Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X] 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: 000-55723

GUARDION HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

15150 Avenue of Science, Suite 200

San Diego, California 92128

Telephone: 858-605-9055

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)

Not applicable

(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or Section 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. [X] Yes [  ] 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). [X] Yes [  ] No

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). [  ] Yes [X] No

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

As of May 3, 2019, there were 22,491,264 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding. The Company’s common stock began trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on April 5, 2019, under the symbol “GHSI.”

On January 30, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effectuate a one-for-two (1:2) reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of its common stock without any change to its par value. Proportional adjustments for the Reverse Stock Split were made to the Company’s outstanding common stock, stock options, and warrants as if the split occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events or future predictions, including events or predictions relating to the Company’s future financial performance, and are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the Company, its future performance, its beliefs and management’s assumptions. They are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “feel,” “confident,” “estimate,” “intend,” “predict,” “forecast,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of such terms or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. These statements involve unknown risks and uncertainties that may individually or materially impact the matters discussed herein for a variety of reasons that are outside the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to raise sufficient financing to implement its business plan and its ability to successfully develop and commercialize its proprietary products and technologies. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements contained herein. Readers are urged to read the risk factors set forth in the Company’s recent filings with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and in other documents the Company files with the SEC from time to time. These filings are available at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, in each case, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company will not update or revise the forward-looking statements except to the extent required by applicable law.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

Organization and Business

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”) was formed in December 2009 as a California limited liability company under the name P4L Health Sciences, LLC. On June 30, 2015, the Company converted from a California limited liability company to a Delaware corporation, changing its name from Guardion Health Sciences, LLC to Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

The Company is a specialty health sciences company that develops, formulates and distributes condition-specific medical foods with an initial medical food product on the market under the brand name Lumega-Z^® that replenishes and restores the macular protective pigment. The Company also developed a proprietary medical device called the MapcatSF^® that accurately measures the macular pigment optical density.

On September 29, 2017, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary VectorVision Ocular Health, Inc. (“VectorVision”), completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of VectorVision, Inc. (an Ohio corporation), a company that specialized in the standardization of contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity, low contrast acuity, and early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (“ETDRS”) visual acuity testing. VectorVision develops, manufactures and sells equipment and supplies for standardized vision testing. The acquisition expands the Company’s technical portfolio. CSV-1000 and CSV-3000 instruments offer auto-calibrated tests to ensure correct testing luminance and contrast levels for consistent, highly accurate and repeatable results. Recently issued patents the Company received for continuously calibrating the light source will be incorporated into the new CSV-2000, in which the proprietary standardized contrast sensitivity test patterns can be presented to the patient using a computer monitor as opposed to the current calibrated backlit system.

In August 2018, the Company created a wholly owned subsidiary, Transcranial Doppler Solutions, Inc. (“TDSI”). TDSI is dedicated to the pursuit of early predictors resulting in, the Company believes, valuable therapeutic intervention for practitioners and their patients, and additional revenue streams generated from the testing and sale of Company products to appropriate customers. The Company has established operations with selected clinics and is focusing on expanding its client base.

In November 2018, the Company launched a new medical food product, GlaucoCetin^TM, which the Company believes is the first vision-specific medical food designed to support and protect the mitochondrial function of optic nerve cells and improve blood flow in the ophthalmic artery in patients with glaucoma.

On April 9, 2019, the Company closed its initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 1,250,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at an IPO price to the public of $4.00 per share. The shares began trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on April 5, 2019 under the symbol “GHSI.”

The Company has had limited operations to date and has been primarily engaged in research and development, product commercialization and capital raising activities.

Going Concern and Liquidity

The financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company had a net loss of $1,385,099 and utilized cash in operating activities of $586,085 during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The Company expects to continue to incur net losses and negative operating cash flows in the near-term. As a result, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has also included explanatory language in their opinion accompanying the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.

The Company will continue to incur significant expenses for commercialization activities related to its medical foods, the MapcatSF medical device, VectorVision diagnostic equipment, the TDSI business and with respect to efforts to continue to build the Company’s infrastructure. Development and commercialization of medical foods and medical devices involves a lengthy and complex process. Additionally, the Company’s long-term viability and growth may depend upon the successful development and commercialization of products other than Lumega-Z and the MapcatSF. Subsequent to March 31, 2019, the Company completed the IPO, resulting in net cash proceeds of $3,945,000 to the Company. The Company is seeking to raise additional debt and/or equity capital to fund future operations, but there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to secure such additional financing in the amounts necessary to fully fund its operating requirements on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to access sufficient capital resources on a timely basis, the Company may be forced to reduce or discontinue its technology and product development programs and curtail or cease operations.

Reverse Stock Split

On January 30, 2019, following stockholder and Board approval, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Amended Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Amendment”), with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effectuate a one-for-two (1:2) reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share, without any change to its par value. The Amendment became effective on the filing date. The number of shares authorized for common and preferred stock were not affected by the Reverse Stock Split. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split as all fractional shares were “rounded up” to the next whole share. Proportional adjustments for the Reverse Stock Split were made to all share and per share amounts as if the split occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 included herein was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date, but does not include all disclosures, including notes, required by GAAP.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to fairly present the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the interim periods reflected. Except as noted, all adjustments contained herein are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. Such amounts consist of operating segment disclosures, whereby revenue and cost of goods sold have been broken out on the Consolidated Statements of Operations to conform with the Company’s two reportable business segments as of March 31, 2019.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

These estimates and assumptions include estimates for reserves of uncollectible accounts, inventory obsolescence, depreciable lives of property and equipment, analysis of impairments of recorded long-term tangible and intangible assets, realization of deferred tax assets, accruals for potential liabilities and assumptions made in valuing stock instruments issued for services.

Intangible Assets

In connection with the VectorVision transaction, the Company identified and allocated estimated fair values to intangible assets including goodwill and customer relationships.

In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 350 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, the Company determined whether these assets are expected to have indefinite (such as goodwill) or limited useful lives, and for those with limited lives, the Company established an amortization period and method of amortization. Its goodwill and other intangible assets are subject to periodic impairment testing.

The Company utilized the services of an independent third-party valuation firm to assist in identifying intangible assets and in estimating their fair values. The useful lives for the Company’s intangible assets other than goodwill were estimated based on Management’s consideration of various factors, including assumptions that market participants might use about sales expectations as well as potential effects of obsolescence, competition, technological progress and the regulatory environment. Because the future pattern in which the economic benefits of these intangible assets may not be reliably determined, amortization expense is generally calculated on a straight-line basis.

Amortization expense for the identifiable intangible assets associated with the VectorVision acquisition is approximately $54,000 per quarter and is included with general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Statements of Operations.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including property and equipment, identifiable intangible assets, and goodwill for impairment at each fiscal year end or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may exceed their current fair values. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell and are no longer depreciated. The Company has not historically recorded any impairment to its long-lived assets. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that a long-lived asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these long-lived assets in the period in which the impairment occurs. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had not deemed any long-lived assets as impaired and was not aware of the existence of any indicators of impairment at such dates.

Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred offering costs consist principally of legal, accounting, and underwriters’ fees incurred related to the IPO. These deferred offering costs will be charged against the gross proceeds received during the appropriate period.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue is comprised of sales of medical foods and dietary supplements to consumers through a direct sales/credit card process. In addition, the Company sells medical device equipment and supplies to customers both in the U.S. and internationally.

On January 1, 2018. the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09” or “Topic 606”) and all related amendments and applied the concepts to all contracts using the full retrospective method. The new standard provides authoritative guidance clarifying the principles for recognizing revenue and developing a common revenue standard for U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in the exchange for those goods or services.

Under the new guidance, revenue is recognized when control of promised goods or services is transferred to the Company’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company reviews its sales transactions to identify contractual rights, performance obligations, and transaction prices, including the allocation of prices to separate performance obligations, if applicable. Revenue and costs of sales are recognized once products are delivered to the customer’s control and performance obligations are satisfied.

All products sold by the Company are distinct individual products and consist of medical foods, supplemental formulas, medical devices and related supplies. The products are offered for sale as finished goods only, and there are no performance obligations required post-shipment for customers to derive the expected value from them. Contracts with customers contain no incentives or discounts that could cause revenue to be allocated or adjusted over time.

Control of products sold transfers to customers upon shipment from the Company’s facilities, and the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied at that time. Shipping and handling activities are performed before the customer obtains control of the goods and therefore represent a fulfillment activity rather than a promised service to the customer. Payment for sales of Lumega-Z is generally made by approved credit cards. Payments for medical device sales are generally made by check, credit card, or wire transfer. Historically the Company has not experienced any significant payment delays from customers.

The Company provides a 30-day right of return to its retail Lumega-Z customers. A right of return does not represent a separate performance obligation, but because customers are allowed to return products, the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled is variable. Upon evaluation of historical Lumega-Z and VectorVision product returns, the Company determined that less than one percent of products is returned, and therefore believes it is probable that such returns will not cause a significant reversal of revenue in the future. Due to the insignificant amount of historical returns as well as the standalone nature of the Company’s products and assessment of performance obligations and transaction pricing for the Company’s sales contracts, the Company does not currently maintain a contract asset or liability balance at this time. The Company assesses its contracts and the reasonableness of its conclusions on a quarterly basis.

The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by segment:

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs consist primarily of fees paid to consultants and outside service providers, patent fees and costs, and other expenses relating to the acquisition, design, development and testing of the Company’s medical foods and related products. Research and development expenditures, which include stock compensation expense, are expensed as incurred and totaled $29,028 and $159,588 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Patent Costs

The Company is the owner of three issued domestic patents, two pending domestic patent applications, one issued foreign patent in Europe, and three foreign patent applications in Canada, Europe and Hong Kong. Due to the significant uncertainty associated with the successful development of one or more commercially viable products based on the Company’s research efforts and any related patent applications, patent costs, including patent-related legal fees, filing fees and internally generated costs, are expensed as incurred. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, patent costs were $26,025 and $12,474, respectively, and are included in general and administrative costs in the statements of operations.

Leases

Prior to January 1, 2019, the Company accounted for leases under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 840, Accounting for Leases. Effective from January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the guidance of ASU 2016-02 (ASC 842), Leases, which requires an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases. The Company adopted ASC 842 using a modified retrospective approach. As a result, the comparative financial information has not been updated and the required disclosures prior to the date of adoption have not been updated and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets of $626,667, lease liabilities for operating leases of $635,131, and a zero cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated deficit. See Note 8 for further information regarding the impact of the adoption of ASC 842 on the Company’s financial statements.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company periodically issues stock-based compensation to officers, directors, contractors and consultants for services rendered. Such issuances vest and expire according to terms established at the issuance date.

Stock-based payments to officers, directors, and employees, which include grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values in accordance with Topic 718. Stock option grants, which are generally time vested, will be measured at the grant date fair value and charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of stock options is determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which is affected by several variables, including the risk-free interest rate, the expected dividend yield, the expected life of the equity award, the exercise price of the stock option as compared to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date and the estimated volatility of the common stock over the term of the equity award.

In prior periods, the Company accounted for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to non-employees in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the FASB whereby the value of the stock compensation is based upon the measurement date as determined at either a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached, or b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-07 which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation within its statements of operations with classification depending on the nature of the services rendered. The adoption of the new standard had no cumulative effect on previously reported amounts.

Net Loss per Share

The Company’s computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share is measured as net loss divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the respective periods, excluding unvested restricted common stock. Shares of restricted stock are included in the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding from the time they vest. Potential common shares such as from unexercised warrants, options, and shares associated with convertible debt outstanding that have an anti-dilutive effect are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share. The Company’s basic and diluted net loss per share is the same for all periods presented because all shares issuable upon exercise of warrants and conversion of convertible debt outstanding are anti-dilutive as they decrease loss per share.

The following table sets forth the number of shares excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company’s management does not believe that there are any recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

The Company determined its reporting units in accordance with ASC 280, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 280”). The Company historically has reported its operating results as a single reportable segment described as the business of developing and commercializing a variety of products that support the detection, intervention and monitoring of a range of eye diseases. The Company’s chief executive officer, who is the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), has historically reviewed financial information on an aggregated basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance.

In September 2017, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary VectorVision Ocular Health, Inc., acquired substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of VectorVision, Inc., a company that specialized in the standardization of contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity, low contrast acuity, and early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (“ETDRS”) visual acuity testing. In August 2018, the Company created a wholly owned subsidiary, Transcranial Doppler Solutions, Inc. (“TDSI”). The Company has established TDSI operations with selected clinics and is focusing on expanding its client base.

Although all of the Company’s products and services target the early detection, intervention and monitoring of a range of eye diseases, the addition of potential new products or services as the Company grows requires management to periodically reevaluate its reporting structure. As sales of our medical food as well as sales of VectorVision products grow, there is an increased need for the CODM to evaluate revenue and gross profit on a product line or group basis for purposes of resource allocation. As of March 31, 2019, the TDSI subsidiary does not meet the required quantitative criteria to be considered a reportable operating segment. Additionally, TDSI does not share similar economic characteristics or a majority of the aggregation criteria set forth in ASC 280, and therefore is included in “Corporate” below. As of December 31, 2018, based on anticipated growth and the expanding diversity of product and service offerings by the Company, Management has concluded that results should be reported in two operating segments: Medical Foods and Vision Testing Diagnostics. The following tables set forth our results of operations by segment (expenses allocated to Corporate consist of non-cash stock compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, and corporate legal fees):

The following tables set forth our total assets by segment. Intersegment balances and transactions have been removed:

Inventories consisted of the following:

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, depreciation and amortization expense was $14,444 and $19,363, respectively, of which $0 and $7,325 was included in research and development expense, $9,108 and $1,500 was included in sales and marketing expense, and $5,335 and $10,333 was included in general and administrative expense, respectively.

The Company’s intangible assets, including finite-lived intangible assets and $50,000 of non-amortizable purchased intellectual property, consisted of the following:

The Company’s amortization expense on its finite-lived intangible assets was $53,659 and $53,659 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The Company estimates future amortization expense on its finite-lived intangible assets as of March 31, 2019 to be as follows:

Promissory Note

On March 12, 2019, the Company issued a promissory note with principal in the amount of $100,000, simple interest of 10% annually, and with a maturity date of June 10, 2019.

Convertible Notes and Related Warrants

The Company’s convertible notes payable consisted of the following:

On March 15, 2019, the Company issued a convertible note with principal in the amount of $100,000, simple interest of 5% annually, and with a maturity date of September 30, 2019. In addition, on March 20, 2019, the Company issued a convertible note with principal in the amount of $150,000, simple interest of 5% annually, and with a maturity date of September 30, 2019. As of March 31, 2019, convertible notes with a principal balance of $250,000 and accrued interest of $479 were outstanding.

The convertible notes (principal and accrued interest) were mandatorily convertible upon the consummation of the IPO. Concurrent with the issuance of the notes, the Company issued warrants to both note holders equal to the number of shares of common stock that the holders receive in connection with the converted notes. The per share exercise price of the warrants was set at 125% of the conversion price of the notes, defined in the note agreements, as the lower of (a) 75% of the price per share of common stock of the IPO or (b) $2.30.

Due to the variable terms of both the exercise price and the number of warrants to be issued, the warrants were accounted for as derivative liabilities at March 31, 2019. The aggregate fair value of the warrants was calculated as $436,034 based on a probability effected Black-Scholes option pricing model with a stock price of $4.00, volatility of 138%, and risk-free rates ranging from 2.34% - 2.39%. At March 31, 2019, the Company estimated that the issuance of 109,038 warrants with an exercise price of $2.88 per share would correspond to the number of shares of common stock that the holders would receive in connection with the completion of the IPO (the IPO was completed on April 9, 2019). The Company recognized a debt discount of $250,000 equal to the face amount of the convertible notes and recorded a financing cost equal to the difference between the fair value of the warrants and the debt discount. The financing cost of $186,034 is shown as fair value of warrants on the accompanying statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The company recorded amortization expense related to the debt discount of $16,545 during the three months ended March 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2019, the unamortized debt discount was $233,455.

In October 2012, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 9,605 square feet of office and warehouse space commencing March 1, 2013. Upon entering into the agreement, the Company paid a deposit of $47,449, of which $36,979 represented prepaid rent. As of March 31, 2019, $10,470 remained on deposit under the lease agreement. The lease (“Lease 1”) was renewed for an additional five years in 2018. As of March 31, 2019, remaining average monthly lease payments under the amended lease agreement were $12,863 through July 2023.

In connection with the VectorVision acquisition on September 29, 2017, the Company assumed a lease agreement for 5,000 square feet of office and warehouse space which commenced on October 1, 2017. The lease (“Lease 2”) was renewed for an additional 65 months. As of March 31, 2019, remaining average monthly lease payments are $1,832 through February 2023.

In accounting for the leases, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02 - Leases, which requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability at the inception of the lease initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. The Company classified the leases as operating leases and determined that the fair value of Lease 1 at the inception of the lease was $625,778 using a discount rate of 8.0%. the fair value of Lease 2 at the inception of the lease was $100,742 using a discount rate of 8%. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company made combined payments on both leases of $41,166 towards the lease liabilities. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the lease liability for Lease 1 was $561,623 and $586,082, respectively, and the lease liability for Lease 2 was $73,508 and $77,137, respectively. ASU 2016-02 requires recognition in the statement of operations of a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, generally on a straight-line basis. Combined rent expense for both leases for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $43,581 and $5,336, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company reflected amortization of right of use asset of $30,502 and $3,543 related to the leases, respectively, resulting in a net asset balance of $626,667 as of March 31, 2019.

The Company is periodically the subject of various pending or threatened legal actions and claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management of the Company, adequate provision has been made in the Company’s financial statements at March 31, 2019 with respect to such matters.

Warrants

A summary of the Company’s warrant activity is as follows:

The exercise prices of warrants outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2019 are as follows:

In February and March 2019, investors net exercised a total of 310,000 warrants for 231,740 shares of common stock on a cashless basis.

In February 2019, an investor exercised warrants for 62,500 shares of common stock. The warrants were exercisable for $0.50 per share, and the Company received $31,250 in cash.

In March 2019, the Company issued 109,038 warrants with an exercise price of $2.88 per share to two convertible note holders pursuant to the anticipated completion of the Company’s IPO (the IPO was completed on April 9, 2019).

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had an aggregate of 896,712 outstanding warrants to purchase shares of its common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $1.19, weighted average remaining life of 0.8 years and aggregate intrinsic value of $2,522,391, based upon a stock valuation of $4.00 per share. The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market value of the underlying common stock and the exercise price of the warrants.

Stock Options

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity is as follows:

The exercise prices of options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2019 are as follows:

As of March 31, 2019, options were valued based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with a stock price of $4.00, volatility of 138%, and an average risk-free rate of 2.21%.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized aggregate stock-compensation expense of $56,232 and $777,513, respectively, based upon stock prices ranging from $2.30 to $4.00 per share, all of which was recorded in general and administrative expense.

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had an aggregate of 75,000 remaining unvested options outstanding, with a total estimated fair value of $138,516, weighted average exercise price of $2.50, and weighted average remaining life of 2.8 years. The Company remeasures unvested options for non-employees to fair value at the end of each reporting period. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding as of March 31, 2019 was $2,368,750.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, the Company incurred and paid $75,000 and 68,750, respectively, of salary expense to our CEO, Michael Favish.

On April 9, 2019, the Company closed the IPO and issued 1,250,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $4.00 per share for total gross proceeds of $5.0 million, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $3,945,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering costs and expenses payable by Guardion. The shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 5, 2019, under the symbol “GHSI.” In connection with the IPO, the convertible promissory notes previously issued on March 15, 2019 and March 20, 2019 were automatically converted into 109,038 shares of common stock based on a conversion price of $2.30 per share.

The following table sets forth the Company’s cash, debt and derivative liabilities, and stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2019 on:

● an actual basis; and

● a pro forma basis giving effect to (i) the issuance of 109,038 shares of common stock to be issued upon the mandatory conversion of the principal amount and accrued interest of the convertible promissory notes issued in March 2019, (ii) the extinguishment of the corresponding derivative liability, and (iii) the sale and issuance by the Company of 1,250,000 shares of common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $4.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $3,945,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

On April 11, 2019, the Company repaid its promissory note previously issued on March 12, 2019, for a total of $100,849 including accrued interest.

On April 12, 2019, an investor exercised warrants for 26,250 shares of common stock. The warrants were exercisable for $0.50 per share, and the Company received $13,125 in cash.

On April 5 and 17, 2019, investors exercised a total of 275,000 warrants on a cashless basis resulting in the issuance of 229,365 shares of common stock. The warrants were exercisable for $0.50 and $2.00 per share.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Presentation of Information

As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “we,” “us” “our” and the “Company” mean Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. unless the context requires otherwise. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this report and our audited financing statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the notes thereto, which are set forth in the 2018 Form 10-K. All dollar amounts refer to U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Overview

Guardion Health Sciences, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”) was formed in December 2009 in California as a limited liability company under the name P4L Health Sciences, LLC, and it subsequently changed its name to Guardion Health Sciences, LLC. On June 30, 2015, the Company converted from a California limited liability company to a Delaware corporation, changing its name to Guardion Health Sciences, Inc.

The Company is a specialty health sciences company formed to develop, formulate and distribute condition-specific medical foods with an initial medical food product on the market under the brand name Lumega-Z^® that replenishes and restores the macular protective pigment. A depleted macular protective pigment is a modifiable risk factor for retina-based diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (“AMD”), computer vision syndrome (“CVS”) and diabetic retinopathy. The Company believes this risk may be modified by taking Lumega-Z to maintain a healthy macular protective pigment. Additional research has also shown a depleted macular protective pigment to be a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The Company invented a proprietary technology, embodied in the Company’s medical device, the MapcatSF^® that accurately measures the macular pigment optical density (“MPOD”). On November 8, 2016, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) issued patent number 9,486,136 for the MapcatSF invention. Using the MapcatSF to measure the MPOD allows one to monitor the increase in the density of the macular protective pigment after taking Lumega-Z. The MapcatSF is a non-mydriatic, non-invasive device that accurately measures the MPOD, the lens optical density and lens equivalent age, thereby creating an evidence-based protocol that is shared with the patient. A non-mydriatic device is one that does not require dilation of the pupil for it to function. The MapcatSF is the first medical device using a patented “single fixation” process and “automatic lens density correction” that produces accurate serialized data.

In September 2017, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary VectorVision Ocular Health, Inc. (“VectorVision”), acquired substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of VectorVision, Inc., a company that specialized in the standardization of contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity, low contrast acuity, and early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (“ETDRS”) visual acuity testing. VectorVision’s standardization system is designed to provide the practitioner or researcher with the ability to delineate very small changes in visual capability, either as compared to the population or from visit to visit. VectorVision develops, manufactures and sells equipment and supplies for standardized vision testing for use by eye doctors in clinical trials, for real-world vision evaluation, and industrial vision testing. The acquisition expanded the Company’s technical portfolio. CSV-1000 and CSV-3000 instruments offer auto-calibrated tests to ensure correct testing luminance and contrast levels for consistent, highly accurate and repeatable results. Recently issued patents the Company received for continuously calibrating the light source will be incorporated into the new CSV-2000, in which the proprietary standardized contrast sensitivity test patterns can be presented to the patient using a computer monitor as opposed to the current calibrated backlit system. The Company believes the acquisition of VectorVision further establishes its position at the forefront of early detection, intervention and monitoring of a range of eye diseases.

In August 2018, the Company created a wholly owned subsidiary, Transcranial Doppler Solutions, Inc. (“TDSI”). TDSI is dedicated to the pursuit of early predictors resulting in, the Company believes, valuable therapeutic intervention for practitioners and their patients, and additional revenue streams generated from the testing and sale of Company products to appropriate customers. The Company has established operations with selected clinics and is focusing on expanding its client base.

In November 2018, the Company launched a new medical food product, GlaucoCetin^TM, which the Company believes is the first vision-specific medical food designed to support and protect the mitochondrial function of optic nerve cells and improve blood flow in the ophthalmic artery in patients with glaucoma.

The Company has had limited operations to date and has been primarily engaged in research and development, product commercialization and capital raising activities.

By combining the MapcatSF medical device, the newly acquired VectorVision standardized vision testing technology and Lumega-Z medical food, the Company has developed, based on Management’s knowledge of the industry, what it believes to be the only reliable three-pronged, evidence-based protocol for replenishing and restoring the macular protective pigment, increasing overall retinal health and measuring the related improvements in visual function.

Recent Developments

Initial Public Offering

On April 9, 2019, the Company closed its initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 1,250,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at an IPO price to the public of $4.00 per share resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $3,945,000 after all costs and expenses. The shares began trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on April 5, 2019 under the symbol “GHSI.”

Trademarks

On April 25, 2019, the Company was notified by the State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China (“China”) that the Company has been granted trademark registrations in China for its proprietary medical food, Lumega-Z (Registration No. 27151643), and for its proprietary and patented medical device, the MapcatSF (Registration No. 27151644). The trademark registration for the mark LUMEGA-Z is effective from November 7, 2018 to November 6, 2028. The trademark registration for the mark MAPCAT SF is effective from October 28, 2018 to October 27, 2028.

Going Concern

The financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company had a net loss of $1,385,099 and utilized cash in operating activities of $586,085 during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The Company expects to continue to incur net losses and negative operating cash flows in the near-term. As a result, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date that the financial statements are issued.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has also included explanatory language in their opinion accompanying the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.

The Company will continue to incur significant expenses for continued commercialization activities related to Lumega-Z, the MapcatSF^® medical device, and VectorVision products. Development and commercialization of medical foods and medical devices involves a lengthy and complex process. Additionally, the Company’s long-term viability and growth may depend upon the successful development and commercialization of new complementary products or product lines. On April 9, 2019, the Company completed the IPO, resulting in net cash proceeds of $3,945,000 to the Company. The Company is seeking to raise additional debt and/or equity capital to fund future operations, but there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to secure such additional financing in the amounts necessary to fully fund its operating requirements on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to access sufficient capital resources on a timely basis, the Company may be forced to reduce or discontinue its technology and product development programs and curtail or cease operations.

Reverse Stock Split

On January 30, 2019, following stockholder and Board approval, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Amended Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Amendment”), with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effectuate a one-for-two (1:2) reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share, without any change to its par value. The Amendment became effective on the filing date. The number of shares authorized for common and preferred stock were not affected by the Reverse Stock Split. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split as all fractional shares were “rounded up” to the next whole share. Proportional adjustments for the Reverse Stock Split were made to the Company’s outstanding common stock, stock options, and warrants as if the split occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for management’s discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Concentration of Risk

Cash balances are maintained at large, well-established financial institutions. At times, cash balances may exceed federally insured limits. Insurance coverage limits are $250,000 per depositor at each financial institution. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of its financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s financial statements included herein include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements.

Intangible Assets

In connection with the VectorVision transaction, the Company identified and allocated estimated fair values to intangible assets including goodwill and customer relationships.

In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 350 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, the Company determined whether these assets are expected to have indefinite (such as goodwill) or limited useful lives, and for those with limited lives, the Company established an amortization period and method of amortization. The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets are subject to periodic impairment testing.

The Company utilized the services of an independent third-party valuation firm to assist it in identifying intangible assets and in estimating their fair values. The useful lives for its intangible assets other than goodwill were estimated based on Management’s consideration of various factors, including assumptions that market participants might use about sales expectations as well as potential effects of obsolescence, competition, technological progress and the regulatory environment. Because the future pattern in which the economic benefits of these intangible assets may not be reliably determined, amortization expense is generally calculated on a straight-line basis.

The Company reviews all intangible assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, the Company recognizes an impairment loss for the excess carrying value over the fair value in its consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company was not aware of the existence of any indicators of impairment of its intangibles at such dates.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company conducts its annual impairment analysis in the beginning of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. Estimations and assumptions regarding the number of reporting units, future performances, results of the Company’s operations and comparability of its market capitalization and net book value will be used. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and an impairment loss is measured by the resulting amount. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company was not aware of the existence of any indicators of impairment of its goodwill at such dates.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company periodically issues stock-based compensation to officers, directors, contractors and consultants for services rendered. Such issuances vest and expire according to terms established at the issuance date.

Stock-based payments to officers, directors, and employees, which include grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. Stock option grants, which are generally time vested, will be measured at the grant date fair value and charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of stock options is determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which is affected by several variables, including the risk-free interest rate, the expected dividend yield, the expected life of the equity award, the exercise price of the stock option as compared to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date and the estimated volatility of the common stock over the term of the equity award.

In prior periods, the Company accounted for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to non-employees in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the FASB whereas the value of the stock compensation is based upon the measurement date as determined at either a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached, or b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-07 which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Non-employee stock-based compensation charges generally are amortized over the vesting period using a graded vesting basis. In certain circumstances where there are no future performance requirements by the non-employee, grants are immediately vested and the total stock-based compensation charge is recorded in the period of the measurement date.

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Until the Company has established a trading market for its common stock, estimated volatility is based on the average historical volatilities of comparable public companies in a similar industry. The expected dividend yield is based on the current yield at the grant date. The Company has never declared or paid dividends on its common stock and has no plans to do so for the foreseeable future.

The fair value of common stock was determined based on management’s judgment. Due to the availability of historical data from the Company’s recent preferred stock sales, Management used a valuation of $2.30 for accounting purposes during the first quarter of 2018. Management used a valuation $4.00 for the first quarter of 2019. Management considered business and market factors affecting the Company during these periods, including capital raising efforts, its proprietary technology, and other factors. Based on this evaluation, management believes that its valuations are appropriate for accounting purposes at March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation within its statements of operations with classification depending on the nature of the services rendered.

Plan of Operations

General Overview

Based on the availability of sufficient funding, the Company intends to increase its commercialization activities and: