PLx Pharma Winddown Corp. - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q and certain information incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In this quarterly report, we refer to PLx Pharma Inc., together with its subsidiary, as the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us.” All statements other than statements of historical facts contained herein, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, strategy and plans, and our expectations for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “design,” “intend,” “expect” or the negative version of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, strategy, short- and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors.” In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances included herein may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. In addition, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this quarterly report speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We disclaim any duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this quarterly report to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.

Other risks may be described from time to time in our filings made under applicable securities laws. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks. All forward-looking statements in this quarterly report speak only as of the date made and are based on our current beliefs and expectations. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NOTE REGARDING TRADEMARKS

We own various U.S. federal trademark registrations and applications and unregistered trademarks, trade names and service marks, including:

	●	PLX®
	●	PLX PHARMA®
	●	PLXGUARD™
	●	VAZALORE®
	●	FIRST LIQUID-FILLED ASPIRIN CAPSULES®
	●

Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this quarterly report are sometimes referred to without the ® or ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto. We do not intend the use or display of other companies’ trademarks and trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies, products or services.

PLx Pharma Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

PLx Pharma Inc. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited) 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

PLx Pharma Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SERIES A AND SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

PLx Pharma Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 

PLx Pharma Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2022

(unaudited)

NOTE 1. BACKGROUND AND ORGANIZATION

Business Operations

PLx Pharma Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”), together with its subsidiary PLx Opco Inc., is a commercial-stage drug delivery platform technology company focused on improving how and where active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) are absorbed in the gastrointestinal ("GI") tract via its clinically-validated and patent-protected PLxGuard™ technology.  The Company has two Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved products, VAZALORE® 81 mg and VAZALORE® 325 mg (referred to together as “VAZALORE”), which are liquid-filled aspirin capsules for over-the-counter distribution ("OTC").  

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Financial Statements

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a “pandemic”, or a worldwide spread of a new disease. Many countries imposed and continue to enforce quarantines and restrictions on travel and mass gatherings to slow the spread of the virus and have closed non-essential businesses.

In response to COVID-19, the Company has not experienced a significant disruption or delay in the development, manufacturing or sale of VAZALORE, and has not otherwise experienced any significant negative impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, the extent to which COVID-19 may impact our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States and other countries to contain and treat the pandemic. The unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

The Company has not experienced any significant negative impact on its March 31, 2022 unaudited consolidated financial statements related to COVID-19.

NOTE 2. LIQUIDITY

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The propriety of using the going-concern basis is dependent upon, among other things, the achievement of future profitable operations, the ability to generate sufficient cash from operations and potential other funding sources, in addition to cash on-hand, to meet its obligations as they become due.

The Company had not generated any revenue from the sale of products prior to the quarter ended September 30, 2021 and has incurred operating losses in each year since it commenced operations. The Company began generating revenue in the U.S. from its sales of VAZALORE in the third quarter of 2021. The Company expects to continue to incur significant operating expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future as the Company continues the commercialization of VAZALORE. Additionally, as of March 31, 2022, the Company had entered into media and advertising commitments for VAZALORE of $2.9 million which are expected to be paid in the second quarter of 2022.  Further, the Company has supply agreements with its contract manufacturer and packager for VAZALORE which contain minimum annual purchase commitments that started in 2021 and continue through 2025; the minimum annual purchase commitments are intended to ensure that manufactured product is available when required to enable the Company to meet its expected market demand for VAZALORE.

As of March 31, 2022, the Company had working capital of $44.5 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $52.5 million.  Although the achievement of future profitable operations and the ability to generate sufficient cash from operations is uncertain at this time, the Company’s cash on hand at March 31, 2022 supports that the Company can fund its obligations for at least one year from the date these financial statements were issued and mitigates the substantial doubt consideration.

NOTE 3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. The December 31, 2021 consolidated balance sheet included herein was derived from audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to instructions, rules, and regulations prescribed by the SEC. The Company believes that the disclosures provided herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading when these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes previously filed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all the adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2022 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, PLx Opco Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated within the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, estimates are used for, but not limited to, the fair value of warrant liability, the fair value of stock-based compensation, trade promotional allowances, allowance for inventory obsolescence, and deferred taxes and associated valuation allowance. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using the first-in first-out method based on actual costs. Inventory as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was comprised of the following:

The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and assesses the need for an allowance for obsolescence based on estimates of net realizable value. The allowance for obsolete inventory as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was not material.

Revenue Recognition

The Company analyzes contracts to determine the appropriate revenue recognition using the following steps: (i) identification of contracts with customers; (ii) identification of distinct performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determination of contract transaction price; (iv) allocation of contract transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) determination of revenue recognition based on timing of satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenue upon the satisfaction of its performance obligations (upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers) in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Deferred revenue results from cash receipts from or amounts billed to customers in advance of the transfer of control of the promised services to the customer and is recognized as performance obligations are satisfied. When sales commissions or other costs to obtain contracts with customers are considered incremental and recoverable, those costs are deferred and then amortized as selling and marketing expenses on a straight-line basis over an estimated period of benefit.

The Company began generating revenue in the U.S. from its sales of VAZALORE in 81 mg and 325 mg doses in the third quarter of 2021 and recognizes revenue, at a point in time, when control of a promised good is transferred to a customer in an amount that reflects consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for that good. This occurs either when the finished goods are received by the customer or when a product is picked up by the customer or the customer’s carrier. The Company recognized total revenue from sales of VAZALORE of $2.1 million with $1.7 million or 79% of net sales for the 81 mg dose and $0.4 million or 21% of net sales for the 325 mg dose for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Nature of Goods and Services

The Company generates revenue from the sale of its VAZALORE products through a broad distribution platform that includes drugstores, mass merchandisers, grocery stores, and e-commerce channels, all of which sell its products to consumers. Finished goods products are typically shipped FOB destination and accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue upon delivery to the customer or pick-up by the customer’s carrier.

Satisfaction of Performance Obligations

The Company recognizes revenue upon the satisfaction of its performance obligations (upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers) in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company had no unsatisfied performance obligations or deferred revenue as of March 31, 2022.

Variable Consideration

Provisions for certain customer promotional programs, product returns and discounts to customers are accounted for as variable consideration and recorded as a reduction in sales, based on an estimate of future returns, and customer prompt payment discounts, redemption of coupons by consumers and trade promotional allowances paid to customers. These allowances cover extensive promotional activities, primarily comprised of cooperative advertising, slotting, coupons, periodic price reduction arrangements, and other in-store displays.

The reserves for sales returns and consumer and trade promotion obligations are established based on the Company’s best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing obligations for products sold as of the balance sheet date.  The Company uses trend experience and coupon redemption inputs to determine coupon reserve requirements and uses forecasted customer and sales organization inputs, and historical trend analysis for consumer brands to determine the reserves for other promotional activities and sales returns. The balance of reserves for sales returns and consumer and trade promotion obligations, reflected in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, was $1.0 million as of March 31, 2022 and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2021.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as they are incurred. The Company incurred advertising costs of $9.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022, which are included in SM&A expense in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations, and did not have any advertising costs during the three months ended March 31, 2021. 

Income (Loss) Per Share

In periods of net loss, basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The Company’s Series A convertible preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) and the Series B convertible preferred stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock” and, together with the Series A Preferred Stock, collectively the “Preferred Stock”) contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends, and therefore are considered to be participating securities; in periods of net income, the calculation of basic earnings per share excludes from the numerator net income attributable to the Preferred Stock and excludes the impact of those shares from the denominator. 

In periods of net loss, diluted loss per share is calculated similarly to basic loss per share because the impact of all potential dilutive common shares is anti-dilutive. For periods of net income, diluted earnings per share is computed using the more dilutive of the “two class method” or the “treasury method.” Dilutive earnings per share under the “two class method” is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders as adjusted for the participating impacts of the Preferred Stock, by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive impact of all other potential dilutive common shares, consisting primarily of common shares underlying common stock options and stock purchase warrants using the treasury stock method. Dilutive earnings per share under the “treasury method” is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive impact of all potential dilutive common shares, consisting primarily of common shares underlying common stock options and stock purchase warrants using the treasury stock method, and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method.

Due to net losses, none of the participating securities nor potential dilutive securities had a dilutive impact during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

The following table sets forth the potential dilutive securities:

Recent Accounting Developments

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which is designed to provide financial statement users with more information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. When determining such expected credit losses, the guidance requires companies to apply a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This guidance is effective on a modified retrospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will evaluate the impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06 Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (subtopic 815-40) that provides new guidance on the accounting for convertible debt instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The guidance simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the various accounting models that can require the instrument to be separated into a debt component and equity component or derivative component. Additionally, the guidance eliminated certain settlement conditions previously required to be able to classify a derivative in equity. The new guidance is effective on a modified or full retrospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods with those fiscal years. The Company will evaluate the impact on the consolidated financial statements.

The Company does not believe that any recently issued effective standards, or standards issued but not yet effective, if adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent Events

The Company’s management reviewed all material events through the date the unaudited consolidated financial statements were issued for subsequent event disclosure consideration.

NOTE 4. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

On March 5, 2021, the Company completed an underwritten public offering in which the Company issued and sold 7,875,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price to the public of $8.00 per share (the "Offering"). Gross proceeds of the Offering were $63 million before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by the Company and resulted in net proceeds of $59.0 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by the Company. The underwriters retained a customary 30-day overallotment option to purchase up to 1,181,250 shares of common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commission. The overallotment option was exercised on March 16, 2021 for 1,049,700 shares with gross proceeds of $8.4 million and net proceeds of $7.9 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by the Company.

Warrants

In June 2017, the Company issued stock purchase warrants to purchase 2,646,091 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share. The warrants, exercisable beginning six months and one day after issuance, have a 10-year term and are liability classified due to the holders’ right to require the Company to repurchase the warrants for cash upon certain deferred fundamental transactions ( “June 2017 Warrants”). See Note 7 for the fair value measurement of the warrant liability.  

In connection with the entry into the Term Loan Facility, the Company issued to SVB and one of its affiliates stock purchase warrants to purchase an aggregate of 58,502 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $6.41 per share. These warrants are immediately exercisable, have a 10-year term, contain a cashless exercise provision, and are classified in equity.

In November 2020, the Company issued warrants to purchase 5,230,910 shares of common stock which have an exercise price of $4.31 per share, contain a cashless exercise provision, will expire five years from the date of issuance and are equity classified (the “November 2020 Warrants”).

The following is a summary of warrant activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

Stock Options

The following is a summary of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

On September 13, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2018 Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan provides that the Company may grant equity interests to employees, consultants, and members of the Board of Directors in the form of incentive and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and various other forms of stock-based awards. On November 10, 2020, the Company held its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders at which the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the 2018 Plan, to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable under the 2018 Plan by 1,750,000 shares. On November 9, 2021, the Company held its 2021 annual meeting of stockholders at which the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the 2018 Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable under the 2018 Plan by 4,000,000 shares (the “Plan Amendment”). The Board of Directors of the Company previously approved the Plan Amendment on August 3, 2021, subject to stockholder approval. There are 7,000,000 shares authorized for issuance pursuant to the 2018 Plan, of which 3,669,650 shares are available for issuance under the 2018 Plan.

Prior to the approval of the 2018 Plan, the Company granted options to employees, directors, advisors, and consultants from two former plans – the Old PLx Omnibus Stock Option Plan and the Dipexium 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plans”). Upon the adoption of the 2018 Plan, the Prior Plans were frozen, and no new awards can be issued pursuant to the Prior Plans. The Company is no longer authorized to grant awards under these two plans.

The Company granted 760,000 options during the three months ended March 31, 2022 with an aggregate fair value of $2.7 million calculated using the Black-Scholes model on the grant date. Variables used in the Black-Scholes model include: (1) discount rate ranging from 1.6% - 1.9%, (2) expected life of 6 years, (3) expected volatility of 82%, and (4) zero expected dividends. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $9.0 million in unamortized expense related to unvested options which is expected to be expensed over a weighted average of 2.2 years.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in total stock-based compensation expense related to the stock options. Substantially all stock-based compensation expense is classified as selling, marketing and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of operations.

NOTE 5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Lease Agreements

The Company presently leases office space under operating lease agreements, expiring in September 2023, and June 2024. The office leases require the Company to pay for its maintenance, and insurance. Rental expense under these agreements was $0.03 million and $0.09 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Operating lease ROU assets are included in right of use assets in the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease liabilities are included in other current and non-current liabilities in the Company’s unaudited consolidated balance sheets.

All the Company’s existing leases as of March 31, 2022 are classified as operating leases and have a weighted average remaining lease term of 1.9 years. Certain of the Company’s existing leases have fair value renewal options, none of which the Company considers certain of being exercised or included in the minimum lease term. The discount rate used in the calculation of the Company’s lease liability ranges from 7.25% to 9.50%.

A maturity analysis of the Company’s operating leases follows:

Purchase Commitments

As of March 31, 2022, the Company had entered into media and advertising commitments for VAZALORE of $2.9 million which are expected to be paid during the second quarter of 2022.

The Company has supply agreements with its contract manufacturer and packager for VAZALORE which contain minimum annual purchase commitments that started in 2021 and continue through 2025. The minimum annual purchase commitments are intended to ensure that manufactured product is available when required to enable the Company to meet its expected market demand for VAZALORE.

NOTE 6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company has categorized all investments recorded at fair value based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value.

Hierarchical levels, directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

The Company’s financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable) are carried in the consolidated balance sheet at cost, which reasonably approximates fair value based on their short-term nature. The Company’s warrant liability is recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value being reflected in the statements of operations for the period of change.

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The Company evaluates financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis to determine the appropriate level at which to classify them each reporting period. This determination requires the Company to make subjective judgments as to the significance of inputs used in determining fair value and where such inputs lie within the hierarchy.

The June 2017 Warrants contain certain cash settlement features and, accordingly, the Company considered them to be liabilities and accounted for them at fair value using Level 3 inputs. The Company determined the fair value of this warrant liability using a binomial asset pricing model that consisted of a conditional probability weighted expected return method that values the Company’s equity securities assuming various possible future outcomes to estimate the allocation of value within one or more of the scenarios. Using this method, unobservable inputs included the Company’s equity value, expected timing of possible outcomes, risk free interest rates and stock price volatility. Variables used at March 31, 2022 include: (1) the Company stock price of $4.04, (2) the risk-free rate of 2.42%, (3) remaining expected life of 5.2 years, and (4) expected volatility of 82%.

The Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock both contain a contingent put option and, accordingly, the Company considered the put options to be liabilities and accounted for them at fair value using Level 3 inputs. The Company determined the fair value of these liabilities was de minimis at issuance and as of March 31, 2022, due to the remote possibly of its occurrence, a Level 3 unobservable input.

The following table sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

The following table identifies the carrying amounts of such liabilities at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis

The Company does not have any financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

Non-financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis

The Company does not have any non-financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Non-financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis

The Company measures its long-lived assets, including property and equipment and goodwill, at fair value on a non-recurring basis when they are deemed to be impaired. No such impairment was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

NOTE 7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company’s management reviewed all material events through the date the unaudited consolidated financial statements were issued for subsequent event disclosure consideration and none were noted.

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

Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Quarterly Report”) that are not strictly historical are forward-looking statements and include statements about products in development, results and analyses of pre-clinical studies, clinical trials and studies, research and development expenses, cash expenditures, and alliances and partnerships, among other matters. You can identify these forward-looking statements because they involve our expectations, intentions, beliefs, plans, projections, anticipations, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of any number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks relating to our ability to conduct and obtain successful results from ongoing clinical trials, commercialize our technology, obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, contract with third parties to adequately test and manufacture our proposed therapeutic products, protect our intellectual property rights and obtain additional financing to continue our development efforts. We do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements or to announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

We urge you to read this entire Quarterly Report, including the “Risk Factors” referenced under Part II. Item 1A, the financial statements, and related notes. The information contained herein is current as of the date of this Quarterly Report (March 31, 2022), unless another date is specified. We prepare our interim financial statements in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Our financials and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 are not necessarily indicative of our prospective financial condition and results of operations for the pending full fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. The interim financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report as well as other information relating to the Company contained in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction and together with the reports, statements and information filed by us with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is provided in addition to the accompanying financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Overview

We are a commercial-stage drug delivery platform technology company focused on improving how and where APIs are absorbed in the GI tract via our clinically validated and patent protected PLxGuard™ technology. We believe this platform has the potential to improve the absorption of many drugs currently on the market or in development and to reduce the risk of stomach injury associated with certain drugs.

VAZALORE is an FDA-approved liquid-filled aspirin capsule, available in 81 mg and 325 mg doses. VAZALORE delivers aspirin differently from plain and enteric coated aspirin products. The special complex inside the capsule allows for targeted release of aspirin, limiting its direct contact with the stomach lining. VAZALORE delivers fast, reliable absorption for pain relief plus the lifesaving benefits of aspirin.

Our commercialization strategy targets the OTC market, taking advantage of the existing distribution channels for aspirin. We market VAZALORE to the healthcare professional and the consumer through several sales and marketing channels. Our product pipeline also includes other oral NSAIDs using the PLxGuard drug delivery platform that may be developed, including PL1200 Ibuprofen 200 mg and PL1100 Ibuprofen 400 mg, for pain and inflammation in Phase 1 clinical stage. We are also screening additional compounds outside the NSAID category for possible development using our PLxGuard drug delivery platform.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) included elsewhere herein describes the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial statements. Certain of these significant accounting policies are considered to be critical accounting policies, as defined below.

A critical accounting policy is defined as one that is both material to the presentation of our financial statements and requires management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments that could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Specifically, critical accounting estimates have the following attributes: (1) we are required to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time of the estimate; and (2) different estimates we could reasonably have used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur, would have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be applicable and reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates may change as new events occur, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. These changes have historically been minor and have been included in the financial statements as soon as they became known. Based on a critical assessment of our accounting policies and the underlying judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies, management believes that our financial statements are fairly stated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and present a meaningful presentation of our financial condition and results of operations. We believe the following critical accounting policies reflect our more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Financial Statements

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a “pandemic”, or a worldwide spread of a new disease. Many countries imposed quarantines and restrictions on travel and mass gatherings to slow the spread of the virus and have closed non-essential businesses.

In response to COVID-19, the Company has not experienced a significant disruption or delay in the development, manufacturing or sale of VAZALORE, and has not otherwise experienced any significant negative impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, the extent to which COVID-19 may impact our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States and other countries to contain and treat the pandemic. The unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

The Company has not experienced any significant negative impact on its March 31, 2022 unaudited consolidated financial statements related to COVID-19.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our unaudited consolidated 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 disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, estimates are used for, but not limited to, the impairment assessment of goodwill, the fair value of warrant liability, the fair value of stock-based compensation, allowance for inventory obsolescence, and deferred taxes and associated valuation allowance. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company has categorized all investments recorded at fair value based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value.

Hierarchical levels, directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

Revenue Recognition

The Company analyzes contracts to determine the appropriate revenue recognition using the following steps: (i) identification of contracts with customers; (ii) identification of distinct performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determination of contract transaction price; (iv) allocation of contract transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) determination of revenue recognition based on timing of satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenues upon the satisfaction of its performance obligations (upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers) in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Deferred revenue results from cash receipts from or amounts billed to customers in advance of the transfer of control of the promised services to the customer and is recognized as performance obligations are satisfied. When sales commissions or other costs to obtain contracts with customers are considered incremental and recoverable, those costs are deferred and then amortized as selling and marketing expenses on a straight-line basis over an estimated period of benefit.

The Company began generating revenue in the U.S. from its sales of VAZALORE in 81 mg and 325 mg doses in the third quarter of 2021 and recognizes revenue when control of a promised good is transferred to a customer in an amount that reflects consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for that good. This occurs either when the finished goods are delivered to the customer or when a product is picked up by the customer or the customer’s carrier.  The Company recognized total revenue from sales of VAZALORE of $2.1 million with $1.7 million or 79% of net sales for the 81 mg dose and $0.4 million or 21% of net sales for the 325 mg dose for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Research and Development Expenses

Costs incurred in connection with research and development activities are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist of direct and indirect costs associated with manufacturing and regulatory activities, and include fees paid to various entities that perform research-related services for the Company.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the fair value of all stock-based compensation to key employees, nonemployee directors and advisors, generally in the form of stock options. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of stock options on the grant date. Compensation cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for each respective award. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

Adopted Accounting Guidance

For a discussion of significant accounting guidance recently adopted or unadopted accounting guidance that has the potential of being significant, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We prepare and publicly release quarterly unaudited financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial measures in our public releases, investor conference calls and filings with the SEC. The non-GAAP financial measures that we disclose include adjusted non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders and adjusted non-GAAP net loss per common share.  Non-GAAP net loss per share is defined as net loss per share excluding the change in the fair value of warrant liability and dividends related to our preferred stock. 

We consider adjusted non-GAAP net loss and adjusted non-GAAP net loss per basic and diluted earnings per share to be an important financial indicator of our operating performance, providing investors and analysts with a useful measure of operating results unaffected by the impact on the financial statements of the volatility of the change in the fair value of the warrant liability and non-cash and non-recurring dividends on our preferred stock.  Management uses adjusted non-GAAP net loss and adjusted non-GAAP net loss per share when analyzing our performance.  Adjusted non-GAAP net loss and adjusted non-GAAP net loss per share should be considered in addition to, but not in lieu of net loss or net loss per share reported under GAAP.

A reconciliation of adjusted non-GAAP net loss per share to the most directly comparable GAAP finance measure is provided below.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

Revenue

Total revenues were $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to no revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and reflected the launch of VAZALORE 81 mg and 325 mg dose strengths with initial distribution to U.S. retail channels in the third quarter of 2021.  Net sales were led by the 81 mg dose strength (consisting of two SKUs), which represented 79% of total revenues in the first quarter of 2022. 

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of $0.9 million.  Gross margin of 44% reflects outsourced manufacturing and packaging costs, shipping costs, quality assurance and royalties. Gross profit from our 325 mg dose is lower than our 81 mg dose due to the proportionally higher use of raw materials and the manufacturing of smaller batch sizes, notwithstanding a list price that is equal to the 81 mg 30 count bottle. We are working on expanding our manufacturing capacity by the end of 2022 which we expect will improve gross margin.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $19.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, increased from operating expenses of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021and reflected the promotional activities and associated expenses for the continued commercial launch of VAZALORE. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expense consists of expenses incurred while performing research and development activities to discover, develop, or improve potential product candidates we seek to develop. This includes conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, manufacturing and other development efforts, and activities related to regulatory filings for product candidates. We recognize research and development expenses as they are incurred. Our research and development expenses primarily consist of (i) direct and indirect costs associated with specific projects and manufacturing activities, and (ii) fees paid to various entities that perform research related services for us.

Research and development expenses were $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease reflects the non-recurrence of the prior year costs for pre-commercial manufacturing-related activities such as validation and optimization work for VAZALORE.

Selling, Marketing and Administrative Expenses

SM&A expenses include costs related to functions such as sales, marketing, corporate management, insurance, and legal costs. Broker commissions are incurred and expensed as SM&A costs in the underlying consolidated statements of operations when the underlying sales take place. SM&A expenses also include costs for advertising (excluding the costs of cooperative advertising programs, which are reflected in net sales), contract field force, and consumer promotion costs (such as on-shelf advertisements and displays). SM&A costs are expensed as incurred.

Selling, marketing and administrative expenses totaled $18.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase primarily reflects higher sales and marketing expenses related to the VAZALORE launch. In the third quarter of 2021, a cardiovascular specialty field force and a national media television campaign were launched to raise awareness amongst healthcare professionals and consumers. Non-cash stock-based compensation was $1.1 million in the current period versus $0.6 million in the prior year period.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net totaled $7.4 million of other income and $7.9 million of other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The variance is largely attributable to the non-cash change in fair value of warrant liability primarily due to the fluctuation of the price of the Company’s common stock.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Financial Condition

The following table summarizes the primary uses and sources of cash for the periods indicated:

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities of $16.9 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, is higher in 2022 due to the combination of higher operating expenses primarily related to sales and marketing and increased inventory purchases to support the continued launch of VAZALORE, offset by the timing of expense payments.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $0 during the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to $66.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The prior year period reflects net proceeds from the Offering (as defined in Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)).

Future Liquidity and Capital Needs

Even though we are generating revenue, we may never achieve profitability, and even if we do achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability in subsequent periods. Our prior losses, combined with expected future losses, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital. If we are unable to achieve and sustain profitability, the market value of our common stock will likely decline. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing biopharmaceutical products, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or when, if ever, we will become profitable. Although the achievement of future profitable operations and the ability to generate sufficient cash from operations is uncertain at this time, based on the Company's plans, the Company has adequate cash on hand at March 31, 2022 to fund its obligations for at least one year from the date these financial statements were issued, which mitigates the substantial doubt consideration.

Our future capital requirements will remain dependent upon a variety of factors, including cash flow from operations, the ability to increase sales, increasing our gross profits from current levels, reducing sales and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales, continued development of customer relationships, and our ability to market our new products successfully. However, based on our results from operations, we may determine that we need to obtain additional financing in the future to further our commercialization plan. We may obtain additional financing through public or private equity offerings, debt financings (including related-party financings), a credit facility or strategic collaborations. Additional financing may not be available to us when we need it or it may not be available to us on favorable terms, if at all. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed could have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategies. We currently have no understandings, commitments or agreements relating to any of these types of transactions. If we are unable to raise additional funds when needed, we may be required to sell or license our technologies or clinical product candidates or programs that we would prefer to develop and commercialize ourselves. 

ITEM 3.         QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are not required to provide the information required by this item as we are considered a smaller reporting company, as defined in Section 229.10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 4.         CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on an evaluation under the supervision, and with the participation, of the Company’s management, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act were effective as of March 31, 2022 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. We have not experienced any material impact to our internal controls over financial reporting despite the fact that many of our employees are working remotely. We are continually monitoring and assessing the COVID-19 pandemic situation on our internal controls to minimize the impact on their design and operating effectiveness. 

Inherent Limitations Over Internal Controls

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

Management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, does not expect that the Company’s internal controls will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of internal controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Also, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls with respect to future periods is subject to the risk that those internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

PART II.       OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we are party to legal proceedings that we believe to be ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the business of present or former operations. It is management’s opinion, based on the advice of counsel, that the ultimate resolution of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 1A.     RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, please carefully consider the risk factors described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, under the heading “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors.” The risks described are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that our management currently deems to be immaterial, also may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results. There have been no material changes to those risk factors since their disclosure in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

ITEM 2.         UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3.         DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.         MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

ITEM 5.         OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.         EXHIBITS

The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Quarterly Report.

INDEX TO 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.