Item 1. Financial Statements
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 (unaudited) | | December 31, 2022 |
ASSETS | | | |
Current Assets: | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 3,426,067 | | | $ | 5,964,556 | |
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets | 488,950 | | | 343,069 | |
Tax Receivables | 1,702,967 | | | 1,373,041 | |
Total Current Assets | 5,617,984 | | | 7,680,666 | |
Non-Current Assets: | | | |
Property and Equipment, Net | 51,349 | | | 55,177 | |
Restricted Cash | 4,185 | | | 49,260 | |
Intangible Assets and In-Process R&D, Net | 10,736,914 | | | 10,743,164 | |
Operating Lease Assets with Right-of-Use | 84,499 | | | 116,992 | |
Other Assets | 32,669 | | | 33,000 | |
Total Assets | $ | 16,527,600 | | | $ | 18,678,259 | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | |
Accounts Payable | $ | 587,473 | | | $ | 1,008,262 | |
Accrued Expenses | 1,181,722 | | | 1,835,934 | |
Operating Lease Liabilities | 73,289 | | | 105,782 | |
Contingent Consideration, short-term | 313,299 | | | 322,385 | |
Total Current Liabilities | 2,155,783 | | | 3,272,363 | |
Non-Current Liabilities: | | | |
Contingent Consideration | 3,527,187 | | | 3,309,175 | |
Deferred Tax Liability | 689,121 | | | 689,121 | |
Total Non-Current Liabilities | 4,216,308 | | | 3,998,296 | |
Total Liabilities | 6,372,091 | | | 7,270,659 | |
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8) | | | |
Stockholders’ Equity: | | | |
Preferred Stock, $0.01 Par Value: 10,000,000 shares authorized; 3,750 designated Series A, 0 shares issued and outstanding; 10,000 designated Series B, 0 shares issued and outstanding; 10,000 shares designated Series C, 0 shares issued and outstanding; 20,000 shares designated Series D, 7 shares issued and outstanding; 1,280 shares designated Series E, 0 shares issued and outstanding | — | | | — | |
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value: 50,000,000 shares authorized; 1,919,270 and 1,796,472 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | 19,214 | | | 17,986 | |
Additional Paid-In Capital | 146,683,202 | | | 146,035,314 | |
Accumulated Deficit | (136,331,495) | | | (134,462,959) | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | (215,412) | | | (182,741) | |
Total Stockholders’ Equity | 10,155,509 | | | 11,407,600 | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 16,527,600 | | | $ | 18,678,259 | |
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Operating Expenses: | | | |
General and Administrative | $ | 1,269,458 | | | $ | 1,664,791 | |
Research and Development | 438,283 | | | 707,928 | |
Executive Severance | — | | | 962,833 | |
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration | 208,926 | | | 233,890 | |
Total Operating Expenses | 1,916,667 | | | 3,569,442 | |
Operating Loss | (1,916,667) | | | (3,569,442) | |
Other Income, Net: | | | |
Gain on Disposal of Fixed Assets | — | | | 4,211 | |
Interest Income, Net | 33,465 | | | 217 | |
Other Income, Net | 14,666 | | | — | |
Total Other Income, Net | 48,131 | | | 4,428 | |
Net Loss | $ | (1,868,536) | | | $ | (3,565,014) | |
Net Loss per Common Share - Basic and Diluted | $ | (1.00) | | | $ | (11.27) | |
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic and Diluted | 1,863,466 | | 316,379 |
| | | |
Other Comprehensive Loss: | | | |
Net Loss | $ | (1,868,536) | | | $ | (3,565,014) | |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | (32,671) | | | 27,839 | |
Comprehensive Loss | $ | (1,901,207) | | | $ | (3,537,175) | |
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Preferred Stock | | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2022 | 7 | | $ | — | | | 1,796,472 | | $ | 17,986 | | | $ | 146,035,314 | | | $ | (134,462,959) | | | $ | (182,741) | | | $ | 11,407,600 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-Based Compensation | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 135,941 | | | — | | | — | | | 135,941 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of Common Stock from Private Placement, Net of Offering Costs of $84,285 | — | | — | | | 52,798 | | 528 | | | 115,187 | | | — | | | — | | | 115,715 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of Common Stock from ELOC Purchases | — | | — | | | 20,000 | | 200 | | | 98,760 | | | — | | | — | | | 98,960 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of Common Stock from Warrant Exercises | — | | — | | | 50,000 | | 500 | | | 298,000 | | | — | | | — | | | 298,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (32,671) | | | (32,671) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Loss | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | (1,868,536) | | | — | | | (1,868,536) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2023 | 7 | | $ | — | | | 1,919,270 | | $ | 19,214 | | | $ | 146,683,202 | | | $ | (136,331,495) | | | $ | (215,412) | | | $ | 10,155,509 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Preferred Stock | | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | 7 | | $ | — | | | 316,599 | | $ | 3,166 | | | $ | 135,541,662 | | | $ | (120,879,349) | | | $ | (86,431) | | | $ | 14,579,048 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-Based Compensation | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 215,921 | | | — | | | — | | | 215,921 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 27,839 | | | 27,839 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Loss | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | (3,565,014) | | | — | | | (3,565,014) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2022 | 7 | | $ | — | | | 316,599 | | $ | 3,166 | | | $ | 135,757,583 | | | $ | (124,444,363) | | | $ | (58,592) | | | $ | 11,257,794 | |
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Operating Activities: | | | |
Net Loss | $ | (1,868,536) | | | $ | (3,565,014) | |
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities: | | | |
Depreciation and Amortization of Intangible Assets | 10,078 | | | 10,773 | |
Reduction of Right-of-Use Assets | 32,778 | | | 51,102 | |
Stock-Based Compensation | 135,941 | | | 215,921 | |
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration | 208,926 | | | 233,890 | |
Gain on Disposal of Equipment | — | | | (4,211) | |
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities: | | | |
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets | (146,838) | | | (323,825) | |
Tax Receivables | (332,288) | | | (33,497) | |
Other Assets | 430 | | | (10,856) | |
Accounts Payable | (355,628) | | | 141,641 | |
Operating Lease Liabilities | (32,779) | | | (51,102) | |
Accrued Expenses | (721,678) | | | 502,792 | |
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | (3,069,594) | | | (2,832,386) | |
Investing Activities: | | | |
Proceeds on Sale of Equipment | — | | | 6,375 | |
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities | — | | | 6,375 | |
Financing Activities: | | | |
Proceeds from Private Placement, Net of Offering Costs | 115,715 | | | — | |
Proceeds from ELOC Purchases | 98,960 | | | — | |
Exercise of Warrants | 298,500 | | | — | |
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 513,175 | | | — | |
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash | (27,145) | | | 38,675 | |
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash | (2,583,564) | | | (2,787,336) | |
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Period | 6,013,816 | | | 7,899,690 | |
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, End of Period | $ | 3,430,252 | | | $ | 5,112,354 | |
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
1. Business, Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Overview
Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Kiora” or the “Company”) was formed as a Delaware corporation on December 28, 2004. Kiora is a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases.
Since its inception, Kiora has devoted substantially all its efforts to business planning, research and development, and raising capital.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Pursuant to these rules and regulations, they do not include all information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations have been included. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. We believe that the disclosures provided herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading when these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes previously distributed in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 23, 2023. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements of the Company but does not include all the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.
Reverse Stock Split
On September 23, 2022, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amendment”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect a one-for-forty (1-for-40 ) reverse stock split of its outstanding common stock. The Amendment was approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on September 23, 2022, and by the Company’s board of directors. The amendment became effective on September 27, 2022.
The reverse stock split affected all shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Amendment. As a result of the reverse stock split, proportionate adjustments were made to the per share exercise price and/or the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or vesting of all stock options, and restricted stock awards issued by the Company and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Amendment, which resulted in a proportionate decrease in the number of shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise or vesting of such stock options, and restricted stock awards, and, in the case of stock options, a proportionate increase in the exercise price of all such stock options. In addition, the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans immediately prior to the effective time of the Amendment was reduced proportionately. The reverse stock split did not affect the number of shares or par value of common stock authorized for issuance under the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which remained at 50,000,000 shares.
No fractional shares were issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Stockholders of record who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share received a cash payment in lieu thereof. The reverse stock split affected all stockholders proportionately and did not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership of the Company’s common stock (except to the extent that the reverse stock split results in any stockholder owning only a fractional share). As a result of the reverse stock split, the number of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock as of September 27, 2022 decreased from 43,163,123 (pre-split) shares to 1,079,045 (post-split) shares.
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
All share and per share amounts in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, related footnotes, and management’s discussion and analysis have been adjusted retroactively to reflect the reverse stock split as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented. While the number of warrants outstanding did not change, the underlying shares did and are presented reflecting the split. The Company’s common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market on a split-adjusted basis when the market opened on September 27, 2022.
Going Concern
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that Kiora will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2023, Kiora had unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of $3.4 million, and an Accumulated Deficit of $136.3 million. Kiora has incurred losses and negative cash flows since inception, and future losses are anticipated. Based on the cash on hand as of March 31, 2023, the Company anticipates having sufficient cash to fund planned operations into July 2023, however, the acceleration or reduction of cash outflows by Company management can significantly impact the timing for the need to raise additional capital to complete development of its products. To continue development, Kiora will need to raise additional capital through equity financing, license agreements, and/or grants. Although historically the Company has been successful at raising capital, most recently raising net proceeds of approximately $0.1 million in a private placement offering that closed on February 3, 2023 as well as an equity line of credit that provides up to $10.0 million (subject to certain limitations), additional capital may not be available on terms favorable to Kiora, if at all. The Company does not know if any future offerings will succeed. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that Company management will succeed in these endeavors. The factors described above have caused management to determine there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities or any other adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Significant Accounting Policies
Refunds for Research and Development
Kiora, through its Kiora Pharmaceuticals GmbH and Kiora Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd subsidiaries, is entitled to receive certain refundable tax incentives associated with its research and development expenses in Austria and Australia, respectively. These refunds are realized in the form of a cash payment in the year following the incurred research and development expenses. The Company records estimates of the refundable payment as a tax receivable and a reduction in expense in the period in which the research and development expenses are incurred.
Related-Party Transactions
The Company made payments totaling approximately $0.1 million for services to a related party vendor Ora, Inc. who is providing the Company with clinical study services for KIO-301. One of the Company’s directors is an executive at Ora, Inc.
Adoption of Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity. This guidance removes the liability and equity separation models for convertible instruments with a cash conversion feature or beneficial conversion feature. As a result, companies will more likely account for a convertible debt instrument wholly as debt, and for convertible preferred stock wholly as preferred stock (i.e., as a single unit of account). In addition, the guidance simplifies the settlement assessment that issuers perform to determine whether a contract in their own equity qualifies for equity
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
classification. Finally, the guidance requires entities to use the if-converted method to calculate earnings per share for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 did not have a material effect for the Company.
In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) to clarify an issuer’s accounting for certain modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options (for example, warrants) that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. Specifically, the ASU provides a principles-based framework to determine whether an issuer should recognize the modification or exchange as an adjustment to equity or an expense. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2021-04 on January 1, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2021-04 did not have a material effect for the Company.
In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, which requires business entities to disclose information about certain government assistance they receive. Such disclosure requirements include the nature of the transactions and the related accounting policy used, the line items on the balance sheet and income statement that are affected and the amounts applicable to each financial statement line item and significant terms and conditions of the transactions. ASU 2021-10 was effective for the Company January 1, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2021-10 did not have a material effect for the Company.
2. Balance Sheet Information
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
A summary of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 3,426,067 | | | $ | 5,964,556 | |
Restricted Cash, Non-current | 4,185 | | | 49,260 | |
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash | $ | 3,430,252 | | | $ | 6,013,816 | |
Non-current restricted cash consists of deposits with financial institutions for corporate credit cards.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
Prepaid Insurance | $ | 28,442 | | | $ | 117,315 | |
Prepaid Research and Development | 371,607 | | | 128,429 | |
Other | 88,901 | | | 97,325 | |
Total Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets | $ | 488,950 | | | $ | 343,069 | |
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
Payroll and Benefits | $ | 860,050 | | | $ | 1,312,443 | |
Professional Fees | 175,972 | | | 282,721 | |
Clinical Trials | 75,814 | | | 57,020 | |
Other | 69,886 | | | 183,750 | |
Total Accrued Expenses | $ | 1,181,722 | | | $ | 1,835,934 | |
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 to a third party under current market conditions 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. In connection with historical acquisitions, additional consideration may be paid related to the achievement of certain milestones and such contingent consideration is required by U.S. GAAP to be presented at fair value. The following table provides information for liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
Contingent Consideration: | | | |
Current | 313,299 | | | 322,385 | |
Non-current | 3,527,187 | | | 3,309,175 | |
Total Contingent Consideration | $ | 3,840,486 | | | $ | 3,631,560 | |
The Company initially values contingent consideration related to business combinations using a probability-weighted calculation of potential payment scenarios discounted at rates reflective of the risks associated with the expected future cash flows for certain milestones. Key assumptions used to estimate the fair value of contingent consideration include projected financial information, market data and the probability and timing of achieving the specific milestones. After the initial valuation, the Company generally uses its best estimate to measure contingent consideration at each subsequent reporting period using the following unobservable Level 3 inputs:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Valuation Technique | | Unobservable Inputs | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| Discounted cash flow | | Payment discount rate | | 13.4% | | 14.7% |
Bayon | | | Payment period | | 2023 - 2028 | | 2023 - 2028 |
Panoptes | | | Payment period | | 2024 - 2028 | | 2024 - 2028 |
Jade | | | Payment period | | 2026 | | 2026 |
Bayon | | | Probability of success for payment | | 17% - 67% | | 17% - 67% |
Panoptes | | | Probability of success for payment | | 17% - 36% | | 17% - 36% |
Jade | | | Probability of success for payment | | 56% | | 56% |
Significant changes in these assumptions could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value. The contingent consideration reported in the above table is adjusted quarterly based upon the passage of time or the anticipated success or failure of achieving certain milestones. The change in fair value of contingent consideration of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was primarily driven by a decreased
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
discount rate. The change in fair value of contingent consideration of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily driven by changes in estimated probabilities of success related to the orphan drug status designation of the Bayon drug candidate which occurred in March 2022. The change in fair value of contingent consideration is recorded within operating expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operation and comprehensive loss.
4. Capital Stock
In connection with the Company’s acquisition of Panoptes Pharma GmbH (“Panoptes”) in December 2020, on June 18, 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 10,086 shares of common stock to former shareholders of Panoptes, which had been held back for a period of eighteen months following the closing of the Panoptes acquisition to satisfy post-closing adjustment and indemnification obligations pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement between the Company and the former shareholders of Panoptes.
On July 22, 2022, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement to issue and sell stock and warrants in a public offering (the “Public Offering”). On July 25, 2022, the underwriter fully exercised the option granted by the Company to purchase stock and warrants (the “Option”). On July 26, 2022, the Public Offering closed, and the Company issued and sold (i) 592,392 shares of common stock (the “Common Shares”) (including 98,138 Common Shares sold pursuant to the exercise of the Option), (ii) 1,280 shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”) convertible into up to 160,000 shares of common stock, (iii) 30,095,697 Class A Warrants (including 3,925,525 Class A Warrants sold pursuant to the exercise of the Option), and (iv) 30,095,697 Class B Warrants (including 3,925,525 Class B Warrants sold pursuant to the exercise of the Option) (the “Class B Warrants” and together with the Class A Warrants, the “Warrants”). Upon exercise, the warrants will convert on a 40 for 1 basis into a total of 1,504,785 common shares. The public offering price of $8.00 per Common Share, Class A Warrants and Class B Warrants or $1,000 per Preferred Share, 5,000 Class A Warrants and 5,000 Class B Warrants resulted in net proceeds to the Company, of approximately $5.3 million net of underwriting discount and commissions of $0.4 million and expense of $0.3 million.
Each Warrant is exercisable at a price per share of common stock of $8.00. The Class A Warrants will expire on September 23, 2023 and the Class B Warrants will expire on September 23, 2027. The exercise prices of the Warrants are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of recapitalization events, stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting the Company’s common stock.
During August 2022, all holders of the Series E Preferred Shares issued in the Public Offering, elected to convert their Series E Preferred Shares into 160,000 shares of Common Stock.
On November 17, 2022, the Company entered into warrant exercise inducement offer letters with some of the Class A Warrant holders who agreed to exercise for cash all of their Class A Warrants to purchase 654,609 shares of common stock originally issued in the Public Offering in exchange for the Company's agreement to issue new warrants (the “Inducement Warrants”) on substantially the same terms as the Class A Warrants to purchase up to 654,609 shares of Common Stock. Each Inducement Warrant is exercisable at a price per share of common stock of $5.97. Each Inducement Warrant will initially be exercisable six months following its date of issuance, and will expire on the eighteen month anniversary of their initial exercise date. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $3.1 million from the exercise of the Class A Warrants by the selling stockholders and the sale of the Inducement Warrants. The Company paid its placement agent in connection with the inducement transactions a fee equal to 8% of gross proceeds from the exercise of the Class A Warrants.
On February 3, 2023, the Company completed a private placement with Lincoln Park Capital, LLC ("Lincoln Park") for 52,798 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 105,596 shares of common stock. The total net proceeds from the private placement were approximately $0.1 million. The warrants have an exercise price of $3.538 per share, subject to adjustments as provided under the terms of the warrants, and will be exercisable on the six-month anniversary of the closing date. The warrants are exercisable for five years from the issuance date.
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
On February 3, 2023, the Company also entered into a purchase agreement with Lincoln Park, pursuant to which Lincoln Park has agreed to purchase from the Company up to an aggregate of $10.0 million of common stock (subject to certain limitations), from time to time and at the Company's sole discretion over the term of the purchase agreement. On February 22, 2023, the Company completed its first issuance under this agreement for a total of 20,000 shares sold to Lincoln Park for proceeds of $0.1 million (Note 9).
5. Warrants
The following is a summary of warrant activity for the Company’s equity-classified warrants for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Common Shares Issuable Upon Exercise of Outstanding Warrants | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | Weighted Average Remaining Term in Years |
Outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 1,597,606 | | $ | 21.22 | | | 3.07 |
Issued | 105,596 | | $ | 3.54 | | | 5.00 |
Exercised | (50,000) | | $ | 5.97 | | | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2023 | 1,653,202 | | $ | 20.55 | | | 3.01 |
6. Net Loss per Share - Basic and Diluted
Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the time period, which for basic net loss per share, does not include the weighted-average unvested restricted common stock that has been issued and is subject to forfeiture totaling 70,550 and 220 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of stock options, warrants, and preferred stock and are calculated using the treasury stock method, which assumes the repurchase of common shares at the average market price during the period. Under the treasury stock method, options and warrants will have a dilutive effect when the average price of common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of options or warrants. Common equivalent shares do not qualify as participating securities. In periods where the Company records a net loss unvested restricted common stock and potential common stock equivalents are not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive. The following is a summary of potential common shares excluded from the calculation of net loss per share as of March 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Common Stock Warrants | 1,653,202 | | 168,932 |
Employee Stock Options | 211,578 | | 16,954 |
Restricted Stock | 70,550 | | 220 |
Preferred Stock | 52 | | 2 |
Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance | 11,366 | | — | |
Total Shares of Common Stock Issuable | 1,946,748 | | 186,108 |
7. Stock-Based Compensation
Equity Incentive Plans
In 2005, the Company approved the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”). The 2005 Plan provides for the granting of stock options (incentive and nonqualified), restricted stock or other stock-based awards to
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
employees, officers, directors, consultants, and advisors. During 2010, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the 2005 Plan was increased to 59,414 shares. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) is responsible for administration of the 2005 Plan. The Company’s Board determines the term of each option, the option exercise price, the number of shares for which each option is granted and the rate at which each option is exercisable. Incentive stock options may be granted to any officer or employee at an exercise price per share of not less than the fair value per common share on the date of the grant (not less than 110% of fair value in the case of holders of more than 10% of the Company’s voting stock) and with a term not to exceed ten years from the date of the grant (five years for incentive stock options granted to holders of more than 10% of the Company’s voting stock). Nonqualified stock options may be granted to any officer, employee, consultant, or director at an exercise price per share of not less than the par value per share. Following adoption of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), no further grants were made under the 2005 Plan. General terms of the 2014 Plan remain the same as that of the 2005 plan.
The Company’s Board adopted the 2014 Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), and the Company’s Stockholders approved the 2014 Plan and the ESPP Plan in February 2015. In January 2023, the number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2014 Plan automatically increased by 76,632 shares pursuant to the terms of the 2014 Plan. As of March 31, 2023, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the 2014 Plan was 297,363 of which 11,175 shares were available for awards.
Stock-based compensation expense is presented in the same expense line items as cash compensation paid and for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended March 31 |
| | 2023 | | 2022 |
Research and Development | | $ | 64,687 | | | $ | 32,620 | |
General and Administrative | | 71,254 | | | 183,301 | |
Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense | | $ | 135,941 | | | $ | 215,921 | |
Stock Options
The Company grants time-based stock options which generally vest one-third of the underlying shares on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and the remainder ratably over a 24-month period. The fair value of time-based stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, with such value recognized as expense over the service period, which is typically three years, net of actual forfeitures. A summary of the Company’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 is shown in the following table.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended March 31 |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Risk-Free Interest Rate | 4.26 | % | | 2.42 | % |
Expected Life (years) | 5.00 | | 5.00 |
Expected Stock Price Volatility | 142 | % | | 140 | % |
Expected Dividend Yield | — | % | | — | % |
The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $3.83 and $30.42, respectively. The expected term of the options granted is based on management's estimate. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s peers common stock. The risk-free interest rate is determined based upon a constant U.S. Treasury security rate with a contractual life that approximates the expected term of the option. Unamortized compensation expense related to the options amounted to $1.1 million as of March 31, 2023 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.24 years.
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
Following is a summary of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Options | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | Weighted- Average Remaining Term in Years |
Outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 84,751 | | $ | 36.92 | | | 9.59 |
Granted | 126,900 | | $ | 3.83 | | | |
Expired | (44) | | $ | 295.00 | | | |
Forfeited | (29) | | $ | — | | | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2023 | 211,578 | | $ | 17.01 | | | 9.69 |
Exercisable and vested at March 31, 2023 | 7,499 | | $ | 306.00 | | | 7.62 |
The stock options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2023 had no aggregate intrinsic value. The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the market price of the Company’s common stock for options that had exercise prices lower than $3.34, the closing price of the Company’s stock on March 31, 2023.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period, which is typically one-third of the underlying shares on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and the remainder ratably over a 24-month period. Unamortized compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards amounted to $0.3 million as of March 31, 2023 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.76 years. The following is a summary of restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Units | | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value | | Weighted- Average Remaining Term in Years |
Non-vested Outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 30,000 | | $ | 6.78 | | | 2.79 |
Awarded | 40,550 | | $ | 3.83 | | | |
Released | 0 | | $ | — | | | |
Forfeited | 0 | | $ | — | | | |
Non-vested Outstanding at March 31, 2023 | 70,550 | | $ | 5.08 | | | 2.76 |
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company has a non-qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), which provides for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock to eligible employees of the Company that elect to participate in the plan and purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions at a discounted price. Six month offering periods are made at the Board’s discretion. The ESPP provides for 284 aggregate shares of the Company’s common stock for participants to purchase. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, the remaining shares reserved for future offerings was 191.
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company leases its office facilities as well as other property under operating leases. In February 2022, the Company entered a lease for an office facility in Encinitas, California and took possession of the space May 1, 2022. The Company recorded an ROU asset and lease liability upon lease commencement in May 2022. On May 16, 2022, a nominal short-term lease commenced in Australia. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option. The remaining
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
lease terms range from less than 0.42 to 0.58 years. The Company’s Waltham, Massachusetts lease ended March 31, 2022.
Total operating lease cost for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $30,000 and $55,000, respectively and includes a nominal short-term and variable lease cost.
Future annual minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of March 31, 2023 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Years Ending December 31, | | |
2023 (remaining months) | | $ | 74,074 | |
Total Lease Liabilities | | 74,074 | |
Less Amounts Representing Interest | | (785) | |
Total | | 73,289 | |
Less Current Portion | | (73,289) | |
| | $ | — | |
License and Exclusive Rights Agreements
The Company is a party to seven license agreements as described below. These license agreements require the Company to pay or receive royalties or fees to or from the licensor based on revenue or milestones related to the licensed technology.
On July 2, 2013, the Company (through its subsidiary, Kiora Pharmaceuticals, GmbH) entered into a patent and know-how assignment agreement with 4SC Discovery GmbH (“4SC”) transferring to the Company all patent rights and know-how to the compound KIO-101. The Company is responsible for paying royalties of 3.25% on net sales of KIO-101.
On July 2, 2013, the Company (through its subsidiary, Kiora Pharmaceuticals, GmbH) entered into an out-license agreement with 4SC granting 4SC the exclusive worldwide right to commercialize the compound KIO-101 for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. The Company is eligible to receive milestone payments totaling up to €155 million, upon and subject to the achievement of certain specified developmental and commercial milestones. The Company has not received any milestones payments from 4SC. In addition, the Company is eligible to receive royalties of 3.25% on net sales of KIO-101.
On September 12, 2013, the Company (through its subsidiary, Jade Therapeutics, Inc.) entered into an agreement with Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (“Lineage”), formerly known as BioTime, Inc. granting to the Company the exclusive worldwide right to commercialize cross-linked thiolated carboxymethyl hyaluronic acid (“modified HA”) for ophthalmic treatments in humans. The agreement requires the Company to pay an annual fee of $30,000 and a royalty of 6% on net sales of KIO-201 to Lineage based on revenue relating to any product incorporating the modified HA technology. The agreement expires when patent protection for the modified HA technology lapses in August 2027.
On November 17, 2014, the Company (through its subsidiary Kiora Pharmaceuticals GmbH) entered into an intellectual property and know-how licensing agreement with Laboratoires Leurquin Mediolanum S.A.S. (“Mediolanum”) for the commercialization of KIO-101 (the “Mediolanum agreement”) in specific territories. Under the Mediolanum agreement, the Company out-licensed rights to commercialize KIO-101 for uveitis, dry eye and viral conjunctivitis in Italy, and France. This Agreement was amended on December 10, 2015 to also include Belgium and The Netherlands. Under the Mediolanum Agreement, Mediolanum is obligated to pay up to approximately €20 million in development and commercial milestones and a 7% royalty on net sales of KIO-101 in the territories through the longer of the expiry of the valid patents covering KIO-101 or 10 years from the first commercial sale. The royalty is reduced to 5% after patent expiry.
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
On September 26, 2018, the Company entered into an intellectual property licensing agreement (the “SentrX Agreement”) with SentrX, a veterinary medical device company that develops and manufactures veterinary wound care products. Under the SentrX Agreement, the Company in-licensed the rights to trade secrets and know-how related to the manufacturing of KIO-201. The SentrX Agreement enables the Company to pursue a different vendor with a larger capacity for manufacturing and an FDA-inspected facility for commercialization of a product for human use. Under the SentrX Agreement, SentrX is eligible to receive milestone payments totaling up to $4.75 million, upon and subject to the achievement of certain specified developmental and commercial milestones. The term of the agreement is until the product is no longer in the commercial marketplace.
On May 1, 2020, the Company (through its subsidiary, Bayon Therapeutics, Inc.) entered into an agreement with the University of California (“UC”) granting to the Company the exclusive rights to its pipeline of photoswitch molecules. The agreement requires the Company to pay an annual fee to UC of $5,000, as well as payments to UC upon the achievement of certain development milestone and royalties based on revenue relating to any product incorporating KIO-301. The Company is obligated to pay royalties on net sales of two percent (2%) of the first $250 million of net sales, one and a quarter percent (1.25%) of net sales between $250 million and $500 million, and one half of one percent (0.5%) of net sales over $500 million. The agreement expires on the date of the last-to-expire patent included in the licensed patent portfolio which is January 2030.
On May 1, 2020, the Company (through our subsidiary, Bayon Therapeutics, Inc.) entered into an agreement with Photoswitch Therapeutics, Inc. (“Photoswitch”) granting to the Company access to certain patent applications and IP rights with last-to-expire patent terms of January 2030. The agreement calls for payments to Photoswitch upon the achievement of certain development milestones and upon first commercial sale of the product.
Contingent Consideration
The purchase price of various acquisitions in prior periods included contingent consideration, which consisted of various cash earn-out payments upon the achievement of certain milestones. Below are the maximum obligation payments per the respective agreements and estimated fair value of contingent consideration payments remaining as of March 31, 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Maximum Obligation per Agreements | | Current Fair Value Estimated |
Bayon | $ | 7,135,000 | | | $ | 1,195,124 | |
Panoptes | 9,500,000 | | | 1,847,408 | |
Jade | 2,164,451 | | | 797,954 | |
| $ | 18,799,451 | | | $ | 3,840,486 | |
Other
In the normal course of business, the Company periodically becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits, as well as governmental proceedings and investigations that are incidental to the business. The Company accrues a liability when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When a material loss contingency is reasonably possible but not probable, the Company does not record a liability, but instead discloses the nature and amount of the claim, and an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if such an estimate can be made. Legal fees are expensed as incurred. With respect to governmental proceedings and investigations, like other companies in the industry, the Company is subject to extensive regulation by national, state and local governmental agencies in the U.S. and in other jurisdictions in which the Company and its affiliates operate. As a result, interaction with governmental agencies is ongoing. The Company’s standard practice is to cooperate with regulators and investigators in responding to inquiries.
The Company currently maintains insurance for risks associated with the operation of its business, provision of professional services and ownership of property. These policies provide coverage for a variety of potential
KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2023
losses, including loss or damage to property, bodily injury, general commercial liability, professional errors and omissions and medical malpractice.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was signed into law. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the recently enacted law, including whether the Company is subject to the corporate alternative minimum tax. However, the Company does not expect the impact to be material to its accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
9. Subsequent Events
In April 2023, the Company completed multiple issuances under the terms of the February 3, 2023 purchase agreement with Lincoln Park for a total of 105,000 shares sold to Lincoln Park for proceeds of $0.3 million.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains statements that are not statements of historical fact and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include those factors described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” beginning on page 23 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 2023. You should carefully review all of these factors, as well as the comprehensive discussion of forward-looking statements on page 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is referred to herein as “Kiora”, “we,” “our,” “us,” and “the Company”.
Executive Summary
We are a specialty clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases.
Our lead product is KIO-301 with an initial focus on patients with later stages of disease progression due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (any and all sub-forms). KIO-301 is a potential vision-restoring small molecule that acts as a “photoswitch” specifically designed to restore vision in patients with inherited and age-related degenerative retinal diseases. The molecule is specifically designed to restore the eyes’ ability to perceive and interpret light in visually impaired patients. It selectively enters viable downstream retinal ganglion cells (no longer receiving electrical input due to degenerated rods and cones) and is intended to turn them into light sensing cells, capable of signaling the brain as to the presence or absence of light. We have initiated a Phase 1b clinical trial in the third quarter of 2022. On March 17, 2022, we were granted Orphan Drug Designation by the United States (“U.S.”) Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (“API”) in KIO-301. KIO-301 (formerly known as B-203) was acquired through the Bayon transaction which closed October 21, 2021.
KIO-101 is a product that focuses on patients with Ocular Presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (“OPRA”). KIO-101 is a next generation, non-steroidal, immuno-modulatory, small-molecule inhibitor of Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (“DHODH”) with what we believe to be best-in-class picomolar potency and a validated immune modulating mechanism designed to overcome the off-target side effects and safety issues associated with commercially available DHODH inhibitors. In a 14-Day GLP intravenous ("IV") repeated dose toxicity study in rats, no adverse or test item related effects were observed in any of the tested parameters (mortality, clinical observations, ophthalmoscopy, body weight and food consumption, hematology and coagulation, clinical biochemistry, organ weight, pathology and histopathology) at the highest doses tested (1.0 mg/kg). In the fourth quarter of 2021, we reported topline safety and tolerability data from a Phase 1b proof-of-concept (“POC”) study evaluating KIO-101 in patients with ocular surface inflammation. As a further sign of safety, there were zero clinically significant laboratory (including liver enzymes) findings observed in both healthy patients and those with ocular surface inflammation. We initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial in Q1 of 2023, which is currently enrolling patients. KIO-101 (formerly known as PP-001) was acquired through the acquisition of Panoptes in the fourth quarter of 2020.
In addition, we are developing KIO-201 for patients with Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defects ("PCED"), which is an orphan disease and as such, we are currently seeking orphan drug designation. We also are considering development of KIO-201 in patients recovering from surgical wounds, such as those undergoing photorefractive keratectomy (“PRK”) surgery. KIO-201 is a modified form of the natural polymer hyaluronic acid, designed to protect the ocular surface to permit re-epithelialization of the cornea and improve and maintain ocular surface integrity. KIO-201 has unique properties that help hydrate and protect the ocular surface. We completed a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with PCEDs and are presenting the results in Q2 of 2023. We are in the planning stages of a Phase 3b trial for patients recovering from the laser vision correction procedure PRK and may initiate the study before the end of 2023.
Throughout our history, we have not generated significant revenue. We have never been profitable and from inception through March 31, 2023, our losses from operations have aggregated $136.3 million. Our net loss was $1.9 million and $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We expect to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future as we continue the development and clinical trials of and seek regulatory approval for our product candidates. If we obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, we expect to incur significant expenses in order to create an infrastructure to support their commercialization including sales, marketing, and distribution functions.
We will need additional financing to support our continuing operations. We will seek to fund our operations through public or private equity, debt financings, license and development agreements, or other sources, which may include collaborations with third parties. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We will need to generate significant revenue to achieve profitability, and we may never do so.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact
Our business, results of operations and financial condition have been and may continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and could be further impacted by supply chain interruptions or other reasons related to the pandemic. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the extent to which COVID-19 could materially impact our financial conditions, liquidity or results of operations is uncertain, however, there have been no material adverse effects to the Company’s ongoing business operations from COVID-19.
To the extent COVID-19 disruptions adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition, it may also have the effect of heightening risks relating to our ability to successfully commercialize newly developed or acquired products, consolidation in the healthcare industry, and maintenance of our contractual relationships.
Recent Developments
None noted.
New Components of Results of Operations
None noted.
New Critical Accounting Estimates
Note noted.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Three Months ended, March 31, 2023 and 2022
The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the three months ended March 31, :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Change |
Operating Expenses: | | | | | |
General and Administrative | $ | 1,269,458 | | | $ | 1,664,791 | | | $ | (395,333) | |
Research and Development | 438,283 | | | 707,928 | | | (269,645) | |
Executive Severance | — | | | 962,833 | | | (962,833) | |
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration | 208,926 | | | 233,890 | | | (24,964) | |
Total Operating Expenses | 1,916,667 | | | 3,569,442 | | | (1,652,775) | |
Other Income, Net | 48,131 | | | 4,428 | | | 43,703 | |
Net Loss | $ | (1,868,536) | | | $ | (3,565,014) | | | $ | 1,696,478 | |
General and Administrative Expenses. The decrease of $0.4 million was primarily due to a $0.2 million reduction in stock compensation and benefits costs related to the departure of the prior CEO including non-elective employer 401K contributions of $29.0 thousand in 2022, a decrease in professional fees of $0.1 million for consultants used in 2022 for interim accounting services during the transition of accounting staff and legal fees related to the acquisition of Bayon, a $88.0 thousand bonus adjustment made in 2023 related to prior period, and $46.0 thousand in facilities costs for the Waltham, Massachusetts office that was closed in March 2022.
Research and Development Expenses. The decrease of $0.3 million was primarily due to an increase of $0.3 million for credits expected from Australian and Austrian government programs related to research and development activities, partially offset by an increase in costs for KIO-301 of $0.1 million for clinical trial activity.
Executive Severance. The decrease of $1.0 million was due to severance pay expensed at the time of termination in March 2022, but paid over the 18 month term of the agreement.
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration. The decrease of $25.0 thousand was primarily due to a decrease in the discount factor and discount period.
Other Income, Net. The increase of $43.7 thousand was primarily due to realized gains on foreign currency transactions of $21.2 thousand, and increased net interest income of approximately $26.5 thousand, partially offset by a decrease of $4.0 thousand from the gain on asset disposal that was realized in March 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal liquidity needs have historically been for acquisitions, working capital, research and development, and capital expenditures. We expect these needs to continue as we develop and work toward commercialize new products. We will need additional financing to support our continuing operations. We will seek to fund our operations through public or private equity, debt financings, license and development agreements, or other sources, which may include collaborations with third parties.
If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities or convertible debt, our stockholders will experience dilution. Debt financing, if available, would result in increased fixed payment obligations and may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, or making capital expenditures. If we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements with third parties, it may be necessary to relinquish valuable rights to our products, future revenue streams or product candidates, or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. Although historically the Company has been successful at raising capital, most recently raising net proceeds of approximately $0.1 million in a private placement offering that closed on February 3, 2023 as well as an equity line of credit that provides up to $10.0 million (subject to certain limitations). Additional capital may not be available on terms favorable to Kiora, if at all. The Company does not know if any future offerings will succeed.
Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We will need to generate significant revenue to achieve profitability, and we may never do so.
Information Regarding Cash Flows
As of March 31, 2023, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents totaling $3.4 million and restricted cash totaling $4.2 thousand for a total of $3.4 million compared to $6.0 million at December 31, 2022. The following table sets forth the primary uses of cash for the three months ended March 31,:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | $ | (3,069,594) | | | $ | (2,832,386) | |
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities | $ | — | | | $ | 6,375 | |
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | $ | 513,175 | | | $ | — | |
Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities increased $0.2 million primarily due to research and development activities.
Investing Activities. The decrease in cash from investing activities is due to a sale of an asset in 2022.
Financing Activities. The increase in cash from financing activities is due to receiving net proceeds of approximately $0.1 million in a private offering that closed on February 3, 2023, proceeds of $0.1 million from an equity line of credit share purchase, and proceeds of $0.3 million from warrant exercises.
Funding Requirements and Other Liquidity Matters
Our KIO-301, KIO-101 and KIO-201 product pipeline is still in various stages of preclinical and clinical development. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if and as we:
•seek marketing approval for our KIO-301, KIO-101 or KIO-201 products or any other products that we successfully develop;
•establish a sales and marketing infrastructure to commercialize our KIO-301, KIO-101 or KIO-201 products in the United States, if approved; and
•add operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our product development and future commercialization efforts.
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. We do not have any committed external source of funds. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of holders of common stock. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with pharmaceutical partners, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates, including our KIO-301, KIO-101 and KIO-201 products, on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market KIO-301, KIO-101 and KIO-201 products, or any other products that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.
In February 2023, we raised net proceeds of $0.1 million in a private placement offering that closed on February 3, 2023 as well as an equity line of credit that provides up to $10.0 million of additional capital (subject to certain limitations). Based on our cash on hand at March 31, 2023, we believe that we will have sufficient cash to fund planned operations into July 2023 with the ability to extend cash runway by drawing on the
remaining $10.0 million equity line of credit. However, the acceleration or reduction of cash outflows by management can significantly impact the timing for raising additional capital to complete development of its products. To continue development, we will need to raise additional capital through debt and/or equity financing, or access additional funding through grants. Although historically we have been successful at raising capital, additional capital may not be available on terms favorable to us, if at all. We do not know if any future offerings will succeed. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that management will be successful in these endeavors. Our recurring losses from operations have caused management to determine there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities or any other adjustments that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Reverse Stock Split
On September 23, 2022, we filed a Certificate of Amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amendment”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect a one-for-forty (1-for-40) reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock. The Amendment was approved by our stockholders at our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on September 23, 2022, and by our board of directors and became effective on September 27, 2022.
The Amendment provided that, at the effective time of the Amendment, every forty (40) shares of our issued and outstanding common stock automatically combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock, without any change in par value per share. The reverse stock split affected all shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Amendment. As a result of the reverse stock split, proportionate adjustments were made to the per share exercise price and/or the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or vesting of all stock options, and restricted stock awards issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Amendment, which resulted in a proportionate decrease in the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise or vesting of such stock options, and restricted stock awards, and, in the case of stock options, a proportionate increase in the exercise price of all such stock options. In addition, the number of shares reserved for issuance under our equity compensation plans immediately prior to the effective time of the Amendment was reduced proportionately. The reverse stock split did not affect the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which remained at 50,000,000 shares.
No fractional shares were issued because of the reverse stock split. Stockholders of record who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share received a cash payment in lieu thereof. The reverse stock split affected all stockholders proportionately and did not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership of our common stock (except to the extent that the reverse stock split results in any stockholder owning only a fractional share). As a result of the reverse stock split, the number of our outstanding shares of common stock as of September 27, 2022 decreased from 43,163,123 (pre-split) shares to 1,079,045 (post-split) shares.
All share and per share amounts in the accompanying financial statements, related footnotes, and management’s discussion and analysis have been adjusted retroactively to reflect the reverse stock split as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Our common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market on a split-adjusted basis when the market opened on September 27, 2022.
Other
For information regarding Commitments and Contingencies, refer to Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies to the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Part 1, Item 1. Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our discussion of operating results is based upon the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. The preparation of these statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Our critical accounting estimates are detailed in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and we have no material changes from such disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1. Business, Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements, in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Part 1, Item 1. Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q for detailed information regarding the status of recently issued accounting pronouncements.