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EX-32 - CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 18 U.S.C. PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANE - AzurRx BioPharma, Inc.ex32-1.htm
EX-31 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) CERTIFICATIONS SECTION 302 OF - AzurRx BioPharma, Inc.ex31-2.htm
EX-31 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) CERTIFICATIONS SECTION 302 OF - AzurRx BioPharma, Inc.ex31-1.htm
EX-10 - 2020 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN - AzurRx BioPharma, Inc.ex10-4.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 September 30, 2020
 
OR
 
[  ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OF 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
From the transition period from               to              
 
Commission File Number 001-37853
 
AZURRX BIOPHARMA, INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
46-4993860
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
760 Parkside Avenue
Downstate Biotechnology Incubator, Suite 304
Brooklyn, New York 11226
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(646) 699-7855
(Issuer’s telephone number)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X]    No [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Sec.232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes [X]    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.
 
Large accelerated filer
[   ]
Accelerated filer
[   ]
Non-accelerated filer
[X] 
Smaller reporting company
[X]
 
Emerging growth company 
[X]
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [    ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [   ]    No [X]
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
AZRX
Nasdaq Capital Market
 
As of November 13, 2020, there were 30,412,100 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.0001 par value, (“Common Stock”) issued and outstanding.
  
 
 

 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
PART I
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM  1.   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. We have condensed such financial statements in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Therefore, such financial statements do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, the Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued by filing with the SEC.
 
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 included in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2020.
 
The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
AZURRX BIOPHARMA, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 $11,368,680 
 $175,796 
Other receivables
  20,688 
  2,637,303 
Prepaid expenses
  148,604 
  595,187 
Total Current Assets
  11,537,972 
  3,408,286 
 
    
    
Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements, net
  54,070 
  77,391 
 
    
    
Other Assets:
    
    
 Patents, net
  3,011,423 
  3,407,084 
 Goodwill
  1,968,519 
  1,886,686 
 Operating lease right-of-use assets
  104,196 
  82,386 
 Deposits
  45,841 
  41,047 
Total Other Assets
  5,129,979 
  5,417,203 
Total Assets
 $16,722,021 
 $8,902,880 
 
    
    
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
    
    
Current Liabilities:
    
    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 $1,686,003 
 $1,754,682 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses - related party
  38,453 
  533,428 
Note payable
  - 
  444,364 
Accrued Dividends Payable
  408,043 
  - 
Convertible debt
  - 
  1,076,938 
Other current liabilities
  492,815 
  476,224 
Total Current Liabilities
  2,625,314 
  4,285,636 
 
    
    
Other liabilities
  31,469 
  - 
Total Liabilities
  2,656,783 
  4,285,636 
 
    
    
Stockholders' Equity:
    
    
Common stock - Par value $0.0001 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 28,881,984 and 26,800,519 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
  2,888 
  2,680 
Series B preferred stock- Par value $0.0001 per share; 5,194.805195 shares authorized; 2,878.455557 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
  - 
  - 
Additional paid-in capital
  93,239,704 
  68,575,851 
Accumulated deficit
  (77,965,806)
  (62,694,732)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  (1,211,548)
  (1,266,555)
Total Stockholders' Equity
  14,065,238 
  4,617,244 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 $16,722,021 
 $8,902,880 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
 
AZURRX BIOPHARMA, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (unaudited)
 
 
 
Three Months
 
 
Three Months
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
Ended
 
 
Ended
 
 
Ended
 
 
Ended
 
 
 
09/30/20
 
 
09/30/19
 
 
09/30/20
 
 
09/30/19
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development expenses
 $1,795,684 
 $2,221,933 
 $4,438,229 
 $7,927,907 
General and administrative expenses
  1,916,250 
  1,860,141 
  4,595,860 
  5,690,001 
 
    
    
    
    
Loss from operations
  (3,711,934)
  (4,082,074)
  (9,034,089)
  (13,617,908)
 
    
    
    
    
Other:
    
    
    
    
   Interest expense
  (1,203,404)
  (110,398)
  (5,838,417)
  (278,155)
   Gain (Loss) on Settlement
  211,430 
    
  211,430 
    
   Gain (Loss) on Debt Extinguishment
  (609,998)
    
  (609,998)
    
Total other
  (1,601,972)
  (110,398)
  (6,236,985)
  (278,155)
 
    
    
    
    
Loss before income taxes
  (5,313,906)
  (4,192,472)
  (15,271,074)
  (13,896,063)
 
    
    
    
    
Income taxes
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 
    
    
    
    
Net loss
  (5,313,906)
  (4,192,472)
  (15,271,074)
  (13,896,063)
 
    
    
    
    
Other comprehensive loss:
    
    
    
    
  Foreign currency translation adjustment
  108,712 
  (138,241)
  (55,007)
  (207,034)
Total comprehensive loss
 $(5,205,194)
 $(4,330,713)
 $(15,326,081)
 $(14,103,097)
 
    
    
    
    
Net loss
 $(5,313,906)
 $(4,192,472)
 $(15,271,074)
 $(13,896,063)
  Deemed dividend of preferred stock
  (8,155,212)
  - 
  (8,155,212)
  - 
Net loss applicable to common stockholders
  (13,469,118)
  (4,192,472)
  (23,426,286)
  (13,896,063)
 
    
    
    
    
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding
  28,518,835 
  24,962,691 
  27,828,235 
  21,080,701 
 
    
    
    
    
Net loss per share - basic and diluted
 $(0.47)
 $(0.17)
 $(0.84)
 $(0.66)
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
AZURRX BIOPHARMA, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (unaudited)
 
 
 
 Convertible
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Preferred Stock
 
 
 Common Stock
 
 
Paid In
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
Comprehensive
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
Capital
 
 
Deficit
 
 
Loss
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2019
  - 
 $- 
  17,704,925 
 $1,771 
 $53,139,259 
 $(47,517,046)
 $(1,150,112)
 $4,473,872 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Common stock issued from public offerings
    
    
  7,522,097 
  752 
  9,491,265 
    
    
  9,492,017 
Common stock issued to consultants
    
    
  62,158 
  6 
  112,494 
    
    
  112,500 
Common stock issued to Mayoly for patents
    
    
  775,931 
  77 
  1,740,882 
    
    
  1,740,959 
Stock-based compensation
    
    
    
    
  541,725 
    
    
  541,725 
Restricted stock granted to employees/directors
    
    
  90,000 
  9 
  556,879 
    
    
  556,888 
Warrant modification
    
    
    
    
  325,320 
    
    
  325,320 
Received from stockholder in relation to warrant modification
    
    
    
    
  61,590 
    
    
  61,590 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    
    
    
    
    
    
  (207,034)
  (207,034)
Net loss
    
    
    
    
    
  (13,896,063)
    
  (13,896,063)
Balance, September 30, 2019
  - 
 $- 
  26,155,111 
 $2,615 
 $65,969,414 
 $(61,413,109)
 $(1,357,146)
 $3,201,774 

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Balance, January 1, 2020
  - 
 $- 
  26,800,519 
 $2,680 
 $68,575,851 
 $(62,694,732)
 $(1,266,555)
 $4,617,244 
Issuance of Series B preferred stock and warrants for cash, conversion of promissory notes, net of offering costs
  2,912 
  - 
    
    
  14,460,155 
    
    
  14,460,155 
Warrants issued in connection with Series B convertible preferred stock private placement
    
    
    
    
  5,952,516 
    
    
  5,952,516 
Warrants issued as inducement to exchange promissory notes into Series B convertible preferred stock private placement
    
    
    
    
  986,526 
    
    
  986,526 
Beneficial conversion feature of Series B preferred stock
    
    
    
    
  8,155,212 
    
    
  8,155,212 
Deemed dividend of preferred stock
    
    
    
    
  (8,155,212)
    
    
  (8,155,212)
Accrued dividends on Series B preferred stock
    
    
    
    
  (412,829)
    
    
  (412,829)
Deemed dividend related to exchange of promissory notes into Series B preferred stock
    
    
    
    
  (1,129,742)
    
    
  (1,129,742)
Conversion of Series B preferred shares into common stock
  (34)
  - 
  341,274 
  34 
  (34)
    
    
  - 
Issuance of common stock for accrued dividends upon conversion of Series B preferred stock
    
    
  6,214 
  1 
  4,785 
    
    
  4,786 
Common stock issued to settle accounts payable
    
    
  105,937 
  11 
  131,126 
    
    
  131,137 
Common stock issued to Lincoln Park for Equity Purchase agreement
    
    
  1,495,199 
  149 
  988,199 
    
    
  988,348 
Warrants issued in association with convertible debt issuance
    
    
    
    
  1,252,558 
    
    
  1,252,558 
Beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt issuances
    
    
    
    
  1,838,422 
    
    
  1,838,422 
Common stock issued to consultants
    
    
  132,841 
  13 
  109,592 
    
    
  109,605 
Settlement with former chief executive officer
    
    
    
    
  85,770 
    
    
  85,770 
Stock-based compensation
    
    
    
    
  396,809 
    
    
  396,809 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    
    
    
    
  - 
    
  55,007 
  55,007 
Net loss
    
    
    
    
    
  (15,271,074)
    
  (15,271,074)
Balance, September 30, 2020
  2,878 
 $- 
  28,881,984 
 $2,888 
 $93,239,704 
 $(77,965,806)
 $(1,211,548)
 $14,065,238 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
AZURRX BIOPHARMA, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) 
 
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
Ended
 
 
Ended
 
 
 
09/30/20
 
 
09/30/19
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Net loss
 $(15,271,074)
 $(13,896,063)
   Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
    
    
         Depreciation
  26,556 
  51,261 
         Amortization
  395,661 
  825,063 
         Non-cash lease expense
  (4,855)
  (3,218)
         Common stock issued to settle accounts payable for board fees
  131,137 
  - 
         Stock-based compensation
  369,517 
  541,725 
         Restricted stock granted to employees/directors
  27,292 
  556,888 
         Common stock granted to consultants
  109,605 
  112,500 
         Accreted interest on convertible debt
  234,334 
  124,932 
         Accretion of debt discount
  4,580,167 
  147,461 
         Loss on debt extinguishment
  609,998 
  - 
         Gain on settlement
  (211,430)
  - 
         Beneficial conversion feature related to promissory note exchange
  798,413 
  - 
     Changes in assets and liabilities:
    
    
         Accounts receivables
  (220,094)
  - 
         Other receivables
  2,121,336 
  (261,981)
         Prepaid expenses
  446,766 
  420,218 
         Deposits
  (4,180)
  (4,125)
         Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  90,147 
  601,096 
         Accrued dividends payable
  408,043 
  - 
         Other liabilities
  31,104 
  (23,274)
Net cash used in operating activities
  (5,331,557)
  (10,807,517)
 
    
    
Cash flows from investing activities:
    
    
     Purchase of property and equipment
  (2,808)
  (17,243)
Net cash used in investing activities
  (2,808)
  (17,243)
 
    
    
Cash flows from financing activities:
    
    
     Proceeds from issuance of notes payable, net
  179,408 
  - 
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
  988,348 
  9,492,016 
     Proceeds from issuance of convertible debt, net
  3,227,002 
  2,000,000 
     Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net
  13,197,740 
  - 
     Received from stockholder in relation to warrant modification
  - 
  61,590 
     Repayments of convertible debt
  (475,000)
  - 
     Repayments of note payable
  (623,772)
  (255,032)
Net cash provided by financing activities
  16,493,726 
  11,298,574 
 
    
    
Increase in cash
  11,159,361 
  473,814 
 
    
    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
  33,523 
  (38,332)
 
    
    
Cash, beginning balance
  175,796 
  1,114,343 
 
    
    
Cash, ending balance
 $11,368,680 
 $1,549,825 
 
    
    
 
    
    
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
    
    
     Cash paid for interest
 $105,460 
 $5,762 
 
    
    
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
    
    
 
    
    
   Common stock issued for patents purchased from Mayoly
 $- 
 $1,740,959 
   Warrant modification related to convertible debt issuance
 $- 
 $325,320 
   Deemed dividend on preferred stock
 $8,155,212 
 $- 
   Accrued dividends on preferred stock
 $408,043 
 $- 
   Exchange of promissory notes into preferred stock and warrants
 $609,998 
 $- 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation
 
Description of Business
 
AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. (“AzurRx” or “Parent”) was incorporated on January 30, 2014 in the State of Delaware. In June 2014, AzurRx acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of AzurRx SAS (formerly, ProteaBio Europe SAS), a company incorporated in October 2008 under the laws of France. AzurRx and its wholly-owned subsidiary, AzurRx SAS (“ABS”), are collectively referred to as the “Company.”
 
The Company is engaged in the research and development of non-systemic biologics for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Non-systemic biologics are non-absorbable drugs that act locally, i.e. the intestinal lumen, skin or mucosa, without reaching an individual’s systemic circulation.
 
The Company is currently focused on developing its lead drug candidate, MS1819, a yeast derived recombinant lipase for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (“EPI”) associated with cystic fibrosis (“CF”) and chronic pancreatitis (“CP”). MS1819, supplied as an oral non-systemic biologic capsule, is derived from the Yarrowia lipolytica yeast lipase and breaks up fat molecules in the digestive tract of EPI patients so that they can be absorbed as nutrients. Unlike the standard of care, the MS1819 synthetic lipase does not contain any animal products.
 
The Company is currently conducting two Phase 2 clinical trials of MS1819: the OPTION 2 monotherapy trial in the U.S. and Europe, and the Combination therapy trial in Europe, consisting of MS1819 in conjunction with porcine-derived pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, the current standard of care.
  
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019, has been derived from audited financial statements of that date. The unaudited interim consolidated results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may occur for the full fiscal year. Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to instructions, rules, and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company believes that the disclosures provided herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading when these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes previously distributed in our Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2020.
 
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AzurRx and its wholly-owned subsidiary, AzurRx SAS. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
 
Going Concern Uncertainty
 
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $78.0 million at September 30, 2020. The Company is dependent on obtaining, and continues to pursue, additional working capital funding from the sale of securities and debt in order to continue to execute its development plan and continue operations. Without adequate working capital, the Company may not be able to meet its obligations and continue as a going concern. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
 
Our primary sources of liquidity come from capital raises through additional equity and/or debt financings. This may be impacted by the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic, which is evolving and could negatively impact our ability to raise additional capital in the future.
 
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Use of Estimates
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and include certain estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements (including goodwill, intangible assets and contingent consideration), and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, including contingencies. Accordingly, actual results may differ from those estimates.
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less from date of purchase to be cash equivalents. All cash balances were highly liquid at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash. The Company primarily maintains its cash balances with financial institutions in federally insured accounts in the U.S. The Company may from time to time have cash in banks in excess of FDIC insurance limits. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had approximately $11.1 million and $0, respectively, in one account in the U.S. in excess of these limits. The Company has not experienced any losses to date resulting from this practice. The Company mitigates its risk by maintaining the majority of its cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions.
 
The Company also has exposure to foreign currency risk as its subsidiary in France has a functional currency in Euros.
 
Debt Instruments
 
Detachable warrants issued in conjunction with debt are measured at their relative fair value, if they are determined to be equity instrument, or their fair value, if they are determined to be liability instruments, and recorded as a debt discount.  Conversion features that are in the money at the commitment date constitute a beneficial conversion feature that is measured at its intrinsic value and recognized as debt discount. Debt discount is amortized as interest expense over the maturity period of the debt using the effective interest method. Contingent beneficial conversion features are recognized when the contingency has been resolved.
 
Debt Issuance Costs
 
Debt issuance costs are recorded as a direct reduction of the carrying amount of the related debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized over the maturity period of the related debt instrument using the effective interest method.
 
Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees
 
Equity-based payments to non-employees are measured at fair value on the grant date per ASU No. 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), which among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
 
As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy has been established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
 
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2: Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
 
Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions, which reflect those that a market participant would use.
 
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is 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 in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.
 
The Company recognizes transfers between levels as if the transfers occurred on the last day of the reporting period.
 
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
For foreign subsidiaries with operations denominated in a foreign currency, assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency, at period end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the periods presented. Gains and losses from translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of the acquired business over the fair value of amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate impairment may be present. Any excess in carrying value over the estimated fair value is charged to results of operations. The Company has not recognized any impairment charges through September 30, 2020.
 
Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of in process research and development, license agreements, and patents reported at the fair value at date of the acquisition less accumulated amortization. Amortization expense is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
 
Patents                                                           7.2 years
In Process Research & Development            12 years
License Agreements                                        5 years
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for potential impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”). Potential impairment is assessed when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered. Recoverability of these assets is assessed based on undiscounted expected future cash flows from the assets, considering a number of factors, including past operating results, budgets and economic projections, market trends and product development cycles. If impairments are identified, assets are written down to their estimated fair value. The Company has not recognized any impairment charges through September 30, 2020.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are recorded in accordance with ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. The Company determines its deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, which are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
 
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit will more likely than not be realized. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company does not have any significant uncertain tax positions. All tax years are still open for audit.
 
Leases
 
Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases.” This ASU requires substantially all leases be recorded on the balance sheet as right of use assets and lease obligations. The Company adopted the ASU using a modified retrospective adoption method at January 1, 2019, as outlined in ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases - Targeted Improvements.” Under this method of adoption, there is no impact to the comparative condensed consolidated statements of operations and condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company determined that there was no cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings on the consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed carryforward of historical lease classifications. Adoption of this standard did not materially impact the Company’s results of operations and had no impact on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
 
 
Research and Development
 
Research and development (“R&D”) costs are charged to operations when incurred and are included in operating expense. R&D costs consist principally of compensation of employees and consultants that perform the Company’s research and development and clinical activities, the fees paid to maintain the Company’s licenses, and the payments to third parties for manufacturing drug supply and clinical trials, laboratory and other supply expenses and amortization of intangible assets.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) and stockholders have adopted and approved the Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) which took effect on May 12, 2014, and the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, which took effect on September 11, 2020 (the “2020 Plan”). From the effective date of the 2020 Plan, no new awards have been or will be made under the 2014 Plan. The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation awards to employees and Board members in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires all stock-based payments to employees and Board members, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the statements of operations by measuring the fair value of the award on the date of grant and recognizing this fair value as stock-based compensation using a straight-line method over the requisite service period, generally the vesting period.
 
For awards with performance conditions that affect their vesting, such as the occurrence of certain transactions or the achievement of certain operating or financial milestones, recognition of fair value of the award occurs when vesting becomes probable.
 
The Company estimates the grant date fair value of stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The use of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires management to make assumptions with respect to the expected term of the option, the expected volatility of the Common Stock consistent with the expected life of the option, risk-free interest rates and expected dividend yields of the Common Stock.
 
Sublicense Agreement
 
As more fully discussed in Note 14, the Company entered into a sublicense agreement with TransChem, Inc. (“TransChem”), pursuant to which TransChem granted the Company an exclusive license to certain patents and patent applications. Any payments made to TransChem in connection with this sublicense agreement are recorded as R&D expense.
 
Subsequent Events
 
The Company considered events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date but prior to the date the consolidated financial statements are available to be issued for potential recognition or disclosure in its consolidated financial statements.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. This new guidance will be applied prospectively and is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. This ASU, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2020, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting pronouncement (ASU 2020-06) related to the measurement and disclosure requirements for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity's own equity. The pronouncement simplifies and adds disclosure requirements for the accounting and measurement of convertible instruments and the settlement assessment for contracts in an entity's own equity. As a smaller reporting company, as defined by the SEC, this pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on the financial statements.
 
 
Note 3 - Fair Value Disclosures
 
Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability assuming an orderly transaction in the most advantageous market at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework that prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in measuring fair value.
 
The fair value of the Company's financial instruments are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measured a
Reporting Date Using
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying Amount
 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
 
Fair Value
 
At September 30, 2020:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 $11,368,680 
$
 
 $11,368,680 
$
 
 $11,368,680 
Other receivables
 $20,688 
 
 
 
 $  
 $20,688 
 $20,688 
 
    
 
 
 
    
    
    
At December 31, 2019:
    
 
 
 
    
    
    
Cash
 $175,796 
 $- 
 $175,796 
 $- 
 $175,796 
Other receivables
 $2,637,303 
 $- 
 $- 
 $2,637,303 
 $2,637,303 
Note payable
 $444,364 
 $- 
 $- 
 $444,364 
 $444,364 
Convertible debt
 $1,076,938 
 $- 
 $- 
 $1,076,938 
 $1,076,938 
 
At September 30, 2020, the fair value of other receivables approximates carrying value as these consist primarily of refundable tax credits.
 
At December 31, 2019, the fair value of other receivables approximates carrying value as these consist primarily of French R&D tax credits that are normally received the following year.
 
The fair value of the note payable in connection with the financing of directors and officer’s liability insurance approximates carrying value due to the terms of such instruments and applicable interest rates.
 
The convertible debt is based on its fair value less unamortized debt discount plus accrued interest through the date of reporting (see Note 9).
 
Note 4 - Other Receivables
 
Other receivables consisted of the following:
 
 
September 30,
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
R&D tax credits
 $- 
 $2,566,281 
Other
  20,688 
  71,022 
Total other receivables
 $20,688 
 $2,637,303 
 
At September 30, 2020, the R&D tax credits were comprised of a portion of the 2019 refundable tax credits for research conducted in France.
 
At December 31, 2019, the R&D tax credits were comprised of the 2017, 2018, and 2019 refundable tax credits for research conducted in France. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company received both the 2017 and 2018 and partial 2019 refundable tax credits totaling approximately $2,289,096. At December 31, 2019, Other consisted of amounts due from U.S. R&D tax credits.
 

 
 
-10-
 
Note 5 - Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
 
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements consisted of the following:
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
Laboratory equipment
 $193,661 
 $193,661 
Computer equipment
  77,850 
  74,836 
Office equipment
  36,703 
  36,703 
Leasehold improvements
  29,162 
  35,711 
Total property, plant and equipment
  337,376 
  340,911 
Less accumulated depreciation
  (283,306)
  (263,520)
Property, plant and equipment, net
 $54,070 
 $77,391 
 
Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $8,188 and $17,220, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $26,556 and $51,261, respectively.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2020, $4,881 of depreciation is included in R&D expense and $3,307 of depreciation is included in G&A expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, $14,372 of depreciation is included in R&D expense and $12,184 of depreciation is included in G&A expense.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2019, $11,842 of depreciation has been reclassified to R&D expense and $5,149 of depreciation remains in G&A expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, $35,442 of depreciation is included in R&D expense and $15,343 of depreciation is included in G&A expense.
 
Note 6 - Intangible Assets and Goodwill
 
Patents
 
Pursuant to the Mayoly APA entered into on March 27, 2019, in which the Company purchased all rights, title and interest in and to MS1819 (see Note 14), the Company recorded Patents in the amount of $3,802,745 as follows:
 
Common stock issued at signing to Mayoly
 $1,740,959 
Due to Mayoly at 12/31/19 - €400,000
  449,280 
Due to Mayoly at 12/31/20 - €350,000
  393,120 
Assumed Mayoly liabilities and forgiveness of Mayoly debt
  1,219,386 
 
 $3,802,745 
 
Intangible assets are as follows:
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
Patents
 $3,802,745 
 $3,802,745 
Less accumulated amortization
  (791,322)
  (395,661)
Patents, net
 $3,011,423 
 $3,407,084 
 
Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $131,887 and $131,887, respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $395,661 and $825,063, respectively.
 
Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 included $384,234 from In process research and development and License agreements written off as a result of the Mayoly APA.
 
 
-11-
 
As of September 30, 2020, amortization expense related to patents is expected to be as follows for the next five years (2020 through 2025):
 
2020 (balance of year)
 $395,661 
2021
  527,548 
2022
  527,548 
2023
  527,548 
2024
  527,548 
2025
  527,548 
 
Goodwill is as follows:
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
Balance at January 1, 2019
 $1,924,830 
Foreign currency translation
  (38,144)
Balance at December 31, 2019
  1,886,686 
Foreign currency translation
  81,833 
Balance at September 30, 2020
 $1,968,519 
 
Note 7 - Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
Trade payables
 $1,422,066 
 $1,683,505 
Accrued expenses
  263,937 
  71,177 
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses
 $1,686,003 
 $1,754,682 
 
At September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, trade payables included $0, and $1,683,505, respectively, due to related parties.
 
Note 8 - Notes Payable
 
Directors and Officer’s Liability Insurance
 
On December 5, 2019, the Company entered into a 9-month financing agreement for its directors and officer’s liability insurance in the amount of $498,783 that bears interest at an annual rate of 5.461%. Monthly payments, including principal and interest, are $56,689 per month. The balance due under this financing agreement at September 30, 2020 was $0.
 
CARES ACT PPP Loan
 
In April 2020, the Company applied for and received a CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan of $179,418 through the Small Business Administration (SBA). In May 2020, the Company returned the loan of $179,418 after analysis of the updated guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the SBA regarding the eligibility for such loans.
 
Note 9 – Convertible Notes
 
ADEC Notes
 
On February 14, 2019, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “ADEC NPA”) with ADEC Private Equity Investments, LLC (“ADEC”), pursuant to which the Company issued to ADEC two Senior Convertible Notes (“Note A” and “Note B,” respectively, each an “ADEC Note,” and together, the “ADEC Notes”), in the principal amount of $1,000,000 per ADEC Note, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $2,000,000 (the “ADEC Note Offering”). ADEC is controlled by a significant stockholder of the Company.
 
 
-12-
 
The ADEC Notes accrued interest at a rate of 10% per annum; provided, however, that in the event the Company should elect to repay the full balance due under the terms of both ADEC Notes prior to December 31, 2019, then the interest rate would be reduced to 6% per annum. Interest would be payable at the time all outstanding principal amounts owed under each ADEC Note were repaid. The ADEC Notes were scheduled to mature on the earlier to occur of (i) the tenth business day following the receipt by ABS of certain tax credits that the Company expects to receive prior to July 2019 in the case of Note A (the “2019 Tax Credit”) and July 2020 in the case of Note B (the “2020 Tax Credit”), respectively, or (ii) December 31, 2019 in the case of Note A and December 31, 2020 in the Case of Note B (the “Maturity Dates”). As a condition to entering into the ADEC NPA, ABS and ADEC also entered into a Pledge Agreement, pursuant to which ABS agreed to pledge an interest in each of the 2019 Tax Credit and 2020 Tax Credit to ADEC in order to guarantee payment of all amounts due under the terms of the ADEC Notes.
 
Each of the ADEC Notes was convertible, at ADEC’s option, into shares of Common Stock, at a conversion price equal to $2.50 per share; provided, however, that pursuant to the term of the ADEC Notes, ADEC could not convert all or a portion of the ADEC Notes if such conversion would result in the significant stockholder and/or entities affiliated with him beneficially owning in excess of 19.99% of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the shares issuable upon conversion of the ADEC Notes (the “ADEC Note Conversion Shares”).
 
As additional consideration for entering into the ADEC NPA, the Company entered into a warrant amendment agreement, whereby the Company agreed to reduce the exercise price of 1,009,565 outstanding warrants previously issued by the Company to ADEC and its affiliates (the “ADEC Warrants”) to $1.50 per share (the “ADEC Warrant Amendment”). The ADEC Warrant Amendment did not alter any other terms of the ADEC Warrants. The ADEC Warrant Amendment resulted in a debt discount of $325,320 that was accreted to additional interest expense over the lives of the ADEC Notes.
 
In December 2019, the Company repaid $1,550,000 principal amount of the ADEC Notes and on January 2, 2020 repaid the remaining principal balance of $450,000 plus outstanding accrued interest of $104,153. As of September 30, 2020, no ADEC Notes were outstanding.
 
Senior Convertible Promissory Note Offering
 
On December 20, 2019, the Company began an offering of (i) Senior Convertible Promissory Notes (each a “Promissory Note,” and together, the “Promissory Notes”) in the principal amount of up to $8.0 million to certain accredited investors (the “Note Investors”), and (ii) warrants (“Note Warrants”) to purchase shares of Common Stock, each pursuant to Note Purchase Agreements entered into by and between the Company and each of the Note Investors (the “Promissory NPAs”) (the “Promissory Note Offering”).
 
In December 2019, the Company issued Promissory Notes to the Note Investors in the aggregate principal amount of $3,386,300. The Promissory Notes were scheduled to mature on September 20, 2020, accrue interest at a rate of 9% per annum, and were convertible, at the sole option of the holder, into shares of Common Stock (the “Promissory Note Conversion Shares”) at a price of $0.97 per share (the “Conversion Option”). The Promissory Notes could be prepaid by the Company at any time prior to the maturity date in cash without penalty or premium (the “Prepayment Option”).
 
On January 2, 2020, January 3, 2020, and January 9, 2020, the Company issued Promissory Notes to the Note Investors in the aggregate principal amount of $3,517,700.
 
As additional consideration for the execution of the Promissory NPA, each Note Investor also received Note Warrants to purchase that number of shares of Common Stock equal to one-half (50%) of the Promissory Note Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Promissory Notes (the “Note Warrant Shares”). The Note Warrants have an exercise price of $1.07 per share and expire five years from the date of issuance. In addition, all of the Note Warrants, other than those issued in the December 20, 2019 closing (covering an aggregate of 2,374,345 shares of Common Stock) contain a provision prohibiting exercise until the expiration of six months from the date of issuance. The Company and each Note Investor executed a Registration Rights Agreement (the “RRA”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to file a registration statement. The Company filed a registration statement with the SEC on February 7, 2020 covering the Promissory Note Conversion Shares and Note Warrant Shares, but that registration statement was not declared effective and was subsequently withdrawn by the Company. On July 27, 2020, the Company filed a separate registration statement in connection with the Series B Private Placement and the Exchange described in Note 11, which also covers the Note Warrant Shares. That registration statement was declared effective on September 21, 2020.
 
 
-13-
 
In connection with the four closings in December 2019 of the Promissory Note Offering, the Company paid aggregate placement agent fees of $338,630, which fees were based on (i) 9% of the aggregate principal amount of the Promissory Notes issued to the Note Investors introduced by the placement agent, and (ii) a non-accountable expense allowance of 1% of the gross proceeds from the Promissory Note Offering. In addition, the placement agent was issued warrants, containing substantially the same terms and conditions as the Note Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of 244,372 shares of Common Stock (the “January Placement Agent Warrants”), representing 7% of the Promissory Note Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Promissory Notes issued to the Note Investors. The January Placement Agent Warrants expire five years from the date of issuance. The January Placement Agent Warrants in connection with the December 2019 closings have an exercise price of $1.21 per share.
 
In connection with the three closings in January 2020 of the Promissory Note Offering, the Company paid aggregate placement agent fees of $276,770, which fees were based on (i) 9% of the aggregate principal amount of the Promissory Notes issued to the Note Investors introduced by the placement agent, and (ii) a non-accountable expense allowance of 1% of the gross proceeds from the Promissory Note Offering. In addition, the placement agent was issued January Placement Agent Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of 199,732 shares of Common Stock. 41,495 of these January Placement Agent Warrants have an exercise price of $1.21 per share and 158,237 of these January Placement Agent Warrants have an exercise price of $1.42 per share.
 
The Company determined the Prepayment Option feature represents a contingent call option. The Company evaluated the Prepayment Option in accordance with ASC 815-15-25. The Company determined that the Prepayment Option feature is clearly and closely related to the debt host instrument and is not an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation. Additionally, the Company determined the Conversion Option represents an embedded call option. The Company evaluated the Conversion Option in accordance with ASC 815-15-25. The Company determined that the Conversion Option feature meets the scope exception from ASC 815 and is not an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation.
 
The Company evaluated the Promissory Notes for a beneficial conversion feature in accordance with ASC 470-20. The Company determined that at each commitment date the effective conversion price was below the closing stock price (market value), and the Convertible Notes contained a beneficial conversion feature.
 
Pursuant to the December 2019 closings of the Promissory Note Offering, the principal amount of $3,386,300 was first allocated based on the relative fair value of the Promissory Notes and the Note Warrants. The fair value of the Note Warrants amounted to $912,648. Then the beneficial conversion feature was calculated, which amounted to $1,359,284. The Company incurred debt issuance costs of $588,017 related to the offering. The initial carrying value of the Promissory Notes issued amounted to $526,351.
 
Pursuant to the January 2020 closings of the Promissory Note Offering, the principal amount of $3,517,700 was first allocated based on the relative fair value of the Promissory Notes and the Note Warrants. The fair value of the Note Warrants amounted to $2,439,272. Then the beneficial conversion feature was calculated, which amounted to $1,838,422. The Company incurred debt issuance costs of $472,326 related to the offering. The initial carrying value of the Promissory Notes issued amounted to $128,524.
 
On June 1, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to a certain Promissory Note in the principal amount of $100,000 issued on December 20, 2019 to Edward J. Borkowski, the chairman of the Board, to increase the Conversion Price to $1.07 per share (the “Note Amendment”). The Company evaluated the Note Amendment transaction in accordance with ASC 470-50 and determined the Note Amendment did not constitute a substantive modification of the Promissory Note and that the transaction should be accounted for as a debt modification with no accounting treatment required.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized $404,222 of interest expense related to these Promissory Notes, including amortization of debt discount related to the value of the Note Warrants of $120,165, amortization of the beneficial conversion feature of $193,555, amortization of debt discount related to debt issuance costs of $63,264, and accrued interest expense of $27,238.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized $4,912,396 of interest expense related to these Promissory Notes, including amortization of debt discount related to the value of the Note Warrants of $1,461,728, amortization of the beneficial conversion feature of $2,347,763, amortization of debt discount related to debt issuance costs of $771,675, and accrued interest expense of $332,230.
 
 
 
-14-
 
Exchange of Promissory Notes into Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
 
As more fully discussed in Note 11, on July 16, 2020, in connection with the Series B Private Placement, 937.004177 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, Series B Warrants to purchase 4,684,991 shares of Common Stock, and Exchange Warrants to purchase 1,772,937 shares of Common Stock were issued to certain holders of the Promissory Notes in exchange for such Promissory Notes for aggregate consideration of approximately $7.2 million consisting of approximately $6.9 million aggregate outstanding principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the date of the Series B Private Placement of approximately $0.3 million.
 
The Company prepaid the remaining outstanding balance of $25,000 aggregate principal amount of Promissory Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the prepayment date of $1,307, held by those holders who did not participate in the Exchange. Following these transactions, no Promissory Notes remain outstanding.
 
Accounting for the Exchange of Promissory Notes into Series B Private Placement
 
The Company determined the Exchange of the Promissory Notes into Series B Preferred Stock and related warrants should be recognized as an extinguishment of the Promissory Notes, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of approximately $0.6 million. Additionally, the Company recorded interest expense of approximately $0.8 million related to the remaining unamortized discount resulting from initial beneficial conversion feature of the Promissory Notes on closing date of the Exchange.
 
Convertible Debt consisted of:
 
 
 
Total
 
 
Promissory Notes
 
 
ADEC Notes
 
 
Total
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
September 30,
 
 
September 30,
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2020
 
 
2020
 
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
Convertible debt
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $3,836,300 
Unamortized debt discount - revalued warrants
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (118,356)
Unamortized debt discount - warrants
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (878,979)
Unamortized debt discount - BCF
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (1,307,755)
Unamortized debt discount - debt issuance costs
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (566,815)
Accrued interest
  - 
  - 
  - 
  112,543 
Total convertible debt
 $- 
 $- 
 $- 
 $1,076,938 
 
Note 10 – Other Liabilities
 
Other liabilities consisted of the following:
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
December 31,
 
Current
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
Due to Mayoly
 $410,026 
 $392,989 
Lease liabilities
  74,156 
  83,235 
Other liabilities
  8,633 
  - 
 
 $492,815 
 $476,224 
 
    
    
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
December 31,
 
Long-term
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
Lease liabilities
  31,469 
  - 
 
 $31,469 
 $- 
 
Note 11 – Equity
 
Our certificate of incorporation, as amended and restated on December 20, 2019 (the “Charter”) authorizes the issuance of up to 150,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
 
On December 19, 2019, the Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2019 Annual Meeting”), whereby, the shareholders approved, among others, amending the Company’s Charter to authorize the Board to effect a reverse stock split of both the issued and outstanding and authorized shares of Common Stock, at a specific ratio, ranging from one-for-two (1:2) to one-for-five (1:5), any time prior to the one-year anniversary date of the 2019 Annual Meeting, with the exact ratio to be determined by the Board (the “Reverse Split”). As of September 30, 2020, the Board had not elected to effect a Reverse Split. The authorization for the Reverse Split will expire on December 19, 2020.
 
 
 
-15-
 
Common Stock 
 
The Company had 28,881,984 and 26,800,519 shares of its Common Stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
 
Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Our Charter and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) do not provide for cumulative voting rights.
 
In addition, the holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board out of legally available funds; however, the current policy of our Board is to retain earnings, if any, for operations and growth. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in all assets that are legally available for distribution.
 
Holders of our Common Stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
 
Preferred Stock
 
We have 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, authorized and available for issuance in one or more series. The Board is authorized to divide the preferred stock into any number of series, fix the designation and number of each such series, and determine or change the designation, relative rights, preferences, and limitations of any series of preferred stock. The Board of may increase or decrease the number of shares initially fixed for any series, but no decrease may reduce the number below the shares then outstanding and duly reserved for issuance.
 
On July 16, 2020, we authorized 5,194.805195 shares as Series B Preferred Stock and issued 2,912.583005 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, with 2,282.222190 shares of Series B Preferred Stock remaining authorized but unissued. Following such transactions, we currently have 2,912.583005 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding with 9,997,087.416995 shares of preferred stock remaining authorized but unissued.
 
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
 
Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of the Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Certificate of Designation”), the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock are as follows:
 
Ranking
 
The Series B Preferred Stock will rank senior to the Common Stock with respect to distributions of assets upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
 
Stated Value
 
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock has a stated value of $7,700, subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar events (the “Series B Stated Value”).
 
Dividends
 
Each holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in preference and priority to the holders of all other classes or series of stock of the Company, is entitled to receive dividends, commencing from the date of issuance. Such dividends may be paid by the Company only when, as and if declared by the Board, out of assets legally available therefor, semiannually in arrears on the last day of June and December in each year, commencing December 31, 2020, at the dividend rate of 9.0% per year, which is cumulative and continues to accrue on a daily basis whether or not declared and whether or not the Company has assets legally available therefor. The Company may pay such dividends at its option either in cash or in kind in additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share), provided the Company must pay in cash the fair value of any such fractional shares in excess of $100.00. At September 30, 2020 the dividend payable to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock aggregated to approximately $408,043.
 
 
-16-
 
Liquidation Preference; Liquidation Rights
 
Under the Certificate of Designations, each share of Series B Preferred Stock carries a liquidation preference equal to the Series B Stated Value (as adjusted thereunder) plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (the “Liquidation Preference”).
 
If the Company voluntarily or involuntarily liquidates, dissolves or winds up its affairs, each holder of the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of the Company’s assets available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, if any, but before any distribution of assets is made on the Common Stock or any of the Company’s shares of stock ranking junior as to such a distribution to the Series B Preferred Stock, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the Stated Value of all such holder’s Series B Preferred Stock plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. At September 30, 2020, the value of the liquidation preference of the Series B Preferred stocks aggregated to approximately $22.6 million.
 
Conversion
 
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock will be convertible at the holder’s option at any time, into Common Stock at a conversion rate equal to the quotient of (i) the Series B Stated Value divided by (ii) the initial conversion price of $0.77, subject to specified adjustments for stock splits, cash or stock dividends, reorganizations, reclassifications other similar events as set forth in the Series B Certificate of Designations. In addition, at any time after the six month anniversary of the Series B Closing Date, if the closing sale price per share of Common Stock exceeds 250% of the initial conversion price, or $1.925, for 20 consecutive trading days, then all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock will automatically convert (the “Automatic Conversion”) into such number of shares of Common Stock as is obtained by multiplying the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be so converted, plus the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, by the Series B Stated Value per share and dividing the result by the then applicable conversion price. The Series B Preferred Stock contains limitations that prevent the holder thereof from acquiring shares of Common Stock upon conversion (including pursuant to the Automatic Conversion) that would result in the number of shares beneficially owned by such holder and its affiliates exceeding 9.99% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the conversion, which percentage may be increased or decreased at the holder’s election not to exceed 19.99%.
 
Most Favored Nations Exchange Right
 
In the event the Company effects any issuance by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock equivalents for cash consideration, or a combination of units thereof (a “Subsequent Financing”), each holder of the Series B Preferred Stock has the right, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Series B Certificate of Designations, at its option, to exchange (in lieu of cash subscription payments) all or some of the Series B Preferred Stock then held (with a value per share of Series B Preferred Stock equal to the Liquidation Preference) for any securities or units issued in a Subsequent Financing on dollar-for-dollar basis.
 
Voting
 
The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will have customary consent rights with respect to certain corporate actions of the Company. The Company may not take the following actions without the prior consent of the holders of at least a majority of the Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding: (a) authorize, create, designate, establish, issue or sell an increased number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock or any other class or series of capital stock ranking senior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation; (b) reclassify any shares of Common Stock or any other class or series of capital stock into shares having any preference or priority as to dividends or upon liquidation superior to or on parity with any such preference or priority of Series B Preferred Stock; (c) amend, alter or repeal the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company and the powers, preferences, privileges, relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, which would adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series B Preferred Stock; (d) issue any indebtedness or debt security, other than trade accounts payable, insurance premium financings and/or letters of credit, performance bonds or other similar credit support incurred in the ordinary course of business, or amend, renew, increase, or otherwise alter in any material respect the terms of any such indebtedness existing as of the date of first issuance of shares of Series B Preferred Stock; (e) redeem, purchase, or otherwise acquire or pay or declare any dividend or other distribution on (or pay into or set aside for a sinking fund for any such purpose) any capital stock of the Company; (f) declare bankruptcy, dissolve, liquidate, or wind up the affairs of the Company; (g) effect, or enter into any agreement to effect, a Change of Control (as defined in the Certificate of Designations); or (h) materially modify or change the nature of the Company’s business.
 
 
 
-17-
 
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
 
The Company’s Board and stockholders adopted and approved the Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), which took effect on May 12, 2014. From the adoption and approval of the 2020 Plan on September 11, 2020, no new awards have been or will be made under the 2014 Plan.
 
The 2014 Plan allowed for the issuance of securities, including stock options to employees, Board members and consultants. The number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan could not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock on an as converted basis (the “As Converted Shares”) on a rolling basis. For calculation purposes, the As Converted Shares included all shares of Common Stock and all shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of outstanding preferred stock and other convertible securities but did not include any shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options, or other convertible securities issued pursuant to the 2014 Plan. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan was automatically be increased concurrently with the Company’s issuance of fully paid and non- assessable shares of As Converted Shares. Shares were deemed to have been issued under the 2014 Plan solely to the extent actually issued and delivered pursuant to an award.
 
On July 16, 2020, the Board approved an amendment to the 2014 Plan. The amendment eliminates individual grant limits under the 2014 Plan that were intended to comply with the exemption for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which section has been repealed.
 
The Company issued an aggregate of 795,006 and 0 stock options, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, under the 2014 Plan (see Note 13). Upon adoption of the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan on September 11, 2020, the Company will no longer make grants under the 2014 Plan.
 
2020 Equity Incentive Plan
 
The Company’s Board and stockholders adopted and approved the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”), which took effect on September 11 ,2020. The 2020 Plan allows for the issuance of securities, including stock options to employees, Board members and consultants. The initial number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 2020 Plan is 10,000,000 shares, which will, on January 1 of each calendar year, unless the Board decides otherwise, automatically increase to equal ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year, calculated on an As Converted Basis. As Converted Shares include all outstanding shares of Common Stock and all shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of outstanding preferred stock, warrants and other convertible securities, but will not include any shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options and other convertible securities issued pursuant to either the 2014 Plan or the 2020 Plan. The number of shares permitted to be issued as “incentive stock options” (“ISOs”) from is 15,000,000 under the 2020 Plan.
 
As of September 30, 2020, no grants were issued under the 2020 Plan and an aggregate of 10,000,000 total shares are available under the 2020 Plan.
 
Equity Line with Lincoln Park
 
On November 13, 2019, the Company entered into a purchase agreement (the “Equity Line Agreement”), together with a registration rights agreement (the “Lincoln Park Registration Rights Agreement”), with Lincoln Park. Under the terms of the Equity Line Agreement, Lincoln Park has committed to purchase up to $15,000,000 of our Common Stock (the “Equity Line”). Upon execution of the Equity Line Agreement, the Company issued Lincoln Park 487,168 shares of Common Stock (the “Commitment Shares”) as a fee for its commitment to purchase shares of our Common Stock under the Equity Line Agreement. The remaining shares of our Common Stock that may be issued under the Equity Line Agreement may be sold by the Company to Lincoln Park at our discretion from time-to-time over a 30-month period commencing after the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the Equity Line Agreement, subject to the continued effectiveness of a registration statement covering such shares of Common Stock sold to Lincoln Park by the Company. The registration statement was filed with the SEC on December 31, 2019 and was declared effective on January 14, 2020.
 
Under the Equity Line Agreement, on any business day over the term of the Equity Line Agreement, the Company has the right, in its sole discretion, to present Lincoln Park with a purchase notice (each, a “Purchase Notice”) directing Lincoln Park to purchase up to 150,000 shares of Common Stock per business day (the “Regular Purchase”). In each case, Lincoln Park’s maximum commitment in any single Regular Purchase may not exceed $1,000,000. The Equity Line Agreement provides for a purchase price per Purchase Share (the “Purchase Price”) equal to the lesser of:
 
 the lowest sale price of Common Stock on the purchase date; and;
 
 
 the average of the three lowest closing sale prices for the Common Stock during the ten consecutive business days ending on the business day immediately preceding the purchase date of such shares;
 
 
-18-
 
In addition, on any date on which the Company submits a Purchase Notice to Lincoln Park, the Company also has the right, in its sole discretion, to present Lincoln Park with an accelerated purchase notice (each, an “Accelerated Purchase Notice”) directing Lincoln Park to purchase an amount of stock (the “Accelerated Purchase”) equal to up to the lesser of (i) three times the number of shares purchased pursuant to such Regular Purchase; and (ii) 30% of the aggregate shares of Common Stock traded during all or, if certain trading volume or market price thresholds specified in the Equity Line Agreement are crossed on the applicable Accelerated Purchase date, the portion of the normal trading hours on the applicable Accelerated Purchase date prior to such time that any one of such thresholds is crossed (such period of time on the applicable Accelerated Purchase Date, the “Accelerated Purchase Measurement Period”), provided that Lincoln Park will not be required to buy shares pursuant to an Accelerated Purchase Notice that was received by Lincoln Park on any business day on which the last closing trade price of Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market (or alternative national exchange) is below $0.25 per share. The purchase price per share for each such Accelerated Purchase will be equal to the lesser of:
 
 97% of the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock during the applicable Accelerated Purchase Measurement Period on the applicable Accelerated Purchase date; and
 
 
 the closing sale price of Common Stock on the applicable Accelerated Purchase Date.
 
The Company may also direct Lincoln Park on any business day on which an Accelerated Purchase has been completed and all of the shares to be purchased thereunder have been properly delivered to Lincoln Park in accordance with the Equity Line Agreement, to purchase an amount of stock (the “Additional Accelerated Purchase”) equal to up to the lesser of (i) three times the number of shares purchased pursuant to such Regular Purchase; and (ii) 30% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock traded during a certain portion of the normal trading hours on the applicable Additional Accelerated Purchase date as determined in accordance with the Purchase Agreement (such period of time on the applicable Additional Accelerated Purchase date, the “Additional Accelerated Purchase Measurement Period”), provided that the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the business day immediately preceding such business day is not below $0.25 per share. Additional Accelerated Purchases will be equal to the lower of:
 
 97% of the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock during the applicable Additional Accelerated Purchase Measurement Period on the applicable Additional Accelerated Purchase date; and
 
 
 the closing sale price of Common Stock on the applicable Additional Accelerated Purchase.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 0, and 1,495,199 shares of Common Stock, respectively, in connection with the Equity Line Agreement, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $0, and $988,348, respectively.
 
Pursuant to the terms of the Equity Line Agreement, without first obtaining stockholder approval, the aggregate number of shares that the Company is permitted to sell to Lincoln Park thereunder, when aggregated with certain other private offerings of Common Stock, as applicable, may not exceed 19.99% of the Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the execution of the Equity Line Agreement on November 13, 2019, unless the average price of all applicable sales thereunder exceeds $0.70 per share calculated by reference to the “Minimum Price” under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d). On September 11, 2020, the Company received stockholder approval for the issuances of the full $15 million available under the Equity Line Agreement. Generally, there is approximately $14 million of availability left for issuance pursuant to the Equity Line Agreement.
 
Common Stock Issuances
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted 34.127448 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into an aggregate of 341,274 shares of Common Stock at the stated conversion price of $0.77 per share, plus the issuance of 4,610 shares of Common Stock for accrued dividends of $3,551 through such conversion dates.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 31,646 shares of its Common Stock to consultants with a total grant date fair value of approximately $25,000 for investor relations services provided, which was recorded as stock-based compensation and included as part of general and administrative expense.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 132,841 shares of its Common Stock to consultants with a total grant date fair value of approximately $112,105 for investor relations services provided, which was recorded was recorded as stock-based compensation and included as part of general and administrative expense.
 

 
-19-
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 105,937 shares of its Common Stock to outside Board members as payment of Board fees with an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $131,137 that was recorded as stock-based compensation, included as part of general and administrative expense. The aggregate effective settlement price was $1.24 per share, and each individual stock issuance was based on the closing stock price of the Common Stock on the initial date the payable was accrued.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company issued 21,677 and 62,518 shares of Common Stock, respectively, to a consultant as payment of $22,500 and $112,500, respectively, of accounts payable related to investor relations services.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 0 and 60,000 shares of its Common Stock, respectively, to outside Board members as payment of Board fees with an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $0 and $123,000, respectively that was recorded as stock-based compensation, included as part of general and administrative expense.
 
During the period from April 6, 2020 through May 22, 2020, the Company sold an aggregate of 1,345,199 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Equity Line, from which the Company derived approximately $869,000 in net proceeds. The sales of these shares were exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) (or Regulation D promulgated thereunder).
 
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
 
Restricted stock refers to shares of Common Stock subject to vesting based on certain service, performance, and market conditions. Restricted stock unit awards (“RSUs”) refer to an award under the 2014 Plan, which constitutes a promise to grant shares of Common Stock at the end of a specified restriction period.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, an aggregate of 1,746 unvested restricted shares of Common Stock, subject to service conditions, vested with a total grant date fair value of approximately $6,289 and was recorded as stock-based compensation, included as part of general and administrative expense.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, an aggregate of 10,080 unvested restricted shares of Common Stock, subject to service conditions, vested with a total grant date fair value of approximately $36,289 and was recorded as stock-based compensation, included as part of general and administrative expense.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, an aggregate of 0, and 4,000 unvested restricted shares of Common Stock were forfeited, respectively.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company issued 21,677 restricted shares of Common Stock to a consultant as payment of $22,500 of accounts payable for investor relations services. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company issued 62,518 shares of Common Stock to a consultant as payment of $112,500 of accounts payable for investor relations services.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, an aggregate of 43,750 unvested restricted shares of Common Stock vested with a total grant date fair value of approximately $63,434. 13,750 of these restricted shares vested during the three months ended September 30, 2019 due to the terms of such grants with a total grant date fair value of approximately $44,834. 30,000 of these restricted shares were issued during the three months ended September 30, 2019 to our directors as a part of Board compensation with a total grant date fair value of approximately $18,600.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, an aggregate of 223,417 unvested restricted shares of Common Stock vested with a total grant date fair value of approximately $556,888. 33,334 of these restricted shares with a total grant date fair value of approximately $101,335 vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to the Company achieving certain clinical milestones. 41,250 of these restricted shares with a total grant date fair value of approximately $134,501 vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to the satisfaction of service conditions 30,000 of these restricted shares were issued during the three months ended September 30, 2019 to our directors as a part of Board compensation with a total grant date fair value of approximately $142,200.
 
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had unrecognized restricted common stock expense of approximately $393,250. Approximately $196,625 of this unrecognized expense vests upon the first commercial sale in the United States of MS1819 and approximately $196,625 of this unrecognized expense vests upon the total market capitalization of the Company exceeding $1.0 billion for 20 consecutive trading days. These milestones were not considered probable at September 30, 2020.
 
 
-20-
 
Series B Private Placement
 
The Series B Private Placement and the Exchange
 
On July 16, 2020 (the “Series B Closing Date”), the Company consummated a private placement offering (the “Series B Private Placement”) whereby the Company entered into a Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrant Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Series B Purchase Agreement”) with certain accredited and institutional investors (the “Series B Investors”). Pursuant to the Series B Purchase Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,912.583005 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), at a price of $7,700.00 per share, initially convertible into an aggregate of 29,125,756 shares of Common Stock at $0.77 per share, together with warrants (the “Series B Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 14,562,826 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.85 per share. The amount of the Series B Warrants is equal to 50% of the shares of Common Stock into which the Series B Preferred Stock is initially convertible.
 
In connection with the Series B Private Placement, an aggregate of 1,975.578828 shares of Series B Preferred Stock initially convertible into 19,755,748 shares of Common Stock and related 9,877,835 Series B Warrants were issued for cash consideration, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $15.2 million and aggregate net proceeds to the Company of approximately $13.2 million after deducting placement agent compensation and offering expenses.
 
An aggregate of 937.004177 shares of Series B Preferred Stock initially convertible into 9,370,008 shares of Common Stock and related Series B Warrants to purchase 4,684,991 shares of Common Stock were issued to certain Series B Investors (the “Exchange Investors”) in exchange for consideration consisting of approximately $6.9 million aggregate outstanding principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the Series B Closing Date of approximately $0.3 million, of certain Senior Convertible Promissory Notes (the “Promissory Notes”) issued between December 20, 2019 and January 9, 2020 (the “Exchange”), pursuant to an Exchange Addendum (the “Exchange Addendum”) executed by the Company and the Exchange Investors. As additional consideration to the Exchange Investors, the Company also issued certain additional warrants (the “Exchange Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 1,772,937 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.85 per share. The amount of the Exchange Warrants is equal to 25% of the shares of Common Stock into which such Promissory Notes were originally convertible upon the initial issuance thereof.
 
Pursuant to the Series B Private Placement and the Series B Purchase Agreement, for purposes of complying with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) and 5635(d), the Company was required to hold a meeting of its stockholders not later than 60 days following the Series B Closing Date to seek approval (the “Stockholder Approval”) for, among other things, the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon (i) full conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock; and (ii) full exercise of the Series B Warrants and the Exchange Warrants. In the event the Stockholder Approval was not received on or prior to the 90th day following the Series B Closing Date, subject to extension upon the prior written approval of the holders of at least a majority of the Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding, the Company would have been required to repurchase all of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a price equal to 150% of the stated value thereof plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, in cash. On September 11, 2020, the Company received Stockholder Approval.
 
The Company prepaid the remaining outstanding balance of $25,000 aggregate principal amount of Promissory Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the prepayment date of $1,307, held by those holders who did not participate in the Exchange. Following these transactions, no Promissory Notes remain outstanding.
 
In connection with the Series B Private Placement, the Company paid the placement agent 9.0% of the gross cash proceeds received by the Company from investors introduced by the placement agent and 4.0% of the gross cash proceeds received by the Company for all other investors, or approximately $1.3 million. The Company also paid the placement agent a non-accountable cash fee equal to 1.0% of the gross cash proceeds and a cash financial advisory fee equal to 3.0% of the outstanding principal balance of the Promissory Notes that were submitted in the Exchange, or approximately $0.3 million in additional cash fees in the aggregate. In addition, the Company issued to the placement agent warrants to purchase up to 1,377,458 shares of Common Stock (the “July Placement Agent Warrants”). The July Placement Agent Warrants have substantially the same terms as the Series B Warrants, except the July Placement Agent Warrants have an exercise price of $0.96 per share, are not callable, provide for cashless exercise and are not exercisable until the earlier of stockholder approval of the Series B Private Placement and the date that is six months following the issuance thereof.
 
  
 
-21-
 
 
 
Accounting for the Series B Private Placement
 
Upon receiving Shareholder Approval on September 11, 2020, the Company classified the Series B Preferred Stock as permanent equity because no features provide for redemption by the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock or conditional redemption, which is not solely within the Company’s control, and there are no unconditional obligations in that (1) the Company must or may settle in a variable number of its equity shares and (2) the monetary value is predominantly fixed, varying with something other than the fair value of the Company’s equity shares or varying inversely in relation to the Company’s equity shares.
 
Because the Series B Preferred Stock contain certain embedded features that could affect the ultimate settlement of the Series B Preferred Stock, the Company analyzed the instrument for embedded derivatives that require bifurcation. The Company’s analysis began with determining whether the Series B Preferred Stock is more akin to equity or debt.  The Company evaluated the following criteria/features in this determination: redemption, voting rights, collateral requirements, covenant provisions, creditor and liquidation rights, dividends, conversion rights and exchange rights. The Company determined that the Series B Preferred Stock was more akin to equity than to debt when evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of the entire Series B Preferred Stock, including the embedded features. The Company then evaluated the embedded features to determine whether their economic characteristics and risks were clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the Series B Preferred Stock. Since the Series B Preferred Stock was determined to be more akin to equity than debt, and the underlying that causes the value of the embedded features to fluctuate would be the value of the Company’s common stock, the embedded features were considered clearly and closely related to the Series B Preferred Stock. As a result, the embedded features would not need to be bifurcated from the Series B Preferred Stock.
 
Any beneficial conversion features related to the exercise of the Most Favored Nation exchange right or the application of the Mandatory Conversion provision will be recognized upon the occurrence of the contingent events based on its intrinsic value at the commitment date.
 
The Company concluded the freestanding Series B Warrants did not contain any provision that would require liability classification and therefore should be classified in stockholder’s equity, based on their relative fair value.
 
The proceeds from the Series B Private Placement were allocated to the Series B Preferred Stock and Series B Warrants based on their relative fair values. The total proceeds of approximately $22,426,890 were allocated as follows: $16,474,374 to the Series B Preferred Stock, and $5,952,515 to the Series B Warrants. After allocation of the proceeds, the effective conversion price of the Series B Preferred Stock was determined to be beneficial and, as a result, the Company recorded a deemed dividend of $8,155,212 equal to the intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature and recognized on the closing date and recorded as a reduction of income available to common stockholders in computing basic and diluted loss per share.
 
The total offering costs of approximately $2,014,218 were recognized in equity.
 
 
 
-22-
 
Note 12 – Warrants
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, in connection with the January 2020 closings of the Promissory Note Offering, the Company issued Note Warrants to investors to purchase an aggregate of 1,813,257 shares of Common Stock with the issuance of the Promissory Notes as referenced in Note 9. These Note Warrants were issued between January 2, 2020 and January 9, 2020, are exercisable commencing six (6) months following the issuance date at $1.07 per share and expire five years from issuance. The total grant date fair value of these warrants was determined to be approximately $1,574,886, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model, and were recorded as a debt discount based on their relative fair value.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, in connection with the January 2020 closings of the Promissory Note Offering, the Company issued the January Placement Agent Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 199,732 shares of Common Stock to the placement agent and/or their designees. The January Placement Agent Warrants were issued between January 2, 2020 and January 9, 2020, vested immediately, and expire five years from issuance. 41,495 of these January Placement Agent Warrants are exercisable at $1.21 per share and 158,237 are exercisable at $1.42 per share. The total grant date fair value of the January Placement Agent Warrants was determined to be approximately $174,130, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model, and was charged to debt discount that will be amortized over the life of the debt.
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, in connection with the closing of the Series B Private Placement, the Company issued Series B Warrants to investors to purchase an aggregate of 14,562,826 shares of Common Stock with the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock as referenced in Note 11. These Series B Warrants were issued on July 16, 2020, are exercisable commencing six (6) months following the issuance date at $0.85 per share and expire five years from issuance. The total grant date fair value of the Series B Warrants was determined to be approximately $8,103,277, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model, and were recorded as equity based on their relative fair value (See Note 11).
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, in connection with the closing of the Exchange (See Note 11), the Company issued Exchange Warrants to certain investors to purchase an aggregate of 1,772,937 shares of Common Stock with the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock as referenced in Note 11. These Exchange Warrants were issued on July 16, 2020, are exercisable commencing six (6) months following the issuance date at $0.85 per share and expire five years from issuance. The total grant date fair value of the Exchange warrants was determined to be approximately $986,526, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model, and were recorded as part of the loss on extinguishment (See Note 9).
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, in connection with the closing of the Series B Private Placement, the Company issued the July Placement Agent Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,377,458 shares of Common Stock to the placement agent and/or their designees as referenced in Note 11. The July Placement Agent Warrants were issued on July 16, 2020, are exercisable commencing six (6) months following the issuance date at $0.96 per share and expire five years from issuance. The total grant date fair value of the July Placement Agent Warrants was determined to be approximately $744,378, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model, and were recorded as equity (See Note 11).
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, in connection with the Spoor Settlement and Release (See Note 18), on July 14, 2020 the Company granted Mr. Spoor warrants to purchase an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Common Stock. The warrants were immediately exercisable, have an exercise price equal to $1.00 per share, a five-year term and may be exercised pursuant to a cashless exercise provision commencing six months from the issuance date. The total grant date fair value of these warrants was determined to be approximately $85,770, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model, and were included in the gain on settlement (See Note 18).
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 59,774 shares of Common Stock expired with exercise prices ranging between $3.25 and $7.37 per share.
 
 
-23-
 
Warrant transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercise
 
 
 Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Price Per
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Warrants
 
 
Share
 
 
Exercise Price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warrants outstanding and exercisable at January 1, 2019
  3,112,715 
 $2.55 - 7.37 
 $4.83 
 
    
    
    
Granted during the period
  275,663 
 $2.55 – 2.82 
 $2.68 
Expired during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
Exercised during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
Warrants outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2019
  3,388,378 
 $1.50 - 7.37 
 $3.51 
 
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
Warrants outstanding and exercisable at January 1, 2020
  5,378,288 
 $1.07 - 7.37 
 $2.53 
 
    
    
    
Granted during the period
  19,881,654 
 $0.85 - 1.42 
 $0.88 
Expired during the period
  (59,774)
 $3.25 - 7.37 
 $5.15 
Exercised during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
Warrants outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2020
  25,200,168 
 $0.85 - 7.37 
 $1.22 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of
 
 
Weighted Average
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
Shares Under
 
 
Remaining Contract
 
Average
 
 
Exercise Price
 
 
Warrants
 
 
Life in Years
 
 
Exercise Price
 
 
 $0.00 - 0.99 
  17,718,665 
  4.79 
 
 
 $1.00 - 1.99 
  5,362,464 
  3.65 
 
 
 $2.00 - 2.99 
  320,063 
  2.82 
 
 
 $3.00 - 3.99 
  635,019 
  1.57 
 
 
 $4.00 - 4.99 
  164,256 
  1.53 
 
 
 $5.00 - 5.99 
  783,132 
  1.42 
 
 
 $6.00 - 6.99 
  187,750 
  1.01 
 
 
 $7.00 - 7.37 
  28,819 
  0.28 
 
Totals
    
  25,200,168 
  4.28 
$1.22
 
The weighted average fair value of warrants granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $0.88 per share. The fair value was estimated on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2020
 
Expected life (in years)
  5 
Volatility
  84.7%
Risk-free interest rate
  0.28-1.67%
Dividend yield
  -%
 
 
 
-24-
 
Note 13 - Stock Options
 
Under the 2014 Plan and the 2020 Plan, the fair value of options granted is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. This valuation model for stock-based compensation expense requires the Company to make assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the calculation, including the expected term (weighted-average period of time that the options granted are expected to be outstanding), the volatility of the common stock price and the assumed risk-free interest rate. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for only those shares expected to vest over the requisite service period of the award. No compensation cost is recorded for options that do not vest and the compensation cost from vested options, whether forfeited or not, is not reversed.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued stock options to purchase an aggregate of 2,040,000 shares of Common Stock with a strike price of $0.85 per share and a term of ten years to its employees. These options had a total grant date fair value of approximately $1,449,130, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Board approved an amended and restated option grant to its chief financial officer, amending and restating a grant previously made on January 2, 2020, to reduce the amount of shares issuable upon exercise of such option to be the maximum number of shares Mr. Schneiderman was eligible to receive under the 2014 Incentive Plan on the original grant date, or 300,000 shares, due to the 2014 Incentive Plan provisions relating to the Section 162(m) limitations described above. The Board also approved the issuance of a replacement option covering the balance of shares intended to be issued at that time, or 35,006 shares. The original stock option has an exercise price of $1.03, the closing sale price of Common Stock on January 2, 2020, which was the date of its original grant, and the replacement stock option has an exercise price of $0.85, the closing sale price of the Common Stock on its date of grant. Both the original stock option and the replacement stock option vest over a term of three years, in 36 equal monthly installments on each monthly anniversary of January 2, 2020. On the issuance date, 6,336 shares had vested, and 28,670 shares were unvested with $24,102 of unrecognized expense. The Company determined the cancellation and reissue of these stock options resulted in an effective repricing of the stock options and modification accounting should be applied under ASC 718. The fair value of the original stock options immediately prior to the modification was $23,454 and the grant date fair value of the replacement stock options was $24,154. The Company will recognize a total of $24,802 over the remaining requisite service period through January 1, 2023.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued stock options to purchase an aggregate of 335,006 shares of Common Stock with a strike price of $1.03 per share and a term of ten years to its chief financial officer that vest quarterly over three years. These options had a total grant date fair value of approximately $281,405, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued stock options to purchase an aggregate of 460,000 shares of Common Stock with a strike price of $0.97 per share and a term of ten years to its non-executive directors. These options had a total grant date fair value of approximately $210,284, as calculated using the Black-Scholes model.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 235,006 shares of Common Stock were cancelled with strike prices ranging between $0.97 and $3.60 per share.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 234,252 shares of Common Stock, subject to service conditions, vested with a total grant date fair value of approximately $139,392 and recorded as stock-based compensation, of which $119,514 was included as part of general and administrative expense and $19,878 was included as part of research and development expense.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 600,086 shares of Common Stock, subject to service conditions, vested with a total grant date fair value of approximately $360,519 and recorded as stock-based compensation, of which $340,640 was included as part of general and administrative expense and $19,878 was included as part of research and development expense.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to performance conditions vesting, vested with a total grant date fair value of approximately $20,150 and were recorded as stock-based compensation, and included as part of general and administrative expense due to the Company initiating the Option 2 Clinical Trial.
 
 
-25-
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 35,006, and 235,006 shares of Common Stock were cancelled, respectively, with strike prices ranging between $0.97 and $3.60 per share.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 893,500 shares of Common Stock were granted with an exercise price of $1.75 and a term of five years. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, no options vested. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, stock options to purchase an aggregate 244,500 shares of Common Stock vested with a total grant date fair value of approximately $511,335. stock options to purchase an aggregate 242,000 shares of Common Stock with a total grant date fair value of approximately $501,666 vested due to the Company achieving certain clinical milestones.
 
The fair values were estimated on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2020
 
Expected life (in years)
  10 
Volatility
  84.0%
Risk-free interest rate
  0.62- 1.88%
Dividend yield
  -%
 
The expected term of the options is based on expected future employee exercise behavior. Volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s Common Stock if available or of several public entities that are similar to the Company. The Company bases volatility this way because it may not have sufficient historical transactions in its own shares on which to solely base expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected term at the grant date. The Company has not historically declared any dividends and does not expect to in the future.
 
 
-26-
 
Since the adoption of the 2020 Plan on September 11, 2020, no awards have yet been made thereunder. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, stock option activity under the 2014 Plan was as follows:
 
 
 
Number
 
 
Average
 
 
Remaining Contract
 
 
Intrinsic
 
 
 
of Shares
 
 
Exercise Price
 
 
Life in Years
 
 
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options outstanding at January 1, 2019
  994,000 
 $3.58 
  5.42 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
Granted during the period
  893,500 
 $1.70 
  4.96 
  - 
Expired during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Canceled during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Exercised during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2019
  1,887,500 
 $2.58 
  4.69 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
Exercisable at September 30, 2019
  994,000 
 $3.58 
  5.17 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
Non-vested stock options outstanding at January 1, 2019
  244,500 
 $3.05 
  4.53 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
Granted during the period
  893,500 
 $1.70 
  4.96 
  - 
Vested during the period
  (274,500)
 $2.91 
  3.88 
  - 
Expired during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Canceled during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Exercised during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Non-vested stock options outstanding at September 30, 2019
  863,500 
 $1.70 
  4.77 
 $- 
 
Stock options outstanding at January 1, 2020
  1,677,5000 
 $2.17 
  5.37 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
Granted during the period
  2,870,012 
 $0.89 
  9.79 
 $- 
Expired during the period
  - 
  - 
    
    
Canceled during the period
  (235,006)
 $1.94 
  3.28 
 $- 
Exercised during the period
  - 
  - 
    
    
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2020
  4,312,506 
 $1.38 
  7.94 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
Exercisable at September 30, 2020
  1,084,834 
 $2.59 
  5.60 
 $- 
 
Non-vested stock options outstanding at January 1, 2020
  883,500 
 $1.33 
  6.26 
 $- 
 
    
    
    
    
Granted during the period
  2,870,012 
 $0.98 
  10.00 
 $- 
Vested during the period
  (593,750)
 $2.59 
  6.88 
 $- 
Expired during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
    
Canceled during the period
  (160,006)
 $1.30 
  7.10 
 $- 
Exercised during the period
  - 
  - 
  - 
    
Non-vested stock options outstanding at September 30, 2020
  2,999,756 
 $0.98 
  8.75 
 $- 
 
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $2,190,131. Approximately $1,189,036 of this unrecognized expense will be recognized over the average remaining vesting term of the options of.8.75 years. Approximately $440,213 of this unrecognized expense will vest upon enrollment completion of the next MS1819 Phase II clinical trial in the U.S. for CF (the OPTION 2 Trial). Approximately $41,213 of this unrecognized expense will vest upon enrollment completion of the ongoing Combination Trial in Europe. Approximately $20,150 of this unrecognized expense will vest upon trial completion of the next MS1819 Phase II clinical trial in the U.S. for CF (the OPTION 2 Trial). Approximately $40,300 of this unrecognized expense vests upon the Company initiating a Phase III clinical trial in the U.S. for MS1819. Approximately $40,300 of this unrecognized expense vests upon initiating a U.S. Phase I clinical trial for any product other than MS1819. Approximately, $139,640 of this unrecognized expense vests upon the public release of topline data of the complete Combination Trial results. Approximately, $139,640 of this unrecognized expense vests upon the public release of topline data of the complete OPTION 2 Trial results. Approximately, $139,640 of this unrecognized expense vests upon signing of a definitive term sheet with Board approval for either (i) a strategic licensing, distribution or commercialization agreement for MS1819 with a bona fide partner, or (ii) the substantial sale of the Company or the MS1819 asset, on or before December 31, 2021. The Company will recognize the expense related to these milestones when the milestones become probable.
 
 
-27-
 
Note 14 - Agreements
 
Mayoly Agreement
 
On March 27, 2019, the Company and Laboratories Mayoly Spinder (“Mayoly”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Mayoly APA”), pursuant to which the Company purchased all rights, title and interest in and to MS1819. Upon execution of the Mayoly APA, the Joint Development and License Agreement (the “JDLA”) previously executed by AzurRx SAS and Mayoly was terminated. In addition, the Company granted to Mayoly an exclusive, royalty-bearing right to revenue received from commercialization of MS1819 within certain territories.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company charged $0 and $403,020, respectively, to Mayoly under the JDLA that was in effect during both periods.
 
TransChem Sublicense
 
On August 7, 2017, the Company and TransChem entered into the TransChem Sublicense Agreement pursuant to which TransChem granted to us an exclusive license to certain patents (the “TransChem Licensed Patents”) relating to H. pylori 5’methylthioadenosine nucleosidase inhibitors. We may terminate the Sublicense Agreement and the licenses granted therein for any reason and without further liability on 60 days’ notice. Unless terminated earlier, the Sublicense Agreement will expire upon the expiration of the last Licensed Patents. Upon execution, we paid an upfront fee to TransChem and agreed to reimburse TransChem for certain expenses previously incurred in connection with the preparation, filing, and maintenance of the Licensed Patents. We also agreed to pay TransChem certain future periodic sublicense maintenance fees, which fees may be credited against future royalties. We may also be required to pay TransChem additional payments and royalties in the event certain performance-based milestones and commercial sales involving the Licensed Patents are achieved. The TransChem Licensed Patents will allow us to develop compounds for treating gastrointestinal, lung and other infections that are specific to individual bacterial species. H. pylori bacterial infections are a major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer and other diseases.
 
On March 11, 2020, the Company provided TransChem with sixty (60) days prior written notice of its intent to terminate the TransChem Sublicense Agreement.
 
No payments were made under this Sublicense Agreement during in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
Employment Agreements
 
James Sapirstein
 
Effective October 8, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Sapirstein to serve as its President and Chief Executive Officer for a term of three years, subject to further renewal upon agreement of the parties. The employment agreement with Mr. Sapirstein provides for a base salary of $450,000 per year. In addition to the base salary, Mr. Sapirstein is eligible to receive (i) a cash bonus of up to 40% of his base salary on an annual basis, based on certain milestones that are yet to be determined; (ii) 1% of net fees received by the Company upon entering into license agreements with any third-party with respect to any product current in development or upon the sale of all or substantially all assets of the Company; (iii) an award grant of 200,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) which are scheduled to vest as follows (a) 100,000 shares upon the first commercial sale of MS1819 in the U.S. and (b) 100,000 shares upon the total market capitalization of the Company exceeding $1.0 billion for 20 consecutive trading days; (iv) a grant of 300,000 10-year stock options to purchase shares of common stock with an exercise price equal to $0.56 per share, which are scheduled to vest as follows (a) 50,000 shares upon the Company initiating its next Phase II clinical trial in the U.S. for MS1819, (b) 50,000 shares upon the Company completing its next or subsequent Phase II clinical trial in the U.S. for MS1819, (c) 100,000 shares upon the Company initiating a Phase III clinical trial in the U.S. for MS1819, and (d) 100,000 shares upon the Company initiating a Phase I clinical trial in the U.S. for any product other than MS1819. Mr. Sapirstein is entitled to receive 20 days of paid vacation, participate in full employee health benefits and receive reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with his services to the Company.
 
In the event that Mr. Sapirstein’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, as defined in his employment agreement, or by Mr. Sapirstein voluntarily, then he will not be entitled to receive any payments beyond amounts already earned, and any unvested equity awards will terminate. In the event that Mr. Sapirstein’s employment is terminated as a result of an Involuntary Termination Other than for Cause, as defined in his employment agreement, Mr. Sapirstein will be entitled to receive the following compensation: (i) severance in the form of continuation of his salary (at the base salary rate in effect at the time of termination, but prior to any reduction triggering Good Reason (as such term is defined in Mr. Sapirstein’s employment agreement) for a period of twelve months following the termination date; (ii) payment of Mr. Sapirstein’s premiums to cover COBRA for a period of twelve months following the termination date; and (iii) a prorated annual bonus.
 
 
-28-
 
Daniel Schneiderman
 
Effective January 2, 2020, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Schneiderman to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer for a term of three years, subject to further renewal upon agreement of the parties. The employment agreement with Mr. Schneiderman provides for a base salary of $285,000 per year. In addition to the base salary, Mr. Schneiderman is eligible to receive (a) an annual milestone cash bonus based on certain milestones that will be established by the Company’s Board or the Compensation Committee, and (b) a grant of stock options to purchase 335,006 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $1.03 per share, which shall vest in three equal portions on each anniversary date of the execution of Mr. Schneiderman’s employment agreement, commencing on January 2, 2021, the first anniversary date of the agreement. Mr. Schneiderman is entitled to receive 20 days of paid vacation, participate in full employee health benefits and receive reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with his service to the Company. The Company may terminate Mr. Schneiderman’s employment agreement at any time, with or without Cause, as such term is defined in his employment agreement.
 
In the event that Mr. Schneiderman’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, as defined in Mr. Schneiderman’s employment agreement, or by Mr. Schneiderman voluntarily, then he will not be entitled to receive any payments beyond amounts already earned, and any unvested equity awards will terminate. If the Company terminates his employment agreement without Cause, not in connection with a Change of Control, as such term is defined in Mr. Schneiderman’s employment agreement, he will be entitled to (i) all salary owed through the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid annual milestone bonus; (iii) severance in the form of continuation of his salary for the greater of a period of six months following the termination date or the remaining term of the employment agreement; (iv) payment of premiums to cover COBRA for a period of six months following the termination date; (v) a prorated annual bonus equal to the target annual milestone bonus, if any, for the year of termination multiplied by the formula set forth in the agreement. If the Company terminates Mr. Schneiderman’s employment agreement without Cause, in connection with a Change of Control, he will be entitled to the above and immediate accelerated vesting of any unvested options or other unvested awards.
 
Dr. James E. Pennington
 
Effective May 28, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Pennington to serve as its Chief Medical Officer. The employment agreement with Dr. Pennington provides for a base annual salary of $250,000. In addition to his salary, Dr. Pennington is eligible to receive an annual milestone bonus, awarded at the sole discretion of the Board based on his attainment of certain financial, clinical development, and/or business milestones established annually by the Board or Compensation Committee. The Company may terminate Dr. Pennington’s employment agreement at any time, with or without Cause, as such term is defined in Dr. Pennington’s employment agreement. In the event of termination by the Company other than for Cause, Dr. Pennington is entitled to three months’ severance payable over such period. In the event of termination by the Company other than for Cause in connection with a Change of Control as such term is defined in Dr. Pennington’s employment agreement, Dr. Pennington will receive six months’ severance payable over such period.
 
Note 15 - Leases
 
The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases, as of January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. Prior year financial statements were not recast under the new standard.
 
The Company leases its office and research facilities under operating leases which are subject to various rent provisions and escalation clauses.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company entered into a month-to-month lease for office space in Delray Beach, FL and one-year residential lease in Delray Beach, FL.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company entered into a two-year lease extension (amendment) to is Hayward, CA office. The Company determined that the lease modification did not grant an additional right of use and concluded that the modification was not a separate new lease, but rather that it should reassess and remeasure the entire modified lease on the effective date of the modification. The Company accounted for the lease amendment prospectively.
 
The Company’s leases expire at various dates through 2022. The escalation clauses are indeterminable and considered not material and have been excluded from minimum future annual rental payments.
 
 
-29-
 
Lease expense amounted to $55,418 and $52,057, respectively, in the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
 
Lease expense amounted to $128,663 and $153,723, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
 
The weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate under operating leases at September 30, 2020 are:
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2020
 
Lease term and discount rate
 
 
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term
  1.16 years  
Weighted-average discount rate
  6.0% 
 
Maturities of operating lease liabilities at September 30, 2020 are as follows:
 
2020
 $30,565 
2021
  55,420 
2022
  23,375 
Total lease payments
  109,360 
Less imputed interest
  (3,736)
Present value of lease liabilities
 $105,624 
 
Note 16 - Income Taxes
 
The Company is subject to taxation at the federal level in both the United States and France and at the state level in the United States. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had no tax provision for either jurisdiction.
 
At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had gross deferred tax assets of approximately $20,059,000 and $16,372,000, respectively. As the Company cannot determine that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefit of the deferred tax asset, a valuation allowance of approximately $20,059,000 and $16,372,000, respectively, has been established at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The change in the valuation allowance in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $3,687,000 and $2,108,000, respectively.
 
At September 30, 2020, the Company has gross net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes of approximately $35,077,000 and $26,572,000, respectively. The Company’s ability to use its NOL carryforwards may be limited if it experiences an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 (“Section 382”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. An ownership change generally occurs if certain stockholders increase their aggregate percentage ownership of a corporation’s stock by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest percentage ownership at any time during the testing period, which is generally the three-year period preceding any potential ownership change.
 
At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had approximately $22,120,000 and $19,425,000, respectively, in net operating losses which it can carryforward indefinitely to offset against future French income.
 
At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had taken no uncertain tax positions that would require disclosure under ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes.
 
Note 17 - Net Loss per Common Share
 
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect, in periods in which they have a dilutive effect, the impact of common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants and conversion of convertible debt that are not deemed to be anti-dilutive. The dilutive effect of the outstanding stock options and warrants is computed using the treasury stock method.
 
 
-30-
 
At September 30, 2020, diluted net loss per share did not include the effect of 29,314,408 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock including accrued and unpaid dividends, 25,200,168 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, 387,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to unearned and unissued restricted stock and RSUs, and 4,312,506 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options as their effect would be antidilutive during the periods prior to conversion.
 
At September 30, 2019, diluted net loss per share did not include the effect of 3,388,378 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, 416,000 shares of restricted Common Stock not yet issued, and 1,887,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options as their effect would be antidilutive during the periods prior to conversion.
 
Note 18 - Related Party Transactions
 
Johan (Thijs) Spoor
 
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company employed the services of JIST Consulting (“JIST”), a company controlled by Johan (Thijs) Spoor, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and President, as a consultant for business strategy, financial modeling, and fundraising. Included in accounts payable at December 31, 2019 and 2018, is $348,400 and $478,400, respectively, for JIST relating to Mr. Spoor’s services. Mr. Spoor received no other compensation from the Company other than as specified in his employment agreement. On October 8, 2019, Mr. Spoor resigned as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. In addition, Mr. Spoor resigned as a member of the Board on April 29, 2020.
 
On June 29, 2019, the Company accrued an incentive bonus in the amount of $255,000 payable to Mr. Spoor. Subsequent to Mr. Spoor’s resignation, the Compensation Committee reviewed the accrued bonus and determined that such amount was not owed by the Company, which determination is being challenged by Mr. Spoor. As a result of management’s determination, the Company reversed the accrual in the quarter ended December 31, 2019.
 
All unvested shares of restricted stock and stock options subject to time and other performance-based vesting conditions have been forfeited in connection with Mr. Spoor's resignation as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Spoor also declined the right to receive 241,667 earned, but unissued shares of restricted stock on April 29, 2020 in connection with his resignation from the Board.
 
On July 9, 2020, the Company and Johan (Thijs) Spoor, its former Chief Executive Officer, entered into a settlement and general release (the “Spoor Settlement and Release”), effective July 9, 2020 (the “Spoor Settlement Date”), of certain claims relating to Mr. Spoor's separation from the Company on October 8, 2019. In connection with the Spoor Settlement and Release, on July 14, 2020 the Company granted Mr. Spoor warrants to purchase an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Common Stock, which had a grant date fair value of $85,770 (See Note 12). In addition, Mr. Spoor legally released all claims to a discretionary bonus in the amount of $255,000, which was originally accrued by the Company in June 2019 but was subsequently reversed during the quarter ended December 31, 2019, legally released all claims to $348,400 due to JIST Consulting, a company controlled by Mr. Spoor and the Company also paid Mr. Spoor's legal expenses in the amount of $51,200. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized a gain on settlement of $211,430 in connection with the Spoor Settlement and Release.
 
Maged Shenouda
 
From October 1, 2016 until his appointment as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on September 25, 2017, the Company employed the services of Maged Shenouda as a financial consultant. Included in accounts payable at September 30, 2020 and 2019 is $10,000 and $50,000, respectively, for Mr. Shenouda’s services. On November 1, 2019, Mr. Shenouda submitted his resignation as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective November 30, 2019.
 
On June 29, 2019, the Company accrued an incentive bonus in the amount of $100,000 payable to Mr. Shenouda. Subsequent to Mr. Shenouda’s resignation, the Compensation Committee reviewed the accrued bonus and determined that such amount should not be paid, and the Company reversed the accrual in the quarter ended December 31, 2019.
 
On July 2, 2020, the Company and Maged Shenouda, its former Chief Financial Officer also entered into a settlement and general release (the “Shenouda Settlement and Release”), of certain claims relating to Mr. Shenouda’s s separation from the Company effective November 30, 2019. In connection with the Shenouda Settlement and Release, the Company paid a total of $15,000 to Mr. Shenouda, which amount includes $10,000 of accounts payable of the Company due to Mr. Shenouda for services provided and $5,000 for legal expenses, and Mr. Shenouda legally released all claims to a discretionary bonus in the amount of $100,000 originally accrued by the Company in June 2019, but was subsequently reversed during the quarter ended December 31, 2019.
 
 
-31-
 
 
ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
References in this report to “AzurRx,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references mean AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. References to “AzurRx BioPharma” refer to AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. on an unconsolidated basis. References to “AzurRx SAS” refer to AzurRx BioPharma’s wholly owned subsidiary through which we conduct our European operations. References to the “SEC” refer to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this interim report. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or future strategies that are signified by the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” or similar language. Our business and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or achievements of the company and its clinical trials  may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including whether the Company’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund its continuing operations for the periods and/or trials anticipated; whether results obtained in preclinical and nonclinical studies and clinical trials will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials; whether preliminary or interim results from a clinical trial such as the interim results presented will be indicative of the final results of the trial; whether the Company’s product candidates will advance through the clinical trial process on a timely basis, or at all; whether the results of such trials will warrant submission for approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether the Company’s product candidates will receive approval from regulatory agencies on a timely basis or at all; whether, if product candidates obtain approval, they will be successfully distributed and marketed; whether the coronavirus pandemic will have an impact on the timing of our clinical development, clinical supply and our operations; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019, and risks described in other filings that the Company may make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
Overview
 
AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. (“AzurRx” or “Parent”) was incorporated on January 30, 2014 in the State of Delaware. In June 2014, AzurRx acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of AzurRx SAS (formerly “ProteaBio Europe SAS”), a company incorporated in October 2008 under the laws of France. AzurRx and its wholly-owned subsidiary, AzurRx SAS (“ABS”), are collectively referred to as the “Company.”
 
The Company is engaged in the research and development of non-systemic biologics for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Non-systemic biologics are non-absorbable drugs that act locally, i.e. the intestinal lumen, skin or mucosa, without reaching an individual’s systemic circulation. The Company is currently focused on developing its lead drug candidate, MS1819.
 
MS1819
 
MS1819 is a yeast derived recombinant lipase for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (“EPI”) associated with cystic fibrosis (“CF”) and chronic pancreatitis (“CP”). MS1819, supplied as an oral non-systemic biologic capsule, is derived from the Yarrowia lipolytica yeast lipase and breaks up fat molecules in the digestive tract of EPI patients so that they can be absorbed as nutrients. Unlike the standard of care, the MS1819 synthetic lipase does not contain any animal products.
 
EPI is a condition characterized by deficiency of the exocrine pancreatic enzymes, resulting in a patient’s inability to digest food properly, or maldigestion. The deficiency in this enzyme can be responsible for greasy diarrhea, fecal urge and weight loss. There are more than 30,000 patients with EPI caused by CF according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation approximately and approximately 90,000 patients in the U.S. with EPI caused by CP according to the National Pancreas Foundation. Patients are currently treated with porcine pancreatic enzyme replacement pills.
 
 
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Ongoing Clinical Studies
 
MS1819 – Phase 2b OPTION 2 Cystic Fibrosis Monotherapy Study
 
On October 17, 2019, the Company announced that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Data Safety Monitoring Board (the “CFF DSMB”) completed its review of the Company’s final results of the OPTION Cross-Over Study and had found no safety concerns for MS1819, and that the CFF DSMB supported the Company’s plan to proceed to a higher 4.4 gram dose of MS1819 with enteric capsules in the multi-center dose escalation Phase 2b OPTION clinical trial (the “OPTION 2 Trial”). In December 2019, the Company submitted the clinical trial protocol to the existing IND at the FDA. The clinical trial protocol has been reviewed by the FDA with no comments. In April 2020, the Company received approval to conduct the OPTION 2 Trial in Therapeutics Development Network (TDN) clinical sites in the U.S. as well as Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to commence the OPTION 2 Trial.
 
The OPTION 2 Trial is designed to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of MS1819 (2.2 gram and 4.4 gram doses in enteric capsules) in a head-to-head manner versus the current standard of care, porcine pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) pills. The OPTION 2 Trial will be an open-label, crossover study, conducted in 15 sites in the U.S. and Europe. A total of 30 CF patients 18 years or older will be enrolled.  MS1819 will be administered in enteric capsules to provide gastric protection and allow optimal delivery of enzyme to the duodenum.  Patients will first be randomized into two cohorts: to either the MS1819 arm, where they receive a 2.2 gram daily oral dose of MS1819 for three weeks; or to the PERT arm, where they receive their pre-study dose of PERT pills for three weeks. After three weeks, stools will be collected for analysis of coefficient of fat absorption (CFA). Patients will then be crossed over for another three weeks of the alternative treatment. After three weeks of cross-over therapy, stools will again be collected for analysis of CFA. A parallel group of patients will be randomized and studied in the same fashion, using a 4.4 gram daily dose of MS1819. All patients will be followed for an additional two weeks after completing both crossover treatments for post study safety observation. Patients will be assessed using descriptive methods for efficacy, comparing CFA between MS1819 and PERT arms, and for safety.
 
The Company initiated the OPTION 2 Trial in July 2020 with the first patient screened and three clinical trial sites activated in the U.S. In August 2020, the Company dosed the first patients and initiated the European arm of the OPTION 2 Trial. Topline data is anticipated in the first quarter of 2021; however, this timeline may be further delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
MS1819 – Phase 2 Combination Therapy Study
 
In addition to the monotherapy studies, the Company launched a Phase 2 multi-center clinical trial (the “Combination Trial”) in Europe to investigate MS1819 in combination with PERT, for CF patients who suffer from severe EPI but continue to experience clinical symptoms of fat malabsorption despite taking the maximum daily dose of PERTs. The Combination Trial is designed to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of escalating doses of MS1819 (700 mg, 1120 mg and 2240 mg per day, respectively), in conjunction with a stable dose of PERTs, in order to increase CFA and relieve abdominal symptoms in uncontrolled CF patients. A combination therapy of PERT and MS1819 has the potential to: (i) correct macronutrient and micronutrient maldigestion; (ii) eliminate abdominal symptoms attributable to maldigestion; and (iii) sustain optimal nutritional status on a normal diet in CF patients with severe EPI.
 
The Company dosed the first patients in its Combination Trial in Hungary in October 2019. Planned enrollment is expected to include approximately 24 CF patients with severe EPI, at clinical trial sites in Hungary and additional countries in Europe, including Turkey. Topline data is currently expected in the first half of 2021; however, this timeline may be further delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Company announced positive interim data on the first five patients in the Combination Trial in August 2020. The primary efficacy endpoint was met, with CFAs greater than 80% for all patients across all visits. For secondary efficacy endpoints, the Company observed that stool weight decreased, the number of stools per day decreased, steatorrhea improved, and body weight increased. Additionally, no serious adverse events were reported.
 
The Company opened a total of five clinical sites for the Combination Trial in Turkey in October 2020. The Company currently has a total of nine of the expected ten sites in Europe active and recruiting patients.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We have experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. As of September 30, 2020, we had cash of approximately $11.4 million and had sustained cumulative losses attributable to common stockholders of approximately $78.0 million. We have not yet achieved profitability and anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future. We expect that our expenses will continue to grow and, as a result, we will need to generate significant product revenues to achieve profitability. We may never achieve profitability. As such, we are dependent on obtaining, and are continuing to pursue, the necessary funding from outside sources, including obtaining additional funding from the sale of securities in order to continue our operations. Without adequate funding, we may not be able to meet our obligations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
 
 
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Our primary sources of liquidity come from capital raises through additional equity and/or debt financings. This may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is evolving and could negatively impact our ability to raise additional capital in the future.
 
We have funded our operations to date primarily through the issuance of debt and convertible debt securities, as well as the issuance of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) in various public offerings and private placement transactions. We expect to incur substantial expenditures in the foreseeable future for the development of MS1819 and any other product candidates. We will require additional financing to develop, prepare regulatory filings and obtain regulatory approvals, fund operating losses, and, if deemed appropriate, establish manufacturing, sales and marketing capabilities.
 
We expect to incur substantial expenditures in the foreseeable future for the development of MS1819 and our other product candidates. We will require additional financing to develop our product candidates, run clinical trials, prepare regulatory filings and obtain regulatory approvals, fund operating losses, and, if deemed appropriate, establish manufacturing, sales and marketing capabilities. Our current financial condition raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, our ability to meet our obligations, and our ability to pursue our business strategies. We will seek funds through additional equity and/or debt financings, collaborative or other arrangements with corporate sources, or through other sources of financing.
 
Although we are primarily focused on the development of MS1819, we are also opportunely focused on expanding our product pipeline through collaborations, and also through acquisitions of products and companies. We are continually evaluating potential asset acquisitions and business combinations. To finance such acquisitions, we might raise additional equity capital, incur additional debt, or both.
 
Series B Private Placement and Exchange
 
As described in Note 11 in the accompanying financial statements, on July 16, 2020, we consummated a private placement of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) and related warrants (the “Series B Private Placement”), resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $15.2 million and aggregate net proceeds of approximately $13.2 million, after deducting placement agent compensation and offering expenses.
 
In the private placement we issued an aggregate of 2,912.583005 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a price of $7,700.00 per share, initially convertible into an aggregate of 29,125,756 shares of Common Stock at $0.77 per share, together with warrants (the “Series B Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 14,562,826 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.85 per share.
 
In connection with the Series B Private Placement, we issued an aggregate of 1,975.578828 shares of Series B Preferred Stock initially convertible into 19,755,748 shares of Common Stock and related 9,877,835 Series B Warrants for cash consideration. In addition, we issued the balance of an aggregate of 937.004177 shares of Series B Preferred Stock initially convertible into 9,370,008 shares of Common Stock and related Series B Warrants to purchase 4,684,991 shares of Common Stock to certain investors in exchange for approximately $6.9 million aggregate outstanding principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon of approximately $0.3 million, of outstanding promissory notes previously issued between December 2019 and January 2020. As additional consideration to such investors, we also issued certain additional warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,772,937 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.85 per share.
 
Following the Series B Private Placement, we prepaid the outstanding balance of $25,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding promissory notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the prepayment date, held by those holders who did not participate in such exchange. As a result, following the consummation of the Series B Private Placement, the Company no longer has any convertible debt outstanding.
 
 
 
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Continued Nasdaq Listing
 
On March 23, 2020, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC ("Nasdaq") indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of the Company's Common Stock for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company is not currently in compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the "Notice").
 
The Notice has no immediate effect on the continued listing status of the Company's Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and, therefore, the Company's listing remains fully effective.
 
The Company will continue to monitor the closing bid price of its Common Stock and seek to regain compliance with all applicable Nasdaq requirements within the allotted compliance periods. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of the Company's Common Stock must be at least $1.00 per share for 10 consecutive business days at some point during the period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Notice, or until December 3, 2020, due to certain COVID-19 related relief from price-based continued listing requirements issued by Nasdaq on April 16, 2020. If the Company does not regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement by December 3, 2020, Nasdaq may grant the Company a second period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance. To qualify for this additional compliance period, the Company would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, other than the minimum bid price requirement. In addition, the Company would also be required to notify Nasdaq of its intent to cure the minimum bid price deficiency. If the Company does not regain compliance within the allotted compliance periods, including any extensions that may be granted by Nasdaq, Nasdaq will provide notice that the Company's Common Stock will be subject to delisting. The Company would then be entitled to appeal that determination to a Nasdaq hearings panel. There can be no assurance that the Company will regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement during the 180-day compliance period, secure a second period of 180 days to regain compliance, or maintain compliance with the other Nasdaq listing requirements.
 
In addition, on August 20, 2020, the Company received a separate letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of Nasdaq indicating that the Company was not in compliance with the minimum stockholders’ equity requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under Listing Rule 5550(b)(1 (the “Minimum Equity Requirement”), because the Company’s stockholders’ equity of approximately negative $0.8 million, as reported for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, was below the required minimum of $2.5 million, and because, as of August 19, 2020, the Company did not meet certain alternative compliance standards. Based on correspondence with the Listing Qualifications Staff of Nasdaq, the Company has been granted an extension of time to regain compliance with the Minimum Equity Requirement, provided that the Company file its Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2020 on or before November 16, 2020, demonstrating a minimum of $2.5 million in stockholders’ equity.
 
As reflected in the accompanying financial statements, as of September 30, 2020, our stockholders’ equity was approximately $14.0 million. Accordingly, we believe we have evidenced compliance with the Minimum Equity Requirement, and we anticipate resolving this matter with Nasdaq promptly following the filing of this Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
 
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Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
 
Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $5,331,557, which primarily reflected our net loss of $15,271,074 plus adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities of depreciation and amortization expense of $422,217, non-cash stock-based compensation of $369,517, non-cash restricted stock granted to employees and directors of $27,292, non-cash Common Stock granted to members of the Company's board of directors to settle accounts payable of $131,137, non-cash Common Stock granted to consultants of $109,605, non-cash accretion of debt discount of $4,580,167, non-cash interest on convertible debt of $234,334, loss on debt extinguishment of $609,998, gain on settlement of $211,430, and beneficial conversion feature related to the promissory note exchange of $798,413, and non-cash lease expense of $4,855. Changes in assets and liabilities are due to a decrease in other receivables of $2,121,336 due primarily to the payments of French research and development (“R&D”) tax credits, a decrease in prepaid expenses of $446,766 due primarily to the expensing of prepaid insurance, a decrease in other liabilities of $31,104, and a decrease of accounts payable and accrued expense of $90,147, offset by an increase in an increase in deposits of $4,180, and an increase in accrued dividends payable of $408,043.
 
Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $10,807,517, which primarily reflected our net loss of $13,896,063 plus adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities of depreciation and amortization expense of $876,324, non-cash stock-based compensation of $541,725 due primarily to achievement of certain performance-based milestones associated with previously issued equity awards, non-cash restricted stock granted to employees/directors of $556,888 due primarily to reaching certain performance-based milestones, non-cash restricted stock granted to a consultant in payment of accounts payable for $112,500, accrued interest on convertible debt of $124,932, and non-cash debt discount - warrants on convertible debt of $147,461. Changes in assets and liabilities are due to an increase in other receivables of $261,981, a decrease in prepaid expenses of $420,218 due primarily to the expensing of prepaid insurance, an increase in deposits of $4,125, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $601,096 and a decrease in other liabilities of $23,274 primarily due to the adoption of new lease accounting standards.
 
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was $2,808, which consisted of the purchase of property and equipment.
 
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $17,243, which consisted of the purchase of property and equipment.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $16,493,726, compared to $11,298,574 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, resulting in an increase of $5,195,152.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 consisted of $13,197,740 from the from the issuance of the preferred stock in the Series B Private Placement, $3,227,002 from the issuance of the convertible debt in our offering of Senior Convertible Promissory Notes and warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock that occurred in December 2019, $988,348 from the proceeds of the Equity Line, and $179,408 from the issuance of a note payable in connection with the PPP loan, offset by repayments of convertible debt of $475,000 plus accrued interest of $105,460 related to the issuance to ADEC Equity Investments, LLC of two Senior Convertible Notes (the “ADEC Notes”) and Senior Convertible Promissory Notes, and repayment of notes payable of $623,772, which included the repayment of the Paycheck Protection Program loan.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $11,298,574, which consisted of $9,492,016 from the sale of Common Stock offered in our public offerings of Common Stock that occurred in April 2019 and in May 2019, $2,000,000 from the issuance of the ADEC Notes, and $61,590 received from a stockholder in relation to a warrant modification offset by repayment of a note payable of $255,032.
 
Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 
 
Revenues.  We have not yet achieved revenue-generating status from any of our product candidates. Since inception, we have devoted substantially all of our time and efforts to developing MS1819. As a result, we did not have any revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
Research and Development Expense. R&D expense was $1,795,684 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $2,221,933 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. This represents a decrease of $426,249 or approximately 19% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019. Stock-based compensation for employees, depreciation and amortization was $19,878, $4,881 and $131,887, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $0, $11,842 and $131,887, respectively for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Excluding non-cash expenses, total cash R&D expense decreased by $439,165, or approximately 21% to $1,639,038 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, from $2,078,203 for the three months ended September 30, 2019.
 
 
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The decrease in R&D cash spending was primarily due to decreased clinical trial costs of $378,340 related to reduced clinical trial activity in connection with recruitment delays in the Combination Study due to COVID-19 as compared to the prior period when we were conducting the OPTION Trial, and decreased personnel costs of $104,484. We expect cash R&D expense to increase during the remainder of the fiscal year as we advance both the OPTION 2 Trial and the Combination Trial and increase chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (“CMC”) activities in connection with the continued development of MS1819.
 
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative (“G&A”) expense was $1,916,250 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as, as compared to $1,860,141 for the for the three months ended September 30, 2019. This represents an increase of $56,109, or approximately 3% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019. Stock-based compensation for employees and depreciation was $148,303, and $3,307, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $93,824, and $5,149, respectively for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Excluding non-cash expenses, total cash G&A expense increased by $3,472, or approximately 0% to $1,764,640 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, from $1,761,169 for the three months ended September 30, 2019.
 
The slight increase in G&A cash spending was primarily due to increased legal expenses of $474,960, increased insurance of $69,368, increased personnel expenses of $57,443, and increased information technology expenses of $23,459, offset by decreased other expenses of $315,442 primarily due to the fraud loss for the three months ended September 30, 2019, cutbacks in public company and corporate communications expense, including investor and public relations of $136,554, decreased taxes and licenses of $50,421, primarily due to the refund of $42,190 in the three months ended September 30, 2020, for overpayments in prior years, elimination of directors fees of $35,000, decreased travel and entertainment of $32,136, decreased accounting and auditing fees of $27,399 and decreased consulting expenses of $22,237.
 
We expect cash G&A expense to increase during the remainder of this fiscal year primarily due to increases in public company and corporate communications expenses, including investor relations, legal expenses, fees related to business development efforts, and information technology security expenses, among others.
 
Other Expense. Other expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $1,601,972 as compared to $110,398 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. This represents an increase of $1,491,574 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019. This increase is primarily due to increased interest expense of $1,203,404 due to amortization of debt discount and accrued interest related to the convertible debt issued in between December 2019 and January 2020, which was not present in the prior period, and a loss on debt extinguishment of $609,998, which was not present in the prior period, offset by gain on settlement of $211,430, which was not present in the prior period.
 
Net Loss. As a result of the factors above, our net loss increased by $1,121,434 to $5,313,906 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to $4,192,472 for the three months ended September 30, 2019.
 
Consolidated Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 
 
Revenues.  We have not yet achieved revenue-generating status from any of our product candidates. Since inception, we have devoted substantially all of our time and efforts to developing MS1819. As a result, we did not have any revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
Research and Development Expense. R&D expense was $4,438,229 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $7,927,907 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. This represents a decrease of $3,489,678, or approximately 49% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Stock-based compensation for employees, depreciation and amortization was $28,878, $14,372, and $395,661, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $0, $35,918 and $824,936, respectively for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Excluding non-cash expenses, total cash R&D expense decreased by $3,068,074, or approximately 43% to $3,999,318 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $7,067,392 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
 
The decrease in R&D cash spending was primarily due to decreased clinical trial costs of $2,608,858 related to reduced clinical trial activity in connection with recruitment delays in the Combination Study due to COVID-19 as compared to the prior period which included the OPTION trial, decreased personnel costs of $342,887, decreased supplies and materials expenses related to laboratory research of $57,097, and decreased consulting expenses of $53,966. We expect cash R&D expense to increase during the remainder of the fiscal year as we advance both the OPTION 2 Trial and the Combination Trial and increase CMC activities in connection with the continued development of MS1819.
 
 
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General and Administrative Expense. G&A expense was $4,595,860 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as, as compared to $5,690,001 for the for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. This represents a decrease of $1,094,141, or approximately 19% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Stock-based compensation for employees and consultants, depreciation, and loss on asset disposal was $477,537, $12,184, and $1,998, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $1,098,613, $15,343 and $0, respectively for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Excluding non-cash expenses, total cash G&A expense decreased by $471,904, or approximately 10% to $4,104,141 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $4,576,045 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
 
The decrease in G&A cash spending was primarily due to the elimination of bonuses of $629,300 as compared to the prior period, cutbacks in public company and corporate communications expense, including investor and public relations of $280,153, directors fees of $105,000, and travel and entertainment expenses of $72,377, and decreased other expenses of $326,417 primarily due to the fraud loss for the three months ended September 30, 2019, offset by increases in legal expenses of $495,801, insurance of $203,080, consulting expenses of $136,976, increased insurance of $203,080, and increased information technology expenses of $72,028.
 
We expect cash G&A expense to increase during the remainder of this fiscal year primarily due to increases in public company and corporate communications expenses, including investor relations, legal expenses, fees related to business development efforts, and information technology security expenses, among others.
 
Other Expense. Other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $6,236,985 as compared to $278,155 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. This represents an increase of $5,958,830 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019. This increase is primarily due to increased interest expense of $5,838,417 due to amortization of debt discount and accrued interest related to the convertible debt issued in between December 2019 and January 2020, as compared to $278,155 in the prior period, and a loss on debt extinguishment of $609,998, which was not present in the prior period, offset by gain on settlement of $211,430, which was not present in the prior period. 
 
Net Loss. As a result of the factors above, our net loss increased by $1,375,011 to $15,271,074 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to $13,896,063 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
 
ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS 
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and our CFO each concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and our CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 

 
 
 
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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM  1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
None.
 
ITEM  1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
Our results of operations and financial condition are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed on March 30, 2020 as supplemented by our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020, as filed on August 14, 2020. You should carefully consider these risk factors in conjunction with the other information contained in this Quarterly Report. Should any of these risks materialize, our business, financial condition and future prospects could be negatively impacted. As of November 16, 2020, there have been no material changes to the disclosures made in the above referenced Form 10-K, as supplemented by our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020, as filed on August 14, 2020.
 
ITEM 2.     UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
None.
 
ITEM 3.     DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
 
ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION
 
In our Form 8-K filed July 20, 2020, and in certain subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we previously reported that the exercise price of the warrants issued to our placement agent in connection with our private placement of Series B Preferred Stock, which was consummated on July 16, 2020, was $1.06 per share. In fact, the terms of our engagement letter with the placement agent require the exercise price for such warrants to be $0.96 per share. Our prior disclosures are hereby updated to reflect an exercise price of $0.96 per share for these warrants.
 
 
 
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ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS
 
 
(b)
Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
Certificate of the Designations, Powers, Preferences and Rights of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2020.)
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2020.)
 
Form of Warrant (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2020.)
 
Form of Warrant for Convertible Notes Offering (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2020.)
 
Form of Purchase Agreement, by and among the Company and the investors set forth on the signature pages thereto, including the form of Exchange Addendum (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2020.)
 
Form of Registration Rights Agreement, by and among the Company and the investors set forth on the signature page thereto (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2020.)
 
First Amendment to 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2020.)
 
2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan.
 
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
  
 
 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
AZURRX BIOPHARMA, INC.
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ James Sapirstein
 
 
James Sapirstein
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Daniel Schneiderman
 Date: November 16, 2020
 
Daniel Schneiderman
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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