TITAN PHARMACEUTICALS INC - Quarter Report: 2022 September (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 September 30, 2022.

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____ to ____

Commission File Number 001-13341

Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(650) 244-4990

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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.

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  ☒

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Index to Form 10-Q

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

TITAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

TITAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(in thousands, except per share amount)

(unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

TITAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

TITAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the condensed statements of cash flows (in thousands):

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

TITAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

The Company

We are a pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics utilizing our proprietary long-term drug delivery platform, ProNeura^®, for the treatment of select chronic diseases for which steady state delivery of a drug has the potential to provide an efficacy and/or safety benefit. ProNeura consists of a small, solid implant made from a mixture of ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA, and a drug substance. The resulting product is a solid matrix that is designed to be administered subdermally in a brief, outpatient procedure and is removed in a similar manner at the end of the treatment period.

Our first product based on our ProNeura technology was Probuphine^® (buprenorphine implant), which is approved in the United States, Canada and the European Union, or EU, for the maintenance treatment of opioid use disorder in clinically stable patients taking 8 mg or less a day of oral buprenorphine. While Probuphine continues to be commercialized in Canada and in the EU (as Sixmo™) by other companies that have either licensed or acquired the rights from Titan, we discontinued commercialization of the product in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2020 to allow us to focus our limited resources on our product development programs.

In December 2021, we announced our intention to work with our financial advisor to explore strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value, potentially including an acquisition, merger, reverse merger, other business combination, sales of assets, licensing or other transaction. In June 2022, we implemented a plan to reduce expenses and conserve capital that included a company-wide reduction in salaries and a scale back of certain operating expenses to enable us to maintain sufficient resources as we pursued potential strategic alternatives. In July 2022, David Lazar and Activist Investing LLC (collectively, “Activist”) acquired an approximately 25% ownership interest in Titan and filed a proxy statement for the purpose of nominating six additional directors to our board of directors (the “Board”) at a special meeting of stockholders held on August 15, 2022 (the “Special Meeting”). The six additional directors were elected at the Special Meeting and the exploration and evaluation of possible strategic alternatives by the Board has continued following the Special Meeting. Following the election of the new directors at the Special Meeting, Dr. Marc Rubin was replaced as our Executive Chairman, and David Lazar assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer. In connection with the termination of his employment as Executive Chairman, Dr. Rubin will receive aggregate severance payments of approximately $0.4 million, which are being paid out over a twelve-month period.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022, or any future interim periods.

The balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 is derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The preparation of condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern.

As of September 30, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.5 million, which we believe is sufficient to fund our planned operations into the first quarter of 2023. We are exploring several financing and strategic alternatives; however, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful. Accordingly, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Discontinued Operations

In October 2020, we announced our decision to discontinue selling Probuphine in the U.S. and wind down our commercialization activities, and to pursue a plan that will enable us to focus on our current, early-stage ProNeura-based product development programs.

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been recast for all periods presented to reflect the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses related to our U.S. commercialization activities as discontinued operations (see Note 7). The accompanying condensed financial statements are generally presented in conformity with our historical format. We believe this format provides comparability with the previously filed financial statements.

Going Concern Assessment

We assess going concern uncertainty in our financial statements to determine if we have sufficient cash on hand and working capital, including available borrowings on loans, to operate for a period of at least one year from the date the financial statements are issued, which is referred to as the “look-forward period” as defined by Accounting Standard Update ASU No. 2014-15. As part of this assessment, based on conditions that are known and reasonably knowable to us, we will consider various scenarios, forecasts, projections, estimates and will make certain key assumptions, including the timing and nature of projected cash expenditures or programs, and our ability to delay or curtail expenditures or programs, if necessary, among other factors. Based on this assessment, as necessary or applicable, we make certain assumptions around implementing curtailments or delays in the nature and timing of programs and expenditures to the extent we deem probable those implementations can be achieved and we have the proper authority to execute them within the look-forward period in accordance with ASU No. 2014-15.

Based upon the above assessment, we concluded that, at the date of filing the condensed financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we did not have sufficient cash to fund our operations for the next 12 months without additional funds and, therefore, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within 12 months after the date the condensed financial statements were issued. Additionally, we have suffered recurring losses from operations and have an accumulated deficit that raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We are exploring several financing and strategic alternatives; however, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventories

Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is based on the first in, first out method. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and write down to its net realizable value any inventory that we believe to be impaired. The determination of net realizable value requires judgment including consideration of many factors, such as estimates of future product demand, product net selling prices, current and future market conditions and potential product obsolescence, among others. The components of inventories are as follows:

The approximately $66,000 of finished goods inventory at September 30, 2022 included materials held for potential sale.

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue principally from collaborative research and development arrangements, sales or licenses of technology, government grants, sales of Probuphine materials to holders of the ex-U.S. product rights, and prior to the discontinued operations, the sale of Probuphine in the U.S. Consideration received for revenue arrangements with multiple components is allocated among the separate performance obligations based upon their relative estimated standalone selling price.

In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as we fulfill our obligations under our agreements, we perform the following steps for our revenue recognition: (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 distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations based on estimated selling prices; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) we satisfy each performance obligation.

Grant Revenue

We have contracts with National Institute on Drug Abuse or NIDA, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and other government-sponsored organizations for research and development related activities that provide for payments for reimbursed costs, which may include overhead and general and administrative costs. We recognize revenue from these contracts as we perform services under these arrangements when the funding is committed. Associated expenses are recognized when incurred as research and development expense. Revenues and related expenses are presented gross in the condensed statements of operations.

Net Product Revenue

Prior to the discontinuation of our commercialization activities relating to Probuphine in the U.S., we recognized revenue from product sales when control of the product transfers, generally upon shipment or delivery, to our customers, which include distributors. As customary in the pharmaceutical industry, our gross product revenue was subject to a variety of deductions in the forms of variable consideration, such as rebates, chargebacks, returns and discounts, in arriving at reported net product revenue. This variable consideration was estimated using the most-likely amount method, which is the single most-likely outcome under a contract and was typically at stated contractual rates. The actual outcome of this variable consideration could materially differ from our estimates. From time to time, we would adjust our estimates of this variable consideration when trends or significant events indicated that a change in estimate is appropriate to reflect the actual experience. Additionally, we continued to assess the estimates of our variable consideration as we continued to accumulate additional historical data.

Returns – Consistent with the provisions of ASC 606, we estimated returns at the inception of each transaction, based on multiple considerations, including historical sales, historical experience of actual customer returns, levels of inventory in our distribution channel, expiration dates of purchased products and significant market changes which could impact future expected returns to the extent that we would not reverse any receivables, revenues, or contract assets already recognized under the agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we entered into agreements with large national specialty pharmacies with a distribution channel different from that of our existing customers and, therefore, the related reserves had unique considerations. We continued to evaluate the activities with these specialty pharmacies and updated the related reserves accordingly.

Rebates – Our provision for rebates was estimated based on our customers’ contracted rebate programs and our historical experience of rebates paid.

Discounts – The provision was estimated based upon invoice billings, utilizing historical customer payment experience.

Performance Obligations

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. Our performance obligations include commercialization license rights, development services and services associated with the regulatory approval process.

We have optional additional items in contracts, which are accounted for as separate contracts when the customer elects such options. Arrangements that include a promise for future commercial product supply and optional research and development services at the customer’s discretion are generally considered as options. We assess if these options provide a material right to the customer and, if so, such material rights are accounted for as separate performance obligations. If we are entitled to additional payments when the customer exercises these options, any additional payments are recorded in revenue when the customer obtains control of the goods or services.

Transaction Price

We have both fixed and variable consideration. Non-refundable upfront payments are considered fixed, while milestone payments are identified as variable consideration when determining the transaction price. Funding of research and development activities is considered variable until such costs are reimbursed at which point, they are considered fixed. We allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation based on the relative estimated standalone selling prices of the promised goods or services for each performance obligation.

At the inception of each arrangement that includes milestone payments, we evaluate whether the milestones are considered probable of being achieved and estimate the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the value of the associated milestone is included in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within our control, such as approvals from regulators, are not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received.

For arrangements that include sales-based royalties or earn-out payments, including milestone payments based on the level of sales, and the license or purchase agreement is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties or earn-out payments relate, we recognize revenue at the later of (a) when the related sales occur, or (b) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty or earn-out payment has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied).

Allocation of Consideration

As part of the accounting for these arrangements, we must develop assumptions that require judgment to determine the stand-alone selling price of each performance obligation identified in the contract. Estimated selling prices for license rights are calculated using the residual approach. For all other performance obligations, we use a cost-plus margin approach.

Timing of Recognition

Significant management judgment is required to determine the level of effort required under an arrangement and the period over which we expect to complete our performance obligations under an arrangement. We estimate the performance period or measure of progress at the inception of the arrangement and re-evaluate it each reporting period. This re-evaluation may shorten or lengthen the period over which revenue is recognized. Changes to these estimates are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis. If we cannot reasonably estimate when our performance obligations either are completed or become inconsequential, then revenue recognition is deferred until we can reasonably make such estimates. Revenue is then recognized over the remaining estimated period of performance using the cumulative catch-up method. Revenue is recognized for licenses or sales of functional intellectual property at the point in time the customer can use and benefit from the license. For performance obligations that are services, revenue is recognized over time proportionate to the costs that we have incurred to perform the services using the cost-to-cost input method.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The following table presents the activity related to our accounts receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Research and Development Costs and Related Accrual

Research and development expenses include internal and external costs. Internal costs include salaries and employment related expenses, facility costs, administrative expenses and allocations of corporate costs. External expenses consist of costs associated with outsourced contract research organization (“CRO”) activities, sponsored research studies, product registration, and investigator sponsored trials. Significant judgments and estimates must be made and used in determining the accrued balance in any accounting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions. Revisions are charged to expense in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

Leases

We determine whether the arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at commencement date. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable, and therefore, we utilize our incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate incurred to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as initial direct costs paid or incentives received.

Lease expense is recognized over the expected term on a straight-line basis. Operating leases are recognized on our condensed balance sheets as right-of-use assets, operating lease liabilities current and operating lease liabilities non-current.

The following table presents the minimum lease payments of our operating lease:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses, which requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. The amendments in this ASU are effective beginning on January 1, 2023. We are currently assessing the impact of the adoption of Topic 326 on our condensed financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform, which provides companies with optional guidance, including expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts and other transactions affected by reference rate reform, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR. This new standard was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied to applicable contract modifications through December 31, 2022. We are evaluating the effects that the adoption of this guidance will have on our condensed financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, which simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates certain models that require separate accounting for embedded conversion features, in certain cases. Additionally, among other changes, the guidance eliminates certain of the conditions for equity classification for contracts in an entity’s own equity. The guidance also requires entities to use the if converted method for all convertible instruments in the diluted earnings per share calculation and include the effect of share settlement for instruments that may be settled in cash or shares, except for certain liability-classified share-based payment awards. This guidance is effective beginning after December 15, 2023 and must be applied using either a modified or full retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our condensed financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2021, the FASB issued FASB issued ASU 2021-10, Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. The ASU codifies new requirements to disclose information about the nature of certain government assistance received, the accounting policy used to account for the transactions, the location in the financial statements where such transactions were recorded and significant terms and conditions associated with such transactions. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The adoption of ASU No. 2021-10 did not have a material impact to our condensed financial statements and related disclosures.

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated events that have occurred after September 30, 2022 and through the date that our condensed financial statements are issued.

Fair Value Measurements

Financial instruments, including receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are carried at cost, and their fair values are approximated due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Our investments in money market funds are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair value of our investments in money market funds were approximately $4.1 million and $5.7 million, respectively, which are included within our cash and cash equivalents in our condensed balance sheets.

The following table summarizes option activity:

On August 2, 2022, our Board of Directors, or Board, modified the outstanding options to purchase common stock under our 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, or 2015 Plan, to allow for the acceleration of vesting of all unvested 2015 Plan options in the event of a change in control through the election of a majority of new members to our Board.

On August 15, 2022, the Special Meeting was held at the request of Activist, to increase the size of our Board from five members to eleven members and elect Activist’s slate of six nominees to serve as directors in addition to the existing five Board members. As a result of the change of control, all unvested options granted under the 2015 Plan prior to August 15, 2022, immediately became vested. We recognized approximately $0.5 million of stock-based compensation during the three months ended September 30, 2022.

During the three-month period ended September 30, 2022, our Board granted 125,000 options to purchase common stock at $1.52 per share and 900,000 options to purchase common stock at $1.31 per share which are subject to shareholder approval of an amendment to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under our 2015 Plan. The options vest monthly over a 12-month period from the grant dates. As the shares underlying these options have not been approved by our stockholders, they have been excluded from the table above as of September 30, 2022.

The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense recorded for awards under our stock option plans (in thousands):

We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model with the following assumptions to estimate the fair value of our stock options:

As of September 30, 2022, there was approximately $1.1 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options subject to shareholder approval. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.0 year.

The table below presents common shares underlying stock options and warrants that are excluded from the calculation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used for the calculation of diluted net loss per common share. These are excluded from the calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect:

In October 2020, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement, or JT Agreement, with JT Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or JT Pharma, to acquire JT Pharma’s kappa opioid agonist peptide, TP-2021 (formerly JT-09) for use in combination with our ProNeura long-term, continuous drug delivery technology, for the treatment of chronic pruritus and other medical conditions. Under the terms of the JT Agreement, JT Pharma received a $15,000 closing payment and is entitled to receive future milestone payments, payable in cash or in stock, based on the achievement of certain developmental and regulatory milestones, and single-digit percentage earn-out payments on net sales of the product if successfully developed and approved for commercialization. In January 2022, we entered into an agreement with JT Pharma to clarify certain provisions of the JT Agreement pursuant to which we agreed that the proof-of-concept milestone provided for in the JT Agreement was achieved and made a payment of $100,000 and issued 51,021 shares of our common stock to JT Pharma. The related expense was included in research and development expenses in our condensed statements of operations.

Lease Commitments

We lease our office facility under an operating lease that expires in June 2024. Rent expense associated with this lease was approximately $32,000 and $96,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

Legal Proceedings

A legal proceeding has been initiated by a former employee alleging wrongful termination, retaliation, infliction of emotional distress, negligent supervision, hiring and retention and slander. An independent investigation into this individual’s allegations of whistleblower retaliation, while still an employee, was conducted utilizing an outside investigator and concluded that such allegations were not substantiated. We intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit (which we have compelled into arbitration); however, in light of our cash position, there can be no assurance that the defense and/or settlement of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on our business.

Our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was 14,629,217 shares and 9,914,158 shares, respectively.

Amendment to Bylaws

In July 2022, the Board amended our Bylaws to effect certain enhancements to the ability of stockholders to call for a special meeting of stockholders and make changes to the composition of the Board. This included (i) reducing the holdings required for stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders from a majority to twenty-five percent (25%); (ii) enabling increases in the size of the Board to be effectuated by stockholders or directors at any annual or special meeting or by stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting; (iii) provide that Board vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from action taken by the stockholders at a meeting or by written consent in lieu thereof shall be filled initially by the stockholders.

Activist Investing, LLC

In July 2022, we received a letter from Activist requesting that our Board call the Special Meeting in accordance with Article II, Section 5 of the Company’s Bylaws, as amended.in order for stockholders to consider and vote upon the following two proposals:

In accordance with Activist’s request, the Board set the record date for the Special Meeting as July 22, 2022 and the Special Meeting was held on August 15, 2022 resulting in the approval of the increase in the size of the Board and the election of the six nominees.

February 2022 Offerings

In February 2022, we completed a registered direct offering with an accredited investor pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 1,100,000 shares of our common stock and 2,274,242 pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, with an exercise price of $0.001 per share. In a concurrent private placement, we sold unregistered pre-funded warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,289,796 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.001 per share and issued unregistered five year and six month warrants to purchase an aggregate of 4,664,038 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $1.14. The net cash proceeds from these offerings were approximately $5.0 million after deduction of underwriting fees and other offering expenses.

Warrant Exercises

In March 2022, we received approximately $1,000 from the exercise of 974,242 pre-funded warrants issued in the February 2022 registered direct offering.

In April 2022, we received approximately $1,300 from the exercise of 1,300,000 pre-funded warrants issued in the February 2022 registered direct offering.

In May 2022, we received approximately $1,290 from the exercise of 1,289,796 pre-funded warrants issued in the February 2022 private placement.

JT Pharma Milestone

In January 2022, we entered into an agreement with JT Pharma to clarify certain provisions of the JT Agreement pursuant to which we agreed that the proof-of-concept milestone provided for in the JT Agreement was achieved and made a payment of $100,000 and issued 51,021 shares of our common stock to JT Pharma.

Restricted Shares

In August, 2021, we agreed to issue 50,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to a restricted stock agreement with Maxim Partners, LLC in connection with the entry into an amendment to our existing advisory agreement. The shares vested monthly over 12 months. We recorded approximately $18,000 and $71,000 of stock-based compensation expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity:

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

In January 2021, our stockholders approved an amendment to the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive plan to increase the number of authorized shares to 1,000,000 shares.

January 2021 Offering

In January 2021, we completed an offering with several accredited institutional investors pursuant to which we issued 2,725,000 shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering and warrants to purchase 2,725,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $3.55 per share in a concurrent private placement. The warrants were classified as equity, were exercisable immediately and will expire in July 2026. The net cash proceeds from this offering were approximately $8.8 million after deduction of underwriting fees and other offering expenses.

The following table presents information related to assets and liabilities reported as discontinued operations in our condensed balance sheets:

During the three months ended September 30, 2022, we made payments related to legal fees of approximately $50,000 to a law firm operated by one of our Board members. 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in the documents incorporated by reference herein may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we do not make forward looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. Forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this report or our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, include, but are not necessarily limited to, those relating to uncertainties relating to:

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” or elsewhere in this report, that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from what is expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. We caution you not to give undue weight to such projections, assumptions and estimates.

References herein to “we,” “us,” “Titan,” and “our company” refer to Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. unless the context otherwise requires.

Probuphine^® and ProNeura^® are trademarks of our company. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q also includes trade names and trademarks of companies other than Titan.

Overview

We are a pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics utilizing our proprietary long-term drug delivery platform, ProNeura^®, for the treatment of select chronic diseases for which steady state delivery of a drug has the potential to provide an efficacy and/or safety benefit. ProNeura consists of a small, solid implant made from a mixture of ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA, and a drug substance. The resulting product is a solid matrix that is designed to be administered subdermally in a brief, outpatient procedure and is removed in a similar manner at the end of the treatment period.

Our first product based on our ProNeura technology was Probuphine® (buprenorphine implant), which is approved in the United States, Canada and the European Union, or EU, for the maintenance treatment of opioid use disorder in clinically stable patients taking 8 mg or less a day of oral buprenorphine. While Probuphine continues to be commercialized in Canada and in the EU (as Sixmo™) by other companies that have either licensed or acquired the rights from Titan, we discontinued commercialization of the product in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2020 to allow us to focus our limited resources on product development programs.

In December 2021, we announced our intention to work with our financial advisor to explore strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value, potentially including an acquisition, merger, reverse merger, other business combination, sales of assets, licensing or other transaction. In June 2022, we implemented a plan to reduce expenses and conserve capital that included a company-wide reduction in salaries and a scale back of certain operating expenses to enable us to maintain sufficient resources as we pursued potential strategic alternatives. In July 2022, David Lazar and Activist Investing LLC (collectively, “Activist”) acquired an approximately 25% ownership interest in Titan, filed a proxy statement and nominated six additional directors, each of whom was elected to our board of directors (the “Board”) at a special meeting of stockholders held on August 15, 2022 (the “Special Meeting”). The exploration and evaluation of possible strategic alternatives by the Board has continued following the Special Meeting.

ProNeura Continuous Drug Delivery Platform

Our ProNeura continuous drug delivery system consists of a small, solid rod-shaped implant made from a mixture of EVA and a given drug substance. The resulting product is a solid matrix that is placed subdermally, normally in the inside part of the upper arm in a brief procedure using a local anesthetic and is removed in a similar manner at the end of the treatment period. The drug substance is released continuously through the process of dissolution-controlled diffusion. This results in a continuous, steady rate of release generally similar to intravenous administration. We believe that such long-term, near linear release characteristics are desirable as they avoid the fluctuating peak and trough drug levels seen with oral dosing that often poses treatment problems in a range of diseases.

The ProNeura platform was developed to address the need for a simple, practical method to achieve continuous long-term drug delivery, and, depending on the characteristics of the compound to be delivered, can potentially provide treatment on an outpatient basis over extended periods of up to 12 months. We believe that the benefits of this technology have been demonstrated by the clinical results seen to date with Probuphine, and, in addition, that the development and regulatory process have been affirmed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, and Health Canada approvals of this product. We have further demonstrated the feasibility of the ProNeura platform with small molecules, hormones, and bio-active peptides. The delivery system works with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules. We have also shown the flexibility of the platform by experimenting with the release characteristics of the EVA implants, layering the implants with varying concentrations of drug, and generating implants of different sizes and porosity to achieve a desired delivery profile.

Development Programs

We currently have the following development programs for which development activities have been substantially curtailed while we are exploring several financing and strategic alternatives.

We operate in only one business segment, the development of pharmaceutical products. We make available free of charge through our website, www.titanpharm.com, our periodic reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 to the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements included in Part 1, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information on recent accounting pronouncements.

Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021

Revenues

The decrease in total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in grant revenues and product revenues. Product revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 consisted of sales of Probuphine product materials to the holder of the EU rights.

Operating Expenses

Cost of goods sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 primarily reflects costs and expenses associated with sales of our Probuphine product to the holder of the EU rights.

The decrease in research and development costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily associated with reduced activities related to non-clinical studies required for the IND submission as part of our NIDA grant for the development of a nalmefene implant, decreases in expenses related to initial non-clinical proof of concept studies related to our TP-2021 implant program and decreases in research and development personnel-related costs and other expenses. Other research and development expenses include internal operating costs such as research and development personnel-related expenses, non-clinical and clinical product development related travel expenses, and allocation of facility and corporate costs. As a result of the risks and uncertainties inherently associated with pharmaceutical research and development activities described elsewhere in this document, we are unable to estimate the specific timing and future costs of our clinical development programs or the timing of material cash inflows, if any, from our product candidates. However, we anticipate that our research and development expenses will increase as we continue our current or any future ProNeura development programs to the extent these costs are not supported through grants or partners.

The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily related to increases in legal and professional fees, non-cash stock-based compensation and employee severance.

Other Income (Expense), Net

The decrease in other income (expense), net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily due to a gain on debt extinguishment resulting from the May 2021 forgiveness of our outstanding PPP Loan.

Net Loss and Net Loss per Share

Our net loss from operations for the three-month period ended September 30, 2022 was approximately $2.6 million, or approximately $0.18 per share, compared to our net loss from operations of approximately $1.9 million, or approximately $0.19 per share, for the comparable period in 2021. Our net loss from operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 was approximately $7.6 million, or approximately $0.59 per share, compared to our net loss from continuing operations of approximately $6.2 million, or approximately $0.64 per share, for the comparable period in 2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have funded our operations since inception primarily through the sale of our securities and the issuance of debt, as well as with proceeds from warrant and option exercises, corporate licensing and collaborative agreements, and government-sponsored research grants. At September 30, 2022, we had working capital of approximately $3.1 million compared to working capital of approximately $4.6 million at December 31, 2021.

In February 2022, we completed a registered direct offering with an accredited investor pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 1,100,000 shares of our common stock and 2,274,242 pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, with an exercise price of $0.001 per share. In a concurrent private placement, we sold unregistered pre-funded warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,289,796 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.001 per share and issued unregistered five year and six month warrants to purchase an aggregate of 4,664,038 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $1.14. The net cash proceeds from these offerings were approximately $5.0 million after deduction of underwriting fees and other offering expenses.

In January 2021, we completed an offering with several accredited institutional investors pursuant to which we issued 2,725,000 shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering and warrants to purchase 2,725,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $3.55 per share in a concurrent private placement. The warrants were exercisable immediately and will expire in July 2026. The net cash proceeds from this offering were approximately $8.8 million after deduction of underwriting fees and other offering expenses.

At September 30, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.5 million, which we believe is sufficient to fund our planned operations into the first quarter of 2023. There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We will require additional funds to finance our operations. We are exploring several financing alternatives; however, there can be no assurance that our efforts to obtain the funding required to continue our operations will be successful.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 consisted primarily of our net loss of approximately $7.6 million, approximately $0.2 million related to net changes in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by approximately $1.2 million of non-cash charges primarily related to stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization. Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 consisted primarily of our net loss of approximately $6.2 million, approximately $0.7 million related to a gain on debt extinguishment, and approximately $1.4 million related to net changes in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by approximately $1.5 million of non-cash charges primarily related to stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization. Uses of cash in operating activities were primarily to fund product development programs and administrative expenses.

Net cash used in investing activities was primarily related to purchases of equipment.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 consisted of net cash proceeds from the February 2022 offering. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 consisted of net cash proceeds from the January 2021 offering.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our market risk disclosures set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 have not materially changed.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer, being our principal executive and financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act as of September 30, 2022, the end of the period covered by this report, and has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our principal executive and principal financial officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

A legal proceeding has been initiated by a former employee alleging wrongful termination, retaliation, infliction of emotional distress, negligent supervision, hiring and retention and slander. An independent investigation into this individual’s allegations of whistleblower retaliation, while still an employee, was conducted utilizing an outside investigator and concluded that such allegations were not substantiated. We intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit (which we have compelled into arbitration); however, in light of our cash position, there can be no assurance that the defense and/or settlement of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on our business.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2021 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our 2021 10-K are not the only risks facing our company. Except as noted below, the risks and uncertainties described in “Item 1A - Risk Factors” of our 2021 Form 10-K have not materially changed. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

If we cannot continue to satisfy the Nasdaq Capital Market continued listing standards and other Nasdaq rules, our common stock could be delisted, which would harm our business, the trading price of our common stock, our ability to raise additional capital and the liquidity of the market for our common stock.

Our Common Stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). The listing standards of Nasdaq require that a company maintain stockholders’ equity of at least $2.5 million and a minimum bid price subject to specific requirements of $1.00 per share. There is no assurance that we will be able to maintain compliance with the minimum closing price requirement or the minimum stockholders’ equity requirement. Should we fail to comply with the minimum listing standards applicable to issuers listed on Nasdaq, our common stock may be delisted from Nasdaq. If our common stock is delisted, it could reduce the price of our common stock and the levels of liquidity available to our stockholders.

In the event that our stock price falls below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive trading days, Nasdaq may send us a notice stating we will be provided a period of 180 days to regain compliance with the minimum bid requirement or else Nasdaq may make a determination to delist our common stock. If our common stock were to be delisted from Nasdaq and was not eligible for quotation or listing on another market or exchange, trading of our common stock could be conducted only in the over-the-counter market or on an electronic bulletin board established for unlisted securities such as the Pink Sheets or the OTC Bulletin Board. In such event, it could become more difficult to dispose of, or obtain accurate price quotations for, our common stock, and there would likely also be a reduction in our coverage by securities analysts and the news media, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline further.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.