Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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☑
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018
OR
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☐
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from to
Commission File No.:001-34079
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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11-3516358
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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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.
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Large accelerated filer
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☐
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Accelerated filer
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☑
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Non-accelerated filer
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☐
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company
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☐
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Emerging growth company
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☐
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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. ☐
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: 31,744,439 shares as of May 4, 2018.
REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
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Page
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|||
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PART I
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1
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Item 1
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1
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||
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1)
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1
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2)
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2
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||
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3)
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3
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4)
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4
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||
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5)
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5
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Item 2
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24
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Item 3
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32
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||
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Item 4
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32
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||
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PART II
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33
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||
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Item 1A
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33
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Item 2
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33
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||
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Item 6
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33
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34
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|||
REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Unaudited)
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March 31, 2018
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December 31, 2017
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|||||||
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ASSETS
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||||||||
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Current Assets:
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||||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$
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6,298,296
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$
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8,899,154
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||||
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Marketable securities
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14,884,544
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17,931,941
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||||||
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets
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1,231,265
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1,304,541
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||||||
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Total Current Assets
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22,414,105
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28,135,636
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||||||
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Security Deposits
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30,785
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30,785
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||||||
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Equipment, Net
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109,380
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121,460
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||||||
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Total Assets
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$
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22,554,270
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$
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28,287,881
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||||
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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||||||||
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Current Liabilities:
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||||||||
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses
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$
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3,049,021
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$
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3,233,926
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||||
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Deferred Research and Development Arrangement
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-
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375,000
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||||||
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Other Liabilities
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48,150
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56,724
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||||||
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Warrant Liabilities
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4,487,139
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7,853,635
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||||||
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Total Liabilities
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7,584,310
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11,519,285
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||||||
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Commitments and Contingencies (note 14)
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||||||||
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Stockholders’ Equity:
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||||||||
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Preferred stock, par value $0.0001, 10,000,000 authorized shares, none issued and outstanding
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-
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-
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||||||
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Common stock, par value $0.0001, 50,000,000 authorized shares, 31,744,439 and 31,725,114 issued and outstanding
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3,174
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3,173
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||||||
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Additional paid-in capital
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157,449,747
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157,141,021
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||||||
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss
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(89,376
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)
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(56,886
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)
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||||
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Accumulated deficit
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(142,393,585
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)
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(140,318,712
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)
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||||
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Total Stockholders’ Equity
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14,969,960
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16,768,596
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||||||
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Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
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$
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22,554,270
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$
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28,287,881
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||||
(See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements)
REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Unaudited)
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For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
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||||||||
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2018
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2017
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|||||||
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Revenues:
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$
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-
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$
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-
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||||
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Expenses:
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||||||||
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General and administrative
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1,827,322
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1,690,846
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||||||
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Research and development
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4,058,533
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2,262,395
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||||||
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Total Expenses
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5,885,855
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3,953,241
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||||||
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Loss from Operations
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(5,885,855
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)
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(3,953,241
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)
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||||
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Other Income (Expense)
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||||||||
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Interest income
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75,736
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31,797
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||||||
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Other income
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368,750
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-
|
||||||
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Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of warrants
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3,366,496
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(17,689,580
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)
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|||||
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Total Other Income (Expense)
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3,810,982
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(17,657,783
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)
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|||||
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Net Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes
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(2,074,873
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)
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(21,611,024
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)
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||||
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Provision for income taxes
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-
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-
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||||||
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Net Loss
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$
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(2,074,873
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)
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$
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(21,611,024
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)
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||
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Net loss per share, basic and diluted
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$
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(0.07
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)
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$
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(0.91
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)
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||
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Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted
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31,731,485
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23,851,734
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||||||
(See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements)
REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Unaudited)
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For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
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||||||||
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2018
|
2017
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|||||||
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Net Loss
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$
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(2,074,873
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)
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$
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(21,611,024
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)
|
||
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Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities
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(32,490
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)
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(204
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)
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||||
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Comprehensive Loss
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$
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(2,107,363
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)
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$
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(21,611,228
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)
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||
(See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements)
REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Unaudited)
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For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
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||||||||
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2018
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2017
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|||||||
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
|
||||||||
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Net loss
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$
|
(2,074,873
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)
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$
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(21,611,024
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)
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||
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Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
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||||||||
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Compensatory stock
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12,150
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12,750
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||||||
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Depreciation and amortization
|
14,600
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8,927
|
||||||
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Amortization of premiums and discounts on marketable securities, net
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14,907
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5,773
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||||||
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Stock-based compensation
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296,577
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274,327
|
||||||
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Amortization and termination of deferred research and development arrangement
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(375,000
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)
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(18,750
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)
|
||||
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Unrealized (gain) loss on fair value of warrants
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(3,366,496
|
)
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17,689,580
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|||||
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Amortization of deferred lease incentive
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(3,111
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)
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(3,111
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)
|
||||
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Deferred lease expenses
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(5,463
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)
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(3,585
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)
|
||||
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Changes in assets and liabilities:
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||||||||
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Prepaid expenses and other assets
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73,276
|
(356,608
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)
|
|||||
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses
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(184,905
|
)
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(167,014
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)
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||||
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Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
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(5,598,338
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)
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(4,168,735
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)
|
||||
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
|
||||||||
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Purchase of equipment
|
(2,520
|
)
|
(3,965
|
)
|
||||
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Purchase of marketable securities
|
-
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(2,005,700
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)
|
|||||
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Redemption of marketable securities
|
3,000,000
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2,720,000
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||||||
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Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
|
2,997,480
|
710,335
|
||||||
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
|
||||||||
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock warrants
|
-
|
2,366,106
|
||||||
|
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
|
-
|
2,366,106
|
||||||
|
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
(2,600,858
|
)
|
(1,092,294
|
)
|
||||
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Cash and Cash Equivalents – beginning of period
|
8,899,154
|
11,578,473
|
||||||
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Cash and Cash Equivalents - end of period
|
$
|
6,298,296
|
$
|
10,486,179
|
||||
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Supplemental Cash Flow Information
|
||||||||
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Non-cash financing and investing activities:
|
||||||||
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Warrant liability extinguishment from exercise of warrants
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
3,029,115
|
||||
|
Stock subscription receivable from warrants exercised
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
30,000
|
||||
(See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements)
REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Unaudited)
| 1. |
Operations and Organization
|
Operations
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a biopharmaceutical company whose principal operations are the discovery and development of innovative treatments for cancer. The Company had an accumulated deficit of $142,393,585 at March 31, 2018 and anticipates incurring losses through fiscal year 2018 and beyond. The Company has not yet generated commercial revenues and has funded its operating losses to date through the sale of shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase shares of its common stock, convertible debt, interest income from cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, and proceeds from reimbursed research and development costs. The Company believes that its cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will be sufficient to cover its cash flow requirements for its current activities for at least the next 12 months from the date these financial statements were issued. Management believes it has the capability of managing the Company’s operations within existing cash available by focusing on select research and development activities, selecting projects in conjunction with potential financings and milestones, and efficiently managing the Company’s general and administrative affairs.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and of the results of operations, comprehensive loss and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Form 10-K”). Information included in the condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 has been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 included in the 2017 Form 10-K.
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. All share information included in the accompanying condensed financial statements have been retroactively restated to give effect to the reverse stock split.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future. Actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically, and as adjustments become necessary, they are reported in earnings in the period in which they become available.
| 2. |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Affecting the Company
|
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that a company should recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services and provides a revenue recognition framework in accordance with this principle. On August 12, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date and interim periods therein. The Company adopted this guidance for the quarterly reporting period ended March 31, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. As the Company does not have revenue contracts, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the operating results of the Company, there were no significant changes to disclosures, and there was no cumulative adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2018.
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities arising from leases on the balance sheet and to provide additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its financial statements.
| 3. |
Marketable Securities
|
Marketable securities are considered “available-for-sale” in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 320, “Debt and Equity Securities,” and thus are reported at fair value in the Company’s accompanying balance sheet, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into realized gains and losses are accounted for on the basis of specific identification and are included in other income or expense in the statement of operations. The Company classifies such investments as current on the balance sheet as the investments are readily marketable and available for use in current operations.
The following table shows the Company’s marketable securities’ adjusted cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value by significant investment category as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
|
March 31, 2018
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Cost
Basis |
Gross
Unrealized
Gains |
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
Fair
Value |
|||||||||||||
|
Commercial Paper
|
$
|
1,247,021
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(1,758
|
)
|
$
|
1,245,263
|
|||||||
|
Corporate Bonds
|
13,726,899
|
-
|
(87,618
|
)
|
13,639,281
|
|||||||||||
|
Total Marketable Securities
|
$
|
14,973,920
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(89,376
|
)
|
$
|
14,884,544
|
|||||||
|
December 31, 2017
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Cost
Basis |
Gross
Unrealized
Gains |
Gross
Unrealized
Losses |
Fair
Value |
|||||||||||||
|
Commercial Paper
|
3,241,005
|
-
|
(2,505
|
)
|
3,238,500
|
|||||||||||
|
Corporate Bonds
|
14,747,822
|
-
|
(54,381
|
)
|
14,693,441
|
|||||||||||
|
Total Marketable Securities
|
$
|
17,988,827
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(56,886
|
)
|
$
|
17,931,941
|
|||||||
The Company typically invests in highly-rated securities, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had one investment of commercial paper with an aggregate fair value of $1,245,263 and unrealized losses of $1,758, and 14 corporate bonds with an aggregate fair value of $13,639,281 and unrealized losses of $87,618 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:
|
Maturity
|
Cost Basis
|
Fair Value
|
||||||
|
Less than 1 year
|
$
|
11,978,760
|
$
|
11,921,344
|
||||
|
1 to 5 years
|
2,995,160
|
2,963,200
|
||||||
|
Total Marketable Securities
|
$
|
14,973,920
|
$
|
14,884,544
|
||||
| 4. |
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
|
|
March 31,
2018 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||||
|
Deposits on contracts
|
$
|
739,622
|
$
|
793,940
|
||||
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
491,643
|
510,601
|
||||||
|
$
|
1,231,265
|
$
|
1,304,541
|
|||||
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
|
|
March 31,
2018 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||||
|
Furniture and fixtures
|
$
|
82,686
|
$
|
82,686
|
||||
|
Office and computer equipment
|
125,303
|
171,724
|
||||||
|
Lab equipment
|
445,134
|
445,134
|
||||||
|
Leasehold improvements
|
131,762
|
133,762
|
||||||
|
Total equipment
|
784,885
|
833,306
|
||||||
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
(675,505
|
)
|
(711,846
|
)
|
||||
|
Net carrying amount
|
$
|
109,380
|
$
|
121,460
|
||||
| 6. |
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
|
|
March 31,
2018 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||||
|
Trade payables
|
$
|
1,278,209
|
$
|
895,638
|
||||
|
Accrued expenses
|
53,375
|
95,416
|
||||||
|
Accrued research and development contract costs
|
1,421,705
|
1,435,109
|
||||||
|
Payroll liabilities
|
295,732
|
807,763
|
||||||
|
$
|
3,049,021
|
$
|
3,233,926
|
|||||
| 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 stockholder. Rexgene agreed to assist the Company with the research, development and clinical trials necessary for registration of the Company’s drug candidate RX-0201 (Archexin®) in Asia. In accordance with the agreement, Rexgene paid the Company a one-time fee of $1,500,000 in 2003. The agreement provided that it would expire upon the later of (i) 20 years after the date of the agreement or (ii) the expiration of the patents relating to RX-0201. The amortization reduced research and development expenses for the periods presented. The payment from Rexgene was used in the cooperative funding of the costs of development of RX-0201.
On February 5, 2018, the Company and NEXT BT Co. Ltd., (“Next BT”) the successor in interest to Rexgene, terminated the agreement. In exchange for Next BT terminating its rights to RX-0201 in Asia, the Company agreed to pay Next BT a royalty in the low single digits of any net sales of RX-0201 the Company makes in Asia and 50% of the Company’s licensing revenue related to the licensing of RX-0201 in Asia, up to an aggregate of $5,000,000. Upon termination of the agreement, the unamortized deferred research and development arrangement liability of $368,750 was eliminated and recognized as other income.
The Company historically used 20 years as its basis for recognition and accordingly, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, research and development expenses were reduced by $6,250 for the period beginning January 1, 2018 up to the agreement’s termination. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, $18,750 was reduced from research and development expenses.
| 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:
|
March 31,
2018 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||||
|
Deferred lease incentive
|
$
|
154,660
|
$
|
154,660
|
||||
|
Less accumulated amortization
|
(139,106
|
)
|
(135,995
|
)
|
||||
|
Balance
|
$
|
15,554
|
$
|
18,665
|
||||
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 $32,596 and $38,059 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were stock options, restricted stock units and warrants to acquire, in the aggregate, 9,650,654 and 8,961,140 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 three months ended March 31, 2018:
Compensatory Shares
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company issued 7,500 shares to a privately held investor relations firm in exchange for investor relations services. The aggregate market value of the stock issued was $12,150.
Restricted Stock Units
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company issued 11,825 shares resulting from the vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”).
| 11. |
Stock-Based Compensation
|
As of March 31, 2018, the Company had 2,515,570 options to purchase common stock and 35,475 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. At the Company’s Annual Meeting held on June 9, 2016, the Company’s shareholders voted to approve an amendment and restatement of the 2013 Plan, including to provide for awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units. 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 March 31, 2018, there were 2,178,570 options and 35,475 RSUs outstanding under the 2013 Plan, and 1,173,380 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 March 31, 2018, there were 325,000 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 March 31, 2018 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 months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:
|
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
||||||||
|
2018
|
2017
|
|||||||
|
Statement of operations line item:
|
||||||||
|
General and administrative
|
$
|
216,415
|
$
|
188,311
|
||||
|
Research and development
|
80,162
|
86,016
|
||||||
|
Total
|
$
|
296,577
|
$
|
274,327
|
||||
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 701,339 stock options granted at exercise prices ranging from $1.78 to $2.29 with an aggregate fair value of $945,202 during the three months ended March 31, 2018. There were 338,260 stock options granted at exercise prices ranging from $1.84 to $2.58 with an aggregate fair value of $395,156 during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
For the majority of the grants to employees, the vesting period is 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date and, thereafter, one thirty-sixth of the remaining option vests in equal installments on the first business day of each month until fully vested. 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:
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
||||||||
|
2018
|
2017
|
|||||||
|
Black-Scholes assumptions
|
||||||||
|
Expected dividend yield
|
0
|
%
|
0
|
%
|
||||
|
Expected volatility
|
69-72
|
%
|
69-70
|
%
|
||||
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
2.3-2.7
|
%
|
1.9-2.0
|
%
|
||||
|
Expected term (in years)
|
6 years
|
6 years
|
||||||
A summary of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is as follows:
|
Number of
Options
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
|
||||||||||
|
Outstanding, January 1, 2018
|
1,814,231
|
$
|
5.33
|
7.1 years
|
$
|
53,883
|
|||||||
|
Granted
|
701,339
|
$
|
2.08
|
||||||||||
|
Exercised
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||||
|
Expired
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||||
|
Cancelled
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||||
|
Outstanding, March 31, 2018
|
2,515,570
|
$
|
4.42
|
7.7 years
|
$
|
-
|
|||||||
|
Exercisable, March 31, 2018
|
1,230,897
|
$
|
6.18
|
6.2 years
|
$
|
-
|
|||||||
There were no stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. The weighted average fair value of the options granted was $1.35 and $1.17 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
A summary of the Company’s unvested options as of March 31, 2018 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2018 is presented below:
|
2018
|
||||||||
|
Number of
Options
|
Weighted Average Fair
Value at Grant Date
|
|||||||
|
Unvested at January 1, 2018
|
727,543
|
$
|
2.39
|
|||||
|
Granted
|
701,339
|
$
|
1.35
|
|||||
|
Vested
|
(144,209
|
)
|
$
|
2.56
|
||||
|
Cancelled
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
|||||
|
Unvested at March 31, 2018
|
1,284,673
|
$
|
1.81
|
|||||
As of March 31, 2018, there was $1,887,486 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 3.0 years.
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Transactions
The Company began granting RSUs to employees in 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 three months ended March 31, 2018 is as follows:
|
Number of RSUs
|
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
|
|||||||
|
Outstanding, January 1, 2018
|
47,300
|
$
|
1.84
|
|||||
|
Granted
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
|||||
|
Vested and Released
|
(11,825
|
)
|
$
|
1.84
|
||||
|
Cancelled
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
|||||
|
Outstanding, March 31, 2018
|
35,475
|
$
|
1.84
|
|||||
As of March 31, 2018, there was $62,168 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 2.9 years.
|
12.
|
Warrants
|
As of March 31, 2018, warrants to purchase up to 7,099,609 shares were outstanding, having exercise prices ranging from $2.85 to $12.80 and expiration dates ranging from July 26, 2018 to April 17, 2023.
|
2018
|
2017
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Number of
warrants
|
Weighted
average exercise
price
|
Number of
warrants
|
Weighted average
exercise price
|
|||||||||||||
|
Balance, January 1
|
7,099,609
|
$
|
4.55
|
5,452,691
|
$
|
4.92
|
||||||||||
|
Issued during the period
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||||
|
Exercised during the period
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
(845,930
|
)
|
$
|
3.36
|
|||||||||
|
Expired during the period
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||||
|
Balance, March 31
|
7,099,609
|
$
|
4.55
|
4,606,761
|
$
|
5.21
|
||||||||||
At March 31, 2018, the weighted average remaining contractual life of the outstanding warrants was 3.8 years.
The warrants issued to investors in the 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 June 2017 and October 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:
|
Fair Value as of:
|
||||||||
|
Warrant Issuance:
|
March 31, 2018
|
December 31, 2017
|
||||||
|
July 2013 Investor Warrants
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
8,762
|
||||
|
October 2013 Investor Warrants
|
6
|
26,288
|
||||||
|
January 2014 Investor Warrants
|
20
|
29,257
|
||||||
|
November 2015 Investor Warrants
|
619,096
|
1,260,050
|
||||||
|
November 2015 Placement Agent Warrants
|
1,358
|
2,936
|
||||||
|
March 2016 Investor Warrants
|
370,100
|
697,554
|
||||||
|
September 2016 Investor Warrants
|
619,708
|
1,054,083
|
||||||
|
June 2017 Investor Warrants
|
1,158,693
|
1,981,864
|
||||||
|
June 2017 Placement Agent Warrants
|
124,282
|
221,591
|
||||||
|
October 2017 Investor Warrants
|
1,433,206
|
2,305,552
|
||||||
|
October 2017 Placement Agent Warrants
|
160,670
|
265,698
|
||||||
|
Total:
|
$
|
4,487,139
|
$
|
7,853,635
|
||||
The following table summarizes the number of shares indexed to the warrants as of the respective balance sheet dates:
|
Number of Shares indexed as of:
|
||||||||
|
Warrant Issuance
|
March 31, 2018
|
December 31, 2017
|
||||||
|
July 2013 Investor Warrants
|
200,000
|
200,000
|
||||||
|
October 2013 Investor Warrants
|
231,732
|
231,732
|
||||||
|
January 2014 Investor Warrants
|
476,193
|
476,193
|
||||||
|
November 2015 Investor Warrants
|
1,250,001
|
1,250,001
|
||||||
|
November 2015 Placement Agent Warrants
|
3,334
|
3,334
|
||||||
|
March 2016 Investor Warrants
|
607,806
|
607,806
|
||||||
|
September 2016 Investor Warrants
|
805,000
|
805,000
|
||||||
|
June 2017 Investor Warrants
|
1,515,152
|
1,515,152
|
||||||
|
June 2017 Placement Agent Warrants
|
181,818
|
181,818
|
||||||
|
October 2017 Investor Warrants
|
1,632,654
|
1,632,654
|
||||||
|
October 2017 Placement Agent Warrants
|
195,919
|
195,919
|
||||||
|
Total:
|
7,099,609
|
7,099,609
|
||||||
The assumptions used in calculating the fair values of the warrants are as follows:
|
March 31, 2018
|
December 31, 2017
|
|||||||
|
Trading market prices
|
$
|
1.51
|
$
|
2.02
|
||||
|
Estimated future volatility
|
103
|
%
|
104
|
%
|
||||
|
Dividend
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
|
Estimated future risk-free rate
|
2.56-2.73
|
%
|
2.14-2.45
|
%
|
||||
|
Equivalent volatility
|
37-91
|
%
|
85-104
|
%
|
||||
|
Equivalent risk-free rate
|
1.44-2.25
|
%
|
1.30-1.89
|
%
|
||||
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:
|
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|
||||||||
|
2018
|
2017
|
|||||||
|
Expired and Fully Exercised Warrants
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(814,903
|
)
|
|||
|
July 2013 Investor Warrants
|
8,762
|
(549,380
|
)
|
|||||
|
October 2013 Investor Warrants
|
26,282
|
(677,210
|
)
|
|||||
|
January 2014 Investor Warrants
|
29,237
|
(1,081,810
|
)
|
|||||
|
November 2015 Investor Warrants
|
640,954
|
(4,119,750
|
)
|
|||||
|
November 2015 Placement Agent Warrants
|
1,578
|
(271,825
|
)
|
|||||
|
March 2016 Investor Warrants
|
327,454
|
(3,932,511
|
)
|
|||||
|
September 2016 Investor Warrants
|
434,375
|
(6,242,191
|
)
|
|||||
|
June 2017 Investor Warrants
|
823,171
|
-
|
||||||
|
June 2017 Placement Agent Warrants
|
97,309
|
-
|
||||||
|
October 2017 Investor Warrants
|
872,346
|
-
|
||||||
|
October 2017 Placement Agent Warrants
|
105,028
|
-
|
||||||
|
Total:
|
$
|
3,366,496
|
$
|
(17,689,580
|
)
|
|||
|
13.
|
Income Taxes
|
No provision for federal and state income taxes was required for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 due to the Company’s operating losses and increased deferred tax asset valuation allowance. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had unused net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $133,905,000 and $127,877,000 respectively. 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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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:
|
March 31,
2018 |
December 31,
2017 |
|||||||
|
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards
|
$
|
37,493,000
|
$
|
35,805,000
|
||||
|
Stock Compensation Expense
|
1,541,000
|
1,458,000
|
||||||
|
Book tax differences on assets and liabilities
|
116,000
|
365,000
|
||||||
|
Valuation Allowance
|
(39,150,000
|
)
|
(37,628,000
|
)
|
||||
|
Net Deferred Tax Assets
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and Maryland state jurisdictions. Tax years for fiscal 2014 through 2017 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 March 31, 2018, the total estimated cost to complete these agreements was approximately $10,270,000. 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 March 31, 2018, 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. The lease of additional space 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 March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $52,699 and $50,898, 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 March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $16,244 and $15,771, respectively.
Future rental payments over the next five years for all leases are as follows:
|
For the remaining nine months ending December 31:
|
2018
|
$
|
210,331
|
||
|
For the year ending December 31:
|
2019
|
176,080
|
|||
|
2020
|
34,468
|
||||
|
Total
|
$
|
420,879
|
| 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 $35,809 and $36,477 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, 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. As of March 31, 2018, 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 March 31, 2018, no development milestones have occurred.
|
| g) |
On February 5, 2018, the Company and Next BT terminated the research collaboration agreement between the Company and Rexgene. In exchange for Next BT terminating its rights to RX-0201 in Asia, the Company agreed to pay Next BT a royalty in the low single digits of any net sales of RX-0201 the Company makes in Asia and 50% of the Company’s licensing revenue related to licensing of RX-0201 in Asia, up to an aggregate of $5,000,000.
|
| 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:
|
Level 1 Inputs
|
—
|
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible by the Company;
|
|
Level 2 Inputs
|
—
|
Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and
|
|
Level 3 Inputs
|
—
|
Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability including significant assumptions of the Company and other market participants.
|
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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
|
Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2018
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Total
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
|||||||||||||
|
Assets:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Commercial Paper
|
1,245,263
|
-
|
1,245,263
|
-
|
||||||||||||
|
Corporate Bonds
|
13,639,281
|
-
|
13,639,281
|
-
|
||||||||||||
|
Total Assets:
|
$
|
14,884,544
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
14,884,544
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||
|
Liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Warrant Liabilities
|
$
|
4,487,139
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
4,487,139
|
||||||||
|
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Total
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
|||||||||||||
|
Assets:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Commercial Paper
|
3,238,500
|
-
|
3,238,500
|
-
|
||||||||||||
|
Corporate Bonds
|
14,693,441
|
-
|
14,693,441
|
-
|
||||||||||||
|
Total Assets:
|
$
|
17,931,941
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
17,931,941
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||
|
Liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Warrant Liabilities
|
$
|
7,853,635
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
7,853,635
|
||||||||
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), and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 in the fair value of the liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
|
Warrant Liabilities
|
||||
|
Balance at January 1, 2018
|
$
|
7,853,635
|
||
|
Additions
|
-
|
|||
|
Unrealized gains, net
|
(3,366,496
|
)
|
||
|
Transfers out of level 3
|
-
|
|||
|
Balance at March 31, 2018
|
$
|
4,487,139
|
||
|
Warrant Liabilities
|
||||
|
Balance at January 1, 2017
|
$
|
1,573,366
|
||
|
Additions
|
-
|
|||
|
Unrealized losses, net
|
17,689,580
|
|||
|
Transfers out of level 3
|
(3,029,115
|
)
|
||
|
Balance at March 31, 2017
|
$
|
16,233,831
|
||
Additions consist of the fair value of warrant liabilities upon issuance. Transfers out of Level 3 for warrant liabilities consist of warrant exercises, where the liability is converted to additional paid-in capital upon exercise. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstance that caused the transfer.
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, 2017.
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, 2017 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 and development 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 pipeline features two oncology product candidates in Phase 2 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 clinical stage drug candidates in active development are RX-3117 and RX-5902 (Supinoxin™).
| · |
RX-3117 is a novel, oral, small molecule nucleoside compound. Once intracellularly activated (phosphorylated) by the enzyme UCK2, it is incorporated into the DNA or RNA of cells and inhibits both DNA and RNA synthesis, which induces apoptotic cell death of tumor cells. Because UCK2 is overexpressed in multiple human tumors, but has a very limited presence in normal tissues, RX-3117 offers the potential for a targeted anti-cancer therapy with an improved efficacy and safety profile, and we believe it has therapeutic potential in a broad range of cancers, including pancreatic, bladder, colon, and lung cancer. In January 2018, we reported final data from a Phase 2a clinical trial of RX-3117 in patients with relapsed or refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer. In this trial, encouraging progression free survival and evidence of tumor shrinkage were observed in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer that was resistant to gemcitabine and who had failed on multiple prior treatments. RX-3117 is currently the subject of a Phase 2a clinical trial in combination with Abraxane® (paclitaxel protein-bound) in patients newly diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer. In February 2018 updated safety and efficacy data from the ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial of RX-3117 in advanced urothelial (bladder) cancer were reported. In this trial, encouraging progression free survival and evidence of tumor shrinkage were observed in patients with advanced bladder cancer who had failed on multiple prior treatments including immunotherapy and gemcitabine. RX-3117 has received “orphan drug designation” from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and from the European Commission for pancreatic cancer. Orphan drug designation in the U.S. 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 in the U.S. after approval for a designated use, during which time, the FDA generally cannot approve another product with the same active moiety for the same indication.
|
| · |
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 cell growth, progression and metastasis through its interaction with beta-catenin. Phosphorylated p68, which is highly expressed in cancer cells, but not in normal cells, results in up-regulation of cancer-related genes and a subsequent proliferation of cancer cells and tumor growth. RX-5902 selectively blocks the interaction of phosphorylated p68 with beta-catenin, thereby decreasing the proliferation or growth of cancer cells in preclinical models. In addition, multiple pre-clinical models suggest that RX-5902 enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy. We have evaluated RX-5902 in a Phase 1 dose escalation study in patients with a diverse range of metastatic, treatment-refractory tumors, including breast, ovarian, colorectal, and neuro-endocrine tumors. In February 2017, we initiated a Phase 2a clinical study of RX-5902 in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (“TNBC”).
|
| · |
RX-0201 (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. RX-0201 is the subject of a research and development collaboration with Zhejiang Haichang Biotechnology Co., Ltd (“Haichang”) for the development of RX-0201 to conduct certain pre-clinical and clinical activities through completion of a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial in hepatocellular carcinoma (“HCC”) and pursuant to which the parties will share any downstream licensing fees and royalties paid by third parties in connection with the further development and commercialization of RX-0201 for the treatment of HCC. RX-0201 has received orphan drug designation from the FDA for renal cell carcinoma (“RCC”), glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer and pancreatic cancer. In February 2018, in response to the changing treatment landscape for metastatic RCC over the past two years with the approval of new therapies by the FDA, we announced plans to discontinue the internally funded programs of RX-0201 and ceased enrolling patients in a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial of RX-0201 in patients with metastatic RCC.
|
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.
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 Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017
Total Revenues
We had no revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017.
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 $136,000, or 8.1%, to $1,827,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $1,691,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increases were primarily attributable to higher personnel costs in 2018.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses increased approximately $1,797,000, or 79.4%, to $4,059,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $2,262,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in drug manufacturing costs for new campaigns that were ongoing for the three months ended March 31, 2018 but not for the corresponding period of the prior year. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we incurred approximately $1,253,000 of drug manufacturing costs, compared to approximately $288,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase is also attributable to an increased clinical trial costs and patient enrollments from the advancement of our RX-3117 and RX-5902 clinical trials.
The table below summarizes the approximate amounts incurred in each of our research and development projects for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:
|
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|
||||||||
|
2018
|
2017
|
|||||||
|
Clinical Candidates:
|
||||||||
|
RX-3117
|
$
|
2,111,600
|
$
|
751,300
|
||||
|
RX-5902
|
914,400
|
411,100
|
||||||
|
RX-0201
|
152,800
|
168,100
|
||||||
|
Preclinical, Personnel and Overhead
|
879,733
|
931,895
|
||||||
|
Total Research and Development Expenses
|
$
|
4,058,533
|
$
|
2,262,395
|
||||
Interest Income
Interest income increased approximately $44,000 or 138.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. 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 months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.
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 March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded unrealized gains (losses) on the fair value of our warrants of approximately $3,366,000 and $(17,690,000). 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 loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 primarily resulted from a significant increase in the stock price of the underlying common stock at March 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016. An increase in volatility of the common stock during that period also had an impact on the large unrealized loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Other Income
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recorded approximately $369,000 of other income related to the termination of our collaborative agreement with Next BT. See Note 7, “Deferred Research and Development Arrangement,” in the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements for a discussion of the termination of this agreement.
Net Loss
As a result of the above, net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $2,075,000 and $21,611,000, or $0.07 and $0.91 per share, respectively. As previously discussed, included in the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are non-cash charges of approximately $17,690,000 in unrealized losses on the fair value of warrants, compared to unrealized gains of $3,366,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
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 (“CROs”), 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 drug candidates. 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 and RX-5902, is uncertain, 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 are evaluating RX-3117 in combination with Abraxane® in Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial in patients with newly diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer, as well as a Phase 2a trial in patients with advanced bladder cancer.
Expenses related to RX-3117 increased during the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 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 decrease in the remainder of 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 as we expect drug manufacturing costs to decrease as manufacturing campaigns are completed.
RX-5902 (Supinoxin)
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 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 2a clinical study of RX-5902 in patients with metastatic TNBC.
Expenses related to RX-5902 increased during the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily attributable to increased clinical trial costs for the Phase 2a study, as well as increased manufacturing costs for new manufacturing campaigns. We expect that expenses related to RX-5902 will slightly decrease in the remainder of 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 as we expect drug manufacturing costs to decrease as manufacturing campaigns are completed.
RX-0201 (Archexin)
RX-0201 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. RX-0201 is the subject of a research and development collaboration with Haichang for the development of RX-0201 to conduct certain pre-clinical and clinical activities through completion of a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial in HCC.
Expenses related to RX-0201 slightly decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. We expect that expenses related to RX-0201 will decrease for the remainder of 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 as we wind down our Phase 2a clinical trial of RX-0201 in patients with metastatic RCC.
Pre-clinical Pipeline
Expenses related to our pre-clinical candidates increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily as a result of increased research activities. We expect that expenses related to our pre-clinical pipeline, will remain flat for the remainder of 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 as we continue testing and development.
Research and Development Process
We have engaged third-party CROs and other investigators and collaborators, such as universities medical institutions and other life science companies, 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.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
Cash used in operating activities was approximately $5,598,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The operating cash flows during the three months ended March 31, 2018 reflect a net loss of $2,075,000 an unrealized gain on the fair value of warrants of $3,366,000 and a net decrease of cash components of working capital and non-cash charges totaling $157,000. Cash used in operating activities was approximately $4,169,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The operating cash flows during the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflect our net loss of $21,611,000, an unrealized loss on the fair value of warrants of $17,690,000 and a net decrease of cash components of working capital and other non-cash charges totaling $248,000.
Cash provided by investing activities was approximately $2,997,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which consisted of $3,000,000 from the redemption of marketable securities, offset by $3,000 from the purchase of equipment. Cash provided by investing activities was approximately $710,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, which consisted of $2,720,000 from the redemption of marketable securities, offset by $2,006,000 and $4,000 for the purchases of marketable securities and equipment, respectively.
There was no cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Cash provided by financing activities was approximately $2,366,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from the exercise of stock warrants.
Contractual Obligations
We have a variety of contractual obligations, as more fully described in our 2017 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 March 31, 2018, the total estimated cost to complete our contracts with vendors for research and development services was approximately $10,270,000 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 our 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.
For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, refer to “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2017 Form 10-K. Our exposures to market risk have not changed materially since December 31, 2017.
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 March 31, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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 2017 Form 10-K, as well as other information contained in the 2017 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 2017 Form 10-K.
Pursuant to a consulting agreement, we issued 7,500 shares of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2018 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.
|
Exhibit No.
|
Description
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a)
|
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a)
|
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
|
101
|
The following materials from Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) Condensed Balance Sheet; (ii) Condensed Statement of Operations; (iii) Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Loss; (iv) Condensed Statement of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to the Financial Statements.
|
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.
|
REXAHN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
|
|||
|
(Registrant)
|
|||
|
By:
|
/s/ Peter D. Suzdak
|
||
|
Date: May 4, 2018
|
Peter D. Suzdak
|
||
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|||
|
(principal executive officer)
|
|||
|
By:
|
/s/ Douglas J. Swirsky
|
||
|
Date: May 4, 2018
|
Douglas J. Swirsky
|
||
|
President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|||
|
(principal financial and accounting officer)
|
|||
34