Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 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, 2021

☐ 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 001-35570

SONNET BIOTHERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in the charter)

100 Overlook Center, Suite 102, Princeton, NJ 08540

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (609) 375-2227

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes ☐ No.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No.

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards 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.

There were 24,956,887 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 of Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. issued and outstanding as of August 10, 2021.

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

INDEX

Part I

Item 1: Financial Statements

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

(unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

(unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements

1.    Organization and description of business

Description of business

Sonnet BioTherapeutics, Inc. (“Sonnet”) was incorporated as a New Jersey corporation on April 6, 2015. Sonnet is a clinical stage, oncology-focused biotechnology company with a proprietary platform for innovating biologic medicines of single- or bi-specific action. Known as FHAB™ (Fully Human Albumin Binding), the technology utilizes a fully human single chain antibody fragment (scFv) that binds to and “hitch-hikes” on human serum albumin (HSA) for transport to target tissues. Sonnet’s lead proprietary asset, SON-1010, is a fully human version of Interleukin 12 (“IL-12”), covalently linked to the F_HAB construct, for which Sonnet intends to pursue clinical development in solid tumor indications, including non-small cell lung cancer and head and neck cancer. Sonnet has completed a nonhuman primate (“NHP”) GLP toxicity study with SON-1010 and is preparing an Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application for submission to the FDA with the goal of initiating a Phase 1 clinical trial during the second half of 2021 and having initial top line clinical safety data available during the first half of 2022. The Company acquired the global development rights to its most advanced compound, SON-080, a fully human version of Interleukin 6 (“IL-6”), in April 2020. Sonnet is advancing SON-080 in target indications of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (“CIPN”) and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (“DPN”). Sonnet intends to file an IND for a U.S. Phase 1b/2a pilot-scale efficacy study with SON-080 in CIPN during the second half of 2021 that could yield initial top line clinical safety data during the first half of 2022. Pursuant to a license agreement the Company entered with New Life in May 2021, Sonnet and New Life will be jointly responsible for leading the development program for SON-080 in DPN with the objective of initiating an ex-US Phase 1b/2a pilot-scale efficacy study during the second half of 2021 or first half of 2022 that could yield initial top line clinical safety data as early as the first half of 2022. Regarding Sonnet’s lead bispecific candidate, SON-1210, which combines Interleukins 12 and 15 (“IL-15”) covalently linked to the F_HAB construct, Sonnet intends to file an IND to begin human clinic testing during the first half of 2022.

On April 1, 2020, Sonnet completed its merger (the “Merger”) with publicly-held Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (“Chanticleer”) in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Merger dated October 10, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on February 7, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”). Immediately prior to the Merger, Chanticleer spun-off its restaurant operations to a spin-off entity and no assets or liabilities of the restaurant business remained after the spin-off. After the Merger, Chanticleer changed its name to Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (“Sonnet Holdings” or the “Company”) and is focused on advancing Sonnet’s pipeline of oncology candidates and the strategic expansion of Sonnet’s technology platform into other human disease.

Global pandemic - COVID-19

On March 10, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the novel COVID-19 virus as a global pandemic. There is significant uncertainty as to the likely effects of this disease which may, among other things, materially impact the Company’s planned clinical trials. This pandemic or outbreak could result in difficulty securing clinical trial site locations, clinical research organizations (“CROs”), and/or trial monitors and other critical vendors and consultants supporting the trial. In addition, outbreaks or the perception of an outbreak near a clinical trial site location could impact the Company’s ability to enroll patients. These situations, or others associated with COVID-19, could cause delays in the Company’s clinical trial plans and could increase expected costs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and its financial condition. At the current time, the Company is unable to quantify the potential effects of this pandemic on its future operations.

Liquidity

The Company has incurred recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations activities since inception and it expects to generate losses from operations for the foreseeable future primarily due to research and development costs for its potential product candidates. The Company believes its cash of $6.0 million at June 30, 2021 will fund the Company’s projected operations into October 2021. Substantial additional financing will be needed by the Company to fund its operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-1 on July 22, 2021, as subsequently amended, registering an aggregate of $34.5 million of shares of common stock (or common stock equivalent) to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten public offering and has engaged BTIG, LLC (“BTIG”) to act as the sole book-running manager in such offering. As of the date of this report, the offering has not priced, and no assurance can be given that the offering will price or close, and for any particular amount of proceeds and at any particular offering price.

The Company entered into an At-the-Market Sales Agreement with BTIG on February 5, 2021 (the “Sales Agreement”). Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, the Company had the ability to offer and sell, from time to time, through BTIG, as sales agent and/or principal, shares of its common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $15,875,000, subject to certain limitations set forth in the Sales Agreement. Through June 30, 2021 the Company sold an aggregate of 7,454,238 shares under the Sales Agreement for gross proceeds of $15.9 million and net proceeds of $15.3 million, thus reaching the maximum amount able to be sold under the Sales Agreement.

On May 2, 2021, the Company entered into a License Agreement with New Life Therapeutics PTE, LTD. (See Note 8).

The Company plans to secure additional capital in the future through equity or debt financings, partnerships, collaborations, or other sources to carry out the Company’s planned development activities. If additional capital is not available when required, the Company may need to delay or curtail its operations until such funding is received. Various internal and external factors will affect whether and when the Company’s product candidates become approved for marketing and successful commercialization. The regulatory approval and market acceptance of the Company’s product candidates, length of time and cost of developing and commercializing these product candidates and/or failure of them at any stage of the approval process will materially affect the Company’s financial condition and future operations.

Operations since inception have consisted primarily of organizing the Company, securing financing, developing its technologies through performing research and development and conducting preclinical studies. The Company faces risks associated with companies whose products are in development. These risks include the need for additional financing to complete its research and development, achieving its research and development objectives, defending its intellectual property rights, recruiting and retaining skilled personnel, and dependence on key members of management.

2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

a.    Basis of presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information as found in the Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all normal and recurring adjustments (which consist primarily of accruals, estimates and assumptions that impact the unaudited interim financial statements) considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2021 and its results of operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements presented herein do not contain the required disclosures under U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements and related notes of Sonnet Holdings as of and for the year ended September 30, 2020 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

b.    Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

c.    Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Significant estimates include the recording of prepayments and accruals related to research and development.

d.    Property and equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance that do not extend the estimated useful life or improve an asset are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or sale, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of assets disposed of are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the statement of operations. As of June 30, 2021, the property and equipment balance was comprised of leasehold improvements and computer equipment associated with the Princeton office lease discussed in Note 7.

e. Collaboration revenue

Collaboration arrangements may contain multiple components, which may include (i) licenses; (ii) research and development activities; and (iii) the manufacturing and supply of certain materials. Payments pursuant to these arrangements may include non-refundable payments, upfront payments, milestone payments upon the achievement of significant regulatory and development events or sales of product at certain agreed-upon amounts, sales milestones and royalties on product sales. The amount of variable consideration is constrained until it is probable that the revenue is not at a significant risk of reversal in a future period.

In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as the Company fulfills its obligations under a collaboration arrangement, the Company performs the following steps: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations, including whether they are capable of being distinct; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue as the Company satisfies each performance obligation.

The Company applies significant judgment when evaluating whether contractual obligations represent distinct performance obligations, allocating transaction price to performance obligations within a contract, determining when performance obligations have been met, and assessing the recognition of variable consideration. When consideration is received prior to the Company completing its performance obligation under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded as deferred income. Deferred income expected to be recognized as revenue within the twelve months following the balance sheet date is classified as current liabilities. On May 2, 2021, the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “New Life Agreement”) with New Life Therapeutics PTE, LTD (“New Life”). See Note 9 for further discussion of the Company's revenue recognition associated with the New Life Agreement.

f.    Net loss per share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period (and potential shares of common stock that are exercisable for little or no consideration). Included in basic weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 are the Series B warrants and certain warrants issued to the spin-off entity with exercise prices of $0.0001 and $0.01 per share, respectively.

Diluted loss per share includes the effect, if any, from the potential exercise or conversion of securities such as common stock warrants and stock options which would result in the issuance of incremental shares of common stock. For diluted net loss per share, the weighted-average number of shares of common stock is the same for basic net loss per share due to the fact that when a net loss exists, dilutive securities are not included in the calculation as the impact is anti-dilutive.

The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding as they would be anti-dilutive:

 Schedule of Potentially Dilutive Securities

g.    Recent accounting pronouncements

Recently Announced

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes Topic 740-Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”), which intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application of Topic 740. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods therein, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new standard, but adoption is not expected to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and financial statement disclosures.

Recently Adopted

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework- Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU 2018-13”), which changes the fair value measurement disclosure requirements of ASC 820. The goal of the ASU is to improve the effectiveness of ASC 820’s disclosure requirements. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 on October 1, 2019, did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

3.    Merger with Chanticleer

Sonnet merged with Chanticleer Holdings on April 1, 2020. The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization with Sonnet as the accounting acquirer. Legacy Chanticleer shareholders were issued 547,639 shares of common stock. Merger consideration paid by Sonnet to Chanticleer Holdings included $6.0 million of cash and issuance of warrants to the spin-off entity. Sonnet reflected the $6.0 million cash paid to the spin-off entity as a decrease to additional paid-in capital.

4.    Relief Acquisition

In August 2019, the Company executed a Share Exchange Agreement with Relief Holdings, in which the Company agreed to acquire the outstanding shares of Relief. The Company issued 757,933 shares of common stock upon closing of the transaction on April 1, 2020.

For accounting purposes, the Company determined that the acquisition of Relief did not meet the definition of a business and was accounted for as an asset acquisition since substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired was concentrated in a single identified intangible asset, atexakin alfa.

 Schedule of Assets and Liability Acquired

The Company expensed the acquired IPR&D as of the acquisition date since further development and regulatory approval are required.

5.    Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following:

 Schedule of Accrued Expenses

6.   Debt

Related-party notes

During the nine months ended June 30, 2020, the Company issued unsecured notes payable to various related parties resulting in cash proceeds of $55,000. These notes are payable on demand and payments of $20,436 and $46,461 were made during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The interest on these notes was de minimis during each of those periods.

In October 2019, the Company issued 8,526 shares of common stock to settle $0.2 million of related party notes.

PPP Loan

On March 27, 2020, the U.S. federal government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The CARES Act includes a provision for a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and further amended by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (“PPP Flexibility Act”), which was enacted on June 5, 2020.

In May 2020, the Company received a PPP Loan of $0.1 million. The application for these funds required the Company to certify in good faith that current economic uncertainty made the loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the Company. The Company was also required to certify that the loan funds would be used to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage payments, lease payments, and utility payments. The PPP Loan had a two-year term and bore interest at a rate of 1.0% per year.

Under the terms of the CARES Act, the Company could apply for and be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the PPP Loan. Such forgiveness, if any, would be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of loan proceeds for payroll costs, rent and utility costs and provided that only a portion of the use of proceeds are for non-payroll costs. The unforgiven portion of the PPP Loan could be repaid by the Company at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalty. The Company’s PPP Loan and the related interest were forgiven in full in June 2021. Forgiveness of the PPP Loan is included in other income within the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021.

7.   Leases

The Company adopted ASC 842, “Leases” (“ASC 842”), on October 1, 2019. Through September 30, 2019, the Company’s leases consisted of leased office space under various operating leases with terms of one year or less. These leases qualified as short-term leases and as such, there was no cumulative impact from the adoption of ASC 842.

In December 2019, the Company entered a 36-month lease for office space in Princeton, New Jersey, which commenced February 1, 2020. At that time, the Company terminated its existing month-to-month leases for office space.

The components of lease expense for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 are as follows:

 Schedule of Lease Expenses

At June 30, 2021, the weighted-average remaining lease term was 1.58 years and the weighted average discount rate was 12%.

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 Schedule of Operating Lease Liabilities

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases at June 30, 2021 are as follows:

 Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments

8.   Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims, and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. While the outcomes of these matters are uncertain, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

License Agreements

The Company has entered into a Discovery Collaboration Agreement (the “Collaboration Agreement”) with XOMA (US) LLC (“XOMA”), pursuant to which XOMA granted to the Company a non-exclusive, non-transferrable license and/or right to use certain materials, technologies and related information related to discovery, optimization and development of antibodies and related proteins and to develop and commercialize products thereunder. The Company is obligated to make contingent milestone payments to XOMA totaling $3.8 million on a product-by-product basis upon the achievement of certain development and approval milestones related to a product. The Company has also agreed to pay XOMA low single-digit royalties on net sales of products sold by the Company. Royalties on each product are payable on a country-by-country basis until the later of (i) a specified period of time after the first commercial sale, and (ii) the date of expiration of the last valid claim in the last-to-expire of the issued patents covered by the Collaboration Agreement.

The Company has entered into a License Agreement (the “ARES License Agreement”) with Ares Trading, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck KGaA (“ARES”). Under the terms of the ARES License Agreement, ARES has granted the Company a sublicensable, exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license on proprietary patents to research, develop, use and commercialize products using atexakin alfa (“Atexakin”), a low dose formulation of human interleukin-6 in peripheral neuropathies and vascular complications. Pursuant to the ARES License Agreement, the Company will pay ARES high single-digit royalties on net sales of products sold by the Company. Royalties are payable on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis until the later of (i) a specified period of time after the first commercial sale in such country, and (ii) the last date on which such product is covered by a valid claim in such country.

Employment Agreements

The Company has entered into employment contracts with its officers and certain employees that provide for severance and continuation of benefits in the event of termination of employment either by the Company without cause or by the employee for good reason, both as defined in the contract. In addition, in the event of termination of employment following a change in control, as defined, either by the Company without cause or by the employee for good reason, any unvested portion of the employee’s initial stock option grant becomes immediately vested.

9. License and Collaboration Agreement

Under the New Life Agreement, the Company granted New Life an exclusive license (with the right to sublicense) to develop and commercialize pharmaceutical preparations containing a specific recombinant human interleukin-6, SON-080 (the “Compound”) (such preparations, the “Products”) for the prevention, treatment or palliation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in humans (the “DPN Field”) in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Cambodia (the “Exclusive Territory”). New Life may exercise the option to expand (1) the field of the exclusive license to include the prevention, treatment or palliation of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in humans (the “CIPN Field”), which option is non-exclusive and will expire on December 31, 2021; and/or (2) the territorial scope of the license to include the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and/or India, which option is exclusive and will also expire on December 31, 2021. If these options are exercised, the terms of the CIPN Field and the territory expansion will be negotiated by the parties.

The Company will retain all rights to manufacture Compounds and Products anywhere in the world. The Company and New Life shall enter into a follow-on supply agreement pursuant to which the Company shall supply to New Life Products for development and commercialization thereof in the DPN Field (and the CIPN Field, if applicable) in the Exclusive Territory on terms to be negotiated by the parties. The Company will also assist in transferring certain preclinical and clinical development know-how that is instrumental in New Life’s ability to benefit from the license.

New Life will bear the cost of, and be responsible for, among other things, conducting clinical studies and additional non-clinical studies and other developmental and regulatory activities for and commercializing Products in the DPN Field (and the CIPN Field, if applicable) in the Exclusive Territory.

New Life paid the Company a $0.5 million non-refundable upfront cash payment in August 2020 upon executing a letter of intent to negotiate a license agreement and a $0.5 million non-refundable upfront cash payment in June 2021 in connection with the execution of the New Life Agreement. New Life is also obligated to pay a non-refundable deferred license fee of an additional $1.0 million at the time of the satisfaction of certain milestones, as well as potential additional milestone payments to the Company of up to $19.0 million subject to the achievement of certain development and commercialization milestones. In addition, during the Royalty Term (as defined below), New Life is obligated to pay the Company tiered double digit royalties ranging from 12% to 30% based on annual net sales of Products in the Exclusive Territory. The “Royalty Term” means, on a Product-by-Product and a country-by-country basis in the Exclusive Territory, the period commencing on the date of the first commercial sale (subject to certain conditions) of such Product in such country in the Exclusive Territory and continuing until New Life ceases commercialization of such Product in the DIPN Field (or CIPN Field, if applicable).

The New Life Agreement will remain in effect on a Product-by-Product, country-by-country basis and will expire upon the expiration of the Royalty Term for the last-to-expire Product in the last-to-expire country, subject to (i) each party’s early termination rights including for material breach or insolvency or bankruptcy of the other party and (ii) the Company’s Buy Back Right and New Life’s Give Back Right (as defined below).

In addition, New Life granted to the Company an exclusive option to buy back the rights granted by the Company to New Life and the Company granted New Life the right to give back the rights with respect to Products in the DPN Field and/or the CIPN Field (if applicable) in one or more countries in the Exclusive Territory on terms to be agreed upon, which options will expire upon the initiation of a Phase III Trial for the applicable Product.

Revenue Recognition

The Company first assessed the New Life Agreement under ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangements (“ASC 808”) to determine whether the New Life Agreement or units of accounts within the New Life Agreement represent a collaborative arrangement based on the risks and rewards and activities of the parties. The Company concluded that New Life represented a customer and applied relevant guidance from ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) to evaluate the appropriate accounting under the New Life Agreement. In accordance with this guidance, the Company identified the following obligations under the arrangement: (i) License to develop, market, import, use and commercialize the Product in the Field in the Exclusive Territory (the “License”); and (ii) transfer of know-how and clinical development and regulatory activities (“R&D Activities”). The options to expand the CIPN Field and territory as well as the future supply agreement represent optional purchases, which are accounted for as separate contracts unless they convey a material right to the customer. The Company evaluated these separate contracts and did not identify any material right to be present. The Company determined that License and the R&D services are not distinct from each other and therefore combined these material promises into a single performance obligation.

The Company determined the initial transaction price of the single performance obligation to be $1.0 million, as the future development and commercialization milestones, which represent variable consideration, are subject to constraint at inception. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company will reevaluate the probability of achievement of the future development and commercialization 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. For the sales-based royalties, the Company will recognize revenue when the related sales occur.

The Company has deferred the entire $1.0 million of transaction price as of June 30, 2021.

10.   Stockholders’ Equity

Common stock

During the nine months ended June 30, 2021, the Company sold common stock of 7,454,238 shares under the at-the-market sales agreement discussed in Note 1 for gross proceeds of an aggregate of $15.9 million and net proceeds of $15.3 million. In addition, the Company issued 127,880 shares of common stock upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

Prior to the Merger, during the six months ended March 31, 2020, the Company sold 186,075 shares of common stock and issued warrants to purchase 93,038 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $29.32 per share for net proceeds of $4.1 million. In addition, the Company issued 8,526 shares of common stock upon conversion of outstanding promissory notes with an outstanding principal balance of $0.2 million at the time of conversion.

Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company issued 547,639 common shares and 206,371 warrants to legacy Chanticleer shareholders. The warrants are to purchase shares of common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0.01 per share to $1,820 per share and a weighted average exercise price of $26.60 per share.

On April 1, 2020, the Company sold 1,699,232 shares of common stock to new investors for net proceeds of $15 million in a private placement. The new investors also received 3,300,066 Series A warrants with an exercise price of $5.3976 and 2,247,726 Series B warrants with an exercise price of $0.0001. An advisor for the private placement was issued 453,128 shares of common stock.

The Company issued 757,933 shares to acquire the nets assets of Relief (see Note 4).

Common stock warrants

As of June 30, 2021, the following equity-classified warrants and related terms were outstanding:

 Schedule of Warrants Outstanding

During the nine months ended June 30, 2021, the Series B warrant holders exercised 23,863 warrants for proceeds of $2. An additional 2,242,427 of Series B warrants were net share settled, resulting in the issuance of 2,242,339 shares of common stock.

During the nine months ended June 30, 2021, the Chanticleer warrants to purchase 186,161 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.01 per share were net share settled, resulting in the issuance of 185,422 shares of common stock.

11.   Share-Based Compensation

In April 2020, the Company adopted the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The total number of shares authorized under the Plan as of June 30, 2021 was 687,029. The Plan increases the amount of shares issuable under the Plan by four percent of the outstanding shares of common stock at each January 1, each year. Shares issued under the Plan that are forfeited, cancelled, returned to the Company or surrendered in payment or partial payment of the exercise price and/or taxes withheld with respect to the exercise thereof, are not counted against the maximum share limitations. The Plan permits the granting of share-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock units and awards, stock appreciation rights and other types of awards as deemed appropriate, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Plan. The terms of the awards are determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Restricted Stock Units

In July of 2020, 653,846 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) were granted, 50% of which vested on April 2, 2021 and the remaining 50% vest on April 2, 2022. In March of 2021, an additional 47,000 RSUs were granted, 50% of which vest on March 25, 2022 and the remaining 50% vest on March 25, 2023. Any unvested RSUs will be forfeited upon termination of services. The fair value of an RSU is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. RSU expense is amortized straight-line over the vesting period.

The Company recorded share-based compensation expense associated with the RSUs in its accompanying statements of operations.

 Schedule of Share-based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes RSU activity under the Plan:

 Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity

As of June 30, 2021, total unrecognized compensation expense relating to unvested RSUs granted was $1.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over one year.

12.   Subsequent Event

The Company has evaluated subsequent events and there are no items requiring disclosure except the following:

The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-1 on July 22, 2021, as subsequently amended, registering an aggregate of $34.5 million of shares of common stock (or common stock equivalent) to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten public offering and has engaged BTIG, LLC (“BTIG”) to act as the sole book-running manager in such offering. As of the date of this report, the offering has not priced, and no assurance can be given that the offering will price or close, and for any particular amount of proceeds and at any particular offering price.

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

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our financial statements and the related notes and the other financial information included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, particularly those under “Risk Factors.”

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “can,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “seek,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “point to,” “project,” “predict,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “potential” and other similar words and expressions of the future.

There are a number of important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by us. These factors include, but are not limited to:

The foregoing does not represent an exhaustive list of matters that may be covered by the forward-looking statements contained herein or risk factors that we are faced with that may cause our actual results to differ from those anticipate in our forward-looking statements. Please see “Risk Factors” for additional risks which could adversely impact our business and financial performance.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report or the date of the document incorporated by reference into this report. We have no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We have expressed our expectations, beliefs and projections in good faith and we believe they have a reasonable basis. However, we cannot assure you that our expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished.

Overview

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (“Sonnet Holdings,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”), is a clinical stage, oncology-focused biotechnology company with a proprietary platform for innovating biologic medicines of single- or bi-specific action. Known as F_HAB™ (Fully Human Albumin Binding), the technology utilizes a fully human single chain antibody fragment that binds to and “hitch-hikes” on human serum albumin for transport to target tissues. We designed the construct to improve drug accumulation in specific tissues, as well as to extend the duration of activity in the body. F_HAB development candidates are produced in a mammalian cell culture, which enables glycosylation, thereby reducing the risk of immunogenicity. We believe our F_HAB technology, for which we received a U.S. patent in June 2021, is a distinguishing feature of our biopharmaceutical platform that is well suited for future drug development across a range of human disease areas, including in oncology, autoimmune, pathogenic, inflammatory, and hematological conditions.

Our current internal pipeline development activities are focused on cytokines, a class of cell signaling peptides that, among other important functions, serve as potent immunomodulatory agents. Working both independently and synergistically, specific cytokines have shown the ability to modulate the activation and maturation of immune cells that fight cancer and pathogens. However, because they do not preferentially accumulate in specific tissues and are quickly eliminated from the body, the conventional approach to achieving a treatment effect with cytokine therapy typically requires the administration of high and frequent doses. This can result in a reduced treatment effect accompanied by the potential for systemic toxicity, which poses challenges to the therapeutic application of this class of drugs.

Sonnet’s lead proprietary asset, SON-1010, is a fully human version of Interleukin 12 (“IL-12”), covalently linked to the F_HAB construct, for which Sonnet intends to pursue clinical development in solid tumor indications, including non-small cell lung cancer and head and neck cancer. Sonnet has completed a nonhuman primate (“NHP”) GLP toxicity study with SON-1010 and is preparing an Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application for submission to the FDA with the goal of initiating a Phase 1 clinical trial during the second half of 2021 and having initial top line clinical safety data available during the first half of 2022. The Company acquired the global development rights to its most advanced compound, SON-080, a fully human version of Interleukin 6 (“IL-6”), in April 2020. Sonnet is advancing SON-080 in target indications of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (“CIPN”) and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (“DPN”). Sonnet intends to file an IND for a U.S. Phase 1b/2a pilot-scale efficacy study with SON-080 in CIPN during the second half of 2021 that could yield initial top line clinical safety data during the first half of 2022. Pursuant to a license agreement the Company entered with New Life in May 2021, Sonnet and New Life will be jointly responsible for leading the development program for SON-080 in DPN with the objective of initiating an ex-US Phase 1b/2a pilot-scale efficacy study during the second half of 2021 or first half of 2022 that could yield initial top line clinical safety data as early as the first half of 2022. Regarding Sonnet’s lead bispecific candidate, SON-1210, which combines Interleukins 12 and 15 (“IL-15”) covalently linked to the F_HAB construct, Sonnet intends to file an IND to begin human clinic testing during the first half of 2022.

We have incurred recurring operating losses and negative cash flows since inception. Our ability to generate product or licensing revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and eventual commercialization of one or more of our current or future product candidates. Our net losses were $18.0 million and $16.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of June 30, 2021, we had cash of $6.0 million. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for at least the next several years. We expect that our expenses and capital requirements will increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly if and as we:

We will not generate revenue from product sales, if any, unless and until we receive licensing revenue and/or successfully complete clinical development and obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates. If we obtain regulatory approval for any of our product candidates and do not enter into a commercialization partnership, we expect to incur significant expenses related to developing our internal commercialization capability to support product sales, marketing and distribution. As a result of the Merger, as described below, we will continue to incur significant costs associated with operating as a public company.

As a result, we will need substantial additional funding to support our continuing operations and pursue our growth strategy. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through the sale of equity, debt financings or other capital sources, which may include collaborations with other companies or other strategic transactions. We may not be able to raise additional funds or enter into such other agreements or arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such agreements as and when needed, we may have to significantly delay, reduce or eliminate the development and commercialization of one or more of our product candidates or delay our pursuit of potential in-licenses or acquisitions.

Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or when or if we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Even if we are able to generate product sales, we may not become profitable. If we fail to become profitable or are unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce or terminate operations.

Since our inception in 2015, we have devoted substantially all of our efforts and financial resources to organizing and staffing the Company, business planning, raising capital, acquiring or discovering product candidates and securing related intellectual property rights and conducting discovery, research and development activities for product candidates. We do not have any products approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales. We have funded our operations to date primarily with proceeds from sales of common stock, warrants and proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt.

Recent Events

New Life Therapeutics License Agreement

On May 2, 2021, we entered into a License Agreement (the “Agreement”) with New Life Therapeutics PTE, LTD., a company organized under the laws of Singapore (“New Life”). Pursuant to the Agreement, we granted New Life an exclusive license (with the right to sublicense) to develop and commercialize pharmaceutical preparations containing a specific recombinant human interleukin-6, SON-080 (or any derivatives, fragments or conjugates thereof) (the “Compound”) (such preparations, the “Products”) for the prevention, treatment or palliation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in humans (the “DPN Field”) in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Cambodia (the “Exclusive Territory”). New Life may exercise the option to expand (1) the field of the exclusive license to include the prevention, treatment or palliation of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in humans (the “CIPN Field”), which option is non-exclusive and will expire on December 31, 2021; and/or (2) the territorial scope of the license to include the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and/or India, which option is exclusive and will also expire on December 31, 2021. We are excluded from developing, using, selling or otherwise commercializing any Compounds or Products for use in the DPN Field in the Exclusive Territory during the term of the Agreement.

We retain all rights to manufacture Compounds and Products anywhere in the world. We and New Life shall enter into a follow-on supply agreement pursuant to which we shall supply to New Life Products for development and commercialization thereof in the DPN Field (and the CIPN Field, if applicable) in the Exclusive Territory on terms to be negotiated by the parties.

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, New Life will bear the cost of, and be responsible for, among other things, conducting clinical studies and additional non-clinical studies (if any, subject to both parties’ approval), preparing and filing applications for regulatory approval and undertaking other developmental and regulatory activities for and commercializing Products in the DPN Field (and the CIPN Field, if applicable) in the Exclusive Territory. New Life will own and maintain all regulatory filings and approvals for Products in the Exclusive Territory.

New Life paid the Company a $500,000 non-refundable upfront cash payment in August 2020 upon executing a letter of intent to negotiate this license agreement and a $500,000 non-refundable upfront cash payment in June 2021 in connection with the execution of the Agreement, and is obligated to pay a deferred license fee of an additional $1,000,000 at the time of the satisfaction of certain milestones as well as potential additional milestone payments to us totaling up to $19,000,000 subject to the achievement of certain development and commercialization milestones. In addition, during the Royalty Term (as defined below), New Life is obligated to pay us tiered double digit royalties ranging from 12% to 30% based on annual net sales of Products in the Territory. The “Royalty Term” means, on a Product-by-Product and a country-by-country basis in the Exclusive Territory, the period commencing on the date of the first commercial sale (subject to certain conditions) of such Product in such country in the Exclusive Territory and continuing until New Life ceases commercialization of such Product in the DIPN Field (or CIPN Field, if applicable). In the event New Life (i) files for an initial public offering or (ii) is subject to a Change of Control, the royalty obligations may be converted to equity subject to mutual agreement of the parties.

In addition, New Life shall pay to us a percentage, in the double digits, of all revenue received through sublicensing of each Product, subject to certain exclusions.

The New Life Agreement will remain in effect on a Product-by-Product, country-by-country basis and will expire upon the expiration of the Royalty Term for the last-to-expire Product in the last-to-expire country, subject to (i) each party’s early termination rights including for material breach or insolvency or bankruptcy of the other party and (ii) the Company’s Buy Back Right and New Life’s Give Back Right (as defined below).

In addition, New Life granted to the Company an exclusive option to buy back the rights granted by the Company to New Life and the Company granted New Life the right to give back the rights with respect to Products in the DPN Field and/or the CIPN Field (if applicable) in one or more countries in the Exclusive Territory on terms to be agreed upon, which options will expire upon the initiation of a Phase III Trial for the applicable Product.

Merger

On April 1, 2020, Chanticleer Holdings, Inc (“Chanticleer”), now known as Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc, completed its merger transaction (the “Merger”) with Sonnet BioTherapeutics, Inc. (“Sonnet”), in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 10, 2019, as amended on February 7, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”). Chanticleer shares of common stock traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market through close of Business on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 under the ticker symbol “BURG”. We commenced trading on the Nasdaq capital Market, under the ticker symbol “SONN” on April 2, 2020.

Immediately following the Merger, Sonnet became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonnet Holdings. For accounting purposes, Sonnet is considered to be the acquiring company and the Merger has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition and recapitalization with Sonnet being treated as the accounting acquirer. As such, the financial information prior to the Merger relate solely to Sonnet. Subsequent to the Merger, the consolidated financial statements relate to the consolidated entities of the Company.

Relief Acquisition

In August 2019, Sonnet executed a Share Exchange Agreement with Relief Therapeutics Holdings SA (“Relief Holdings”), in which Sonnet agreed to acquire the outstanding shares of Relief Therapeutics SA (“Relief”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Relief Holdings, by issuing common stock of Sonnet. Sonnet assumed the development of Relief’s asset, atexakin alfa, together with its proprietary experimental drugs. The acquisition of Relief closed on April 1, 2020 and Relief is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonnet.

COVID-19 Pandemic

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China and on March 11, 2020 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. To date, many countries around the world have imposed quarantines and restrictions on travel and mass gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19 and have closed non-essential businesses. As countries and state and local jurisdictions continue to put restrictions in place, our ability to continue to operate our business may also be limited. Such events may result in a period of business, supply and drug product manufacturing disruption, and in reduced operations, any of which could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

This pandemic or outbreak could result in difficulty securing clinical trial site locations, CROs, and/or trial monitors and other critical vendors and consultants supporting the trial. In addition, outbreaks or the perception of an outbreak near a clinical trial site location could impact our ability to enroll patients. These situations, or others associated with COVID-19, could cause delays in our clinical trial plans and could increase expected costs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and its financial condition.

In particular, although our CIPN program with SON-080 continues to progress forward, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted workflow at our contract research partners such that we now estimate delays pushing a trial initiation into 2021 from our previous plan of late 2020.

While the potential economic impact brought by, and the duration of, COVID-19 may be difficult to assess or predict, a widespread pandemic could result in significant disruption of global financial markets, reducing our ability to access capital, which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, a recession or market correction resulting from the spread of COVID-19 could materially affect our business and the value of our common shares.

The COVID-19 outbreak may also affect the ability of our staff and the parties we work with to carry out our non-clinical, clinical, and drug manufacturing activities. We rely or may in the future rely on clinical sites, investigators and other study staff, consultants, independent contractors, contract research organizations and other third-party service providers to assist us in managing, monitoring and otherwise carrying out our nonclinical studies and clinical trials. We also rely or may in the future rely on consultants, independent contractors, contract manufacturing organizations, and other third-party service providers to assist us in managing, monitoring and otherwise carrying out our API production, formulation, and drug manufacturing activities. COVID-19 may affect the ability of any of these external people, organizations, or companies to devote sufficient time and resources to our programs or to travel to perform work for us.

Potential negative impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on the conduct of current or future clinical studies include delays in gaining feedback from regulatory agencies, starting new clinical studies, and recruiting subjects to studies that are enrolling. The potential negative impacts also include inability to have study visits at study sites, incomplete collection of safety and efficacy data, and higher rates of drop-out of subjects from ongoing studies, delays in site entry of study data into the data base, delays in monitoring of study data because of restricted physical access to study sites, delays in site responses to queries, delays in data-base lock, delays in data analyses, delays in time to top-line data, and delays in completing study reports. New or worsening COVID-19 disruptions or restrictions could have the potential to further negatively impact our non-clinical studies, clinical trials, and drug manufacturing activities.

Components of Results of Operations

Operating Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred in connection with the discovery and development of the Company’s product candidates. The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred and such costs include:

We recognize external development costs based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using information provided by our service providers. This process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with their personnel to identify services that have been performed on our behalf, and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual costs. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. Such amounts are recognized as an expense when the goods have been delivered or the services have been performed.

Our direct research and development expenses consist primarily of external costs, such as fees paid to outside consultants, CROs, CMOs and research laboratories in connection with preclinical development, process development, manufacturing and clinical development activities. Our direct research and development expenses also include fees incurred under third-party license agreements. We do not allocate employee costs and costs associated with discovery efforts, laboratory supplies and facilities, including depreciation or other indirect costs, to specific product candidates because these costs are deployed across multiple programs and as such, are not separately classified. We use internal resources primarily to conduct its research and discovery as well as for managing preclinical development, process development, manufacturing and clinical development activities. These employees work across multiple programs and therefore, we do not track its costs by product candidate.

We expect our research and development expense will increase for the foreseeable future as we attempt to advance development of our product candidates. The successful development of our 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 our current pipeline or any future product candidates we may develop due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with clinical development, including risk and uncertainties related to:

A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of our product candidates could significantly change the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. We may never succeed in obtaining regulatory approval for any of our product candidates.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs for personnel, including share-based compensation, in executive, finance and administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include direct and allocated facility-related costs as well as professional fees for legal, patent, consulting, accounting, and audit services.

Our general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as we increase our headcount to support continued research activities and development of product candidates. We will continue to incur increased accounting, audit, legal, regulatory, compliance and director and officer insurance costs as well as investor and public relations expenses associated with being a public company.

Foreign exchange loss

Foreign exchange loss consists of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

The following table summarizes the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $3.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase of $1.4 million was primarily due to increased expenditures for the development of the cell line for IL12-FHAB and IL12-FHAB-IL15 and increased costs for research and development activities due to the acquisition of Relief and an increase in payroll and share-based compensation expense as we expanded our operations.

Acquired In-process Research and Development

In connection with the acquisition of Relief in April 2020, the intellectual property acquired related to atexakin alfa was immediately expensed since future development and regulatory approval is required.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease of $0.1 million was primarily due to a $0.9 million decrease in professional fees and transaction related fees associated with the closing of the Merger, offset by an increase in payroll and share-based compensation expense of $0.7 million to support our expanded operations.

Other Income

Other income of $0.1 million was recognized in connection with forgiveness of the Company’s PPP loan in June of 2021.

Comparison of the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

The following table summarizes the Company’s results of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $11.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $5.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2020. The increase of $6.4 million was primarily due to increased expenditures for the development of the cell line for IL12-FHAB and IL12-FHAB-IL15 and increased costs for research and development activities due to the acquisition of Relief and an increase in payroll and share-based compensation expense as we expanded our operations.

Acquired In-process Research and Development

In connection with the acquisition of Relief in April 2020, the intellectual property acquired related to atexakin alfa was immediately expensed since future development and regulatory approval is required.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $6.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $4.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2020. The increase of $1.8 million was primarily due to an increase in insurance expenses related to directors and officer’s insurance and an increase in payroll and share-based compensation expense as we expanded our operations to support our overall business objectives, primarily offset by a $1.0 million decrease in professional fees and transaction related fees associated with the closing of the Merger.

Other Income

Other income of $0.1 million was recognized in connection with forgiveness of the Company’s PPP loan in June of 2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since inception, we have not generated significant revenue from any sources, including from product sales, and have incurred recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations. We have funded operations to date primarily with proceeds from sales of common stock, warrants and proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt. Although we entered into the Agreement with New Life, all of the potential proceeds from the Agreement, except for the upfront payment that is due within 30 days of the execution of the Agreement, are contingent on various milestones or other criteria being achieved. The following table summarizes the Company’s sources and uses of cash for each of the periods presented:

Operating Activities

During the nine months ended June 30, 2021, we used $16.6 million of cash in operating activities which was primarily attributable to our net loss of $18.0 million. This amount was offset by $1.1 million in share-based compensation expense.

During the nine months ended June 30, 2020, we used $10.1 million of cash in operating activities. Cash used in operating activities reflected our net loss of $16.7 million, $0.2 million net increase in operating assets and liabilities primarily due to cash outflows for research and development activities, offset by an add back for a non-cash charge for acquired in-process research and development of $6.8 million.

Investing Activities

During the nine months ended June 30, 2020, we purchased $76 thousand of office furniture and computer equipment. No purchases of equipment were made during the nine months ended June 30, 2021.

Financing Activities

During the nine months ended June 30, 2021, we received net proceeds of $15.3 million from the sale of common stock under our at-the market facility.

During the nine months ended June 30, 2020, net cash provided by financing activities was $13.2 million, consisting primarily of $19.1 million of net proceeds from the sale of common stock and warrants, partially offset by a $6.0 million payment to the spin-off entity in connection with the Merger.

Funding Requirements

We expect our expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we advance preclinical activities and clinical trials of product candidates in development. In addition, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. The timing and amount of our operating expenditures will depend largely on: