CohBar, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

þ    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

¨    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from         to

Commission File Number 000-55334

COHBAR, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1455 Adams Drive, Suite 2050

Menlo Park, CA 94025

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(650) 446-7888

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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).    Yes  þ        No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  þ        No  ¨

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

COHBAR, INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2019

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CohBar, Inc.

Condensed Balance Sheets

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements

CohBar, Inc.

Condensed Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements

CohBar, Inc.

Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements

CohBar, Inc.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements

COHBAR, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 1 - Business Organization and Nature of Operations

CohBar, Inc. (“CohBar,” “its” or the “Company”) is a clinical stage biotechnology company and a leader in the research and development of mitochondria based therapeutics (MBTs), a novel and emerging class of therapeutics that have the potential to treat a wide range of diseases associated with aging and metabolic dysfunction, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), cancer, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The Company’s primary activities include the research and development of its MBT pipeline, securing intellectual property protection for its discoveries and assets, managing collaborations with contract research organizations (“CROs”) and academic institutions and raising capital. To date, the Company has not generated any revenues from operations and does not expect to generate any revenues in the near future. The Company has financed its operations primarily with proceeds from sales of its equity securities, private placements, the exercise of outstanding warrants and stock options and the issuance of debt instruments.

The unaudited interim condensed financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They do not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. Except as disclosed herein, there have been no material changes in the information disclosed in the notes to the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2018 Form 10-K”), filed with the SEC on March 18, 2019. The interim unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with those audited financial statements included in the 2018 Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, have been made. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019, or any other period.

Note 2 - Liquidity and Management’s Plans

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had working capital and stockholders’ equity of $18,473,275 and $16,014,794 respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company incurred a net loss of $2,920,584 and used $2,846,993 in its operating activities. Based on current budget assumptions, projected cash burn, and the cash and investments on hand as of March 31, 2019, the Company believes it has sufficient capital to meet its operating expenses and obligations for the next twelve months from the date of this filing. However, if unanticipated difficulties or circumstances arise the Company may require additional capital sooner to support its operations. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital whenever necessary, it may be forced to decelerate or curtail its research and development activities and/or other operations until such time as additional capital becomes available. There can be no assurance that such a plan will be successful. There is no assurance that additional financing will be available when needed or that the Company will be able to obtain such financing on reasonable terms.

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

All amounts are presented in U.S. Dollars.

COHBAR, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company’s significant estimates and assumptions include the fair value of financial instruments, stock-based compensation and the valuation allowance relating to the Company’s deferred tax assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company maintains deposits in a financial institution which is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). At various times, the Company has deposits in this financial institution in excess of the amount insured by the FDIC. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk.

Investments

Investments consist of U.S. Treasury Bills of $13,895,716, which are classified as held-to-maturity, and Certificates of Deposit of $1,545,770. The Company determines the appropriate balance sheet classification of its investments at the time of purchase and evaluates the classification at each balance sheet date. All of the Company’s U.S. Treasury Bills and Certificates of Deposit mature within the next twelve months. Unrealized gains and losses are de minimus. As of March 31, 2019, the carrying value of the Company’s U.S. Treasury Bills and Certificates of Deposit approximates their fair value due to their short-term maturities.

Common Stock Purchase Warrants

The Company classifies as equity any contracts that (i) require physical settlement or net-share settlement or (ii) provides the Company with a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in its own shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement) providing that such contracts are indexed to the Company’s own stock. The Company classifies as assets or liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the Company’s control), or (ii) gives the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement). The Company assesses classification of its common stock purchase warrants and other free-standing derivatives at each reporting date to determine whether a change in classification between assets, liabilities and equity is required.  The Company’s free-standing derivatives consist of warrants to purchase common stock that were issued in connection with its notes payable and private offering. The Company evaluated these warrants to assess their proper classification using the applicable criteria enumerated under U.S. GAAP and determined that the common stock purchase warrants meet the criteria for equity classification in the accompanying condensed balance sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

COHBAR, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Share-Based Payment

The Company accounts for share-based payments using the fair value method. For employees and directors, the fair value of the award is measured, as discussed below, on the grant date. For non-employees, fair value is generally valued based on the fair value of the services provided or the fair value of the equity instruments on the measurement date, whichever is more readily determinable and re-measured on each financial reporting date until the service is complete. The Company has granted stock options at exercise prices equal to the higher of (i) the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported by Nasdaq, (ii) the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported by the TSX Venture Exchange or (iii) the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the OTCQX marketplace as determined by the board of directors, with input from management on the date of grant. Upon exercise of an option or warrant, the Company issues new shares of common stock out of its authorized shares.

The weighted-average fair value of options and warrants has been estimated on the grant date or measurement date using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The fair value of each instrument is estimated on the grant date or measurement date utilizing certain assumptions for a risk-free interest rate, volatility and expected remaining lives of the awards. The risk-free interest rate used is the United States Treasury rate for the day of the grant having a term equal to the life of the equity instrument. Beginning with the current year quarter, the fair value of stock-based payment awards issued was estimated using a volatility derived from the Company’s share price. Prior to the current year quarter, the Company had a limited history of being publicly traded and estimated the fair value of stock-based payment awards using a volatility derived from an index of comparable entities. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. In estimating the Company’s forfeiture rate, the Company analyzed its historical forfeiture rate, the remaining lives of unvested options, and the number of vested options as a percentage of total options outstanding. If the Company’s actual forfeiture rate is materially different from its estimate, or if the Company reevaluates the forfeiture rate in the future, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what the Company has recorded in the current period.

The weighted-average Black-Scholes assumptions are as follows:

As of March 31, 2019, total unrecognized stock option compensation expense is $3,831,195, which will be recognized as those options vest over a period of approximately four years. The amount of future stock option compensation expense could be affected by any future option grants or by any option holders leaving the Company before their grants are fully vested.

COHBAR, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted net earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other instruments to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.  Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive and consist of the following:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-09, “Codification Improvements” (“ASU 2018-09”). These amendments provide clarifications and corrections to certain ASC subtopics including, but not limited to, the following: Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income – Overall (Topic 220-10), Debt - Modifications and Extinguishments (Topic 470-50), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity – Overall (Topic 480-10), Compensation - Stock Compensation - Income Taxes (Topic 718-740) and Fair Value Measurement – Overall (Topic 820-10). The majority of the amendments in ASU 2018-09 is effective in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2018-09 did not have a material impact on the financial statements contained herein.

Note 4 - Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of:

COHBAR, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies

Litigations, Claims and Assessments

The Company may from time to time be party to litigation and subject to claims incident to the ordinary course of business. As the Company grows and gains prominence in the marketplace it may become party to an increasing number of litigation matters and claims. The outcome of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, and the resolution of these matters could materially affect the Company’s future results of operations, cash flows or financial position. The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings.

Operating Lease

The Company is a party to (i) a lease agreement for laboratory space leased on a month-to month basis that is part of a shared facility in Menlo Park, California, and (ii) a one-year lease agreement for office space in Fairfield, New Jersey which expires in September 2019.

Rent expense was $85,190 and $70,356 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Note 6 - Stockholders’ Equity

Stock Options

The Company has an incentive stock plan, the Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), and has granted stock options to employees, non-employee directors and consultants from the 2011 Plan. Options granted under the 2011 Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Non-statutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant. As of March 31, 2019, there were 3,575,852 shares remaining available for issuance under the 2011 Plan.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company granted a stock option award to a board member to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $3.15 per share. The stock option has a term of ten years and shares subject to the option will vest over a four-year period. The stock option has an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $439,260.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, stock options to purchase 94,530 shares of common stock were exercised for cash proceeds of $151,601.

The Company recorded stock-based compensation in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 as follows:.

COHBAR, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 6 - Stockholders’ Equity (continued)

The following table represents stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019:

The following table summarizes information on stock options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2019:

Warrants

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were exercised for aggregate cash proceeds of $57,500.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, warrants to purchase 6,982 shares of the Company’s common stock expired and were cancelled.

Note 7 - Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events to determine if events or transactions occurring through the date on which the condensed financial statements were issued require adjustment or disclosure in the Company’s condensed financial statements.

In May 2019, the Company entered into an Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Steve Engle pursuant to which Mr. Engle will serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), effective May 15, 2019. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Mr. Engle will be paid a base salary of $450,000 and will also be eligible for an annual bonus with a target amount of up to 50% of his annual base salary, payable based on achievement of corporate and/or personal performance goals. Additionally, Mr. Engle received an award under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan of options to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,930,000 shares of our common stock.

Subsequent to March 31, 2019, options to purchase 59,767 shares of common stock were exercised for aggregate cash proceeds of $87,588.

The following discussion and analysis is based upon our financial statements as of the dates and for the periods presented in this section. You should read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto found in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and our financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “2018 Form 10-K”). All references to the first quarter and first three months of 2019 and 2018 mean the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Unless the context otherwise requires, “CohBar,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to CohBar, Inc.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report, including the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are based on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about our business, our potential drug candidates, our capital resources and ability to fund our operations, our results of operations, the industry in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “goal,” “project,” “would,” “could,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek” and “estimate,” variations of these words, and similar expressions are intended to identify those forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this report under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of the 2018 Form 10-K, as supplemented or modified in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Overview

We are a clinical stage biotechnology company and a leader in the research and development of mitochondria based therapeutics (MBTs), an emerging class of drugs with the potential to treat a wide range of diseases associated with aging and metabolic dysfunction, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), cancer, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

 MBTs originate from almost two decades of research by our founders, resulting in their discovery of a novel group of mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) encoded within the mitochondrial genome. Some of these naturally occurring MDPs and their analogs have demonstrated a range of biological activity and therapeutic potential in research models across multiple diseases associated with aging.

 We are focused on building our organization, enhancing our scientific and management teams and their capabilities, planning and strategy, raising capital and the research and development of our MDPs. Our research efforts have focused on discovering and evaluating our MDPs for potential development as MBT drug candidates. We seek to identify and advance research on MDPs with superior potential for yielding an MBT drug candidate, and ultimately a drug, for which we have a strong intellectual property position.

Our lead MBT candidate for the potential treatment of NASH and obesity is CB4211, a novel optimized analog of the MOTS-c MDP. In July 2018, we announced the initiation of a Phase 1a/1b clinical study of CB4211. The double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, which had been temporarily suspended, as described below, is designed to initially assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CB4211 following single and multiple-ascending doses in healthy subjects. The final Phase 1b stage of the study, which has not yet started, is designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and activity of CB4211 in obese subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Assessments will include changes in liver fat assessed by MRI-PDFF, body weight, and biomarkers relevant to NASH and obesity.

In November 2018, we announced the temporary suspension of our Phase 1 clinical study of CB4211 to address mild but persistent injection site reactions. These injection site reactions, which have been observed in the Phase 1a dose escalation part of the study, were generally seen as painless bumps at the injection site that can be felt under the skin, but in most cases would be otherwise undetectable. We believe, based on the data accumulated to this point, that some of the administered dose of CB4211 remains localized in the tissue at the injection site, thereby causing these bumps to occur. In May 2019, we received regulatory feedback for our plan to address this issue, and have initiated plans to resume the clinical dosing of CB4211 as soon as possible. We anticipate resuming the trial in June 2019, but cannot predict with certainty when we will be able to resume the trial or when the topline data will be available.

To date, our founders and scientific team have discovered a large number of MDPs that have demonstrated a range of biological activities and therapeutic potential. Our ongoing research and development of our pipeline MDPs is focused on identifying and advancing novel improved analogs of those MDPs that have the greatest therapeutic and commercial potential for development into drugs.

We have financed our operations primarily with proceeds from sales of our equity securities, including our initial public offering (“IPO”), private placements, a debt offering, and the exercise of outstanding warrants and stock options. Since our inception through March 31, 2019, our operations have been funded with an aggregate of approximately $56.2 million from the issuance of equity instruments and debt.

Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our net losses were $2,920,584 and $3,586,585 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit of $42,869,137. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses over the next several years. Our net losses may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year. We anticipate incurring increasing expenses if we advance CB4211 through the clinic, and as we conduct pre-clinical development of our other research peptides, continue development of our MBTs and seek to expand our intellectual property portfolio.

Financial Operations Review

Revenue

To date, we have not generated any revenue from product sales and do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products in the near future. In the future, we will seek to generate revenue from product sales, either directly or under any future licensing, development or similar relationship with a strategic partner.

Our research and development programs include activities in support of clinical development of our lead MBT candidate program, CB4211, as well as operation of our platform technology related to discovery and development of new MBTs, evaluation of newly discovered MDPs, design of novel improved analogs, evaluation of their therapeutic potential, and optimization of their characteristics as potential MBT drug development candidates. Depending on factors of capability, cost, efficiency and intellectual property rights we conduct our research programs independently at our laboratory facility, pursuant to contractual arrangements with CROs or under collaborative arrangements with academic institutions.

The success of our research programs and the timing of those programs and the possible development of research peptides into drug candidates is highly uncertain. As such, at this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing or estimated costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete research and development of a commercial drug. We are also unable to predict when, if ever, we will receive material net cash inflows from our operations. This is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing medicines, including the uncertainty of:

A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of any of our product candidates would significantly change the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate.

Research and development activities are central to our business model. Most of our MBT drug target candidates are in early stages of investigational research. Candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. We expect research and development costs to increase for the foreseeable future as our product candidate development programs progress. However, we do not believe that it is possible at this time to accurately project total program-specific expenses through commercialization. There are numerous factors associated with the successful commercialization of any of our product candidates, including future trial design and various regulatory requirements, many of which cannot be determined with accuracy at this time based on our stage of development. Additionally, future commercial and regulatory factors beyond our control will impact our clinical development programs and plans.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other related costs, including stock-based compensation, for personnel in executive, finance and administrative functions. Other significant costs include legal fees relating to patent and corporate matters and fees for accounting and consulting services. We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will remain relatively constant in the year ending December 31, 2019.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods.

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

Research and development expenses were $1,371,848 in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $2,680,983 in the prior year period, a decrease of $1,309,135. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily due to $1,089,670 of costs incurred during the prior year period in relation to our pre-clinical and initial clinical expenses, and a decrease in stock-based compensation of $500,848 related to grants made in the prior year period that partially vested on grant date and grants to consultants that were revalued at March 31, 2018. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $355,489 in expenses associated with our research programs focused on continuing our development of peptides. We expect research and development expenses to increase in the coming quarters as we anticipate advancing our lead MBT candidate program, resuming and incurring the costs of our clinical trial and continuing our research to evaluate and optimize other MDPs as potential MBT drug candidates. 

General and administrative expenses were $1,456,197 in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $913,088 in the prior year period, an increase of $543,109. The increase was primarily due to a $285,798 increase in stock-based compensation associated with new option grants made since the prior year period, $53,000 in recruiting costs related to our search for a new Chief Executive Officer, and a $46,000 increase in directors fees due to the changes in Board compensation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2019, we had a cash balance of $4,089,774. We maintain our cash in a checking and savings account on deposit with a banking institution in the United States. We also maintain a portfolio of short-term highly liquid securities investing in U.S. Treasury Bills and Certificates of Deposit. As of March 31, 2019, we had an investments balance of $15,441,486.

As of March 31, 2019, we had working capital and stockholders’ equity of $18,473,275 and $16,014,794, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we incurred a net loss of $2,920,584 and used $2,846,993 in our operating activities. Based on current budget assumptions, projected cash burn, and the cash and investments on hand as of March 31, 2019, we believe we have sufficient capital to meet our operating expenses and obligations for the next twelve months from the date of this filing. However, if unanticipated difficulties or circumstances arise we may require additional capital sooner to support our operations. If we are unable to raise additional capital whenever necessary, we may be forced to decelerate or curtail our research and development activities and/or other operations until such time as additional capital becomes available. There can be no assurance that such a plan will be successful. There is no assurance that additional financing will be available when needed or that the we will be able to obtain such financing on reasonable terms.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $2,846,993 and $2,842,986, respectively. The cash used in operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily due to our reported net loss of $2,920,584 and the decrease in accounts payable of $887,190 due to the timing of the invoices received at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018 and paid this quarter, partially offset by $908,245 in stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization expense in the current year quarter. The cash used in operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily due to our reported net loss of $3,586,585 and the $254,118 increase in prepaids, which were primarily associated with the renewal of our Directors and Officers Insurance, offset by $998,012 in stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization expense in the first quarter of 2018.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $1,005,324 and $4,134,680, respectively. The net cash provided by investing activities in each period was due to the maturities of our investments in Certificates of Deposit and U.S. Treasury Bills.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $209,101 and $2,845,444, respectively. Cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2019 was due to proceeds received from the exercise of stock options and warrants. Cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2018 was due to the issuance of promissory notes totaling $2,142,500 (See Note 5 – Notes Payable) and the exercise of warrants and employee stock options with proceeds totaling $734,937.

Contractual Obligations

We are a party to (i) a lease agreement for laboratory space leased on a month-to month basis that is part of a shared facility in Menlo Park, California, and (ii) a one-year lease agreement for office space in Fairfield, New Jersey which expires in September 2019.

Rent expense was $85,190 and $70,356 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

As a smaller reporting company as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC, we are not required to provide this information.

In accordance with Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our management evaluated, with the participation of our Interim Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, our management, including the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

We may from time to time be party to litigation and subject to claims incident to the ordinary course of business. As we grow and gain prominence in the marketplace, we may become party to an increasing number of litigation matters and claims. The outcome of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, and the resolution of these matters could materially affect our future results of operations, cash flows or financial position. We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings.

A description of the risks associated with our business, financial conditions and results of operations is set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and filed with the SEC on March 18, 2019. There have been no material changes to these risks during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Sales of Unregistered Securities

On January 22, 2019 we issued 50,000 shares of common stock upon the exercise of a common stock purchase warrant with an exercise price of $1.15 per share. The issuance of our common stock upon the exercise of the warrant was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the exemption provided Section 4(a)(2) thereunder.

Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

None.

None.

None.

None.

The following exhibits are filed herewith and this list is intended to constitute the exhibit index.

* Indicates management contract, compensatory agreement or arrangement, in which our directors or executive officers may participate.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on.

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