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SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 June (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 ________________________________
FORM 10-Q
 ________________________________
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-33958
sellas-logoa12.jpg
SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 20-8099512
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
7 Times Square, Suite 2503, New York, NY 10036
(646) 200-5278
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per shareSLSThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
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 time that the registrant was required to submit such files).   Yes      No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller 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 9, 2023, SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc. had outstanding 28,347,920 shares of common stock.



SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
FORM 10-Q - Quarterly Report
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1Legal Proceedings
Item 1ARisk Factors
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
Item 5
Item 6

The names “SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc.,” “SELLAS,” the SELLAS logo, and other trademarks or service marks of SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc. appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are the property of SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc. Other trademarks, service marks or trade names appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are the property of their respective owners. We do not intend the use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of or by either of, these other companies.
Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in these notes to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

1


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to our development programs, business strategy, business plan, financial performance and other future events. These statements include forward-looking statements both with respect to us, specifically, and our industry, in general. Such forward-looking statements include the words "expect," "intend,” "plan," "believe," "project," "estimate,” "may,” "should," "anticipate," "will" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements and include, without limitation, statements regarding:

our future financial and business performance;

strategic plans for our business and product candidates;

our ability to develop or commercialize products;

the expected results and timing of clinical trials and nonclinical studies;

our ability to comply with the terms of our license agreements;

developments and projections relating to our competitors and industry;

our expectations regarding our ability to obtain, develop and maintain intellectual property protection and not infringe on the rights of others;

our ability to retain key scientific or management personnel;

our future capital requirements and the timing of those requirements and sources and uses of cash;

our ability to obtain funding for our operations; and

changes in applicable laws or regulations.

These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or otherwise implied by the forward-looking statements, including the following:

risks associated with preclinical or clinical development and trials;

changes in the assumptions underlying our expectations regarding our future business or business model;

our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize product candidates;

general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets;

changes in applicable laws or regulations;

the impact of natural disasters, including climate change, and the impact of health epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on our business;

the size and growth potential of the markets for our products, and our ability to serve those markets;

market acceptance of our planned products;

our ability to raise capital;

2


the possibility that we may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and

other risks and uncertainties set forth in this report in the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. There are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in the sections captioned "Business – Overview,” “Risk Factors,” “Legal Proceedings,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 16, 2023 ("2022 Annual Report") and in our other public filings with the SEC, all of which you should review carefully. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

3


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2023December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$13,807 $17,125 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents100 100 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets1,674 531 
Total current assets15,581 17,756 
Operating lease right-of-use assets690 874 
Goodwill1,914 1,914 
Deposits and other assets381 399 
Total assets$18,566 $20,943 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$3,734 $3,357 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities6,240 6,286 
Operating lease liabilities447 372 
Acquired in-process research and development payable3,000 5,500 
Total current liabilities13,421 15,515 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current302 573 
Warrant liability— 
Total liabilities13,723 16,092 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; Series A convertible preferred stock, 17,500 shares designated; no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022
— — 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 350,000,000 shares authorized, 28,347,920 and 21,005,405 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
Additional paid-in capital204,681 184,753 
Accumulated deficit(199,841)(179,904)
Total stockholders’ equity4,843 4,851 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $18,566 $20,943 

See accompanying notes to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2023202220232022
Licensing revenue$— $— $— $1,000 
Operating expenses:
Cost of licensing revenue— — — 100 
Research and development5,923 5,529 13,097 10,140 
General and administrative3,127 3,094 7,234 6,118 
Acquired in-process research and development— — — 10,000 
Total operating expenses9,050 8,623 20,331 26,358 
Operating loss(9,050)(8,623)(20,331)(25,358)
Non-operating income:
Change in fair value of warrant liability48 37 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration— 115 — 115 
Interest income208 46 390 48 
Total non-operating income210 209 394 200 
Net loss$(8,840)$(8,414)$(19,937)$(25,158)
Per share information:
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted$(0.31)$(0.41)$(0.77)$(1.39)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted28,347,920 20,286,624 25,961,001 18,104,176 

See accompanying notes to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Common StockAdditional Paid-In CapitalAccumulated DeficitTotal Stockholders' Equity
SharesAmount
Balance at March 31, 202328,347,920 $$204,167 $(191,001)$13,169 
Stock-based compensation— — 514 — 514 
Net loss— — — (8,840)(8,840)
Balance at June 30, 202328,347,920 $$204,681 $(199,841)$4,843 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Common StockAdditional Paid-In CapitalAccumulated DeficitTotal Stockholders' Equity
SharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 202221,005,405 $$184,753 $(179,904)$4,851 
Issuance of common stock and common stock warrants, net of issuance costs7,220,217 18,553 — 18,554 
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs76,882 268 268 
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan45,416 — 53 — 53 
Stock-based compensation— — 1,054 — 1,054 
Net loss— — — (19,937)(19,937)
Balance at June 30, 202328,347,920 $$204,681 $(199,841)$4,843 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
Common StockAdditional Paid-In CapitalAccumulated DeficitTotal Stockholders' Equity
SharesAmount
Balance at March 31, 202215,905,999 $$159,370 $(155,347)$4,025 
Issuance of common stock and common stock warrants, net of issuance costs4,629,630 — 22,946 — 22,946 
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs16,289 50 50 
Stock-based compensation— — 450 — 450 
Net loss— — — (8,414)(8,414)
Balance at June 30, 202220,551,918 $$182,816 $(163,761)$19,057 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
Common StockAdditional Paid-In CapitalAccumulated DeficitTotal Stockholders' Equity
SharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 202115,895,637 $$158,948 $(138,603)$20,347 
Issuance of common stock and common stock warrants, net of issuance costs4,629,630 — 22,946 — 22,946 
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs16,289 50 50 
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan10,362 — 47 — 47 
Stock-based compensation— — 825 — 825 
Net loss— — — (25,158)(25,158)
Balance at June 30, 202220,551,918 $$182,816 $(163,761)$19,057 

See accompanying notes to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended June 30,
20232022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $(19,937)$(25,158)
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Acquired in-process research and development expense— 10,000 
Non-cash stock-based compensation1,054 825 
Non-cash lease expense245 127 
Change in fair value of common stock warrants(4)(37)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration— (115)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets(1,125)19 
Accounts payable377 1,195 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities(46)366 
Operating lease liabilities(257)(133)
Net cash used in operating activities(19,693)(12,911)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisition of in-process research and development(2,500)(4,500)
Net cash used in investing activities(2,500)(4,500)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and common stock warrants, net of issuance costs18,554 22,946 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs268 50 
Proceeds from employee stock purchases53 47 
Net cash provided by financing activities18,875 23,043 
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents(3,318)5,632 
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at the beginning of period17,225 21,455 
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at the end of period$13,907 $27,087 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash received during the period for interest$390 $48 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Non-cash acquisition of in-process research and development$— $5,500 
Increase in operating lease right-of-use assets and current and non-current operating lease liabilities$— $449 

See accompanying notes to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


1. Description of Business

Overview

SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc. is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on novel therapeutics for a broad range of cancer indications. SELLAS’ lead product candidate, galinpepimut-S ("GPS"), is a cancer immunotherapeutic agent licensed from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center ("MSK") and targets the Wilms Tumor 1 ("WT1") protein, which is present in an array of tumor types. GPS has potential as a monotherapy or in combination with other immunotherapeutic agents to address a broad spectrum of hematologic, or blood, cancers and solid tumor indications. SELLAS' second product candidate is SLS009 (formerly GFH009), a small molecule, highly selective cyclin-dependent kinase 9 ("CDK9") inhibitor, which the Company licensed from GenFleet Therapeutics (Shanghai), Inc. ("GenFleet"), for all therapeutic and diagnostic uses in the world outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan ("SLS009 Territory").

2. Liquidity

Since inception, the Company has incurred recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations and, as of June 30, 2023, has an accumulated deficit of $199.8 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company incurred a net loss of $19.9 million, and used $19.7 million of cash in operations. The Company expects to continue to generate operating losses and negative cash flows from operations for the next few years and will need additional funding to support its planned operating activities through profitability. The transition to profitability is dependent upon the successful development, approval, and commercialization of the Company's product candidates and the achievement of a level of revenues adequate to support its cost structure.

On February 28, 2023, the Company consummated an underwritten public offering (the "February 2023 Offering"), issuing 7,220,217 shares of common stock and accompanying common stock warrants to purchase an aggregate of 7,220,217 shares of common stock. The shares of common stock and accompanying common stock warrants were sold at a combined price of $2.77 per share and accompanying common stock warrant. Each common stock warrant sold with the shares of common stock represents the right to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.77 per share. The common stock warrants are exercisable immediately and will expire on February 28, 2028, five years from the date of issuance. The net proceeds to the Company from the February 2023 Offering were approximately $18.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, offering expenses, and excluding the exercise of any warrants.

On April 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement (the "Sales Agreement") with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (the "Agent"). From time to time during the term of the Sales Agreement, the Company may offer and sell shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price up to a total of $50.0 million in gross proceeds. The Agent will collect a fee equal to 3% of the gross sales price of all shares of common stock sold. Shares of common stock sold under the Sales Agreement are offered and sold pursuant to the Company's registration statement on Form S-3, which was filed with the SEC on April 16, 2021 and declared effective on April 29, 2021. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company sold a total of 76,882 shares of common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement at an average price of $3.59 per share for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $0.3 million. There remains approximately $39.2 million available for future sales of shares of common stock under the Sales Agreement. Other than the Sales Agreement, the Company currently does not have any commitments to obtain additional funds.

In December 2020, the Company, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, SLSG Limited, LLC, entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “3DMed License Agreement”) with 3D Medicines Inc. ("3DMed"), pursuant to which the Company granted 3DMed a sublicensable, royalty-bearing license, under certain intellectual property owned or controlled by the Company, to develop, manufacture and have manufactured, and commercialize GPS and heptavalent GPS product candidates for all therapeutic and other diagnostic uses in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan ("3DMed Territory"). To date, the Company has received $10.5 million in upfront payments and certain technology transfer and regulatory milestones. The participation of 3DMed in the Company's REGAL Phase 3 clinical trial in China will trigger two development milestone payments totaling $13.0 million to the Company, which the Company expects to receive in the third quarter of 2023. A total of $191.5 million in potential
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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
future development, regulatory, and sales milestones, not including future royalties, remains under the 3DMed License Agreement as of June 30, 2023, which milestones are all variable in nature and not under the Company's control.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $13.8 million and restricted cash and cash equivalents of $0.1 million. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern, the Company evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the consolidated financial statements are issued. The Company expects its cash and cash equivalents will not be sufficient to fund its current planned operations for at least the next twelve months from the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The $13.0 million of development milestone payments to the Company triggered by 3DMed's participation in the REGAL study are variable in nature and not under the Company's control, and therefore are not included in the Company's going concern assumption.

The Company will require substantial additional financing to commercially develop any current or future product candidates. If the Company is unable to obtain additional funding on a timely basis, it will be required to scale back its plans and place certain activities on hold. Other than the Sales Agreement, the Company currently does not have any commitments to obtain additional funds. The Company's management continues to evaluate different strategies to obtain the required funding for future operations. These strategies may include utilizing the Sales Agreement, public and private placements of equity and/or debt securities, payments from potential strategic research and development collaborations, and licensing and/or marketing arrangements with pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, the Company may continue to pursue discussions with global and regional pharmaceutical companies for licensing and/or co-development rights to its product candidates. The Company has prepared its consolidated financial statements assuming that it will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

3. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The Company's complete summary of significant accounting policies can be found in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 3. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies" in the audited annual consolidated financial statements included in the 2022 Annual Report. The significant accounting policies summarized and included in the 2022 Annual Report have not materially changed, except as set forth below.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to U.S. GAAP as found in the ASC and Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB").

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. Unless the context otherwise indicates, reference in these notes to the "Company" refer to SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries, SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Ltd., a privately held Bermuda exempted company, SLSG Limited, LLC, Sellas Life Sciences Limited, and Apthera, Inc. The functional currency of the Company's non-U.S. operations is the U.S. dollar.

Unaudited Interim Results

These consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2022 Annual Report. The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2023 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, are unaudited, but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring entries, that
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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
management believes to be necessary for a fair presentation of the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Balance sheet amounts as of December 31, 2022 have been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date.

Reclassification

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the Company's loss from operations, net loss, and net loss per share.

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted loss per share includes the effect, if any, from the potential exercise or conversion of securities, such as warrants, stock options and unvested restricted stock that would result in the issuance of incremental shares of common stock. In computing the basic and diluted net loss per share, the weighted average number of shares remains the same for both calculations due to the fact that, when a net loss exists, dilutive shares are not included in the calculation as the impact is anti-dilutive.

The following potentially dilutive securities outstanding have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding, as they would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):
Six Months Ended June 30,
20232022
Common stock warrants12,361 5,148 
Stock options1,665 1,012 
Restricted stock units ("RSUs")433 297 
14,459 6,457 

4. Fair Value Measurements

The following tables present information about the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
 
DescriptionJune 30, 2023Quoted Prices In
Active Markets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable 
Inputs (Level 2)
Unobservable 
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
Cash equivalents$13,192 $13,192 $— $— 
Restricted cash equivalents100 100 — — 
Total assets measured and recorded at fair value$13,292 $13,292 $— $— 
Liabilities:
Warrant liability$— $— $— $— 
Total liabilities measured and recorded at fair value$— $— $— $— 
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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
DescriptionDecember 31, 2022Quoted Prices In 
Active Markets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable 
Inputs (Level 2)
Unobservable 
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
Cash equivalents$16,609 $16,609 $— $— 
Restricted cash equivalents100 100 — — 
Total assets measured and recorded at fair value$16,709 $16,709 $— $— 
Liabilities:
Warrant liability$$— $— $
Total liabilities measured and recorded at fair value$$— $— $

The Company did not transfer any financial instruments into or out of Level 3 classification during the six months ended June 30, 2023 or during the year ended December 31, 2022. See Note 9, Warrants to Acquire Shares of Common Stock, for a reconciliation of the changes in the fair value of the warrant liability for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

5. Acquired In-Process Research and Development

Exclusive License Agreement with GenFleet Therapeutics (Shanghai) Inc.

On March 31, 2022, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with GenFleet pursuant to which GenFleet granted to the Company a sublicensable royalty-bearing license under certain of its intellectual property, to develop, manufacture, and commercialize SLS009 for the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of disease in humans and animals in the SLS009 Territory.

In consideration for the exclusive license, the Company agreed to pay to GenFleet (i) an upfront and technology transfer fee of $10.0 million, $7.0 million of which was paid as of June 30, 2023 and the remaining $3.0 million of which is expected to be paid during the third quarter of 2023, (ii) development and regulatory milestone payments for up to three indications totaling up to $48.0 million in the aggregate, and (iii) sales milestone payments totaling up to $92.0 million in the aggregate upon the achievement of certain net sales thresholds in a given calendar year. The Company has also agreed to pay GenFleet single-digit tiered royalties based upon a percentage of annual net sales, with the royalty rate escalating based on the level of annual net sales of SLS009 in the SLS009 Territory ranging from the low to high single digits.

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company expensed $10.0 million related to the acquired technology as in-process research and development based on the assessment that the technology has no alternative future use, $7.0 million of which has been paid as of June 30, 2023, and the Company has recorded an acquired in-process research and development payable as of June 30, 2023 for the remaining $3.0 million which is expected to be paid during the third quarter of 2023.


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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
6. Balance Sheet Accounts

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
June 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Insurance$1,123 $219 
Clinical development375 184 
Professional fees176 82 
Other— 46 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets$1,674 $531 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
June 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Clinical trial costs$4,839 $4,509 
Compensation and related benefits1,111 1,439 
Professional fees208 338 
Other82 — 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities$6,240 $6,286 

7. Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company has a non-cancelable operating lease for certain executive, administrative, and general business office space for its headquarters in New York, New York, which began on June 5, 2020, was amended in February 2022 to add additional space, and has a term through December 31, 2024. The Company assessed the lease amendment for the additional space and determined it should be accounted for as a separate contract.

The weighted average discount rate of the Company's operating leases under FASB Topic ASC 842, Leases ("ASC 842") is approximately 13.95%. As of June 30, 2023, the leases have a remaining term of 1.5 years.

Rent expense related to the Company's operating leases was approximately $0.1 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 and $0.2 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

The Company made cash payments related to its operating leases of approximately $0.1 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 and $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments are as follows as of June 30, 2023 (in thousands):

Future minimum lease payments:
2023 (remaining)$261 
2024533 
Total future minimum lease payments794 
Less: imputed interest(45)
Current and non-current operating lease liabilities$749 

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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is subject to various pending or threatened legal actions and proceedings, including those that arise in the ordinary course of its business, which may include employment matters, breach of contract disputes and stockholder litigation. Such actions and proceedings are subject to many uncertainties and to outcomes that are not predictable with assurance and that may not be known for extended periods of time. The Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for costs related to claims, including future legal costs, settlements and judgments, when the Company has assessed that a loss is probable and an amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, the Company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The Company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable, or both, if there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may have been incurred. As of June 30, 2023, there was no pending or threatened litigation.

8. Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, for issuance. There were no preferred shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Common Stock

The Company has authorized up to 350,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, for issuance.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company has shares of common stock reserved for future issuance as follows (in thousands):

Warrants outstanding12,361 
Stock options outstanding1,665 
RSUs outstanding433 
Shares reserved for future issuance under the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan3,883 
Shares reserved for future issuance under the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan229 
Total common stock reserved for future issuance18,571 


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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
9. Warrants to Acquire Shares of Common Stock

Warrants Outstanding

The following is a summary of the activity of the Company's warrants to acquire shares of common stock for the six months ended June 30, 2023 (in thousands):
 
Warrant IssuanceOutstanding, December 31, 2022GrantedOutstanding, June 30, 2023Exercise Price per ShareExpiration
Warrants classified as equity:
February 2023 Offering— 7,220 7,220 $2.77 February 2028
April 2022 Offering4,630 — 4,630 $4.08 April 2027
January 2020 Offering309 — 309 $3.93 July 2025
July 2020 PIPE Offering25 — 25 $3.30 August 2025
July 2018 Offering132 — 132 $7.50 July 2023
March 2019 Exercise Agreement30 — 30 $7.50 March 2024
Other— $7.50 June 2024
5,128 7,220 12,348 
Warrants classified as liability13 — 13 $7.50 September 2023 - November 2023
5,141 7,220 12,361 

Warrants to acquire shares of common stock primarily consist of equity-classified warrants. In addition, warrants to acquire shares of common stock that may require the Company to settle in cash are liability-classified warrants.

Warrants Classified as Equity

The warrants to acquire shares of common stock issued during the February 2023 Offering were recorded as equity upon issuance. During its evaluation of equity classification of these warrants, the Company considered the conditions as prescribed within ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging, Contracts in an Entity’s own Equity (“ASC 815-40”). The conditions within ASC 815-40 are not subject to a probability assessment. The warrants to acquire shares of common stock do not fall under the liability criteria within ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, as they are not puttable and do not represent an instrument that has a redeemable underlying security. The warrants do meet the definition of a derivative instrument under ASC 815 but are eligible for the scope exception as they are indexed to the Company’s own stock and would be classified in permanent equity if freestanding.

On February 28, 2023, in connection with closing of the February 2023 Offering, the Company entered into amendments to an aggregate of 3,438,851 warrants, which had been previously issued by the Company in an underwritten public offering that closed on April 5, 2022 (the "April 2022 Offering"), to reduce the exercise price of such warrants from $5.40 to $3.62, the average closing price of the Company’s common stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market, for the five trading days immediately preceding the pricing of the February 2023 Offering. The Company accounted for the amendment as a cost to issue equity with the incremental fair value of approximately $0.3 million recognized as an offset to the proceeds received. However, there was no net impact to the consolidated statements of stockholders' equity because the warrants are equity classified.

Warrants Classified as Liabilities

Liability-classified warrants consist of warrants to acquire common stock issued in connection with certain previous equity financings. These warrants may be settled in cash and were determined not to be indexed to the Company’s common stock.

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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
The estimated fair value of outstanding warrants accounted for as liabilities is determined at each balance sheet date. Any decrease or increase in the estimated fair value of the warrant liability since the most recent balance sheet date is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as change in fair value of warrant liability. The fair value of the warrants is estimated using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the following inputs:

June 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Risk free interest rate5.44 %4.75 %
Volatility65.03 %120.60 %
Expected term (years)0.250.75
Expected dividend yield— %— %
Strike price$7.50 $7.50 

The expected volatility assumptions are based on the Company's implied volatility in combination with the implied volatilities of similar publicly traded entities. The expected life assumption is based on the remaining contractual terms of the warrants. The risk-free rate is based on the zero-coupon rates in effect at the time of valuation. The dividend yield used in the pricing model is zero, because the Company has no present intention to pay cash dividends.

The changes in fair value of the warrant liability for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
 
Warrant liability, December 31, 2022$
Change in fair value of warrants(4)
Warrant liability, June 30, 2023$— 

10. Licensing Revenue

Exclusive License Agreement with 3D Medicines Inc.

In December 2020, the Company, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, SLSG Limited, LLC, entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “3DMed License Agreement”) with 3D Medicines Inc. ("3DMed"), pursuant to which the Company granted 3DMed a sublicensable royalty-bearing license under certain intellectual property owned or controlled by the Company, to develop, manufacture and have manufactured, and commercialize GPS and heptavalent GPS (referred to as GPS Plus) product candidates ("GPS Licensed Products") for all therapeutic and other diagnostic uses in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan ("3DMed Territory"). The license is exclusive, except with respect to certain know-how that has been non-exclusively licensed to the Company and is sublicensed to 3DMed on a non-exclusive basis. The Company has retained development, manufacturing and commercialization rights with respect to the GPS Licensed Products in the rest of the world.

In partial consideration for the rights granted by the Company, 3DMed agreed to pay the Company (i) a one-time upfront cash payment of $7.5 million, and (ii) milestone payments totaling up to $194.5 million in the aggregate upon the achievement of certain technology transfer, development and regulatory milestones, as well as sales milestones based on certain net sales thresholds of GPS Licensed Products in the 3DMed Territory in a given calendar year. 3DMed also agreed to pay tiered royalties based upon a percentage of annual net sales of GPS Licensed Products in the 3DMed Territory ranging from the high single digits to the low double digits.

Revenue Recognition

The Company determined the initial transaction price of the single performance obligation to be $9.5 million, which included the $7.5 million upfront fee as well as $2.0 million in development milestones that were assessed as probable of being achieved at the inception of the 3DMed License Agreement and therefore were not constrained. As of December 31, 2021, the full $9.5 million initial transaction price was fully recognized as licensing revenue. The
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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Company determined that the remaining $192.5 million in certain future development, regulatory, and sales milestones is variable consideration subject to constraint at inception. At the end of each reporting period, the Company reevaluates the probability of achievement of the future development, regulatory, and sales milestones subject to constraint and, if necessary, will adjust its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments will be recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenues and earnings in the period of adjustment.

On March 31, 2022, the Company announced that an IND application filed by 3DMed, pursuant to its 3DMed License Agreement for GPS, for a small Phase 1 clinical trial investigating safety of GPS in China was approved by China's National Medical Products Administration ("NMPA"). The IND approval by the NMPA triggered a $1.0 million milestone payment to the Company which was recognized as licensing revenue in the first quarter of 2022. An additional $191.5 million in potential future development, regulatory, and sales milestones, not including future royalties, remains under the 3DMed License Agreement as of June 30, 2023, which milestones are variable in nature and not under the Company's control.

For the sales-based royalties, the Company will recognize revenue when the related sales occur. To date, the Company has not recognized any royalty revenue resulting from any of its licensing arrangements.

There was no licensing revenue recognized during each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. There was no licensing revenue recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2023, and $1.0 million licensing revenue recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2022 related to the IND approval by the NMPA.

There was no cost of licensing revenue recognized during each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. There was no cost of licensing revenue recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2023, and $0.1 million in cost of licensing revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022 for sublicensing fees incurred in connection with the 3DMed License Agreement.

11. Stock-Based Compensation

2017 Equity Incentive Plan

On December 29, 2017, the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company, which currently allows for issuance of up to approximately 22,000 shares of common stock underlying stock options granted prior to September 10, 2019. The 2017 Equity Incentive Plan was terminated upon the approval of the 2019 Incentive Plan subject to outstanding stock options granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan that remain exercisable through maturity for the Company's employees and directors.

2023 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan

On September 10, 2019, the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan ("2019 Equity Plan") was approved by the stockholders of the Company, which currently allows for issuance of up to approximately 6,036,000 shares of common stock in connection with the grant of stock-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and other types of awards as deemed appropriate.

The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2019 Equity Plan automatically increased on January 1 of each year, for a period of four years, which commenced on January 1, 2020 and ended on (and including) January 1, 2023, by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (ii) an amount determined by the board of directors or authorized committee.

On June 20, 2023, an amendment to the 2019 Equity Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company, which amended and restated the 2019 Equity Plan (as amended and restated, the "2023 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan") to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2019 Equity Plan by 3,000,000 shares.

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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
As of June 30, 2023, approximately 3,883,000 shares of common stock were reserved for future grants under the 2023 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan.

The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively (in thousands):

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2023202220232022
Research and development$92 $70 $188 $125 
General and administrative422 380 866 700 
Total stock-based compensation $514 $450 $1,054 $825 

Options to Purchase Shares of Common Stock

The following table summarizes stock option activity of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2023:
Total
Number of
Shares
(In Thousands)
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(In Thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 20221,040 $7.57 $91 
Granted682 3.20 
Canceled(57)5.66 
Outstanding at June 30, 20231,665 $5.85 8.63$
Options exercisable at June 30, 2023527 $9.58 7.62$— 

The aggregate intrinsic values of outstanding and exercisable stock options at June 30, 2023 were calculated based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on June 30, 2023 of $1.57 per share. The aggregate intrinsic value equals the positive difference between the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock and the exercise price of the underlying stock options.


The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of all its stock options granted. The weighted average assumptions used during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, were as follows:

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2023202220232022
Risk free interest rate3.69 %2.87 %3.78 %1.80 %
Volatility129.55 %144.75 %127.77 %130.60 %
Expected lives (years)6.256.256.206.21
Expected dividend yield— %— %— %— %

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $1.45 and $2.13, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $2.88 and $4.76, respectively.


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SELLAS LIFE SCIENCES GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
The Company’s expected common stock price volatility assumption is based upon the Company's own implied volatility in combination with the implied volatility of a basket of comparable companies. The expected life assumptions for employee grants were based upon the simplified method, which averages the contractual term of the Company’s options of ten years with the average vesting term of four years for an average of approximately six years. The expected life assumptions for non-employees were based upon the contractual term of the option. The dividend yield assumption is zero because the Company has never paid cash dividends and presently has no intention to do so. The risk-free interest rate used for each grant was also based upon prevailing short-term interest rates. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

As of June 30, 2023, there was $3.8 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding stock options that is expected to be recognized as a component of the Company’s operating expenses over a weighted-average period of 2.72 years.

Time-vested RSUs and RSUs with Performance Conditions

The following table summarizes RSU activity of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2023:
Shares
(In Thousands)
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2022255 $3.25 
Granted195 $3.34 
Canceled(17)$3.76 
Unvested at June 30, 2023433 $3.27 

As of June 30, 2023, there was $1.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding RSUs that is expected to be recognized as a component of the Company's operating expenses over a weighted-average period of 2.98 years. No RSUs vested during the six months ended June 30, 2023.

2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On April 22, 2021, the Board of Directors adopted the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("2021 ESPP") which was approved by the Company's stockholders on June 8, 2021 and authorized the issuance of up to 300,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the 2021 ESPP. The 2021 ESPP allows employees to contribute up to 20% of their cash earnings, subject to a maximum of $25,000 per year under Internal Revenue Service rules, to be used to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock on semi-annual purchase dates. The 2021 ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock at a price per share equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning or end of each six-month offering period during the term of the 2021 ESPP.

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, 45,416 shares of common stock were purchased by employees under the 2021 ESPP for proceeds of approximately $53,000. There are currently 229,495 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 ESPP as of June 30, 2023.

12. Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after June 30, 2023 up through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued. Other than as disclosed elsewhere in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company did not have any material subsequent events.



18


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

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition as of June 30, 2023 and results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 16, 2023, or our 2022 Annual Report, and our other public reports filed with the SEC.

Overview

We are a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapeutics for a broad range of cancer indications. Our product candidates currently include galinpepimut-S, or GPS, a peptide immunotherapy directed against the Wilms tumor 1, or WT1, antigen, and SLS009 (formerly GFH009), a highly selective small molecule cyclin-dependent kinase 9, or CDK9, inhibitor.

Galinpepimut-S, or GPS: Highly Novel and Engineered Immunotherapy Targeting the WT1 Antigen

Our lead product candidate, GPS, is a cancer immunotherapeutic agent licensed from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, or MSK, that targets the WT1 protein, which is present in 20 or more cancer types. Based on its mechanism of action as a directly immunizing agent, GPS has potential as a monotherapy or in combination with other immunotherapeutic agents to address a broad spectrum of hematologic, or blood, cancers and solid tumor indications.

In January 2020, we commenced in the United States an open label randomized Phase 3 clinical trial, the REGAL study, for GPS monotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, in the maintenance setting after achievement of second complete remission, or CR2, following successful completion of second-line antileukemic therapy. Patients are randomized (1:1) to receive either GPS or best available treatment, or BAT. We expect this study will be used as the basis for submission of a Biologics License Application, or BLA, subject to a statistically significant and clinically meaningful data outcome and agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA. The primary endpoint of the clinical trial is overall survival. We plan to enroll approximately 125 to 140 patients at approximately 95 clinical sites in North America, Europe and Asia with a planned interim safety, efficacy and futility analysis after 60 events (deaths). Under our current assumptions with respect to completion of enrollment and the estimated survival times for both the treated and control groups in the study, we believe, after previous discussions with our external statisticians and experts, that the planned interim analysis after 60 events (deaths) per the protocol will occur by the end of 2023 or early 2024 and the final analysis after 80 events will occur by the end of 2024. It is important to note that because these analyses are event driven, they may occur at a different time than currently expected.

In December 2020, we entered into an exclusive license agreement, or 3DMed License Agreement, with 3D Medicines Inc., or 3D Medicines, a China-based biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation immuno-oncology drugs, for the development and commercialization of GPS, as well as the Company’s next generation heptavalent immunotherapeutic GPS+, which is at preclinical stage, across all therapeutic and diagnostic uses in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, or the 3DMed Territory. We have retained sole rights to GPS and GPS+ outside of Greater China. In November 2022, we announced that we have agreed with 3D Medicines for 3D Medicines to participate in the REGAL study through the inclusion of approximately 20 patients from mainland China. Such participation by 3D Medicines will trigger two development milestone payments totaling $13.0 million, which we expect to receive in the third quarter of 2023. If the REGAL study meets its primary endpoint for efficacy and the Chinese regulatory authorities determine that the REGAL data is sufficient for approval in China, GPS could potentially reach the market in Greater China much earlier than we and 3D Medicines had anticipated when we entered into the license agreement in December 2020. As of June 30, 2023, we have received an aggregate of $10.5 million in upfront and milestone payments under our license agreement with 3D Medicines and a total of $191.5 million in potential future development, regulatory and sales milestones, not including future royalties, remains under the license agreement, which milestones are variable in nature and not under our control.

In December 2018, pursuant to a Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Agreement, we initiated a Phase 1/2 multi-arm "basket" type clinical study of GPS in combination with Merck & Co., Inc.’s anti-PD-1 therapy,
19


pembrolizumab (Keytruda). In 2020, we, together with Merck, determined to focus on ovarian cancer (second or third line). In November 2022, we reported topline clinical and initial immune response data from this study, which showed that treatment with the combination of GPS and pembrolizumab compared favorably to treatment with anti-PD-1 therapy alone in a similar patient population. We plan to present final data from this study at a medical conference in the fourth quarter of 2023.

In February 2020, a Phase 1 open-label investigator-sponsored clinical trial of GPS, in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s anti-PD-1 therapy, nivolumab (Opdivo), in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, or MPM, who harbor relapsed or refractory disease after having received frontline standard of care multimodality therapy was commenced at MSK. Enrollment of a target total of 10 evaluable patients was completed at the end of 2022. In June 2023, we reported that the primary endpoint of safety and the efficacy endpoint were both met with clinical activity and increased survival in this study. Additional immune response data from all 10 evaluable patients is expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.

GPS was granted Orphan Drug Product Designations from the FDA, as well as Orphan Medicinal Product Designations from the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, for GPS in AML, MPM, and multiple myeloma, or MM, as well as Fast Track Designation for AML, MPM, and MM from the FDA.

SLS009: Highly Selective Next Generation CDK9 Inhibitor

On March 31, 2022, we entered into an exclusive license agreement, or the SLS009 Agreement, with GenFleet Therapeutics (Shanghai), Inc., or GenFleet, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cutting-edge therapeutics in oncology and immunology, that grants rights to us for the development and commercialization of SLS009, a highly selective small molecule CDK9 inhibitor, across all therapeutic and diagnostic uses worldwide, except for Greater China.

CDK9 activity has been shown to correlate negatively with overall survival in a number of cancer types, including hematologic cancers, such as AML and lymphomas, as well as solid cancers, such as osteosarcoma, pediatric soft tissue sarcomas, melanoma, endometrial, lung, prostate, breast and ovarian. As demonstrated in preclinical and clinical data, to date, SLS009’s high selectivity has the potential to reduce toxicity as compared to older CDK9 inhibitors and other next-generation CDK9 inhibitors currently in clinical development and to potentially be more efficacious.

In April 2023, we announced the completion of the safety evaluation stage of the highest dose cohort of patients with AML who relapsed after or were refractory to available antileukemic therapies in our Phase 1 dose escalation clinical trial of SLS009. No further dose escalations are planned in the AML group, while dose escalation continues in the lymphoma group with the addition of 75 mg and 100 mg once-a-week dose cohorts. The 100 mg cohort is planned to likely be the highest dose level for the lymphoma group. In the third quarter of 2023, we expect enrollment in the lymphoma group to be completed and to report clinical activity observed in the lymphoma group. In May 2023, we announced positive topline data from this study for the group of patients with AML and that the recommended Phase 2 dose, or RP2D, in AML, was established and submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In June 2023, we announced that the first patient was dosed in a Phase 2a clinical trial with SLS009 in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine, or aza/ven, in patients with AML who relapsed after or are refractory to treatment with venetoclax-based therapies. The trial is an open label, single arm, multi-center study that is designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, and efficacy at two dose levels of SLS009 (once weekly 45 mg or 60 mg) in combination with aza/ven. In addition to safety and tolerability of SLS009 in combination with aza/ven, the primary endpoints are complete response composite rate and duration of response. Additional endpoints include event free survival, overall survival, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessments. The trial includes several sites in the United States, will enroll up to 20 patients and, based on initial results, may be expanded into a registrational trial. Topline data from this study is expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.

We are also planning to potentially commence a Phase 2 clinical trial of SLS009 in certain solid tumors and/or lymphoma in the fourth quarter of 2023 and are exploring various options with respect to clinical development for SLS009 in several pediatric indications.

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SLS009 is currently being evaluated in pediatric solid tumors and leukemia models through the NCI Pediatric Preclinical in Vivo Testing, or PIVOT, program. Studies are supported through cooperative agreement grants from the NCI to the seven PIVOT research programs performing the PK and efficacy testing in pediatric tumors and a centralized coordinating center. Preclinical data are scheduled to be generated continuously through the remainder of 2023 and the first half of 2024.
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Components of Results of Operations

Licensing Revenue

Licensing revenue consists of revenue recognized pursuant to the 3DMed License Agreement. In the future, we may generate revenue from a combination of reimbursements, up-front payments, milestone payments and royalties in connection with the 3DMed License Agreement.

Cost of Licensing Revenue

Cost of licensing revenue consists of sublicensing fees incurred under our license from MSK in connection with the 3DMed License Agreement.

Research and Development

Research and development expense consists of expenses incurred in connection with the discovery and development of our product candidates. We expense research and development costs as incurred. These expenses include:

expenses incurred under agreements with CROs, as well as investigative sites and consultants that conduct our preclinical studies and clinical trials;

manufacturing and clinical drug supply expenses;

outsourced professional scientific development services;

employee-related expenses, which include salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation;

payments made under our license agreements, under which we acquired certain intellectual property;

expenses relating to certain regulatory activities, including filing fees paid to regulatory agencies;

laboratory materials and supplies used to support our research activities; and

allocated expenses, utilities, and other facility-related costs.

The successful development of our current and future product candidates is highly uncertain. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing and costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the remainder of the development of, or when, if ever, material net cash inflows may commence from, any current or future product candidates. This uncertainty is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the duration and cost of our clinical trials, which vary significantly over the life of a project as a result of many factors, including:

the number and geographical location of clinical sites included in the trials;

the length of time required to enroll suitable patients;

the number and geographical location of patients that ultimately participate in the trials;
the number of doses patients receive;

the duration of patient follow-up;

the results of clinical trials;

the expenses associated with manufacturing and clinical drug supply;

22


the receipt of marketing approvals; and

the commercialization of current and future product candidates.

Research and development activities are central to our business model. Oncology product candidates in the later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in the earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of the later-stage clinical trials. We expect our research and development expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we conduct and complete our ongoing early and late-stage clinical trials and initiate additional clinical trials.

Our expenditures are subject to additional uncertainties, including the terms and timing of regulatory approvals. We may never succeed in achieving regulatory approval for any of our current or future product candidates. We may obtain unexpected results from our clinical trials. We may elect to discontinue, delay or modify clinical trials of some product candidates or target indications or focus on others. A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of a product candidate could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. For example, if the FDA or other regulatory authorities were to require us to conduct clinical trials beyond those that we currently anticipate, or if we experience significant delays in enrollment in any of our clinical trials, we could be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of clinical development.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist principally of salaries and related costs for personnel in executive, administrative, finance and legal functions, including stock-based compensation, travel expenses and recruiting expenses, fees for outside legal counsel, amortization of contract acquisition costs (commissions), and director and officer insurance premiums. Other general and administrative expenses include facility related costs, patent filing and prosecution costs, professional fees for business development, accounting, consulting, legal and tax-related services associated with maintaining compliance with our Nasdaq listing and SEC reporting requirements, investor relations costs, and other expenses associated with being a public company.

If and when we believe that regulatory approval of a product candidate appears likely, we anticipate that an increase in general and administrative expenses will occur as a result of our preparation for commercial operations, particularly as it relates to the sales and marketing of such product candidate. Oncology product commercialization may take several years and millions of dollars in development costs.

Acquired In-Process Research and Development

Acquired in-process research and development consists of costs to acquire or license product candidates from third-parties for development with no alternative future use.

Non-Operating Income

Non-operating income consists of changes in fair value of our warrant liability, changes in fair value of our contingent consideration, and interest income. Interest income primarily reflects interest earned from our cash and cash equivalents.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In the 2022 Annual Report, we disclosed our critical accounting policies and estimates upon which our consolidated financial statements are derived. There have been no material changes to these policies and estimates since December 31, 2022 that are not included in Note 3 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Readers are encouraged to read the 2022 Annual Report in conjunction with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

23


Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended June 30,
20232022Change
Licensing revenue$— $— $— 
Operating expenses:
Cost of licensing revenue— — — 
Research and development5,923 5,529 394 
General and administrative3,127 3,094 33 
Total operating expenses9,050 8,623 427 
Operating loss(9,050)(8,623)(427)
Non-operating income210 209 
Net loss$(8,840)$(8,414)$(426)

Six Months Ended June 30,
20232022Change
Licensing revenue$— $1,000 $(1,000)
Operating expenses:
Cost of licensing revenue— 100 (100)
Research and development13,097 10,140 2,957 
General and administrative7,234 6,118 1,116 
Acquired in-process research and development— 10,000 (10,000)
Total operating expenses20,331 26,358 (6,027)
Operating loss(20,331)(25,358)5,027 
Non-operating income394 200 194 
Net loss$(19,937)$(25,158)$5,221 

Further analysis of the changes and trends in our operating results are discussed below.

Licensing Revenue

There was no licensing revenue for each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

There was no licensing revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Licensing revenue was $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and was related to China's National Medical Products Administration, or NMPA, approving an IND application for a small Phase I clinical trial investigating safety of GPS in China, which triggered a development milestone under the 3DMed License Agreement.

Cost of Licensing Revenue

There was no cost of licensing revenue for each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

There was no cost of licensing revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023. We incurred $0.1 million of sublicensing fees payable under our license from MSK in connection with the 3DMed License Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Research and Development
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Research and development expenses were $5.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $5.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The $0.4 million increase was primarily attributable to a $0.6 million increase in clinical and regulatory consulting expenses, a $0.4 million increase in clinical trial expenses related to our Phase 3 REGAL clinical trial of GPS and our Phase 2a and Phase 1 clinical trials of SLS009, and a $0.3 million increase in personnel related expenses due to increased headcount. These increases were partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in manufacturing expenses primarily due to the timing of a manufacturing of a registration batch of GPS in the prior period. We anticipate that our research and development expenses will increase in the future as we continue to advance the development of GPS and SLS009, including our Phase 3 clinical trial of GPS in AML and the ongoing Phase 2a and Phase 1 clinical trials of SLS009.

Research and development expenses were $13.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $10.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The $3.0 million increase was primarily attributable to a $1.4 million increase in clinical and regulatory consulting expenses, a $1.2 million increase in clinical trial related expenses related to our ongoing Phase 3 REGAL clinical trial of GPS and our Phase 2a and Phase 1 clinical trials of SLS009, and a $0.8 million increase in personnel related expenses due to increased headcount. These increases were partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in manufacturing expenses primarily due to the timing of a manufacturing of a registration batch of GPS in the prior period. We anticipate that our research and development expenses will increase in the future as we continue to advance the development of GPS and SLS009, including our Phase 3 clinical trial of GPS in AML and the ongoing Phase 2a and Phase 1 clinical trials of SLS009.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses were $3.1 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and three months ended June 30, 2022. There was a $0.2 million decrease in outside services and public company costs, which were offset by a $0.1 million increase in personnel related expenses due to increased headcount and a $0.1 million increase in office related expenses and other general and administrative costs.

General and administrative expenses were $7.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $6.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The $1.1 million increase was primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in personnel related expenses due to increased headcount, including a $0.2 million increase in non-cash stock-based compensation, a $0.2 million increase in legal fees, and a $0.3 million increase in office related expenses and other general and administrative costs.

Acquired In-Process Research and Development

There was no acquired in-process research and development expense during each of the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

There was no acquired in-process research and development expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we recognized $10.0 million for the acquisition of in-process research and development related to the in-licensing of SLS009.

Non-Operating Income

Non-operating income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, was as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
20232022Change20232022Change
Change in fair value of warrant liability$$48 $(46)$$37 $(33)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration— 115 (115)— 115 (115)
Interest income208 46 162 390 48 342 
Total non-operating income$210 $209 $$394 $200 $194 

Non-operating income of $0.2 million and $0.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, was primarily interest income earned from our cash and cash equivalents.
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Non-operating income of $0.2 million during each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 was primarily due to decreases in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability driven by an increase in discount rates, a decrease in the fair value of the warrant liability driven by a decrease in our common stock price, and interest income earned from our cash and cash equivalents.

The change in fair value of warrant liability and change in fair value of contingent consideration are non-cash in nature.

Income Tax Expense

There was no income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. We continue to maintain a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We did not generate any revenue from product sales during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Through June 30, 2023, we have only generated licensing revenue from the 3DMed License Agreement. Since inception, we have incurred net losses, used net cash in our operations, and have funded substantially all of our operations through proceeds of the sale of equity securities and convertible notes.

Sources of Liquidity

On February 28, 2023, we consummated an underwritten public offering, or the February 2023 Offering, issuing 7,220,217 shares of common stock and accompanying common stock warrants to purchase an aggregate of 7,220,217 shares of common stock. The shares of common stock and accompanying common stock warrants were sold at a combined price of $2.77 per share and accompanying common stock warrant. Each common stock warrant sold with the shares of common stock represents the right to purchase one share of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.77 per share. The common stock warrants are exercisable immediately and will expire on February 28, 2028, five years from the date of issuance. The net proceeds from the February 2023 Offering were approximately $18.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, and excluding the exercise of any warrants.

On April 16, 2021, we entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., or the Agent. From time to time during the term of the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price up to a total of $50.0 million in gross proceeds. The Agent will collect a fee equal to 3% of the gross sales price of all shares of common stock sold. Shares of common stock sold under the Sales Agreement are offered and sold pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3, which was filed with the SEC on April 16, 2021 and declared effective on April 29, 2021. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, we sold a total of 76,882 shares of common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement at an average price of $3.59 per share for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $0.3 million. There remains approximately $39.2 million available for future sales of shares of common stock under the Sales Agreement as of June 30, 2023. Other than the Sales Agreement, we currently do not have any commitments to obtain additional funds.

In December 2020, together with our wholly-owned subsidiary, SLSG Limited, LLC, we entered into the 3DMed License Agreement pursuant to which we granted 3DMed a sublicensable royalty-bearing license under certain intellectual property owned or controlled by us, to develop, manufacture and have manufactured, and commercialize GPS and heptavalent GPS product candidates for all therapeutic and other diagnostic uses in the 3DMed Territory. To date, we have received $10.5 million in upfront payments and certain technology transfer and regulatory milestones. The participation of 3DMed in our REGAL Phase 3 clinical trial in China will trigger two development milestone payments totaling $13.0 million to us, which we expect to receive in the third quarter of 2023. A total of $191.5 million in potential future development, regulatory, and sales milestones, not including future royalties, remains under the 3DMed License Agreement as of June 30, 2023, which milestones are all variable in nature and not under our control.


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Funding Requirements

As of June 30, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $199.8 million, cash and cash equivalents of $13.8 million and restricted cash and cash equivalents of $0.1 million. In addition, we had current liabilities of $13.4 million as of June 30, 2023. We expect that our cash and cash equivalents will not be sufficient to fund our current planned operations for at least the next twelve months from the date of issuance of these financial statements. The $13.0 million of development milestone payments to us triggered by 3DMed's participation in the REGAL study are variable in nature and not under our control, and therefore are not included in our going concern assumption. These conditions give rise to a substantial doubt over our ability to continue as a going concern. This going concern assumption is based on management’s assessment of the sufficiency of our current and future sources of liquidity and whether it is probable we will be able to meet our obligations as they become due for at least one year from the date our consolidated financial statements are available to be issued, and if not, whether our liquidation is imminent.

Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. We anticipate incurring additional losses until such time, if ever, that we can generate significant sales of any current or future product candidates in development.

We will require substantial additional financing to develop any current or future product candidates. If we are unable to obtain additional funding on a timely basis, we will be required to scale back our plans and place certain activities on hold. Other than the Sales Agreement, we currently do not have any commitments to obtain additional funds. Our management continues to evaluate different strategies to obtain the required funding for future operations. These strategies may include utilizing the Sales Agreement, public and private placements of equity and/or debt securities and payments from potential strategic research and development collaborations. Additionally, we continue to pursue discussions with global and regional pharmaceutical companies for licensing and/or co-development rights to our product candidates. There can be no assurance that these future funding efforts will be successful.

Our future operations are highly dependent on a combination of factors, including (i) the timely and successful completion of any additional financings, (ii) our ability to complete revenue-generating partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, (iii) the success of our research and development activities, (iv) the development of competitive therapies by other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and, ultimately, (v) regulatory approval and market acceptance of our product candidates.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating and financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Six Months Ended June 30,
20232022
Net cash (used in) provided by:
Operating activities$(19,693)$(12,911)
Investing activities(2,500)(4,500)
Financing activities18,875 23,043 
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents$(3,318)$5,632 


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Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities of $19.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2023 was primarily attributable to our net loss of $19.9 million and net change in our operating assets and liabilities of approximately $1.1 million, which were partially offset by various net non-cash charges of $1.3 million. The net change in our operating assets and liabilities of $1.1 million is primarily attributable to an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $1.1 million. Net non-cash charges were driven by $1.1 million in non-cash stock-based compensation and expense and $0.2 million in non-cash lease expense.

Net cash used in operating activities of $12.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 was primarily attributable to our net loss of $25.2 million, which was partially offset by various net non-cash charges of $10.8 million and the net change in our operating assets and liabilities of approximately $1.5 million. Net non-cash charges were driven by $10.0 million in expense related to the acquired in-process research and development and $0.8 million in non-cash stock compensation expense. The net change in our operating assets and liabilities of $1.5 million is primarily attributable to an increase in accounts payable of $1.2 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $0.4 million, which were partially offset by a decrease in operating lease liabilities of $0.1 million.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities of $2.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2023 related to license payments made for the acquisition of in-process research and development under the GenFleet License Agreement.

Net cash used in investing activities of $4.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 related to license payments made for the acquisition of in-process research and development under the GenFleet License Agreement.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

We generated $18.9 million in net cash from financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was due to approximately $18.5 million in net proceeds from the February 2023 Offering, $0.3 million in net proceeds under the Sales Agreement, and $0.1 million from the purchase of shares of common stock by employees under the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

We generated $23.0 million in net cash from financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2022 that was due to $23.0 million in aggregate net proceeds received from our underwritten public offering, which closed in April 2022.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements as of June 30, 2023.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not applicable.


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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer (the “Certifying Officers”), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), such as this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to reasonably assure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Certifying Officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on these evaluations, the Certifying Officers have concluded, that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

(a)our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and

(b)our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act was accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Certifying Officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Please refer to Note 7 (Commitments and Contingencies) to our consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 (Financial Statements) of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated into this item by reference.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Please refer to our note on forward-looking statements on page 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated into this item by reference.

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in our 2022 Annual Report. The risks described in such 2022 Annual Report are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and stock price.

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
 
Exhibit
#
DescriptionFormExhibitFiling Date
3.110-K3.1April 13, 2018
3.28-K3.3January 5, 2018
10.1
10.2
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INSXBRL Instance Document.*
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.*
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.*
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.*
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.*
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.*
*Indicates management contract or compensatory plans or arrangements.
**Filed herewith
***The certifications attached as Exhibit 32.1 and Exhibit 32.2 accompany this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and shall not be deemed “filed” by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall they be deemed 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 hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc.
By:/s/ Angelos M. Stergiou
Angelos M. Stergiou, MD, ScD h.c.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: August 10, 2023
By:/s/ John T. Burns
John T. Burns, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: August 10, 2023
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