EOM Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2014 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
or
¨ |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number 001-35560
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
|
93-1301885 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
|
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
23622 Calabasas Road, Suite 300 Calabasas, California |
|
91302 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip code) |
(818) 264-2300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer |
¨ |
|
Accelerated Filer |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
¨ |
|
Smaller reporting company |
¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
The Issuer had 62,720,303 shares of its common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2014.
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents
|
Page |
PART 1 |
|
3 |
|
|
3 |
Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
18 |
Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
21 |
|
22 |
PART II |
|
|
23 |
|
23 |
|
23 |
Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
23 |
|
23 |
|
23 |
|
23 |
|
24 |
|
25 |
|
26 |
2
PART 1
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
September 30, 2014 |
|
|
December 31, 2013 |
|
||
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
23,516,242 |
|
|
$ |
27,646,351 |
|
Other assets |
|
997,033 |
|
|
|
763,299 |
|
Total current assets |
|
24,513,275 |
|
|
|
28,409,650 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
58,174 |
|
|
|
66,442 |
|
Other assets |
|
803,943 |
|
|
|
464,585 |
|
Total assets |
$ |
25,375,392 |
|
|
$ |
28,940,677 |
|
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
257,637 |
|
|
$ |
861,026 |
|
Accrued compensation and benefits |
|
227,843 |
|
|
|
357,265 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
750,827 |
|
|
|
183,982 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
1,236,307 |
|
|
|
1,402,273 |
|
Warrant Liability |
|
705,948 |
|
|
|
1,064,810 |
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders’ equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 149,000,000 shares authorized; 60,881,555 and 57,542,231 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively |
|
6,088 |
|
|
|
5,754 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
82,646,802 |
|
|
|
78,437,233 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
(59,219,753 |
) |
|
|
(51,969,393 |
) |
Total shareholders’ equity |
|
23,433,137 |
|
|
|
26,473,594 |
|
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |
$ |
25,375,392 |
|
|
$ |
28,940,677 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
|
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 |
|
|
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 |
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 |
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 |
|
||||
Revenues |
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
1,486,352 |
|
|
|
1,276,507 |
|
|
|
4,646,156 |
|
|
|
3,905,338 |
|
Stock based compensation |
|
170,805 |
|
|
|
156,277 |
|
|
|
483,455 |
|
|
|
500,351 |
|
General and administrative |
|
786,688 |
|
|
|
985,107 |
|
|
|
2,490,322 |
|
|
|
2,542,794 |
|
Total expenses |
|
2,443,845 |
|
|
|
2,417,891 |
|
|
|
7,619,933 |
|
|
|
6,948,483 |
|
Loss before other income (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and income taxes |
|
(2,443,845 |
) |
|
|
(2,417,891 |
) |
|
|
(7,619,933 |
) |
|
|
(6,948,483 |
) |
Interest income |
|
4,207 |
|
|
|
3,667 |
|
|
|
10,711 |
|
|
|
14,310 |
|
Financing expense |
|
(9,478 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(34,078 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Change in fair value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
warrant liability |
|
559,873 |
|
|
|
(1,379,217 |
) |
|
|
392,940 |
|
|
|
(1,983,388 |
) |
Loss before income taxes |
|
(1,889,243 |
) |
|
|
(3,793,441 |
) |
|
|
(7,250,360 |
) |
|
|
(8,917,561 |
) |
Income taxes |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net loss |
$ |
(1,889,243 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,793,441 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,250,360 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,917,561 |
) |
Loss per share |
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.12 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.17 |
) |
Weighted average number of shares basic and diluted: |
|
60,678,764 |
|
|
|
55,307,906 |
|
|
|
58,933,905 |
|
|
|
53,289,854 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(unaudited)
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
|
Total |
|
|||||
Balance at December 31, 2013 |
|
|
57,542,231 |
|
|
$ |
5,754 |
|
|
$ |
78,437,233 |
|
|
$ |
(51,969,393 |
) |
|
$ |
26,473,594 |
|
Cashless exercise of stock options |
|
|
28,473 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
|
950,000 |
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
1,044,905 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,045,000 |
|
Common stock issued through controlled equity offering at an average price of $1.18 per share |
|
|
2,360,851 |
|
|
|
236 |
|
|
|
2,681,212 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,681,448 |
|
Stock based compensation |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
483,455 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
483,455 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(7,250,360 |
) |
|
|
(7,250,360 |
) |
Balance at September 30, 2014 |
|
|
60,881,555 |
|
|
$ |
6,088 |
|
|
$ |
82,646,802 |
|
|
$ |
(59,219,753 |
) |
|
$ |
23,433,137 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 |
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 |
|
||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
$ |
(7,250,360 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,917,561 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
36,846 |
|
|
|
35,682 |
|
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets |
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
3,817 |
|
Change in fair value of warrant liability |
|
(392,940 |
) |
|
|
1,983,388 |
|
Financing expense |
|
34,078 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
483,455 |
|
|
|
500,351 |
|
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
(573,092 |
) |
|
|
370,438 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
(603,389 |
) |
|
|
(178,108 |
) |
Accrued liabilities |
|
437,423 |
|
|
|
147,330 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
(7,827,982 |
) |
|
|
(6,054,663 |
) |
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property and equipment |
|
(28,975 |
) |
|
|
(37,877 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment |
|
400 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(28,575 |
) |
|
|
(37,877 |
) |
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
|
1,045,000 |
|
|
|
141,631 |
|
Proceeds from exercise of warrants |
|
— |
|
|
|
4,261,723 |
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants net of offering costs |
|
2,681,448 |
|
|
|
4,906,078 |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
3,726,448 |
|
|
|
9,309,432 |
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(4,130,109 |
) |
|
|
3,216,892 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
|
27,646,351 |
|
|
|
26,216,668 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ |
23,516,242 |
|
|
$ |
29,433,560 |
|
Supplemental cash flows disclosures: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense paid |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Income taxes paid |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Supplemental non-cash financing disclosures: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrant liability converted to additional paid-in capital |
|
— |
|
|
$ |
1,145,659 |
|
Common stock issued for license rights |
|
— |
|
|
$ |
75,000 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Nature of Organization and Planned Principal Operations Have Not Commenced
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. (the Company) is a biotechnology company that is seeking to develop and commercialize new therapeutics to fight cancer using the immune system. The Company’s planned principal operations have not commenced as of yet.
The Company has been primarily engaged in the acquisition of certain intellectual property, together with development of its vaccine product candidates, and has not generated any recurring revenues. The Company’s lead product candidate, ICT-107, is completing Phase II clinical development. The Company has two other product candidates, ICT-140 and ICT-121, both with investigational new drug (IND) applications active at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Company has incurred operating losses and, as of September 30, 2014, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $59,219,753. The Company expects to incur significant research, development and administrative expenses before any of its products can be launched and recurring revenues generated.
The Company's activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the failure of any of the Company's product candidates to achieve clinical success or to obtain regulatory approval. Additionally, it is possible that other companies with competing products and technology might obtain regulatory approval ahead of the Company. The Company will need significant amounts of additional funding in order to complete the development of any of its product candidates and the availability and terms of such funding cannot be assured.
Interim Results
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2014 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited, but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring entries, which the Company’s management believes to be necessary for a fair presentation of the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These financial statements include the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, ImmunoCellular Bermuda, Ltd. in Bermuda and ImmunoCellular Therapeutics (Ireland) Limited and ImmunoCellular Therapeutics (Europe) Limited in Ireland, that were formed during 2014. Balance sheet amounts as of December 31, 2013 have been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements included in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 14, 2014.
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company’s operating results will fluctuate for the foreseeable future. Therefore, period-to-period comparisons should not be relied upon as predictive of the results in future periods.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Liquidity – As of September 30, 2014, the Company had working capital of $23,276,968, compared to working capital of $27,007,377 as of December 31, 2013. The estimated cost of completing the development of any of our current vaccine product candidates and of obtaining all required regulatory approvals to market any of those product candidates is substantially greater than the amount of funds we currently have available. However, we believe that our existing cash balances are sufficient for our currently planned level of operations for at least the next twelve months, although there is no assurance that such proceeds will be sufficient for this purpose.
Principles of Consolidation - The condensed consolidated balance sheets include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The consolidated statements of operations include the Company’s accounts and the accounts of its subsidiaries from the date of acquisition. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and cash equivalents – The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at acquisition to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $21,424,604 and $25,913,893, respectively, of certificates of deposit. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with various banks in order to maintain FDIC insurance on all of its investments.
7
Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives (generally three to five years) of the related assets. Computer and computer equipment are depreciated over three years. Management continuously monitors and evaluates the realizability of recorded long-lived assets to determine whether their carrying values have been impaired. The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the nondiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets. Any impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Research and Development Costs – Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred for direct research and development and are expensed as incurred.
Stock Based Compensation – The Company records the cost for all share-based payment transactions in the Company’s financial statements.
Stock option grants issued to employees and officers and directors were valued using the Black-Scholes pricing model.
Fair value was estimated at the date of grant using the following weighted average assumptions:
|
Nine months |
|
|
Nine months |
|
||
Risk-free interest rate |
|
2.18 |
% |
|
|
1.61 |
% |
Expected dividend yield |
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Expected life |
|
5.47 Years |
|
|
|
5.12 Years |
|
Expected volatility |
|
95.3 |
% |
|
|
90.6 |
% |
Expected forfeitures |
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
The risk-free interest rate used is based on the implied yield currently available in U.S. Treasury securities at maturity with an equivalent term. The Company has not declared or paid any dividends and does not currently expect to do so in the future. The expected term of options represents the period that our stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on projected holding periods for the remaining unexercised shares. Consideration was given to the contractual terms of our stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. Forfeitures have been estimated to be nil.
The Company’s stock price volatility and option lives involve management’s best estimates, both of which impact the fair value of the option calculated and, ultimately, the expense that will be recognized over the life of the option.
When options are exercised, our policy is to issue reserved but previously unissued shares of common stock to satisfy share option exercises. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had 56,571,680 shares of authorized and unissued common stock.
No tax benefits were attributed to the stock-based compensation expense because a valuation allowance was maintained for all net deferred tax assets.
Income Taxes – The Company accounts for federal and state income taxes under the liability method, with a deferred tax asset or liability determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as measured by the enacted tax rates. The Company’s provision for income taxes represents the amount of taxes currently payable, if any, plus the change in the amount of net deferred tax assets or liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided against net deferred tax assets if recoverability is uncertain on a more likely than not basis. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company fully reserved its deferred tax assets. The Company recognizes in its financial statements the impact of an uncertain tax position if the position will more likely than not be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense and penalties as operating expenses. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and as such, no liability, interest or penalties were required to be recorded. The Company does not expect this to change significantly in the next twelve months. The Company has determined that its main taxing jurisdictions are the United States of America and the State of California. The Company is not currently under examination by any taxing authority nor has it been notified of a pending examination. The Company’s tax returns are generally no longer subject to examination for the years before December 31, 2009 for the state and December 31, 2010 for the federal taxing authority.
8
Fair Value of Financial Instruments – The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash, cash equivalents, and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to their quick turnover. The fair value of warrant derivative liability is estimated using the Binomial Lattice option valuation model.
Fair value for financial reporting is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company utilizes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2—quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3—inputs that are unobservable (for example cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)
Warrant liabilities represent the only financial assets or liabilities recorded at fair value by the Company. The fair value of warrant liabilities are determined based on Level 3 inputs.
Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions about the future outcome of current transactions which may affect the reporting and disclosure of these transactions. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates used in the preparation of these financial statements.
The following critical accounting policies affect the Company’s more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of these financial statements:
Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-based compensation expense is estimated as of the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which generally equals the vesting period, based on the number of awards that are expected to vest. Estimating the fair value for stock options requires judgment, including the expected term of our stock options, volatility of the company’s stock, expected dividends, risk-free interest rates over the expected term of the options and the expected forfeiture rate. In connection with performance based programs, the company makes assumptions principally related to the number of awards that are expected to vest after assessing the probability that certain performance criteria will be met.
Income Taxes - The Company accounts for federal and state income taxes under the liability method, with a deferred tax asset or liability determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as measured by the enacted tax rates. The Company’s provision for income taxes represents the amount of taxes currently payable, if any, plus the change in the amount of net deferred tax assets or liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided against net deferred tax assets if recoverability is uncertain on a more likely than not basis. The Company recognizes in its financial statements the impact of an uncertain tax position if the position will more likely than not be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense and penalties as operating expenses. The Company is not currently under examination by any taxing authority nor has it been notified of an impending examination. The Company’s tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2009 to 2013, remain open for possible review.
Warrant Liability - The fair value of warrant liability is estimated using the Binomial Lattice option valuation model. The use of the Binomial Lattice option valuation model requires estimates including the volatility of the company’s stock, risk-free rates over the expected term of warrants and early exercise of the options.
Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share – Basic and diluted loss per common share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Common share equivalents (which consist of options and warrants) are excluded from the computation, since the effect would be antidilutive. Common share equivalents which could potentially dilute earnings per share, and which were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share, totaled 19,495,807 shares and 14,610,187 shares at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
9
Recently Issued Accounting Standards – In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2014-12, which removes the definition of a development stage entity from FASB ASC 915 and eliminates the disclosure requirements for development stage entities to 1) present inception-to-date information on the statements of operations, cash flows and shareholders’ equity; 2) label the financial statements as those of a development stage entity, 3) disclose a description of the development stage activities in which the entity is engaged and 4) disclose in the first year in which the entity is no longer a development stage entity that in prior years it had been a development stage. This ASU added a requirement for the entity to disclose its major risks and uncertainties. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014; however, early adoption is permitted. The Company decided to adopt this ASU effective in the second quarter of 2014. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which applies to entities that have substantial doubt about their ability to continue as a going concern. This update requires management to assess the probability about the entity’s ability to remain as a going concern for a period of one year from the date the financial statements are ready to be issued. Depending on management’s conclusions about the entity’s ability to remain as a going concern, the entity must make certain disclosures in its financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.
3. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consist of the following:
|
September 30, 2014 |
|
|
December 31, 2013 |
|
||
Computers |
$ |
59,076 |
|
|
$ |
67,566 |
|
Research equipment |
|
143,184 |
|
|
|
117,809 |
|
|
|
202,260 |
|
|
|
185,375 |
|
Accumulated depreciation |
|
(144,086 |
) |
|
|
(118,933 |
) |
|
$ |
58,174 |
|
|
$ |
66,442 |
|
Depreciation expense was $12,930 and $13,998 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Depreciation expense was $36,846 and $35,682 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
4. Related-Party Transactions
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center License Agreement
Dr. John Yu, our Chief Scientific Officer and former interim Chief Executive Officer, is a neurosurgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Cedars-Sinai). In November 2006, the Company entered into a license agreement with Cedars-Sinai under which the Company acquired an exclusive, worldwide license to its technology for use as cellular therapies, including dendritic cell-based vaccines for neurological disorders that include brain tumors and neurodegenerative disorders and other cancers. This technology is covered by a number of issued and pending U.S. and foreign patents and applications, and the term of the license will be until the last to expire of any patent claims that are issued covering this technology.
As an upfront licensing fee, the Company issued Cedars-Sinai 694,000 shares of its common stock and paid Cedars-Sinai $62,000. Additional specified milestone payments will be required to be paid to Cedars-Sinai when the Company initiates patient enrollment in its first Phase III clinical trial and when it receives FDA marketing approval for its first product.
The Company has agreed to pay Cedars-Sinai specified percentages of all of its sublicensing income and gross revenues from sales of products based on the licensed technology. To maintain its rights to the licensed technology, the Company must meet certain development and funding milestones. These milestones include, among others, commencing a Phase I clinical trial for a product candidate by March 31, 2007 and raising at least $5,000,000 in funding from equity or other sources by December 31, 2008. The Company satisfied the foregoing funding requirement in 2007 and commenced a Phase I clinical trial in May 2007, which was within the applicable cure period for the milestone requirement. Through December 31, 2009, the Company paid Cedars-Sinai a total of $166,660 in connection with the Phase I clinical trial. The Company also was required to commence a Phase II clinical trial for a product candidate by December 31, 2008 and a waiver of this requirement was obtained from Cedars-Sinai (see Second Amendment below).
10
On June 16, 2008, the Company entered into a First Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement (the Amendment) with Cedars-Sinai. The Amendment amended the License Agreement to include in the Company’s exclusive license from Cedars-Sinai under that agreement an epitope to CD133 and certain related intellectual property. This technology is covered by U.S. patent applications filed by both parties. Pursuant to the Amendment, the Company issued Cedars-Sinai 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock as an additional license fee for the licensed CD133 epitope technology, which will be subject to the royalty and other terms of the License Agreement.
On July 22, 2009, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement (the Second Amendment) with Cedars-Sinai to become effective August 1, 2009. The Second Amendment amended the License Agreement to revise the milestones set forth in the License Agreement that the Company must achieve in order to maintain its license rights under that agreement. The revised milestones include the replacement of a milestone that required commencement of a Phase II clinical trial for the Company’s first product candidate by no later than December 31, 2008 with milestones that require commencement of a Phase I clinical trial for the Company’s second product candidate by no later than June 30, 2010 and commencement of a Phase II clinical trial for one of the Company’s product candidates by no later than March 31, 2012.
Effective March 23, 2010, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement (the Third Amendment) with Cedars-Sinai. The Third Amendment amended the License Agreement to revise the milestones set forth in the License Agreement that the Company must achieve in order to maintain its license rights under that agreement. The revised milestones include the replacement of a milestone that required commencement of a Phase I clinical trial for the Company’s second product candidate by no later than June 30, 2010 and commencement of a Phase II clinical trial for one of the Company’s product candidates by no later than March 31, 2012 with a requirement that by September 30, 2011 the Company either commence a Phase II clinical trial for its dendritic cell vaccine candidate or a Phase I clinical trial for its cancer stem cell vaccine candidate. The amendment also added a requirement that the Company obtain certain defined forms of equity or other funding in the amount of at least $2,500,000 by December 31, 2010 and a total of at least $5,000,000 by September 30, 2011. These funding requirements were fully satisfied as of June 30, 2011 and the agreement expired by its terms.
Effective September 20, 2010, the Company entered into a sponsored research agreement with Cedars-Sinai under which Cedars-Sinai provided services to the Company in developing the ICT-121 vaccine at a total cost of $446,142. Effective September 20, 2011, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 extending the agreement to September 19, 2012 at an incremental cost of $294,504. Effective September 20, 2012, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 extending the agreement to September 19, 2013 at an incremental cost of $329,832. This agreement concluded on September 19, 2013 but was extended through March 19, 2014 at an incremental cost of $210,856.
5. Commitments and Contingencies
Sponsored Research Agreements
In an effort to expand the Company’s intellectual property portfolio to use antigens to create personalized vaccines, the Company has entered into various intellectual property and research agreements. Those agreements are long-term in nature and are discussed below.
Aptiv Solutions
The Company has contracted with Aptiv Solutions to provide certain services related to the Company’s ICT-107 Phase II trial. The original agreement was entered into in August of 2010 and provided for estimated payments of approximately $3.3 million for services through September 2013. Subsequently, the Company and Aptiv entered into six contract amendments. Under the first amendment, effective January 20, 2011, Aptiv agreed to provide additional services in conjunction with the Phase II trial of ICT-107 for an additional fee of $469,807. The second amendment, effective February 4, 2012, extended the services to be provided by Aptiv and further increased the fees by $986,783. The second amendment also extended the term of the agreement to March 31, 2014. On January 11, 2013, the third amendment was finalized whereby the services were further extended and the fees were further increased by $608,201. On December 2, 2013, the fourth amendment was finalized whereby additional services were added and the fees were further increased by $319,450. On June 5, 2014, the fifth amendment was finalized whereby the project schedule was amended and the fees increased by $495,264. On September 17, 2014, the sixth amendment was finalized whereby the fees increased by $12,480. The total aggregate fee pursuant to the original agreement and the five modifications is $6.2 million.
11
On September 17, 2013, the Company entered into a Master Services Agreement with Aptiv Solutions to provide certain services related to the Company’s products under development. Simultaneously, the Company and Aptiv entered into Project Agreement Number 1 for the ICT-140 Phase II trial that provides for payments of approximately $2.7 million until completion of the services described therein. On May 6, 2014, the Company and Aptiv entered into Amendment #1 to Project Agreement Number 1 to amend the project schedule and provide additional services for an additional fee of $170,004. On August 21, 2014, the Company and Aptiv entered into Amendment #2 to Project Agreement Number 1 to amend the project schedule and replace the aggregate budget. The total aggregate fee pursuant to the original agreement and the two modifications is $3.5 million. On July 17, 2014, the Company and Aptiv entered into Project Agreement CD-133 for the ICT-121 Phase I trial that provides for payments of approximately $2.3 million until completion of the services described therein.
As of September 30, 2014, the Company’s remaining obligation under the existing commitments is approximately $5.2 million.
University of Pennsylvania
On February 13, 2012, the Company entered into a Patent License Agreement with The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania under which the Company acquired an exclusive, worldwide license relating to patent technology for the production, use and cryopreservation of high-activity dendritic cell cancer vaccines.
Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company paid an upfront licensing fee and will be obligated to pay annual license maintenance fees. In addition, the Company has agreed to make payments upon completion of specified milestones and to pay royalties of a specified percentage on net sales, subject to a specified minimum royalty, and sublicensing fees on product sales covered by the license. During 2014, the Company terminated this Patent License Agreement.
The Johns Hopkins University Licensing Agreement
On February 23, 2012, the Company entered into an Exclusive License Agreement, effective as of February 16, 2012, with The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) under which it received an exclusive, worldwide license to JHU’s rights in and to certain intellectual property related to mesothelin-specific cancer immunotherapies. The Company is advancing a cancer vaccine program using JHU and other intellectual property according to commercially reasonable development timeline. If successful and a product ultimately is registered, the Company will either sell the product directly or via a third-party partnership.
Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company agreed to pay an upfront licensing fee in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars, payable half in cash and half in shares of its common stock in two tranches, within 30 days of the effective date of the License Agreement and upon issuance of the first U.S. patent covering the subject technology. Annual minimum royalties or maintenance fees increase over time and range from low tens of thousands to low hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition, the Company has agreed to pay milestone license fees upon completion of specified milestones, totaling single digit millions of dollars if all milestones are met. Royalties based on a low single digit percentage of net sales are also due on direct sales, while third party sublicensing payments will be shared at a low double digit percentage.
The Company and JHU each have termination rights that include termination for any reason and for reasons relating to specific performance or financial conditions. Effective September 24, 2013, the Company entered into an Amendment No. 1 to the Exclusive License Agreement that updated certain milestones.
The University of Pittsburgh Patent License Agreement
On March 20, 2012, the Company entered into an Exclusive License Agreement with the University of Pittsburgh under which the Company has licensed intellectual property surrounding EphA2, a tyrosine kinase receptor that is highly expressed by ovarian cancer and other advanced and metastatic malignancies. The License Agreement grants a worldwide exclusive license to the intellectual property for ovarian and pancreatic cancers; and a worldwide non-exclusive license to the intellectual property for brain cancer.
Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company agreed to pay an upfront nonrefundable and noncreditable licensing fee and nonrefundable and noncreditable maintenance fees due annually starting 12 months from the anniversary of the effective date of the License Agreement. In addition, the Company has agreed to make certain milestone payments upon completion of specified milestones and to pay customary royalties based on a specified percentage of net sales and sublicensing payments, as applicable.
12
Torrey Pines
On October 1, 2012, the Company entered into a Contract Services Agreement with Torrey Pines under which the Company has engaged Torrey Pines to determine the immunogenicity of certain peptides that are used in conjunction with the Company’s ICT-107 Phase IIb trial and in the development of ICT-140. The Company agreed to pay an upfront nonrefundable and noncreditable fee and is obligated to pay the remainder at the conclusion of the contract. On April 1, 2013, the Company and Torrey Pines expanded the scope of work to be completed by Torrey Pines under an additional Contract Services Agreement. This supplemental agreement provided for the Company to pay an upfront fee and additional fees at the conclusion of the contract. On April 1, 2014, the Company and Torrey Pines entered into an Amended and Restated Contract Services Agreement for Torrey Pines to perform certain additional services in connection with the Company’s vaccine technologies.
California Institute of Technology
On September 9, 2014, the Company entered into an Exclusive License Agreement with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) under which the Company acquired exclusive rights to novel technology for the development of certain antigen specific T-cell immunotherapies for the treatment of cancers.
Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company agreed to pay a one time license fee, a minimum annual royalty based on a low single digit percentage of net revenues and an annual maintenance fee in the low tens of thousands of dollars. In addition, the Company has agreed to make certain milestone payments upon completion of specified milestones.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
In connection with the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center License Agreement and sponsored research agreement, the Company has certain commitments as described in Note 4.
Employment Agreements
The Company has employment agreements with its management that provide for a base salary, bonus and stock option grants. The aggregate annual base salary payable to this group is approximately $1.0 million and the potential bonus is approximately $300,000. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company issued an aggregate of 317,500 stock options to its management at a weighted average exercise price of $1.34 that vest over a period of 4 years.
Operating Lease
The Company entered into a lease for office space effective June 15, 2013 and continuing through August 31, 2016 at an initial monthly rental of $8,063. The monthly rental will increase by 3% on each anniversary date of the lease. Rent for the months of August and September 2013 was abated. Rent expense was approximately $25,000 and $18,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Rent expense was approximately $74,000 and $55,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Future minimum rentals under the operating lease are as follows:
Years ending December 31, |
|
Amount |
|
|
2014 |
|
$ |
24,915 |
|
2015 |
|
|
100,905 |
|
2016 |
|
|
68,432 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
194,252 |
|
13
6. Shareholders’ Equity
Controlled Equity Offering
On April 18, 2013, the Company entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement (the Sales Agreement) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as agent (Cantor), pursuant to which the Company may offer from time to time through Cantor, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $25.0 million (of which only $17.0 million is currently registered for offer and sale). Under the Sales Agreement, Cantor may sell shares by any method permitted by law and deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended, including sales made directly on the NYSE MKT, on any other existing trading market for our common stock or to or through a market maker. The Company may instruct Cantor not to sell shares if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time. The Company is not obligated to make any sales of the shares under the Sales Agreement. The offering of shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (a) the sale of all of the shares subject to the Sales Agreement or (b) the termination of the Sales Agreement by Cantor or the Company, as permitted therein. Cantor will receive a commission rate of 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of shares and the Company has agreed to provide Cantor with customary indemnification and contribution rights. The Company will also reimburse Cantor for certain specified expenses in connection with entering into the Sales Agreement. On April 22, 2013, NYSE MKT approved the listing of 10,593,220 shares of our common stock in connection with the Sales Agreement. Through September 30, 2014, we sold 4,222,993 shares of our common stock under the Sales Agreement that resulted in proceeds to the Company of approximately $7,440,744, less offering expenses of approximately $364,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company sold 2,360,851 shares of its common stock that resulted in net proceeds to the Company of $2,681,448. As of September 30, 2014, aggregate gross sales for additional common stock of approximately $8,963,838 remained available under the Sales Agreement. Subsequent to September 30, 2014, the Company sold 1,991,328 shares of its common stock that resulted in net proceeds to the Company of $1,384,555. (See Note 9 – Subsequent Events)
Stock Options
In February 2005, the Company adopted an Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan). Pursuant to the Plan, a committee appointed by the Board of Directors may grant, at its discretion, qualified or nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and may grant or sell restricted stock to key individuals, including employees, nonemployee directors, consultants and advisors. Option prices for qualified incentive stock options (which may only be granted to employees) issued under the plan may not be less than 100% of the fair value of the common stock on the date the option is granted (unless the option is granted to a person who, at the time of grant, owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company; in which case the option price may not be less than 110% of the fair value of the common stock on the date the option is granted). Option prices for nonqualified stock options issued under the Plan are at the discretion of the committee and may be equal to, greater or less than fair value of the common stock on the date the option is granted. The options vest over periods determined by the Board of Directors and are exercisable no later than ten years from date of grant (unless they are qualified incentive stock options granted to a person owning more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, in which case the options are exercisable no later than five years from date of grant). Initially, the Company reserved 6,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the Plan. On October 24, 2011, the Company’s shareholders voted to increase the number of authorized shares reserved for the Plan to 8,000,000 shares. On September 20, 2013, the Company’s shareholders voted to increase the number of authorized shares reserved for the Plan to 12,000,000 shares. Options to purchase 3,386,341 common shares have been granted under the Plan and are outstanding as of September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, there were 5,680,731 options available for issuance under the Plan.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company issued 204,617 stock options to members of the Company’s Board of Directors at an exercise price of $1.19 and a vesting period of 4 years.
The following table summarizes stock option activity for the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
|
Options |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|||
Outstanding December 31, 2013 |
10,466,695 |
|
|
$ |
1.37 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Granted |
547,117 |
|
|
$ |
1.28 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Exercised |
(1,075,000 |
) |
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Forfeited or expired |
(469,047 |
) |
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Outstanding September 30, 2014 |
9,469,765 |
|
|
$ |
1.33 |
|
|
|
3.14 |
|
|
$ |
36,400 |
|
Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2014 |
7,948,459 |
|
|
$ |
1.18 |
|
|
|
2.53 |
|
|
$ |
36,400 |
|
As of September 30, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options amounted to $3.3 million, which will be recognized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of approximately 19 months.
14
Warrants
In connection with the May 2010 common stock private placement, the Company issued to the investors warrants to purchase 1,287,773 shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.50 per share. The warrants had a term of 36 months from the date of issuance. As of September 30, 2014 these warrants have been fully exercised, except for warrants to purchase 4,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that expired. (See “Warrant Liability” below.)
In connection with the sale of Preferred Stock in May 2010, the Company issued warrants to purchase 1,350,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.50. The warrants have a five-year term from the date of issuance. As of September 30, 2014, warrants to purchase 1,290,996 shares of the Company’s common stock at $2.50 remain outstanding related to this private placement. (See “Warrant Liability” below.)
In connection with the February 2011 common stock private placement, the Company issued to the investors warrants to purchase 2,609,898 shares of the Company’s common stock at $2.25 per share. The warrants have a five-year term from the date of issuance and contain a provision that provides for an adjustment to the exercise price in the event the Company completes an equity financing at a per share price of its common stock that is less than the adjusted exercise price. As a result of the January and October 2012 financings, the exercise price of the warrants was adjusted to $1.87 and the number of warrants was proportionately increased to 2,823,670 net of exercises. During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the exercise price was further adjusted to $1.85 and the number of warrants outstanding was increased to 2,854,196 to reflect the issuances pursuant to the Company’s Controlled Equity OfferingSM. During the quarter months ended September 30, 2014, the exercise price was further adjusted to $1.84 and the number of warrants outstanding was increased to 2,869,696 to reflect the issuances pursuant to the Company’s Controlled Equity OfferingSM. As of September 30, 2014, warrants to purchase 2,869,696 shares of the Company’s common stock remain outstanding related to this private placement. (See “Warrant Liability” below.)
In connection with the January 2012 underwritten public offering, the Company issued to the investors warrants to purchase 4,744,718 shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.41 per share. The warrants have a five-year term from the date of issuance. These warrants qualify for equity treatment since they do not have any provisions that would require the Company to redeem them for cash or that would result in an adjustment to the number of warrants. As of September 30, 2014, warrants to purchase 1,418,575 shares of the Company’s common stock remain outstanding relating to this public offering.
In connection with the October 2012 underwritten public offering, the Company issued to the investors warrants to purchase 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $2.65 per share. The warrants have a five-year term from the date of issuance. These warrants qualify for equity treatment since they do not have any provisions that would require the Company to redeem them for cash or that would result in an adjustment to the number of warrants. As of September 30, 2014, warrants to purchase 4,446,775 shares of the Company’s common stock remain outstanding relating to this public offering.
Warrant Liability
The Company’s warrant liability is adjusted to fair value each reporting period and is influenced by several factors including the price of the Company’s common stock as of the balance sheet date. On September 30, 2014, the price per share of Company’s common stock was $0.89 per share compared to $0.93 per share at December 31, 2013.
In connection with the May 2010 common stock private placement, the Company issued to the investors warrants to purchase 1,287,773 shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.50 per share. Of the total proceeds from the May 2010 common stock private placement, $834,455 was allocated to the freestanding warrants associated with the units based upon the fair value of the warrants determined under the Black Scholes option pricing model. The warrants contained a provision whereby the warrant exercise price would be decreased in the event that future common stock issuances were made at a price less than $1.00. Due to the potential variability of their exercise price, these warrants did not qualify for equity treatment, and therefore were recognized as a liability. The warrant liability was adjusted to fair value each reporting period, and any change in value was recognized in the statement of operations. Prior to 2011, the Company had concluded that the Black-Scholes method of valuing the price adjustment feature does not materially differ from the valuation of such warrants using the binomial lattice simulation model, and therefore, the use of the Black-Scholes valuation model was considered a reasonable method to value the warrants. The assumptions used in the Black Scholes model for determining the initial fair value of the warrants were as follows: (i) dividend yield of 0%; (ii) expected volatility of 102%, (iii) risk-free interest rate of 1.375%, and (iv) contractual life of 36 months. Effective January 1, 2011, the Company determined that it was more appropriate to value the warrants using a binomial lattice simulation model. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded a charge to other expense of $nil and $583,134, respectively. During 2013, the remaining warrants were fully exercised.
15
In connection with the sale of Preferred Stock in 2010, the Company issued to the investors warrants to purchase 1,350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share. Of the total proceeds from the May 2010 preferred stock sale, $5,710,500 was allocated to the freestanding warrants associated with the units based upon the fair value of these warrants determined under the Black Scholes option pricing model. The warrants contain a provision whereby the warrant may be settled for cash in connection with a change of control with a private company. Due to the potential variability of their exercise price, these warrants do not qualify for equity treatment, and therefore are recognized as a liability. The warrant liability is adjusted to fair value each reporting period and any change in value is recognized in the statement of operations. Prior to 2011, the Company concluded that the Black-Scholes method of valuing the price adjustment feature does not materially differ from the valuation of such warrants using the Monte Carlo or binomial lattice simulation models, and therefore, the use of the Black-Scholes valuation model was considered a reasonable method to value the warrants. The assumptions used in the Black Scholes model for determining the initial fair value of the warrants were as follows: (i) dividend yield of 0%; (ii) expected volatility of 102%, (iii) risk-free interest rate of 2.50%, and (iv) contractual life of 60 months. Effective January 1, 2011, the Company determined that it was more appropriate to value the warrants using a binomial lattice simulation model. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded a charge to other expense of $348,569 and $345,987, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, the Company revalued the warrants using the binomial lattice simulation model assuming (i) dividend yield of 0%; (ii) expected volatility of 42%; (iii) risk free rate of 0.05% and (iv) expected term of 0.59 years. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded a credit to other income of $320,167 and $268,527, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, the carrying value of the warrant liability is $nil.
In connection with the February 2011 common stock private placement, the Company issued to the investors warrants to purchase 2,818,675 shares of the Company’s common stock at $2.25 per share. Of the total proceeds from the February 2011 common stock private placement, $2,476,790 was allocated to the freestanding warrants associated with the units based upon the fair value of the warrants determined under the Binomial lattice model. The warrants contain a provision whereby the warrant exercise price would be decreased in the event that certain future common stock issuances are made at a price less than $1.55. Due to the potential variability of their exercise price, these warrants do not qualify for equity treatment, and therefore are recognized as a liability. As a result of the January and October 2012 financings, the exercise price of the warrants was adjusted to $1.87 and the number of warrants was proportionately increased to 2,823,670 net of exercises. The Company recorded a charge to financing expense of $368,524 to reflect the issuance of the additional warrants. As of result of the Company’s Controlled Equity Offering through June 30, 2014, the exercise price of the warrants was adjusted to $1.85 and the number of warrants was proportionately increased to 2,854,196, net of exercises. As of result of the Company’s Controlled Equity Offering for the three months ended September 30, 2014, the exercise price of the warrants was adjusted to $1.84 and the number of warrants was proportionately increased to 2,869,696, net of exercises. The warrant liability is adjusted to fair value each reporting period, and any change in value is recognized in the statement of operations. The Company initially valued these warrants using a binomial lattice simulation model assuming (i) dividend yield of 0%; (ii) expected volatility of 146%; (iii) risk free rate of 1.96% and (iv) expected term of 5 years. Based upon those calculations, the Company calculated the initial valuation of the warrants to be $2,476,790. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded a charge to other expense of $1,030,649 and $1,054,268, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, the Company revalued the warrants using the binomial lattice simulation model assuming (i) dividend yield of 0%; (ii) expected volatility of 126%; (iii) risk free rate of 0.31% and (iv) expected term of 1.39 years. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded a credit to other income of $239,706 and $124,413, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, the carrying value of the warrant liability is $705,948.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility of the Company’s stock.
The following reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for all warrant liabilities measured at fair market value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (level 3) during the period ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
|
September 30, 2014 |
|
|
September 30, 2013 |
|
||
Balance – January 1 |
$ |
1,064,810 |
|
|
$ |
2,852,880 |
|
Issuance of warrants and effect of repricing |
|
34,078 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Exercise of warrants |
|
0 |
|
|
|
(1,145,659 |
) |
(Gain) or loss included in earnings |
|
(392,940) |
|
|
|
1,983,388 |
|
Transfers in and out/or out of Level 3 |
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Balance – September 30 |
$ |
705,948 |
|
|
$ |
3,690,609 |
|
Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded a charge to financing expense of $34,078 to reflect the issuance of the additional warrants.
16
7. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
During 2011, the Company adopted a Profit Sharing Plan that qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the plan are at the Company’s discretion. The Company did not make any matching contributions during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 or September 30, 2013.
8. Income Taxes
Deferred taxes represent the net tax effects of the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes. Temporary differences result primarily from the recording of tax benefits of net operating loss carry forwards and stock-based compensation.
As of September 30, 2014, the Company has an insufficient history to support the likelihood of ultimate realization of the benefit associated with its deferred tax assets. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been established for the full amount of the deferred tax assets.
The Company’s effective income tax rate differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to loss before income taxes as follows:
|
September 30, 2014 |
|
|
September 30, 2013 |
|
||
Income tax benefit at the federal statutory rate |
|
-34 |
% |
|
|
-34 |
% |
State income tax benefit, net of federal tax benefit |
|
-6 |
% |
|
|
-6 |
% |
Change in fair value of warrant liability |
|
-2 |
% |
|
|
9 |
% |
Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets |
|
42 |
% |
|
|
31 |
% |
Total |
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
September 30, 2014 |
|
|
December 31, 2013 |
|
||
Net operating loss carryforwards |
$ |
18,693,862 |
|
|
$ |
15,759,274 |
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
2,214,369 |
|
|
|
2,020,987 |
|
Less valuation allowance |
|
(20,908,231 |
) |
|
|
(17,780,261 |
) |
Net deferred tax asset |
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had federal and California income tax net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $47.9 million and $41.0 million respectively. These net operating losses will begin to expire in 2022 and 2016, respectively, unless previously utilized.
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code can limit the amount of net operating losses which may be utilized if certain changes to a company’s ownership occur. While the Company underwent an ownership change in 2012 as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, management estimated that the Company had not incurred any limitations on its ability to utilize its net operating losses under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code during 2012. The Company may incur limitations in the future if there is a change in ownership as computed under the prescribed method of the Internal Revenue Code.
9. Subsequent Events
Subsequent to September 30, 2014, the Company sold 1,991,328 shares of its common stock under the controlled equity offering, which resulted in net proceeds of approximately $1,384,555 (See Note 6). Aggregate gross sales for additional common stock of approximately $7,536,461 remain available under the Sales Agreement.
17
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our company” refer to ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd., a Delaware corporation and its subsidiaries.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the views of our management with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “projects,” “targets” and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on the information available to management at this time and which speak only as of this date. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a discussion of some of the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements, please read carefully the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The identification in this Quarterly Report of factors that may affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is meant to be illustrative and by no means exhaustive. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.
Overview
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the Company) is a biotechnology company that is seeking to develop and commercialize new therapeutics to fight cancer using the immune system.
The Company has been primarily engaged in the acquisition of certain intellectual property, together with development of its vaccine product candidates, and has not generated any recurring revenues. The Company’s lead product candidate, ICT-107, is completing Phase II clinical development. The Company has two other product candidates, ICT-140 and ICT-121, both with investigational new drug (IND) applications active at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Company is enrolling patients in the ICT-121 Phase I clinical trial and anticipates enrolling patients in the ICT-140 Phase II clinical trial during the fourth quarter of 2014. The Company has incurred operating losses and, as of September 30, 2014, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $59,219,753. The Company expects to incur significant research, development and administrative expenses before any of its products can be launched and recurring revenues generated.
Critical Accounting Policies
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to impairment of long-lived assets, including finite lived intangible assets, accrued liabilities, fair value of warrant derivatives and certain expenses. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 2 of our condensed consolidated financial statements. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
Research and Development Costs
We believe that our research and development activities and underlying technologies have continuing value, however, the amount of future benefits to be derived from them is uncertain. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recorded an expense of $4,646,156 and $3,905,338, respectively, related to research and development activities.
18
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense is estimated as of the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which generally equals the vesting period, based on the number of awards that are expected to vest. Estimating the fair value for stock options requires judgment, including the expected term of our stock options, volatility of our stock, expected dividends, risk-free interest rates over the expected term of the options and the expected forfeiture rate. In connection with our performance based programs, we make assumptions principally related to the number of awards that are expected to vest after assessing the probability that certain performance criteria will be met.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for federal and state income taxes under the liability method, with a deferred tax asset or liability determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as measured by the enacted tax rates. The Company’s provision for income taxes represents the amount of taxes currently payable, if any, plus the change in the amount of net deferred tax assets or liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided against net deferred tax assets if recoverability is uncertain on a more likely than not basis. The Company recognizes in its consolidated financial statements the impact of an uncertain tax position if the position will more likely than not be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense and penalties as operating expenses. The Company is not currently under examination by any taxing authority nor has it been notified of an impending examination. The Company’s tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2009 to 2013, remain open for possible review.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash, cash equivalents, and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to their quick turnover. The fair value of warrant liability is estimated using the Binomial Lattice option valuation model.
Results of Operations
Three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
Net Loss
We incurred a net loss of $1,889,243 and $3,793,441 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in the net loss is primarily due to a credit to earnings of $559,873 during the three months ended September 30, 2014 related to the revaluation of our warrant derivatives, compared to a charge of $1,379,217 during the same period in 2013.
Revenues
We did not have any revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and we do not expect to have any revenue in 2014.
Expenses
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $786,688 and $985,107, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company and certain officers and directors were the defendants in a lawsuit. The plaintiff alleged that the Company and our directors breached their fiduciary duty by making inadequate disclosures in our proxy statement related to the proposed amendment to our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The litigation was settled during the quarter ended September 30, 2013. There were no similar costs during the three months ended September 30, 2014. Other than the litigation and settlement costs, the Company’s general and administrative expenses were consistent between periods.
Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $1,486,352 and $1,276,507, respectively. During the third quarter of 2012, we completed our patient enrollment in our Phase II trial of ICT-107 and our expenses related to this trial have been decreasing. If, as expected, we proceed to a Phase III trial of ICT-107, then our future expenses will increase as we begin our trial design. During the remainder of 2014, we expect to ramp up our patient enrollment in ICT-121 and begin enrolling patients in ICT-140. We also expect to continue to incur certain ICT-107 expenses related to patient follow up and data analysis related to the Phase II trial.
19
Nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
Net Loss
We incurred a net loss of $7,250,360 and $8,917,561 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in the net loss is primarily due to a credit of $392,940 related to the revaluation of the warrant liabilities in the most recent quarter compared to a charge of $1,983,388 in the same period last year. This was partially offset by higher spending in research and development.
Revenues
We did not have any revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and we do not expect to have any revenue in 2014.
Expenses
General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $2,490,322 and $2,542,794, respectively. The decrease in expenses reflects lower costs in the areas of investor relations and the absence of a litigation matter that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2013. These decreases were partially offset by increases in directors and officers insurance and occupancy costs.
Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $4,646,156 and $3,905,338, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we increased our spending related to ICT-121 and ICT-140. The increased spending in these programs was partially offset by decreased spending in our ICT-107 program. During the third quarter of 2012, we completed our patient enrollment in our Phase II trial of ICT-107 and our expenses related to this trial have been decreasing. If, as expected, we proceed to a Phase III trial of ICT-107, then our future expenses will increase as we begin our trial design. During the remainder of 2014, we expect to ramp up our patient enrollment in ICT-121 and begin enrolling patients in ICT-140. We also expect to continue to incur certain ICT-107 expenses related to patient follow up and data analysis related to the Phase II trial.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2014, we had working capital of $23,276,968, compared to working capital of $27,077,377 as of December 31, 2013. The estimated cost of completing the development of any of our current vaccine product candidates and of obtaining all required regulatory approvals to market either of those product candidates is substantially greater than the amount of funds we currently have available. However, we believe that our existing cash balances will be sufficient to fund our operations for the next twelve months, although there is no assurance that such proceeds will be sufficient.
On April 18, 2013, we entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement (the Sales Agreement) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as agent (Cantor), pursuant to which we may offer and sell, from time to time through Cantor, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $25.0 million (of which only $17.0 million was initially registered for offer and sale). Under the Sales Agreement, Cantor may sell shares by any method permitted by law and deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended, including sales made directly on the NYSE MKT, on any other existing trading market for our common stock or to or through a market maker. We may instruct Cantor not to sell shares if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time. We are not obligated to make any sales of the shares under the Sales Agreement. The offering of shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (a) the sale of all of the shares subject to the Sales Agreement or (b) the termination of the Sales Agreement by Cantor or the Company, as permitted therein. We will pay Cantor a commission rate of 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of shares and have agreed to provide Cantor with customary indemnification and contribution rights. We will also reimburse Cantor for certain specified expenses in connection with entering into the Sales Agreement. On April 22, 2013, NYSE MKT approved the listing of 10,593,220 shares of our common stock in connection with the Sales Agreement. Through September 30, 2014, we sold 4,222,993 shares of our common stock under the Sales Agreement that resulted in proceeds to the Company of approximately $7,440,744, less offering expenses of approximately $364,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we sold 2,360,851 shares and received net proceeds of $2,681,448. As of September 30, 2014, we had $8,963,838 remaining under the registration statement. See additional discussion in Notes 6 and 9 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements which are included in Part 1 of this Form 10-Q.
We may in the future seek to obtain funding through strategic alliances with larger pharmaceutical or biomedical companies. We cannot be sure that we will be able to obtain any additional funding from either financings or alliances, or that the terms under which we may be able to obtain such funding will be beneficial to us. If we are unsuccessful or only partly successful in our efforts to secure additional financing, we may find it necessary to suspend or terminate some or all of our product development and other activities.
20
As of September 30, 2014, we had no long-term debt obligations or other similar long-term liabilities. We have various purchase commitments for sponsored research and license fees. We have no financial guarantees, debt or lease agreements or other arrangements that could trigger a requirement for an early payment or that could change the value of our assets, and we do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. We do not have any bank credit lines.
Contractual Obligations
The following is a summary of our contractual obligations including those entered into subsequent to September 30, 2014.
|
Total |
|
|
Less than |
|
|
1-3 |
|
|
3-5 |
|
|
More than |
|
|||||
Unconditional purchase obligations |
$ |
5,156,099 |
|
|
$ |
3,153,180 |
|
|
$ |
2,002,919 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Operating lease obligation |
|
194,252 |
|
|
|
100,158 |
|
|
|
94,094 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
5,350,351 |
|
|
$ |
3,253,338 |
|
|
$ |
2,097,013 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Cash Flows
We used $7,827,982 of cash in our operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $6,054,663 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. During the third quarter of 2012, we completed our patient enrollment in our Phase II trial of ICT-107 and our expenses related to this trial have been decreasing. If, as expected, we proceed to a Phase III trial of ICT-107, then our future expenses will increase as we begin our trial design. During the remainder of 2014, we expect to ramp up our patient enrollment in ICT-121 and begin enrolling patients in ICT-140. We also expect to continue to incur certain ICT-107 expenses related to patient follow up and data analysis related to the Phase II trial. Our general and administrative expenses increased between periods. We had $554,379 of non-cash expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, consisting of $483,455 of stock based compensation, $34,078 of financing expense related to the repricing of certain warrants and $36,846 of depreciation expense. Also, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a non-cash credit to income of $392,940 related to the revaluation of our warrant derivatives. We had $2,523,238 of non-cash expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, consisting of $1,983,388 related to the increase in our warrant liabilities, $500,351 of stock based compensation, $35,682 of depreciation expense and a $3,817 loss on disposal of assets.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we used $28,975 from our investing cash flows to acquire certain research and development equipment and computer software. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we used $37,877 from our investing cash flows to purchase computer equipment and a telephone system.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we received proceeds of $1,045,000 from the exercise of stock options and $2,681,448 in net proceeds from our controlled equity offering. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we received net proceeds of $141,631 from the exercise of stock options, $4,261,723 from the exercise of warrants and $4,906,078 in net proceeds from our controlled equity offering.
Inflation and changing prices have had no effect on our income or losses from operations over our two most recent fiscal years.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We are not party to any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
During the three months ended September 30, 2014, there were no material changes to our market risk disclosures as set forth in Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed on March 14, 2014 with the SEC.
21
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, regarding the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to SEC Rule 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2014, (i) our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported or submitted within the time period specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and (ii) our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act was accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. However, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
22
None.
You should read and consider the risk factors included under Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed on March 14, 2014 with the SEC.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
None.
23
Exhibit |
|
Description |
31.1 |
|
Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer under Exchange Act Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 |
|
Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Financial Officer under Exchange Act Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1 |
|
Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.2 |
|
Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
101.INS |
|
XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.LAB |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document |
101.PRE |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
24
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 10, 2014 |
|
IMMUNOCELLULAR THERAPEUTICS, LTD. |
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Andrew Gengos |
|
Name: |
|
Andrew Gengos |
|
Title: |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
By: |
|
/s/ David Fractor |
|
Name: |
|
David Fractor |
|
Title: |
|
Principal Accounting Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
25
IMMUNOCELLULAR THERAPEUTICS, LTD.
FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
Exhibit |
|
Description |
31.1 |
|
Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer under Exchange Act Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 |
|
Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Financial Officer under Exchange Act Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1 |
|
Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.2 |
|
Certification of the Registrant’s Principal Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
101.INS |
|
XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.LAB |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document |
101.PRE |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF |
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
26