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EX-31 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) CERTIFICATIONS SECTION 302 OF - CEL SCI CORPcvm_ex31.htm
EX-32 - CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 18 U.S.C. PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANE - CEL SCI CORPcvm_ex32.htm
 

 UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 (Mark One)
(X)             QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017
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 001-11889
 
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
 
 Colorado
 
 84-0916344
 State or other jurisdiction incorporation
 
 (IRS) Employer Identification Number
 
8229 Boone Boulevard, Suite 802
Vienna, Virginia 22182
Address of principal executive offices
 
(703) 506-9460
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) had been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company

 
 
Emerging growth company
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐  
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
 
 
Class of Stock
 
No Shares Outstanding
 
Date
Common
 
9,335,711
 
August 4, 2017
 

 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
 
Page 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Balance Sheets at June 30, 2017 (unaudited) and September 30, 2016
3
 
     
 
 
Condensed Statements of Operations for the nine months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)
4
 
 
 
 
Condensed Statements of Operations for the three months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)
5
 
 
 
 
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)
6
 
 
 
 
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)
8
 
 
 
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
27
 
 
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks
34
 
 
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
34
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
35
 
 
 
 
Signatures
36
 
 
 
 
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 JUNE 30, 
 SEPTEMBER 30, 
ASSETS
 2017 
 2016 
 
 (UNAUDITED) 
   
CURRENT ASSETS:
   
   
     Cash and cash equivalents
 $1,232,477 
 $2,917,996 
     Receivables
  271,737 
  394,515 
     Prepaid expenses
  669,043 
  981,677 
     Deposits - current portion
  150,000 
  154,995 
     Inventory used for R&D and manufacturing
  657,738 
  1,008,642 
     Deferred rent - current portion
  385,076 
  429,821 
 
    
    
Total current assets
  3,366,071 
  5,887,646 
 
    
    
RESEARCH AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT, net
  200,534 
  226,216 
 
    
    
PATENT COSTS, net
  231,649 
  256,547 
DEFERRED RENT - net of current portion
  2,968,155 
  3,406,921 
 
    
    
DEPOSITS
  1,670,917 
  1,820,917 
 
    
    
TOTAL ASSETS
 $8,437,326 
 $11,598,247 
 
    
    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
    
    
 
    
    
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
    
    
  Accounts payable
 $8,352,438 
 $3,091,512 
  Accrued expenses
  933,922 
  378,672 
  Due to employees
  569,531 
  538,278 
  Notes payable
 325,794
  - 
  Derivative instruments, current portion
  47,894 
  - 
  Other current liabilities
  10,871 
  3,310 
 
    
    
  Total current liabilities
  10,240,450
  4,011,772 
 
    
    
  Derivative instruments - net of current portion
  3,342,746 
  8,394,934 
  Deferred revenue
  125,000 
  125,000 
  Other liabilities
  38,491 
  22,609 
 
    
    
Total liabilities
 13,746,687
  12,554,315 
 
    
    
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    
    
 
    
    
STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
    
    
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value-200,000 shares authorized;
    
    
    -0- shares issued and outstanding
  - 
  - 
  Common stock, $.01 par value - 600,000,000 shares authorized;
    
    
   9,218,711 and 6,235,035 shares issued and outstanding
    
    
    at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively
  92,187 
  62,350 
  Additional paid-in capital
 289,584,824
  284,649,559 
  Accumulated deficit
  (289,584,687)
  (285,667,977)
 
    
    
Total stockholders' deficit
  (5,309,361)
  (956,068)
 
    
    
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 $8,437,326 
 $11,598,247 
 
    
    
 See notes to financial statements.
 
 
3
 
 
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 and 2016
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 2017 
 2016 
 
   
   
GRANT INCOME AND OTHER
 $51,822 
 $183,726 
 
    
    
OPERATING EXPENSES:
    
    
  Research and development
  14,737,073 
  14,636,197 
  General & administrative
  4,347,830 
  3,987,011 
 
    
    
Total operating expenses
  19,084,903 
  18,623,208 
 
    
    
OPERATING LOSS
  (19,033,081)
  (18,439,482)
 
    
    
GAIN ON DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
  9,669,977 
  8,037,974 
 
    
    
INTEREST INCOME, NET
  44,709 
  49,142 
 
    
    
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 $(9,318,395)
 $(10,352,366)
 
    
    
 
    
    
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
    
    
      BASIC
 $(1.29)
 $(2.20)
      DILUTED
 $(1.33)
 $(2.20)
 
    
    
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
    
    
  OUTSTANDING
    
    
      BASIC
  7,235,140 
  4,696,498 
      DILUTED
  7,292,715 
  4,696,498 
 
    
    
See notes to financial statements.
 
 
4
 
 
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 and 2016
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 2017 
 2016 
 
   
   
OTHER INCOME
 $17,389 
 $129,975 
 
    
    
OPERATING EXPENSES:
    
    
  Research and development
  3,657,000 
  4,838,108 
  General & administrative
  1,595,707 
  1,674,614 
 
    
    
Total operating expenses
  5,252,707 
  6,512,722 
 
    
    
OPERATING LOSS
  (5,235,318)
  (6,382,747)
 
    
    
GAIN ON DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
  790,365 
  2,508,744 
 
    
    
INTEREST (EXPENSE) INCOME, NET
  (755)
  24,679 
 
    
    
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 $(4,445,708)
 $(3,849,324)
 
    
    
 
    
    
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
    
    
      BASIC AND DILUTED
 $(0.53)
 $(0.78)
 
    
    
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
    
    
      BASIC AND DILUTED
  8,405,790 
  4,965,300 
 
 See notes to financial statements.
 
 
5
 
CEL-SCI CORPORATION           
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS           
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 and 2016           
(UNAUDITED)           
 
 
 2017 
 2016 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   
   
  Net loss
 $(9,318,395)
 $(10,352,366)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
    
    
    net cash used in operating activities:
    
    
      Depreciation and amortization
  90,795 
  118,272 
      Share-based payments for services
  151,611 
  618,890 
      Equity based compensation
  1,002,923 
  1,263,662 
      Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan
  114,483 
  120,693 
      Loss on retired equipment
  1,187 
  115 
      Gain on derivative instruments
  (9,669,977)
  (8,037,974)
      Amortization of debt discount
  21,441 
  - 
      (Increase)/decrease in assets:
    
    
      Receivables
  (182,563)
  5,854 
      Deferred rent
  483,511 
  522,233 
      Prepaid expenses
  275,084 
  267,742 
      Inventory used for R&D and manufacturing
  350,904 
  142,381 
      Deposits
  154,995 
  150,000 
      Increase/(decrease) in liabilities:
    
    
      Accounts payable
  5,514,909 
  (1,079,423)
      Accrued expenses
  555,250 
  86,398 
      Deferred revenue
  - 
  (138)
      Due to employees
  103,013 
  (48,327)
      Deferred rent liability
  490 
  3,392 
 
    
    
Net cash used in operating activities
  (10,350,339)
  (16,218,596)
 
    
    
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    
    
      Purchases of equipment
  (10,525)
  (31,405)
      Expenditures for patent costs
  - 
  (5,008)
 
    
    
Net cash used in investing activities
  (10,525)
  (36,413)
 
    
    
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    
    
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants
  7,167,773 
  16,858,029 
     Proceeds from notes payable
  1,510,000 
  - 
     Payments on related party loan
  - 
  (1,104,057)
     Payments on obligations under capital lease
  (2,428)
  (6,685)
 
    
    
Net cash provided by financing activities
  8,675,345 
  15,747,287 
 
    
    
 NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
  (1,685,519)
  (507,722)
 
    
    
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
  2,917,996 
  5,726,682 
 
    
    
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
 $1,232,477 
 $5,218,960 
 
    
    
 See notes to financial statements. 
 
 
6
 
 
CEL-SCI CORPORATION           
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS           
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 and 2016           
 
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCINGACTIVITIES:
   
 
   
   
 
 2017 
 2016 
Decrease in receivable due under the litigation funding arrangement offset
   
   
  by the same amount payable to the legal firm providing the services
 $305,341 
 $363,298 
Capitalizable patent costs included in accounts payable
  11,586 
  6,801 
Capital lease obligation included in accounts payable
  2,266 
  762 
Property and equipment acquired through capital lease
  26,104 
  - 
Fair value of warrants issued in connection with public offering
  4,665,683 
  7,174,439 
Discount on note payable
  (1,205,647)
  - 
Financing costs included in accounts payable
  92,467 
  24,810 
Prepaid consulting services paid with issuance of common stock
  (37,550)
  1,636 
Conversion of accrued salaries and fees to note payable
  250,000 
  - 
 
    
    
 
    
    
  Cash paid for interest expense
 $137
 $43,646 
 
    
    
 See notes to condensed financial statements.
 
 
7
 
 
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2016 (UNAUDITED)
 
A.      
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying condensed financial statements of CEL-SCI Corporation (the Company) are unaudited and certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. While management of the Company believes that the disclosures presented are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, these interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016.
 
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements contain all accruals and adjustments (each of which is of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2017 and the results of its operations for the three and nine months then ended. The condensed balance sheet as of September 30, 2016 is derived from the September 30, 2016 audited financial statements. Significant accounting policies have been consistently applied in the interim financial statements and the annual financial statements. The results of operations for the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.
 
The financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, but due to recurring losses from operations and future liquidity needs, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Refer to discussion in Note B.
 
On June 12, 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved a reverse split of the Company’s common stock which became effective on the NYSE American on June 15, 2017. On that date, every twenty five issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock automatically converted into one outstanding share. As a result of the reverse stock split, the number of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock decreased from 230,127,331 (pre-split) shares to 9,201,645 (post-split) shares. In addition, by reducing the number of the Company’s outstanding shares, the Company’s loss per share in all prior periods will increase by a factor of twenty five. The reverse stock split affected all stockholders of the Company’s common stock uniformly, and did not affect any stockholder’s percentage of ownership interest. The par value of the Company’s stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share and the number of authorized shares of common stock remained the same after the reverse stock split.
 
 
8
 
 
As the par value per share of the Company’s common stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share, a total of $2,204,938 was reclassified from common stock to additional paid-in capital. In connection with this reverse stock split, the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Company’s incentive and non-qualified stock option plans, as well as the shares of common stock underlying outstanding stock options and warrants, were also proportionately reduced while the exercise prices of such stock options and warrants were proportionately increased. All references to shares of common stock and per share data for all periods presented in the accompanying financial statements and notes thereto have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split on a retroactive basis.
 
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
 
Research and Office Equipment and Leasehold Improvements - Research and office equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of five to seven years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the lease. Repairs and maintenance which do not extend the life of the asset are expensed when incurred. The fixed assets are reviewed on a quarterly basis to determine if any of the assets are impaired.
 
Patents - Patent expenditures are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the expected useful life or the legal life of the patent (17 years). In the event changes in technology or other circumstances impair the value or life of the patent, appropriate adjustment in the asset value and period of amortization is made. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset, and from its disposition, is less than the carrying value of the asset. The amount of the impairment loss would be the difference between the estimated fair value of the asset and its carrying value.

Research and Development Costs - Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Management accrues CRO expenses and clinical trial study expenses based on services performed and relies on the CROs to provide estimates of those costs applicable to the completion stage of a study. Estimated accrued CRO costs are subject to revisions as such studies progress to completion. The Company charges revisions to estimated expense in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
 
Income Taxes - The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating and tax loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be recognized.  A full valuation allowance was recorded against the deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.
 
 
9
 
 
Derivative Instruments – The Company has entered into financing arrangements that consist of freestanding derivative instruments that contain embedded derivative features. The Company accounts for these arrangements in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP), derivative instruments and hybrid instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and are measured at fair value with gains or losses recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income depending on the nature of the derivative or hybrid instruments. The Company determines the fair value of derivative instruments and hybrid instruments based on available market data using appropriate valuation models, giving consideration to all of the rights and obligations of each instrument. The derivative liabilities are re-measured at fair value at the end of each interim period as long as they are outstanding.
 
Deferred Rent (Asset) Consideration paid, including deposits, related to operating leases is recorded as a deferred rent asset and amortized as rent expense over the lease term. Interest on the deferred rent is calculated at 3% on the funds deposited on the manufacturing facility and is included in deferred rent. This interest income will be used to offset future rent.
 
Stock-Based Compensation – Compensation cost for all stock-based awards is measured at fair value as of the grant date in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” The fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires various judgmental assumptions including volatility and expected option life. The stock-based compensation cost is recognized on the straight line allocation method as expense over the requisite service or vesting period.
 
Equity instruments issued to non-employees are accounted for in accordance with ASC 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non Employees.” Accordingly, compensation is recognized when goods or services are received and is measured using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes model requires various judgmental assumptions regarding the fair value of the equity instruments at the measurement date and the expected life of the options.
 
The Company has Incentive Stock Option Plans, Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans, a Stock Compensation Plan, Stock Bonus Plans and an Incentive Stock Bonus Plan. In some cases, these Plans are collectively referred to as the "Plans". All Plans have been approved by the stockholders.
 
The Company’s stock options are not transferable, and the actual value of the stock options that an employee may realize, if any, will depend on the excess of the market price on the date of exercise over the exercise price. The Company has based its assumption for stock price volatility on the variance of daily closing prices of the Company’s stock. The risk-free interest rate assumption was based on the U.S. Treasury rate at date of the grant with term equal to the expected life of the option. Historical data was used to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the valuation model. The expected term of options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and has been determined based on an analysis of historical exercise behavior. If any of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model change significantly, stock-based compensation expense for new awards may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period.
 
 
10
 
 
Vesting of restricted stock granted under the Incentive Stock Bonus Plan is subject to service, performance and market conditions and meets the classification of equity awards. These awards were measured at market value on the grant-dates for issuances where the attainment of performance criteria is likely and at fair value on the grant-dates, using a Monte Carlo simulation for issuances where the attainment of performance criteria is uncertain. The total compensation cost will be expensed over the estimated requisite service period.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which will require most leases (with the exception of leases with terms of less than one year) to be recognized on the balance sheet as an asset and a lease liability. Leases will be classified as an operating lease or a financing lease. Operating leases are expensed using the straight-line method whereas financing leases will be treated similarly to a capital lease under the current standard. The new standard will be effective for annual and interim periods, within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, but early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be presented using the modified retrospective method beginning with the earliest comparative period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the new standard on its financial statements and related disclosures.
 
No other recently issued guidance is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
B.       
OPERATIONS AND FINANCING
 
The Company has incurred significant costs since its inception in connection with the acquisition of certain patented and unpatented proprietary technology and know-how relating to the human immunological defense system, patent applications, research and development, administrative costs, construction of laboratory facilities, and clinical trials. The Company has funded such costs with proceeds from loans and the public and private sale of its common stock. The Company will be required to raise additional capital or find additional long-term financing in order to continue with its research efforts. Currently, the clinical hold on the Phase 3 clinical trial has had a significant impact on the Company's market capital, and as such, may impact the Company's ability to attract new capital. To date, the Company has not generated any revenue from product sales. The ability of the Company to complete the necessary clinical trials and obtain US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the sale of products to be developed on a commercial basis is uncertain. Ultimately, the Company must complete the development of its products, obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals and obtain sufficient revenues to support its cost structure.
 
The Company is currently running a large multi-national Phase 3 clinical trial for head and neck cancer with its partners TEVA Pharmaceuticals and Orient Europharma. During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company raised approximately $8.7 million in net proceeds from the combination of debt and equity financings. To finance the study beyond the next twelve months, the Company plans to raise additional capital in the form of corporate partnerships, debt and/or equity financings. The Company believes that it will be able to obtain additional financing because it has done so consistently in the past and because Multikine is a product in the Phase 3 clinical trial stage. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising additional funds on a timely basis or that the funds will be available to the Company on acceptable terms or at all.  If the Company does not raise the necessary amounts of money, it will either have to slow or delay the Phase 3 clinical trial or even significantly curtail its operations until such time as it is able to raise the required funding. The Phase 3 study is currently on clinical hold by the FDA. The financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, but due to recurring losses from operations and future liquidity needs, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
 
 
11
 
 
Since the Company launched its Phase 3 clinical trial for Multikine, the Company has spent approximately $37.4 million as of June 30, 2017 on direct costs for the Phase 3 clinical trial.  The total remaining cash cost of the clinical trial is estimated to be approximately $21.2 million.  It should be noted that this estimate is based only on the information currently available in the Company’s contracts with the Clinical Research Organizations responsible for managing the Phase 3 clinical trial and does not include other related costs, e.g. the manufacturing of the drug.  This number can be affected by the speed of enrollment, foreign currency exchange rates and many other factors, some of which cannot be foreseen. 
 
The Company is diligently continuing to work with the FDA to have the clinical hold lifted. On June 28, 2017, the Company received a letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to the Company's most recent June 2, 2017 submission regarding the clinical hold imposed on the Company's Phase 3 head and neck cancer study with Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Inj.) Investigational New Drug (IND).
 
In this most recent letter, the FDA requested that three additional changes be made to the Multikine Investigator Brochure (IB) that CEL-SCI submitted to the FDA on June 2, 2017. The FDA provided instructions directing CEL-SCI on what the specific changes should be. CEL-SCI has made the requested changes and has resubmitted them. The FDA did not raise any other hold issues in this letter.
 
CEL-SCI was also told by the FDA that the effect of the hold is not a termination of the study. The only action that CEL-SCI needed to be aware of is that CEL-SCI may not enroll new patients and may not resume Multikine dosing in any previously enrolled patient in this study or initiate any new studies under this IND. CEL-SCI is not currently planning to do any of these things.
 
Nine hundred twenty-eight (928) head and neck cancer patients have been enrolled and have completed treatment in the Phase 3 study. In accordance with the study protocol, the FDA's instructions, and subject to the clinical hold, CEL-SCI continues to follow these patients and gather all protocol-specific data. In light of new clinical information from the Phase 3 study CEL-SCI decided in April 2017 that it was not necessary to add more patients to the study and therefore withdrew the study amendment for additional patients.
 
The study endpoint is a 10% increase in overall survival of patients between the two main comparator groups in favor of the group receiving the Multikine treatment regimen. The determination if the study end point is met will occur when there are a total of 298 deaths in those two groups.
 
 
12
 
 
C.    
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Stock options, stock bonuses and compensation granted by the Company as of June 30, 2017 are as follows:
 
Name of Plan
 Total Shares Reserved Under Plans 
 Shares Reserved for Outstanding Options 
 Shares Issued 
 Remaining Options/Shares Under Plans 
 
   
   
   
   
Incentive Stock Options Plans
  138,400 
  65,958 
  N/A 
  60,454 
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans
  1,187,200 
  298,783 
  N/A 
  859,313 
Stock Bonus Plans
  383,760 
  N/A 
  189,940 
  193,787 
Stock Compensation Plan
  134,000 
  N/A 
  87,590 
  46,410 
Incentive Stock Bonus Plan
  640,000 
  N/A 
  624,000 
  16,000 
 
Stock options, stock bonuses and compensation granted by the Company as of September 30, 2016 are as follows:
 
Name of Plan
 Total Shares Reserved Under Plans 
 Shares Reserved for Outstanding Options 
 Shares Issued 
 Remaining Options/Shares Under Plans 
 
   
   
   
   
Incentive Stock Option Plans
  138,400 
  65,958 
  N/A 
  60,453 
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans
  387,200 
  277,613 
  N/A 
  82,370 
Bonus Plans
  223,760 
  N/A 
  126,448 
  97,278 
Stock Compensation Plan
  134,000 
  N/A 
  79,401 
  53,276 
Incentive Stock Bonus Plan
  640,000 
  N/A 
  624,000 
  16,000 
 
Stock option activity:
 
 Nine Months Ended June30, 
 
 2017 
 2016 
Granted
  39,225 
  8,400 
Expired
  16,081 
  - 
Forfeited
  1,980 
  2,240 
 
 
 Three Months Ended June 30, 
 
 2017 
 2016 
Granted
  39,225 
  - 
Expired
  800 
  - 
Forfeited
  919 
  200 
 
No shares of restricted stock were forfeited from the Incentive Stock Bonus Plan during the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.
 
 
13
 
 
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
 
 NineMonths Ended June 30, 
 
 2017 
 2016 
 Employees
 $1,002,923 
 $1,263,662 
 Non-employees
 $151,611 
 $618,890 
 
 
 ThreeMonths Ended June 30, 
 
 2017 
 2016 
Employees
 $325,168 
 $418,562 
Non-employees
 $38,833 
 $146,830 
 
Employee compensation expense includes the expense related to options issued or vested and restricted stock. Non-employee expense includes the expense related to options and stock issued to consultants expensed over the period of their service contracts.
 
Warrants and Non-employee Options
 
The following chart presents the outstanding warrants and non-employee options listed by expiration date at June 30, 2017:
 
Warrant
 
Issue Date
 Shares Issuable upon Exercise ofWarrant 
 Exercise Price 
Expiration Date
 Refer-ence 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
Series DD
 
12/8/2016
  1,360,960 
 $4.50 
8/10/2017
  1 
Series N
 
8/18/2008
  113,785 
 $13.18 
8/18/2017
    
Series EE
 
12/8/2016
  1,360,960 
 $4.50 
9/8/2017
  1 
Series U
 
4/17/2014
  17,821 
 $43.75 
10/17/2017
  1 
Series S
 
10/11/13- 10/24/14
  1,037,120 
 $31.25 
10/11/2018
  1 
Series V
 
5/28/2015
  810,127 
 $19.75 
5/28/2020
  1 
Series W
 
10/28/2015
  688,930 
 $16.75 
10/28/2020
  1 
Series X
 
1/13/2016
  120,000 
 $9.25 
1/13/2021
    
Series Y
 
2/15/2016
  26,000 
 $12.00 
2/15/2021
    
Series ZZ
 
5/23/2016
  20,000 
 $13.75 
5/18/2021
  1 
Series BB
 
8/26/2016
  16,000 
 $13.75 
8/22/2021
  1 
Series Z
 
5/23/2016
  264,000 
 $13.75 
11/23/2021
  1 
Series FF
 
12/8/2016
  68,048 
 $3.91 
12/1/2021
  1 
Series CC
 
12/8/2016
  680,480 
 $5.00 
12/8/2021
  1 
Series HH
 
2/23/2017
  20,000 
 $3.13 
2/16/2022
  1 
Series AA
 
8/26/2016
  200,000 
 $13.75 
2/22/2022
  1 
Series JJ
 
3/14/2017
  30,000 
 $3.13 
3/8/2022
  1 
Series LL
 
4/30/2017
  26,398 
 $3.59 
4/30/2022
  1 
Series MM
 
6/22/2017
  893,491 
 $1.86 
6/22/2022
  2 
Series GG
 
2/23/2017
  400,000 
 $3.00 
8/23/2022
  1 
Series II
 
3/14/2017
  600,000 
 $3.00 
9/14/2022
  1 
Series KK
 
5/3/2017
  395,970 
 $3.04 
11/3/2022
  1 
Consultants
 
12/28/12- 7/1/16
  22,000 
 $9.25-$70.00 
12/27/17- 6/30/19
  3 
 
 
 
14
 
 
1.
Derivative Liabilities
 
The table below presents the warrant liabilities and their respective balances at the balance sheet dates:
 
 
 June30, 2017 
 September30, 2016 
Series S warrants
 $74,673 
 $3,111,361 
Series U warrants
  - 
  - 
Series V warrants
  170,127 
  1,620,253 
Series W warrants
  181,303 
  1,799,858 
Series Z warrants
  141,325 
  970,604 
Series ZZ warrants
  9,227 
  70,609 
Series AA warrants
  116,651 
  763,661 
Series BB warrants
  8,140 
  58,588 
Series CC warrants
  643,824 
  - 
Series DD warrants
  8,009 
  - 
Series EE warrants
  39,885 
  - 
Series FF warrants
  75,579 
  - 
Series GG warrants
  522,459 
  - 
Series HH warrants
  24,977 
  - 
Series II warrants
  779,415 
  - 
Series JJ warrants
  37,670 
  - 
Series KK warrants
  525,332 
  - 
Series LL warrants
  32,044 
  - 
 
    
    
Total warrant liabilities
 $3,390,640 
 $8,394,934 
 
The table below presents the gains on the warrant liabilities for the nine months ended June 30:
 
 
 2017 
 2016 
Series S warrants
 $3,036,688 
 $3,432,869 
Series U warrants
  - 
  40,096 
Series V warrants
  1,450,126 
  2,835,443 
Series W warrants
  1,618,555 
  1,502,800 
Series Z warrants
  829,279 
  210,848 
Series ZZ warrants
  61,382 
  15,918 
Series AA warrants
  647,010 
  - 
Series BB warrants
  50,448 
  - 
Series CC warrants
  416,599 
  - 
Series DD warrants
  435,263 
  - 
Series EE warrants
  651,522 
  - 
Series FF warrants
  45,403 
  - 
Series GG warrants
  92,178 
  - 
Series HH warrants
  4,653 
  - 
Series II warrants
  137,044 
  - 
Series JJ warrants
  6,943 
  - 
Series KK warrants
  172,883 
  - 
Series LL warrants
  14,001 
  - 
Net gain on warrant liabilities
 $9,669,977 
 $8,037,974 
 
 
15
 
 
The table below presents the gains and (losses) on the warrant liabilities for the three months ended June 30:
 
 
 2017 
 2016 
Series S warrants
 $456,852 
 $285,208 
Series U warrants
  - 
  13,366 
Series V warrants
  32,405 
  1,012,658 
Series W warrants
  9,140 
  970,746 
Series Z warrants
  1,016 
  210,848 
Series ZZ warrants
  187 
  15,918 
Series AA warrants
  345 
  - 
Series BB warrants
  110 
  - 
Series CC warrants
  (13,270)
  - 
Series DD warrants
  21,315 
  - 
Series EE warrants
  139,284 
  - 
Series FF warrants
  (1,763)
  - 
Series GG warrants
  (16,033)
  - 
Series HH warrants
  (687)
  - 
Series II warrants
  (24,375)
  - 
Series JJ warrants
  (1,045)
  - 
Series KK warrants
  172,883 
  - 
Series LL warrants
  14,001 
  - 
 
    
    
Net gain on warrant liabilities
 $790,365 
 $2,508,744 
 
The Company reviews all outstanding warrants in accordance with the requirements of ASC 815. This topic provides that an entity should use a two-step approach to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock, including evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise and settlement provisions. The warrant agreements provide for adjustments to the exercise price for certain dilutive events. Under the provisions of ASC 815, the warrants are not considered indexed to the Company’s stock because future equity offerings or sales of the Company’s stock are not an input to the fair value of a “fixed-for-fixed” option on equity shares, and equity classification is therefore precluded.
 
In accordance with ASC 815, derivative liabilities must be measured at fair value upon issuance and re-valued at the end of each reporting period through expiration. Any change in fair value between the respective reporting dates is recognized as a gain or loss.
 
Issuance of additional Warrants
  
On June 22, 2017, in connection with the issuance of convertible notes (see below), the Company issued the note holders Series MM warrants, which entitle the purchasers to acquire up to an aggregate of 893,491 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Series MM warrants are exercisable at a fixed price of $1.86 per share and expire on June 22, 2022. Shares issuable upon the exercise of the notes and warrants will be restricted securities unless registered. Proceeds from the sale of notes payable and the issuance of the warrants were $1.51 million. The Company allocated proceeds received to the Notes and the Series MM warrants on a relative fair value basis. As a result of such allocation, the Company determined the initial carrying value of the Series MM warrants to be approximately $0.6 million. The Series MM warrants qualify for equity treatment in accordance with ASC 815.
 
 
16
 
 
On April 30, 2017, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor whereby it sold 527,960 shares of its common stock for net proceeds of approximately $1.4 million, or $2.875 per share, in a registered direct offering. In a concurrent private placement, the Company also issued to the purchaser of the Company’s common stock, Series KK warrants to purchase 395,970 shares of common stock. The warrants can be exercised at a price of $3.04 per share, at any time on or after November 3, 2017 and expire on November 3, 2022. In addition, the Company issued 26,398 Series LL warrants to the Placement Agent as part of its compensation. The Series LL warrants are exercisable on October 30, 2017 and expire on April 30, 2022 at a price of $3.59 per share. The fair value of the Series KK and LL warrants of approximately $0.7 million on the date of issuance was recorded as a warrant liability.
 
On March 14, 2017, the Company sold 600,000 registered shares of common stock and 600,000 Series II warrants to purchase 600,000 unregistered shares of common stock at combined offering price of $2.50 per share.  The Series II warrants have an exercise price of $3.00 per share, are exercisable on September 14, 2017, and expire September 14, 2022. In addition, the Company issued 30,000 Series JJ warrants to purchase 30,000 shares of unregistered common stock to the placement agent. The Series JJ warrants have an exercise price $3.13, are exercisable on September 14, 2017 and expire on March 8, 2022. The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1.3 million. The fair value of the Series II and JJ warrants of approximately $1.0 million on the date of issuance was recorded as a warrant liability.
 
On February 23, 2017, the Company sold 400,000 registered shares of common stock and 400,000 Series GG warrants to purchase 400,000 unregistered shares of common stock at a combined price of $2.50 per share.  The Series GG warrants have an exercise price of $3.00 per share, are exercisable on August 23, 2017, and expire August 23, 2022. In addition, the Company issued to the placement agent, 20,000 Series HH warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of unregistered common stock. The Series HH warrants have an exercise price $3.13, are exercisable on August 23, 2017 and expire on February 16, 2022. The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $0.8 million. The fair value of the Series GG and HH warrants of approximately $0.6 million on the date of issuance was recorded as a warrant liability.
 
On December 8, 2016, the Company sold 1,360,960 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock at a price of $3.13 in a public offering. The warrants consist of 680,480 Series CC warrants to purchase 680,480 shares of common stock, 1,360,960 Series DD warrants to purchase 1,360,960 shares of common stock and 1,360,960 Series EE warrants to purchase 1,360,960 shares of common stock. The Series CC warrants are immediately exercisable, expire in five-years from the offering date and have an exercise price of $5.00 per share. The Series DD warrants are immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $4.50 per share. On June 5, 2017 and June 29, 2017, the expiration date of the Series DD warrants was extended from June 8, 2017 to July 10, 2017 and then to August 10, 2017. The Series EE warrants are immediately exercisable, expire on September 8, 2017 and have an exercise price of $4.50 per share. In addition, the Company issued 68,048 Series FF warrants to purchase 68,048 shares of common stock to the placement agent. The FF warrants are exercisable at any time on or after June 8, 2017, expire on December 1, 2021 and have an exercise price $3.91. Net proceeds from this offering were approximately $3.7 million. The fair value of the Series CC, DD, EE and FF warrants of approximately $2.3 million on the date of issuance was recorded as a warrant liability.
 
 
17
 
 
Expiration of Warrants
 
On March 16, 2017, 23,600 Series P warrants, with an exercise price of $112.50, expired. The fair value of the Series P warrants was $0 on the date of expiration.
 
On December 6, 2016, 105,000 Series R warrants, with an exercise price of $100.00, expired. The fair value of the Series R warrants was $0 on the date of expiration.
 
On December 22, 2015, 48,000 Series Q warrants, with an exercise price of $125.00, expired. The fair value of the Series Q warrants was $0 on the date of expiration.
 
2.
Notes Payable
 
On June 22, 2017, CEL-SCI issued convertible notes (Notes) in the aggregate principal amount of $1.51 million to six individual investors. The Notes bear interest at 4% per year and are due on December 22, 2017. At the option of the note holders, the Notes can be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion rate of $1.69. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued upon conversion will be determined by dividing the principal amount to be converted by $1.69, which could result in the issuance of 893,491 shares, subject to a proportionate adjustment in the event of any stock split or capital reorganization.
 
The Notes were issued together with Series MM warrants, as discussed in the preceding section. Upon issuance of the Notes and Series MM warrants, the Company allocated proceeds received to the Notes and the Series MM warrants on a relative fair value basis. As a result of such allocation, the Company determined the initial carrying value of the Notes to be approximately $0.9 million, the initial carrying value of the Series MM warrants to be approximately $0.6 million, and recorded a debt discount in the amount of approximately $0.6 million.
 
Pursuant to the guidance in ASC 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, the Company evaluated whether the conversion feature of the Note needed to be bifurcated from the host instrument as a freestanding financial instrument. Under ASC 815-40, to qualify for equity classification (or nonbifurcation, if embedded) the instrument (or embedded feature) must be both (1) indexed to the issuer’s own stock and (2) meet the requirements of the equity classification guidance. Based upon the Company’s analysis, it was determined the conversion option is indexed to its own stock and also met all the criteria for equity classification. Accordingly, the conversion option is not required to be bifurcated from the host instrument as a freestanding financial instrument. Since the conversion feature meets the equity scope exception from derivative accounting, the Company then evaluated whether the conversion feature needed to be separately accounted for as an equity component under ASC 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options. Based upon the Company’s analysis, it was determined that a beneficial conversion feature existed as a result of the reduction in the face value of the Notes, due to a portion of proceeds being allocated to the Series MM warrants, and thus the conversion feature needed to be separately accounted for as equity component. The Company recorded a beneficial conversion feature relating to the Notes Payable of approximately $0.6 million, which was also recorded as a debt discount.
 
The total debt discount of approximately $1.2 million will be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected term of the Notes.
 
During the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded approximately $23,000 in interest expense related to the Notes, of which approximately $2,000 was recorded as accrued interest, and approximately $21,000 was recorded as amortization of the debt discount.
 
The Notes are secured by a first lien on all of the Company’s assets.
 
3.
Options and shares issued to Consultants
 
The Company typically enters into consulting arrangements in exchange for common stock or stock options. During the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company issued 36,999 and 18,000 shares of common stock, respectively. The common stock was issued with stock prices ranging between $2.25 and $7.25 per share. During the nine and three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company issued 39,602 and 7,451 shares of common stock, respectively. The common stock was issued with stock prices ranging between $9.25 and $18.00 per share. Additionally, during the nine and three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company issued a consultant 8,400 and 0 options, respectively, to purchase common stock at prices between $9.25 and $15.00 per share with fair values ranging between $4.75 and $7.50 per share. These options are fully vested. The aggregate values of the issuances of restricted common stock and common stock options are recorded as prepaid expenses and are charged to general and administrative expenses over the periods of service.
 
 
18
 
 
During the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded total expense of approximately $152,000 and $39,000, respectively, relating to these consulting agreements. During the nine and three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded total expense of approximately $619,000 and $147,000, respectively, relating to these consulting agreements. At June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, approximately $11,000 and $48,000, respectively, are included in prepaid expenses. As of June 30, 2017, 22,000 options were outstanding and vested, which were issued to consultants as payment for services from the Non-Qualified Stock Option plans.
 
D.     
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
In accordance with ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements,” the Company determines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company generally applies the income approach to determine fair value. This method uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations with respect to those future amounts.
 
ASC 820-10 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The Company classifies fair value balances based on the observability of those inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
 
Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and amounts derived from valuation models where all significant inputs are observable in active markets
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s assumptions
 
For disclosure purposes, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety in the fair value hierarchy level based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
 
 
19
 
 
The table below sets forth the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, by input level, in the condensed balance sheet at June 30, 2017:
 
 
 QuotedPrices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level1) 
 SignificantOther Observable Inputs (Level 2) 
 SignificantUnobservable Inputs (Level 3) 
 Total 
 
   
   
   
   
Derivative instruments
 $74,673 
 $- 
 $3,315,967 
 $3,390,640 
 
The table below sets forth the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, by input level, in the condensed balance sheet at September 30, 2016:
 
 
 QuotedPrices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level1) 
 SignificantOther Observable Inputs (Level 2) 
 SignificantUnobservable Inputs (Level 3) 
 Total 
 
   
   
   
   
Derivative instruments
 $3,111,361 
 $- 
 $5,283,573 
 $8,394,934 
 
The following sets forth the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances related to fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended September 30, 2016:
 
 
 (Nine Months Ended) 
 (Year Ended) 
 
 June 30, 2017 
 September 30, 2016 
 
   
   
Beginning balance
 $5,283,573 
 $6,323,032 
Issuances
  4,665,683 
  8,722,073 
Realized and unrealized gains
  (6,633,289)
  (9,761,532)
Ending balance
 $3,315,967 
 $5,283,573 
 
The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments disclosed above under Level 3 are primarily derived from valuation models where significant inputs such as historical price and volatility of the Company’s stock, as well as U.S. Treasury Bill rates, are observable in active markets.
 
E. 
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
On June 22, 2017, CEL-SCI issued convertible notes (Notes) in the aggregate principal amount of $1.51 million to six individual investors. Geert Kersten, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, participated in the offering and purchased notes in the principal amount of $250,000. The terms of Mr. Kersten’s Note were identical to the other participants. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued upon conversion will be determined by dividing the principal amount to be converted by $1.69, which would result in the issuance of 147,929 shares to Mr. Kersten upon conversion. No interest payments were made to Mr. Kersten during the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017.
 
 
20
 
 
Along with the other purchasers of the convertible notes, Mr. Kersten also received Series MM warrants to purchase up to 147,929 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Series MM warrants are exercisable at a fixed price of $1.86 per share and expire on June 22, 2022. Shares issuable upon the exercise of the notes and warrants will be restricted securities unless registered.
 
Effective August 31, 2016, Maximilian de Clara, the Company’s then President and a director, resigned for health reasons. In payment for past services, the Company agreed to issue Mr. de Clara 26,000 shares of restricted stock; 13,000 shares upon his resignation and 13,000 on August 31, 2017. At June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the fair value accrued for unissued shares was approximately $29,000 and $101,000, respectively.
 
On January 13, 2016, the de Clara Trust demanded payment on a note payable, of which the balance, including accrued and unpaid interest, was approximately $1.1 million. The de Clara Trust was established by Maximilian de Clara, the Company’s former President and a director. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Geert Kersten, is a beneficiary of the de Clara Trust. When the de Clara Trust demanded payment on the note, the Company sold 120,000 shares of its common stock and 120,000 Series X warrants to the de Clara Trust for approximately $1.1 million. Each warrant allows the de Clara Trust to purchase one share of the Company's common stock at a price of $9.25 per share at any time on or before January 13, 2021.
 
No interest payments were made to Mr. de Clara during the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017. During the nine and three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company paid approximately $43,000 and $0, respectively, in interest expense to Mr. de Clara.
   
F.  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Clinical Research Agreements
 
In March 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with Aptiv Solutions, Inc. (which was subsequently acquired by ICON Inc.) to provide certain clinical research services in accordance with a master service agreement. The Company will reimburse ICON for costs incurred. The agreement required the Company to make $600,000 in advance payments which are being credited against future invoices in $150,000 annual increments through December 2017. As of June 30, 2017, the total balance advanced is $150,000, which is classified as a current asset.
 
 
 
21
 
 
In April 2013, the Company entered into a co-development and revenue sharing agreement with Ergomed. Under the agreement, Ergomed will contribute up to $10 million towards the study in the form of offering discounted clinical services in exchange for a single digit percentage of milestone and royalty payments, up to a specific maximum amount. In October 2015, the Company entered into a second co-development and revenue sharing agreement with Ergomed for an additional $2 million, for a total of $12 million. The Company accounted for the co-development and revenue sharing agreement in accordance with ASC 808 “Collaborative Arrangements”. The Company determined the payments to Ergomed are within the scope of ASC 730 “Research and Development.” Therefore, the Company records the discount on the clinical services as a credit to research and development expense on its Statements of Operations. Since the Company entered into the co-development and revenue sharing agreement with Ergomed, it has incurred research and development expenses of approximately $24.2 million related to Ergomed’s services. This amount is net of Ergomed’s co-development contribution of approximately $8.1 million. During the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded, net of Ergomed’s co-development contribution, approximately $5.1 million and $1 million, respectively, as research and development expense related to Ergomed’s services. During the nine and three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded, net of Ergomed’s co-development contribution, approximately $5.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively, as research and development expense related to Ergomed’s services.
 
In October 2013, the Company entered into two co-development and profit sharing agreements with Ergomed.  One agreement supports the Phase 1 study being conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, or UCSF, for the development of Multikine as a potential treatment for peri-anal warts in HIV/HPV co-infected men and women.  The Phase 1 study originally started after the Company signed a cooperative research and development agreement with the U.S. Naval Medical Center, San Diego. In August 2016, the U.S. Navy discontinued this Phase 1 study because of difficulties in enrolling patients. The other agreement focuses on the development of Multikine as a potential treatment for cervical dysplasia in HIV/HPV co-infected women. Ergomed will assume up to $3 million in clinical and regulatory costs for each study.
 
The Company is currently involved in a pending arbitration proceeding, CEL-SCI Corporation v. inVentiv Health Clinical, LLC (f/k/a PharmaNet LLC) and PharmaNet GmbH (f/k/a PharmaNet AG). The Company initiated the proceedings against inVentiv Health Clinical, LLC, or inVentiv, the former third-party CRO, and are seeking payment for damages related to inVentiv’s prior involvement in the Phase 3 clinical trial of Multikine. The arbitration claim, initiated under the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association, alleges (i) breach of contract, (ii) fraud in the inducement, and (iii) common law fraud. Currently, the Company is seeking at least $50 million in damages in its amended statement of claim.
 
In an amended statement of claim, the Company asserted the claims set forth above as well as an additional claim for professional malpractice.  The arbitrator subsequently granted inVentiv’s motion to dismiss the professional malpractice claim based on the “economic loss doctrine” which, under New Jersey law, is a legal doctrine that, under certain circumstances, prohibits bringing a negligence-based claim alongside a claim for breach of contract.  The arbitrator denied the remainder of inVentiv’s motion, which had sought to dismiss certain other aspects of the amended statement of claim.  In particular, the arbitrator rejected inVentiv’s argument that several aspects of the amended statement of claim were beyond the arbitrator’s jurisdiction.
 
 
22
 
 
In connection with the pending arbitration proceedings, inVentiv has asserted counterclaims against the Company for (i) breach of contract, seeking at least $2 million in damages for services allegedly performed by inVentiv; (ii) breach of contract, seeking at least $1 million in damages for the alleged use of inVentiv’s name in connection with publications and promotions in violation of the parties’ contract; (iii) opportunistic breach, restitution and unjust enrichment, seeking at least $20 million in disgorgement of alleged unjust profits allegedly made by the Company as a result of the purported breaches referenced in subsection (ii); and (iv) defamation, seeking at least $1 million in damages for allegedly defamatory statements made about inVentiv. The Company believes inVentiv’s counterclaims are meritless and is defending against them. However, if such defense is unsuccessful, and inVentiv successfully asserts any of its counterclaims, such an adverse determination could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results, financial condition and liquidity.
 
In October 2015 the Company signed an arbitration funding agreement with a company established by Lake Whillans Litigation Finance, LLC, a firm specializing in funding litigation expenses. Pursuant to the agreement, an affiliate of Lake Whillans provides the Company with up to $5 million in funding for litigation expenses to support its arbitration claims against inVentiv. The funding is available to the Company to fund the expenses of the ongoing arbitration and will only be repaid if the Company receives proceeds from the arbitration. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $1.1 million on the derecognition of legal fees to record the transfer of the liability that existed prior to the execution of the financing agreement from the Company to Lake Whillans. The gain on derecognition of legal fees was recorded as a reduction of general and administration expenses on the Statement of Operations. All related legal fees are directly billed to and paid by Lake Whillans. As part of the agreement with Lake Whillans, the law firm agreed to cap its fees and expenses for the arbitration at $5 million.
 
The arbitration has been going on longer than expected, but it is finally nearing its end. The hearing (the “trial”) started on September 26, 2016 and was originally scheduled to end in November/December of 2016. Instead it is still ongoing, but we expect it to end during the second half of calendar year 2017.
 
Lease Agreements
 
The Company leases a building near Baltimore, Maryland. The building was remodeled in accordance with the Company’s specifications so that it can be used by the Company to manufacture Multikine for the Company’s Phase 3 clinical trial and sales of the drug if approved by the FDA. The lease is for a term of twenty years and requires annual base rent to escalate each year at 3%. The Company is required to pay all real estate and personal property taxes, insurance premiums, maintenance expenses, repair costs and utilities. The lease allows the Company, at its election, to extend the lease for two ten-year periods or to purchase the building at the end of the 20-year lease. As of June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company has recorded a deferred rent asset of approximately $3.4 million and $3.8 million, respectively.
 
 
 
23
 
 
The Company was required to deposit the equivalent of one year of base rent in accordance with the lease. When the Company meets the minimum cash balance required by the lease, the deposit will be returned to the Company. The approximate $1.7 million deposit is included in non-current assets at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.
 
The Company subleases a portion of its rental space on a month-to-month term lease, which requires a 30 day notice for termination. The Company receives approximately $6,000 per month in rent for the sub-leased space.
 
The Company leases its research and development laboratory under a 60 month lease which expires February 28, 2022. The operating lease includes escalating rental payments. The Company is recognizing the related rent expense on a straight line basis over the full 60 month term of the lease at the rate of approximately $13,000 per month. As of June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company has recorded a deferred rent liability of approximately $3,000 and $2,000, respectively.
 
The Company leases its office headquarters under a 60 month lease which expires June 30, 2020. The operating lease includes escalating rental payments. The Company is recognizing the related rent expense on a straight line basis over the full 60 month term of the lease at the rate approximately $8,000 per month. As of June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company has recorded a deferred rent liability of approximately $18,000.
 
As of June 30, 2017, material contractual obligations, consisting of operating lease payments are as follows:
 
Three months ending September 30, 2017
 $484,769 
Year ending September 30,
    
2018
  1,997,309 
2019
  2,066,329 
2020
  2,109,887 
2021
  2,099,785 
2022
  2,072,809 
Thereafter
  13,757,986 
Total
 $24,588,874 
 
The Company leases office equipment under a capital lease arrangement. The term of the capital lease is 60 months and expires on October 31, 2021. The monthly lease payment is $505. The lease bears interest at approximately 6.25% per annum. The Company’s previous equipment lease expired on September 30, 2016.
 
 
24
 
 
G.
PATENTS
 
During the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, no patent impairment charges were recorded. For the nine and three months ended June 30, 2017, amortization of patent costs totaled approximately $30,000 and $11,000, respectively. For the nine and three months ended June 30, 2016, amortization of patent costs totaled approximately $30,000 and $12,000, respectively. The total estimated future amortization expense is approximately as follows:
 
Three months ending September 30, 2017
 $9,248 
Year ending September 30,
    
2018
  36,660 
2019
  34,957 
2020
  31,763 
2021
  28,463 
2022
  24,661 
Thereafter
  65,897 
Total
 $231,649 
 
H. 
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
 
The following tables provide the details of the basic and diluted loss per-share (LPS) computations:
 
 
 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017 
 
 NetLoss 
 Weighted Average Shares 
 LPS 
 
   
   
   
Basic loss per share
 $(9,318,395)
  7,235,140 
 $(1.29)
Gain on derivatives (1)
  (413,651)
  57,575 
    
 
    
    
    
Dilutive loss per share
 $(9,732,046)
  7,292,715 
 $(1.33)
 
(1) Includes Series GG, HH, II, JJ and KK warrants.
 
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 
 
 NetLoss 
 Weighted Average Shares 
 LPS 
 
   
   
   
Basic and dilutive loss per share
 $(4,445,708)
  8,405,790 
 $(0.53)
 
 
 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016 
 
 NetLoss 
 Weighted Average Shares 
 LPS 
 
   
   
   
Basic and dilutive loss per share
 $(10,352,366)
  4,696,498 
 $(2.20)
 
 
25
 
 
 
 ThreeMonths Ended June 30, 2016 
 
 NetLoss 
 WeightedAverage Shares 
 LPS 
 
   
   
   
Basic and dilutive loss per share
 $(3,849,324)
  4,965,300 
 $(0.78)
 
The gain on derivatives priced lower than the average market price during the period is excluded from the numerator and the related shares are excluded from the denominator in calculating diluted loss per share.
 
In accordance with the contingently issuable shares guidance of FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, the calculation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share excludes the following securities because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive as of June 30:
 
 
 2017 
 2016 
 
   
   
Options and Warrants
  7,951,929 
  3,442,651 
Convertible Debt
  893,491 
  - 
Unvested Restricted Stock
  604,000 
  604,000 
Total
  9,449,420 
  4,046,651 
 
 
I.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On July 24, 2017, the Company issued convertible notes (Notes) in the aggregate principal amount of $1,235,000 to 12 individual investors. A trust in which Geert Kersten, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, holds a beneficial interest participated in the offering and purchased a note in the principal amount of $250,000. Patricia B. Prichep, the Company’s Senior Vice President of Operations, participated in the offering and purchased a note in the principal amount of $25,000. The Notes bear interest at 4% per year and are due on December 22, 2017. At the option of the note holders, the Notes can be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion rate of $2.29, the closing price on July 21, 2017. The purchasers of the convertible notes also received warrants which entitle the purchasers to acquire up to 539,300 shares of the Company’s common stock. The warrants are exercisable at a fixed price of $2.52 per share and expire on July 24, 2022. Shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants will be restricted securities unless registered.
 
On July 26, 2017, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with an investor whereby it sold 100,000 shares of its common stock for gross proceeds of $229,000, or $2.29 per share, in a registered offering.
 
In a concurrent private placement, the Company also issued to the purchaser of the Company’s common stock referred to in the preceding paragraph warrants (Series OO) to purchase 60,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The warrants can be exercised at a price of $2.52 per share, commencing six months after the date of issuance and ending five years after the date of issuance. The warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants were offered pursuant to the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder.
 
 
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The Company’s lead investigational therapy, Multikine® (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection), is cleared for a Phase 3 clinical trial in advanced primary head and neck cancer. Multikine has been cleared by the regulators in twenty four countries around the world, including the U.S. FDA.
 
On September 26, 2016, the Company received verbal notice from FDA that the Phase 3 clinical trial in advanced primary head and neck cancer has been placed on clinical hold. At such time, enrollment in the Phase 3 study was 928 patients. In accordance with the clinical hold, the Company is continuing to follow the 928 patients enrolled in the study, and this includes following patients until the targeted 298 deaths between the two comparison groups is observed. This number of deaths is required to evaluate if the study’s primary endpoint is achieved.
 
On October 21, 2016, the Company received a partial clinical hold letter from FDA and, on November 18, 2016, the Company submitted a response to FDA’s partial clinical hold letter.
 
In its partial clinical hold letter, FDA identified the following specific deficiencies: a) FDA stated that there is an unreasonable and significant risk of illness or injury to human subjects and cited among other things the absence of prompt reports by the Company to the FDA of IDMC recommendations to close the study entirely (made in spring of 2014) or at least to close it to accrual of new patients (made in spring of 2016); b) FDA stated that the investigator brochure is misleading, erroneous, and materially incomplete; and c) FDA stated that the plan or protocol is deficient in design to meet its stated objectives. In its partial clinical hold letter, FDA also identified the information needed to resolve these deficiencies. In addition, FDA’s partial clinical hold letter included two requests relating to quality information regarding the Company’s investigational final drug product, which were noted by FDA as non-hold issues. The Company believes that its response submitted to FDA on November 18, 2016, addressed each of the deficiencies identified by FDA including detailing its belief that, under the applicable FDA guidance, there was no obligation to report the cited IDMC recommendations to the FDA at the time they were issued, and it also requested a face-to-face meeting with FDA, and outlined the Company’s commitment to diligently work with FDA in an effort to have the clinical hold for the study lifted.
 
On December 8, 2016, FDA advised the Company that the FDA was denying the Company’s request for a meeting at that time because FDA’s review of the Company’s November 18, 2016 response was ongoing. The Company also was advised that the Company would be receiving a letter addressing its November 18, 2016 response by December 18, 2016.
 
 
27
 
 
On December 16, 2016, FDA issued an Incomplete Response To Hold letter to the Company indicating that based on the Agency’s preliminary review of the Company’s November 18, 2016 submission, FDA has determined that it is not a complete response to all of the issues listed in FDA’s clinical hold letter. FDA identified the following specific deficiencies: a) FDA stated that the Company did not provide the information identified as necessary to address FDA’s statement that patients enrolled in the study are exposed to unreasonable and significant risk of illness or injury to human subjects; b) FDA stated that the Company did not provide the information identified as necessary to address FDA’s statement that continued enrollment of patients in the study exposes the patients to unreasonable risks and FDA furthermore stated that the study is unlikely to demonstrate that the addition of the Company’s investigational drug Multikine to the standard of care is superior to standard of care and thus should be terminated for futility; (c) FDA stated that the Company did not provide the information identified as necessary to address FDA’s statement that the investigator brochure is misleading, erroneous, and materially incomplete; (d) FDA stated that the Company did not provide the information identified as necessary to address FDA’s statement that the proposed revised clinical protocol is inadequate in design to meet its stated objectives and FDA furthermore stated that this deficiency cannot be addressed by further revisions to the protocol. In its incomplete response to hold letter, FDA also identified the steps the Company must take to address these deficiencies. In addition, FDA’s incomplete response to hold letter noted with respect to FDA’s two requests relating to quality information regarding the Company’s investigational final drug product, which the Company had been instructed by FDA to submit separately from the response to the clinical hold, which again were noted by FDA as non-hold issues, that the Company’s November 18, 2016, submission had not included the information addressing these two requests.
 
In early January 2017, in preparation for the request for a Type A meeting with FDA and resolution of the clinical hold issues, the Company prepared a comprehensive submission to FDA detailing its belief, accompanied by what the Company believes to be appropriate supporting data, records, and information reflecting that the Company has taken the steps necessary to address the specific deficiencies identified by the FDA, including: a) demonstrating that patients enrolled in the study are not exposed to unreasonable and significant risk of illness or injury; b) demonstrating that continued enrollment of patients in the study does not expose the patients to unreasonable risks and that the study should not be terminated for futility; (c) demonstrating that a supplemented investigator brochure is not misleading, erroneous, or materially incomplete; (d) demonstrating that the proposed revised clinical protocol is adequate in design to meet its stated objectives and that this deficiency can be addressed by the proposed revisions to the protocol.
 
On February 8, 2017, the Company met with the FDA to allow an open and frank discussion of the clinical hold issues raised by the FDA and to secure the FDA’s input and clarification on how to address the hold issues. On March 1, 2017 the Company received the written minutes of this meeting from the FDA. The Action Items for the Company to pursue per the minutes from the FDA were the following: 1) provide an updated Investigator’s Brochure (IB) and current procedures for compliance with requirements under 21 CFR 312 Subpart D to address the clinical hold, and 2) provide a list of major protocol deviations, which the Company believes will affect study results, and provide a plan to identify major protocol deviations across all patients enrolled in the Phase 3 protocol.
 
 
28
 
 
In April 2017, the Company supplied the response to those Action Items to the FDA. In May 2017, the FDA’s response said that the study’s IB and the “Dear Investigator” letter needed to be revised. On June 28, 2017, the Company received a letter from the FDA in response to the Company's most recent June 2, 2017 submission. In this most recent letter, the FDA requested that three additional changes be made to the IB that the Company submitted to the FDA on June 2, 2017. The FDA provided instructions directing the Company on what the specific changes should be. The Company has made the requested changes and has resubmitted them. The FDA did not raise any other hold issues in this letter.
 
Subject to the clinical hold, the Company’s estimate that the total remaining cash cost of the Phase 3 clinical trial, excluding any costs that will be paid by our partners, would be approximately $21.2 million. This is in addition to the approximately $37.4 million that the Company already had spent on the trial as of June 30, 2017. This number may be affected by the rate of any future patient enrollment, if needed, rate of death accumulation in the study, foreign currency exchange rates, and many other factors, some of which cannot be foreseen today. It is therefore possible that the cost of the Phase 3 clinical trial will be higher than currently estimated. If FDA will only lift the clinical hold with termination of the current study and initiation of a new clinical trial, any such new trial can only be initiated if permitted by FDA and as appropriate other regulatory authorities around the world after the requisite submissions are made to them, and the additional duration and costs of the Phase 3 clinical program would likely exceed those already incurred in connection with the Phase 3 clinical trial. If there is a need to conduct an additional Phase 3 clinical trial, any such requirement would have significant and severe material consequences for the Company and could impact our ability to continue as a going concern.
 
Currently the Company is not looking to enroll additional patients. The Company will not be able to enroll any additional patients in the Phase 3 study unless FDA lifts the clinical hold. In addition, in the spring of 2016, the IDMC recommended to the Company that new patient enrollment should stop in the Phase 3 study, but patients already on study should continue to be treated and followed. Although the Company had expected to work through the concerns raised by the IDMC while the Company worked through the clinical hold with FDA, the IDMC informed the Company on December 13, 2016, that because the study is on clinical hold imposed by FDA, the IDMC has no formal recommendation regarding continuation of the trial at this time. Another IDMC meeting was held on February 6, 2017. Due to the fact that the study is still on clinical hold imposed by the FDA, the IDMC had no formal recommendation regarding continuation of the trial at that time. If the clinical hold is not lifted by FDA or if it is determined by FDA that the study has been compromised, the study may be terminated.
 
Multikine is also being used in a Phase I study at UCSF in HIV/HPV co-infected men and women with peri-anal warts.
 
Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) is the full name of this investigational therapy, which, for simplicity, is referred to in the remainder of this report as Multikine. Multikine is the trademark that the Company has registered for this investigational therapy, and this proprietary name is subject to FDA review in connection with the Company’s future anticipated regulatory submission for approval. Multikine has not been licensed or approved by the FDA or any other regulatory agency. Neither has its safety or efficacy been established for any use.
 
 
29
 
 
The Company also owns and is developing a pre-clinical technology called LEAPS (Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System).
 
All of the Company’s projects are under development. As a result, the Company cannot predict when it will be able to generate any revenue from the sale of any of its products.
 
Since inception, the Company has financed its operations through the sale of equity securities, convertible notes, loans and certain research grants. The Company’s expenses will continue to exceed its revenues as it continues the development of Multikine and brings other drug candidates into clinical trials. Until such time as the Company becomes profitable, any or all of these financing vehicles or others may be utilized to assist the Company’s capital requirements.
 
Capital raised by the Company has been expended primarily for patent applications, research and development, administrative costs, and the construction of the Company’s laboratory facilities. The Company does not anticipate realizing significant revenues until it enters into licensing arrangements regarding its technology and know-how or until it receives regulatory approval to sell its products (which could take a number of years). As a result the Company has been dependent upon the proceeds from the sale of its securities to meet all of its liquidity and capital requirements and anticipates having to do so in the future.
 
The Company will be required to raise additional capital or find additional long-term financing in order to continue with its research efforts. The ability to raise capital may be dependent upon market conditions that are outside the control of the Company. Additionally, the clinical hold may also impact the Company’s ability to attract new capital. The ability of the Company to complete the necessary clinical trials and obtain FDA approval for the sale of products to be developed on a commercial basis is uncertain. Ultimately, the Company must complete the development of its products, obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals and obtain sufficient revenues to support its cost structure. The Company is taking cost-cutting initiatives, as well as exploring other sources of funding to finance operations over the next 12 months. However there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to raise sufficient capital to support its operations.
 
In April 2013, the Company announced that it had replaced the CRO running its Phase 3 clinical trial. This was necessary since the patient enrollment in the study dropped off substantially following a takeover of the CRO which caused most of the members of the CRO’s study team to leave the CRO. The Company announced that it had hired two CRO’s who will manage the global Phase 3 study; ICON and Ergomed, who are both international leaders in managing oncology trials. Both CRO’s helped the Company expand the trial to over 80 clinical sites globally. As of June 30, 2017, the study has enrolled 928 patients.
 
Under a co-development agreement, Ergomed will contribute up to $12 million towards the study where it will perform clinical services in exchange for a single digit percentage of milestone and royalty payments, up to a specified maximum amount, only from sales for head and neck cancer. Ergomed, a privately-held firm headquartered in Europe with global operations, has entered into numerous similar co-development agreements. Ergomed was responsible for new patient enrollment.
 
 
30
 
 
During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company’s cash decreased by approximately $1.7 million.  Significant components of this decrease include net proceeds from the sale of the Company’s stock of approximately $7.2 million and proceeds from the issuance of $1.5 million in notes payable, offset by net cash used to fund the Company’s regular operations, including its Phase 3 clinical trial, of approximately $10.4 million. During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, the Company’s cash decreased by approximately $500,000.  Significant components of this decrease include net proceeds from the sale of the Company’s stock of approximately $16.8 million offset by net cash used to fund the Company’s regular operations, including its Phase 3 clinical trial, of approximately $16.2 million, the approximate $1.1 million repayment of the related party loan.
  
On June 22, 2017, the Company issued convertible notes (Notes) in the aggregate principal amount of $1.51 million to six individual investors. The Notes bear interest at 4% per year and are due on December 22, 2017. At the option of the note holders, the Notes can be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion rate of $1.69. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued upon conversion will be determined by dividing the principal amount to be converted by $1.69, which could result in the issuance of 893,491 shares, subject to a proportionate adjustment in the event of any stock split or capital reorganization. The Notes are secured by a first lien on all of the Company’s assets. The Notes were issued together with Series MM warrants, which entitle the purchasers to acquire up to an aggregate of 893,491 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Series MM warrants are exercisable at a fixed price of $1.86 per share and expire on June 22, 2022. Shares issuable upon the exercise of the notes and warrants will be restricted securities unless registered. Proceeds from the sale of notes payable and the issuance of the warrants were $1.51 million.
 
On April 30, 2017, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor whereby it sold 527,960 shares of its common stock for net proceeds of approximately $1.4 million, or $2.875 per share, in a registered direct offering. In a concurrent private placement, the Company also issued to the purchaser of the Company’s common stock, Series KK warrants to purchase 395,970 shares of common stock. The warrants can be exercised at a price of $3.04 per share, commencing six months after the date of issuance and ending five and a half years after the date of issuance. In addition, the Company agreed to issue 26,398 Series LL warrants to the Placement Agent as part of its compensation. The Series LL warrants are exercisable on October 30, 2017 and expire on April 30, 2022 at a price of $3.59 per share.
 
On March 14, 2017, the Company sold 600,000 registered shares of common stock and 600,000 Series II warrants to purchase 600,000 unregistered shares of common stock at combined offering price of $2.50 per share.  The Series II warrants have an exercise price of $3.00 per share, are exercisable on September 14, 2017, and expire September 14, 2022. In addition, the Company issued 30,000 Series JJ warrants to purchase 30,000 shares of unregistered common stock to the placement agent. The Series JJ warrants have an exercise price $3.13, are exercisable on September 14, 2017 and expire on March 8, 2022. The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1.3 million.
 
 
31
 
 
On February 23, 2017, the Company sold 400,000 registered shares of common stock and 400,000 Series GG warrants to purchase 400,000 unregistered shares of common stock at a combined price of $2.50 per share.  The Series GG warrants have an exercise price of $3.00 per share, are exercisable on August 23, 2017, and expire August 23, 2022. In addition, the Company issued 20,000 Series HH warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of unregistered common stock to the placement agent. The Series HH warrants have an exercise price $3.13, are exercisable on August 23, 2017 and expire on February 16, 2022. The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $0.8 million.
 
On December 8, 2016, the Company sold 1,360,960 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock at a price of $3.13 in a public offering. The warrants consist of 680,480 Series CC warrants to purchase 680,480 shares of common stock, 1,360,960 Series DD warrants to purchase 1,360,960 shares of common stock and 1,360,960 Series EE warrants to purchase 1,360,960 shares of common stock. The Series CC warrants are immediately exercisable, expire in five-years and have an exercise price of $5.00 per share. The Series DD warrants are immediately exercisable, expire in six-months and have an exercise price of $4.50 per share. The Series EE warrants are immediately exercisable, expire in nine-months and have an exercise price of $4.50 per share. In addition, the Company issued 68,048 Series FF warrants to purchase 68,048 shares of common stock to the placement agent. The FF warrants are exercisable at any time on or after June 8, 2017 and expire on December 1, 2021 and have an exercise price $3.91. The net proceeds to CEL-SCI from this offering were approximately $3.7 million, excluding any future proceeds that may be received from the exercise of the warrants.
 
Inventory decreased by approximately $351,000 at June 30, 2017 as compared to September 30, 2016, due to the timing of supplies purchased and used in the manufacturing of Multikine for the Phase 3 clinical trial. In addition, receivables decreased by approximately $123,000, primarily due to the timing of payments reimbursed under the litigation funding arrangement noted above.
 
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
 
During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, research and development expenses increased by approximately $101,000 compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2016. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, research and development expenses decreased by approximately $1.2 million compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016. The Company is continuing the Phase 3 clinical trial subject to the clinical hold, and research and development fluctuates based on the activity level of the clinical trial.
 
During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $361,000, compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2016. This increase is primarily due to an approximate $1.1 million gain on de-recognition of legal fees to record the transfer of the liability from the Company to Lake Whillans that existed prior to the execution of the financing agreement. The gain on de-recognition of legal fees is recorded as a reduction of general and administrative expenses in the nine months ended June 30, 2016. The remaining difference is due to an approximate $728,000 decrease in employee and non-employee stock compensation due to the decrease in the market value of the common stock and fewer shares issued to non-employees in the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and approximately $11,000 in net other reductions of general and administrative expenses.
 
 
32
 
 
The gains on derivative instruments of approximately $9.7 million and $8.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were the result of the change in fair value of the derivative liabilities during the respective periods. These changes were caused by fluctuations in the share price of the Company’s common stock. The gains on derivative instruments of approximately $0.8 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were the results of the changes in fair value of the derivative liabilities during the respective periods. These changes were caused by fluctuations in the share price of the Company’s common stock.
 
Net interest income was approximately $45,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2017, and consisted of interest income earned on the Company’s cash balances. Net interest expense was approximately $1,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017, and consisted of interest income earned on the Company’s cash balances, offset by approximately $21,000 in amortization of the debt discount on notes payables. Net interest income was approximately $49,000 and $25,000 for the nine and three months ended June 30, 2016, and consisted of interest expense on the related party loan of approximately $29,000 and $0, respectively, offset by interest income of approximately $78,000 and $25,000, earned on the Company’s cash balances.
 
Research and Development Expenses
 
The Company’s research and development efforts involve Multikine and LEAPS. The table below shows the research and development expenses associated with each project.
 
 
 Nine months ended June 30, 
 Three months ended June 30, 
 
 2017 
 2016 
 2017 
 2016 
MULTIKINE
 $14,471,768 
 $14,344,946 
 $3,567,897 
 $4,743,319 
LEAPS
  265,305 
  291,251 
  89,103 
  94,789 
TOTAL
 $14,737,073 
 $14,636,197 
 $3,657,000 
 $4,838,108 
 
Clinical and other studies necessary to obtain regulatory approval of a new drug involve significant costs and require several years to complete. The extent of the Company’s clinical trials and research programs are primarily based upon the amount of capital available to the Company and the extent to which the Company has received regulatory approvals for clinical trials. The inability of the Company to conduct clinical trials or research, whether due to a lack of capital or regulatory approval, will prevent the Company from completing the studies and research required to obtain regulatory approval for any products which the Company is developing. Without regulatory approval, the Company will be unable to sell any of its products. Since all of the Company’s projects are under development, the Company cannot predict when it will be able to generate any revenue from the sale of any of its products.
 
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
 
Management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based on its unaudited condensed financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements is based on the selection of accounting policies and the application of significant accounting estimates, some of which require management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes. The Company believes some of the more critical estimates and policies that affect its financial condition and results of operations are in the areas of operating leases and stock-based compensation. For more information regarding the Company’s critical accounting estimates and policies, see Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and 10-K/A for the year ended September 30, 2016. The application of these critical accounting policies and estimates has been discussed with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
 
33
 
 
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS
 
The Company does not believe that it has any significant exposures to market risk.
 
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the direction and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, the Company has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2017. The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide a reasonable level of assurance of reaching its desired disclosure control objectives. Based on the evaluation, the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2017.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated whether any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the first nine months of fiscal year 2017. There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the nine months ended June 30, 2017.
 
 
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PART II
 
.
 
 
Item 6. (a) Exhibits
 
Number              
Exhibit
 
31               
Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications
 
32    
Section 1350 Certifications
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35
 
 
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.
 
 
CEL-SCI CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
Date: August 9, 2017
By:  
/s/  Geert Kersten
 
 
 
Geert Kersten 
 
 
 
Principal Executive Officer* 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
* Also signing in the capacity of the Principal Accounting and Financial Officer.
 
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