ORGANOVO HOLDINGS INC
For the period ended Sep 30, 2024. Filed Nov 8, 2024.
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Sep 30, 2024 · Filed Nov 8, 2024
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Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Description of Business
Nature of Operations
Organovo Holdings, Inc. (“Organovo Holdings,” “Organovo,” and the “Company”) is a clinical stage biotechnology company that is focused on developing FXR314 in inflammatory bowel disease ("IBD"), including ulcerative colitis ("UC"), based on demonstration of clinical promise in three-dimensional ("3D") human tissues as well as strong preclinical data. FXR is a mediator of gastrointestinaland liver diseases. FXR agonism has been tested in a variety of preclinical models of IBD. FXR314 is the lead compound in the Company's established FXR program containingtwo clinically tested compounds (including FXR314) and over 2,000 discovery or preclinical compounds. FXR314 is a drug with safety and tolerability after daily oral dosing in Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials. Further, FXR314 has FDA clinical trial authorization for a Phase 2 trial in UC.
The Company's current clinical focus is in advancing FXR314 in IBD, including UC and Crohn’s disease (“CD”). The Company plans to start a Phase 2a clinical trial in UC in the calendar year 2025. The Company released Phase 2 data for FXR314 for the treatment of metabolic function-associated steatohepatitis (“MASH”) in April 2024 that is supportive of ongoing development, and the Company believes FXR314 has a commercial opportunity in MASH, most likely in combination therapy. The Company is exploring the potential for combination therapies using FXR314 and currently approved mechanisms in preclinical animal studies and the Company's IBD disease models.
The Company's second focus is building high fidelity, 3D tissues that recapitulate key aspects of human disease. The Company uses its proprietary technology to build functional 3D human tissues that mimic key aspects of native human tissue composition, architecture, function and disease. The Company believes these attributes can enable critical complex, multicellular disease models that can be used to develop clinically effective drugs across multiple therapeutic areas.
As with the clinical development program, the Company is initially focusing on the intestine and has ongoing 3D tissue development efforts in human tissue models of UC and CD. The Company uses these models to identify new molecular targets responsible for driving these diseases and to explore the mechanism of action of known drugs including FXR314 and related molecules. The Company intends to initiate drug discovery programs around these new validated targets to identify drug candidates for partnering and/or internal clinical development.
The Company’s current understanding of intestinal tissue models and IBD disease models leads it to believe that it can create models that provide greater insight into the biology of these diseases than are generally currently available. The Company is creating high fidelity disease models, leveraging its prior work including the work found in its peer-reviewed publication on bioprinted intestinal tissues (Madden et al. Bioprinted 3D Primary Human Intestinal Tissues Model Aspects of Native Physiology and ADME/Tox Functions. iScience. 2018 Apr 27;2:156-167. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.03.015.)Organovo’s advances include cell type-specific compartments, prevalent intercellular tight junctions, and the formation of microvascular structures.
Using these disease models, the Company intends to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets. After finding therapeutic drug targets, the Company intends to focus on developing novel small molecule, antibody, or other therapeutic drug candidates to treat the disease, and advance these novel drug candidates towards an Investigational New Drug (“IND”) filing and potential future clinical trials.
The Company expects to broaden its work into additional therapeutic areas over time and is currently exploring specific tissues for development. In the Company’s work to identify the areas of interest, it evaluates areas that might be better served with 3D disease models than currently available models as well as the potential commercial opportunity. In line with these plans, the Company is building upon both its external and in house scientific expertise, which will be essential to its drug development effort.
In February 2024, the Company formed its Mosaic Cell Sciences division (“Mosaic”) to serve as a key source of certain primary human cells that the Company utilizes in its research and development efforts. The Company believes Mosaic can help optimize its supply chain, reduce operating expenses related to cell sourcing and procurement and ensure that the cellular raw materials the Company uses are of the highest quality and are derived from tissues that are ethically sourced in full compliance with state and federal guidelines. Mosaic provides the Company with qualified human cells for use in its clinical research and development programs. In addition to supplying the Company with primary human cells, Mosaic offers human cells for sale to life science customers, both directly and through distribution partners, which the Company expects to offset costs and over time become a profit center that offsets overall research and development ("R&D") spending by the Company.
Except where specifically noted or the context otherwise requires, references to “Organovo Holdings”, “the Company”, and “Organovo” in these notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements refers to Organovo Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Organovo, Inc.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not necessarily include all information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2024 is derived from the Company’s audited consolidated balance sheet as filed with the SEC on May 31, 2024.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Organovo and its wholly owned subsidiary. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented reflects all adjustments, which are only normal and recurring, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for any other interim period or the Company’s full fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (see “Note 1. Description of Business”).
Liquidity and Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we are a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3.2 million, restricted cash of approximately $0.1 million and an accumulated deficit of approximately$345.6 million. The restricted cash was pledged as collateral for a letter of credit that the Company is required to maintain as a security deposit under the terms of the lease agreement for its facilities. The Company also had negative cash flows from operations of approximately $5.6 million during the six months ended September 30, 2024.
Through September 30, 2024, the Company has financed its operations primarily through the sale of common stock through public and at-the-market (“ATM”) offerings, the private placement of equity securities, from revenue derived from the licensing of intellectual property, products and research service-based services, grants, and collaborative research agreements, and from the sale of convertible notes. During the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued 1,352,600 shares of its common stock through its ATM facility, for net proceeds of approximately $1.7 million.
Additionally, on May 8, 2024, the Company priced a best efforts public offering (the “Offering”) of: (i)1,562,500 shares of its common stock and accompanying common warrants (“Common Warrants”) to purchase up to 1,562,500 shares of common stock at a combined public offering price of $0.80 per share and accompanying Common Warrant to purchase one share of common stock and (ii) pre-funded warrants (“Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase 5,000,000 shares of common stock and accompanying Common Warrants to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock at a combined public offering price of $0.799 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Common Warrant to purchase one share of common stock. The closing of the Offering occurred on May 13, 2024. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $4.5 million from the Offering, after deducting the estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, including the Placement Agent fees.
On July 18, 2024, the Company received a written notice (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Staff of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company no longer meets the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1 per share, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (“Rule 5550(a)(2)”). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has been provided with an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until January 14, 2025, to regain compliance. In order to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock must be at least $1 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period. The Notice provides that the Nasdaq staff will provide written confirmation to the Company if the Company regains compliance with Rule 5550(a)(2). If the Company does not regain compliance with Rule 5550(a)(2) by January 14, 2025, the Company may be eligible for an additional compliance period of 180 calendar days. To qualify, the Company would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the bid price requirement, and would need to provide written notice to Nasdaq of its intention to cure the bid price deficiency during the second compliance period. However, if it appears to the
Nasdaq staff that the Company will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if the Company is otherwise not eligible, Nasdaq would notify the Company that its securities will be subject to delisting. In the event of such a notification, the Company may appeal the Nasdaq staff’s determination to delist its securities, but there can be no assurance the Nasdaq staff would grant any request for continued listing.
Based on the Company's current operating plan and available cash resources, it will need substantial additional funding to support future operating activities. The Company has concluded that the prevailing conditions and ongoing liquidity risks faced by it raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern for at least one year following the date these financial statements are issued. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. As the Company continues its operations and is focusing its efforts on drug discovery and development, the Company will need to raise additional capital to implement this business plan. The Company cannot predict with certainty the exact amount or timing for any future capital raises. The Company will seek to raise additional capital through debt or equity financings, or through some other financing arrangement. However, the Company cannot be sure that additional financing will be available if and when needed, or that, if available, it can obtain financing on terms favorable to its stockholders. Any failure to obtain financing when required will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results, and financial condition.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, management reviews these estimates and assumptions.
Investments
Investments in debt securities consist of investments in U.S. Treasury bills. All investments that have original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, all investments are classified as available-for-sale, as the sale of such investments may be required prior to maturity to implement management strategies. Available-for-sale debt securities are recorded at fair value. Any unrealized gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders' equity until realized. As U.S. Treasury bills have minimal risk, any declines in fair value are considered temporary.
Fair value measurement
Financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value, which is defined 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. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The following is a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventory as of September 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024 consisted of approximately$0.6 million, net of reserve, and $0.3 million in finished goods, respectively, which is related to Mosaic. An inventory reserve of approximately $0.2 million was established during the three months ended September 30, 2024 to write-down inventory to its new cost basis. Please refer to "Note 11. Business Segment Information" for further information regarding Mosaic's inventory.
Insurance Premium Financing Liability
In September 2024, the Company entered into an insurance premium financing agreement for $0.4 million, with a term ofnine months and an annual interest rate of 8.57%. The Company made a down payment of 10% and is required to make monthly principal and interest payments of $44,281 over the term of the agreement, which matures in June 2025. Related prepaid insurance at September 30,
2024 of $0.4 million is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Net Loss Per Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The weighted-average number of shares used to compute diluted loss per share excludes any assumed exercise of stock options, shares reserved for purchase under the Company’s 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2023 ESPP”), the assumed vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), the exercise of warrants, and shares subject to repurchase as the effect would be anti-dilutive. No dilutive effect was calculated for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 as the Company reported a net loss for each respective period and the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
Common stock equivalents excluded from computing diluted net loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect were approximately 11.3 million at September 30, 2024 and 1.0 million at September 30, 2023.
Revenue recognition
Royalty revenue
The Company has entered into an intellectual property license agreement with another company that includes royalties based on specified percentages of net product sales, if any. At the initiation of the agreement, the Company analyzed whether it results in a contract with a customer under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606.
The Company considered a variety of factors in determining the appropriate estimates and assumptions under these arrangements, such as whether the Company is a principal vs. agent, whether the elements are distinct performance obligations, whether there are determinable stand-alone prices, and whether any licenses are functional or symbolic. The Company evaluates each performance obligation to determine if it can be satisfied and recognized as revenue at a point in time or over time. Typically, sales-based royalty payments have been identified as variable consideration which must be evaluated to determine if it has been constrained and, therefore, excluded from the transaction price. Please refer to “Note 6. Collaborative Research, Development, and License Agreements” for further information.
Product revenue, net
The Company’s product-based division, Mosaic, produces high-quality cell-based products for use in Organovo’s R&D and for use by life science customers. The Company recognizes product revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is at the point in time the customer obtains control of the Company’s product, typically upon delivery. Product revenues are recorded at the transaction price under Topic 606. The Company provides no right of return to its customers except in cases where a customer obtains authorization from the Company for the return. To date, there have been no product returns.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies. Unless otherwise stated, the Company believes that the impact of the recently issued accounting pronouncements that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations upon adoption.
In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The update requires a public business entity to disclose, on an annual basis, a tabular rate reconciliation using both percentages and currency amounts, broken out into specified categories with certain reconciling items further broken out by nature and jurisdiction to the extent those items exceed a specified threshold. In addition, all entities are required to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds received disaggregated by federal, state/local, and foreign and by jurisdiction if the amount is at least 5% of total income tax payments, net of refunds received. Adoption of the ASU allows for either the prospective or retrospective application of the amendment and is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not yet completed its assessment of the impact of ASU 2023-09 on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU updates reportable segment disclosure requirements by requiring disclosures of significant reportable segment expenses that are regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of a segment's profit or loss. This ASU also requires disclosure of the title and position of the individual identified as the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of a segment’s profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.
Note 3. Investments and Fair Value Measurement
Investments in debt securities
As of September 30, 2024, the Company held $1.0 million of investments in debt securities (which are included in the $3.2 million of cash and cash equivalents). For the six months ended September 30, 2024, there was less than$0.1 million of interest income related to the investments in debt securities. As the investments in debt securities consist of U.S. Treasury bills from active markets, the fair value is measured using level 1 inputs.
The following table summarizes the Company's investments in debt securities that are measured at fair value as of September 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively (in thousands):
| Amortized costs basis | Gross unrealized gains | Gross unrealized losses | Fair value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment in debt securities | $994 | $1 | $— | $995 |
| Investment in debt securities | $997 | $1 | $— | $998 |
Note 4. Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
| September 30,2024 | March 31,2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accrued compensation | $356 | $536 |
| Accrued legal and professional fees | 462 | 93 |
| Other accrued expenses | 61 | 98 |
| $879 | $727 |
Note 5. Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock. There areno shares of preferred stock currently outstanding, and the Company has no current plans to issue shares of preferred stock.
Common Stock
In March 2021, the Company's Board of Directors ("Board") approved the 2021 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan ("Inducement Plan"). The Inducement Plan authorized the issuance of up to 750,000 shares of common stock for awards of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, performance units, performance shares, and other stock or cash awards. The only persons eligible to receive grants under the Inducement Plan are individuals who satisfy the standards for inducement grants under Nasdaq guidance. The Company also committed to reducing the aggregate number of shares of its common stock issuable pursuant to the Inducement Plan from 750,000 shares to 51,000 shares (which includes 50,000 shares of its common stock issuable pursuant to an outstanding option to purchase common stock with an exercise price of $2.75 per share, leaving only 1,000 shares available for future issuance under the Inducement Plan) and the share reserve was reduced accordingly effective October 12, 2022. As of September 30, 2024, there were 1,000 shares available for future grant under the Inducement Plan.
On October 12, 2022, the Company's stockholders and the Board approved the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan ("2022 Plan"), and it became effective on that date. The 2022 Plan replaced the Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan ("2012 Plan") on the effective date. Upon the effective date, the Company ceased granting awards under the 2012 Plan and any shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2012 Plan were cancelled and are no longer available for future issuance. The 2012 Plan continues to govern awards previously granted under it. At the time the Board approved the 2022 Plan, an aggregate of 1,363,000 shares of the Company’s common stock was initially reserved for issuance under the 2022 Plan. The Company committed to reducing the 2022 Plan share reserve by the number of shares that were granted under the 2012 Plan and the Inducement Plan between July 25, 2022 and October 12, 2022. From July 25, 2022 to October 12, 2022, the Company issued 126,262 shares of its common stock under the 2012 Plan. As a result, the number of shares initially reserved for future issuance under the 2022 Plan was 1,236,738 shares of common stock.
The Company previously had an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-252224), declared effective by the SEC on January 29, 2021 (the “2021 Shelf”), which registered $150.0 million of common stock, preferred stock, warrants and units, or any combination of the foregoing, that expired on January 29, 2024. On January 26, 2024, the Company filed a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-276722) to register $150.0 million of the Company's common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and units, or any combination of the foregoing (the "2024 Shelf"). The 2024 Shelf was declared effective by the SEC on February 8, 2024 and replaced the 2021 Shelf at that time.
On March 16, 2018, the Company entered into a Sales Agreement (“Sales Agreement”) with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC and Jones Trading Institutional Services LLC (each an “Agent” and together, the “Agents”). On January 29, 2021, the Company filed a prospectus supplement to the 2021 Shelf (the “2021 ATM Prospectus Supplement”), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through the Agents, shares of its common stock in ATM sales transactions having an aggregate offering price of up to $50.0 million. Any shares offered and sold were issued pursuant to the 2021 Shelf until it was replaced by the 2024 Shelf.
On January 26, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus to the 2024 Shelf (the "2024 ATM Prospectus"), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through the Agents, share of its common stock in ATM sales transactions having an aggregate offering price of up to $2,605,728. Any shares offered and sold in these ATM transactions will be issued pursuant to the 2024 Shelf.
During the three and six months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued zero and 1,352,600 shares of common stock in ATM offerings, respectively, for net proceeds of approximately $1.7 million, all of which were sold pursuant to the 2024 Shelf. As of September 30, 2024, the Company has sold an aggregate of 1,389,002 shares of common stock in ATM offerings under the 2024 ATM Prospectus, with gross proceeds of approximately $1.8 million and net proceeds of approximately $1.8 million. As of September 30, 2024, there was approximately $100.0 million available for future offerings under the 2024 Shelf, and approximately $0.8 million available for future offerings through the Company’s ATM program under the 2024 ATM Prospectus.
May 2024 Best Efforts Public Offering
On May 8, 2024, the Company priced a best efforts public offering (the “Offering”) of: (i)1,562,500 shares of its common stock and accompanying common warrants (“Common Warrants”) to purchase up to 1,562,500 shares of common stock at a combined public offering price of $0.80 per share and accompanying Common Warrant to purchase one share of common stock and (ii) pre-funded warrants (“Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase 5,000,000 shares of common stock and accompanying Common Warrants to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock at a combined public offering price of $0.799 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Common Warrant to purchase one share of common stock. In connection with the Offering, the Company entered into Securities Purchase Agreements with the purchasers of the securities in the Offering on May 8, 2024.
The per share exercise price for the Pre-Funded Warrants is $0.001, subject to adjustment as provided therein. The Pre-Funded Warrants were immediately exercisable, subject to certain beneficial ownership limitations, and will expire when exercised in full. The holders may exercise the Pre-Funded Warrants by means of a “cashless exercise.”
The per share exercise price for the Common Warrants is $0.80, subject to adjustment as provided therein. The Common Warrants were immediately exercisable, subject to certain beneficial ownership limitations, and will expire on the date that isfive years following the original issuance date. If a registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Common Warrants is not available for the issuance, then the holders may exercise the Common Warrants by means of a “cashless exercise.”
In connection with the Offering, the Company paid JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC, which acted as the placement agent in connection with the Offering, a cash fee of 5.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the Offering.
The closing of the Offering occurred on May 13, 2024. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $4.5 million from the Offering, after deducting the offering expenses payable by the Company, including the Placement Agent fees.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes the Company’s RSUs activity for the six months ended September 30, 2024:
| Number ofShares | WeightedAverage Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Unvested at March 31, 2024 | 122,642 | $1.75 |
| Granted | 117,642 | $0.55 |
| Vested | (2,500) | $10.27 |
| Cancelled / forfeited | — | $— |
| Unvested at September 30, 2024 | 237,784 | $1.07 |
Stock Options
During the six months ended September 30, 2024, under the 2022 Plan,1,150,343 stock options were granted at various exercise prices.
On August 5, 2024, the Company granted 1,006,116 stock options to its Executive Chairman under the 2022 Plan. Of the stock options granted,574,923 will vest evenly on an annual basis over three years.143,731 of the options granted have unique vesting criteria based on market conditions, more specifically the Company's stock price. As these market condition based stock options require significant estimates and assumptions to calculate their fair value, the Company engaged with valuation specialists to calculate the fair value and requisite service periods using Monte Carlo simulations. The stock options will be expensed over their determined requisite service periods. The remaining 287,462 options granted have unique vesting criteria based on specific Company performance conditions. The vesting criteria for 143,731 of these options includes the Company achieving cumulative revenue of $1.5 million. The vesting criteria for the remaining 143,731 options includes the Company entering into a definitive agreement that constitutes a major strategic partnership, at the discretion of the Board.
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity from March 31, 2024 to September 30, 2024:
| OptionsOutstanding | WeightedAverageExercise Price | AggregateIntrinsicValue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding at March 31, 2024 | 698,007 | $4.26 | $— |
| Options granted | 1,150,343 | $0.59 | $— |
| Options cancelled / forfeited | (6,912) | $3.30 | $— |
| Options expired | (6,072) | $5.14 | $— |
| Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | 1,835,366 | $1.96 | $— |
| Vested and Exercisable at September 30, 2024 | 478,301 | $5.08 | $— |
The weighted average remaining contractual term of stock options exercisable and outstanding at September 30, 2024 was approximately 8.93 years.
Warrants
In connection with the Offering described above, the Company issued Common Warrants to purchase up to 1,562,500 shares of common stock at a combined public offering price of $0.80 per share and accompanying Common Warrant to purchase one share of common stock and (ii) Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase 5,000,000 shares of common stock and accompanying Common Warrants to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock at a combined public offering price of $0.799 per Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Common Warrant to purchase one share of common stock. The Company has determined that these warrants should be classified as equity instruments since they do not require the Company to repurchase the underlying common stock and do not require the Company to issue a variable amount of common stock. In addition, these warrants are indexed to common stock and do not have any antidilution rights.
The following table summarizes the Company’s Common Warrant activity from March 31, 2024 to September 30, 2024:
| Number ofWarrants | ExercisePrice | |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding at March 31, 2024 | — | $— |
| Issued | 6,562,500 | $0.80 |
| Exercised | — | $0.80 |
| Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | 6,562,500 | $0.80 |
The following table summarizes the Company’s Pre-Funded Warrants activity from March 31, 2024 to September 30, 2024:
| Number ofWarrants | ExercisePrice | |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding at March 31, 2024 | — | $— |
| Issued | 5,000,000 | $0.001 |
| Exercised | (2,370,000) | $0.001 |
| Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | 2,630,000 | $0.001 |
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In July 2023, the Board adopted, and on October 31, 2023, the Company's stockholders subsequently approved, the 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "2023 ESPP"). The 2023 ESPP became effective on October 31, 2023. The Company reserved 45,000 shares of common stock for issuance thereunder. The 2023 ESPP permits employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions, limited to 15 percent of each employee’s compensation up to $25,000 per employee per year or 500 shares per employee per six-month purchase period. Shares under the 2023 ESPP are purchased at 85 percent of the fair market value at the lower of (i) the closing price on the first trading day of the six-month purchase period or (ii) the closing price on the last trading day of thesix-month purchase period. The initial offering under the 2023 ESPP commenced on March 1, 2024. During the six months ended September 30, 2024,500 shares were issued under the 2023 ESPP. At September 30, 2024, there were 44,500 shares remaining available for purchase under the 2023 ESPP.
Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance
Common stock reserved for future issuance consisted of the following at September 30, 2024:
| Common stock issuable pursuant to options outstanding and reserved under the 2012 Plan | 423,488 |
|---|---|
| Common stock reserved under the 2012 Plan | — |
| Common stock issuable pursuant to options outstanding and reserved under the 2022 Plan | 1,361,878 |
| Common stock reserved under the 2022 Plan | 452,038 |
| Common stock reserved under the 2023 ESPP | 44,500 |
| Common stock reserved under the 2021 Inducement Equity Plan | 1,000 |
| Common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units outstanding under the 2012 Plan | 2,500 |
| Common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units outstanding under the 2022 Plan | 235,284 |
| Common stock issuable pursuant to options outstanding and reserved under the Inducement Plan | 50,000 |
| Common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding pre-funded warrants | 2,630,000 |
| Common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding common warrants | 6,562,500 |
| Total at September 30, 2024 | 11,763,188 |
Stock-based Compensation Expense and Valuation Information
Stock-based awards include stock options and RSUs under the 2022 Plan, 2012 Plan, Inducement Plan, and rights to purchase stock under the 2023 ESPP. The Company calculates the grant date fair value of all stock-based awards in determining the stock-based compensation expense.
Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based awards consists of the following (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | |
| Research and development | $25 | $(60) | $51 | $47 |
| General and administrative | 130 | 735 | 260 | 1,103 |
| Total | $155 | $675 | $311 | $1,150 |
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option grants as of September 30, 2024 was approximately $0.8 million and the weighted average period over which these grants are expected to vest is 2.74 years.
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs as of September 30, 2024 was $0.1 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.6 years.
The Company uses either the Black-Scholes or Monte Carlo option-pricing models to calculate the fair value of stock options, depending on the complexity of the equity grants. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period using the straight-line method. The assumed dividend yield is based on the Company’s expectation of not paying dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company uses the Company-specific historical volatility rate as the indicator of expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on U.S. Treasury rates. The weighted average expected life of options was estimated using the average of the contractual term and the weighted average vesting term of the options. The measurement and classification of share-based payments to non-employees is consistent with the measurement and classification of share-based payments to employees. The fair value of stock options was estimated at the grant date using the following weighted average assumptions:
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023* | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | |
| Dividend yield | — | — | — | — |
| Volatility | 99.00% | 0.00% | 99.37% | 98.51% |
| Risk-free interest rate | 3.64% | 0.00% | 3.75% | 3.95% |
| Expected life of options | 6 years | 0 | 6 years | 6 years |
| Weighted average grant date fair value | $0.43 | $— | $0.47 | $1.45 |
*There wereno stock options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
The fair value of each RSU is recognized as stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term of the award. The fair value is based on the closing stock price on the date of the grant.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to calculate the fair value of shares issued pursuant to the 2023 ESPP. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the purchase period using the straight-line method. The fair value of ESPP shares was estimated at the purchase period commencement date using the following assumptions:
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023* | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023* | |
| Dividend yield | — | — | — | — |
| Volatility | 95.20% | 0.00% | 95.20% | 0.00% |
| Risk-free interest rate | 5.27% | 0.00% | 5.27% | 0.00% |
| Expected term | 6 months | — | 6 months | — |
| Grant date fair value | $0.39 | $— | $0.39 | $— |
*There were no participants in the ESPP for the purchase periods that commenced on March 1, 2023 September 1, 2023.
The assumed dividend yield is based on the Company’s expectation of not paying dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company uses the Company-specific historical volatility rate as the indicator of expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on U.S. Treasury rates. The expected life is the 6-month purchase period.
Note 6. Collaborative Research, Development, and License Agreements
License Agreements
BICO Group AB
From June 2021 to February 2022, certain patents owned or sublicensed by the Company became the subject ofinter partes review proceedings filed by Cellink AB and its subsidiaries (collectively, “BICO Group AB”). The Company and BICO Group AB were also engaged in litigation regarding patent infringement during the same time period. On February 22, 2022, the Company and BICO Group AB signed a settlement and patent license agreement (“License Agreement”) to close all matters noted above. In addition to closing all legal matters and patent disputes noted above, as part of the agreement, the Company agreed to grant a non-exclusive license to BICO Group AB to use the Company’s aforementioned patents for its business operations of manufacturing and selling bioprinters as well as bioinks. The Company concluded that the nature of the license granted represents functional intellectual property.
As part of the License Agreement, BICO Group AB agreed to pay the Company ongoing sales-based royalties (based on percentages of BICO Group AB’s net sales) for the use of the granted license. The sales-based royalties became effective beginning on February 22, 2022, the effective date of the License Agreement, and continue until the expiration of the last surviving licensed patent. As the sales-based royalties are required to be paid 45 days after the end of every quarter, there is variable consideration that must be estimated to determine royalty revenue within a given reporting period. Once actual revenue earned is determined in the following fiscal quarter, an adjustment is made from the previously estimated amount. For the three and six months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded $29,000 and $60,000 of royalty revenue, respectively, based on sales-based royalties from the License Agreement. Royalty revenue presented on the statements of operations and other comprehensive loss is $28,000 and $53,000 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, due to adjustments related to prior quarters.
Also as part of the License Agreement, certain patents involved in the agreement are sublicensed by the Company from the University of Missouri and Clemson University. See below for further information.
University of Missouri
In March 2009, the Company entered into a license agreement with the Curators of the University of Missouri ("University of Missouri") to in-license certain technology and intellectual property relating to self-assembling cell aggregates and intermediate cellular units. The Company received the exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize products comprising this technology for all fields of use. The Company is required to pay the University of Missouri royalties ranging from 1% to 3% of net sales of covered tissue products, and of the fair market value of covered tissues transferred internally for use in the Company’s commercial service business, depending on the level of net sales achieved by the Company each year.
On December 5, 2022, the Company amended the license agreement with the University of Missouri, whereby the Company agreed to pay a single, up-front payment of $50,000 to the University of Missouri in exchange for the aforementioned licensed intellectual property to be fully paid up by the Company. As a result, the Company will continue to have rights to the licensed intellectual property until its expiration, but will no longer owe minimum annual royalty payments, royalty payments based on net sales, or any other payments (other than patent annuities and any prosecution costs) in the future.
Clemson University
In May 2011, the Company entered into a license agreement with Clemson University Research Foundation ("CURF") to in-license certain technology and intellectual property relating to ink-jet printing of viable cells. The Company received the exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize products comprising this technology for all fields of use. Under the agreement, the Company was required to pay CURF royalties ranging from 1.5% to 3% of net sales of covered tissue products and the fair market value of covered tissues transferred internally for use in the Company’s commercial service business, depending on the level of net sales reached each year. The license agreement was to terminate upon expiration of the patents licensed, which expired in May 2024, and was subject to certain conditions as defined in the license agreement. Minimum annual royalty payments of $20,000 were due for two years beginning in calendar 2014, and $40,000 per year beginning in calendar 2016. Royalty payments of $40,000 were made in each of the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The annual minimum royalty was to be creditable against royalties owed during the same calendar year. As the licensed patents expired in May 2024, there will be no further royalty payments owed.
In addition to the annual royalties noted above, CURF would have been owed 40% of all payments including but not limited to, upfront payments, license fees, issue fees, maintenance fees, and milestone payments received from third parties, including sublicensees, in consideration for sublicensing rights to licensed products. However, per the agreement, in the event that the Company defends the technology by litigation, it can offset any royalties due by legal expenses incurred. As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s legal expenses exceeded royalties owed from the upfront payment and sales-based royalties related to the license agreement. Therefore, no royalty expense to CURF was recorded for the three and six months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. No royalty expense related to sales-based royalties has been recorded to date.
Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Matters
In addition to commitments and obligations in the ordinary course of business, the Company may be subject, from time to time, to various claims and pending and potential legal actions arising out of the normal conduct of its business.
On August 27, 2024, H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“H.C. Wainwright”) filed a complaint against the Company in the State of New York alleging that the Company breached a tail financing provision included in an engagement agreement the Company entered into with H.C. Wainwright in May 2023. In its complaint, H.C. Wainwright is seeking compensatory and consequential damages and attorneys’ fees. On October 18, 2024, the Company filed an answer to the complaint. The Company is defending these claims vigorously, but there is no guarantee that it will be successful in these efforts.
The Company assesses contingencies to determine the degree of probability and range of possible loss for potential accrual in its financial statements. Because litigation is inherently unpredictable and unfavorable resolutions could occur, assessing litigation contingencies is subjective and requires judgments about future events. When evaluating contingencies, the Company may be unable to provide a meaningful estimate due to a number of factors, including the procedural status of the matter in question, the presence of complex or novel legal theories, and/or the ongoing discovery and development of information important to the matters. In addition, damage amounts claimed in litigation against it may be unsupported, exaggerated or unrelated to possible outcomes, and as such are not meaningful indicators of its potential liability.
The Company regularly reviews contingencies to determine the adequacy of its accruals and related disclosures and monitors each related legal issue and adjusts accruals as might be warranted based on new information and further developments. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded an accrual of $0.6 million (which was considered a financing fee related to the Offering discussed in Note 5. Stockholders' Equity) for the loss contingencies associated with the above described H.C. Wainwright complaint as it determined that an unfavorable outcome is probable or reasonably possible and believed that the amount or range of any possible loss was reasonably estimable. However, amounts accrued for legal contingencies often result from a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties that rely heavily on estimates and assumptions including timing of related payments, and the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company is subject to significant uncertainty. If one or more legal matters were resolved against the Company in a reporting period, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for that reporting period could be materially adversely affected.
Note 8. Leases
After the initial adoption of ASC Topic 842 (“ASC 842”), on an on-going basis, the Company evaluates all contracts upon inception and determines whether the contract contains a lease by assessing whether there is an identified asset and whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of the identified asset in exchange for consideration over a period of time. If a lease is identified, the Company will apply the guidance from ASC 842 to properly account for the lease.
Operating Leases
On November 23, 2020, the Company entered into a lease agreement, pursuant to which the Company permanently leased approximately 8,051 square feet of lab and office space (the “Permanent Lease”) in San Diego once certain tenant improvements were completed by the landlord and the premises were ready for occupancy. Additionally, on November 17, 2021, the Permanent Lease was amended to add an additional 2,892 square feet of office space in the same building. The Permanent Lease commenced on December 17, 2021 and is intended to serve as the Company’s permanent premises for approximately sixty-two months. Monthly rental payments will be approximately $40,800 with 3% annual escalators.
The Company determined that the Permanent Lease is considered an operating lease under ASC 842, and therefore upon the lease commencement date of December 17, 2021, recognized lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets of $2.3 million. The Company records operating lease expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease (referred to as “operating lease expense”). Variable lease expenses associated with the Company’s leases, such as payments for additional monthly fees to cover the Company’s share of certain facility expenses (common area maintenance) are expensed as incurred.
The table below summarizes the Company’s lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets as of September 30, 2024 (in thousands except the year and percentage):
| ASSETS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | $1,086 | |
| Total lease right-of-use assets | $1,086 | |
| LIABILITIES | ||
| Current | ||
| Operating lease liability | $513 | |
| Noncurrent | ||
| Operating lease liability, net of current portion | $660 | |
| Total lease liabilities | $1,173 | |
| Weighted average remaining lease term: | 2.33 years | |
| Weighted average discount rate: | 6% | |
Variable lease expense was approximately $22,000 and $23,000 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and approximately $39,000 and $75,000 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Operating lease expense was approximately $126,000 and $252,000 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and approximately $126,000 and $252,000 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
Cash flows associated with the Company’s operating lease for the three and six months ended September 30, 2024, were approximately $130,000 and $260,000, respectively, and approximately $126,000 and $252,000 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
Future lease payments relating to the Company’s operating lease liabilities as of September 30, 2024, are as follows (in thousands):
| Fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 | $263 |
|---|---|
| Fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 | 538 |
| Fiscal year ending March 31, 2027 | 460 |
| Total future lease payments | 1,261 |
| Less: Imputed interest | (88) |
| Total lease obligations | 1,173 |
| Less: Current obligations | (513) |
| Noncurrent lease obligations | $660 |
Note 9. Concentrations
Credit risk and significant customers
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of temporary cash investments. The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions located within the United States. Accounts at these institutions are secured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company is also potentially subject to concentrations of credit risk in its revenues and accounts receivable. However, the Company only receives royalty revenue from one licensee and has not historically experienced any accounts receivable write-downs.
Note 10. Related Parties
From time to time, the Company will enter into an agreement with a related party in the ordinary course of its business. These agreements are ratified by the Board or a committee thereof pursuant to its related party transaction policy.
Viscient Biosciences (“Viscient”) is an entity for which Keith Murphy, the Company’s Executive Chairman, serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President.
On December 28, 2020, the Company entered into an intercompany agreement (the “Intercompany Agreement”) with Viscient and Organovo, Inc., the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, which included an asset purchase agreement for certain lab equipment. Pursuant to the Intercompany Agreement, the Company agreed to provide Viscient certain services related to 3D bioprinting technology, which include, but are not limited to, histology services, cell isolation, and proliferation of cells and Viscient agreed to provide the Company certain services related to 3D bioprinting technology, including bioprinter training, bioprinting services, and qPCR assays, in each case on payment terms specified in the Intercompany Agreement and as may be further determined by the parties. In addition, the Company and Viscient each agreed to share certain facilities and equipment and, subject to further agreement, to each make certain employees available for specified projects for the other party at prices to be determined in good faith by the parties. During the second quarter of fiscal 2025, the companies added a Statement of Work ("SOW") to the Intercompany Agreement, where Viscient agreed to provide the Company with certain testing services related to the Company's ongoing R&D. The Company evaluated the accounting for the Intercompany Agreement and concluded that any services provided by Viscient to the Company will be expensed as incurred, and any compensation for services provided by the Company to Viscient will be considered a reduction of personnel related expenses. Any services provided to Viscient do not fall under Topic 606 as the Intercompany Agreement is not a contract with a customer. For the three months and six months ended September 30, 2024, the Company incurred $70,000 of toxicity testing services from Viscient. The Company incurred zero expenses from Viscient for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023. Additionally, for the three months and six months ended September 30, 2024, the Company provided approximately $4,000 of histology services to Viscient, and approximately less than $1,000 and $10,000 of histology services to Viscient for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
Note 11. Business Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. The Company's operating segments were identified in fiscal 2024 and did not impact prior periods. The Company's operating segments are as follows:
Research & Development
The research and development (“R&D”) segment consists of the Company's drug development efforts. The Company's current clinical focus is in advancing FXR314 in IBD, including UC and CD. The Company plans to start a Phase 2a clinical trial in UC in the calendar year 2025. The Company released Phase 2 data for FXR314 for the treatment of MASH in April 2024 that are supportive of ongoing development, and believes FXR314 has a commercial opportunity in MASH, most likely in combination therapy. The
Company is exploring the potential for combination therapies using FXR314 and currently approved mechanisms in preclinical animal studies and its IBD disease models.
The Company's second focus is building high fidelity, 3D tissues that recapitulate key aspects of human disease. The Company uses its proprietary technology to build functional 3D human tissues that mimic key aspects of native human tissue composition, architecture, function and disease. The Company believes these attributes can enable critical complex, multicellular disease models that can be used to develop clinically effective drugs across multiple therapeutic areas.
As with the clinical development program, the Company is initially focusing on the intestine and has ongoing 3D tissue development efforts in human tissue models of UC and CD. The Company uses these models to identify new molecular targets responsible for driving the disease and to explore the mechanism of action of known drugs including FXR314 and related molecules. The Company intends to initiate drug discovery programs around these new validated targets to identify drug candidates for partnering and/or internal clinical development.
Mosaic Cell Sciences
The Mosaic Cell Sciences segment, which began operations in February 2024, consists of our Mosaic Cell Sciences division (“Mosaic”), which will serve as a key source of certain of the primary human cells that the Company utilizes in its research and development efforts. The Company believes Mosaic can help optimize its supply chain, reduce operating expenses related to cell sourcing and procurement, and ensure that the cellular raw materials it uses are of the highest quality and are derived from tissues that are ethically sourced in full compliance with state and federal guidelines. Mosaic provides the Company with qualified human cells for use in its clinical research and development programs. In addition to supplying the Company with primary human cells, Mosaic offers human cells for sale to life science customers, both directly and through distribution partners, which the Company expects to offset costs and over time become a profit center that offsets overall R&D spending by the Company.
Business Segment Information
The Company's R&D segment generates royalty revenue related to its IP. The Company's Mosaic segment generates product revenue as part of its core operations. Segment revenues consisted of the following (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | |
| R&D | ||||
| Royalty revenue | $28 | $— | $53 | $75 |
| Mosaic | ||||
| Product revenue | 2 | — | 16 | — |
| Total segment revenue | $30 | $— | $69 | $75 |
| Total Company revenue | $30 | $— | $69 | $75 |
Operating segment costs and expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | |
| R&D | ||||
| Research and development expenses | $934 | $1,335 | $2,110 | $3,001 |
| Mosaic | ||||
| Cost of revenues | 1 | — | 3 | — |
| Research and development expenses | 50 | — | 276 | — |
| Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 68 | — | 135 | — |
| Total segment costs and expenses | $1,053 | $1,335 | $2,524 | $3,001 |
| Other selling, general, and administrative expenses | 1,585 | 2,780 | 3,539 | 5,384 |
| Total Company costs and expenses | $2,638 | $4,115 | $6,063 | $8,385 |
The R&D segment's identifiable assets are its fixed assets. The Mosaic segment's identifiable assets are its fixed assets and inventory. Other Company assets are comprised of all other assets that are not distinctly identifiable to a segment. Operating segment assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
| September 30, 2024 | March 31, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| R&D | ||
| Fixed assets, net | $343 | $423 |
| Mosaic | ||
| Fixed assets, net | 161 | 183 |
| Inventory | 640 | 297 |
| Total segment assets | $1,144 | $903 |
| Other Company assets | 5,610 | 5,446 |
| Total Company assets | $6,754 | $6,349 |
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.