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EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

Quarterly Report


 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


———————

FORM 10-Q

———————

(Mark One)

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


OR


¨

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: 000-54129

——————————

EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC.

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)


Nevada

 

26-4369698

(State of other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)


1026 Anaconda Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80108

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)


(720) 900-8666

(Issuer's telephone number)


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ  No ¨


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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, 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.


Large accelerated filer ¨

 

Accelerated filer ¨

Non-accelerated filer þ

 

Smaller reporting company þ

 

 

Emerging growth company ¨


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


Indicate by checkmark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨  No þ


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


Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

None

None

None


As of March 31, 2019, the Registrant had 5,881,898 shares of common stock, $.001 par value and 577,063 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock, $.001 par value outstanding.

 

 







EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC.


INDEX


 

Page
Number

 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

1

 

 

Condensed and Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 (unaudited) and December 31, 2018

2

 

 

Condensed and Consolidated Statements of Operations, Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)

3

 

 

Condensed and Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity as of March 31, 2019 (unaudited)

4

 

 

Condensed and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)

5

 

 

Notes to Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements

6

 

 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations

15

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

21

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

21

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

22

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

22

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

22

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

22

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

22

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

22

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

22








PART I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The accompanying financial statements have been prepared by Evolutionary Genomics, Inc., without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2019 and for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2019 have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s December 31, 2018 audited financial statements. The results of operations for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.




1



Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed and Consolidated Balance Sheets


 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

A S S E T S

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

7,327

 

 

$

131,406

 

Accounts Receivable

 

 

32,366

 

 

 

40,439

 

Investments

 

 

40,143

 

 

 

28,200

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

27,016

 

 

 

23,372

 

Total current assets

 

 

106,852

 

 

 

223,417

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

117,472

 

 

 

127,001

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

4,037,543

 

 

 

4,038,194

 

Total non-current assets

 

 

4,155,015

 

 

 

4,165,195

 

Total assets

 

$

4,261,867

 

 

$

4,388,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L I A B I L I T I E S  A N D  S T O C K H O L D E R S '  EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

56,374

 

 

$

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

56,374

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

955,446

 

 

 

955,446

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,011,820

 

 

 

955,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock subject to possible redemption, $0.001 par value,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000,000 authorized at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value; 600,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shares authorized, 577,063 shares issued and outstanding at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; liquidation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

preference at March 31, 2019 of $3,771,453

 

 

3,029,579

 

 

 

3,029,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

741,873

 

 

 

681,282

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 780,000,000 shares authorized,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,881,898 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019

 

 

5,882

 

 

 

5,882

 

and December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

12,251,639

 

 

 

12,294,952

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(12,778,926

)

 

 

(12,578,529

)

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

220,468

 

 

 

403,587

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

4,261,867

 

 

$

4,388,612

 




The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

2



Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed and Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

(unaudited)


 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service and grant revenue

 

$

32,366

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

131,684

 

 

 

98,873

 

Salaries and benefits

 

 

54,779

 

 

 

62,144

 

General and administrative

 

 

58,254

 

 

 

81,421

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

244,717

 

 

 

242,438

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss)

 

 

(212,351

)

 

 

(242,438

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expenses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income

 

 

11

 

 

 

224

 

Unrealized gain or (loss) on investments

 

 

11,943

 

 

 

(47,857

)

Total other (expenses)

 

 

11,954

 

 

 

(47,633

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

(200,397

)

 

 

(290,071

)

Preferred stock dividend

 

 

(60,591

)

 

 

(60,592

)

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

$

(260,988

)

 

$

(350,663

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.06

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

 

 

5,881,898

 

 

 

5,881,898

 





The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

3



Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed and Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity

March 31, 2019


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Preferred

 

 

Paid-In

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Stockholders'

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Dividend

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

 

5,881,898

 

 

$

5,882

 

 

$

438,915

 

 

$

12,438,742

 

 

$

(11,479,912

)

 

$

1,403,627

 

Stock compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,644

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,592

 

 

 

(60,592

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(290,071

)

 

 

(290,071

)

Balance, March 31, 2018

 

 

5,881,898

 

 

$

5,882

 

 

$

499,507

 

 

$

12,402,794

 

 

$

(11,769,983

)

 

$

1,138,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

 

5,881,898

 

 

$

5,882

 

 

$

681,282

 

 

$

12,294,952

 

 

$

(12,578,529

)

 

$

403,587

 

Stock compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,278

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,278

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,591

 

 

 

(60,591

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(200,397

)

 

 

(200,397

)

Balance, March 31, 2019

 

 

5,881,898

 

 

 

5,882

 

 

 

741,873

 

 

 

12,251,639

 

 

 

(12,778,926

)

 

 

220,468

 




The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

4



Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. and Subsidiary

Condensed and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

 (unaudited)


 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(200,397

)

 

$

(290,071

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

10,180

 

 

 

10,269

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

17,278

 

 

 

24,644

 

Unrealized (gain) or loss on investments

 

 

(11,943

)

 

 

47,857

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

8,073

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

(3,644

)

 

 

(5,762

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

56,374

 

 

 

(336

)

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

(124,079

)

 

 

(213,399

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of trading securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash

 

 

(124,079

)

 

 

(213,399

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, beginning of period

 

 

131,406

 

 

 

880,243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, end of period

 

$

7,327

 

 

$

666,844

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividend accrual

 

$

60,591

 

 

$

60,592

 





The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

5



 


EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


Note 1: Business Activity


Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. (the “Company,” “We,” or “Our”) has developed a technology platform, the Adapted Traits Platform (“ATP”), to identify commercially valuable genes that control important traits in animals and plants. We are using the ATP to identify genes to improve crop plant traits such as yield, sugar content, biomass, drought tolerance, and pest/disease resistance. Our platform identifies key genes that have changed successfully to impart new or improved traits.


The Company performs its research on behalf of governmental organizations, non-profit foundations, and commercial entities and receives revenue from grants and commercial research contracts. These grants/contracts contain fixed-fee arrangements and may also have licensing provisions upon effective commercialization of research results. Successful commercialization may take many years to produce license royalty payments. Ownership of intellectual property developed in research projects varies from the Company retaining no rights to intellectual property, to joint ownership, to the Company retaining all rights.


During 2014, the Company purchased 75.16% of the outstanding stock of Fona, Inc., (“Fona”) a public shell company. Since Fona was a public shell company which does not constitute a business and the purchase was done in contemplation of a reverse merger, the Company accounted for the payment as a distribution to Fona, Inc. shareholders. The Company also entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger”), which was consummated on October 19, 2015. As a result of the Merger, Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fona. For accounting purposes, the merger was treated as a reverse acquisition with Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. as the acquirer and Fona as the acquired party. Subsequent to the Merger, Fona, Inc. was renamed Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. and our subsidiary was renamed from Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. to EG Crop Science, Inc.


Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


Principals of Consolidation: These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.


Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.


Cash: The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash.  


Investments: The Company’s short-term investments are comprised of equity securities and are carried at their fair value based on the quoted market prices of the securities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are included in net earnings. For purposes of determining realized gains and losses, the cost of securities sold is based on specific identification.




6



EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)



Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided for by the straight-line method over three- to seven-year estimated useful lives of software, furniture and fixtures and equipment. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; major renewals and betterments that extend the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized. When property and equipment are sold or retired, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recognized.


Long-Lived Assets: The long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the cost of any long-lived assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed. An impairment is considered to exist if the total estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset. An impairment loss is measured and recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value. No asset impairment was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.


Intangible Assets: Intangible assets include acquired research in progress and patents on the Company’s core technology for gene identification. Patents are amortized over their expected useful life of 20 years using the straight-line method. Acquired research in progress is an indefinite-lived intangible asset until the development is complete at which time the useful life of the asset will be assigned. Costs incurred to renew intangible assets are expensed in the period incurred, while costs incurred to extend the lives of patents are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life of the asset. Intangible assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the cost of any intangible assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed. An impairment is considered to exist if the total estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset. No impairment was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. Realization of this asset is dependent upon the successful completion of the Company’s research and development efforts.


Revenue Recognition: In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to revenue recognition, which outlines a comprehensive revenue recognition model and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. The new guidance requires a company to recognize revenue as control of goods or services transfers to a customer at an amount that reflects the expected consideration to be received in exchange for those goods or services. It defines a five-step approach for recognizing revenue, which may require a company to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified-retrospective method and it did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.


Grant revenue, which is not within the scope of Topic 606, consists of funding under cost reimbursement programs primarily from federal and non-profit foundation sources for qualified research and development activities performed by us, and as such, are not based on estimates that are susceptible to change. Such amounts are invoiced and recorded as revenue as grant-funded activities are performed.


Income Taxes: Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts. Management regularly assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and to the extent management believes that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. When a valuation allowance is established, increased or decreased, an income tax charge or benefit is included in the consolidated financial statements and net deferred tax assets are adjusted accordingly. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, a full valuation allowance has been established on the net deferred tax asset.



7



EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)



Under the Income Tax topic of the ASC, in order to recognize an uncertain tax benefit, the taxpayer must be more likely than not of sustaining the position, and the measurement of the benefit is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon resolution of the benefit. The Company has no accruals for uncertain tax benefits.


Stock-Based Compensation: The Company accounts for stock option awards in accordance with ASC 718. The estimated grant-date fair value of stock-based awards is expensed over the requisite service period, which is typically equivalent to the vesting term of the award.  


The Company’s accounting policy for equity instruments issued to consultants and vendors in exchange for goods and services received follows the provisions of ASC Topic 718. Accordingly, the measurement date for the fair value of the equity instruments issued is determined at the earlier of (i) the date at which a commitment for performance by the consultant or vendor is reached or (ii) the date at which the consultant or vendor’s performance is complete. In the case of equity instruments issued to consultants, the fair value of the equity instrument is recognized over the term of the consulting agreement.


Research and Development: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. In instances where we enter into agreements with third parties for research and development activities, we may prepay for services at the initiation of the contract. We record the prepayment as a prepaid asset and amortize the asset into research and development expense over the period of time the contracted research and development services are performed.


Net Loss Per Common Share: Basic net (loss) income per common share excludes any dilutive effects of equity instruments.  We compute basic net (loss) income per common share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  We compute diluted net (loss) income per common share using the weighted average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, common stock equivalents including 577,063 shares of convertible preferred stock, options for 566,667 shares of common stock and warrants for 110,884 shares of common stock were excluded because their effect was anti-dilutive.


Subsequent Events: The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the date of this filing.


Note 3: New Accounting Standards


Recently Adopted Accounting Standards


In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be are classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified-retrospective method and it did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.




8



EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)



Recently Issued Accounting Standards


In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which requires entities to estimate all expected credit losses for certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The updated guidance also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses over the entire contractual term of the instrument from the date of initial recognition of that instrument. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential impacts of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.


Note 4: Fair Value Measurements


The Company complies with the provisions of ASC 820, in measuring fair value and in disclosing fair value measurements at the measurement date. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements required under other accounting pronouncements. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements also reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best information available. Assumptions include the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique (such as a pricing model) and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the model.


ASC 820 provides three levels of the fair value hierarchy as described below:


Level 1 Inputs – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


Level 2 Inputs – Observable market-based inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


Level 3 Inputs – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity.


When determining the fair value measurements for assets or liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at and/or marked to fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. When possible, the Company looks to active and observable markets to price identical assets. When identical assets are not traded in active markets, the Company looks to market observable data for similar assets.


The following summarizes the valuation technique for assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value:


 

 

Total

 

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items
(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

$

28,200

 

 

$

28,200

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

28,200

 

 

$

28,200

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

$

40,143

 

 

$

40,143

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

40,143

 

 

$

40,143

 

 

$

 

 

$

 


For the Company’s Level 1 measures, which represent common stock in publicly traded companies, fair value is based on the last closing trade occurring on, or closest to, the respective period end date. The carrying value of financial instruments, including cash, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, approximates their fair value at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 due to the relatively short-term nature of these instruments.



9



EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)



Note 5: Property and Equipment


Property and equipment is comprised of the following:


Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $9,529 and $9,619, respectively.


 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Equipment

 

$

432,499

 

 

$

432,499

 

Software

 

 

63,179

 

 

 

63,179

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

7,987

 

 

 

7,987

 

 

 

 

503,665

 

 

 

503,665

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(386,193

)

 

 

(376,664

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

117,472

 

 

$

127,001

 


Note 6: Intangible Assets


Intangible assets are comprised of the following:


 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Acquired research in progress - indefinite lived

 

$

4,016,596

 

 

$

4,016,596

 

Patents

 

 

52,045

 

 

 

52,045

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

(31,098

)

 

 

(30,447

)

Intangible assets, net

 

$

4,037,543

 

 

$

4,038,194

 


The Company expects to recognize $2,602 of amortization expense related to its patents during each of the next five years and the remaining $7,938 thereafter. Amortization expense for the patents during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $650 and $650, respectively.


In its merger completed on October 19, 2015, the Company acquired research in progress. The value of the acquired research in progress was based upon several factors including, evaluation of other intangible assets, the purchase price, estimated future cash flows, and the amounts expended on the research to date. Acquired research in progress is an indefinite lived intangible asset until the development phase is complete, at which time a useful life of the asset will be determined. The research in progress was the identification and validation of genes to provide pest and disease resistance to soybean plants performed by EG I, LLC. The research had been in process since November 2010 and the Company expects to complete the research and place this asset in service in the first quarter of 2020. Additional costs to complete the research are expected to be approximately $147,000, which will be expensed as incurred. The timing and cost of additional research may vary from these estimates as the success of the research is subject to many factors outside of the Company’s control. If this research is not completed within a reasonable timeframe or within estimated costs, future licensing revenue and the financial condition of the Company could be significantly impacted.




10



EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)



Note 7: Stockholders’ Equity and Warrants


The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated October 19, 2015 authorized the issuance of 800,000,000 shares of all classes of stock including 780,000,000 shares of Common Stock having a par value of $0.001 per share and 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock having a par value of $0.001 per share, 600,000 of which were designated as Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-1”).  Effective May 1, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation which designated 200,000 shares of Preferred Stock as Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-2”) that are pari passu with and have identical provisions as the Series A-1.  The Board of Directors, without a vote of the shareholders, is authorized to issue additional shares of Preferred Stock in series and to establish the characteristics thereof.


Liquidation: Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Series A-1 and Series A-2 shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Company for each share of Series A-1 and Series A-2 an amount equal to its stated value, $5.25 per share as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any other class or series of stock of the Company that ranks junior to the Series A-1 and Series A-2.  The holders shall be entitled to convert their shares of Series A-1 and Series A-2 into Common Stock at any time prior to the consummation of a Liquidation.  


Conversion: The holders of Series A-1 and Series A-2 may convert their shares into shares of Common Stock, at the option of the holder, on a one-share-for-one-share basis and shall be subject to certain adjustments at any time.


Optional Redemption; Sinking Fund Account:  The Company may elect to redeem some or all of the then outstanding shares of Series A-1 and Series A-2, (i) for cash in an amount equal to the liquidation preference per share, $5.25 per share as of March 31, 2019, subject to adjustment and (ii) by issuing one share, subject to adjustment, of Common Stock for each share of Series A-1 and Series A-2 outstanding being redeemed. 50% of all licensing fees received by the Company will be deposited into a separate sinking fund for use in an optional redemption.  In the event the sinking fund account exceeds the Liquidation Preference, the Company must redeem all then outstanding Series A-1 and Series A-2 Preferred Stock. As of March 31, 2019, no licensing revenue has been received under these provisions and no sinking fund account has been established. This provision is considered to a contingent redemption feature, and thus the Series A-1 and Series A-2 Preferred Stock is required to be presented in the mezzanine.


Dividends: The Company shall pay to the holders of the Series A-1 and Series A-2 dividends at the rate of 8% per annum. The dividend amount shall accrue and shall be payable in shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of the Series A-1 and Series A-2, or upon the redemption of the Series A-1 and Series A-2. No dividends shall be paid on any Common Stock of the Company or any capital stock of the Company that ranks junior to the Series A-1 and Series A-2 until dividends of Series A-1 and Series A-2 been paid. As of March 31, 2019, there were $741,873 in accrued stock dividends.


Voting: The holders of the Series A-1 and Series A-2 are entitled to vote on all matters submitted to the stockholders for a vote on an as-if-converted to Common Stock basis, with all stockholders voting as a single class.




11



EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)



Warrants: As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase 110,884 and 110,884 shares, respectively of the Company’s Common Stock. The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s aggregate warrants outstanding:


 

 

Number of Warrants

 

 

Weighted Average Exercise Price

 

 

Weighted Average Remaining Term(Years)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, January 1, 2018

 

 

110,884

 

 

$

6.60

 

 

 

2.87

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

 

110,884

 

 

$

6.60

 

 

 

1.87

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2019

 

 

110,884

 

 

$

6.60

 

 

 

1.62

 


Note 8: Stock-Based Compensation


The Company grants stock-based instruments under the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (“Plan”) for which 1,400,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock has been reserved. The Plan allows for the issuance of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options with a maximum contractual term of 10 years. Shares and options that are cancelled are available for reissuance under the Plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded compensation costs for stock options of $17,278 and $24,644, respectively. Stock options are generally issued with an exercise price at or above the estimated per-share value of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company granted no options during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.


Management has valued the options at their date of grant utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model. As of the issuance of the outstanding options, there was not a public market for the Company’s shares. Accordingly, the Company utilized the value obtained in equity transactions with unrelated parties to estimate the fair value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. Volatility of the underlying common shares was determined based on the historical volatility for similar companies that are actively traded in the public markets for a term consistent with the expected life of the options. The risk-free interest rate used in the calculations is based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury issues with an equivalent term approximating the expected life of the options on the date of the grant. Due to the lack of sufficient historical activity, the expected life of the options was estimated using the formula set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission SAB 107.  




12



EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)



The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s aggregate stock options granted:


 

 

Number of Options

 

 

Weighted Average Exercise Price

 

 

Weighted Average Remaining Term(Years)

 

 

Total Intrinsic Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, January 1, 2018

 

 

566,667

 

 

$

2.33

 

 

 

6.95

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

 

566,667

 

 

$

2.33

 

 

 

5.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2018

 

 

450,000

 

 

$

2.10

 

 

 

5.62

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, January 1, 2019

 

 

566,667

 

 

$

2.33

 

 

 

5.95

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2019

 

 

566,667

 

 

$

2.33

 

 

 

5.70

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2019

 

 

533,334

 

 

$

2.26

 

 

 

5.61

 

 

$

 


During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, options for 83,334 and 83,333 shares vested, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, there was $4,562 unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements that will be recognized over the next 2 months.


Note 9: Commitments and Contingencies


Officer Indemnification: Under the Company’s organizational documents, the Company’s officers, employees, and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties. The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Company expects any risk of loss to be remote. The Company also has an insurance policy for its directors and officers to insure them against liabilities arising from their performance in their positions with the Company.


Lease Commitments: The Company leases its operating facility and pays its rent in monthly installments.  The lease was renewed in June 2016 for a period of twelve months and monthly rentals for the period of July 1, 2016 through March 31, 2019 are $2,378 per month which continues on a month-to-month basis. There is no minimum lease commitment as of March 31, 2019.  Renewals after June 30, 2017 are by mutual agreement. The Company’s rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $7,134 and $7,134, respectively.


Royalty: Effective March 1, 2012, the Company entered into an Agreement for Contract Services with SmithBucklin Corporation (the “Contractor”) on behalf of the United Soybean Board. The contract includes the payment of certain royalties, as defined in the Agreement.




13



EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)



The Company is obligated to pay royalties to the United Soybean Board of 10% of the sale of products derived from the soybean genes that were the subject of the research performed by the Contractor or from royalties received by the Company from the sale of products by a third party not to exceed 150% of the total amount paid to the Contractor under this Agreement. The Company has recognized to date grant revenue from the contract of $262,400 as of March 31, 2019, thus limiting any future royalties as of March 31, 2019 to a total of $393,600. The Company has not accrued or paid any royalties under the terms of the Agreement as of and during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 because it has not received any revenue from the sale of products to date.


Note 10: Related Parties and Transactions


Steve B. Warnecke: Mr. Warnecke is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board and owns, directly or indirectly, 1,932,088 shares or 29.9% of the Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2019.  


Note 11: Concentrations


Considerations of Credit Risk: Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash balances at high-credit, quality financial institutions. The balances, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company routinely monitors the credit quality of its customers.


Note 12: Liquidity and Going Concern


Sources of funding to meet prospective cash requirements include the Company’s existing cash balances and investments along with grant funds.  In June 2018, the State of Colorado awarded the Company a $250,000 grant to further our research and we expect to receive those funds through September 30, 2019.  As of March 31, 2019, the Company had $7,327 of cash and $40,143 of investments.  The Company forecasts using $596,000 of cash for net operating expenses for the twelve months ending March 31, 2020.  We believe that these resources will not be sufficient to sustain our operations for a period greater than one year. The ability of the Company to continue its operations is dependent on Management's plans, which include continuing to raise capital through equity or debt based financings. There can be no assurances that such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.


Effective May 1, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation which designated 200,000 shares of Preferred Stock as Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock that are pari passu with and have identical provisions as the Series A-1.  As of the date of this filing, the Company had received $490,000 in proceeds from the sale of those securities.


We believe that we may be able to generate grant and/or licensing revenue in the next twelve months that will help offset operating expenses.  We are currently seeking additional grant funding but there can be no assurance we will be able to obtain additional funding.  We also anticipate marketing our genes to the seed industry over the next twelve months which may provide licensing revenue but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in these efforts.


The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.




14



  



ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

This report includes “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements including continued compliance with government regulations, changing legislation or regulatory environments; any statements of expectation or belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These risks, uncertainties and other factors, and the general risks associated with the businesses of the Company described in the reports and other documents filed with the SEC, could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements.  The Company cautions readers not to rely on these forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.  The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change.  The information contained in this report speaks as of the date hereof and the Company has or undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.


Company Overview


Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. (the "registrant" or "Company") was incorporated under the laws of the state of Minnesota in November 1990 under the name Fonahome Corporation. On March 24, 2009, the Company reincorporated in the state of Nevada and merged with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Fona, Inc., adopting the surviving company’s name, Fona, Inc. The Company was originally formed to develop and market an interactive information and advertising service.


From December 1999 through October 2015, the Company had no significant business operations. On March 3, 2009, the Company held a shareholder meeting approving the Stock Purchase Agreement and an Agreement and Plan of Merger effectively changing the name of the Company to Fona Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Re-incorporation Merger”) and simultaneously adopting the capital structure of Fona Inc., which includes total authorized capital stock of 800,000,000 shares, of which 780,000,000 are common stock and 20,000,000 are blank check preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series with such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolutions adopted by the Corporation’s Board providing for the issuance of such preferred stock or series thereof. On March 24, 2009, the Articles of Merger of Fonahome Corporation, a Minnesota Corporation, into Fona, Inc., a Nevada Corporation, were filed with the Nevada Secretary of State.


On June 6, 2014, Evolutionary Genomics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EG”), EG I, LLC (“EG I”) and Fona, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Fona”), Fona Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Sub”) and Fona Merger Sub, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“Sub LLC”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger as amended by the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 2, 2015 (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, on October 19, 2015 Sub merged with EG and Sub LLC merged with EG I, with each EG and EG I surviving as wholly owned subsidiaries of Fona. For accounting purposes, the merger was treated as a reverse acquisition with Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. as the acquirer and Fona as the acquired party. Subsequent to the Merger, Fona, Inc. was renamed Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. and our subsidiary was renamed from Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. to EG Crop Science, Inc. On May 9, 2016, we formed ICAM Therapeutics, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) as a wholly owned subsidiary of Evolutionary Genomics, Inc. We have not incurred any transactions in this company nor have we established any business plan for the future.


The Company maintains headquarters at the office of its Chief Executive Officer. The Company maintains a website at www.evolgen.com. The Company is not required to deliver an annual report to security holders and at this time does not anticipate the distribution of such a report. The Company will file reports with the SEC.


On August 14, 2000, the Company was issued patent number 6274319, titled “Methods to identify evolutionarily significant changes in polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences in domestic plants and animals”. On June 1, 2004, the Company was issued patent number 6743580, titled “Methods for producing transgenic plants containing evolutionarily significant polynucleotides”. These patents are for the core Adapted Traits Platform that we use for the discovery of genes in humans, animals and commercial crops. The Company has applied the Adapted Traits Platform in research projects including identifying genes believed to be responsible for increases in yield in corn, increases in yield in rice, salt tolerance and sugar content in tomatoes and pest/disease resistance in soybeans and multiple other crops.




15



  



In the past century, agriculture has been characterized by enhanced productivity, the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, selective breeding, mechanization, water contamination, and farm subsidies. Proponents of organic farming such as Sir Albert Howard argued in the early 20th century that the overuse of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers damages the long-term fertility of the soil. While this feeling lay dormant for decades, as environmental awareness has increased in the 21st century there has been a movement towards sustainable agriculture by some farmers, consumers, and policymakers.


Advances in genetic research and modification of crop species have led to increased yield, drought tolerance and disease/pest resistance. These advances have also led to an increased concentration within the providers of seed to the industry. The top seed companies control much of the implementation of new seed varieties through patents and licensing agreements. Genetic traits providers, like Evolutionary Genomics, identify and develop genes that impact traits of interest to the industry and market those genes to these seed companies.


Evolutionary Genomics’ soybean pest resistance project is an illustration of the evolution of a project from concept through marketing to seed companies. The project has yielded identified genes for pest resistance in soybeans with partial validation complete and full validation results expected in late 2019. Evolutionary Genomics has had discussions with seed companies to commercialize the genes and intends to return to those discussions in late 2019 or early 2020 with two generation, whole plant validation results. The Company has extended this pest resistance research to other crops including beans, tomatoes, cotton and maize.


On August 6, 2015, the Company was awarded an Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant by the State of Colorado in the amount of $250,000 to fund further research in the development of pest resistance genes in soybeans and other crops and sweetness genes in tomatoes. Through December 31, 2017, the Company recognized all of the revenue from the contract. On June 26, 2018, the Company was awarded an Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant by the State of Colorado in the amount of $250,000 to identify and validate pathogen resistance genes in bananas and complete validation and marketing tomato and corn genes. The Company maintains ownership of all intellectual property developed from the use of grant funds.


During 2013 and 2014 EG performed research on two projects for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. On November 1, 2012 Evolutionary Genomics entered into a Master Services Agreement and Work Order #1 under that agreement with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the validation of EG 261 orthologs in beans and cowpeas. That validation work was completed in 2016. The market for beans and cowpeas is considerably smaller than for soybeans and we do not intend to market them to the seed companies for commercialization. Evolutionary Genomics has recognized the full $762,000 it is entitled to under that work order.


Evolutionary Genomics intends to continue to pursue grant funding from governmental agencies, industry associations and grant making foundations. These sources of funding are often subject to limitations in available funds, funding priorities in areas other than our area of focus, political uncertainties, long approval processes and competition with other research proposals. If such funding is not available, Evolutionary Genomics may incur the costs of these projects with the prospect of revenue uncertain and likely many years in the future.


On April 29, 2014, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued patent 8,710,300 titled EXPRESSION OF DIRIGENT GENE EG261 AND ITS ORTHOLOGS AND PARALOGS ENHANCES PATHOGEN RESISTANCE IN PLANTS. On December 5, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued patent 9,834,783 which extended the previous patent to include additional variations of the gene. During 2017, the Company was issued similar patents in Canada, Brazil and China and has additional patents pending in Argentina and India. On January 11, 2019, the Company filed a patent application on its second soybean pest/disease resistance gene, EG19 and has included that gene in its ongoing two generation, whole plant validation research with the University of Missouri and with the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center. Evolutionary Genomics engaged in discussions with seed companies regarding further validation of the effectiveness of EG261. Based on information received in those discussions, Evolutionary Genomics has engaged in a whole plant validation trial of EG261 and EG19 at the University of Missouri and the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center. Results of this validation trial are expected in various stages during 2019. The Company has also discovered additional candidate genes that may impact pathogen resistance. There can be no assurance that any of these genes will be proven effective in validation testing or lead to licensing agreements or revenue.




16



  



The single most valuable step in the process of crop improvement is the identification of the key genes among the 30,000 in the genome that has the desired impact. EG set out to find genes in soybeans that impact pest and disease resistance. We identified two that showed promise and, in hairy root assays on one of these genes, EG261, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, proved that EG261 impacted resistance. When we discussed these results with the larger seed companies, they indicated interest but wanted to see two generation, whole plant testing results before entering licensing negotiations. We have engaged the University of Missouri and the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center to independently perform these validation studies for us.


As a small company restricted by our limited resources, we cannot afford to generate vast numbers of events. Moderate success is important enough to indicate that further optimization can lead to significantly improved results. We must prove that there is enough evidence to warrant additional trials by companies with vastly more resources to build on our success but the single most valuable step in this process is the identification of the gene that has the desired impact and we have identified two of these genes, EG261 and EG19.


With transgenic change to plants, we use multiple tools to try to land the gene in the right spot in the genome but it is still an imperfect artform. We need to generate enough events in which the gene lands in the right place and is then inherited into the next generation with the right expression level. A low percentage of all attempts result in a testable event and, even then, you cannot be sure that the gene falls into the perfect spot or is expressed at the optimal level. We must generate enough events so that we have a few that genuinely show the impact of the gene. False negatives are the rule and we cannot be discouraged by them. A small number of successes can greatly outweigh a large number of false negatives.


Over the last three years, Dr. Zhang’s lab at the University of Missouri has been attempting to create transgenic events with eleven constructs of EG261 and EG19 along with controls which are tested to confirm that the gene landed in the genome and was inherited into the next generation. Heritable events are then grown to seed and the seeds are tested to see if they are homozygous and are tested to see how many copies of the gene are inherited. The seeds from these homozygous plants are the T2 generation that is tested for resistance impact. Promising T2 lines are grown to see to generate T3 plants for further resistance testing. When enough data is accumulated, we will present our results to seed companies.


On December 3, 2014, Evolutionary Genomics entered into a Fee for Service Agreement with The Curators of the University of Missouri for the development of transgenic soybean plants with candidate genes for Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) resistance with total contract payments, including amendments, totaling $357,310 of which $214,386 has been paid through March 31, 2019. On May 2, 2018, the Company notified the University of Missouri that the performance under this contract did not appear to meet certain guaranteed minimum requirements. The Company has entered into discussions with the University of Missouri regarding remaining contract amounts and the return of amounts already paid under this contract based on the failure of the University of Missouri to deliver on contractual objectives.


A critical element of the research with the University of Missouri was to generate a large enough number of heritable single copy events to facilitate the next stage of resistance testing with Dr. Nguyen’s lab at the University of Missouri. There have been a small number of events indicating of the impact of both EG261 and EG19 but not nearly enough events were produced to create robust data sets. We continue to process the small number of viable events at the University of Missouri to test for Soybean Cyst Nematode (“SCN”) resistance and results recently received on a four of these events confirm some to moderate impact of the genes.


It is critical to note that the soybean transformation project difficulties at the University of Missouri do not reflect on the efficacy of our genes but, instead, are a reflection of their process not creating enough transgenic events.


We believe that we will need to generate additional viable events at another institution and have entered into a Service Agreement with Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center (“WCIC”) under which they have transformed soybeans using our genes. WCIC guarantees a minimum number of successful events, have helped to establish the right combinations to achieve a range of expression and will test to assure us of successful events. WCIC currently has 229 events from seven constructs of EG261 and EG19 growing in their greenhouses. These plants will be harvested in the spring of 2019 and seeds from selected lines will be planted to produce seeds that will be harvested in October 2019 for generation T2. Plants will be tested to determine homozygosity and copy number prior to selection for further processing. Generation T2 will be planted in October/November 2019 and seedlings will be tested for SCN resistance in December 2019. If these tests are positive, it is our intention to market the genes to the industry in early 2020.




17



  



If results from the whole plant validation trials confirm the findings of the University of Wisconsin-Madison for EG261 and the effectiveness of the new genes, the Company will enter negotiations for a long-term research collaboration and licensing agreement with seed companies. If these negotiations are successful, this type of agreement will likely have an upfront payment, milestone payments during their testing and a licensing royalty stream once the genes are incorporated into commercial seed lines. The testing phase includes field trials which may proceed for several years prior to generating licensing revenue. There are many risks in this process including some that are outside of Evolutionary Genomics’ control and there can be no guarantee that we will ever generate any revenue from these potential agreements. If Evolutionary Genomics receives product royalties from the soybean genes, it is required to pay the United Soybean Board a ten percent royalty stream not to exceed 150% of the grant amount of $262,400.


The Company has identified pest/disease resistance genes in other commercially valuable crops. The Company is currently engaged with the University of Missouri to perform two generation, whole plant testing of genes in tomatoes and corn that may lead to increased pest/disease resistance. If successful, we intend to market them to the seed industry. This strategy will require Evolutionary Genomics to incur significant research costs prior to any confirmation of commercial viability and there can be no guarantee that the desired results can be achieved or that commercialization can be reached.


Evolutionary Genomics has identified a gene in tomatoes that impacts the plant’s ability to tolerate salt and a gene that appears to control sweetness. On January 9, 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued patent 9,862,962 titled IDENTIFICATION AND USE OF TOMATO GENES CONTROLLING SALT/DROUGHT TOLERANCE AND FRUIT SWEETNESS. Despite discussions with seed companies, the Company has not been able to reach any agreement to license these genes and there can be no assurance that we will ever realize any revenue from these genes.


In 2014, the Company began a project to identify genes in cotton that may impact traits of commercial interest. In particular, we intend to focus on pest resistance and fiber length. We have used our Adapted Traits Platform to identify positively selected candidate genes and intend to further research these genes to confirm that they were positively selected. If any of these genes remain promising, we intend to contract with an independent lab to validate the effectiveness of those genes. These studies can be very costly and there can be no assurance that we will be successful with this project.


During the 1950s the global banana industry was devastated by a disease (caused by Fusarium fungus) that effectively wiped out the predominate variety of commercial bananas known as Gros Michel leading to the development of the Cavendish banana, which makes up the vast majority of the commercial banana market today. Cavendish was resistant to the strain of Fusarium that wiped out the Gros Michel variety but, in recent years, is being challenged by a new race of Fusarium that threatens to once again devastate the global banana industry with annual exports of $12 billion. This crisis is imminent and has no solution.


In 2018, the Company began a project to identify genes in wild banana relatives that are resistant to Fusarium. We believe that we are uniquely qualified to provide a solution to this crisis. We have previously used our technology to identify genes in common beans and, in our project for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in common beans, proved that these genes provided increased resistance to Fusarium fungus. We have applied the same methods and have high confidence that we can identify candidate genes in bananas and will then begin validation trials to prove the effectiveness of these genes. We believe that we can complete the identification phase of this project in the summer of 2019 and begin validation trials shortly thereafter. We will incur significant research costs prior to any confirmation of commercial viability and there can be no guarantee that the desired results can be achieved or that commercialization can be reached.


Evolutionary Genomics has no registered trademarks. The Company had two full time employees and one part-time employee as of March 31, 2019 and leases its operating facility on a month-to-month basis after June 30, 2017. Evolutionary Genomics is not currently involved in or aware of any threatened or actual legal proceedings.




18



  



Results of Operations


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

% of Revenue

 

 

Amount

 

 

% of Revenue

 

Service and grant revenue

 

$

32,366

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

 

 

 

N/A

 

Research and development

 

 

131,684

 

 

 

406.9

%

 

 

98,873

 

 

 

N/A

 

Salaries and benefits

 

 

54,779

 

 

 

169.2

%

 

 

62,144

 

 

 

N/A

 

General and administrative

 

 

58,254

 

 

 

180.0

%

 

 

81,421

 

 

 

N/A

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

244,717

 

 

 

756.1

%

 

 

242,438

 

 

 

N/A

 

Operating (loss)

 

 

(212,351

)

 

 

-656.1

%

 

 

(242,438

)

 

 

N/A

 

Other income and (expenses)

 

 

11,954

 

 

 

36.9

%

 

 

(47,633

)

 

 

N/A

 

Net loss

 

$

(200,397

)

 

 

-619.2

%

 

$

(290,071

)

 

 

N/A

 

Preferred stock dividend

 

 

(60,591

)

 

 

-187.2

%

 

 

(60,592

)

 

 

N/A

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

$

(260,988

)

 

 

-806.4

%

 

$

(350,663

)

 

 

N/A

 

 

Service and Grant Revenue


Service revenue increased $32,366 to $32,366 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to revenue recognized from the State of Colorado grant.


Operating Expenses


Operating expenses increased $2,279 to $244,717 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from $242,438 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Operating expenses consist of research and development expense, salaries and benefits and general and administrative expense. Changes in these items are described below.


Research and Development


Research and development increased $32,811 to $131,684 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from $98,873 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to increased costs for our pest resistance project.


Salaries and Benefits


Salaries and benefits decreased $7,365 to $54,779 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from $62,144 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to decreased stock compensation costs.  


General and Administrative


General and administrative expenses decreased $23,167 to $58,254 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from $81,421 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to decreased professional fees and directors fees.


Other Income and (Expenses)


Total net other income increased $59,587 to $11,954 of income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from ($47,633) of expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to changes in the market price of marketable securities.


Net (Loss)


Net (loss) decreased $89,674 to $200,397 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from $290,071 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to revenue from the State of Colorado grant, decreased professional fees and increased unrealized gains on marketable securities partially offset by increased costs on our pest resistance projects.




19



  



Financial Condition


The Company’s working capital decreased $172,939 to $50,478 as of March 31, 2019 from $223,417 as of December 31, 2018 primarily due the net loss from operations.


Liquidity and Going Concern


Sources of funding to meet prospective cash requirements include the Company’s existing cash balances and investments along with grant funds.  In June 2018, the State of Colorado awarded the Company a $250,000 grant to further our research and we expect to receive those funds through September 30, 2019. As of March 31, 2019, the Company had $7,327 of cash and $40,143 of investments.  The Company forecasts using $596,000 of cash for net operating expenses for the twelve months ending March 31, 2020.  We believe that these resources will not be sufficient to sustain our operations for a period greater than one year. The ability of the Company to continue its operations is dependent on Management's plans, which include continuing to raise capital through equity or debt based financings. There can be no assurances that such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.


We believe that we may be able to generate grant and/or licensing revenue in the next twelve months that will help offset operating expenses.  We are currently seeking additional grant funding but there can be no assurance we will be able to obtain additional funding. We also anticipate marketing our genes to the seed industry over the next twelve months which may provide licensing revenue but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in these efforts.


The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that have a material current effect, or that are reasonably likely to have a material future effect, on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.


Contractual Obligations


The Company leases its operating facility and pays its rent in monthly installments. The lease was renewed in June 2016 for a period of twelve months and monthly rentals for the period of July 1, 2016 through March 31, 2019 are $2,378 per month which continues on a month-to-month basis. There is no minimum lease commitment as of March 31, 2019. Renewals after June 30, 2017 are by mutual agreement. The Company’s rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $7,134 and $7,134, respectively.


On December 3, 2014, Evolutionary Genomics entered into a Fee for Service Agreement with The Curators of the University of Missouri for the development of transgenic soybean plants with candidate genes for Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) resistance with total contract payments, including amendments, totaling $357,310 of which $214,386 has been paid through March 31, 2019. On May 2, 2018, the Company notified the University of Missouri that the performance under this contract did not appear to meet certain guaranteed minimum requirements. The Company has entered into discussions with the University of Missouri regarding remaining contract amounts and the return of amounts already paid under this contract based on the failure of the University of Missouri to deliver on contractual objectives. We don’t believe that there will be any future amounts due under this contract.


On February 21, 2015, Evolutionary Genomics entered into a Sponsored Research Contract with The Curators of the University of Missouri for phenotyping transgenic soybean plants.  As amended the contract calls for payments to be made on a per plant basis with no minimum future payments.  We expect to continue this contract and will likely have additional amounts payable but the amount is indeterminable.


On August 1, 2016, Evolutionary Genomics entered into an Industry-Sponsored Project Agreement with The Curators of the University of Missouri for the development of transgenic maize and tomatoes with total contract payments, including amendments, totaling $356,506 of which $213,904 has been paid through March 31, 2019.  The contract calls for a minimum number of successful events to be produced and it is unclear whether these minimums will be met.



20



  




On May 3, 2018, Evolutionary Genomics entered into a Service Agreement with Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center for the development of transgenic soybean plants with total contract payments, including amendments of $141,631 of which $36,395 has been paid to date.  We expect to pay the remaining $105,236 prior to December 31, 2019.


ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Not required by smaller reporting companies.


ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.


Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be included in the Company’s reports to the Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Commission rules and forms and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective at these reasonable assurance levels for the reasons stated below.


Specifically, management identified the following control deficiencies: (1) the Company has not properly segregated duties as one or two individuals initiate, authorize, and complete all transactions. The Company has not implemented measures that would prevent the individuals from overriding the internal control system. The Company does not believe that this control deficiency has resulted in deficient financial reporting because the Chief Financial Officer is aware of his responsibilities under the SEC’s reporting requirements and personally certifies the financial reports. (2) The Company has installed accounting software that does not prevent erroneous or unauthorized changes to previous reporting periods and does not provide an adequate audit trail of entries made in the accounting software. (3) Due to the size of the Company and limited personnel, the Company has not hired an individual with technical accounting expertise within the accounting function.


Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable cost-effective assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. There is no assurance that our disclosure controls or our internal controls over financial reporting can prevent all errors. An internal control system, no matter how well designed and operated, has inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error may occur and not be detected. We monitor our disclosure controls and internal controls and make modifications as we believe appropriate given our financial resources and limited level of activities. Our intent in this regard is that our disclosure controls and our internal controls will improve as systems change and conditions warrant.


(b) Changes in internal controls.


Our Certifying Officers have indicated that there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or other factors during the three months ended March 31, 2019, that could significantly affect such controls subsequent to the date of his evaluation, and there were no such control actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.



21



  



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


None.


ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS


Not required by smaller reporting companies.


ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALE OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company issued no additional shares of stock.


ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


None.


ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES


Not applicable.


ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION


None.


ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS


31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification

 

 

 

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certification

 

 

 

101

 

XBRL Interactive Data File








22



  



SIGNATURES


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


 

EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

BY:  

/s/ Steve B Warnecke

 

Steve B Warnecke

 

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

May 15, 2019

 

 









23