Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)

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 September 30, 2017

OR

☐

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

For the transition period from             to            

Commission File No.:001-34079

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 455

Rockville, MD 20850

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

Telephone: (240) 268-5300

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

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

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

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

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 31,725,114 shares as of November 3, 2017.

 

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REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	1
Item 1	Financial Statements (Unaudited)	1
	1)    Condensed Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016	1
	2)    Condensed Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	2
	3)    Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	3
	4)    Condensed Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	4
	5)    Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements	5
Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	26
Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	35
Item 4	Controls and Procedures	35
PART II	OTHER INFORMATION	36
Item 1A	Risk Factors	36
Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	36
Item 6	Exhibits	36
SIGNATURES		37

 

PART I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Condensed Balance Sheet

(Unaudited)

(See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements)

 

REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Condensed Statement of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

 

 

REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

2.	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Affecting the Company

 

3.	Marketable Securities

The Company typically invests in highly-rated securities, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss.  As of September 30, 2017, the Company had three investments of commercial paper with an aggregate fair value of $3,228,583 and unrealized losses of $1,983, and 11 corporate bonds with an aggregate fair value of $11,249,968 and unrealized losses of $12,124 all of which have been unrealized losses for less than 12 months.  The Company does not intend to sell its marketable securities in an unrealized loss position.  Based upon these securities’ fair value relative to the cost, high ratings, and volatility of fair value, the Company considers the declines in market value of its marketable securities to be temporary in nature, does not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired, and anticipates that it will recover the entire amortized cost basis.

The amortized cost basis and fair value of marketable securities by contractual maturity are:

 

 

4.	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

Deposits on contracts consist of deposits on research and development contracts for services that had not been incurred as of the balance sheet date.  Prepaid expenses and other assets include prepaid general and administrative expenses, such as insurance, rent, investor relations fees and compensatory stock issued for services not yet incurred as of the balance sheet date.

5.	Equipment, Net

 

6.	Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

 

 

7.	Deferred Research and Development Arrangement

 

Rexgene Biotech Co., Ltd.

 

In 2003, the Company entered into a collaborative research agreement with Rexgene Biotech Co., Ltd. (“Rexgene”), a shareholder.  Rexgene is engaged in the development of pharmaceutical products in Asia and has agreed to assist the Company with the research, development and clinical trials necessary for registration of the Company’s drug candidate Archexin® in Asia.  This agreement provides Rexgene with exclusive rights to license, sublicense, make, have made, use, sell and import Archexin in Asia.  In accordance with the agreement, Rexgene paid the Company a one-time fee of $1,500,000 in 2003.  The agreement terminates at the later of 20 years or the term of the patent.  The amortization reduces research and development expenses for the periods presented.

The Company is using 20 years as its basis for recognition and accordingly, research and development expenses were reduced by $18,750 for each of the three month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and $56,250 for each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.  The remaining $393,750 and $450,000 to be amortized at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, is reflected as a deferred research and development arrangement on the balance sheet.  The payment from Rexgene is being used in the cooperative funding of the costs of development of Archexin. Royalties of 3% of net sales of licensed products will become payable by Rexgene to the Company on a quarterly basis once commercial sales of Archexin begin in Asia.  The product is still under development and commercial sales in Asia are not expected to begin until at least 2018.

 

8.	Other Liabilities

Deferred Lease Incentive

In accordance with the Company’s office lease agreement, as amended and further discussed in Note 14, the Company has been granted leasehold improvement allowances from the lessor to be used for the construction cost of improvements to the leased property, which included architectural and engineering fees, government agency plan check, permit and other fees, sales and use taxes, testing and inspection costs and telephone and data cabling and wiring in the premises.  The Company accounted for the benefit of the leasehold improvement allowance as a reduction of rental expense over the term of the office lease.

 

The following table sets forth the cumulative deferred lease incentive:

Deferred Office Lease Expense

The lease agreement, as amended, provided for an initial annual base rent with annual increases over the lease term.  The Company recognizes rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, which resulted in a deferred rent liability of $39,781 and $48,095 as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

 

9.	Net Loss per Common Share

 

Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period.  Diluted loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, plus the number of common share equivalents that would be dilutive.  As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were stock options, restricted stock units and warrants to acquire, in the aggregate, 7,166,209 and 7,142,728 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, that are potentially dilutive. However, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for all periods presented because the inclusion of common share equivalents would be anti-dilutive.

 

 

10.	Common Stock

The following transactions occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2017:

Reverse Stock Split

On May 5, 2017 the Company effected a one-for-ten reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, together with a corresponding proportional reduction in the number of authorized shares of the Company’s capital stock.  Each ten shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding at the effective time of the reverse stock split were reclassified and combined into one share of common stock par value $0.0001 per share. The number of shares of common stock and preferred stock the Company is authorized to issue was reduced to 50 million and 10 million, respectively.  All share and per share amounts of common stock, stock options, stock warrants and restricted stock units have been restated for all periods to give retroactive effect to the reverse stock split.  Accordingly, an amount equal to the par value of the decreased shares resulting from the reverse stock split was reclassified from “Common stock” to “Additional paid-in capital.”

Warrant Exercises

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, warrant holders exercised warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock for cash of $5,354,093 and the Company issued 1,652,623 shares.

Stock Option Exercises

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a stock option holder exercised options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock for cash of $77,500 and the Company issued 25,000 shares.

Compensatory Shares

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company issued 15,000 shares to a privately held investor relations firm in exchange for investor relations services.  The aggregate market value of the stock issued was $31,200.

 

Registered Direct Offering

On June 12, 2017 the Company closed a registered direct public offering of 3,030,304 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 1,515,152 shares of common stock.  The common stock and warrants were sold in units, consisting of a share of common stock and a warrant to purchase 0.5 shares of common stock, at a price of $3.30 per unit, with an exercise price for the warrants of $4.00 per share.  The total gross proceeds of the offering were $10,000,003.  The warrants issued will become exercisable beginning six months after the closing date, and will remain exercisable until the five-year anniversary of the initial exercise date, and were recorded as liabilities at fair value.

A summary of the allocation of the proceeds of the offering is shown below:

 

The Company also issued warrants to purchase up to an aggregate 181,818 shares of common stock to the placement agent in the offering.  The closing costs for the offering of $1,193,052 included $434,320 for the placement agent warrants and $758,732 for placement agent and other fees.  Based on the estimated fair value of the stock and warrants in the units, the Company allocated $333,050 to financing expense for the warrants and $860,002 as stock issuance costs.

 

11.	Stock-Based Compensation

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had 1,830,443 options to purchase common stock and 47,300 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) outstanding.

At the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 10, 2013, the Company’s shareholders voted to approve the Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2013 Stock Option Plan (the “2013 Plan”).  Under the 2013 Plan, the Company grants equity awards to key employees, directors and consultants of the Company.  The Company initially reserved 1,700,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to the 2013 Plan, and on April 11, 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved an increase of 1,700,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the 2013 Plan. As of September 30, 2017, there were 1,483,443 options and 47,300 RSUs outstanding under the 2013 Plan, and 1,868,507 shares were available for issuance.

On August 5, 2003, the Company established a stock option plan (the “2003 Plan”).  Under the 2003 Plan, the Company granted stock options to key employees, directors and consultants of the Company.  With the adoption of the 2013 Plan, no new stock options may be issued under the 2003 Plan, but previously issued options under the 2003 Plan remain outstanding until their expiration.  As of September 30, 2017, there were 335,000 options outstanding under the 2003 Plan.

In March 2016, the Company granted to a third party an option to purchase up to 12,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  These were the only Company stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2017, that were not issued pursuant to the 2013 Plan or the 2003 Plan.

Accounting for Awards

Stock-based compensation expense is the estimated fair value of options and RSUs granted amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite vesting service period for the entire portion of the award. Total stock-based compensation recognized by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

 

 

No income tax benefit has been recognized in the statement of operations for stock-based compensation arrangements as the Company has provided for a 100% valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets.

 

Summary of Stock Option Transactions

There were 483,260 stock options granted at exercise prices ranging from $1.84 to $6.18 with an aggregate fair value of $738,937 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  There were  587,637 stock options granted at exercise prices ranging from $2.60 to $3.70 with an aggregate fair value of $1,150,513 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

The majority of the option grants to employees vest over a four-year period from the grant date. The vesting period is either (i) 30%, 30% and 40% on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, respectively, or (ii) 25% each on the first four anniversaries of the grant date.  With the exception of the options granted in March 2016, which have a three-year term, options generally expire ten years from the date of grant. For the majority of grants to non-employee consultants of the Company, the vesting period is between one and three years, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions in the individual stock agreements, or 100% upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the individual stock agreements.

The fair value of options at the date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The Company took into consideration guidance under ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” and Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”) when reviewing and updating assumptions.  The expected volatility is based upon historical volatility of the Company’s stock.  The expected term is based upon the simplified method as allowed under SAB 107.

The assumptions made in calculating the fair values of options are as follows:

 

 

A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is as follows:

 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $97,872 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  There were no stock options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2017 or the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The weighted average fair value of the options granted was $1.53 and $1.96 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

A summary of the Company’s unvested options as of September 30, 2017 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is presented below:

 

As of September 30, 2017 there was $1,487,756 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 2.6 years.

 

Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Transactions

 

The Company began granting RSUs to employees in 2017.  There were 62,300 RSUs granted with an aggregate fair value of $114,632 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  The fair value of an RSU award is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

A summary of RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is as follows:

 

As of September 30, 2017, there was $72,824 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 3.4 years.

 

12.

Warrants

 

As of September 30, 2017, warrants to purchase up to 5,288,466 shares were outstanding, having exercise prices ranging from $3.00 to $12.80 and expiration dates ranging from December 4, 2017 to December 12, 2022.

 

At September 30, 2017 the weighted average remaining contractual life of the outstanding warrants was 3.8 years.

The warrants issued to investors in the December 2012, November 2015, March 2016 and September 2016 offerings contain a provision for net cash settlement in the event of a fundamental transaction (contractually defined to include a merger, sale of substantially all assets, tender offer or share exchange).  Pursuant to the November 2015, March 2016, and September 2016 warrants, if fundamental transaction occurs, then the warrant holder has the option to receive cash, equal to the fair value of the remaining unexercised portion of the warrant.  The option is available to holders of the December 2012 warrants only if the consideration issued in the fundamental transaction consists of cash or stock in a non-public company.  Due to these contingent redemption provisions, the warrants require liability classification in accordance with ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and are recorded at fair value.   The June 2017 warrants contain a provision that allows the holder to opt for cash settlement in a fundamental transaction that was approved by, or required to be approved by, the board of directors of the Company. All of the Company’s outstanding warrants provide the holder the option as to the type of consideration received if the holders of common stock receive an option as to their consideration. In addition, all of the Company’s outstanding warrants contain a cashless exercise provision that is exercisable only in the event that a registration statement is not effective. That provision may not be operative if an effective registration statement is not available because an exemption under the U.S. securities laws may not be available to issue unregistered shares.  As a result, net cash settlement may be required, and the warrants require liability classification.

ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” provides requirements for disclosure of liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to the initial recognition.  Fair values for warrants were determined using the Binomial Lattice (“Lattice”) valuation technique. The Lattice model provides for dynamic assumptions regarding volatility and risk-free interest rates within the total period to maturity. Accordingly, within the contractual term, the Company provided multiple date intervals over which multiple volatilities and risk free interest rates were used. These intervals allow the Lattice model to project outcomes along specific paths that consider volatilities and risk free rates that would be more likely in an early exercise scenario.

 

Significant assumptions are determined as follows:

Trading market values—Published trading market values;

Exercise price—Stated exercise price;

Term—Remaining contractual term of the warrant;

Volatility—Historical trading volatility for periods consistent with the remaining terms; and

Risk-free rate—Yields on zero coupon government securities with remaining terms consistent with the remaining terms of the warrants.

Due to the fundamental transaction provision, which could provide for early redemption of the warrants, the model also considered the probability the Company would enter into a fundamental transaction during the remaining term of the warrant. Because the Company is not yet achieving positive cash flow, management believes the probability of a fundamental transaction occurring over the term of the warrant is unlikely and therefore estimates the probability of entering into a fundamental transaction to be 5%.  For valuation purposes, the Company also assumed that if such a transaction did occur, it was more likely to occur towards the end of the term of the warrants.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the warrants include management’s estimate of the probability that a fundamental transaction may occur in the future.  Significant increases (decreases) in the probability of occurrence would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of the warrants as of the respective balance sheet dates:

 

The following table summarizes the number of shares indexed to the warrants as of the respective balance sheet dates:

 

The assumptions used in calculating the fair values of the warrants are as follows:

 

Changes in the fair value of the warrant liabilities, carried at fair value, reported as “unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of warrants” in the statement of operations:

 

 

13.	Income Taxes

 

No provision for federal and state income taxes was required for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 due to the Company’s operating losses and increased deferred tax asset valuation allowance.  At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had unused net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $123,515,000 and $111,605,000 respectively, which expire at various dates through 2037.  Some of this amount may be subject to annual limitations under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code related to “changes in ownership.”

 

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the deferred tax assets related to the aforementioned carry-forwards have been fully offset by valuation allowances, because significant utilization of such amounts is not presently expected in the foreseeable future.

 

Deferred tax assets and valuation allowances consist of:

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and Maryland state jurisdictions.  Tax years for fiscal 2014 through 2016 are open and potentially subject to examination by the federal and Maryland state taxing authorities.

 

14.	Commitments and Contingencies

 

a)

The Company has contracted with various vendors for services, with terms that require payments over the terms of the agreements, usually ranging from two to 36 months. The costs to be incurred are estimated and are subject to revision. As of September 30, 2017, the total estimated cost to complete these agreements was approximately $10,750,000.  All of these agreements may be terminated by either party upon appropriate notice as stipulated in the respective agreements.

 

b)

On June 22, 2009, the Company entered into a License Agreement with Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (“KRICT”) to acquire the rights to all intellectual property related to quinoxaline-piperazine derivatives that were synthesized under a Joint Research Agreement.  The initial license fee was $100,000, all of which was paid as of December 31, 2009.  The agreement with KRICT calls for a one-time milestone payment of $1,000,000 within 30 days after the first achievement of marketing approval of the first commercial product arising out of or in connection with the use of KRICT’s intellectual property.  As of September 30, 2017, the milestone has not occurred.

 

c)

Office Space Lease

 

On June 5, 2009, the Company entered into a commercial lease agreement for 5,466 square feet of office space in Rockville, Maryland.  The lease was amended on June 7, 2013 to extend the term until June 30, 2019.

 

On July 26, 2014 the lease was amended to add 1,727 square feet of office space for a term beginning on September 1, 2014 and ending on August 31, 2015, which was subsequently renewed through June 30, 2019. Under the lease agreement, the Company pays its allocable portion of real estate taxes and common area operating charges.

 

Rent paid under the Company’s lease during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $52,172 and $51,823, respectively, and rent paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $153,968 and 154,426, respectively.

 

Laboratory Lease

 

On April 20, 2015, the Company signed a five-year lease agreement for 2,552 square feet of laboratory space commencing on July 1, 2015 and ending on June 30, 2020.  Under the lease agreement, the Company pays its allocable portion of real estate taxes and common area operating charges. Rent paid under this lease during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $16,244 and $15,771, respectively, and rent paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $47,787 and $46,395, respectively.

 

Future rental payments over the next five years for all leases are as follows:

 

For the remaining three months ending December 31:	2017		$	68,943
For the year ending December 31:	2018			279,274
	2019			176,080
	2020			34,468
	Total		$	558,765

 

d)

The Company has established a 401(k) plan for its employees.  The Company has elected to match 100% of the first 3% of an employee’s compensation plus 50% of an additional 2% of the employee’s deferral. Expense related to this matching contribution aggregated to $31,453 and $29,114 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $102,536 and $92,203 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

e)

In July 2013, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with the University of Maryland, Baltimore for a novel drug delivery platform, Nano-Polymer Drug Conjugate Systems.  RX-21101 is the Company’s first drug candidate utilizing this platform.  The agreement requires the Company to make payments to the University of Maryland if RX-21101 or any products from the licensed delivery platform achieve development milestones.  As of September 30, 2017, no development milestones have occurred.

 

f)

In October 2013, the Company signed an exclusive license agreement with the Ohio State Innovation Foundation, for a novel oligonucleotide drug delivery platform, Lipid-Coated Albumin Nanoparticle.  The agreement requires the Company to make payments to the Ohio State Innovation Foundation if any products from the licensed delivery platform achieve development milestones.  As of September 30, 2017, no development milestones have occurred.

 

15.	Fair Value Measurements

 

ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, not adjusted for transaction costs.  ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

The three levels are described below:

 

The following tables present assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy.  There have been no changes in the methodologies used at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

 

de

 

 

The fair value of the Company’s Level 2 marketable securities is determined by using quoted prices from independent pricing services that use market data for comparable securities in active or inactive markets.  A variety of data inputs, including benchmark yields, interest rates, known historical trades and broker dealer quotes are used with pricing models to determine the quoted prices.

The fair value methodology for the warrant liabilities is disclosed in Note 12.

The carrying amounts reported in the financial statements for cash and cash equivalents (Level 1), approximate fair value because of the short term maturity of these financial instruments.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 in the fair value of the liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:

 

 

 

16.	Subsequent Events

 

On October 17, 2017 the Company closed a registered direct public offering of 3,265,309 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 1,632,654 shares of common stock.  The common stock and warrants were sold in units, consisting of a share of common stock and a warrant to purchase 0.5 shares of common stock, at a price of $2.45 per unit, with an exercise price for the warrants of $2.85 per share.  The total gross proceeds of the offering were $8,000,007.  The warrants issued will become exercisable beginning six months after the closing date, and will remain exercisable until the five-year anniversary of the initial exercise date.  The Company also issued warrants to purchase up to 195,919 shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price of $3.06 per share, to designees of the placement agent in the offering.

 

Item 2.

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

OVERVIEW

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed financial statements and notes thereto set forth in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may be deemed to be forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  We make such forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws.  In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, words such as “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “will”, “may”, “intend” and other similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  We caution that forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors that are, in many instances, beyond our control.  Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date we make them, actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including risks relating to:

·

our understandings and beliefs regarding the role of certain biological mechanisms and processes in cancer;

·

our drug candidates being in early stages of development, including in pre-clinical development;

·

our ability to initially develop drug candidates for orphan indications to reduce the time-to-market and take advantage of certain incentives provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration;

·

our ability to transition from our initial focus on developing drug candidates for orphan indications to candidates for more highly prevalent indications;

·

our ability to successfully and timely complete clinical trials for our drug candidates in clinical development;

·

uncertainties related to the timing, results and analyses related to our drug candidates in pre-clinical development;

·

our ability to obtain the necessary U.S. and international regulatory approvals for our drug candidates;

·

our reliance on third-party contract research organizations and other investigators and collaborators for certain research and development services;

·

our ability to maintain or engage third-party manufacturers to manufacture, supply, store and distribute supplies of our drug candidates for our clinical trials;

 

·

our ability to form strategic alliances and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and other partners for sales and marketing of certain of our product candidates;

·

demand for and market acceptance of our drug candidates;

·

the scope and validity of our intellectual property protection for our drug candidates and our ability to develop our candidates without infringing the intellectual property rights of others;

·

our lack of profitability and the need for additional capital to operate our business; and

·

other risks and uncertainties, including those set forth herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 under the caption “Risk Factors” and those detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative treatments for cancer. Our mission is to improve the lives of cancer patients by developing next-generation cancer therapies that are designed to maximize efficacy while minimizing the toxicity and side effects traditionally associated with cancer treatment. Our clinical pipeline features three oncology product candidates in Phase II clinical development and additional compounds in pre-clinical development. Our strategy is to continue building a significant pipeline of innovative oncology product candidates that we intend to commercialize with partners. Our three clinical stage drug candidates in active development are RX-3117, Supinoxin^TM (RX-5902) and Archexin®.

·

RX-3117 is a small molecule nucleoside compound that we believe has therapeutic potential in a broad range of cancers, including pancreatic, bladder, colon, and lung cancer. RX-3117 is being evaluated as monotherapy in a multi-center Phase IIa clinical trial in metastatic pancreatic cancer in patients who are refractory to, or have relapsed after, multiple prior rounds of chemotherapy.  We are also planning to evaluate RX-3117 in combination with Abraxane® (nab-paclitaxel) as first line treatment in patients who are newly-diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer and have not had prior cytotoxic treatment.  In 2016, we commenced enrollment in another Phase IIa trial in patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.  This Phase IIa clinical trial is a multi-center open label, single agent study of RX-3117 being conducted at 10 clinical centers in the United States.  RX-3117 has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) for pancreatic cancer.  Orphan drug designation in the United States provides tax incentives for clinical research and a waiver from user fees under certain circumstances. In addition, an orphan drug generally receives seven years of exclusivity after approval for a designated use, during which period the FDA generally cannot approve another product with the same active moiety for the same indication.  Rexahn has also received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency recommending orphan drug designation in pancreatic cancer.

·

Supinoxin, or RX-5902, is a potential first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of phosphorylated-p68, a protein that we believe plays a key role in cancer cell growth, progression and metastasis through its interaction with beta-catenin. In February, 2017 we initiated a Phase IIa clinical study of Supinoxin in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (“TNBC”).

 

·

Archexin is a potential best-in-class, potent inhibitor of the protein kinase Akt-1, which we believe plays a critical role in cancer cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis and drug resistance. Archexin has received orphan drug designation from the FDA for renal cell carcinoma (“RCC”), glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer and pancreatic cancer. We are currently conducting a Phase IIa proof-of-concept clinical trial of Archexin in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma to evaluate its safety and efficacy in combination with AFINITOR® (everolimus).

Since our inception, our efforts and resources have been focused primarily on developing our pharmaceutical technologies, raising capital and recruiting personnel.  We have no product sales to date, and we will not generate any product sales until we receive approval from the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory bodies to begin selling our pharmaceutical candidates.  Our major sources of working capital have been proceeds from various private and public financings, and licensing and collaboration agreements with our strategic investors and partners.

On May 5, 2017 the Company effected a one-for-ten reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, together with a corresponding proportional reduction in the number of authorized shares of the Company’s capital stock.  See Note 10, “Common Stock—Reverse Stock Split,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 2, “Recent Accounting Pronouncements Affecting the Company,” in the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016

Total Revenues

We had no revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for executive, finance and other administrative personnel, recruitment expenses, professional fees and other corporate expenses, including business development, investor relations, and general legal activities.

General and administrative expenses increased approximately $155,000, or 10.9%, to $1,574,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $1,419,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  General and administrative expenses increased approximately $515,000, or 11.4%, to $5,005,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $4,490,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The increases were primarily attributable to higher personnel costs and professional fees in 2017.

 

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses increased approximately $346,000, or 15.1%, to $2,645,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017, from $2,299,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  Research and development expenses decreased approximately $552,000, or 6.9%, to $7,452,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, from $8,004,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  In both the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, we experienced increased clinical trial costs compared to the prior year periods, partially offset by a decrease in personnel expenses.  In the three-month period ended September 30, 2017, a new drug manufacturing campaign that began in the third quarter together with the increased clinical trial costs contributed to the overall increase in research and development expenses in the period.  Conversely, the increased clinical trial costs in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 were more than offset by lower drug manufacturing costs as a result of supplies that were available from earlier manufacturing campaigns.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred approximately $1,324,000 of drug manufacturing costs, primarily as a result of the drug manufacturing campaign that began in the third quarter, compared to approximately $2,325,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily from large manufacturing campaigns in the early months of 2016.  Because the volume and timing of our drug manufacturing does not correlate directly with the level and timing of clinical trial activity, we expect expenses related to drug manufacturing costs to vary from period to period based not only on the progress of clinical trials, but also when we engage in manufacturing activities.  We expect research and development expenses to increase in the remaining quarter of 2017 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2017 due to continued patient enrollment in our clinical trials and new manufacturing campaigns.

The table below summarizes the approximate amounts incurred in each of our research and development projects for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:

Interest Income

Interest income increased approximately $35,000 and $51,000 or 132.4% and $61.3%, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016.  The increases were primarily attributable to higher aggregate balances of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities and higher interest rates on marketable securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016.

 

Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Fair Value of Warrants

Our warrants are recorded as liabilities at fair value, and the warrants are valued using a lattice model.  Changes in the fair value of warrants are recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in our statement of operations.  During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recorded unrealized gains on the fair value of our warrants of approximately $3,121,000 and $968,000.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded unrealized (losses) gains on the fair value of warrants of approximately ($9,048,000) and $3,942,000 respectively.  Estimating fair values of warrants requires the development of significant and subjective estimates that may, and are likely to, change over the duration of the warrants due to related changes to external market factors.  The large unrealized gain for the three months ended September 30, 2017 primarily resulted from a decrease in the stock price of the underlying common stock at September 30, 2017 compared to June 30, 2017.  The large unrealized loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily resulted from a significant increase in the stock price of the underlying common stock at September 30, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016.  An increase in volatility of the common stock during that period and the large number of outstanding warrants also had an impact on the large unrealized loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Financing Expense

We incurred approximately $333,000 and $313,000 of financing expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively related to our registered direct offerings in June 2017, September 2016 and March 2016.  We incurred approximately $143,000 of financing expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2016, related to our registered direct offering in September 2016.  We did not incur financing expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Net Loss

As a result of the above, net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $1,038,000 and $21,702,000, or $0.04 and $0.83 per share, respectively, compared to approximately $2,867,000 and $8,782,000, or $0.13 and $0.42 per share, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.  As previously discussed, included in the net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are non-cash charges of approximately $3,121,000 and ($9,048,000) in unrealized gains (losses) on the fair value of warrants, compared to unrealized gains of $968,000 and $3,942,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

 

Research and Development Projects

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  These costs consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs, costs to acquire pharmaceutical products and product rights for development and amounts paid to contract research organizations, hospitals and laboratories for the provision of services and materials for drug development and clinical trials.  Costs incurred in obtaining the license rights to technology in the research and development stage that have no alternative future uses are expensed as incurred.  Our research and development programs are related to our oncology clinical stage drug candidates, RX-3117, Supinoxin and Archexin, and our pre-clinical stage drug candidate, RX-21101.  As we expand our clinical studies, we expect to enter into additional development agreements.  Significant additional expenditures will be required if we complete our clinical trials, start new trials, apply for regulatory approvals, continue development of our technologies, expand our operations and bring our products to market.  The eventual total cost of each clinical trial is dependent on a number of uncertainties such as trial design, the length of the trial, the number of clinical sites and the number of patients.  The process of obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals for new therapeutic products is lengthy, expensive and uncertain.  Because the successful development of our most advanced drug candidates, RX-3117, Supinoxin and Archexin, is uncertain, and because RX-21101 is in early-stage development, we are unable to estimate the costs of completing our research and development programs, the timing of bringing such programs to market and, therefore, when material cash inflows could commence from the sale of these drug candidates, if any.  If these projects are not completed as planned, our results of operations and financial condition would be negatively affected.

RX-3117

 

 RX-3117 is a novel, investigational oral small molecule nucleoside compound.  We believe RX-3117 has therapeutic potential in a broad range of cancers including pancreatic, bladder, cervical, non-small cell lung cancer and colon cancer.  We previously identified the MTD of RX-3117, which we are evaluating in Phase IIa proof-of-concept clinical trials in patients with relapsed or refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer and patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.

Expenses related to RX-3117 increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 due to increased clinical trial and patient enrollments resulting from the progression of our pancreatic and bladder cancer clinical trials, as well as manufacturing costs for new campaigns. We expect that expenses related to RX-3117 will increase in the remainder of 2017 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 due to patient enrollment costs, continued manufacturing costs for new campaigns, and the commencement of a combination Phase IIa clinical trial with Abraxane in pancreatic cancer.

Supinoxin (RX-5902)

 

Supinoxin is a potential first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of phosphorylated p68, a protein that we believe plays a key role in cancer growth, progression and metastasis through its interaction with beta-catenin. Phosphorylated p68 results in up-regulation of cancer-related genes and a subsequent proliferation of cancer cells and tumor growth.  In February 2017, we initiated a Phase IIa clinical study of Supinoxin in patients with metastatic TNBC.

Expenses related to Supinoxin decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The decrease is primarily attributable to decreased manufacturing costs due to a significant supply of drug product already available from earlier manufacturing campaigns.  However, we expect that expenses related to Supinoxin will increase in the remainder of 2017 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 due to patient enrollment costs associated with our Phase IIa trial in patients with metastatic TNBC and new manufacturing campaigns.

 

Archexin

Archexin is a potential best-in-class, potent inhibitor of the protein kinase Akt-1, which we believe plays a critical role in cancer cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis and drug resistance.  We are currently conducting a Phase IIa proof-of-concept clinical trial of Archexin in patients with metastatic RCC to evaluate its safety and efficacy in combination with AFINITOR (everolimus).

Expenses related to Archexin decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016.  The decrease is primarily attributable to decreased manufacturing costs due to a significant supply of drug product already available.  We expect that expenses related to Archexin will remain flat for the remainder of 2017 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as we continue the ongoing Archexin clinical trial.

Pre-clinical Pipeline

Expenses related to our pre-clinical candidates increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 primarily as a result of increased research activities.  We expect that expenses related to our pre-clinical pipeline, including RX-21101, will remain flat for the remainder of 2017 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as we continue testing and development.

Research and Development Process

 

We have engaged third-party contract research organizations and other investigators and collaborators, such as universities and medical institutions, to conduct our pre-clinical studies, toxicology studies and clinical trials.  Engaging third-party contract research organizations is typical practice in our industry. However, relying on such organizations means that the clinical trials and other studies described above are being conducted at external locations and that the completion of these trials and studies is not within our direct control. Trials and studies may be delayed due to circumstances outside our control, and such delays may result in additional expenses for us.

 

Cash Flows

Cash used in operating activities was approximately $11,715,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  The operating cash flows during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 reflect a net loss of $21,702,000, offset by an unrealized loss on the fair value of warrants of $9,048,000 and a net increase of cash components of working capital and non-cash charges totaling $939,000.  Cash used in operating activities was approximately $11,734,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The operating cash flows during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 reflect our net loss of $8,782,000, an unrealized gain on the fair value of warrants of 3,942,000 and a net increase of cash components of working capital and other non-cash charges totaling $990,000.

Cash used in investing activities was approximately $6,310,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which consisted of $15,009,000 and $21,000 for the purchases of marketable securities and equipment, respectively, offset by $8,720,000 from the redemption of marketable securities. Cash used in investing activities was approximately $196,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, which consisted of $8,748,000 and $8,000 for the purchases of marketable securities and equipment, respectively offset by $8,560,000 from the redemption of marketable securities.

 

Cash provided by financing activities was approximately $14,673,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which consisted of net proceeds of $9,241,000 from our registered direct public offering in June 2017 and $5,354,000 and $78,000 from the exercise of stock warrants and options, respectively.  Cash provided by financing activities was approximately $10,122,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, which consisted of net proceeds from our registered direct public offerings in March 2016 and September 2016.

After September 30, 2017, on October 17, 2017, we closed a registered direct public offering of 3,265,309 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 1,632,654 shares of common stock, resulting in gross proceeds to us of approximately $8,000,000.

Contractual Obligations

We have a variety of contractual obligations, as more fully described in our 2016 Form 10-K.  These obligations include, but are not limited to, contractual obligations in connection with license agreements (including related milestone payments), lease payments, employee compensation and incentive program expenses, and contracts with various vendors for services.  As of September 30, 2017, the total estimated cost to complete our contracts with vendors for research and development services was approximately $10,750,000 under the terms of the applicable agreements.  All of these agreements may be terminated by either party upon appropriate notice as stipulated in the respective agreements.

Current and Future Financing Needs

We have incurred negative cash flow from operations since we started our business.  We have spent, and expect to continue to spend, substantial amounts in connection with implementing our business strategy, including our planned product development efforts, our clinical trials and our research and development efforts.  We will need to raise additional capital through public or private equity or debt offerings or through arrangements with strategic partners or other sources in order to continue to develop our drug candidates.  There can be no assurance that additional capital will be available when needed or on terms satisfactory to us, if at all.  If we are not able to raise sufficient additional capital, we will have to reduce our research and development activities. We believe our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will be sufficient to cover our cash flow requirements for our current activities for at least the next 12 months from the date these financial statements were issued.

The actual amount of funds we will need to operate is subject to many factors, some of which are beyond our control.  These factors include the following:

·

the progress of our product development activities;

·

the number and scope of our product development programs;

·

the progress of our pre-clinical and clinical trial activities;

·

the progress of the development efforts of parties with whom we have entered into collaboration agreements;

 

·

our ability to maintain current collaboration programs and to establish new collaboration arrangements;

·

the costs involved in prosecuting and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights; and

·

the costs and timing of regulatory approvals.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements or holdings in variable interest entities.

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, refer to “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2016 Form 10-K.  Our exposures to market risk have not changed materially since December 31, 2016.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective such that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC’s”) rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. A controls system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. Other Information

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

Investing in our stock involves a high degree of risk.  In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors set forth in the Risk Factors section of our 2016 Form 10-K, as well as other information contained in the 2016 Form 10-K and in other reports we file with the SEC. We do not believe that there have been any material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2016 Form 10-K.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Pursuant to a consulting agreement, we issued 7,500 shares of common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2017 to a privately held investor relations firm in consideration for investor relations services.  The shares of common stock were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to the exemption from registration requirements provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, as a transaction not involving a public offering.

Item 6.

Exhibits.

 

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.