ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC. - Quarter Report: 2021 November (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2021

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

Commission file number: 001-35813

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

844-967-2633

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes ☒    No ☐

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐    No ☒

As of January 11, 2022, there were 38,283,841 shares of the issuer’s common stock, $0.012 par value per share, outstanding.

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” mean Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.  All dollar amounts refer to U.S. Dollars unless otherwise indicated.

On November 30, 2021, the exchange rate between the New Israeli Shekel, or NIS, and the dollar, as quoted by the Bank of Israel, was NIS 3.162 to $1.00. Unless indicated otherwise by the context, statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that provide the dollar equivalent of NIS amounts or provide the NIS equivalent of dollar amounts are based on such exchange rate.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

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

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

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

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

U.S. Dollars in thousands

(UNAUDITED)

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

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

U.S. dollars in thousands

(UNAUDITED)

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

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”, unless the context indicates otherwise) was incorporated on April 12, 2002, under the laws of the State of Nevada. From incorporation until March 3, 2006, the Company was an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. On February 17, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Hadasit Medical Services and Development Ltd. to acquire the provisional patent related to an orally ingestible insulin capsule to be used for the treatment of individuals with diabetes.

On May 14, 2007, the Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in Israel, Oramed Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), which is engaged in research and development.

On March 11, 2011, the Company was reincorporated from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware.

On July 30, 2019, the Subsidiary incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, Oramed HK Limited (the “Hong Kong Subsidiary”). As of November 30, 2021, the Hong Kong Subsidiary has no operations.

On November 30, 2015, the Company entered into a Technology License Agreement (the “TLA”), with Hefei Tianhui Incubator of Technologies Co. Ltd. (“HTIT”) and on December 21, 2015, the parties entered into an Amended and Restated Technology License Agreement that was further amended by the parties on June 3, 2016 and July 24, 2016 (the “HTIT License Agreement”). See note 2b.

On March 18, 2021, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “Oravax License Agreement”) and into the Stockholders Agreement (as defined below) with Oravax Medical Inc. (“Oravax”). According to the Stockholders Agreement, Oravax issued 1,890,000 shares of its capital stock to the Company, representing 63% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Oravax, on a fully diluted basis, as of the date of issuance. Consequently, Oramed is consolidating Oravax in its consolidated financial statements as of May 31, 2021.

The Company is engaged in research and development in the biotechnology field for innovative pharmaceutical solutions, including an orally ingestible insulin capsule to be used for the treatment of individuals with diabetes, and the use of orally ingestible capsules for delivery of other polypeptides, and has not generated significant revenues from its operations. Based on the Company’s current cash resources and commitments, the Company believes it will be able to maintain its current planned development activities and the corresponding level of expenditures for at least the next 12 months, although no assurance can be given that the Company will not need additional funds prior to such time. If there are unexpected increases in its operating expenses, the Company may need to seek additional financing during the next 12 months. Successful completion of the Company’s development programs and its transition to normal operations is dependent upon obtaining necessary regulatory approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to selling its products within the United States, obtaining foreign regulatory approvals to sell its products internationally, or entering into licensing agreements with third parties. There can be no assurance that the Company will receive regulatory approval of any of its product candidates, and a substantial amount of time may pass before the Company achieves a level of revenues adequate to support its operations, if at all. The Company also expects to incur substantial expenditures in connection with the regulatory approval process for each of its product candidates during their respective developmental periods. Obtaining marketing approval will be directly dependent on the Company’s ability to implement the necessary regulatory steps required to obtain marketing approval in the United States and in other countries. The Company cannot predict the outcome of these activities.

In addition to the foregoing, based on the Company’s current assessment, the Company does not expect any material impact on its development timeline and its liquidity due to the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, the Company is continuing to assess the effect on its operation by monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and the actions implemented by the governments to combat the virus throughout the world.

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):

Basic and diluted net loss per common share are computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for each period. Outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) have been excluded from the calculation of the diluted loss per share because all such securities are anti-dilutive for all periods presented. The weighted average number of common stock options, warrants and RSUs excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss was 3,138,733 and 5,278,347 for the three month periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, respectively.

The HTIT License Agreement and a stock purchase agreement, dated November 30, 2015, between the Company and HTIT (the “SPA”) were considered a single arrangement with multiple deliverables. The Company allocated the total consideration of $49,500 between the HTIT License Agreement and the SPA according to their fair value, as follows: $10,617 was allocated to the issuance of common stock (less issuance expenses of $23), based on the quoted price of the Company’s shares on the closing date of the SPA on December 28, 2015, and $38,883 was allocated to the HTIT License Agreement.

Under Accounting Standard Codification, (“ASC”) 606, the Company identified a single performance obligation in the agreement and determined that the license and services are not distinct as the license and services are highly dependent on each other. In other words, HTIT cannot benefit from the license without the related services, and vice versa.

Since the customer benefits from the services as the entity performs, revenue is recognized over time through the expected product submission date in June 2023, using the input method. The Company used the input method to measure the process for the purpose of recognizing revenue, which approximates the straight line attribution. The Company used significant judgment when it determined the product submission date.

Under ASC 606, the consideration that the Company would be entitled to upon the achievement of contractual milestones, which are contingent upon the occurrence of future events, are a form of variable consideration. When assessing the portion, if any, of such milestones-related consideration to be included in the transaction price, the Company first assesses the most likely outcome for each milestone and excludes the consideration related to milestones of which the occurrence is not considered the most likely outcome.

The Company then evaluates if any of the variable consideration determined in the first step is constrained by including in the transaction price variable consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The Company used significant judgment when it determined the first step of variable consideration.

The potential future royalty consideration is also considered a form of variable consideration under ASC 606 as it is based on a percentage of potential future sales of the Company’s products. However, the Company applies the sales-based royalty exception and accordingly will recognize the sales-based royalty amounts when the related sale has occurred. To date, the Company has not recognized any royalty-related revenue.

Amounts that were allocated to the HTIT License Agreement as of November 30, 2021 aggregated $22,382, all of which were received through the balance sheet date. Through November 30, 2021, the Company has recognized revenue associated with this agreement in the aggregate amount of $16,109, of which $674 was recognized in the quarter ended November 30, 2021, and deferred the remaining amount of $6,273 which is presented as deferred revenues on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and, on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 (the “2021 Form 10-K”). These condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and that are considered necessary for a fair statement of the results of the periods presented. Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements have been omitted in this interim period report pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because the condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements, they should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the 2021 Form 10-K. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of a full fiscal year’s results.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses—Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance will be effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that year. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 - COMMITMENTS:

As part of this agreement, the Subsidiary entered into a patent transfer agreement (the “Patent Transfer Agreement”) according to which the Subsidiary assigned to Entera all of its right, title and interest in and to a certain patent application related to the oral administration of proteins that it has licensed to Entera since August 2010. Under this agreement, the Subsidiary is entitled to receive from Entera royalties of 3% of Entera’s net revenues (as defined in the agreement) and a license back of that patent application for use in respect of diabetes and influenza. As of November 30, 2021, Entera had not paid any royalties to the Subsidiary. On December 11, 2018, Entera announced that it had entered into a research collaboration and license agreement (the “Amgen License”) with Amgen related to the research of inflammatory disease and other serious illnesses. As reported by Entera, under the terms of the Amgen License, Entera will receive a modest initial technology access fee from Amgen and will be responsible for preclinical development at Amgen’s expense. Entera will be eligible to receive up to $270,000 in aggregate payments, as well as tiered royalties up to mid-single digits, upon achievement of various clinical and commercial milestones if Amgen decides to move all of these programs forward. Amgen is responsible for clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of any of the resulting programs. To the extent the Amgen License results in net revenues as defined in the Patent Transfer Agreement, the Subsidiary will be entitled to the aforementioned royalties.

In addition, as part of a consulting agreement with a third party, dated February 15, 2011, the Subsidiary is obliged to pay this third party royalties of 8% of the net royalties received in respect of the patent that was sold to Entera in March 2011.

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 2 - COMMITMENTS (continued):

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 2 - COMMITMENTS (continued):

Under the terms of the Company’s funding from the IIA, royalties of 3% are payable on sales of products developed from a project so funded, up to a maximum amount equaling 100%-150% of the grants received (dollar linked) with the addition of interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR.

At the time the grants were received, successful development of the related projects was not assured. The total amount that was received through November 30, 2021 was $2,207 ($2,510 including interest).

As of November 30, 2021, the liability to the IIA was $207.

The royalty expenses which are related to the funded project were recognized in cost of revenues in the relevant periods.

NOTE 3 - FAIR VALUE:

The Company measures fair value and discloses fair value measurements for financial assets. Fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In order to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, the guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described as follows:

As of November 30, 2021, the assets measured at fair value are comprised of equity securities (Level 1). The fair value of held to maturity bonds as presented in note 4 was based on a Level 2 measurement.

As of November 30, 2021, the carrying amounts of cash equivalents, short-term deposits and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

As of November 30, 2021, the carrying amounts of long-term deposits approximate their fair values due to the stated interest rates which approximate market rates.

The amounts funded in respect of employee rights are stated at cash surrender value which approximates its fair value.

There were no Level 3 items for the three month periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020.

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 4 - MARKETABLE SECURITIES:

The Company’s marketable securities include investments in equity securities of D.N.A and Entera and in held to maturity bonds.

The D.N.A ordinary shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The fair value of those securities is measured at the quoted prices of the securities on the measurement date.

As of November 30, 2021, the Company owns approximately 1.7% of D.N.A’s outstanding ordinary shares.

The cost of the securities as of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021 is $595.

Entera ordinary shares have been traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market since June 28, 2018. The Company measures the investment at fair value from such date, since it has a readily determinable fair value (prior to such date the investment was accounted for as a cost method investment (amounting to $1)).

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 4 - MARKETABLE SECURITIES (continued):

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of held-to-maturity securities as of November 30, 2021, are as follows:

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of held-to-maturity securities as of August 31, 2021, are as follows:

Held to maturity securities which will mature during the 12 months from the balance sheet date are included in short-term marketable securities. Held to maturity securities with maturity dates of more than one year are considered long-term marketable securities.

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 5 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

These RSUs expire on September 1, 2031.

The total value of the RSUs is $662, using the Monte-Carlo model for RSUs with market conditions.

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 6 - LEASES

The right-of-use asset and lease liability are initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the date of adoption in determining the present value of the lease payments. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is estimated to approximate the interest rate on similar terms and payments and in economic environments where the leased asset is located.

The Company has various operating leases for office space and vehicles that expire through 2025. Below is a summary of our operating right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities as of November 30, 2021 and August 31. 2021:

For more information about our office lease terms, please see note 2(c).

Minimum lease payments for the Company’s right-of-use assets over the remaining lease periods as of November 30, 2021 and August 31. 2021 are as follows:

NOTE 7 - RELATED PARTIES - TRANSACTIONS:

On July 1, 2008, the Subsidiary entered into two consulting agreements with KNRY Ltd. (“KNRY”), an Israeli company owned by the CSO, whereby the CEO and the CSO, through KNRY, provide services to the Company (the “Consulting Agreements”). The Consulting Agreements are both terminable by either party upon 140 days prior written notice. The Consulting Agreements, as amended, provide that KNRY will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of the Consulting Agreements and that the monthly consulting fee paid to the CEO and the CSO is NIS 146,705 ($46) and NIS 106,400 ($34), respectively.

In addition to the Consulting Agreements, based on a relocation cost analysis, the Company pays for certain direct costs, related taxes and expenses incurred in connection with the relocation of the CEO to U.S. During the three months ended November 30, 2021, such relocation expenses totaled $67, compared to $74 for the three months ended November 30, 2020.

ORAMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 8 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

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

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere herein and in our consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report (as defined below).

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “planned expenditures,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “considers” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not deemed to represent an all-inclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements as denoted in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Additionally, statements concerning future matters are forward-looking statements. We remind readers that forward-looking statements are merely predictions and therefore inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors and involve known and unknown risks that could cause the actual results, performance, levels of activity, or our achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, levels of activity, or our achievements, or industry results, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other statements, statements regarding the following:

Although forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q reflect the good faith judgment of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include, without limitation, those specifically addressed under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, or our Annual Report, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on November 24, 2021, as well as those discussed elsewhere in our Annual Report and expressed from time to time in our other filings with the SEC.  In addition, historic results of scientific research, clinical and preclinical trials do not guarantee that the conclusions of future research or trials would not suggest different conclusions. Also, historic results referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q could be interpreted differently in light of additional research, clinical and preclinical trials results. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made throughout the entirety of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Overview of Operations

We are a pharmaceutical company currently engaged in the research and development of innovative pharmaceutical solutions, including an oral insulin capsule to be used for the treatment of individuals with diabetes, and the use of orally ingestible capsules or pills for delivery of other polypeptides. We utilize Clinical Research Organizations, or CROs, to conduct our clinical studies.

Through our research and development efforts, we have successfully developed an oral dosage form intended to withstand the harsh environment of the stomach and intestines and effectively deliver active insulin or other proteins, such as Glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, leptin, and others. The excipients in the formulation are not intended to modify the proteins chemically or biologically, and the dosage form is designed to be safe to ingest. We plan to continue to conduct clinical trials to show the effectiveness of our technology.

Oral insulin: Our proprietary flagship product, an orally ingestible insulin capsule, or ORMD-0801, allows insulin to travel from the gastrointestinal tract via the portal vein to the bloodstream, revolutionizing the manner in which insulin is delivered. It enables the passage in a more physiological manner than current delivery methods of insulin.

FDA Guidance: In August 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, instructed us that the regulatory pathway for the submission of ORMD-0801 would be a BLA. If approved, the BLA pathway would grant us 12 years of marketing exclusivity for ORMD-0801, from the approval date, and an additional six months of exclusivity may be granted to us if the product also receives approval for use in pediatric patients.

Phase IIb Study: In May 2018, we initiated a three-month dose-ranging Phase IIb clinical trial of ORMD-0801 (Cohort A). This placebo controlled, randomized, 90-day treatment clinical trial was conducted on 269 type 2 diabetic, or T2D, patients in multiple centers throughout the United States pursuant to an Investigational New Drug application, or IND, with the FDA. The primary endpoints of the trial were to assess the safety and evaluate the effect of ORMD-0801 on HbA1c levels over a 90-day treatment period. Secondary endpoints of the trial included measurements of fasting plasma glucose, or FPG, post-prandial glucose, or PPG levels, during a mixed-meal tolerance test, or MMTT, and weight. In May 2019, we initiated an extension of this protocol for approximately 75 T2D patients, who were dosed using a lower dosage of insulin (Cohort B).

Cohort A: In November 2019, we announced positive results from the initial cohort of the Phase IIb trial. Patients randomized in the trial to once-daily ORMD-0801 achieved a statistically significant (p-value 0.036) reduction from baseline in HbA1c of 0.60% (0.54% with placebo adjustment). This 0.54% reduction in HbA1c is clinically meaningful. Treatment with ORMD-0801 demonstrated an excellent safety profile, with no serious drug-related adverse events and with no increased frequency of hypoglycemic episodes when compared to placebo. In addition, during this 90-day trial, no weight gain was observed. In the initial cohort, 269 U.S.-based patients were enrolled and treated with a dose-increasing approach: 16 mg initial dose, titrated to 24 mg per dose, and then titrated to 32 mg per dose. Patients were randomized into three groups to assess dosing frequency: once-daily (32 mg per day), twice-daily (64 mg per day), thrice daily (96 mg per day). There was a corresponding placebo for each treatment arm. Two hundred nine (209) patients completed treatment to the 12-week endpoint and were included in the data analysis (24 subjects did not complete the full 12 weeks of treatment). The twice-daily arms achieved statistically significant (p-value 0.042) reductions from baseline in HbA1c of 0.59% (0.53% with placebo adjustment). The thrice-daily arm did not meet statistical significance (p-value 0.093). In addition, due to evidence of treatment-by-center interaction, two sites (36 patients (13.4% of enrolled subjects)) were excluded from the statistical analysis as they showed results opposite from the rest of the statistically significant results. Our internal investigation as well as an independent investigation did not find a cause for such discrepancy.

Cohort B: In February 2020, we announced positive topline data from the second and final cohort of the Phase IIb trial with a different regimen across three daily dose ranges (8 mg, 16 mg, 32 mg). Patients randomized in the trial treated with 8 mg of ORMD-0801 once-daily achieved a statistically significant (p-value 0.028) observed mean reduction of 1.29% from baseline and a least square mean reduction of 0.95% from baseline, or 0.81% adjusted for placebo. Patients who had HbA1c readings above 9% at baseline and received 8 mg of oral insulin once-daily experienced a 1.26% reduction in HbA1c by week 12. Treatment with ORMD-0801 at all doses demonstrated an excellent safety profile, with no serious drug-related adverse events and with no increased frequency of hypoglycemic episodes or weight gain compared to placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was a reduction in HbA1c at week 12.

Phase III Study: Based on guidance received from the FDA as part of the end-of-phase II meeting process for our oral insulin candidate, ORMD-0801, we have submitted to the FDA the protocols for our upcoming pivotal Phase III studies. In line with the FDA’s expectations and recommendations, we are currently conducting two Phase III studies concurrently in patients with T2D. These studies involve about 1,125 patients to provide evidence of ORMD-0801’s safety and efficacy in T2D patients over a treatment period of 6 to 12 months. A geographically diverse patient population is being recruited from multiple sites throughout the United States, Europe, and Israel. Our Phase III study is composed from 2 protocols:

ORA-D-013-1: This study will treat T2D patients with inadequate glycaemic control who are currently on 2 or 3 oral glucose-lowering agents. This U.S. study will recruit 675 patients from over 90 clinical sites located throughout the U.S. Patients will be randomized 1:1:1 in this double-dummy study into cohorts of: 8 mg ORMD-0801 once-daily at night and placebo 45 minutes before breakfast; 8 mg ORMD-0801 twice-daily, at night and 45 minutes before breakfast; and placebo twice-daily, at night and 45 minutes before breakfast. The primary endpoint of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of ORMD-0801 compared to placebo in improving glycaemic control as assessed by HbA1c, with a secondary efficacy endpoint of assessing the change from baseline in fasting plasma glucose at 26 weeks. We initiated this trial in December 2020. In November 2021, we announced that 75% of the 675 patients were enrolled and randomized.

ORA-D-013-2: This study will include T2D patients with inadequate glycaemic control who are managing their condition with either diet alone or with diet and metformin monotherapy. A total of 450 patients will be recruited through 36 sites in the U.S. and 25 sites in Western Europe and Israel. Patients will be randomized 1:1 into two cohorts dosed with: 8 mg ORMD-0801 at night; and placebo at night. The primary endpoint is to evaluate the efficacy of ORMD-0801 compared to placebo in improving glycaemic control as assessed by HbA1c over a 26-week treatment period, with a secondary efficacy endpoint of assessing the change from baseline in fasting plasma glucose at 26 weeks. We initiated this trial in the U.S. in March 2021. In August 2021, we announced that over 25% of the 450 patients were enrolled and randomized.

We expect to receive the efficacy data from the trials after patients have completed the first 6 months of treatment. Safety will be further monitored as patients will be exposed to the drug over an additional 6 months (total 12 months). The trial’s topline results are expected in calendar 2022 and we anticipate filing a BLA with the FDA in calendar 2024. A BLA would grant us 12 years of marketing exclusivity from the date of approval in the U.S.

NASH trial: In June 2020, we presented topline data of 8 patients from an open-label trial that assessed the safety, tolerability, and early effects of 16 mg ORMD-0801 (2x8 mg capsules) on liver fat in T2D, patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH. The 12-week dosing had no serious adverse events and it induced an observed mean 6.9±6.8% reduction in liver fat content (p-value: 0.035), and the relative reduction of 30%, as measured by MRI-derived proton density fat fraction, or MRI-PDFF. In parallel, concentrations of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), a key marker of chronic hepatitis, were significantly lower after 12 weeks of treatment as compared to baseline (-14.6±13.1 U/L; p value: 0.008).

In September 2020, we initiated an open label clinical trial of our oral insulin capsule, ORMD-0801, for the treatment of NASH. This 10 patient multi-center trial is comprised of three clinical sites in Belgium. The trial will measure change and percent change in MRI-PDFF from baseline to week 12.

In December 2020, we initiated a double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial of our oral insulin capsule, ORMD-0801, for the treatment of NASH. This 30 patient multi-center trial is comprised of five clinical sites: three in the U.S. and two in Israel. The trial will measure change and percent change in MRI-PDFF from baseline to week 12. In September 2021, we announced that over 50% of the patients were enrolled and randomized.

Oral Glucagon-Like Peptide-1: Oral GLP-1, is an incretin hormone, which stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. In addition to our flagship product, the ORMD-0801 insulin capsule, we use our technology for an orally ingestible GLP-1 capsule, or ORMD-0901. 

In February 2019, we completed a Phase I pharmacokinetic trial to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of ORMD-0901 compared to placebo in healthy volunteers. We initiated a follow-on trial in T2D patients, in June 2021 in the U.S. under an IND submitted to the FDA.

Oral Vaccine

On March 18, 2021, we entered into a license agreement, or the Oravax License Agreement, with Oravax. For more information about the Oravax License Agreement, please see below under “Out-Licensed Technology”.

Oravax, Oramed’s 63% owned joint venture combines our proprietary POD™ oral delivery technology and the novel vaccine technology of Premas Biotech Pvt. Ltd., or Premas. We are considering ways in which our shareholders could benefit more directly from Oravax, including potentially issuing some of our shares in Oravax to our shareholders as a dividend, which would make Oravax a publicly held company that may in turn apply for listing on a stock exchange.

A single dose of Oravax’s oral vaccine produced a significant antibody response in a preclinical in-vivo study. Oravax’s novel vaccine technology may be a candidate for protection against COVID-19 and its variants due to triple antigen targeting, easier distribution and ease of administration.

On October 29, 2021, we announced Oravax’s oral COVID-19 vaccine has received clearance from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to initiate a Phase I trial and subsequently to commence patient enrollment in a first in human, Phase 1 clinical trial, for its oral COVID-19 vaccine and on December 14, 2021, Oravax screened and enrolled the first participant in a Phase 1 clinical trial of its oral virus-like particle (VLP) COVID-19 vaccine in Johannesburg, South Africa.

On December 29, 2021, Oravax signed a cooperation and purchase agreement for an initial pre-purchase of 10 million doses of oral COVID-19 vaccines with Tan Thanh Holdings to commercialize the vaccine in Southeast Asia.

Other Products

We are developing a new drug candidate, a weight loss treatment in the form of an oral leptin capsule. During the third quarter of the 2020 calendar year, we finalized a proof of concept single-dose trial for this candidate to evaluate its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (glucagon reduction) in 10 type 1 adult diabetic patients without any safety issues. Patients who received leptin on average had a decrease in glucose as compared to the placebo group during the first 30-180 minutes following dosing. At different time periods, the leptin treated patients on average had glucagon values that were either lower than or similar to, those in the placebo group. We are currently in the middle of a second study of 15 type 1 adult diabetic patients who serve as both the active and placebo arms in this study, with anticipated results in the first quarter of the 2022 calendar year.

Out-Licensed Technology

HTIT License

On November 30, 2015, we, Oramed Ltd. and HTIT entered into a Technology License Agreement, or TLA, and on December 21, 2015, these parties entered into an Amended and Restated Technology License Agreement that was further amended by the parties on June 3, 2016 and July 24, 2016, or the HTIT License Agreement. According to the HTIT License Agreement, we granted HTIT an exclusive commercialization license in the territory of the People’s Republic of China, Macau and Hong Kong (the “Territory”), related to our oral insulin capsule, ORMD-0801, or the Product. Pursuant to the HTIT License Agreement, HTIT will conduct, at its own expense, certain pre-commercialization and regulatory activities with respect to our subsidiary’s technology and ORMD-0801 capsule, and will pay (i) royalties of 10% on net sales of the related commercialized products to be sold by HTIT in the Territory, or Royalties, and (ii) an aggregate of $37.5 million, of which $3 million was payable immediately, $8 million will be paid subject to our entry into certain agreements with certain third parties, and $26.5 million will be payable upon achievement of certain milestones and conditions. In the event that we will not meet certain conditions, the Royalties rate may be reduced to a minimum of 8%. Following the final expiration of our patents covering the technology in the Territory in 2033, the Royalties rate may be reduced, under certain circumstances, to 5%. The royalty payment obligation shall apply during the period of time beginning upon the first commercial sale of the Product in the Territory, and ending upon the later of (i) the expiration of the last-to-expire licensed patents in the Territory; and (ii) 15 years after the first commercial sale of the Product in the Territory, or the Royalty Term. The HTIT License Agreement shall remain in effect until the expiration of the Royalty Term. The HTIT License Agreement contains customary termination provisions. Through November 30, 2021, we received aggregate milestone payments of $20.5 million out of the aggregate amount of $37.5 million.

On August 21, 2020, we received a letter from HTIT, disputing certain pending payment obligations of HTIT under the TLA. We wholly dispute said claims and we are in discussions with HTIT in an attempt to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

Oravax License

On March 18, 2021, we entered into the Oravax License Agreement with Oravax, pursuant to which we will grant to Oravax an exclusive, worldwide license, or the License, under our rights in certain patents and related intellectual property in which Oravax will receive certain rights relating to our proprietary oral delivery technology to further develop, manufacture and commercialize oral vaccines for COVID-19 and other novel coronaviruses based on Premas’s proprietary vaccine technology involving a triple antigen virus like particle, or the Oravax Product, which was previously owned by Cystron Biotech LLC, or Cystron, and later acquired by Akers Biosciences Inc., or Akers.

In consideration for the grant of the License, the Oravax License Agreement provides that we will receive (i) royalties equal to 7.5% on net sales, as defined in the Oravax License Agreement, of each product commercialized by Oravax, its affiliates and permitted sublicensees related to the License during the term specified in the Oravax License Agreement, (ii) sublicensing fees equal to 15% of any non-sales-based consideration received by Oravax from a permitted sublicensee and (iii) other payments ranging between $25 million to $100 million, based on certain sales milestones being achieved by Oravax. The parties further agreed to establish a development and steering committee, which will consist of three members, of which two members will be appointed by us, that will oversee the ongoing research, development, clinical and regulatory activity with respect to the Oravax Product. In addition, we agreed to buy and Oravax agreed to issue to us 1,890,000 shares of common stock of Oravax, representing 63% of the common stock of Oravax for the aggregate amount of $1.5 million. Akers agreed to contribute to Oravax $1.5 million in cash and substantially all of the assets of Cystron, including a license agreement to Premas’s novel vaccine technology. Nadav Kidron, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, was one of the former members of Cystron. 

Results of Operations

Comparison of three month periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020

The following table summarizes certain statements of operations data of the Company for the three month periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020 (in thousands of dollars except share and per share data):

Revenues

Revenues consist of proceeds related to the HTIT License Agreement that are recognized on a cumulative basis when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur, through the expected product submission date of June 2023 using the input method.

Revenues were $674,000 for each of the three month periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020.

Cost of revenues

Cost of revenues consists of royalties related to the HTIT License Agreement that will be paid over the term of the HTIT License Agreement in accordance with revenue recognition accounting and the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research, Development and Technological Innovation, 1984, as amended, including any regulations or tracks promulgated thereunder.

There was no cost of revenues for the three month periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses include costs directly attributable to the conduct of research and development programs, including the cost of salaries, employee benefits, costs of materials, supplies, the cost of services provided by outside contractors, including services related to our clinical trials, clinical trial expenses, the full cost of manufacturing drugs for use in research and preclinical development.  All costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.

Clinical trial costs are a significant component of research and development expenses and include costs associated with third-party contractors. We outsource a substantial portion of our clinical trial activities, utilizing external entities such as CROs, independent clinical investigators and other third-party service providers to assist us with the execution of our clinical studies.

Clinical activities, which relate principally to clinical sites and other administrative functions to manage our clinical trials, are performed primarily by CROs. CROs typically perform most of the start-up activities for our trials, including document preparation, site identification, screening and preparation, pre-study visits, training, and program management.

Clinical trial and pre-clinical trial expenses include regulatory and scientific consultants’ compensation and fees, research expenses, purchase of materials, cost of capsule manufacturing, payments for patient recruitment and treatment, as well as salaries and related expenses of research and development staff.

Research and development expenses for the three month period ended November 30, 2021 increased by 11% to $6,410,000, from $5,774,000 for the three month period ended November 30, 2020. The increase is primarily due to an increase in expenses related to our Phase 3 and NASH clinical trials in addition to expenses related to the in process research and development costs related to Oravax. Stock-based compensation costs for the three month period ended November 30, 2021 totaled $505,000, as compared to $137,000 during the three month period ended November 30, 2020. The increase is mainly attributable to awards granted to a consultant and to new award grants in fiscal 2021.

Government grants

In the three month periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, we did not recognize any research and development grants. As of November 30, 2021, we incurred liabilities to pay royalties to the Israel Innovation Authority of the Israeli Ministry of Economy & Industry of $207,000.

Sales and Marketing expenses

Sales and Marketing expenses include the salaries and related expenses of our commercial functions, consulting costs and other general costs. We anticipate that our commercial activities will increase in the future towards and following potential approval of our planned BLA submission for ORMD-0801.

Sales and Marketing expenses for the three month period ended November 30, 2021 were $585,000 while we incurred no expenses for the three month period ended November 30, 2020. The increase in costs related to sales and marketing expenses activities is primarily attributable to stock-based compensation expenses and salary related expenses. Stock-based compensation costs for the three month period ended November 30, 2021 totaled $433,000 while there were no stock-based compensation expenses during the three month period ended November 30, 2020. The increase is mainly attributable to awards granted to an employee during fiscal 2021.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses include the salaries and related expenses of our management, consulting costs, legal and professional fees, travel expenses, business development costs, insurance expenses and other general costs.

General and administrative expenses for the three month period ended November 30, 2021 increased by 139% to $1,739,000 from $727,000 for the three month period ended November 30, 2020. The increase in costs related to general and administrative activities is primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation expenses and professional fees expenses as well as public relations and investor relations expenses. Stock-based compensation costs for the three month period ended November 30, 2021 totaled $772,000, as compared to $180,000 during the three month period ended November 30, 2020. The increase is mainly attributable to awards granted to an employee during the three month period ended November 30, 2021 and to awards granted during fiscal 2021.

Financial income (expense), net

Net financial income decreased from net financial income of $257,000 for the three month period ended November 30, 2020 to net financial expenses of $38,000 for the three month period ended November 30, 2021. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in fair value of the ordinary shares of Entera Bio Ltd.

Liquidity and capital resources

From inception through November 30, 2021, we have incurred losses in an aggregate amount of $122,742,000. During that period and through January 11, 2022, we have financed our operations through several private placements of our common stock, as well as public offerings of our common stock, raising a total of $241,432,000, net of transaction costs. During that period, we also received cash consideration of $27,922,000 from the exercise of warrants and options. We expect to seek to obtain additional financing through similar sources in the future, as needed. As of November 30, 2021, we had $31,880,000 of available cash, $136,156,000 of short-term and long-term bank deposits and $11,704,000 of marketable securities.

Management continues to evaluate various financing alternatives for funding future research and development activities and general and administrative expenses through fundraising in the public or private equity markets. Although there is no assurance that we will be successful with those initiatives, management believes that it will be able to secure the necessary financing as a result of future third party investments. Based on our current cash resources and commitments, we believe we will be able to maintain our current planned development activities and the corresponding level of expenditures for at least the next 12 months.

As of November 30, 2021, our total current assets were $152,332,000 and our total current liabilities were $7,660,000. On November 30, 2021, we had a working capital surplus of $144,672,000 and an accumulated loss of $122,742,000. As of August 31, 2021, our total current assets were $95,337,000 and our total current liabilities were $6,679,000. On August 31, 2021, we had a working capital surplus of $88,658,000 and an accumulated loss of $114,852,000. The increase in working capital from August 31, 2021 to November 30, 2021 was primarily due to capital raising.

During the three month period ended November 30, 2021, cash and cash equivalents decreased to $31,880,000 from the $77,245,000 reported as of August 31, 2021, which is due to the reasons described below.

Operating activities used cash of $6,903,000 in the three month period ended November 30, 2021, as compared to $6,152,000 used in the three month period ended November 30, 2020. Cash used in operating activities primarily consisted of net loss resulting from research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses, as well as changes in deferred revenue due to the HTIT License Agreement and is partially offset by changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses and stock-based compensation.

Investing activities used cash of $99,048,000 in the three month period ended November 30, 2021, as compared to cash provided by investing activities of $1,199,000 in the three month period ended November 30, 2020. Cash used in investing activities in the three month period ended November 30, 2021 consisted primarily of the purchase of short-term deposits. Cash provided by investing activities in the three month period ended November 30, 2020 consisted primarily of the proceeds from the sale of short-term deposits and held to maturity securities and mutual funds and is partially offset by the purchase of short term deposits and the purchase of held to maturity securities and corporate bonds designated at fair value.

Financing activities provided cash of $60,563,000 in the three month period ended November 30, 2021, as compared to $586,000 provided in the three month period ended November 30, 2020. Cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily proceeds from the issuance of our common stock as well as proceeds from the exercise of options and warrants.

On September 1, 2021, we entered into a controlled equity offering agreement, or the Cantor Equity Distribution Agreement, with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as agent, pursuant to which the Company may issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000, through a sales agent, subject to certain terms and conditions. Any shares sold will be sold pursuant to our effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 including a prospectus dated July 26, 2021 and prospectus supplement dated September 1, 2021.  We paid the sales agent a cash commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds of the sale of any shares sold through the sales agent under the Cantor Equity Sales Agreement. As of January 11, 2022, 565,120 shares were issued under the Cantor Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate net proceeds of $12,298,000.

On November 3, 2021, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with several institutional and accredited investors, or the Purchasers, pursuant to which we agreed to sell, in a registered direct offering, or the Offering, an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to the Purchasers for an offering price of $25.00 per share. The closing of the sale of the shares occurred on November 5, 2021. The net proceeds to us from the Offering, after deducting the placement agent’s fees and expenses and the Company’s Offering expenses, were approximately $46,375,000.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

Our critical accounting policies are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report.

Planned Expenditures

We invest heavily in research and development, and we expect that in the upcoming years our research and development expenses will continue to be our major operating expense.

ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There has been no significant change in our exposure to market risk during the quarter ended November 30, 2021. For a discussion of our exposure to market risk, refer to Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” contained in our Annual Report.

ITEM 4 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of November 30, 2021. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended November 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS 

SIGNATURES

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

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