our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. The process of designing and implementing effective internal controls is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a system of internal controls that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligations as a public company.

We cannot assure you that we will, in the future, identify areas requiring improvement in our internal control over financial reporting. We cannot assure you that the measures we will take to remediate any areas in need of improvement will be successful or that we will implement and maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future as we continue our growth. If we are unable to establish appropriate internal financial reporting controls and procedures, it could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, result in the restatement of our financial statements, harm our operating results, subject us to regulatory scrutiny and sanction, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and have a negative effect on the market price for shares of our Common Stock.

The market price of our Common Stock may be volatile.

The market price of our Common Stock may be highly volatile. Some of the factors that may materially affect the market price of our Common Stock are beyond our control, such as changes in financial estimates by industry and securities analysts, conditions or trends in the industry in which we operate or sales of our Common Stock. These factors may materially adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock, regardless of our performance. In addition, public stock markets have experienced extreme price and trading volume volatility. This volatility has significantly affected the market prices of securities of many companies for reasons frequently unrelated to the operating performance of the specific companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.

There may be potential conflicts of interest involving Don Hankey and Bret Hankey, as directors, and as affiliates of Hankey Capital, a creditor of the Company, with the Company’s other stockholders

Don Hankey and Bret Hankey, two of our directors, are affiliated with Hankey Capital. Don Hankey, directly and indirectly, is our controlling stockholder. Don Hankey and Bret Hankey may be able to exert significant control over our business affairs. As a result of Hankey Capital’s loans to the Company, Hankey Capital has a security interest in all our assets and has been issued 23,404,255 collateral shares securing the loans. Accordingly, Don Hankey and Bret Hankey may have actual or potential economic and/or legal interests that may diverge from our other stockholders’ interests.

Our directors and executive officers can exert significant control over our business and affairs and have actual or potential interests that may depart from those of investors in the subsequent financings.

The interests of our directors and officers may differ from the interests of our other stockholders, including purchasers of our securities, in future financings. As a result, based on their board seats and offices, such persons will have significant influence over and control all corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, irrespective of how the Company’s other stockholders, may vote, including the following actions:

This concentration of ownership by itself may have the effect of impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business consolidation, or discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer for the Common Stock which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over our stock price.

We may issue more shares in a future financing or pursuant to existing agreements which will result in substantial dilution.

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of a maximum of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock and a maximum of 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. Any future merger or acquisition effected by us would result in the issuance of additional securities without stockholder approval and the substantial dilution in the percentage of our Common Stock held by our then existing stockholders. Moreover, the Common Stock issued in any such merger or acquisition transaction may be valued on an arbitrary or non-arm’s-length basis by our management, resulting in an additional reduction in the percentage of Common Stock held by our then existing stockholders. Additionally, we expect to seek additional financing in order to provide working capital to the operating business. Our Board of Directors has the power to issue any or all of such authorized but unissued shares without stockholder approval. To the extent that additional shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock are issued in connection with and following a business combination or otherwise, dilution to the interests of our stockholders will occur and the rights of the holders of Common Stock might be materially and adversely affected.

Our Board of Directors is authorized to issue Preferred Stock without obtaining shareholder approval.

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock with designations, rights and preferences determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, our Board of Directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue Preferred Stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting, or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the Common Stock. In the event of issuance, the Preferred Stock could be utilized, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company. Although we have no present intention to issue any shares of Preferred Stock, there can be no assurance that the Company will not do so in the future.

There can be no assurance that the results and events contemplated by forward-looking statements will, in fact, transpire.

There are statements in this Registration Statement that are not historical facts. These “forward-looking statements” can be identified by the use of terminology such as “believe,” “hope,” “may,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy” and similar expressions. You should be aware that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Actual results could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the results and events contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Registration Statement will in fact transpire. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE RISKS, BUSINESSES ARE OFTEN SUBJECT TO RISKS NOT FORESEEN OR FULLY APPRECIATED BY OUR MANAGEMENT. IN REVIEWING THIS PROSPECTUS, POTENTIAL INVESTORS SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER POSSIBLE RISKS THAT COULD BE IMPORTANT.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

We lease our primary office which is located at 2 Burlington Woods Drive, Ste 100, Burlington, MA 01803 on a month to month lease.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

In July 2019, Dr. Bessie (Chia) Soo and Dr. Kang (Eric) Ting (“Plaintiffs”) filed a complaint (the “Complaint”) in federal court in Massachusetts against the Company, Bruce Stroever (“Stroever”), John Booth (“Booth”), Stephen LaNeve (“LaNeve”, and together with Stroever and Booth, the “Individual Defendants”), and MTF Biologics (f/k/a The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Inc.) (“MTF”). The Complaint alleges claims for breach of contract against the Company and tortious interference with contract against the Individual Defendants and MTF arising from the termination of the Professional Service Agreements, dated as of January 8, 2016, between the Company and each of the Plaintiffs. The Individual Defendants have been sued for actions taken by them in connection with their service to the Company as directors and/or officers of the Company. As such, the Company has certain indemnification obligations to the Individual Defendants. The Company and the Individual Defendants intend to vigorously defend against the allegations in the Complaint. Based on the very early stage of the litigation, it is not possible to estimate the amount or range of any possible loss arising from the expenditure of defense fees, a judgment or settlement of the matter.

In July 2018, AFH Holding & Advisory, LLC, Amir Heshmatpour, Steve Richards, and Bessie (Chia) Soo (“Plaintiffs”) filed a verified shareholder derivative complaint (the “Complaint”) in Massachusetts federal court against Bruce Stroever, John Booth, Stephen LaNeve, Bret Hankey, James Delshad (the “Initial Defendants”), and The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Inc. (“MTF”), and also named the Company as a nominal defendant. The Complaint alleged claims for violation of Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, breach of fiduciary duties, rescission of a reverse stock split, and in the alternative rescissory damages. The Complaint focused on the financing transaction that the Company completed with Hankey Capital in July 2018. The Initial Defendants and the Company filed motions to dismiss on September 28, 2018. After changing counsel and obtaining several extensions of time, instead of responding to the motions to dismiss, Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint (the “Amended Complaint”) on February 8, 2019 as a direct, instead of derivative complaint, and added two additional defendants, Don Hankey and Hankey Capital LLC (the “Added Defendants” and together with the Initial Defendants, MTF and the Company, the “Current Defendants”). The Amended Complaint asserted claims for violation of Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, breach of fiduciary duties, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duties, rescission of a reverse stock split, and in the alternative rescissory damages. On February 22, 2019, the Company and the Initial Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint. The Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint was granted in its entirety on July 29, 2019, with the court dismissing the claims for violation of Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with prejudice, and dismissing the remaining claims for lack of jurisdiction.

In the normal course of our business, we may periodically become subjected to various lawsuits. However, there are currently no legal actions pending against us or, to our knowledge, are any such proceedings contemplated.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market

Our common stock trades over-the-counter and is quoted on the OTCQB of the OTC Markets under the symbol “BBLG.” The table below sets forth the high and low bid prices for our common stock as reflected on the OTCQB. Quotations represent prices between dealers, do not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions, and do not necessarily represent prices at which actual transactions were affected. There is a limited public trading market for our securities.

Holders

As of March 12, 2020, there are approximately 57 record holders of 30,682,590 shares of Common Stock. This number does not include the stockholders for whom shares are held in a “nominee” or “street” name.

Dividends

To date, we have paid no cash dividends on our Common Stock. For the foreseeable future, earnings generated from our operations will be retained for use in our business and not to pay dividends.

Repurchases of Equity Securities

None

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

2015 Equity Incentive Plan

The Company has 1,400,000 shares of Common Stock authorized and reserved for issuance under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan for option awards. This reserve may be increased by the Board each year by up to the number of shares of stock equal to 5% of the number of shares of stock issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31. Appropriate adjustments will be made in the number of authorized shares and other numerical limits in our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and in outstanding awards to prevent dilution or enlargement of participants’ rights in the event of a stock split or other change in our capital structure. Shares subject to awards granted under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan which expire, are repurchased or are cancelled or forfeited will again become available for issuance under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares available will not be reduced by awards settled in cash. Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations will not again become available for grant. The gross number of shares issued upon the exercise of stock appreciation rights or options exercised by means of a net exercise or by tender of previously owned shares will be deducted from the shares available under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

Awards may be granted under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan to our employees, including officers, director or consultants, and our present or future affiliated entities. While we may grant incentive stock options only to employees, we may grant non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock purchase rights or bonuses, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and cash-based awards or other stock based awards to any eligible participant.

The 2015 Equity Incentive Plan is administered by our compensation committee. Subject to the provisions of our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, the compensation committee determines, in its discretion, the persons to whom, and the times at which, awards are granted, as well as the size, terms and conditions of each award. All awards are evidenced by a written agreement between us and the holder of the award. The compensation committee has the authority to construe and interpret the terms of our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and awards granted under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

Not applicable.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We are a medical device company that is currently focused on bone regeneration in spinal fusion using the recombinant human protein, known as NELL-1/DBX®. The NELL-1/DBX® combination product is an osteostimulative recombinant protein that provides target specific control over bone regeneration. The protein, as part of the UCB-1 technology platform has been licensed exclusively for worldwide applications to us through a technology transfer from the UCLA Technology Development Group on behalf of UC Regents (“UCLA TDG”). UCLA TDG and the Company received guidance from the FDA that NELL-1/DBX® will be classified as a combination product with a device lead.

The Company was founded by University of California professors in collaboration with an Osaka University professor and a University of Southern California surgeon in 2004 as a privately-held company with proprietary, patented technology that has been validated in sheep and non-human primate models to facilitate bone growth. Our platform technology has application in delivering improved outcomes in the surgical specialties of spinal, orthopedic, general orthopedic, plastic reconstruction, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, and sports medicine. Lead product development and clinical studies are targeted on spinal fusion surgery, one of the larger segments in the orthopedic market.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, which we refer to as the JOBS Act. We would cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of: (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues are $1.07 billion or more; (ii) the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year; or (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.07 billion in non-convertible debt securities. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. We have elected to take advantage of these reduced disclosure obligations, and may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting obligations in the future.

The JOBS Act permits an emerging growth company like us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. We are choosing to irrevocably “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted.

We are a development stage entity. The production and marketing of our products and ongoing research and development activities will be subject to extensive regulation by numerous governmental authorities in the United States. Prior to marketing in the United States, any combination product developed by us must undergo rigorous preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) testing and an extensive regulatory approval process implemented by the FDA under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. There can be no assurance that we will not encounter problems in clinical trials that will cause us or the FDA to delay or suspend the clinical trials.

Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain patents and product license rights, maintain trade secrets, and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others, both in the United States and other countries. There can be no assurance that patents issued to or licensed by us will not be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented, or that the rights granted thereunder will provide proprietary protection or competitive advantages to us.

Results of Operations

Since our inception, we devoted substantially all of our efforts and funding to the development of the NELL-1 protein and raising capital. We have not yet generated revenues from our planned operations.

Research and Development

Our research and development increased from $104,490 which consists of $1,229,570 net of the fair value of stock options amortization and forfeitures by our consultants of $(1,125,080) during the year ended December 31, 2018 to $1,095,176 during the year ended December 31, 2019. The $990,686 increase was due the 2018 adjustment to the fair value of options for services provided by our chief scientific advisor offset by $983,758 of costs associated with our large animal pivotal study. We will continue to incur significant expenses for development activities for NELL-1.

General and Administrative

Our general and administrative expenses decreased from $2,686,399 during the year ended December 31, 2018 to $1,352,258 during the year ended December 31, 2019. The $1,334,141 decrease was primarily due to $379,167 of deferred compensation that was forfeited and written off due to the separation of the former Chief Executive Officer and the change in contract terms for the Chief Financial Officer, and a decrease of $466,946 in the required amortization of the fair value of management options.

Interest Expense

Our interest expense decreased from $1,229,487 for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $975,774 during the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in interest of $253,713 resulted from decreased amortization of debt discount costs due to the 2018 debt modification accounted for as a debt extinguishment offset by an increase in outstanding debt.

Loss on debt extinguishment

In connection with the financing that closed on July 16, 2018, the Company and Hankey Capital executed amendments (the “Amendments”) to the First, Second and Third convertible secured term notes (the “Existing Convertible Notes”). The Amendments change Hankey Capital’s conversion price from $15.80 per share to $1.00 per share on a post reverse stock split basis on the Existing Convertible Notes and extends the maturity date of the Third Convertible Note from February 24, 2019 to December 31, 2019. The Amendments became effective on the closing of the rights offering, July 16, 2019. The Company determined that the change in the conversion prices of the Existing Convertible Notes and extension of the Third Convertible Note’s maturity date resulted in debt extinguishments for accounting purposes since the change in fair value of the conversion options was more than 10% of the original value of the Existing Convertible Notes. During 2018, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt totaling $408,294 for the remaining unamortized debt discount. There were no such charges during 2019.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Going Concern and Liquidity

The Company has no significant operating history and since inception to December 31, 2019 has incurred accumulated losses of approximately $67.0 million. The Company will continue to incur significant expenses for development activities for their lead product NELL-1/DBX®. Operating expenditures for the next twelve months are estimated at $6.4 million. The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As reflected in the financial statements, the Company had a stockholders’ deficit of $11,867,620 at December 31, 2019, and incurred a net loss of $3,424,811, and used net cash in operating activities of $3,251,229 during the year ended December 31, 2019. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

The Company will continue to attempt to raise additional debt and/or equity financing to fund future operations and to provide additional working capital. However, there is no assurance that such financing will be consummated or obtained in sufficient amounts necessary to meet the Company’s needs. If cash resources are insufficient to satisfy the Company’s on-going cash requirements, the Company will be required to scale back or discontinue its product development programs, or obtain funds if available (although there can be no certainties) through strategic alliances that may require the Company to relinquish rights to its technology, substantially reduce or discontinue its operations entirely. No assurance can be given that any future financing will be available or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory to the Company. Even if the Company is able to obtain additional financing, it may contain undue restrictions on our operations, in the case of debt financing, or cause substantial dilution for our stockholders, in the case of equity financing. We note that there is significant uncertainty from the affect that the novel coronavirus may have on the availability, cost and type of financing.

For the past several years, we have depended on our relationship with Hankey Capital for working capital to fund our operations, which has been raised in the form of both debt and equity capital. Hankey Capital, directly and indirectly, controls approximately 89% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (including collateral shares) and has been issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal balance of $11,320,000 at December 31, 2019. Representatives of Hankey Capital also currently serve as directors of the Company. No assurance can be given that any future financing will be available or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory to the Company. Even if the Company is able to obtain additional financing, it may contain undue restrictions on our operations, in the case of debt financing, or cause substantial dilution for our stockholders, in the case of equity financing.

At December 31, 2019, the Company had $780,000 available under the second credit facility with Hankey Capital.

Convertible Notes totaling $11,000,000 are secured by an aggregate of 23,404,255 collateral shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in the name of Hankey Capital (“Collateral Shares”). The Collateral Shares shall be adjusted on a yearly basis. The principal amount of the loans are pre-payable in whole or in part at any time, without premium or penalty. Upon any voluntary partial prepayment of outstanding principal, Hankey Capital will return Collateral shares to the Company in the amount necessary, if any, to maintain the loan to value ratio at no less than 50%. Upon a full payment of the outstanding principal, all Collateral Shares shall be returned return and cancelled. Hankey Capital will also return Collateral Shares under the same terms in case of partial or full conversion of the Convertible Notes. All of the Company’s personal property further secure the aggregate Convertible Notes, including collateral assignments of all the Company’s license agreements and the MTF Sygnal Option Agreement.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had cash of $24,145 and $955,374, respectively.

Cash Flows

The following is a summary of our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Operating activities

During the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, cash used in operating activities was $3,251,229 and $4,104,884 respectively. Cash expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased primarily due to the timing of our large animal pivotal study with our Contracted Manufacturing Organization (“CMO”) and to the separation of the former Chief Executive Officer and the change in contract terms for the Chief Financial Officer. Management continues a 20% deferral of wages and the Board a 50% deferral of cash compensation.

Financing activities

During the year ended December 31, 2019, cash provided by financing activities of $2,320,000 resulted from draws on our first and second credit facilities with Hankey Capital. During the year ended December 31, 2018, cash provided by financing activities of $4,369,979 resulted from the March 2018 equity purchase of common stock and the July 2018 Rights Offering and the private placement with Hankey Capital.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

We believe that our critical accounting policies are as follows:

The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the assumptions used in the valuation of stock options and warrants and income tax valuation allowances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs include, but are not limited to, payroll and other personnel expenses, consultants, expenses incurred under agreements with contract research and manufacturing organizations and animal clinical investigative sites and the cost to manufacture clinical trial materials. Costs related to research, design and development of products are charged to research and development expense as incurred.

Stock Based Compensation

ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, prescribes accounting and reporting standards for all share-based payment transactions in which employee services are acquired. Transactions include incurring liabilities, or issuing or offering to issue shares, options, and other equity instruments such as employee stock ownership plans and stock appreciation rights. Share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized as compensation expense in the consolidated financial statements based on their fair values. That expense is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, known as the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation issued to non-employees and consultants in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505-50, Equity – based Payments to Non-Employees. Measurement of share-based payment transactions with non-employees is based on the fair value of whichever is more reliably measurable: (a) the goods or services received; or (b) the equity instruments issued. The fair value of the share-based payment transaction is determined at the earlier of performance commitment date or performance completion date.

Fair Value Measurements

We use fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. We base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record certain assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis, such as certain impaired loans held for investment and securities held to maturity that are other-than-temporarily impaired. These non-recurring fair value adjustments typically involve write-downs of individual assets due to application of lower-of-cost or market accounting.

We have established and documented a process for determining fair value. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements. Whenever there is no readily available market data, management uses its best estimate and assumptions in determining fair value, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if other assumptions had been used, our recorded earnings or disclosures could have been materially different from those reflected in these financial statements. For detailed information on our use of fair value measurements and our related valuation methodologies, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this report.

Collateral Shares

The Company accounts for the common shares issued as collateral for convertible promissory notes, whether upon original issuance or upon the required annual adjustment, as debt issuance costs in the form of a loan processing fee, which is determined by reference to the par value of the Company’s common stock, with a corresponding charge to operations when such collateral shares are issued. The collateral shares are subject to significant contractual restrictions limiting their sale or transfer. As these common shares have been issued to and are held by the lender, and are contingently returnable to the Company under certain conditions, such shares are considered as issued and outstanding on the Company’s balance sheet, but are not included in earnings per share calculations for all periods presented.

In the event of an uncured event of default, the Company will record a charge to operations to recognize that the collateral shares are no longer owned or controlled by the Company, and such prospective charge to operations would be based on the fair market value of the collateral shares at that time, and which would be classified as a cost of debt capital and recognized as a charge to operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See discussion in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not applicable.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements and supplementary data required by Regulation S-X are included in Item 15. “Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules” contained in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act)) as of December 31, 2019. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Because of the inherent limitations of internal control, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

As of December 31, 2019, management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and based on that evaluation, they concluded that our internal controls and procedures 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 December 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

Part III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The Company’s directors are elected annually for a one year term or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers as of March 12, 2019:

Jeffrey Frelick: Chief Executive Officer and President

Jeffrey Frelick has served as our Chief Operating Officer since August 17, 2015. He was the COO of Life Science Enterprises, where he brings more than 25 years of med-tech experience. He spent the past 15 years on Wall Street as a sell-side analyst following the med-tech industry at investment banks such as Canaccord Genuity, ThinkEquity and Lazard. Prior to becoming an equity research analyst, Mr. Frelick worked at Boston Biomedical Consultants where he provided strategic planning assistance, market research data and due diligence for diagnostics companies. He previously held sales and sales management positions at Becton Dickinson’s Primary Care Diagnostic Division after gaining technical experience as a laboratory technologist with Clinical Pathology Facility. Mr. Frelick received a B.S. in Biology from University of Pittsburgh and an M.B.A. from Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School.

Deina H. Walsh: Chief Financial Officer

Deina Walsh has served as our Chief Financial Officer since November 2014. She is a certified public accountant and owner/founder of DHW CPA, PLLC a Public Companies Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) registered firm since 2014. Prior to forming her firm, Ms. Walsh has 13 years at a public accounting firm where as a partner she was actively responsible for leading firm audit engagements of publicly held entities in accordance with PCAOB standards and compliance with SEC regulations, including internal control requirements under section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Ms. Walsh had a global client base including entities throughout the United States, Canada and China. These entities encompass a diverse range of industries including manufacturing, wholesale, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and technology. Her experience includes work with start-up companies and well-established operating entities. She has assisted many entities seeking debt and equity capital. Areas of specialty include mergers, acquisitions, reverse mergers, consolidations, complex equity structures, foreign currency translations and revenue recognition complexities. Ms. Walsh has an Associates of Science Degree in Business Administration from Monroe Community College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at Brockport.

Don Hankey: Chairman of the Board of Directors

Mr. Hankey holds his BA and post-graduate work from the University of Southern California. At age 27, Mr. Hankey became Vice President of a major investment banking firm, which would later become part of USB Paine Weber. Mr. Hankey acquired Midway Ford in 1972 and founded Hankey Investment Company in 1982. During the 1980s Mr. Hankey’s organization grew its portfolio and established a foothold in the financial services industry. Mr. Hankey has incorporated technology into every aspect of the Hankey Group of companies improving efficiencies and outcomes. Mr. Hankey has been the manager of Hankey Capital, LLC, since its formation in 2002. Given Mr. Hankey’s financial experience, the Company believes he is well qualified to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Stephen R. LaNeve: Director

Stephen R. La Neve brings thirty-five years of health care experience, leadership and success. Mr. La Neve held leadership roles in the device and diagnostic segments which include: CEO and president of Etex Corporation; president of Becton Dickinson’s Pre-Analytical Systems business; president of Medtronic’s $3.5b Spine and Biologics business; and president of Medtronic’s then second largest country business unit, Medtronic Japan. He also served as senior vice president and executive vice president at Premier, one of the largest GPOs in the United States and ran the global Injection Systems business unit for Becton Dickinson. Additionally, Mr. LaNeve has held a number of commercial leadership roles at Becton Dickinson, Roche Diagnostics and E Merck Diagnostic Systems in sales, marketing, strategic planning and project management both in the US and outside the US. He serves on the board of directors for SkelRegen, LLC and Life Science Enterprise, and has served on the Board of Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc. (RPS) up through its sale of the eye-care business. Mr. La Neve has consulted for private equity companies in the medical device area. Mr. LaNeve holds a B.S. in Health Planning and Administration from the Pennsylvania State University, an M.B.A. from West Chester University, and is a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon honor society for academic excellence in economics.

Bruce Stroever: Director

Mr. Stroever has forty years of product development and general management experience in the medical device and orthobiologics fields. Mr. Stroever joined MTF in late 1988 as General Manager and and retired in mid-2019 from his position as the President and Chief Executive Officer of MTF. He served as MTF’s President since his appointment in 1992 and as Chief Executive Officer since 1996. Under Mr. Stroever’s leadership, MTF grew to be the largest tissue bank in the world providing over 500,000 grafts per year with revenues over $400 million. From 1971 to 1988, Mr. Stroever held several positions with Ethicon, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson, Inc. subsidiary. Mr. Stroever currently serves on the advisory board for the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network. He was elected to the Board of Governors of the American Association of Tissue Banks for a three year term in 1999 and subsequently in 2012. He was a founding member of the Tissue Policy Group subsidiary of the AATB and served as its Chairman for two terms. Mr. Stroever has served as the Chairman of Bone’s Board of Directors since 2012. Mr. Stroever received his B.E. in Mechanical/Chemical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1972 and a Masters of Science in Bioengineering from Columbia University in 1977.

John Booth: Director

Mr. Booth has been CEO of Spineology Inc. since 2004 and has been a board member since its inception in 1998. Spineology is involved in the development and commercialization of minimally invasive spinal implants and access systems. Mr. Booth held various executive level positions at Phillips Plastics Corporation, most recently serving as CEO from June of 2001 to December 2002. Before serving as CEO of Phillips, he was CEO of Microvena Corporation, a cardiovascular device subsidiary of Phillips, from 1999 to 2001 and CEO of Phillips Origen Group Division from 1998 to 1999. Prior to Phillips, Mr. Booth was President and CEO of INCSTAR Corporation, a publicly held medical technology company involved in in-vitro diagnostics. He has held various positions in both financial and general management in the medical technology industry since 1981. Mr. Booth has also serve on the boards of directors of INCSTAR Corporation from 1994 to 1997, Microvena Corporation from 1998 to 2001, Phillips Plastics Corporation from 2000 to 2002, Imricor Medical Systems Inc. from 2007 to 2014, Data Sciences International from January 2018 to January 2019, and Spineology Inc. from 1998 to the present. Mr. Booth received a B.S. degree in accounting from Villanova University and an MBA from Seton Hall University.

Bret Hankey: Director

Mr. Hankey has served in various capacities within the Hankey Group and currently serves as the President of the Hankey Group and is a member of the board of directors on all major companies that comprise the Hankey Group. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the Hankey Group is comprised of seven operating companies specializing primarily in the automotive, finance, technology, real estate and insurance industries. Since 2007, Mr. Hankey has also served in various capacities with Westlake Financial Services, a member of the Hankey Group, and is currently the Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of Westlake Financial. Westlake Financial is the largest privately held automotive finance company in the United States. Mr. Hankey graduated from the University of Southern California in 2000 with a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance.

Family Relationships

Don Hankey is the father of Bret Hankey.

Board of Directors and Corporate Governance

Our Board of Directors currently consists of five (5) members, consisting of Don Hankey, Bruce Stroever, John Booth, Bret Hankey, and Stephen R. LaNeve.

Board Committees

Our Board of Directors has appointed an audit committee, governance committee and compensation committee. The Board of Directors met or acted by written consent six times during 2019.

Audit Committee

The audit committee is responsible for overseeing: (i) our accounting and reporting practices and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements regarding such accounting and reporting practices; (ii) the quality and integrity of our financial statements; (iii) our internal control and compliance programs; (iv) our independent auditors’ qualifications and independence and (v) the performance of our independent auditors and our internal audit function. In so doing, the audit committee maintains free and open means of communication between our directors, internal auditors and management. We are not required to have an Audit Committee consisting solely of independent directors or required to have an “audit committee financial expert” as we are neither listed on NASDAQ nor the New York Stock Exchange.

Our audit committee consists of John Booth. The Audit committee met four times during 2019.

Compensation Committee

The compensation committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the compensation of our executive officers and directors and our performance plans and other compensation plans. The compensation committee makes recommendations to our Board of Directors in connection with such compensation and performance plans.

Our compensation committee consists of John Booth. The compensation committee met once during 2019.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for (i) identifying, screening and reviewing individuals qualified to serve as directors (consistent with criteria approved by our Board of Directors) and recommending to our Board candidates for nomination for election at the annual meeting of shareholders or to fill board vacancies or newly created directorships; (ii) developing and recommending to our Board of Directors and overseeing the implementation of our corporate governance guidelines (if any); (iii) overseeing evaluations of our Board of Directors and (iv) recommending to our Board of Directors candidates for appointment to board committees.

Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of John Booth. The nominating and corporate governance committee met once during 2019.

Code of Ethics

The Company adopted a formal code of ethics within the meaning of Item 406 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and that that establishes, among other things, procedures for handling actual or apparent conflicts of interest. Our Code of Ethics is available at our website www.bonebiologics.com/investor-relations/corporate-governance/.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with except that Don Hankey failed to file one report of one transaction.

Indemnification Agreements

Our Board has approved a form of indemnification agreement for our directors and executive officers (“Indemnification Agreement”). Following Board approval, we entered into Indemnification Agreements with each of our current directors and executive officers.

The Indemnification Agreement provides for indemnification against expenses, judgments, fines and penalties actually and reasonably incurred by an indemnitee in connection with threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or other proceedings, subject to certain limitations. The Indemnification Agreement also provides for the advancement of expenses in connection with a proceeding prior to a final, non-appealable judgment or other adjudication, provided that the indemnitee provides an undertaking to repay to us any amounts advanced if the indemnitee is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification by us. The Indemnification Agreement sets forth procedures for making and responding to a request for indemnification or advancement of expenses, as well as dispute resolution procedures that will apply to any dispute between us and an indemnitee arising under the Indemnification Agreement.

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Indemnification Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2014.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The table below summarizes the compensation earned for services rendered to us in all capacities, for the fiscal years indicated, by its named executive officers:

Our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan was approved by majority shareholder consent on December 30, 2015 and all options outstanding as of the effective date were cancelled and re-issued under the new plan at current plan terms.

Our Board of Directors approved the following compensation for our named executive officers:

Jeffrey Frelick, Chief Executive Officer and President:

Base Salary: Mr. Frelick’s base salary is $300,000.

Bonus: During each calendar year, Mr. Frelick shall be eligible to earn an annual target bonus of fifty percent (50%) of his base salary as in-effect for the applicable calendar year, subject to the achievement of personal and corporate objectives or milestones to be established by the board of directors, or any compensation committee thereof, (after considering any input or recommendations from Mr. Frelick) within sixty (60) days following the beginning of each calendar year during Mr. Frelick’s employment. In order to earn the annual bonus under this provision, the applicable objectives must be achieved and Mr. Frelick must be employed by Company at the time the annual bonus is distributed by Company. The annual bonus, if any, shall be paid on or before March 15th of the calendar year following the year in which it is considered earned. The actual annual bonus paid may be more or less than fifty percent (50%) of Mr. Frelick’s base salary.

There was no bonus accrual during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Stock Options: Mr. Frelick was granted an option to purchase 3% of the then outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price that equals to the fair market price on the date of the grant. These options will vest annually over three (3) years such that they are vested in full on the third year anniversary of the employment agreement date, provided, that any stock option that is unvested on the date of termination shall be forfeited on such date of termination, subject to certain exceptions.

Deina H. Walsh, Chief Financial Officer:

Ms. Walsh is retained through an independent contractor agreement.

The Company’s compensation committee believes the agreements and other incentives granted to these named executive officers align our named executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders. Our compensation committee and board of directors continues to evaluate our executive compensation program with a view toward motivating our named executive officers to meet our strategic operational and financial goals in the best interests of our stockholders.

Potential Payments upon Termination of Change in Control

None.

Changes to Potential Payments upon Termination of Change in Control

None.

Consulting Agreements for Executives

None other than noted above.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

None.

Executives Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

Director Compensation

The following table shows information regarding the compensation earned during the year ended December 31, 2019 by the members of our board of directors.

The Board adopted a Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (the “Director Compensation Policy”) as following:

Annual Cash Compensation

Each Non-Employee Director will receive the cash compensation set forth below for service on the Board. The annual cash compensation amounts will be payable in equal quarterly installments, in arrears following the end of each quarter in which the service occurred, pro-rated for any partial months of service. All annual cash fees are vested upon payment.

Pursuant to the October 2016 Note Purchase Agreement, the Board of Directors has authorized a change in director compensation to defer 50% of the directors’ cash compensation until at least $5,000,000 has been received in cumulative funding from non-current stockholders.

Equity Compensation

Equity awards will be granted under the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan or any successor equity incentive plan (the “Plan”). All stock options granted under this Director Compensation Policy will be Nonstatutory Stock Options (as defined in the Plan), with a term of ten years from the date of grant and an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) of the underlying common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) on the date of grant.

(i) Initial Grant for New Directors. Without any further action of the Board, each person who, after the Effective Date, is elected or appointed for the first time to be a Non-Employee Director will automatically, upon the date of his or her initial election or appointment to be a Non-Employee Director, be granted a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Initial Grant”), regardless of when such person is elected or appointed to the Board. Each Initial Grant will fully vest on the date of the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company (“Annual Meeting”) next following the Initial Grant.

(ii) Annual Grant. Without any further action of the Board, at the close of business on the date of each Annual Meeting following the Effective Date, each person who is then a Non-Employee Director will automatically be granted a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock having an Option Value (calculated on the date of grant) of $50,000 (the “Annual Grant”). Each Annual Grant will vest in a series of four (4) successive equal quarterly installments over the one-year period measured from the date of grant.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock as of March 25, 2020, by each person or group of affiliated persons known to the Company to beneficially own 5% or more of its Common Stock, each director, each named executive officer, and all of its directors and named executive officers as a group.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Except as disclosed below, none of the following persons has any direct or indirect material interest in any transaction to which we are a party since our incorporation or in any proposed transaction to which we are proposed to be a party:

Hankey Capital LLC - please refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources section of the MD&A