ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 June (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023
OR
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO |
Commission File Number 001-41429
PROMIS NEUROSCIENCES INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
Ontario, Canada |
| 98-0647155 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
Suite 200, 1920 Yonge Street | ||
Toronto, Ontario | M4S 3E2 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 416-847-6898
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Shares, no par value per share | PMN | The Nasdaq Capital Market |
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, 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.
Large accelerated filer |
| ☐ |
| Accelerated filer |
| ☐ |
| | |||||
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | |||
Emerging growth company | ☒ |
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 August 14, 2023, the registrant had 8,579,284 Common Shares outstanding.
Table of Contents
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on current beliefs, expectations or assumptions regarding the future of the business, future plans and strategies, operational results and other future conditions of the Company. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q regarding the prospects of our industry or our prospects, plans, financial position or business strategy may constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “plans,” “expects” or “does not expect,” “is expected,” “look forward to,” “budget,” “scheduled,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “will continue,” “intends,” “the intent of,” “have the potential,” “anticipates,” “does not anticipate,” “believes,” “should,” “should not,” or variations of such words and phrases that indicate that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,” or “will,” “be taken,” “occur,” or “be achieved,” or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terms. Furthermore, forward-looking statements may be included in various filings that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or press releases or oral statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized executive officers. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that these expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, but are not limited to:
● | the anticipated amount, timing and accounting of contingent, milestone, royalty and other payments under licensing or collaboration agreements; |
● | tax positions and contingencies; research and development costs; compensation and other selling, general and administrative expense; |
● | amortization of intangible assets; |
● | foreign currency exchange risk; |
● | estimated fair value of assets and liabilities; and impairment assessments; |
● | patent terms, patent term extensions, patent office actions and expected availability and period of regulatory exclusivity; |
● | our plans and investments in our portfolio as well as implementation of our corporate strategy; |
● | the risk that the Company will maintain enough liquidity to execute its business plan and its ability to continue as a going concern; |
● | the drivers for growing our business, including our plans and intention to commit resources relating to discovery, research and development programs and business development opportunities as well as the potential benefits and results of, and the anticipated completion of, certain business development transactions; |
● | the expectations, development plans and anticipated timelines, including costs and timing of potential clinical trials, filings and approvals, of our products candidates and pipeline programs, including collaborations with third-parties, as well as the potential therapeutic scope of the development and commercialization of our and our collaborators’ pipeline product candidates, if approved; |
● | the timing, outcome and impact of administrative, regulatory, legal and other proceedings related to our patents and other proprietary and intellectual property rights, tax audits, assessments and settlements, pricing matters, sales and promotional practices, product liability and other matters; |
● | our ability to finance our operations and business initiatives and obtain funding for such activities; |
● | any continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and operations, including expenses, reserves and allowances, the supply chain, manufacturing, cyber-attacks or other privacy or data security incidents, research and development costs, clinical trials and employees; |
● | inflation, market volatility and rising interest rates; |
● | the potential impact of healthcare reform in the United States (U.S.) and measures being taken worldwide designed to reduce healthcare costs and limit the overall level of government expenditures, including the impact of pricing actions and reduced reimbursement for our product candidates, if approved; |
● | the risk that we become characterized as a passive foreign investment company; |
● | lease commitments, purchase obligations and the timing and satisfaction of other contractual obligations; and |
● | the impact of new laws (including tax), regulatory requirements, judicial decisions and accounting standards. |
By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. (the “Company”), as applicable, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information and statements include, but are not limited to, the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors Summary” and in Item 1A—“Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 8, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”), the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 filed with the SEC on March 17, 2023 as well as the risks described in Item 1A—“Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which reflect management’s opinions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to any forward-looking statements. You are advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we make in our reports to the SEC. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
PROMIS NEUROSCIENCES INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(expressed in US dollars, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
June 30, | December 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Assets | |||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash | $ | 1,222,660 | $ | 5,875,796 | |||
Short-term investments |
| 31,825 |
| 31,009 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| 224,739 |
| 996,682 | |||
Total current assets |
| 1,479,224 |
| 6,903,487 | |||
Property and equipment, net |
| — |
| 321 | |||
Intangible assets, net |
| 18,844 |
| 20,838 | |||
Total assets | $ | 1,498,068 | $ | 6,924,646 | |||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficit |
|
|
|
| |||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
| |||
Accounts payable | $ | 7,963,108 | $ | 2,975,398 | |||
Accrued liabilities |
| 775,852 |
| 3,437,646 | |||
Total current liabilities |
| 8,738,960 |
| 6,413,044 | |||
Warrant liability |
| 1,287,400 |
| 1,859,374 | |||
Total liabilities |
| 10,026,360 |
| 8,272,418 | |||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) |
|
|
|
| |||
Shareholders' deficit: |
|
|
|
| |||
Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares, no par value, 70,000,000 shares authorized, 70,000,000 shares and as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 | — | — | |||||
Common shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 8,579,284 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 |
| — |
| — | |||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 79,367,762 |
| 79,101,061 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| (371,185) |
| (195,369) | |||
Accumulated deficit |
| (87,524,869) |
| (80,253,464) | |||
Total shareholders' deficit |
| (8,528,292) |
| (1,347,772) | |||
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit | $ | 1,498,068 | $ | 6,924,646 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
PROMIS NEUROSCIENCES INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(expressed in US dollars, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
For the | For the | For the | For the | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||
Research and development | $ | 1,005,715 | $ | 3,229,584 | $ | 4,515,967 | $ | 5,132,416 | |||||
General and administrative |
| 1,894,169 |
| 1,635,065 |
| 3,354,588 |
| 3,670,751 | |||||
Total operating expenses |
| 2,899,884 |
| 4,864,649 |
| 7,870,555 |
| 8,803,167 | |||||
Loss from operations |
| (2,899,884) |
| (4,864,649) |
| (7,870,555) |
| (8,803,167) | |||||
Other income (expense): | |||||||||||||
Change in fair value of financial instruments |
| 606,214 |
| 930,193 |
| 564,549 |
| 2,910,865 | |||||
Other interest expense | (49,182) | — | (49,182) | — | |||||||||
Interest expense on convertible debt |
| — |
| (134,291) |
| — |
| (282,064) | |||||
Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt and derivative liability | — | 1,307,421 | — | 1,307,421 | |||||||||
Other income |
| 30,878 |
| 16,288 |
| 83,783 |
| 27,062 | |||||
Total other income (expense), net | | 587,910 | 2,119,611 | 599,150 | 3,963,284 | ||||||||
Net loss |
| (2,311,974) |
| (2,745,038) |
| (7,271,405) |
| (4,839,883) | |||||
Other comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| (171,462) |
| 1,636 |
| (175,816) |
| 49,477 | |||||
Comprehensive loss | $ | (2,483,436) | $ | (2,743,402) | $ | (7,447,221) | $ | (4,790,406) | |||||
Net loss per share, basic and diluted | (0.27) | (0.38) | (0.85) | (0.67) | |||||||||
Weighted-average shares outstanding of common shares, basic and diluted |
| 8,579,284 |
| 7,195,529 |
| 8,579,284 |
| 7,195,529 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
PROMIS NEUROSCIENCES INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(expressed in US dollars, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| | Accumulated | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Series 1 Convertible | | | | | Additional | Other | | |
| |||||||||||||
Preferred Shares | Common Shares | Paid-in | Comprehensive | Accumulated |
| |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Income (Loss) | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2022 |
| — |
| $ | — |
| 7,195,529 |
| $ | — |
| $ | 68,039,178 |
| $ | (187,919) |
| $ | (62,191,201) |
| $ | 5,660,058 |
Share-based compensation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 240,277 |
| — |
| — | 240,277 | |||||||
Conversion of convertible debt and derivative liability to Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares |
| 70,000,000 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 5,600,000 |
| — |
| — | 5,600,000 | |||||||
Foreign currency translation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 49,477 |
| — | 49,477 | |||||||
Net loss |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (4,839,883) | (4,839,883) | ||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2022 |
| 70,000,000 | $ | — | 7,195,529 | $ | — |
| $ | 73,879,455 |
| $ | (138,442) |
| $ | (67,031,084) | $ | 6,709,929 |
| | Accumulated | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Series 1 Convertible | | | | | Additional | Other | | | ||||||||||||||
Preferred Shares | Common Shares | Paid-in | Comprehensive | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Income (Loss) | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2023 |
| 70,000,000 | $ | — | 8,579,284 | $ | — | $ | 79,101,061 | $ | (195,369) | $ | (80,253,464) | $ | (1,347,772) | |||||||
Share-based compensation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 266,701 |
| — |
| — |
| 266,701 | ||||||
Foreign currency translation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (175,816) |
| — |
| (175,816) | ||||||
Net loss |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (7,271,405) |
| (7,271,405) | ||||||
Balance, June 30, 2023 |
| 70,000,000 | $ | — |
| 8,579,284 | $ | — | $ | 79,367,762 | $ | (371,185) | $ | (87,524,869) | $ | (8,528,292) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
PROMIS NEUROSCIENCES INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(expressed in US dollars, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Accumulated | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Series 1 Convertible | Additional | Other | |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Shares | Common Shares | Paid-in | Comprehensive | Accumulated |
| |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Income (Loss) | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||
Balance, April 1, 2022 |
| — |
| $ | — |
| 7,195,529 |
| $ | — |
| $ | 68,164,043 |
| $ | (140,078) |
| $ | (64,286,046) |
| $ | 3,737,919 |
Share-based compensation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 115,412 |
| — |
| — | 115,412 | |||||||
Conversion of convertible debt and derivative liability to Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares |
| 70,000,000 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 5,600,000 |
| — |
| — | 5,600,000 | |||||||
Foreign currency translation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 1,636 |
| — | 1,636 | |||||||
Net loss |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (2,745,038) | (2,745,038) | |||||||
Balance, June 30, 2022 |
| 70,000,000 | $ | — | | 7,195,529 | $ | — |
| $ | 73,879,455 |
| $ | (138,442) |
| $ | (67,031,084) | $ | 6,709,929 |
| | Accumulated | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Series 1 Convertible | | | | | Additional | Other | | | ||||||||||||||
Preferred Shares | Common Shares | Paid-in | Comprehensive | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Income (Loss) | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||
Balance, April 1, 2023 |
| 70,000,000 |
| $ | — |
| 8,579,284 |
| $ | — |
| $ | 79,233,571 |
| $ | (199,723) |
| $ | (85,212,895) |
| $ | (6,179,047) |
Share-based compensation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 134,191 |
| — |
| — |
| 134,191 | ||||||
Foreign currency translation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (171,462) |
| — |
| (171,462) | ||||||
Net loss |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (2,311,974) |
| (2,311,974) | ||||||
Balance, June 30, 2023 |
| 70,000,000 | $ | — |
| 8,579,284 | $ | — | $ | 79,367,762 | $ | (371,185) | $ | (87,524,869) | $ | (8,528,292) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
6
PROMIS NEUROSCIENCES INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(expressed in US dollars)
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended | |||||||
June 30, | |||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||
Net loss | $ | (7,271,405) | $ | (4,839,883) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||
Share-based compensation |
| 266,701 |
| 240,277 | |||
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain) |
| (44,883) |
| 251,033 | |||
Change in fair value of derivative liability |
| — |
| (2,643,123) | |||
Change in fair value of warrant liability |
| (564,549) |
| (267,742) | |||
Depreciation of property and equipment |
| 322 |
| 3,887 | |||
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs |
| — |
| 250,060 | |||
Amortization of intangible assets |
| 2,471 |
| 2,622 | |||
Gain on extinguishment of convertible debt and derivative liability | — | (1,307,421) | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
| |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| 781,356 |
| (506,194) | |||
Accounts payable |
| 4,815,283 |
| 491,640 | |||
Accrued liabilities |
| (2,694,272) |
| 480,287 | |||
Net cash used in operating activities |
| (4,708,976) |
| (7,844,557) | |||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
| |||
Purchase of property and equipment |
| — |
| (2,048) | |||
Net cash used in investing activities |
| — |
| (2,048) | |||
Effect of exchange rates on cash |
| 55,840 |
| (193,524) | |||
Net decrease in cash |
| (4,653,136) |
| (8,040,129) | |||
Cash at beginning of period |
| 5,875,796 |
| 16,943,905 | |||
Cash at end of period | $ | 1,222,660 | $ | 8,903,776 | |||
Noncash financing activities |
|
|
|
| |||
Conversion of convertible debt and derivative liability to Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares | $ | — | $ | 5,600,000 | |||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | |||||||
Cash paid for interest on convertible debt | $ | — | $ | 70,000 | |||
Cash paid for other interest | $ | 49,182 | $ | — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
PROMIS NEUROSCIENCES INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(expressed in US dollars, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
1. | DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS |
Business Description
ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. (the “Company” or “ProMIS”) is applying its patented technology platform to build a portfolio of antibody therapies, therapeutic vaccines, and other antibody-based therapies in neurodegenerative diseases and other protein-misfolding diseases, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Company believes these diseases share a common biologic cause — misfolded versions of proteins, that otherwise perform a normal function, becoming toxic and killing neurons, resulting in disease. ProMIS’ technology platform enables drug discovery through a combination of protein biology, physics and supercomputing. ProMIS believes this platform provides a potential advantage in selectively targeting the toxic misfolded proteins with therapeutics or detecting them with diagnostics.
The Company is developing a pipeline of antibodies aimed at selectively targeting misfolded toxic forms of proteins that drive neurodegenerative diseases without interfering with the essential functions of the same properly folded proteins. The Company's product candidates are PMN310, PMN267, and PMN442. PMN267 is our second lead product candidate targeting ALS. It has been shown in preclinical studies to selectively recognize misfolded, cytoplasmic TDP 43 aggregates without interacting with normal TDP 43. Misfolded TDP 43 is believed to play an important role in the development of ALS. In light of research suggesting that misfolded toxic a-syn is a primary driver of disease in synucleinopathies such as MSA and Parkinson’s disease, our third lead product candidate, PMN442, has shown robust binding to pathogenic a-syn oligomers and seeding fibrils in preclinical studies, with negligible binding to a-syn monomers and physiologic tetramers which are required for normal neuronal function.
The Company was incorporated on January 23, 2004 under the Canada Business Corporations Act (“CBCA”). On July 13, 2023, the Company continued its existence from a corporation incorporated under the CBCA into the Province of Ontario under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “OBCA”) (the “Continuance”). The Continuance was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 29, 2023. The Company is located at 1920 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario. The Company’s Common Shares are traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol PMN. The Company has a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, ProMIS Neurosciences (US) Inc. (“ProMIS USA”), which was incorporated in January 2016 in the State of Delaware. As of June 30, 2023, ProMIS USA has had no material activity and has no material financial impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
The success of the Company is dependent on obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals of its product candidates, marketing its products, if approved, and achieving profitable operations. The continuation of the research and development activities and the commercialization of its products, if approved, are dependent on the Company’s ability to successfully complete these activities and to obtain additional financing through a combination of financing activities and operations. It is not possible to predict either the outcome of future research and development or commercialization programs, the Company’s ability to fund these programs, or the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
8
Liquidity Risk
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Company will continue its operations for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has not generated revenues from its activities. The Company had a net loss of $2.3 million and $7.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, and an accumulated deficit of $87.5 million as of June 30, 2023. Management believes these conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within the next twelve months from the date these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. The Company will require additional funding to conduct future clinical activities. The Company will seek additional funding through public and private financings, debt financings, collaboration agreements, strategic alliances and licensing agreements. Although the Company has been successful in raising capital in the past, there is no assurance of success in obtaining such additional financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to enter into collaborations or other arrangements. If the Company is unable to obtain funding, it could force delays, reduce or eliminate research and development programs, product portfolio expansion or commercialization efforts, which could adversely affect future business prospects, and the ability to continue operations.
The Company may continue to incur net losses for at least the next several years as the Company advances its product candidates. The Company is actively pursuing additional financing to further develop certain of the Company’s scientific initiatives, but there is no assurance these initiatives will be successful, timely or sufficient.
2. | BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and related amendments filed with the United States Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Furthermore, the Company’s significant accounting policies are disclosed in the audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Since the date of those audited consolidated financial statements, there have been no changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies except for the Company’s accounting treatment of deferred financing costs for common stock issuances, further described below.
Common stock issuance costs are incremental costs directly associated with an offering of securities. These costs typically include fees paid to bankers or underwriters, attorneys, accountants, as well as printers and other third parties. Prior to the effective date of an offering of equity securities, specific incremental costs directly attributable to a proposed or actual offering of securities may be deferred and charged against the gross proceeds of the offering. The Company capitalizes these deferred financing costs as prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets until the completion of the offering, unless the offering is abandoned, at which time the deferred financing costs will be recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized general and administrative expenses of $0.8 million related to abandoned offerings.
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and as amended by Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods presented reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly present the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The December 31, 2022 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all GAAP disclosures. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
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Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates, judgements and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions made in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the accrual for research and development expenses and the valuation of warrant liabilities and embedded derivative liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Segment Information
Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), or decision-making group, in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company has one operating segment and its Chief Executive Officer serves as the CODM. Substantially all of the Company’s assets are located in Canada.
Foreign Currency
Comprehensive loss is defined as a change in equity of a business enterprise during a period, resulting from transactions from non-owner sources. As of June 30, 2023, the reporting currency of the Company is the United States dollar (“US$” or “$”) and the functional currency of the Company is the Canadian dollar (“C$”). The assets and liabilities of the Company are translated to US$ at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. All income statement accounts are translated at average exchange rates. Resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded directly in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholders’ equity (deficit). Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss when realized and are not material for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Company is an Emerging Growth Company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act, until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that it (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (“Subtopic 470-20 ”) and Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entity s Own Equity (“Subtopic 815-40 ”): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. ASU 2020-06 will simplify the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred shares. Limiting the accounting models results in fewer embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract as compared with current GAAP. Convertible instruments that continue to be subject to separation models are (i) those with embedded conversion features that are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, that meet the definition of a derivative, and that do not qualify for a scope exception from derivative accounting and (ii) convertible debt instruments issued with substantial premiums for which the premiums are recorded as additional paid-in capital. ASU 2020-06 also amends the guidance for the derivatives
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scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. ASU 2020-06 will be effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact adopting ASU 2020-06 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2016, and in later clarifying amendments, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The pronouncement changes the impairment model for most financial assets and will require the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2023 with no material impact on the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
3. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
The following are the major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
As of June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Total | |||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||
Short-term investments | $ | 31,825 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 31,825 | ||||
Total assets measured at fair value | $ | 31,825 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 31,825 | ||||
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Warrant liability | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,287,400 | $ | 1,287,400 | ||||
Total liabilities measured at fair value | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,287,400 | $ | 1,287,400 |
As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Total | |||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||
Short-term investments | $ | 31,009 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 31,009 | ||||
Total assets measured at fair value | $ | 31,009 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 31,009 | ||||
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Warrant liability | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,859,374 | $ | 1,859,374 | ||||
Total liabilities measured at fair value | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,859,374 | $ | 1,859,374 |
No transfers between levels have occurred in either reporting period presented. Refer to Note 7 below for disclosures related to the warrant liability.
4. | PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
June 30, | December 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Upfront research payments | $ | 70,529 | $ | 346,015 | |||
Goods and services tax receivable |
| 46,252 |
| 71,626 | |||
Insurance |
| 4,760 |
| 471,088 | |||
Dues and subscriptions |
| 43,159 |
| 7,926 | |||
Consultants |
| 21,182 |
| 56,797 | |||
License fee |
| 9,534 |
| 25,700 | |||
Deposits |
| 13,233 |
| 12,907 | |||
Deferred financing costs | 12,705 | — | |||||
Miscellaneous |
| 3,385 |
| 4,623 | |||
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | 224,739 | $ | 996,682 |
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5. | ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE |
Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
June 30, | December 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Legal | $ | 61,346 | $ | — | |||
Accounting |
| 113,923 |
| 73,970 | |||
Research and development |
| 604,563 |
| 3,185,346 | |||
Other |
| (3,980) |
| 178,330 | |||
Accrued liabilities | $ | 775,852 | $ | 3,437,646 |
Accounts payable are current obligations due to vendors. In May 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with a vendor which gives the option to defer payment on approximately $5.3 million of current accounts payable and accrued liabilities until March 31, 2024. The outstanding balance of invoices due to the vendor will accrue interest at an annual rate of 5.5%, which will be paid monthly. The Company may repay the outstanding balance at any time.
6. | EQUITY |
The Company has authorized an unlimited number of both Common and Preferred Shares, issuable in series, and 70 million Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had 8,579,284 issued and outstanding Common Shares and 70,000,000 issued and outstanding Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares. The Common Shares and Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares have no par value.
Common Shares reserved for future issuance consists of the following:
June 30, | December 31, | ||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
Warrants |
| 1,773,549 |
| 1,873,622 | |
Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares | 1,166,667 | 1,166,667 | |||
Options issued and outstanding under stock option plan |
| 1,041,492 |
| 1,043,025 | |
Deferred Share Units |
| 1,061 |
| 1,061 | |
Common Shares available for grant under stock option plan |
| 397,613 |
| 396,080 | |
Total Common Shares reserved for future issuance |
| 4,380,382 |
| 4,480,455 |
The preferences, privileges and rights of the Common Shares are as follows:
Voting
Subject to any special voting rights or restrictions, holders of Common Shares entitled to vote shall have one vote per share.
Dividends
The Company’s Board of Directors may from time to time declare and authorize payment of dividends, if any, as they may deem advisable and need not give notice of such declaration to any shareholder. Subject to the rights of common shareholders, if any, holding shares with specific rights as to dividends, all dividends on Common Shares shall be declared and paid according to the number of such shares held and paid in Canadian dollars.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or any other distribution of the Company’s assets for the purpose of winding up the Company’s affairs, after the payment of dividends declared but unpaid, the holders of Common Shares shall be entitled pari passu to receive any remaining property of the Company.
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Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares
On June 17, 2022, the directors of the Company authorized the issuance of 70,000,000 Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares (“Preferred Shares”) with the following preferences, privileges and rights:
Dividends
If the Company declares, pays or sets aside any dividends on shares of any other class or series of capital stock the holders of the Preferred Shares shall receive a dividend on each outstanding share of Preferred Share in an amount equal to that dividend per share of the Preferred Share as would equal the product of the dividend payable as if all shares of such series had been converted into Common Shares.
Liquidation
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to the shareholders an amount per share equal to $6.00, plus any dividends declared but not paid. If, upon any such liquidation event, the assets available for distribution to the shareholders are insufficient to pay the holders of the Preferred Shares, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets available for distribution in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such shares were paid in full.
Voting
The Preferred Shares do not confer any voting rights or privileges.
Redemption
The Preferred Shares are not subject to mandatory redemption or other redemption provisions for which the events resulting in redemption are not within the Company’s control.
Optional Conversion
Preferred Shares are convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares as is determined by dividing $0.10 by the applicable conversion price in effect at the time of conversion. The Conversion Price was initially equal to $0.10 and, following the Reverse Share Split on June 28, 2022, is equal to $6.00, such that 60 Preferred Shares are convertible into 1 Common Share.
Mandatory Conversion
All outstanding Preferred Shares shall automatically convert into Common Shares, at the effective conversion rate upon the closing of one or more sales of equity securities resulting in at least $30 million of gross proceeds to the Company. As of June 30, 2023, the Company has raised approximately $7.4 million.
Equity Transactions
In August 2021, the Company announced the closing of a public offering of 2,096,357 Common Share units at a price of $9.60 per unit for gross proceeds of $20,125,000. Each Common Share unit consisted of one Common Share and
-quarter Common Share purchase warrant (“2021 accelerated warrants”). Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $12.60 per share at any time for five years. The warrants contain an acceleration clause allowing the Company to accelerate the expiry date of the warrants to 30 days following a time period during which the Common Share VWAP exceeds a TSX trading price of C$37.80 for ten consecutive trading days.The 2021 accelerated warrants are accounted for as a warrant liability since the exercise price is in US$ while the Company’s functional currency is C$. Due to the existence of the acceleration option, the Company determined it was appropriate to fair value the warrants using a Monte Carlo Simulation model (“Monte Carlo”). As of June 30, 2023, the fair value of the 2021
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accelerated warrants was calculated using a Monte Carlo model with the following parameters: risk free interest rate of 4.37%; annual volatility of 85.0%; and expected life of 3.15 years. The fair value of the 2021 accelerated warrants at June 30, 2023 was approximately $599,000.
In October 2022, the Company announced the closing of a private offering of 1,383,755 Common Share units at a price of $5.40 per unit for gross proceeds of $7,472,278. Each Common Share unit consisted of one Common Share and
-quarter Common Share warrant (“2022 warrants”). Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $7.50 per share at any time for a period of five years beginning six months from the issuance date.The 2022 warrants are accounted for as a warrant liability since the exercise price is in US$ while the Company’s functional currency is C$. The Company determined it was appropriate to fair value the warrants using Black-Scholes.
As of June 30, 2023, the fair value of the 2022 warrants was calculated using Black-Scholes with the following parameters: risk free interest rate of 4.26%; annual volatility of 85.0%; and expected life of 4.3 years. The fair value of the 2022 warrants as of June 30, 2023 was approximately $688,400.
A summary of warrant activity for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 is as follows:
| June 30, | ||
2023 | |||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | 1,859,374 | |
Change in fair value of the warrant liability |
| (564,549) | |
Foreign exchange loss |
| (7,425) | |
Balance at June 30, 2023 | $ | 1,287,400 |
A summary of warrant liability activity for the year ended December 31, 2022 is as follows:
December 31, | |||
2022 | |||
Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | 1,871,687 | |
October 2022 PIPE warrant liability at issuance |
| 1,520,401 | |
Change in fair value of the warrant liability |
| (1,533,644) | |
Foreign exchange loss |
| 930 | |
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | 1,859,374 |
7. | WARRANTS |
As of June 30, 2023, outstanding Common Share warrants and exercise prices denominated in C$ unless otherwise noted, related to unit offerings are as follows:
Exercise |
| Number of |
| |
Price $ |
| Warrants | Expiry date | |
28.80 |
| 139,659 |
| January 2024 |
18.00 |
| 68,334 |
| June 2024 |
18.00 |
| 150,818 |
| November 2024 |
18.00 |
| 49,167 |
| December 2024 |
12.00 |
| 279,613 |
| November 2025 |
USD 12.60 |
| 524,088 |
| August 2026 |
USD 9.60 |
| 146,744 |
| August 2026 |
USD 7.50 |
| 345,938 |
| April 2028 |
USD 6.10 |
| 69,188 |
| April 2028 |
| 1,773,549 |
In April 2023, 100,073 warrants with an exercise price of C$28.80 expired without being exercised.
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8. | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION |
2015 Stock Option Plan
The Company maintains the 2015 Stock Option Plan (“2015 Option Plan”), originally referred to as the 2007 Option Plan. In June 2015, the 2015 Option Plan was amended from a fixed option plan to a rolling share option plan pursuant to which the Company is authorized to grant options of up to 20% of its issued and outstanding Common Shares. Share options granted vest at various rates and have a term not exceeding ten years. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had 397,613 and 396,080 options available for grant under the 2015 Option Plan, respectively.
The following table summarizes the share options outstanding under the 2015 Option Plan for the six months ended June 30, 2023. All amounts are denominated in C$, except year and share amounts:
| |
| |
| Weighted |
| | |||
| |
| Weighted |
| Average |
| | |||
| |
| Average |
| Remaining |
| | |||
Number of |
| Exercise |
| Contractual | Aggregate | |||||
Share |
| Price Per |
| Term | Intrinsic | |||||
Options | Share |
| (years) | Value | ||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2022 |
| 1,043,025 | $ | 7.53 |
| 6.1 | $ | 1,183,860 | ||
Expired |
| (1,533) |
| 11.77 |
| — |
| 2,196 | ||
Outstanding as of June 30, 2023 |
| 1,041,492 |
| 7.53 |
| 5.6 | 781,449 | |||
Vested and exercisable as of June 30, 2023 |
| 696,625 | $ | 7.40 |
| 4.0 | $ | 781,449 |
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and vested and exercisable is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options, and the fair value of the Company’s Common Shares when the exercise price is below fair value. There were no options
or granted during the six months ended June 30, 2023.Share-based Payment Expense
The following table summarizes total share-based compensation included in the Company’s accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss:
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||||
Research and development | $ | 39,109 | $ | 38,473 | $ | 78,018 | $ | 100,579 | |||||
General and administrative |
| 95,082 |
| 78,470 |
| 188,683 |
| 139,698 | |||||
Total share-based compensation | $ | 134,191 | $ | 116,943 | $ | 266,701 | $ | 240,277 |
As of June 30, 2023, there was C$1,835,060 of unrecognized share-based compensation related to options outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over weighted-average remaining service period of 2.8 years.
9. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
UBC Collaborative Research Agreement
In April 2016, the Company entered into a collaborative research agreement (“CRA”) with the University of British Columbia (“UBC”) and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority in the amount of C$787,500, with the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer, as principal investigator at the UBC. In January 2022, the UBC CRA was amended to extend the project for an additional three years, and funding was increased to an aggregate total of C$5,030,000. This amendment, along with the November 2021 amendment extends the project for an additional three years, effective January 1, 2022. During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company made cash payments of $296,590 and $0 and incurred costs of $296,590 and $255,339, respectively, which are included in research and development expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
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10. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Research, Development and License Agreements
The Company enters into research, development and license agreements with various parties in the ordinary course of business where the Company receives research services and rights to proprietary technologies. The agreements require compensation to be paid by the Company, typically, by a combination of the following:
● | fees comprising amounts due initially on entering into the agreements and additional amounts due either on specified timelines or defined services to be provided; |
● | milestone payments that are dependent on products developed under the agreements proceeding toward specified plans of clinical trials and commercial development; and |
● | royalty payments calculated as a percentage of net sales, commencing on commercial sale of any product candidates developed from the technologies. |
Milestone and royalty related amounts that may come due under various agreements are dependent on, among other factors, preclinical safety and efficacy, clinical trials, regulatory approvals and, ultimately, the successful development and commercial launch of a new drug, the outcomes and timings of which are uncertain. Amounts due per the various agreements for milestone payments will accrue once the occurrence of a milestone is likely. Amounts due as royalty payments will accrue as commercial revenues from the product are earned. Through June 30, 2023, no events have occurred that require accrual of any milestone or royalty related amounts.
UBC and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Agreement
In April 2016, the Company entered into a three-year, CRA with the UBC and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. The agreement was amended various times through January 2022, extending the agreement through 2025. Refer to Note 9 Related Party Transactions.
UBC Agreement
In February 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with UBC to further the development and commercialization of certain technology developed, in part, by the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer. The agreement was amended and restated in October 2015. Under the amended and restated agreement, the Company is committed to make royalty payments based on revenue earned from the licensed technology. An annual license fee is payable over the term of the agreement. The agreement remains effective unless terminated under the provisions of the agreement. The Company made annual license payments of C$25,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. Through June 30, 2023, no accruals for royalty payments have been made.
University Health Network Agreement
In April 2006, and in additional amendments through November 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with the University Health Network, Toronto, to license certain technology and related intellectual property. The UHN License Agreement calls for certain customary payments such as milestone payments, buyout payments and payment to UHN between a half of one percent to a low single digit royalty on revenues. The aggregate amount of all potential milestone and buyout payments under the UHN License Agreement (excluding royalty payments) is C$3,325,000. The Company did not make any payments under the agreement to UHN pursuant to the terms of the UHN License Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. As of June 30, 2023, no accruals for any milestones or royalty payments have been made.
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Indemnification
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements that may include indemnification provisions. Pursuant to such agreements, the Company may indemnify, hold harmless and defend an indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party. Some of the provisions will limit losses to those arising from third party actions. In some cases, the indemnification will continue after the termination of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these provisions is not determinable. The Company has never incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions. The Company has also entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers that may require the Company to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The Company currently has directors’ and officers’ insurance.
11. | NET LOSS PER SHARE |
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:
Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||||
Numerator: | |||||||
Net loss attributable to common shareholders | $ | (7,271,405) | $ | (4,839,883) | |||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
| |||
Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted |
| 8,579,284 |
| 7,195,529 | |||
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted | 0.85 | 0.67 |
The following outstanding potentially dilutive Common Shares equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share for the periods presented because including them would have been antidilutive:
June 30, | ||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |
Options issued and outstanding under stock option plan |
| 1,041,492 |
| 738,037 |
Warrants |
| 1,773,549 |
| 1,560,688 |
Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares | 1,166,667 | 1,166,667 | ||
Deferred Share Units |
| 1,061 |
| 1,061 |
Total |
| 3,982,769 |
| 3,466,453 |
12. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
On July 13, 2023, the Company continued its existence from a corporation incorporated under the CBCA into the Province of Ontario under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “OBCA”) (the “Continuance”). The Continuance was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 29, 2023.
In July 2023, the Company announced and completed the voluntarily delisting from TSX to consolidate its shares on Nasdaq.
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ITEM 2. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
All references in this management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, or MD&A, to the “Company”, “ProMIS”, “we”, “us”, or “our” refer to ProMIS Neurosciences Inc., unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise. The following MD&A is prepared as of August 14, 2023 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (collectively, the “Financial Statements”), which have been prepared by management in accordance with GAAP as issued by the FASB. All dollar amounts refer to United States dollars, except as stated otherwise. Unless otherwise stated herein, all share and per share numbers relating to the Company’s Common Shares prior to the effectiveness of the Reverse Share Split have been adjusted to give effect to the Reverse Share Split.
Overview
We are applying our patented technology platform to build a portfolio of antibody therapies and therapeutic vaccines in neurodegenerative diseases and other protein-misfolding diseases, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We believe these diseases share a common biologic cause — misfolded versions of proteins, that otherwise perform a normal function, becoming toxic and killing neurons, resulting in disease. ProMIS’ technology platform enables drug discovery through a combination of protein biology, physics and supercomputing. We believe this platform provides a potential advantage in selectively targeting the toxic misfolded proteins with therapeutics or detecting them with diagnostics.
We are developing a pipeline of antibodies aimed at selectively targeting misfolded toxic forms of proteins that drive neurodegenerative diseases without interfering with the essential functions of the same properly folded proteins. Our product candidates are PMN310, PMN267, and PMN442. Our lead product candidate is PMN310, a monoclonal antibody designed to treat AD by selectively targeting toxic, misfolded oligomers of amyloid-beta. PMN267 is our second lead product candidate targeting ALS. It has been shown in preclinical studies to selectively recognize misfolded, cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregates without interacting with normal TDP-43. Misfolded TDP-43 is believed to play an important role in the development of ALS. In light of research suggesting that misfolded toxic a-syn is a primary driver of disease in synucleinopathies such as MSA and Parkinson’s disease, our third lead product candidate, PMN442 has shown robust binding to pathogenic a-syn oligomers and seeding fibrils in preclinical studies, with negligible binding to a-syn monomers and physiologic tetramers which are required for normal neuronal function. We also have earlier stage preclinical programs and a project to refine our discovery algorithm using machine learning as highlighted in the “Other Key Projects” section below.
We were incorporated on January 23, 2004 under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA). On July 13, 2023, the Company continued its existence from a corporation incorporated under the CBCA into the Province of Ontario under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the OBCA) (the Continuance). The Continuance was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 29, 2023. We have a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, ProMIS USA, which was incorporated in January 2016 in the State of Delaware. ProMIS USA has had no material activity and has no material financial impact on our Financial Statements. Since our inception, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to developing our platform technologies and the resultant antibody product candidates, building our intellectual property portfolio, business planning, raising capital and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We have principally financed our operations through public and private placements of Common Shares and warrants and convertible debt.
We have incurred significant operating losses since inception. Our ability to generate product revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and eventual licensing and/or commercialization of our product candidates and any future product candidates. Our net losses were $2.3 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively and $7.3 million and $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $87.5 million. We expect to continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future and, if able to raise additional funding, would expect our research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures to increase. In particular, if we are able to raise additional funding, we expect our expenses to increase as we continue our development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, our product candidates, as well as initiate clinical trials, hire additional personnel, pay fees to outside consultants, lawyers and accountants, and incur other increased costs associated with being a clinical-stage public company. In addition, if we obtain marketing approval for any product candidates, we may incur significant commercialization expenses related to product manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution. We may also incur expenses should we in-license or acquire additional product candidates.
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As a result, we will need substantial additional funding to support our continuing operations and pursue our growth strategy. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through the sale of equity, debt financings, or other capital sources, which may include collaborations with other companies or other strategic transactions. We may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other agreements or arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such agreements as and when needed, we may have to significantly delay, reduce or eliminate the development and commercialization of one or more of our product candidates or delay our pursuit of potential in-licenses or acquisitions.
Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or when or if we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Even if we are able to generate product sales, we may not become profitable. If we fail to become profitable or are unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce or terminate our operations.
We expect that our cash of $1.2 million as of June 30, 2023 will not be sufficient to fund the Company’s operating expenses for at least 12 months from the date these Financial Statements were issued. Refer to additional discussion related to going concern considerations in “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Program Updates
ProMIS lead program PMN310: Potential Next Generation Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
PMN310, a monoclonal antibody selective for toxic amyloid-beta oligomers in AD, is our lead product candidate. In the beginning of 2023, the Company made significant progress on the program elements.
The Company successfully manufactured PMN310 drug product under cGMP conditions. In April 2023, we filed the Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA and obtained clearance on May 5, 2023. The Company is planning to initiate a Phase 1a clinical trial of PMN310, subject to availability of sufficient resources.
Expenditures for PMN310 in the three months ended June 30, 2023 were approximately $0.2 million, not including allocations of senior management time.
ALS Portfolio, including TAR-DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) – PMN267
PMN267 has been humanized in a human IgG1 framework and is ready to progress to IND-enabling studies, subject to sufficient available resources, to support the systemic, extracellular administration form. Additionally, in conjunction with a partner having expertise with vectorization, the development of an intrabody form could progress.
Multiple system atrophy – PMN442
ProMIS has selected monoclonal antibody PMN442 as its alpha-synuclein antibody lead candidate for MSA based on its selective binding and protective activity against pathogenic forms of alpha-synuclein. PMN442 has been humanized in a human IgG1 framework and is ready to progress to IND-enabling studies, subject to availability of sufficient resources.
Other key projects
We continue to make considerable progress on other key projects, in addition to our top priorities PMN310, PMN267, and PMN442.
In the amyloid vaccine program, additional mouse studies that build on data obtained previously are ongoing with the aim to develop an optimized AD vaccine containing our peptide antigens conjugated to a carrier protein in formulation with an adjuvant. Mouse vaccination studies are also ongoing to test potential a-syn vaccine candidates utilizing our peptide antigens to target pathogenic a-syn.
Our proprietary technology employs algorithmic prediction of protein misfolding to identify disease-specific epitopes (DSEs) to which selective antibodies can be raised. An effort is underway to update the algorithms with machine learning capabilities to accelerate our ability to identify and patent DSEs and antibodies, across neurodegenerative diseases as well as other therapeutic areas.
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Recent Corporate Highlights
● | In April 2023, we presented three abstracts at the 2023 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) conference: A poster on the PMN310 program entitled “Protection against toxic amyloid-beta oligomers by PMN310, a monoclonal antibody rationally designed for greater therapeutic potency in Alzheimer’s disease” a poster on the RACK1 program entitled “RACK1 knockdown is a potential therapeutic target in ALS and FTLD-TDP” and an oral presentation on our AD vaccine program entitled “Rational design of a vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease using computationally-derived conformational B cell epitopes to selectively target toxic amyloid-beta oligomers” |
● | In May 2023, our Chief Development Officer chaired the Second Annual ALS Drug Development Summit which included a ProMIS oral presentation entitled “Preclinical validation of RACK1 as a novel target for sporadic ALS” |
● | In July 2023, we presented two posters at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) entitled “Selective targeting and protection against toxic amyloid-beta oligomers by PMN310, a monoclonal antibody rationally designed for greater therapeutic potency in Alzheimer’s disease” and “Rational design of a vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease using a computationally-derived conformational epitope to selectively target toxic amyloid-beta oligomers” |
● | In July 2023, the Company announced and completed the voluntarily delisting from TSX to consolidate its shares on Nasdaq. The Company believes that this consolidation to the Nasdaq will facilitate the opportunity to undertake transactions in accordance with the rules of Nasdaq as its primary market while creating a central marketplace for common shares and providing more liquidity. The Company also believes that delisting from the TSX will lower the expenses of a dual listing and provide savings in time and effort of management, which can be redirected to initiatives intended to generate shareholder value. |
Components of Operating Results
Revenue
We have not generated any revenue since our inception and do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of our products in the near future, if at all. If our product candidates are successful and result in marketing approval or if we enter into collaboration or license agreements with third parties, we may generate revenue in the future from a combination of product sales or payments from such collaboration or license agreements.
Operating Expenses
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred in connection with the development and research of our platform technologies, as well as unrelated discovery program expenses. We expense research and development costs in the periods in which they are incurred. These expenses include:
● | employee-related expenses, including salaries, related benefits and share-based compensation expense, for employees engaged in research and development activities; |
● | external research and development expenses incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as contract research organizations or contract research organizations (“CROs”), and consultants; |
● | the cost of acquiring, developing, and manufacturing clinical study materials; and |
● | costs associated with preclinical and clinical activities and regulatory operations. |
We enter into consulting, research, and other agreements with commercial entities, researchers, universities, and others for the provision of goods and services. Such arrangements are generally cancelable upon reasonable notice and payment of costs incurred. Costs are considered incurred based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks under each contract using information and data provided by the respective vendors, including our clinical sites. These costs consist of direct and indirect costs associated with our platform technologies, as well as fees paid to various entities that perform certain research on our behalf. Depending upon the timing of payments to the service providers, we recognize prepaid expenses or accrued expenses related to these costs. These accrued or prepaid expenses are based on management’s estimates of the work performed under service agreements, milestones achieved, and experience with similar contracts. We monitor each of these factors and adjust estimates accordingly.
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Research and development activities account for a significant portion of our operating expenses. If we are able to obtain additional funding, we expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially for the foreseeable future as we continue to implement our business strategy, which includes advancing our platform technologies through clinical development as well as other product candidates into clinical development, expanding our research and development efforts, including hiring additional personnel to support our research efforts, our clinical and product development efforts, and seeking regulatory approvals for our product candidates that successfully complete clinical trials.
We use our personnel and infrastructure resources across multiple research and development programs directed toward identifying and developing product candidates. Our direct research and development expenses consist primarily of external costs, including fees paid to consultants, contractors and CROs in connection with our development activities and the cost of acquiring, developing, and manufacturing clinical study materials.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs including salary, bonus, employee-benefits and share-based compensation, costs incurred in development and protection of intellectual property, professional service fees, and other general overhead and facility costs, (including rent) depreciation and amortization. If we are able to obtain additional funding, we expect our general and administrative expenses to increase substantially for the foreseeable future as we increase our administrative function to support the growth of the business and its continued research and development activities.
Other (Expense) Income
Other (expense) income consists primarily of interest expense on our convertible debt, changes in the fair value of our financial instruments and interest income.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the periods presented:
| Six Months Ended June 30, | | ||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Change | |||||
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Research and development | $ | 4,515,967 | $ | 5,132,416 | $ | (616,449) | ||||
General and administrative |
| 3,354,588 |
| 3,670,751 |
| (316,163) | ||||
Total operating expenses |
| 7,870,555 |
| 8,803,167 |
| (932,612) | ||||
Loss from operations |
| (7,870,555) |
| (8,803,167) |
| 932,612 | ||||
Other income/(expense) |
| 599,150 |
| 3,963,284 |
| (3,364,134) | ||||
Net loss | $ | (7,271,405) | $ | (4,839,883) | $ | (2,431,522) |
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Research and Development Expenses
The following table summarizes the period-over-period changes in research and development expenses for the periods presented:
Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Change | |||||
Direct research and development expenses by program |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
PMN310 | $ | 2,603,786 | $ | 2,835,605 | $ | (231,819) | ||||
ALS |
| — |
| 404,058 |
| (404,058) | ||||
Platform and other programs |
| 298,915 |
| 308,030 |
| (9,115) | ||||
Indirect research and development expenses: |
|
| ||||||||
Employee salaries and benefits |
| 734,842 |
| 678,057 |
| 56,785 | ||||
Share-based compensation | 78,018 | 100,535 | (22,517) | |||||||
Consulting expense |
| 769,300 |
| 726,514 |
| 42,786 | ||||
Other operating costs |
| 31,106 |
| 79,617 |
| (48,511) | ||||
Total research and development expenses | $ | 4,515,967 | $ | 5,132,416 | $ | (616,449) |
Research and development expenses decreased by $0.6 million, or 12%, for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022. This decrease is attributable to a $0.6 million decrease in direct research and development expenses as we focused research and development resources primarily on the submission of the PMN310 IND application, completed in April 2023 and cleared in May 2023. Employee salaries and consulting expenses increased by $0.1 million offset by a $0.1 million decrease in share-based compensation and other operating costs.
General and Administrative Expenses
The following table summarizes the period-over-period changes in general and administrative expenses for the periods presented:
Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Change | |||||
Employee salaries and benefits | $ | 421,933 | $ | 378,770 | $ | 43,163 | ||||
Share-based compensation | 188,683 | 141,273 | 47,410 | |||||||
Professional and consulting fees |
| 2,573,814 |
| 2,807,125 |
| (233,311) | ||||
Patent expense |
| 142,143 |
| 254,802 |
| (112,659) | ||||
Facility-related and other |
| 28,015 |
| 88,781 |
| (60,766) | ||||
Total general and administrative expenses | $ | 3,354,588 | $ | 3,670,751 | $ | (316,163) |
General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.3 million, or 9%, for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022. Employee salaries and share-based compensation costs increased by $0.1 million. Professional and consulting fees decreased by $0.2 million. Professional and consulting fees during the six months ended June 30, 2023 included one-time costs of $0.8 million related to expensing previously deferred financing costs after abandoning planned offerings. Professional and consulting fees during the six months ended June 30, 2022 included $1.1 million of one-time costs related to our Nasdaq listing in July 2022. Excluding one-time costs, professional and consulting fees were $1.7 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, which included an increase in insurance costs of $0.4 million and an increase of $0.1 million in audit and tax fees offset by decreases of $0.1 million in each of recruiting, legal and contractor costs and a $0.2 million decrease in other consulting costs. Patent costs decreased by $0.1 million and facility and other costs decreased by $0.1 million, primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange gains.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income decreased by $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a $1.3 million gain on extinguishment of convertible debt in June 2022 and a decrease in other income of $2.4 million on change in fair value of the derivative liability and warrant liabilities offset by a $0.1 million increase in interest income and a decrease in interest expense of $0.2 million.
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Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Change | ||||
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Research and development | $ | 1,005,715 | $ | 3,229,584 | $ | (2,223,869) | |||
General and administrative |
| 1,894,169 |
| 1,635,065 |
| 259,104 | |||
Total operating expenses |
| 2,899,884 |
| 4,864,649 |
| (1,964,765) | |||
Loss from operations |
| (2,899,884) |
| (4,864,649) |
| 1,964,765 | |||
Other income/(expense) |
| 587,910 |
| 2,119,611 |
| 1,531,701 | |||
Net loss | $ | (2,311,974) | $ | (2,745,038) | $ | 433,064 |
Research and Development Expenses
The following table summarizes the period-over-period changes in research and development expenses for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Change | ||||
Direct research and development expenses by program |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
PMN310 | $ | 219,155 | $ | 1,837,309 | $ | (1,618,154) | |||
ALS |
| — |
| 293,654 |
| (293,654) | |||
Platform and other programs |
| 148,762 |
| 193,677 |
| (44,915) | |||
Indirect research and development expenses: |
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Employee salaries and benefits |
| 365,004 |
| 369,999 |
| (4,995) | |||
Share-based compensation | 39,109 | 38,473 | 636 | ||||||
Consulting expense |
| 226,607 |
| 435,038 |
| (208,431) | |||
Other operating costs |
| 7,078 |
| 61,434 |
| (54,356) | |||
Total research and development expenses | $ | 1,005,715 | $ | 3,229,584 | $ | (2,223,869) |
Research and development expenses decreased by $2.2 million, or 69%, for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2022. This decrease is attributable to a $2.0 million decrease in direct research and development expenses and a decrease of $0.2 million in consulting expenses as we sought to conserve our resources following the submission of the PMN310 IND application in April 2023.
General and Administrative Expenses
The following table summarizes the period-over-period changes in general and administrative expenses for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Change | ||||
Employee salaries and benefits | $ | 222,823 | $ | 173,419 | $ | 49,404 | |||
Share-based compensation | 95,082 | 78,470 | 16,612 | ||||||
Professional and consulting fees |
| 1,630,132 |
| 1,190,568 |
| 439,564 | |||
Patent expense |
| 44,219 |
| 139,210 |
| (94,991) | |||
Facility-related and other |
| (98,087) |
| 53,398 |
| (151,485) | |||
Total general and administrative expenses | $ | 1,894,169 | $ | 1,635,065 | $ | 259,104 |
General and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 16%, for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2022. Employee salaries and share-based compensation costs increased by $0.1 million. Professional and consulting fees increased by $0.4 million. Professional and consulting fees during the three months ended June 30, 2023 included one-time costs of $0.8 million related to expensing previously deferred financing costs after abandoning planned offerings. Professional and consulting fees during the six months ended June 30, 2022 included $0.3 million of one-time costs related to our Nasdaq listing in July 2022. Excluding one-time costs, professional and consulting fees were $0.8 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended June
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30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which included a decrease of $0.1 million in each of recruiting, legal and investor relations costs offset by an increase in insurance costs of $0.2 million. Patent costs decreased by $0.1 million and facility and other costs decreased by $0.2 million, primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange gains.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income decreased by $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in other income of $1.3 million from the gain on extinguishment of convertible debt and derivative liability and a $0.3 million decrease in other income from the change in the fair value of derivative and warrant liabilities, offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in interest expense.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
We are a development stage company as we have not generated revenues to date and do not expect to have significant revenues until we are able to sell a product candidate after obtaining applicable regulatory approvals or we establish collaborations that provide funding, such as licensing fees, milestone payments, royalties, research funding or otherwise. Operations have been financed since inception, through the sale of equity and debt securities and the conversion of Common Share purchase warrants and share options. Our objectives, when managing capital, are to ensure there are sufficient funds available to carry out our research, development and eventual commercialization programs. When we have excess funds, we manage our liquidity risk by investing in highly liquid corporate and government bonds with staggered maturities to provide regular cash flow for current operations. We do not hold any asset-backed commercial paper and our cash is not subject to any external restrictions. We also manage liquidity risk by frequently monitoring actual and projected cash flows. The Board reviews and approves the Company’s operating and capital budgets, as well as any material transactions not in the ordinary course of business. The majority of our accounts payable and accrued liabilities have maturities of less than three months. We are dependent on our ability to generate revenues from our products or secure additional financing in order to continue our research and development activities and meet our ongoing obligations and existing liabilities. In May 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with a vendor which gives the option to defer payment on approximately $5.3 million of current accounts payable and accrued liabilities until March 31, 2024. The outstanding balance of invoices due to the vendor will accrue interest at an annual rate of 5.5%, and is paid monthly. The Company may repay the outstanding balance at any time.
We incurred a net loss of $7.3 million and $2.3 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, and reported an accumulated deficit of $87.5 million as of June 30, 2023. Management believes that these conditions raise substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within 12 months of the date the Financial Statements are issued. Additional funding will be necessary to fund future clinical activities and to pay down our existing liabilities. We will seek additional funding through public financings, debt financings, collaboration agreements, strategic alliances and licensing agreements. Although we have been successful in raising capital in the past, changing macroeconomic factors including, but not limited to, rising interest rates, uncertainties in the banking industry and inflation have diminished certain opportunities to obtain funding in the current market environment. There is no assurance of success in obtaining such additional financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and there is no assurance that we will be able to enter into collaborations or other arrangements. If we are unable to obtain funding, it could force us to delay, reduce or eliminate research and development programs and product portfolio expansion or commercialization efforts. These potential delays, reductions and eliminations could adversely affect future business prospects, and our ability to continue as a going concern.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash for the periods presented:
Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Change | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (4,708,976) | $ | (7,844,557) | $ | 3,135,581 | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
| — |
| (2,048) |
| 2,048 | ||||
Effect of exchange rates on cash |
| 55,840 |
| (193,524) |
| 249,364 | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash | $ | (4,653,136) | $ | (8,040,129) | $ | 3,386,993 |
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash used in operating activities was $4.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which consisted of a net loss of $7.3 million, increased by non-cash activities of $0.3 million offset by a net change of $2.9 million in our operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash activities primarily consisted of a non-cash gain on the change in fair value of warrant liability of $0.6 million offset by charges for share-based compensation of $0.3 million. Additive changes in cash flows related to operating assets and liabilities primarily consisted of a net increase of $2.1 million of accounts payable and accrued liabilities and a $0.8 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets.
Cash used in operating activities was $7.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, which consisted of a net loss of $4.8 million, increased by $3.5 million in non-cash activities and offset by a net change of $0.5 million in our operating assets and liabilities. The additive non-cash activities primarily consisted of the change in fair value of financial instruments of $2.9 million and gain on extinguishment of debt and derivative liability of $1.3 million, offset by non-cash charges for share-based compensation of $0.2 million, $0.3 million for amortization of convertible debt discount and foreign exchange losses of $0.3 million. Changes in cash flows related to operating assets and liabilities primarily consisted of a $0.5 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets and an increase of $1.0 million of accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
There was no cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and nominal cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our MD&A is based on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S GAAP and on a basis consistent with those accounting principles followed by us and disclosed in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. The preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make certain judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgement about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Significant estimates and judgments include, but are not limited to, accrual for research and development expenses and the valuation of warrant liabilities and embedded derivative liabilities. Accordingly, actual results may differ from these judgments and estimates under different assumptions or conditions and any such difference may be material.
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2022.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
A description of recently issued accounting pronouncements that may potentially impact our financial position and results of operations is disclosed in Note 2 to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies.
We have elected to use this extended transition period to enable us to comply with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
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Fully Diluted Share Capital
The number of issued and outstanding Common Share Equivalents as of June 30, 2023 was as follows:
|
| Number of |
Common | ||
Share | ||
Equivalents | ||
Common Shares | 8,579,284 | |
Options issued and outstanding under stock option plan | 1,041,492 | |
Warrants | 1,773,549 | |
Series 1 Convertible Preferred Shares |
| 1,166,667 |
Deferred share units |
| 1,061 |
Total - June 30, 2023 |
| 12,562,053 |
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to a number of financial risks that can affect our operating performance. These risks are credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk. Our overall risk management program and prudent business practices seek to minimize any potential adverse effects on the Company’s financial performance.
Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and short-term investments. We manage our exposure to credit losses by placing our cash with accredited financial institutions, which at times, may exceed federally insured limits, and when we have excess funds, such funds are invested in high-quality government and corporate issuers with low credit risk. Cash held is not subject to any external restrictions. As of the year ended December 31, 2022 and three months ended June 30, 2023, a hypothetical 10% relative change in interest rates would not have a material impact on our Financial Statements.
Liquidity Risk
Our exposure to liquidity risk is dependent on purchasing obligations and raising funds to meet commitments and sustain operations. We are a pre-revenue development stage company, and we rely on external fundraising to support our operations. We also manage liquidity risk by continuously monitoring actual and projected cash flows. Our Board of Directors reviews and approves the Company’s operating budget, as well as any material transaction.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We are exposed to foreign exchange risk on our U.S. dollar denominated cash and U.S. dollar denominated liabilities. As of December 31, 2022, we held U.S. $5.7 million of cash and prepaid expenses and U.S. $7.5 million of accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and warrant liability. A 10% change in the U.S. exchange rate on the December 31, 2022 balances would impact net loss by $0.2 million. As of June 30, 2023, we held $1.4 million of cash and prepaid expenses and $9.5 million of accounts payable, accrued liabilities and warrant liability. A 10% change in the USD exchange rate on the June 30, 2023 balances would impact net loss by $0.8 million.
Inflation Risk
Inflation generally affects us by increasing our cost of labor, outside consultants and CROs. We do not believe that inflation had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations during the three months ended June 30, 2023 or 2022.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is
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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 by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of June 30, 2023. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our management concluded that, as of June 30, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was (a) reported within the time periods specified by SEC rules and regulations, and (b) communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding any required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become involved in litigation or other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently a party to any material litigation or legal proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, are likely to have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, negative publicity, reputational harm and other factors.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
We operate in a rapidly changing environment that involves a number of risks which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results, some of which are beyond our control. In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the risks and uncertainties that we believe are most important for you to consider are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors Summary” and in Item 1A – “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K, as amended and supplemented by the information in “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The risk factors set forth below are risk factors containing changes, which may be material, from the risk factors previously disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors Summary” and in Item 1A – “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC and such subsequently filed Quarterly Report.
We have incurred losses since inception, we anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future and there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for the full one-year period following the date of this filing of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We will require additional financing to achieve our goals, and a failure to obtain this necessary capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all, could force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our development programs, commercialization efforts or other operations.
The development of biopharmaceutical therapeutic candidates is capital-intensive. We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we conduct our ongoing and planned preclinical studies of our development programs, initiate clinical trials for our therapeutic candidates and seek regulatory approval for our current therapeutic candidates and any future therapeutic candidates we may develop. If we obtain regulatory approval for any of our therapeutic candidates, we also expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to product manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution. Because the outcome of any preclinical study or clinical trial is highly uncertain, we cannot reasonably estimate the actual amounts necessary to successfully complete the development and commercialization of our therapeutic candidates. Accordingly, we will need to obtain substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations. We had negative working capital of approximately ($7.3) million as of June 30, 2023. Management believes its working capital position raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within the next twelve months from the date of filing of this Form 10-Q. We will require substantial additional funds for further research and development, planned clinical testing, regulatory approvals, establishment of manufacturing capabilities and, if necessary, the marketing and sale of our products. Our ability to raise additional financing and maintain operations in the future could be at substantial risk and there can be no assurance that additional funding or partnerships will be available on acceptable terms that
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would foster successful commercialization of our products. Failing to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms could force us to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or any future commercialization efforts.
We may attempt to raise additional funds for these purposes through public or private equity or debt financing, collaborations with other biopharmaceutical companies and/or from other sources.
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.
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Item 6. Exhibits.
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:
31.1* | Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Executive Officer |
31.2* | Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Financial Officer |
32.1* | |
101.INS* | Inline XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. |
101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
104* | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
* Filed herewith.
The certification attached as Exhibit 32.1 that accompanies this Quarterly Report is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Quarterly Report, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on August 14, 2023.
| PROMIS NEUROSCIENCES INC. | ||
Date: August 14, 2023 | By: | /s/ Gail Farfel | |
Gail Farfel | |||
Chief Executive Officer | |||
(principal executive officer) | |||
Date: August 14, 2023 | By: | /s/ Daniel Geffken | |
Daniel Geffken | |||
Chief Financial Officer | |||
(principal financial officer) |
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