Monterey Innovation Acquisition Corp - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

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

Commission File Number: 001-40861

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

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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 ☒  No ☐

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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 ☒  No ☐

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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.

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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. ☐

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

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As of May 18, 2023, there were 4,894,384 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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Item 1. Financial Statements.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

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

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

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

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

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

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

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

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

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NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS, LIQUIDITY, AND RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Monterey Innovation Acquisition Corp., (formerly, Monterey Bio Acquisition Corporation) (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on July 23, 2020. The Company is a blank check company whose business purpose is to enter into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (the “Business Combination”).

The Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination although it initially focused its efforts on identifying a biotech company that has demonstrated success and is primed to thrive in the rapidly evolving biotech industry for its initial business combination. Since March 2023, the Company expanded its acquisition strategy to include a broader universe of disruptive technology targets. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had not yet commenced any operations. All activity for the period from July 23, 2020 (inception) through March 31, 2023 relates to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, and identifying a target company for an initial Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest income from the marketable securities held in the Trust Account (as defined below).

The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on September 30, 2021. On October 5, 2021, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 10,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares of common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), generating gross proceeds of $100,000,000.

Simultaneous with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 5,000,000 warrants (the “Private Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant in private placements to Chardan Monterey Investments LLC (“Chardan Monterey”) (an affiliate of Chardan Capital Markets LLC (“Chardan”), the representative of the underwriters) and to NorthStar Bio Ventures, LLC (“NorthStar”) (an affiliate of certain of the Company’s officers and directors) (“Chardan Monterey” and “NorthStar” are collectively known as co-Sponsors), generating gross proceeds of $5,000,000. NorthStar purchased 3,750,000 Private Warrants and Chardan Monterey purchased 1,250,000 Private Warrants.

Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on October 5, 2021, an amount of $101,000,000 ($10.10 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Warrants was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), located in the United States and held in cash or invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account, as described below.

On October 4, 2021, the underwriter notified the Company of its intent to fully exercise its over-allotment option on October 6, 2021. The Company consummated the sale of an additional 1,500,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, and the sale of an additional 450,000 Private Warrants, at $1.00 per Private Warrant, generating total gross proceeds of $15,450,000. A total of $15,150,000 of the net proceeds was deposited into the Trust Account, bringing the aggregate proceeds held in the Trust Account to $116,150,000 as of October 6, 2021.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

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The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete a Business Combination having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (less any Marketing Fee (as defined below) and taxes payable on income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into an initial Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

The Company will provide its holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “public stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The public stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account ($10.10 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s public warrants.

The Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company seeks stockholder approval and a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC containing substantially the same information as would be included in a proxy statement prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the initial stockholders have agreed (A) to vote their Founder Shares and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination, (B) not to propose, or vote in favor of, prior to and unrelated to the initial Business Combination, an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s redemption obligation to redeem all public shares if the Company cannot complete the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) unless the Company provides public stockholders the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment, (C) not to redeem any shares (including their Founder Shares) in connection with a stockholder vote to approve the proposed Business Combination or sell any shares back to the Company in a tender offer in connection with the initial Business Combination, and (D), that the Founder Shares shall not participate in any liquidating distribution upon winding up if the Business Combination is not consummated.

The initial stockholders have agreed (a) to waive their redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of a Business Combination, including their Founder Shares and Public Shares that they have purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering, if any and (b) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions with respect to their Founder Shares if the Company fails to consummate the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period. The initial stockholders who have acquired Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering are entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such Public Shares if the Company fails to consummate the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

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On September 29, 2022, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to extend the deadline to consummate a Business Combination from October 5, 2022 to January 5, 2023. In the event that the Company has not consummated a Business Combination by January 5, 2023, the Company may, by resolution of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) if requested by the Company’s insiders or their affiliates, extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination up to six (6) times by an additional month each time (or up to July 5, 2023); provided that, pursuant to the trust agreement entered into between the Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on September 30, 2021, as amended (the “Trust Agreement”), the only way to extend the time available for the Company to consummate its Business Combination is for the Company’s insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days’ advance notice prior to each applicable deadline, to deposit into the Trust Account $120,000 (or an aggregate of $720,000 if the time to consummate a Business Combination is extended to July 5, 2023), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline (the “Combination Period”).

During the quarter ended March 31, 2023 the Company deposited an aggregate of $360,000 into the Trust Account, extending the Combination Period (defined below) to April 5, 2023. The Company has deposited an additional $240,000 into the Trust Account to extend the Combination Period to June 5, 2023.

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by June 5, 2023 (or July 5, 2023, as applicable) (the “Combination Period”), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Board, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s Private Warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.

In connection with the vote on the Charter Amendment, the Company stockholders had the right to redeem their shares of common stock. The holders of 9,480,616 shares of common stock elected to redeem their shares at a per share redemption price of $10.13. As a result, approximately $96.1 million was removed from the Trust Account on October 3, 2022 to pay such holders, leaving approximately $20.5 million in the Trust Account.

On October 4, 2022, the co-Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $350,000 into the Trust Account in connection with the extension of the Combination Period to January 5, 2023.

The Company’s placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against the Company. Although, the Company will seek to have all vendors, service providers (excluding the independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which the Company does business execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of our public stockholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements, they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against the Company’s assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third-party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, the Company’s management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third-party that has not executed a waiver if the Company’s management believes that such third-party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to the Company than any alternative. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts, or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. Upon redemption of the Public Shares, if the Company was unable to consummate the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, or upon the exercise of the redemption right in connection with the Business Combination, the Company will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against the Company within the ten years following redemption. Accordingly, the

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

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per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders could be less than the $10.10 per Public Share initially held in the Trust Account, due to claims of such creditors.

The co-Sponsors have agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third-party (excluding the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.10 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.10 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the co-Sponsors will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.

Management Transition

On March 9, 2023, Sanjeev Satyal tendered his resignation as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and William McKeever tendered his resignation as Chief Financial Officer and director of the Company. Murat Omur was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Sean McGann was appointed Chief Financial Officer to replace Dr. Satyal and Mr. McKeever, respectively. Also on March 9, 2023, Chris Coleman, Jory Des Jardins and Roderick Hardamon, were appointed as directors. Mr. Hardamon and Mr. Coleman were appointed to the audit committee of the Company, and Mr. Hardamon was also designated as the “audit committee financial expert.” Jonas Grossman was appointed to Executive Chairman. The foregoing board and management changes are collectively referred to as the “Management Transition.”

On March 10, 2023, the Company filed an amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware to change its corporate name from “Monterey Bio Acquisition Corporation” to “Monterey Innovation Acquisition Corp.” The Company also expanded its acquisition strategy to include a broader universe of disruptive technology targets.

In connection with the Management Transition, on March 9, 2023, NorthStar transferred 478,125 Founder Shares to Chardan Monterey and 30,625 Founder Shares to each of the Company’s newly appointed directors, in each case, at a price of $0.006 per share. In addition, Dr. Satyal, the former Chief Executive Officer transferred 75,000 Founder Shares back to NorthStar. On March 9, 2023, Chardan Monterey transferred 4,375 Founder Shares to each of the Company’s newly appointed directors, in each case, at a price of $0.006 per share. As a result, following the Management Transition, NorthStar holds a balance of 1,417,500 Founder Shares and Chardan Monterey holds a balance of 1,102,500 Founder Shares.

Risks and Uncertainties

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic which continues to spread throughout the United States and the world. As of the date the financial statements were issued, there was considerable uncertainty around the expected duration of this pandemic. The Company has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that COVID-19 could have a negative effect on identifying a target company for a Business Combination, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of this condensed financial statement. The condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

In February 2022, the Russian Federation and Belarus commenced a military action with the country of Ukraine. As a result of this action, various nations, including the United States, have instituted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus. Further, the impact of this action and related sanctions on the world economy are not determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The specific impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is also not determinable as of the date of these financial statements.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

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On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”) was signed into federal law. The IR Act provides for, among other things, a new U.S. federal 1% excise tax on certain repurchases of stock by publicly traded U.S. domestic corporations and certain U.S. domestic subsidiaries of publicly traded foreign corporations occurring on or after January 1, 2023. The excise tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its shareholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the excise tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the excise tax. The U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) has been given authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the excise tax.

Any redemption or other repurchase that occurs after December 31, 2022, in connection with a Business Combination, extension vote or otherwise, may be subject to the excise tax. Whether and to what extent the Company would be subject to the excise tax in connection with a Business Combination, extension vote or otherwise would depend on a number of factors, including (i) the fair market value of the redemptions and repurchases in connection with the Business Combination, extension or otherwise, (ii) the structure of a Business Combination, (iii) the nature and amount of any “PIPE” or other equity issuances in connection with a Business Combination (or otherwise issued not in connection with a Business Combination but issued within the same taxable year of a Business Combination) and (iv) the content of regulations and other guidance from the Treasury. In addition, because the excise tax would be payable by the Company and not by the redeeming holder, the mechanics of any required payment of the excise tax have not been determined. The foregoing could cause a reduction in the cash available on hand to complete a Business Combination and in the Company’s ability to complete a Business Combination.

Going Concern

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $218,403 in its operating bank accounts, $21,492,174 in marketable securities held in the Trust Account to be used for a Business Combination or to repurchase or redeem stock in connection therewith and working capital deficit of $1,644,184 (excluding taxes payable from the Trust Account). For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Company has withdrawn $122,021 from the Trust Account to pay taxes.

Until the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company will be using the funds not held in the Trust Account for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.

In March 2022, the Sponsors committed to provide the Company $500,000 in loans in connection with the Working Capital Loans as described in Note 3. The co-Sponsors issued unsecured promissory notes on October 7, 2022 to evidence the Working Capital Loans for an aggregate principal balance of $700,000 (See Note 3). The Company may raise additional capital through loans or additional investments from the Sponsors or its stockholders, officers, directors, or third parties. The Company’s officers and directors and the Sponsors may, but are not obligated to (except as described above), loan the Company funds, from time to time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet the Company’s working capital needs. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $1,129,598 and $700,000 was due the Company under the Working Capital Loans.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

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In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern,” the Company has until June 5, 2023 (as extended) to consummate a Business Combination. The Company has the option to extend the date for mandatory liquidation if the Company’s insiders or their affiliates deposit into the trust account $120,000 for each month extension up to July 5, 2023. The Company intends to complete a Business Combination before the mandatory liquidation date or its extended liquidation date if applicable. It is uncertain that the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by this time. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date and an extension is not requested by the Company’s insiders or their affiliates, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the liquidity condition and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur and an extension is not requested by the Company’s insiders or their affiliates, and potential subsequent dissolution, raise substantial doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after July 5, 2023 (as may be extended).

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NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented.

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2023. The interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the period ending December 31, 2023 or for any future periods.

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

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Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s condensed financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s 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 financial statement.

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statement, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Marketable Securities Held in Trust Account

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, substantially all of the assets held in the Trust Account were held in money market funds which invest U.S. Treasury securities. All of the Company’s investments held in the Trust Account are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are presented on the balance sheet at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of investments held in Trust Account are included in interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account in the accompanying statements of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in Trust Account are determined using available market information.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” ASC 740, Income Taxes, requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the unaudited condensed financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC 740 additionally requires a valuation allowance to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s deferred tax asset had a full valuation allowance recorded against it. Our effective tax rate was (32.9)% and 0% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate of 21% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, due to the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

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ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.

The Company has identified the United States as its only “major” tax jurisdiction. The Company is subject to income taxation by major taxing authorities since inception. These examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal and state tax laws. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.

Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s common stock feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 2,019,384 shares of common stock were subject to possible redemption. Accordingly, all common stock subject to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ deficit section of the Company’s condensed balance sheets.

The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable common stock to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable common stock are affected by charges against additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.

At March 31,2023 and December 31, 2022, the common stock reflected in the condensed balance sheets is reconciled in the following table:

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

​

Net Loss per Common Share

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Net loss per common stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common stock outstanding for the period. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of common stock is excluded from net loss per share as the redemption value approximates fair value. Mandatorily redeemable common stock is excluded from the weighted average number of common stock outstanding.

The calculation of diluted loss per share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the (i) Initial Public Offering, and (ii) the private placement since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. The warrants are exercisable to purchase 16,950,000 shares of common stock in the aggregate. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any dilutive securities or other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into common stock and then share in the losses of the Company. As a result, diluted net loss per common stock is the same as basic net loss per common stock for the periods presented.

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per common stock (in dollars, except per share amounts):

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Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation coverage limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximate the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying condensed balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.

Derivative Liabilities

The Company accounts for derivative liabilities as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the instruments’ specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the instruments are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the instruments meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the instruments are indexed to the Company’s own common shares and whether the instrument holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, was conducted at the time of issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the instruments are outstanding. As discussed in Note 5, management concluded that the Public Warrants and Private Warrants issued pursuant to the warrant agreement qualify for equity accounting treatment.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

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Recent Accounting Standards

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-06, “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. ASU 2020-06 removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, and it also simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. ASU 2020-06 is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU 2020-06 would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s condensed financial statements.

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NOTE 3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founder Shares

On September 18, 2020, Chardan Monterey purchased an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000, or $0.005 per share. On May 20, 2021, Chardan Monterey transferred 687,500 Founder Shares back to the Company for no consideration, which shares were cancelled, resulting in an aggregate of 4,312,500 shares of common stock outstanding. On May 21, 2021, Chardan Monterey transferred 3,315,625 Founder Shares to NorthStar at a price of $0.006 per share, resulting in Chardan Monterey holding a balance of 996,875 Founder Shares. On May 21, 2021, NorthStar transferred 150,000 Founder Shares to Dr. Satyal, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and transferred 35,000 Founder Shares to each of the Company’s directors and director nominees at a price of $0.006 per share, resulting in NorthStar holding a balance of 2,990,625 Founder Shares. On September 1, 2021, the co-Sponsors forfeited an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares for no consideration resulting in an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares of common stock outstanding. On September 1, 2021, NorthStar transferred 1,078,125 Founder Shares back to the Company and Chardan Monterey transferred 359,375 Founder Shares back to the Company, in each case for no consideration, which shares were cancelled. As a result, NorthStar held a balance of 1,912,500 Founder Shares,Chardan Monterey held a balance of 637,500 Founder Shares, and officers and directors held an aggregate balance of 325,000 Founder Shares. The Founder Shares held by the co-Sponsors, officers, and directors are referred to collectively as “Founder Shares” or “Insider Shares”.

On March 9, 2023, NorthStar transferred 478,125 Founder Shares to Chardan Monterey and 30,625 Founder Shares to each of the Company's newly appointed directors, in each case, at a price of $0.006 per share. In addition, Dr. Satyal, the former Chief Executive Officer transferred 75,000 Founder Shares back to NorthStar. On March 9, 2023, Chardan Monterey transferred 4,375 Founder Shares to each of the Company's newly appointed directors, in each case, at a price of $0.006 per share. As a result, following the Management Transition, NorthStar holds a balance of 1,417,500 Founder Shares and Chardan Monterey holds a balance of 1,102,500 Founder Shares.

All of the Insider Shares issued and outstanding prior to the date of the Initial Public Offering were placed in escrow with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent, until (1) with respect to 50% of the Insider Shares, the earlier of six months or after the date of the consummation of Initial Business Combination and the date on which the closing price of the common stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading period commencing after the Initial Business Combination, and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the Insider Shares, six months after the date of the consummation of Initial Business Combination, or earlier, in either case, if subsequent to the Initial Business Combination, the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which will result in all of the stockholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities, or other property.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

​

During the escrow period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except (1) to any persons (including their affiliates and stockholders) participating in the private placement of the private warrants, officers, directors, stockholders, employees and members of the co-Sponsors and their affiliates, (2) amongst initial stockholders or to Company’s officers, directors and employees, (3) if a holder is an entity, as a distribution to its partners, stockholders or members upon its liquidation, (4) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a holder or a member of a holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (5) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (6) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (7) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of our securities, (8) by private sales at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased.

The sale of the Founder Shares to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, directors and director nominees is in the scope of FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation associated with equity-classified awards is measured at fair value upon the grant date. The Company has hired a valuation firm to assess using the lattice model, the fair value associated with the Founder Shares granted. The fair value of the 325,000 Founder Shares granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, directors and director nominees was $1,901,250 or $5.85 per share. The Founder Shares were granted subject to a performance condition (i.e., the occurrence of a Business Combination). Compensation expense related to the Founder Shares is recognized only when the performance condition is probable of occurrence under the applicable accounting literature in this circumstance. As of March 31, 2023, the Company determined the performance conditions are not considered probable, and, therefore, no stock-based compensation expense has been recognized. Stock-based compensation would be recognized at the date the performance conditions are considered probable (i.e., upon consummation of a Business Combination) in an amount equal to the number of Founder Shares vested times the grant date fair value per share (unless subsequently modified) less the amount initially received for the purchase of the Founder Shares.

Administrative Services Agreement

The Company entered into an administrative services agreement (the “Administrative Services Agreement”), commencing on September 30, 2021 through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination and its liquidation, to pay NorthStar a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. On March 9, 2023, NorthStar has assigned all amounts payable under the Administrative Services Agreement to Chardan Monterey. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred $30,000 fees for these services, of which such amounts are recorded as accrued expenses in the condensed balance sheets.

Related Party Loans

In order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination, the Company’s initial stockholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would be paid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of a Business Combination into additional Private Warrants to purchase shares of common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per Private Warrant. Such Private Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants issued at the closing of the Initial Public Offering.

On October 7, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of up to $175,000 to Chardan Monterey to evidence a Working Capital Loan. On March 9, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of up to $331,563 to Chardan Monterey to evidence a Working Capital Loan. The notes bear no interest and are payable on the date on which the Company consummates an initial Business Combination. The notes are convertible into private warrants as described above. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, a principal balance of $285,521 and $175,000 has been advanced under the notes, respectively.

On October 7, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of up to $525,000 to NorthStar to evidence a Working Capital Loan. On March 9, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of up to $561,473 to NorthStar to evidence a Working Capital Loan. The notes bear no interest and are payable on the date on which the Company consummates an initial Business Combination. The notes are convertible into private warrants as described above. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, a principal balance of $857,577 and $525,000 has been advanced under the note, respectively.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

​

NOTE 4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Registration Rights

Pursuant to a registration and stockholder rights agreement entered into on September 30, 2021, the holders of the Insider Shares issued and outstanding on the date of the Initial Public Offering, Private Warrants (and underlying securities) are entitled to registration and stockholder rights. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that the Company register such securities. The holders of the majority of the Insider Shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these shares of common stock are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the Private Warrants (and underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after the consummation of a Business Combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the consummation of a Business Combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Chardan Monterey may not exercise its demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five and seven years, respectively, after the effective date of the registration statement and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Related Party Transactions

The Company engaged Chardan as an advisor in connection with the Business Combination. The Company will pay Chardan the marketing fee for such services upon the consummation of the initial Business Combination in an amount equal to, in aggregate 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, including the proceeds from the full exercise of the over-allotment option (or $4,025,000) (the “Marketing Fee”).

Contingent Fee Arrangements

The Company entered into a consulting agreement dated as of September 14, 2021, as amended, with a consultant to assist the Company in facilitating a Business Combination with one or more targets, subject to certain conditions. The consultant will receive a success fee of (i) $100,000 or (ii) in the event the Company’s successful Business Combination is consummated with an entity or target first introduced to the Company by the consultant, $150,000, in either case, subject to, and payable upon, the Company’s successful consummation of an initial Business Combination, provided that the consulting agreement is not terminated prior to such date. Additionally, the Company will reimburse the Consultant for any out-of-pocket expenses and pre-approved travel-related expenses incurred in connection with the provision of services under the consulting agreement.

The Company has incurred legal expenses that are contingent upon the consummation of a Business Combination. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the amount due under this arrangement was approximately $550,000.

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NOTE 5. STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

Preferred Stock— The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

Common Stock— The Company is authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 2,875,000 shares, of common stock issued and outstanding, 2,019,384 common stock subject to possible redemption which are presented as temporary equity.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

​

Warrants— Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive fractional interest in a share, the Company will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of common stock to be issued to the warrant holder. The warrants will become exercisable on the later of one year after the closing of the Initial Public Offering or the consummation of a Business Combination. The warrants will expire five years from the consummation of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

No warrant will be exercisable for cash, and the Company will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock unless at the time a holder seeks to exercise such warrant, a prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is current and the shares of common stock have been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, the Company has agreed to use its best efforts to meet the above conditions and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. If the prospectus relating to the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants is not current or if the common stock is not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside, the Company will not be required to net cash settle or cash settle the warrant exercise, the warrants may have no value, the market for the warrants may be limited and the warrants may expire worthless.

Redemptions for warrants. The Company may call the warrants for redemption, in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant:

The right to exercise will be forfeited unless the warrants are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of the warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s warrant upon surrender of such warrant.

The redemption criteria for the warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of the Company’s redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.

If the Company calls the warrants for redemption as described above, its management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the warrants to do so on a “cashless basis”. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sales price of shares of common stock for the ten trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the warrants. Whether the Company will exercise its option to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” will depend on a variety of factors including the price of shares of common stock at the time the warrants are called for redemption, the Company’s cash needs at such time, and concerns regarding dilutive shares issuances.

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

​

The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, or consolidation. In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of its initial Business Combination at an issued price of less than $9.20 per share of common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the Company’s initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of such initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the Market Value is below $9.50 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price and the $16.50 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 165% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.

The Private Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that each Private Warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The Private Warrants and any shares of common stock issued upon exercise thereof are subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provision in a letter agreement with the Company to be entered into by the co-Sponsors, officers, directors, and Chardan. Those lock-up provisions provide that such securities are not transferable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the Initial Business Combination, except to conditions as set forth in the agreement.

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NOTE 6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company follows the guidance in ASC 820 for its financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually.

The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:

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MONTEREY INNOVATION ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

​

NOTE 7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

​

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the condensed financial statements were issued. Based upon this review the Company did not identify any subsequent events, other than discussed below, that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed financial statements.

In April and May 2023 the Company deposited a total of $240,000 into the Trust Account to extend the Combination Period until June 5, 2023.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Monterey Innovation Acquisition Corp.. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors. References to “Chardan Monterey” refer to our co-sponsor, Chardan Monterey Investments LLC, an affiliate of Chardan Capital Markets LLC (“Chardan”), the representative of the underwriters in the initial public offering. References to “NorthStar” refer to our co-sponsor, NorthStar Bio Ventures, LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report including, without limitation, statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding our financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2022 Form 10-K”) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 17, 2023. Our securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated on July 23, 2020 as a Delaware corporation and formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of the initial public offering and the sale of the private warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and debt.

We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete a business combination will be successful.

Extension

On September 29, 2022, our stockholders approved a Charter Amendment and Trust Amendment, in each case to allow us to extend the Combination Period for an additional three months, from October 5, 2022 to January 5, 2023, by depositing into the trust account $350,000 for the three-month extension, and thereafter to extend the Combination Period up to six (6) times by an additional month each time (or up to July 5, 2023) by depositing into the trust account $120,000 for each additional month extension. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the co-sponsors deposited an aggregate of $600,000 into the trust account to extend the Combination Period to June 5, 2023, the current mandatory liquidation date.

In connection with the vote on the Charter Amendment, our stockholders had the right to redeem their shares of common stock. The holders of 9,480,616 shares of common stock elected to redeem their shares at a per share redemption price of $10.13. As a result, approximately $96.1 million was removed from the trust account on October 3, 2022 to pay such holders, leaving approximately $20.5 million in the trust account.

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Management Transition and Rebrand

On March 9, 2023, Sanjeev Satyal tendered his resignation as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and William McKeever tendered his resignation as Chief Financial Officer and director of the Company. Murat Omur was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Sean McGann was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company to replace Dr. Satyal and Mr. McKeever, respectively. Also on March 9, 2023, Chris Coleman, Jory Des Jardins and Roderick Hardamon, were appointed as directors. Mr. Hardamon and Mr. Coleman were appointed to the audit committee of the Company, and Mr. Hardamon was also designated as the “audit committee financial expert.” Jonas Grossman was appointed to Executive Chairman. The foregoing board and management changes are collectively referred to as the “Management Transition.”

On March 10, 2023, we filed an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware to change our corporate name from “Monterey Bio Acquisition Corporation.” We also expanded our acquisition strategy to include a broader universe of disruptive technology targets, which was further enabled by key additions to the Board and changes to the management team.

We intend to capitalize on the extensive relationships of our board and management team with the goal of identifying and acquiring a disruptive technology business to bring to the public markets.

Results of Operations

Our only activities from July 23, 2020 (inception) through March 31, 2023 were organizational activities, those necessary to consummate the initial public offering, described below, and identifying a target company for a business combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our business combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held in the trust account. We are incurring expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had net loss of $152,255, which consisted of operating costs of $339,092 and provision for income taxes of $37,650, partially offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the trust account of $224,487.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we had net loss of $357,398, which consisted of operating costs of $369,094, partially offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the trust account of $11,696.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On October 5, 2021, we consummated the initial public offering of 10,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, generating total gross proceeds of $100,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering, we consummated the sale of 5,000,000 private warrants at a price of $1.00 per private warrant in private placements to Chardan Monterey and NorthStar, generating gross proceeds of $5,000,000.

On October 6, 2021, in connection with the underwriter’s exercise of their over-allotment option in full, we consummated the sale of an additional 1,500,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, and the sale of an additional 450,000 private warrants, at $1.00 per private warrant, generating gross total proceeds of $15,450,000.

Following the initial public offering, the full exercise of the over-allotment option, and the sale of private warrants, a total of $116,150,000 was placed in the trust account. We incurred transaction costs of $2,822,084, consisting of $2,300,000 of underwriting fees, and $522,084 of other offering costs.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, cash used in operating activities was $132,528. Net loss of $152,255 was affected by interest earned on marketable securities held in the trust account of $224,487. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $244,214 of cash for operating activities.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, cash used in operating activities was $326,920. Net loss of $357,398 was affected by interest earned on marketable securities held in the trust account of $11,696. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $42,174 of cash for operating activities.

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As of March 31, 2023, we had marketable securities held in the trust account of $21,492,174 consisting of securities held in a money market fund that invests in U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity of 185 days or less. Interest income on the balance in the trust account may be used by us to pay taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had withdrawn $122,021 of amounts from interest earned on the trust account to pay our taxes. As discussed above, approximately $96.1 million was removed from the trust account on October 3, 2022 to pay redeeming stockholders. The Company has deposited an aggregate of $950,000 into the trust account in connection with the extension of the Combination Period to June 5, 2023.

We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amount representing interest earned on the trust account (less income taxes payable), to complete our business combination. To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect a business combination, the remaining funds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways including continuing or expanding the target business' operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products. Such funds could also be used to repay any operating expenses or finders' fees which we had incurred prior to the completion of our business combination if the funds available to us outside of the trust account were insufficient to cover such expenses.

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As of March 31, 2023, we had cash of $218,403. We intend to use the funds held outside the trust account for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing business due diligence on prospective target businesses, traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses, reviewing corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, selecting the target business to acquire and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination.

In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a business combination, the insiders, or certain of our officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into private warrants at a price of $1.00 per private warrant at the option of the lender. The private warrants would be identical to the public warrants issued in the initial public offering.

On October 7, 2022, the co-sponsors issued unsecured promissory notes to evidence Working Capital Loans for an aggregate principal balance of $700,000. On March 10, 2023, the co-sponsors issued unsecured promissory notes to evidence Working Capital Loans for an aggregate additional amount of $893,036 (See Note 3). As of March 31, 2023, an aggregate principal balance of $1,143,098 has been advanced to the Company under the Working Capital Loans. We may raise additional capital through loans or additional investments from our co-sponsors, officers, directors, or their affiliates.

We monitor the adequacy of our working capital in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business prior to our initial business combination. However, if our estimates of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial business combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete our business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon completion of our business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account.

Going Concern

In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern,” we have until June 5, 2023 (as extended) to consummate a business combination. We have the option to extend the date for mandatory liquidation if our insiders or their affiliates deposit into the trust account $120,000 for each month extension up to July 5, 2023. We intend to complete a business combination before the mandatory liquidation date or its extended liquidation date, if applicable. It is uncertain that we will be able to consummate a business combination by this time. If a business combination is not consummated by this date and an extension not requested by our insiders or their affiliates, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the liquidity condition and mandatory liquidation, should a business combination not occur and an extension is not requested by our insiders or their affiliates, and potential subsequent dissolution, raise substantial doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should we be required to liquidate after July 5, 2023 (as may be extended).

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2023.

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Contractual Obligations

We do not have any long-term debt obligations, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations or other long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay to one of our co-sponsors a monthly fee of $10,000 for general and administrative services, including office space, utilities and secretarial support and a consulting agreement to pay a consultant up successful completion of a business combination. However, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, we may delay payment of such monthly fee upon a determination by our audit committee that we lack sufficient funds held outside the trust to pay actual or anticipated expenses in connection with our initial business combination. Any such unpaid amount will accrue without interest and be due and payable no later than the date of the consummation of our initial business combination. We began incurring these fees on September 30, 2021 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of our initial business combination and our liquidation. We entered into a consulting agreement, dated as of September 14, 2021, as amended, with a consultant to assist us in facilitating a business combination with one or more targets, subject to certain conditions. The consultant will receive a success fee of (i) $100,000 or (ii) in the event our successful business combination is consummated with an entity or target first introduced to us by the consultant, $150,000, in either case, subject to, and payable upon, our successful consummation of an initial business combination, provided that the consulting agreement is not terminated prior to such date. Additionally, we will reimburse the consultant for any out-of-pocket expenses and pre-approved travel-related expenses incurred in connection with the provision of services under the consulting agreement.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of condensed financial statements and related disclosures 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, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for our common stock subject to possible conversion in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. Our common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, common stock subject to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ deficit section of our balance sheet.

Net Loss Per Common Stock

Net income (loss) per common stock is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common stock outstanding for the period. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

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Recent Accounting Standards

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2020-06.

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our condensed financial statements.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our current chief executive officer and chief financial officer (our “Certifying Officers”), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023. Based upon that evaluation, our Certifying Officers concluded that, as of March 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all instances of fraud. Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Further, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all disclosure controls and procedures, no evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures can provide absolute assurance that we have detected all our control deficiencies and instances of fraud, if any. The design of disclosure controls and procedures also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

None.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Quarterly Report are any of the risks described in our 2022 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 17, 2023. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2022 Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

On October 5, 2021, we consummated the Initial Public Offering of 10,000,000 Units and on October 6, 2021, we issued an additional 1,500,000 units as a result of the exercise in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, in each case, at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate gross proceeds of $115,000,000. The securities sold in our initial public offering were registered under the Securities Act on registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-259378). The registration statement became effective on September 30, 2021.

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

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Item 5. Other Information.

On March 10, 2023, we issued a promissory note to each of Northstar and Chardan Monterey pursuant to which we may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $561,473.27 and $331,563, respectively. The promissory notes are non-interest bearing and payable upon consummation of our initial business combination. At the option of NorthStar or Chardan Monterey, the respective promissory note may be converted into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the private warrants.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report.

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(1)Incorporated by reference to an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-40861), filed with the SEC on March 10, 2023.

*    Filed herewith.

**  Furnished herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

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