NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Nature of Business
Ocugen, Inc., together with its wholly owned subsidiaries ("Ocugen" or the "Company"), is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene therapies, biologicals, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for people and global communities. The Company is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and manages its business as one operating segment.
COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate
In February 2021, the Company entered into a Co-Development, Supply and Commercialization Agreement with Bharat Biotech International Limited ("Bharat Biotech"), pursuant to which the Company obtained an exclusive right and license under certain of Bharat Biotech's intellectual property rights, with the right to grant sublicenses to develop, manufacture, and commercialize COVAXIN for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in the United States, its territories, and possessions. In June 2021 and April 2022, the Company entered into amendments to the Co-Development, Supply and Commercialization Agreement (as so amended, the "Covaxin Agreement"), pursuant to which the parties agreed to expand the Company's rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize COVAXIN to include Canada and Mexico, respectively, in addition to the United States, its territories, and possessions (the "Ocugen Covaxin Territory"). COVAXIN is a whole-virion inactivated COVID-19 vaccine candidate and is formulated with the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus, an antigen, and an adjuvant. COVAXIN requires a two-dose vaccination regimen given 28 days apart and is stored in standard vaccine storage conditions (2-8°C). COVAXIN was granted an Emergency Use Listing ("EUL") by the World Health Organization ("WHO") in November 2021.
The Company is pursuing Biologics License Application ("BLA") approval for COVAXIN in the United States based upon the recommendation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"). In October 2021, the Company submitted an Investigational New Drug ("IND") application to the FDA to initiate a Phase 2/3 immuno-bridging and broadening clinical trial evaluating COVAXIN for adults ages 18 years and older, which was approved by the FDA in February 2022. The clinical trial is designed to evaluate whether the immune response observed in participants in a completed Phase 3 clinical trial in India is similar to a demographically representative, adult population in the United States. The Company voluntarily implemented a temporary pause in commencing dosing participants in the clinical trial while it evaluates the statements made by the WHO following their inspection of Bharat Biotech's manufacturing facility, wherein the WHO identified certain Good Manufacturing Practice ("GMP") deficiencies. As a result of the Company's decision to voluntarily pause commencing dosing in participants, the FDA placed the Company's Phase 2/3 immuno-bridging and broadening clinical trial on clinical hold. Assuming the Company is able to successfully work with the FDA to lift the clinical hold, the Company also plans to initiate a safety clinical trial, subject to discussions with the FDA.
In November 2021, the Company submitted a request to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization ("EUA") for COVAXIN for pediatric use in ages two to 18 years in the United States. The EUA submission was based on the results of a Phase 2/3 immuno-bridging pediatric clinical trial conducted by Bharat Biotech in India. In March 2022, the FDA notified the Company that they declined to issue an EUA for COVAXIN for pediatric use. The Company intends to continue working with the FDA to evaluate a potential regulatory pathway for the pediatric use of COVAXIN in the United States.
The Company is also pursuing approval to market COVAXIN in Canada and recently expanded its commercialization rights for COVAXIN to include Mexico. In July 2021, the Company completed its rolling submission to Health Canada for COVAXIN. The rolling submission process, which was conducted through the Company's Canadian subsidiary, Vaccigen Ltd. ("Vaccigen"), was recommended and accepted under the Minister of Health's Interim Order Respecting the Importation, Sale and Advertising of Drugs for Use in Relation to COVID-19 ("Interim Order") and transitioned to a New Drug Submission ("NDS") for COVID-19. In December 2021, Health Canada provided the Company with a Notice of Deficiency ("NOD") regarding its NDS submission. Health Canada requested further analyses of the COVAXIN preclinical and clinical data, as well as additional information regarding chemistry, manufacturing, and controls ("CMC"). The Company has responded to and provided proposed resolutions for the deficiencies included in the NOD. The Company's responses are currently under review by Health Canada. COVAXIN is also currently under review by the Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios ("COFEPRIS") for emergency use for pediatrics in ages two to 18 years in Mexico. COFEPRIS previously approved emergency use for COVAXIN in Mexico for adults ages 18 years and older, which remains active.
The Company is evaluating its commercialization strategy for COVAXIN in the United States and Canada, if approved in either jurisdiction, and is actively preparing for commercialization in Mexico. In June 2021, the Company selected Jubilant HollisterStier as a manufacturing partner for COVAXIN to prepare for the commercial manufacturing of COVAXIN. The Company expects to enter into a master services agreement with Jubilant HollisterStier for the commercial manufacture of COVAXIN. In September 2021, the Company entered into a Development and Commercial Supply Agreement (the "Supply Agreement") with Bharat Biotech, pursuant to which Bharat Biotech will supply the Company with clinical trial materials and commercial supplies of COVAXIN finished drug product prior to the completion of a technology transfer. Following the completion of the technology transfer to Jubilant HollisterStier, which is in progress, Bharat Biotech will supply COVAXIN drug product components and continue to supply finished drug product as necessary for the commercial manufacture and supply of COVAXIN subsequent to a regulatory approval.
Modifier Gene Therapy Platform
The Company is developing a modifier gene therapy platform designed to fulfill unmet medical needs in retinal diseases, including inherited retinal diseases ("IRDs"), such as retinitis pigmentosa ("RP") and Leber congenital amaurosis ("LCA") and dry age-related macular degeneration ("AMD"). The Company's modifier gene therapy platform is based on nuclear hormone receptors ("NHRs"), which have the potential to restore homeostasis, the basic biological processes in the retina. The modifier gene therapy platform, through its use of NHRs, represents a novel approach that has the potential to address multiple retinal diseases caused by mutations in multiple genes with one product; and potentially address complex diseases, such as dry AMD, that are potentially caused by imbalances in multiple gene networks.
The Company believes that OCU400, its first product candidate being developed with its modifier gene therapy platform, has the potential to be broadly effective in restoring retinal integrity and function across a range of genetically diverse IRDs, including RP and LCA. OCU400 has received four Orphan Drug Designations ("ODDs") from the FDA for the treatment of certain disease genotypes: nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group E member 3 ("NR2E3"), centrosomal protein 290 ("CEP290"), rhodopsin ("RHO"), and phosphodiesterase 6B ("PDE6ß") mutation-associated inherited retinal degenerations. Additionally, OCU400 has received Orphan Medicinal Product Designation ("OMPD") from the European Commission ("EC") based on the recommendation of the European Medicines Agency ("EMA") for RP and LCA.
In November 2021, the Company submitted an IND application to the FDA to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for OCU400 for the treatment of NR2E3 and RHO mutation associated RP, which was accepted by the FDA in December 2021. The Company has initiated the Phase 1/2 clinical trial, a multicenter, open-label, dose ranging study to assess the safety of unilateral subretinal administration of OCU400 in subjects with NR2E3 and RHO-related RP in the United States. In March 2022, the first patient was dosed and the Company has continued enrolling additional study subjects in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial. The Company is additionally evaluating options to commence OCU400 clinical trials internationally.
The Company's second modifier gene therapy candidate, OCU410, is being developed to utilize the nuclear receptor genes RAR-related orphan receptor A ("RORA") for the treatment of dry AMD. The Company is currently executing pre-IND studies consistent with FDA discussions to support a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. The Company has engaged CanSino Biologics, Inc. ("CanSinoBIO") to manufacture clinical supplies and be responsible for the CMC development for OCU400 and OCU410. CanSinoBIO will be responsible for the costs associated with such activities.
Novel Biologic Therapy for Retinal Diseases
The Company's pipeline also includes a biologic product candidate, OCU200, a novel fusion protein designed to treat severely sight-threatening diseases such as diabetic macular edema ("DME"), diabetic retinopathy ("DR"), and wet AMD. The Company is currently establishing a current GMP process for the production of clinical trial materials and executing pre-IND studies consistent with FDA discussions to support a Phase 1/2a clinical trial. The Company has completed the technology transfer of manufacturing processes to its contract development and manufacturing organization ("CDMO") that will manufacture OCU200 clinical supplies.
Going Concern
The Company has incurred recurring net losses since inception and has funded its operations to date through the sale of common stock, warrants to purchase common stock, the issuance of convertible notes, debt, and grant proceeds. The Company incurred net losses of approximately $18.0 million and $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $149.7 million and cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaling $129.9 million.
The Company is subject to risks, expenses, and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in its industry. The Company intends to continue its research, development, and commercialization efforts for its product candidates, which will require significant additional funding. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing in the future or its research, development, and commercialization efforts require higher than anticipated capital, there may be a negative impact on the financial viability of the Company. The Company plans to increase working capital through public and private placements of equity and/or debt, payments from potential strategic research and development arrangements, sales of assets, government grants, licensing and/or collaboration arrangements with pharmaceutical companies or other institutions, or other funding from the government or other third parties. Such financing and funding may not be available at all, or on terms that are favorable to the Company. While management of the Company believes that it has a plan to fund ongoing operations, its plan may not be successfully implemented. Failure to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, raise additional capital, or appropriately manage certain discretionary spending, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to achieve its intended business objectives.
As a result of these factors, together with the anticipated increase in spending that will be necessary to continue to research, develop, and commercialize the Company's product candidates, there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that these condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not contain any adjustments that might result from the resolution of any of the above uncertainties.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") and under the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for interim reporting. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The condensed consolidated results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may occur for the full fiscal year. Certain information and footnote disclosures of the Company normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted under the SEC's rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2021, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022 (the "2021 Annual Report").
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ocugen and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
In preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required 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, as well as the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in these estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include those used in the accounting for research and development contracts, including clinical trial accruals, and the accounting and fair value measurement of equity instruments.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
The Company considers all highly liquid investments that have maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents may include bank demand deposits, marketable securities with maturities of three months or less at purchase, and money market funds that invest primarily in certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and U.S. government and U.S. government agency obligations. The Company's restricted cash balance consists of cash held to collateralize a corporate credit card account.
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash in the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total amount shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 129,771 | | | $ | 44,792 | |
Restricted cash | 151 | | | 151 | |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 129,922 | | | $ | 44,943 | |
Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. This determination generally depends on whether the arrangement conveys to the Company the right to control the use of an explicitly or implicitly identified fixed asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control of an underlying asset is conveyed to the Company, if the Company obtains the rights to direct the use of and to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from using the underlying asset. The Company's lease agreements include lease and non-lease components, which the Company has elected not to account for separately for all classes of underlying assets. Lease expense for variable lease components is recognized when the obligation is probable.
Operating leases are included in other assets and operating lease obligations in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Operating lease payments are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term and recognized as research and development expense or general and administrative expense based on the underlying nature of the expense. The Company currently leases real estate classified as operating leases. Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842") requires a lessee to discount its unpaid lease payments using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, its incremental borrowing rate. The implicit interest rate was not readily determinable in the Company’s current operating leases. As such, the incremental borrowing rate was used based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.
The lease term for the Company's leases includes the non-cancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, or an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease controlled by the lessor.
Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are comprised of fixed payments, variable payments that depend on index or rate, and amounts probable to be payable under the exercise of an option to purchase the underlying asset if reasonably certain.
Variable payments not dependent on an index or rate associated with the Company's leases are recognized when the event, activity, or circumstance is probable. Variable payments include the Company's proportionate share of certain utilities and other operating expenses and are presented as operating expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss in the same line item as expense arising from fixed payments.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements ("ASC 820"), which defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3 — inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)
The carrying value of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximates their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. As of March 31, 2022, the Company believes the fair value using Level 2 inputs of the borrowings under the EB-5 Loan Agreement (as defined in Note 7) approximate their carrying value. See Note 7 for additional information.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation ("ASC 718"). The Company has issued stock-based compensation awards including stock options and restricted stock units ("RSUs"), and also accounts for certain issuances of preferred stock and warrants in accordance with ASC 718. ASC 718 requires all stock-based payments, including grants of stock options and RSUs, to be recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss based on their grant date fair values. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted. For RSUs, the fair value of the RSUs is determined by the market price of a share of the Company's common stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.
Compensation expense related to stock-based compensation awards granted with service-based vesting conditions is recognized on a straight-line basis based on the grant date fair value over the associated service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term. Stock-based compensation awards generally vest over a one to three year requisite service period and have a contractual term of 10 years. Compensation expense for stock-based compensation awards with performance-based vesting conditions is only recognized when the performance-based vesting condition is deemed probable to occur. Shares issued upon stock option exercise and RSU vesting are newly-issued common shares.
Estimating the fair value of stock options requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock option, stock price volatility, the risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends. The assumptions used in the Company's Black-Scholes option-pricing model represent management's best estimates and involve a number of variables, uncertainties, assumptions, and the application of management's judgment, as they are inherently subjective. If any assumptions change, the Company's stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In November 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. This standard increases the transparency of transactions with the government that are accounted for by applying a grant or contribution accounting model, and aims to reduce diversity that currently exists in the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of government assistance received by business entities due to the lack of specific authoritative guidance in GAAP. This standard requires an entity to provide information regarding the nature of the transaction with a government and the related accounting policy used to account for this transaction, the line items on the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss that are affected by the transaction and the amounts applicable to each financial statement line item, and the significant terms and conditions of the transaction, including commitments and contingencies. The standard was effective for the Company on January 1, 2022. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt — Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40). This standard clarifies and reduces diversity in an issuer's accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options, including warrants, that remain equity-classified after modification or exchange. The standard requires an entity to treat a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity-classified after the modification or exchange as an exchange of the original instrument for a new instrument. The standard additionally provides guidance on measuring and recognizing the effect of a modification or an exchange. The standard was effective for the Company on January 1, 2022. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 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). This standard will have an effective and transition date of January 1, 2024. Early adoption is currently permitted. This standard simplifies an issuer's accounting for convertible instruments by eliminating two of the three models that require separate accounting for embedded conversion
features as well as simplifies the settlement assessment that entities are required to perform to determine whether a contract qualifies for equity classification. This standard also requires entities to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments in the diluted earnings per share calculation and include the effect of potential share settlement (if the effect is more dilutive) for instruments that may be settled in cash or shares, except for certain liability-classified share-based payment awards. The standard requires new disclosures about events that occur during the reporting period and cause conversion contingencies to be met and about the fair value of a public business entity's convertible debt at the instrument level, among other things. The Company does not currently expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The FASB subsequently issued amendments to ASU No. 2016-13, which have the same effective date and transition date of January 1, 2023. ASU No. 2016-13, as amended, requires that credit losses be reported using an expected losses model rather than the incurred losses model that is currently used, and establishes additional disclosures related to credit risks. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, these standards now require allowances to be recorded instead of reducing the amortized cost of the investment. These standards limit the amount of credit losses to be recognized for available-for-sale debt securities to the amount by which carrying value exceeds fair value and requires the reversal of previously recognized credit losses if fair value increases. The Company does not currently expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
3. License and Development Agreement
The Company entered into the Covaxin Agreement with Bharat Biotech to co-develop COVAXIN for the Ocugen Covaxin Territory. The Covaxin Agreement was originally entered into in February 2021 with respect to the U.S. market and was subsequently amended in June 2021 to add rights to the Canadian market, for which the Company paid Bharat Biotech a non-refundable, upfront payment of $15.0 million at the execution of the amendment. The Company additionally agreed to pay Bharat Biotech $10.0 million within 30 days after the first commercial sale of COVAXIN in Canada. The Covaxin Agreement was amended a second time in April 2022 to add rights to the Mexican market. The Covaxin Agreement is a collaboration arrangement within the scope of ASC 808.
Pursuant to the Covaxin Agreement, the Company obtained an exclusive right and license under certain of Bharat Biotech's intellectual property rights, with the right to grant sublicenses, to develop, manufacture, and commercialize COVAXIN in the Ocugen Covaxin Territory. In consideration of the license and other rights granted to the Company by Bharat Biotech, the parties agreed to share any Operating Profits (as defined in the Covaxin Agreement) generated from the commercialization of COVAXIN in the Ocugen Covaxin Territory, with the Company retaining 45% of such profits, and Bharat Biotech receiving the balance of such profits.
Under the Covaxin Agreement, the Company is collaborating with Bharat Biotech to develop COVAXIN for their respective territories. Except with respect to manufacturing rights under certain circumstances subsequently described, the Company has the exclusive right and is solely responsible for researching, developing, manufacturing, and commercializing COVAXIN for the Ocugen Covaxin Territory. Bharat Biotech is responsible for researching, developing, manufacturing, and commercializing COVAXIN outside of the Ocugen Covaxin Territory. Bharat Biotech has agreed to provide to the Company preclinical and clinical data, and to transfer to the Company certain proprietary technology owned or controlled by Bharat Biotech, that is necessary for the successful commercial manufacture and supply of COVAXIN to support commercial sale in the Ocugen Covaxin Territory, if approved.
In September 2021, the Company entered into the Supply Agreement with Bharat Biotech, pursuant to which Bharat Biotech will supply the Company with clinical trial materials and commercial supplies of COVAXIN finished drug product prior to the completion of a technology transfer. Following the completion of the technology transfer to Jubilant HollisterStier, which is in progress, Bharat Biotech will supply COVAXIN drug product components and continue to supply finished drug product as necessary for commercial manufacture and supply of COVAXIN subsequent to a regulatory approval. In March 2021, the Company issued shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined in Note 8) as an advance payment for the supply of COVAXIN to be provided by Bharat Biotech under the Supply Agreement. See Note 8 for additional information about the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issuance to Bharat Biotech.
The Covaxin Agreement continues in effect for the commercial life of COVAXIN, subject to the earlier termination of the Covaxin Agreement in accordance with its terms. The Covaxin Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties made by both parties and customary provisions relating to indemnification, limitation of liability, confidentiality, information and data sharing, and other matters. The Supply Agreement expires upon expiration of the Covaxin Agreement and may be earlier terminated by either party in the event of an uncured material breach or bankruptcy of the other party.
4. Property and Equipment
The following table provides a summary of the major components of property and equipment as reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Furniture and fixtures | $ | 292 | | | $ | 284 | |
Machinery and equipment | 907 | | | 855 | |
Leasehold improvements | 167 | | | 167 | |
Construction in progress | 996 | | | 232 | |
Total property and equipment | 2,362 | | | 1,538 | |
Less: accumulated depreciation | (441) | | | (374) | |
Total property and equipment, net | $ | 1,921 | | | $ | 1,164 | |
5. Operating Leases
The Company has commitments under operating leases for office, laboratory, and storage space including its current headquarters and future headquarters located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The Company's operating lease for its current headquarters has an initial term of seven years, which began in December 2020, and the Company has the option to extend for one additional five-year term. In October 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement for its future headquarters. The lease agreement related to the future headquarters has an expected commencement date in the second quarter of 2022 and has an initial term of seven years. The aggregate estimated base rent payments due over the initial seven-year term are $3.8 million. The Company has the option to extend this lease agreement for two additional five-year terms.
The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Operating lease cost | $ | 179 | | | $ | 68 | |
Variable lease cost | 28 | | | 30 | |
Total lease cost | $ | 207 | | | $ | 98 | |
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Right-of-use assets, net | $ | 1,424 | | | $ | 1,587 | |
| | | |
Current lease obligations | $ | 254 | | | $ | 363 | |
Non-current lease obligations | 1,180 | | | 1,231 | |
Total lease liabilities | $ | 1,434 | | | $ | 1,594 | |
Supplemental information related to leases was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Weighted-average remaining lease term — operating leases (years) | 5.4 | | 6.7 |
Weighted-average discount rate — operating leases | 4.4 | % | | 4.6 | % |
Future minimum operating lease base rent payments are approximately as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
For the Years Ending December 31, | Amount |
Remainder of 2022 | $ | 243 | |
2023 | 261 | |
2024 | 269 | |
2025 | 277 | |
2026 | 285 | |
Thereafter | 293 | |
Total | $ | 1,628 | |
Less: present value adjustment | (194) | |
Present value of minimum lease payments | $ | 1,434 | |
As aforementioned, the Company entered into a lease agreement for its future headquarters in October 2021. The aggregate estimated base rent payments due over the initial seven-year term of $3.8 million are excluded from the future minimum operating lease base rent payments above, as the lease agreement related to its future headquarters has not yet commenced per ASC 842.
6. Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Research and development | $ | 376 | | | $ | 866 | |
Clinical | 228 | | | 703 | |
Professional fees | 1,490 | | | 747 | |
Employee-related | 1,049 | | | 1,716 | |
Other | 394 | | | 293 | |
Total accrued expenses | $ | 3,537 | | | $ | 4,325 | |
7. Debt
In September 2016, pursuant to the U.S. government's Immigrant Investor Program, commonly known as the EB-5 program, the Company entered into an arrangement (the "EB-5 Loan Agreement") to borrow up to $10.0 million from EB5 Life Sciences, L.P. ("EB-5 Life Sciences") in $0.5 million increments. Borrowings may be limited by the amount of funds raised by EB-5 Life Sciences and are subject to certain job creation requirements by the Company. Borrowings are at a fixed interest rate of 4.0% per annum and are to be utilized in the clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the Company's product candidates and for the general working capital needs of the Company. Outstanding borrowings pursuant to the EB-5 Loan Agreement, including accrued interest, become due upon the seventh anniversary of the final disbursement. Amounts repaid cannot be re-borrowed. The EB-5 Loan Agreement borrowings are secured by substantially all assets of the Company, except for any patents, patent applications, pending patents, patent licenses, patent sublicenses, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. Under the terms and conditions of the EB-5 Loan Agreement, the Company has borrowed $1.5 million. Issuance costs were recognized as a reduction to the loan balance and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan.
The carrying values of the EB-5 Loan Agreement borrowings as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are summarized below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Principal outstanding | $ | 1,500 | | | $ | 1,500 | |
Plus: accrued interest | 256 | | | 241 | |
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs | (25) | | | (29) | |
Carrying value, net | $ | 1,731 | | | $ | 1,712 | |
8. Equity
COVAXIN Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement
On March 1, 2021, the Company entered into a preferred stock purchase agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell 0.1 million shares of the Company's Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series B Convertible Preferred Stock"), at a price per share equal to $109.60, to Bharat Biotech. On March 18, 2021, the Company issued the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock as an advance payment of $6.0 million for the supply of COVAXIN to be provided by Bharat Biotech pursuant to the Supply Agreement. In February 2022, the Company entered into a supply commitment to purchase $14.3 million of COVAXIN drug product components from Bharat Biotech to support the technology transfer from Bharat Biotech to Jubilant HollisterStier. The previously issued Series B Convertible Preferred Stock as an advance payment for the supply of COVAXIN to be provided by Bharat Biotech will be applied to this commitment.
Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of Bharat Biotech, into 10 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Conversion Ratio") only after (i) the Company received stockholder approval to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock under its Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which the Company received in April 2021, and (ii) the Company's receipt of shipments by Bharat Biotech of the first 10.0 million doses of COVAXIN manufactured by Bharat Biotech pursuant to the Supply Agreement, and further on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. As of March 31, 2022, the conversion condition relating to the delivery of the first 10.0 million doses of COVAXIN had not been met. The conversion rate of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is subject to adjustment in the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reclassification, or similar event with respect to the Company's common stock.
The Company accounted for the issuance of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in accordance with ASC 718 and recorded its grant date fair value of $5.0 million within equity during the three months ended March 31, 2021, with a corresponding short-term asset for the advanced payment for the doses of COVAXIN included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The Company utilized the traded common stock price, adjusted by the Conversion Ratio, to value the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the Finnerty model to estimate a 15% discount rate for the lack of marketability of the instrument. The valuation incorporates Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy, including the estimated time until the instrument's liquidity and the estimated volatility of the Company's common stock as of the grant date.
Offerings of Common Stock
Public Offering
In February 2022, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., pursuant to which the Company sold 16.0 million shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $3.13 per share (the "Public Offering"). Upon the closing of the Public Offering, the Company received net proceeds of $49.8 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Public Offering was made pursuant to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR, which was previously filed with the SEC and became automatically effective on March 22, 2021, as supplemented by a prospectus supplement, dated February 22, 2022.
Registered Direct Offering
In February 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors pursuant to which the Company sold 3.0 million shares of its common stock at an offering price of $7.65 per share in a registered direct
offering (the "February 2021 Registered Direct Offering"). Upon the closing of the February 2021 Registered Direct Offering, the Company received net proceeds of $21.2 million after deducting equity issuance costs of $1.7 million.
At-the-Market Offering
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company sold 1.0 million shares of the Company's common stock under an at-the-market offering and received net proceeds of $4.8 million after deducting equity issuance costs of $0.1 million.
9. Warrants
Liminal Warrants
On January 24, 2022 (the "Issuance Date"), the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intent ("LOI") with Liminal Biosciences Inc. ("Liminal") for the acquisition of Liminal's manufacturing site in Belleville, Ontario, Canada for a combination of cash and warrants to purchase the Company's common stock. Pursuant to the LOI, the Company issued warrants to purchase 2.3 million shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $3.76, subject to certain adjustments (the "Liminal Warrants"). The Liminal Warrants vest and become exercisable upon closing of the transactions contemplated by the LOI and terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Issuance Date, unless earlier terminated in accordance with their terms. The Liminal Warrants are cancellable by the Company in the event the transactions contemplated by the LOI are not consummated. As of March 31, 2022, all of the Liminal Warrants were outstanding and unvested. The Liminal Warrants are accounted for in accordance with ASC 718.
Completion of the transaction proposed in the LOI is subject to finalization of due diligence investigations by the parties, the negotiation and execution of definitive transaction agreements, and other customary closing conditions including certain funding requirements. The LOI may be terminated at any time by mutual written consent of the Company and Liminal, among other termination provisions contained in the LOI.
Canada Warrants
In July 2021, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with an individual to provide services to the Company with regard to the Company's Canadian operations (the "Canada Consulting Agreement"). Compensation under the Canada Consulting Agreement includes, among other forms of compensation, the issuance of warrants to purchase up to 0.2 million shares of the Company's common stock (the "Canada Warrants") and cash payments of up to $3.0 million upon the achievement of certain milestones related to COVAXIN. The Canada Consulting Agreement terminates in July 2023, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms.
The Canada Warrants were issued on July 15, 2021 in a private placement transaction. The warrantholder has the right to exercise the Canada Warrants to purchase up to 0.2 million shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $6.36 per share upon the achievement of certain milestones related to COVAXIN. The Canada Warrants terminate on July 15, 2031, unless earlier terminated in accordance with their terms. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, all of the Canada Warrants were outstanding and unvested. The Canada Warrants are accounted for in accordance with ASC 718.
OpCo Warrants
Beginning in 2016, OpCo issued warrants to purchase the Company's common stock (the "OpCo Warrants"). As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, 0.6 million OpCo Warrants were outstanding. As of March 31, 2022, the outstanding OpCo Warrants had a weighted-average exercise price of $6.23. The outstanding OpCo Warrants expire between 2026 and 2027.
10. Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options and RSUs is reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
General and administrative | $ | 2,216 | | | $ | 590 | |
Research and development | 1,083 | | | 243 | |
Total | $ | 3,299 | | | $ | 833 | |
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $27.9 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and RSUs outstanding. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years as of March 31, 2022.
Equity Plans
The Company maintains two equity compensation plans, the 2014 Ocugen OpCo, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the "2014 Plan") and the Ocugen, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2019 Plan", collectively with the 2014 Plan, the "Plans"). As of March 31, 2022, the 2014 Plan and 2019 Plan authorize for the granting of up to 0.8 million and 19.5 million equity awards with respect to the Company's common stock, respectively. In addition to stock options and RSUs granted under the Plans, the Company has granted certain stock options and RSUs as material inducements to employment in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), which were granted outside of the Plans.
Options to Purchase Common Stock
The following table summarizes the stock option activity:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Shares | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
Options outstanding at December 31, 2021 | 10,086,167 | | | $ | 2.59 | | | 8.8 | | $ | 24,664 | |
Granted | 4,323,937 | | | $ | 4.42 | | | | | |
Exercised | (277,323) | | | $ | 0.65 | | | | | |
Forfeited | (130,327) | | | $ | 6.48 | | | | | |
Options outstanding at March 31, 2022 | 14,002,454 | | | $ | 3.16 | | | 8.9 | | $ | 14,468 | |
Options exercisable at March 31, 2022 | 2,913,960 | | | $ | 2.37 | | | 8.3 | | $ | 4,431 | |
There were 1.2 million of stock options with performance-based vesting conditions outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, of which 0.9 million were not yet vested and exercisable as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The weighted average grant date fair values of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $3.61 and $1.73, respectively. The total fair values of stock options vested during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $2.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
RSUs
The following table summarizes the RSU activity:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Shares | | Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value | | | | |
RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2021 | 191,811 | | | $ | 6.79 | | | | | |
Granted | 1,130,270 | | | $ | 4.45 | | | | | |
Forfeited | (20,812) | | | $ | 6.36 | | | | | |
RSUs outstanding at March 31, 2022 | 1,301,269 | | | $ | 4.76 | | | | | |
11. Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Net loss — basic and diluted | $ | (18,019) | | | $ | (7,077) | |
Shares used in calculating net loss per common share — basic and diluted | 205,693,498 | | | 186,298,122 |
Net loss per common share — basic and diluted | $ | (0.09) | | | $ | (0.04) | |
The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding, as their inclusion would have been antidilutive:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three months ended March 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Options to purchase common stock | 14,002,454 | | | 9,235,545 |
RSUs | 1,301,269 | | | 2,190 |
Warrants | 3,110,655 | | | 870,017 |
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (as converted to common stock) | 3,115 | | | 3,115 |
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (as converted to common stock) | 547,450 | | | 547,450 |
Total | 18,964,943 | | | 10,658,317 |
12. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
The Company has commitments under certain license and development agreements, lease agreements, debt agreements, supply agreements, and consulting agreements. Commitments under certain license and development agreements include annual payments, payments upon the achievement of certain milestones, and royalty payments based on net sales of licensed products (commitments under the Company's licensing agreements are more fully described within Note 3 and within the Company's 2021 Annual Report). Commitments under lease agreements are future minimum lease payments (see Note 5). Commitments under debt agreements are the future payment of principal and accrued interest under the EB-5 Loan Agreement (see Note 7). Commitments under supply agreements are purchases of drug product components to support the technology transfer from Bharat Biotech to Jubilant HollisterStier related to COVAXIN (see Note 8). Commitments under consulting agreements include payments upon the achievement of certain milestones related to COVAXIN (see Note 9).
Contingencies
In June 2021, a securities class action lawsuit was filed against the Company and certain of its officers and directors in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ("Court") (Case No. 2:21-cv-02725) that purported to state a claim for alleged violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, based on statements made by the Company concerning the announcement of the Company's decision to pursue the submission of a BLA for COVAXIN for adults ages 18 years and older rather than pursuing EUA for the vaccine candidate. In July 2021, a second securities class action was filed against the Company and certain of its officers and directors in the Court (Case No. 2:21-cv-03182) that also purported to state a claim for alleged violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, based on the same statements as the first complaint. The complaints seek unspecified damages, interest, attorneys' fees, and other costs. On March 31, 2022, the Court consolidated these two related securities class actions and appointed Andre Galan Bernd Benayon to serve as lead plaintiff. The lead plaintiff's amended complaint is due on June 13, 2022.
In August 2021, a stockholder derivative lawsuit was filed derivatively on behalf of the Company against certain of its officers and directors and the nominal defendant Ocugen in the Court (Case No. 2:21-cv-03876) that purported to state a claim for breach of fiduciary duty and contribution for violations of Sections 10(b) and 21(d) of the Exchange Act, based on facts and circumstances relating to the securities class action lawsuits and seeking contribution and indemnification in connection with
claims asserted in the securities class action lawsuits. In September 2021, a second stockholder derivative lawsuit was filed derivatively on behalf of the Company against certain of its officers and directors and the nominal defendant Ocugen in the Court (Case No. 2:21-cv-04169) that purported to state a claim for breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, waste of corporate assets, and contribution for violations of Sections 10(b) and 21(d) of the Exchange Act, based on the same allegations as the first complaint. The parties to both stockholder derivative lawsuits have stipulated to the consolidation of the two stockholder derivative lawsuits and also have submitted to the Court in each action a proposed order requesting a stay of the litigation pending a decision on any motion to dismiss filed in the securities class action lawsuits, which the Court entered on April 12, 2022.
The Company believes that the lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them. At this time, no assessment can be made as to their likely outcome or whether the outcome will be material to the Company. No information is available to indicate that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and can be reasonably estimated as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and, as such, no accrual for the loss has been recorded within the condensed consolidated financial statements.
13. Subsequent Events
In April 2022, the Company and Bharat Biotech entered into a second amendment to the Covaxin Agreement, whereby the parties agreed to expand the Company's development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights to include Mexico, in addition to the United States and Canada. Pursuant to the Covaxin Agreement, the parties will share Operating Profits (as defined in the Covaxin Agreement) generated from the commercialization of COVAXIN in the Ocugen Territory, now including Mexico, with the Company retaining 45% of such profits, and Bharat Biotech receiving the balance of such profits. See Note 3 for additional information about the Covaxin Agreement.