PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
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 001-36457
PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 90-0031917 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
10025 Investment Drive, Suite 250 Knoxville, Tennessee |
37932 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
866-594-5999
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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. [X] 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). [X] Yes [ ] No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | [ ] | Accelerated filer | [ ] |
Non-accelerated filer | [X] | Smaller reporting company | [X] |
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 [X] No
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name
of each exchange on which registered | ||
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of May 10, 2019, was 384,714,528.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. These statements reflect management’s current knowledge, assumptions, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements also express management’s current views of future performance, results, and trends and may be identified by their use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” and other similar terms. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to materially differ from those described in the forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Such statements are made as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements after this date, unless otherwise required by law.
Risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to materially differ from those described in forward-looking statements include those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including those described in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018), and the following:
● | our potential receipt of sales from investigational drug products PV-10 and PH-10 (if and when approved), transaction fees, licensing and royalty payments, and/or payments in connection with the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any intellectual property relating to our investigational drug products, and/or drug substance Rose Bengal (and/or any other halogenated xanthene); | |
● | our ability to raise additional capital; and | |
● | our ability to close on additional tranches of the financing from a group of the Company’s stockholders (the “PRH Group”) pursuant to the Definitive Financing Commitment Term Sheet we entered into with the PRH Group effective as of March 19, 2017. |
1 |
PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,767,900 | $ | 50,986 | ||||
Short-term receivables - legal fees, settlement and other, net | 604,269 | 595,326 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 271,984 | 370,209 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 2,644,153 | 1,016,521 | ||||||
Equipment and furnishings, less accumulated depreciation of $54,061 and $50,538, respectively | 68,953 | 72,476 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use asset | 247,763 | - | ||||||
Patents, net of accumulated amortization of $10,983,998 and $10,816,218, respectively | 731,447 | 899,227 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 3,692,316 | $ | 1,988,224 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficiency | ||||||||
Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable - trade | $ | 1,459,117 | $ | 3,312,049 | ||||
Other accrued expenses | 1,338,632 | 790,358 | ||||||
Current portion of operating lease liability | 73,437 | - | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 2,871,186 | 4,102,407 | ||||||
Accrued interest | 856,131 | 659,379 | ||||||
Accrued interest - related parties | 849,749 | 711,927 | ||||||
Convertible notes payable | 10,837,000 | 7,062,000 | ||||||
Convertible notes payable - related parties | 6,895,000 | 6,870,000 | ||||||
Non-current portion of operating lease liability | 187,602 | - | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 22,496,668 | 19,405,713 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) | ||||||||
Stockholders’ Deficiency: | ||||||||
Preferred stock; par value $0.001 per share; 25,000,000 shares authorized; Series B Convertible Preferred Stock; 240,000 shares designated; 100 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; aggregate liquidation preference of $3,500 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 | - | - | ||||||
Common stock; par value $0.001 per share; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 384,714,528 and 384,614,528 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively | 384,715 | 384,615 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 209,097,417 | 209,092,187 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (22,363 | ) | - | |||||
Accumulated deficit | (228,264,121 | ) | (226,894,291 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders’ Deficiency | (18,804,352 | ) | (17,417,489 | ) | ||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficiency | $ | 3,692,316 | $ | 1,988,224 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2 |
PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | |||||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||
Research and development | $ | 1,037,331 | $ | 1,943,063 | ||||
General and administrative | 759,253 | 756,151 | ||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 1,796,584 | 2,699,214 | ||||||
Total Operating Loss | (1,796,584 | ) | (2,699,214 | ) | ||||
Other Income/(Expense): | ||||||||
Gain on settlement of lawsuits | 675,000 | - | ||||||
Research and development tax credit | 84,072 | - | ||||||
Investment and interest income | 2,255 | 6,169 | ||||||
Interest expense | (334,573 | ) | (206,567 | ) | ||||
Net Loss | $ | (1,369,830 | ) | $ | (2,899,612 | ) | ||
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | ||
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic and Diluted | 384,705,639 | 377,369,385 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3 |
PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | |||||||
Net Loss | $ | (1,369,830 | ) | $ | (2,899,612 | ) | ||
Other Comprehensive Loss: | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (22,363 | ) | - | |||||
Total Comprehensive Loss | $ | (1,392,193 | ) | $ | (2,899,612 | ) |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4 |
PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019
(Unaudited)
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Stock | Additional | Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series B | Common Stock | Paid-In | Comprehensive | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Loss | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2019 | 100 | $ | - | 384,614,528 | $ | 384,615 | $ | 209,092,187 | $ | - | $ | (226,894,291 | ) | $ | (17,417,489 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued upon exercise of warrants | - | - | 100,000 | 100 | 5,230 | - | - | 5,330 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | - | (1,369,830 | ) | (1,369,830 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | - | - | - | - | - | (22,363 | ) | - | (22,363 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2019 | 100 | $ | - | 384,714,528 | $ | 384,715 | $ | 209,097,417 | $ | (22,363 | ) | $ | (228,264,121 | ) | $ | (18,804,352 | ) |
PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
Preferred Stock | Additional | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series B | Common Stock | Paid-In | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2018 | 100 | $ | - | 370,961,451 | $ | 370,962 | $ | 208,351,431 | $ | (218,741,236 | ) | $ | (10,018,843 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Common stock issued upon exercise of warrants | - | - | 7,926,739 | 7,927 | 414,568 | - | 422,495 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | (2,899,612 | ) | (2,899,612 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2018 | 100 | $ | - | 378,888,190 | $ | 378,889 | $ | 208,765,999 | $ | (221,640,848 | ) | $ | (12,495,960 | ) |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5 |
PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | |||||||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,369,830 | ) | $ | (2,899,612 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 2,650 | - | ||||||
Depreciation | 21,311 | 3,524 | ||||||
Amortization of patents | 167,780 | 167,780 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
Settlement receivable | (33,943 | ) | 246,284 | |||||
Prepaid expenses | 98,225 | 99,747 | ||||||
Accounts payable - trade | (1,857,444 | ) | 411,271 | |||||
Other accrued expenses | 570,624 | 24,536 | ||||||
Accrued interest expense | 334,574 | 206,568 | ||||||
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities | (2,066,053 | ) | (1,739,902 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable | 3,775,000 | 706,000 | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable - related parties | 25,000 | 750,000 | ||||||
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | 5,330 | 422,494 | ||||||
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities | 3,805,330 | 1,878,494 | ||||||
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash | (22,363 | ) | - | |||||
Net Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1,716,914 | 138,592 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | 50,986 | 105,504 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | 1,767,900 | $ | 244,096 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: | ||||||||
Cash paid during the period for: | ||||||||
Interest | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Taxes | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
Offset of related party receivable and payable | $ | 25,000 | $ | - |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6 |
PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Business Organization, Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “Provectus” or the “Company”), is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new class of drugs for oncology and dermatology based on chemical small molecules called halogenated xanthenes. Intralesional PV-10 is undergoing clinical study for adult solid tumor cancers, like melanoma and gastrointestinal cancers, and preclinical study for pediatric cancers. Topical PH-10 is undergoing clinical study for inflammatory dermatoses, like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. To date, the Company has not generated any revenues from planned principal operations. The Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including failing to successfully develop and license or commercialize the Company’s prescription drug candidates.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information pursuant to Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be reviewed in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 7, 2019. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019.
2. Liquidity and Going Concern
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $1,767,900 at March 31, 2019, The Company continues to incur significant operating losses. Management expects that significant on-going operating expenditures will be necessary to successfully implement the Company’s business plan and develop and market its products. These circumstances raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that these financial statements are issued. Implementation of the Company’s plans and its ability to continue as a going concern will depend upon the Company’s ability to develop PV-10 and PH-10 and to raise additional capital.
The Company plans to access capital resources through possible public or private equity offerings, including the 2017 Financing (as defined in Note 4), exchange offers, debt financings, corporate collaborations or other means. In addition, the Company continues to explore opportunities to strategically monetize its lead drug candidates, PV-10 and PH-10, through potential co-development and licensing transactions, although there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful with such plans. The Company has historically been able to raise capital through equity offerings, although no assurance can be provided that it will continue to be successful in the future. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient capital through the 2017 Financing or otherwise, it will not be able to pay its obligations as they become due.
7 |
The primary business objective of management is to build the Company into a commercial-stage biotechnology company; however, the Company cannot assure that it will be successful in co-developing, licensing, and/or commercializing PV-10, PH-10, and/or any other halogenated xanthene-based drug candidate developed by the Company, or entering into any financial transaction. Moreover, even if the Company is successful in improving its current cash flow position, the Company nonetheless plans to seek additional funds to meet its long-term requirements in 2019 and beyond. The Company anticipates that these funds will otherwise come from the proceeds of private placement transactions, including the 2017 Financing, the exercise of existing warrants and outstanding stock options, or public offerings of debt or equity securities. While the Company believes that it has a reasonable basis for its expectation that it will be able to raise additional funds, the Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to complete additional financing in a timely manner. In addition, any such financing may result in significant dilution to stockholders.
3. Critical Accounting Policies
Since the date the Company’s December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements were issued in its 2018 Annual Report, there have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies, except as disclosed below.
Leases
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new standard related to leases to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet (“ASC 842”) with amendments issued in 2018. Most prominent among the changes in the standard is the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. Under the standard, disclosures are required to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company is also required to recognize and measure new leases at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption using a modified retrospective approach, with certain practical expedients available.
The Company adopted ASC 842 effective January 1, 2019 and elected to apply the available practical expedients. The standard had an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets but did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations or condensed consolidated statements of cash flows upon adoption. The most significant impact was the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while the Company’s accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact in the current year and prior year comparative periods and as a result, a cumulative-effect adjustment was not required.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in order to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations or loss per share.
4. Convertible Notes Payable
On March 23, 2017, the Company entered into an exclusive Definitive Financing Commitment Term Sheet with a group of the Company’s stockholders (the “PRH Group”), which was amended and restated effective as of March 19, 2017 (the “Term Sheet”) that set forth the terms on which the PRH Group would use their best efforts to arrange for a financing of a minimum of $10,000,000 and maximum of $20,000,000 (the “2017 Financing”).
As of March 31, 2019, the Company had received aggregate loans of $17,732,000 in connection with the 2017 Financing.
8 |
As of March 31, 2019, and through the date of filing, the Series D Preferred Stock had not been designated by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). As a result, the Company did not analyze the loan for a potential beneficial conversion feature as the definition of a firm commitment has not been met since the PRH Notes were not convertible as of their respective dates of issuance or as of March 31, 2019.
Convertible Notes Payable – Related Parties
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company entered into additional PRH Notes with a related party in the aggregate principal amount of $25,000.
As of March 31, 2019, the Company had borrowed $6,895,000 of PRH Notes from related parties which were outstanding.
Convertible Notes Payable – Non-Related Parties
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company entered into additional PRH Notes with accredited investors in the aggregate principal amount of $3,775,000.
As of March 31, 2019, the Company had borrowed $10,837,000 of PRH Notes from non-related parties which were outstanding.
5. Stockholders’ Deficiency
Exercise of Warrants
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, warrant holders exercised warrants to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.0533 per share. In connection with these exercises, the Company received aggregate cash proceeds of $5,330 and issued 100,000 shares of common stock to the warrant holders.
6. Leases
The Company currently leases 4,500 square feet of corporate office space in Knoxville, Tennessee through an operating lease agreement for a term of five years ending on June 30, 2022. Payments range from approximately $7,300 to $7,800 per month.
Total rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $34,806, of which, $23,204 was included within research and development and $11,602 was included within general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Total rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $22,153, of which, $14,768 was included within research and development and $7,385 was included within general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
As of March 31, 2019, the Company had no leases that were classified as a financing lease. As of March 31, 2019, the Company did not have additional operating and financing leases that have not yet commenced.
9 |
A summary of the Company’s right-of-use assets and liabilities is as follows:
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2019 | ||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | 22,001 | ||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: | ||||
Operating leases | $ | 265,550 | ||
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term | ||||
Operating leases | 3.25 years | |||
Weighted Average Discount Rate | ||||
Operating leases | 8.0 | % |
Future minimum payments under non-cancellable lease as of March 31, 2019 were as follows:
For the Years Ending December 31, | Amount | |||
2019 | $ | 66,883 | ||
2020 | 90,666 | |||
2021 | 92,471 | |||
2022 | 46,687 | |||
Total future minimum lease payments | 296,707 | |||
Less: amount representing imputed interest | (35,668 | ) | ||
Total | $ | 261,039 |
7. Commitments, Contingencies and Litigation
Culpepper Travel Expenses and Related Collection Efforts
On December 27, 2016, the then-Board of Directors (the “then-Board”) unanimously voted to terminate then-interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, and former Chief Financial Officer, Peter Culpepper (“Culpepper”), effective immediately, from all positions he held with the Company and each of its subsidiaries, “for cause”, in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement entered into by Culpepper and the Company on April 28, 2014 (the “Culpepper Employment Agreement”) based on the results of the investigation conducted by the Audit Committee of the then-Board regarding improper expense reimbursements to Culpepper.
The Audit Committee retained independent counsel and an advisory firm with forensic accounting expertise to assist the Audit Committee in conducting the investigation. The Audit Committee found that Culpepper received $294,255 in expense reimbursements that were unsubstantiated or otherwise improper. The Company seeks to recover from Culpepper the entire $294,255 in expense reimbursements, as well as all attorney’s fees and auditors’/experts’ fees incurred by the Company in connection with the examination of his expense reimbursements. On December 12, 2017, Culpepper agreed to an order by the SEC to pay disgorgement of $140,115, and prejudgment interest of $12,261, for a total of $152,376, to the Company within 30 days. The Company received the payment of $152,376 in January 2018.
10 |
The Company took the position that under the terms of the Culpepper Employment Agreement, Culpepper is owed no severance payments as a result of his termination “for cause” as that term is defined in the Culpepper Employment Agreement. Furthermore, Culpepper is no longer entitled to the 2:1 credit under the Stipulated Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release in the Derivative Lawsuit Settlement such that the total $2,240,000 owed by Culpepper pursuant to the Derivative Lawsuit Settlement plus Culpepper’s proportionate share of the litigation cost in the amount of $227,750, less the amount that he repaid as of December 31, 2016, is immediately due and payable. The Company sent Culpepper a notice of default in January 2017 for the total amount he owes the Company and is in the process of pursuing these claims in accordance with the alternative dispute resolution provision of the Culpepper Employment Agreement. The Company has established a reserve of $2,051,083 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, which amount represents the amount the Company currently believes Culpepper owes to the Company under the Derivative Lawsuit Settlement (excluding the amount of attorneys’ fees incurred in enforcing the terms of the Derivative Lawsuit Settlement), while the Company pursues collection of this amount.
Culpepper disputed that he was terminated “for cause” under the Culpepper Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the alternative dispute resolution provisions of that agreement, the Company and Culpepper participated in a mediation of their dispute on June 28, 2017. Having reached no resolution during the mediation, the parties participated in arbitration under the commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association, arbitrating both Culpepper’s claim for severance against the Company and the Company’s claims against Culpepper for improper expense reimbursements and amounts Culpepper owes the Company under the Derivative Lawsuit Settlement (the “Culpepper Arbitration”). The Culpepper Arbitration hearing was held from May 15-18, 2018.
On July 12, 2018, the arbitrator issued an interim award in favor of the Company, the terms of which are confidential pursuant to the Culpepper Employment Agreement and instructed the parties that a final award was forthcoming. On September 12, 2018, the arbitrator issued his final award in favor of the Company. On October 4, 2018, the Company filed a petition with the Chancery Court for Davidson County, Tennessee to confirm the arbitration award. On November 7, 2018, the Company received Culpepper’s answer to the petition filed on October 4, 2018. This court entered an order confirming the arbitrator’s award on January 23, 2019. On February 20, 2019, Culpepper filed a motion to alter or amend this judgment. On March 22, 2019, the Chancery Court upheld the arbitration award in favor of the Company. On April 16, 2019, Culpepper filed a Notice of Appeal with the Tennessee Court of Appeals regarding the judgment confirming the arbitration award and the order denying Culpepper’s motion to alter or amend the judgment.
The Bible Harris Smith Lawsuit
On November 17, 2016, the Company filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Knox County, Tennessee against Bible Harris Smith PC (“BHS”) for professional negligence, common law negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty arising from the accounting services provided by BHS to the Company. On January 28, 2019, this matter was resolved pursuant to a settlement between the parties, the terms of which are confidential. The proceeds from the settlement were received and recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2019.
The RSM USA LLP Lawsuit
On June 9, 2017, the Company filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina against RSM USA LLP (“RSM”) for professional negligence, common law negligence, gross negligence, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of fiduciary duty arising from accounting, internal auditing, and consulting services provided by RSM to the Company. On February 27, 2019, the matter was resolved pursuant to a settlement between the parties, the terms of which are confidential. The proceeds from the settlement were received and recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2019.
Employment of Chief Financial Officer
On March 25, 2019, the Company entered into a one-year employment agreement with its Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) that will be renewed automatically for successive one-year periods, unless the Company or CFO provides a notice of non-renewal at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the term. In the event that coincident with or following a Change in Control (as defined in the agreement), the CFO’s employment with the Company is terminated or the employment agreement is not extended (a) by action of the CFO coincident with or following a Change in Control including the CFO’s death, disability or retirement, or (b) by action of the Company not For Cause (as defined in the agreement) coincident with or following a Change in Control, the Company shall pay the CFO a severance payment equal to 50% of the base salary in the preceding calendar year, payable over six months, as well as certain other specified benefits. In connection with the employment agreement, the CFO was entitled to 50,000 shares of immediately-vested common stock. As of March 31, 2019, and through the date of filing, the Company has not issued the shares and, as a result, has accrued approximately $3,000 for this obligation on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019.
8. Subsequent Events
Receivables
Subsequent to March 31, 2019, Dr. Wachter reduced his portion of legal fees and other expenses incurred by the Company under the Stipulated Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release in the Kleba shareholder derivative lawsuit by offsetting accrued payroll owed by the Company to him totaling $90,066.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion is intended to assist in the understanding and assessment of significant changes and trends related to our results of operations and our financial condition together with our consolidated subsidiaries. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited financial statements and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC) on March 7, 2019 (“2018 Form 10-K”), which includes additional information about our critical accounting policies and practices and risk factors. Historical results and percentage relationships set forth in the statement of operations, including trends which might appear, are not necessarily indicative of future operations.
Overview of Core Technologies
Provectus is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new class of drugs for oncology and dermatology based on halogenated xanthenes, such as Rose Bengal (4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2’,4’,5’,7’-tetraiodofluorescein). Intralesional PV-10, the first small molecule oncolytic immunotherapy, which can induce immunogenic cell death, is undergoing clinical study for adult solid tumor cancers, like melanoma and gastrointestinal cancers, and preclinical study for pediatric cancers. Topical PH-10 is undergoing clinical study for inflammatory dermatoses, like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. For psoriasis, pathways significantly improved include published psoriasis transcriptomes and cellular responses mediated by IL-17, IL-22, and interferons.
Our approach to drug development comprises two related, complementary, clinical development program paths based on the features of our investigational drugs and their clinically rational applicability to different patient populations. In solid tumor cancers for adults, for example, we believe PV-10 has important implications as a single agent for earlier states of disease (i.e., locally advanced disease, or Stage III or earlier), while the combination of PV-10 with other classes of therapy or therapeutic agent (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy) is more appropriate for more advanced disease states (i.e., widely metastatic disease, or Stage IV).
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018
Research and Development
Research and development expenses decreased by $905,732 from $1,943,063 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $1,037,331 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, a decrease of approximately 47% year-over-year. The decrease was due primarily to lower contractor costs of $896,205, insurance costs of $11,190, travel cost of $18,191, offset by an increase in payroll of $4,272, conference costs of $12,233, and other costs totaling $3,349.
Research and development costs of $1,037,331 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included amortization of patents of $167,780, payroll of $149,475, conferences of $22,233, consulting and contract labor of $560,468, insurance of $64,529, lab supplies and pharmaceutical preparations of $17,232, travel cost of $23,379, rent and utilities of $24,415, depreciation expense of $2,162, and other costs of $5,658.
Research and development costs of $1,943,063 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 included patent amortization expense of $167,780, payroll of $139,423, conferences of $10,000, consulting and contract labor of $1,456,673, insurance of $75,719, lab supplies and pharmaceutical preparations of $21,285, travel of $41,570, rent and utilities of $17,859, depreciation expense of $2,162, and other costs of $10,592.
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General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses increased by $3,101, from $756,151 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $759,252 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of approximately .4% year-over-year. The increase was due primarily to (i) a $40,000 increase in directors’ fees, which were accrued, (ii) an increase in accounting fees of $88,806, (iii) an increase in investor relations of $132,599 due to credits received in 2018 totaling $144,747, and other cost increases of $9,609, partially offset by (iv) decreased legal expenses of $179,813 due to wind down of lawsuits, (v) a decrease of $42,176 in finance expenses, (vi) decreased payroll expense of $20,122, and (vii) decreased travel cost of $25,802.
Other Income/(Expense)
Other income increased by $627,152 from $(200,398) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $426,754 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. In the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the matters with BHS and RSM were resolved pursuant to a settlement between these parties and the Company, the terms of which are confidential.
Interest expense increased by $128,006 from $206,567 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $334,573 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase was due to the increased number of convertible notes payable relating to the PRH Notes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our cash and cash equivalents were $1,767,900 at March 31, 2019, compared to $50,986 at December 31, 2018. The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared on a basis that contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. We have continuing net losses and negative cash flows from operating activities. In addition, we have an accumulated deficit of $228,264,121 as of March 31, 2019. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period within one year from the date that the financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are issued. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amounts and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern depends on our ability to obtain additional financing as may be required to fund current operations.
Management’s plans include selling our equity securities and obtaining other financing to fund our capital requirement and on-going operations, including the 2017 Financing; however, there can be no assurance we will be successful in these efforts. The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern. Significant funds will be needed to continue and complete our ongoing and planned clinical trials.
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Access to Capital
Management plans to access capital resources through possible public or private equity offerings, including the 2017 Financing, exchange offers, debt financings, corporate collaborations or other means. If we are unable to raise sufficient capital through the 2017 Financing or otherwise, we will not be able to pay our obligations as they become due.
The primary business objective of management is to build the Company into a commercial-stage biotechnology company; however, we cannot assure you that management will be successful in implementing the Company’s business plan of developing, licensing, and/or commercializing our prescription drug candidates. Moreover, even if we are successful in improving our current cash flow position, we nonetheless plan to seek additional funds to meet our current and long-term requirements in 2019 and beyond. We anticipate that these funds will otherwise come from the proceeds of private placement transactions, including the 2017 Financing, the exercise of existing warrants and outstanding stock options, or public offerings of debt or equity securities. While we believe that we have a reasonable basis for our expectation that we will be able to raise additional funds, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete additional financing in a timely manner. In addition, any such financing may result in significant dilution to stockholders.
Critical Accounting Policies
For a description of our critical accounting policies, see Note 3 – Significant Accounting Policies in Part 1, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, financings, or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, also known as special purpose entities (“SPEs”).
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered in this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, “Leases” (“ASC 842”). ASC 842 requires management to make significant judgments and estimates. As a result, we implemented changes to our internal controls related to lease evaluation during the three months ended March 31, 2019. These changes include updated accounting policies affected by ASC 842 as well as redesigned internal controls over financial reporting related to ASC 842 implementation. Additionally, management has expanded data gathering procedures to comply with the additional disclosure requirements and ongoing contract review requirements.
Except as stated above, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
2017 Financing
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company entered into additional PRH Notes with related parties in the aggregate principal amount of $25,000. As of March 31, 2019, the Company had drawn down the entire $25,000 under these notes.
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company entered into additional PRH Notes with non-related party accredited investors in the aggregate principal amount of $3,775,000. As of March 31, 2019, the Company had drawn down the entire $3,775,000 under these notes.
The Company believes that such transactions were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act (or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder) as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering.
For further details on the terms of the PRH Notes, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the SEC on March 7, 2019.
Incentive Compensation to Chief Financial Officer
On March 25, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with its Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). The Employment Agreement provides that the CFO shall receive initial incentive compensation of 50,000 shares of common stock. The Company believes that such transaction was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act (or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder) as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. As of March 31, 2019, and through the date of filing, the Company has not issued the shares to the CFO.
Exercise of Warrants
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, warrant holders exercised warrants to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.0533 per share. In connection with these exercises, the Company received aggregate cash proceeds of $5,330 and issued 100,000 shares of common stock to the warrant holders.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
None.
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
None.
** Filed herewith.
*** Furnished herewith.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
PROVECTUS BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | ||
May 13, 2019 | By: | /s/ Bruce Horowitz |
Bruce Horowitz | ||
Chief Operating Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
By: | /s/ Heather Raines | |
Heather Raines, CPA | ||
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
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