Akari Therapeutics Plc
For the period ended Sep 30, 2024. Filed Nov 19, 2024.
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Sep 30, 2024 · Filed Nov 19, 2024
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Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Description of Business
Business Overview
Akari Therapeutics, Plc, (the “Company” or “Akari”) is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The Company is a biotechnology company focused on developing advanced therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases involving the complement component 5 (“C5”) and leukotriene B4 (“LTB4”) pathways. The Company’s activities since inception have consisted of performing research and development activities and raising capital.
The Company is subject to a number of risks similar to those of preclinical stage companies, including dependence on key individuals, uncertainty of product development and generation of revenues, dependence on outside sources of capital, risks associated with preclinical trials of products, dependence on third-party collaborators for research and development operations, need for marketing authorization of products, risks associated with protection of intellectual property, and competition with larger, better-capitalized companies.
To fully execute its business plan, the Company will need, among other things, to complete its research and development efforts and clinical and regulatory activities. These activities may take several years and will require significant operating and capital expenditures in the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that these activities will be successful. If the Company is not successful in these activities it could delay, limit, reduce or terminate preclinical studies, clinical trials or other research and development activities.
Merger with Peak Bio
As further described in Note 10, on November 14, 2024, the Company closed the previously announced merger with Peak Bio, Inc. (“Peak Bio”). As a result, the Company expanded its pipeline of assets spanning early and late development stages with the addition of Peak Bio’s antibody drug conjugate (“ADC”) toolkit with novel payload and linker technologies as well as the Peak Bio PHP-303 small molecule selective and reversible neutrophil elastase inhibitor. By combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy strategies, the Company aims to develop cutting-edge solutions for cancer patients.
Liquidity and Financial Condition
The Company follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern, which requires management to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued.
The Company has incurred substantial losses and negative cash flows since inception and had an accumulated deficit of$243.5 million as of September 30, 2024. The Company’s cash balance of$2.2 million as of September 30, 2024 is not sufficient to fund its operations for the one-year period after the date these condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
The Company anticipates incurring additional losses until such time, if ever, that it can generate significant sales of its product candidates currently in development. The Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties similar to those of other companies of the same size within the biotechnology industry, such as uncertainty of clinical trial outcomes, uncertainty of additional funding, and history of operating losses. Substantial additional financing will be needed by the Company to fund its operations and to commercially develop its product candidates. Management is currently evaluating different strategies to obtain the required funding for future operations. These strategies may include, but are not limited to: product development financing, private placements and/or public offerings of equity and/or debt securities, and strategic research and development collaborations and/or similar arrangements. There can be no assurance that these future funding efforts will be successful.
Nasdaq Continued Listing Rules
On April 5, 2024, the Company received a letter (“Letter”) from the Listing Qualifications Staff (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that the Company’s shareholders’ equity as reported in its Form 10-K is no longer in compliance with the minimum shareholders’ equity requirement for continued listing on Nasdaq under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires listed companies to maintain shareholders’ equity of at least $2.5 million (the “Shareholders’ Equity Requirement”). As reported on the Form 10-K, the Company’s shareholders’ deficit as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $0.2 million. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had a shareholders' deficit of$6.7 million and was not in compliance with the Shareholders' Equity Requirement.
In accordance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules, on May 20, 2024, the Company submitted a plan to regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement (the “Compliance Plan”) for the Staff’s consideration. On August 5, 2024, the Company was notified by the Staff that it has been granted an extension until September 30, 2024 to comply with the Compliance Plan and evidence compliance with the Shareholders’ Equity Requirement. On October 1, 2024, the Company received a delisting determination letter (“Delisting Determination Letter”) from the Staff notifying the Company that it did not meet the terms of an extension granted by Nasdaq to regain compliance with the Shareholders’ Equity Requirement. On October 8, 2024, the Company requested a hearing (the “Hearing”) before the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel (“Panel”) to appeal the Staff’s delisting determination.
On November 18, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Nasdaq Office of General Counsel notifying the Company that the Company has regained compliance with the Shareholders’ Equity Requirement, and that the Hearing, originally scheduled for November 21, 2024, has been canceled.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation – The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the SEC and assumes that the Company will continue to operate as a going concern. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, including normal and recurring adjustments, which the Company considers necessary for the fair statement of financial information. The results of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of expected results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 or any other future period. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and notes thereto included in its Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024.
Principles of consolidation – The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, Celsus Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Volution Immuno Pharmaceuticals SA, a private Swiss company, and Akari Malta Limited, a private Maltese company, each wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Foreign currency – The functional currency of the Company is U.S. dollars, as that is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates as well as the currency in which it has been financed.
The reporting currency of the Company is U.S. dollars. The financial statements of certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are measured using their local currency as the functional currency. The Company translates its non-U.S. operations’ assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars at current rates of exchange as of the balance sheet date and income and expense items at the average exchange rate for the reporting period. Translation adjustments resulting from exchange rate fluctuations are recorded as foreign currency translation adjustments, a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains or losses from foreign currency transactions are included in foreign currency exchange gains/(losses).
Use of estimates – The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and related disclosures. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these condensed consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the valuation of share-based awards, the valuation of warrant liabilities, research and development prepayments, accruals and related expenses, and the valuation allowance for deferred income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known trends and other market-specific or other relevant factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates are periodically reviewed considering changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results may differ from those estimates or assumptions.
Concentration of credit risk –Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash. The Company generally maintains balances in various operating accounts at financial institutions in amounts that may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to its cash and does not believe that it is subject to unusual credit risk beyond the normal credit risk associated with commercial banking relationships.
Fair value measurements – Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value under U.S. GAAP. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:
Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 – inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities 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.
Determining which category an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates its hierarchy disclosures each reporting period. The fair value hierarchy also requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
The carrying values of the Company’s cash, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. The Company’s liability-classified warrants are recorded at their estimated fair value. See Note 4.
Cash – The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at the time of acquisition to be cash equivalents. The Company hadno cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.
Prepaid expenses –Payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services are capitalized until the goods or services are received.
Other current assets– Other current assets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were principally comprised of Value Added Tax (“VAT”) receivables.
Patent acquisition costs – Patent acquisition costs and related capitalized legal fees are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the legal or economic life. The estimated useful life is 22 years. The Company expenses costs associated with maintaining and defending patents after their issuance in the period incurred. Amortization expense for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was less than $0.1 million.
Accrued expenses – As part of the process of preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company estimates accrued expenses. This process involves identifying services that third parties have performed on the Company’s behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred on these services as of each balance sheet date in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Examples of estimated accrued expenses include contract service fees in conjunction with pre-clinical and clinical trials, professional service fees and contingent liabilities. In connection with these service fees, the Company’s estimates are most affected by its understanding of the status and timing of services provided relative to the actual services incurred by the service providers. If the Company does not identify certain costs that have been incurred or it under or over-estimates the level of services or costs of such services, the Company’s reported expenses for a reporting period could be understated or overstated. The date on which certain services commence, the level of services performed on or before a given date, and the cost of services are often subject to the Company’s estimation and judgment. The Company makes these judgments based upon the facts and circumstances known to it in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See Note 5.
Convertible Notes –On May 10, 2024, the Company entered into unsecured convertible promissory notes (the “May 2024 Notes”) with existing investors: the Company’s Chairman, Dr. Ray Prudo, and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, Dr. Samir Patel, for an aggregate of $1.0 million in gross proceeds. The May 2024 Notes bear interest at 15% per annum, which may be increased to 17% upon the occurrence of certain events of default as described therein, and the principal and all accrued but unpaid interest is due on the date that is the earlier of (a) ten (10) business days following the Company’s receipt of a U.K. research and development tax credit from HM Revenue and Customs, and (b) November 10, 2024. Provided, however, at any time or times from the date of the note and until the tenth business day prior to closing of the Merger, the note holders are entitled to convert any portion of the outstanding and unpaid amount, including principal and accrued interest, into Company ADSs at a fixed conversion price equal to $1.59, representing the Nasdaq official closing price of the Company’s ADSs on the issuance date, subject to certain restrictions. In October 2024, Drs. Prudo and Patel each elected to convert $125,000 of principal and all accrued interest into Company ADSs, resulting in the issuance of an aggregate of 406,236,000 ordinary shares represented by 203,118 ADSs. The remaining unconverted aggregate principal balance of the May 2024 Notes, or $750,000, was repaid in cash.
The Company accounts for convertible promissory notes in accordance with ASC Topic 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options(“ASC 470-20”) and has not elected the fair value option as provided for within ASC Topics 815 and 825. Accordingly, the Company evaluated the embedded conversion and other features within the May 2024 Notes to determine whether any of the embedded features should be bifurcated from the host instrument and accounted for as a derivative at fair value. Based on management’s evaluation, the Company determined that the May 2024 Notes were not issued at a substantial premium and none of the embedded features were required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately. Accordingly, the May 2024 Notes are accounted for as a single liability measured at its amortized cost. Issuance costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the May 2024 Notes were immaterial. Interest expense incurred on the May 2024 Notes was less than $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, accrued interest on the May 2024 Notes of less than $0.1 million is included within “Accrued expenses” in the Company’s balance sheets.
Warrant Liability – The Company accounts for ordinary share or ADS warrants as either equity instruments, liabilities or derivative liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and/or ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. Liability-classified warrants are recorded at their estimated fair values at issuance and are remeasured each reporting period until they are exercised, terminated, reclassified or otherwise settled. Changes in the estimated fair value of liability-classified warrants are recorded in "change in fair value of warrant liability" in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Equity-classified warrants are recorded within "additional paid-in capital" in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of shareholders' (deficit) equity at the time of issuance and not subject to remeasurement.
In connection with the sale of the ADSs in the September 2022 Registered Direct Offering, the Company issued to the investors registered Series A warrants (“Series A Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 755,000 ADSs at $17.00 per ADS and registered Series B warrants (“Series B Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 755,000 ADSs at $17.00 per ADS (collectively, the “September 2022 Warrants”).The Company determined that the September 2022 Warrants are not indexed to the Company’s own stock in the manner contemplated by ASC 815-40-15, Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock. Accordingly, the Company classifies the September 2022 Warrants as derivative liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets. In September 2024, all outstanding Series A Warrants expired unexercised.
Other Current Liabilities – In February 2024, the Company entered into a short-term financing arrangement with a third-party vendor to finance insurance premiums. The aggregate amount financed under this agreement was $1.1 million, bearing interest at an annual rate of 7.49%. As of September 30, 2024, the balance of $0.2 million, which is included in “Other current liabilities” in the Company’s balance sheets, is scheduled to be paid inmonthly installments through November 2024.
Research and development expenses – Costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred unless there is an alternative future use in other research and development projects. Research and development expenses include, among other costs, salaries and personnel–related expenses, fees paid for contract research services, fees paid to clinical research organizations, costs incurred by outside laboratories, manufacturers and other accredited facilities in connection with clinical trials and preclinical studies.
Payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services to be used in research and development are capitalized until the goods or services are received. The Company records expenses related to clinical studies and manufacturing development activities based on its estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple contract research organizations and manufacturing vendors that conduct and manage these activities on its behalf. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract, and may result in uneven cash flows. There may be instances in which payments made to the Company’s vendors will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the expense. Payments under some of these contracts depend on factors such as the successful enrollment of subjects and the completion of clinical study milestones. In amortizing or accruing service fees, the Company estimates the time period over which services will be performed, enrollment of subjects, number of sites activated and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the Company’s estimate, the Company will adjust the accrued or prepaid expense balance accordingly.
The Company accounts for research and development tax credits at the time its realization becomes probable as a credit to research and development expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized research and development tax credits of approximately $1.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively.
Merger-Related Costs– Merger-related costs include direct expenses incurred in connection with the proposed Merger, as more fully described in Note 3, and are comprised primarily of legal and professional fees and other incremental costs directly associated to the Merger. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 merger-related costs totaled$1.0 million and$2.3 million, respectively.
Restructuring and Other Costs– In May 2024, the Company began to implement a reduction-in-force of approximately 67% of its total workforce as a result of the recently announced program prioritization under which the Company’s HSCT-TMA program was suspended. The reduction-in-force was part of an operational restructuring plan (the “May 2024 Plan”) which included the elimination of certain senior management positions and was completed in the third quarter of 2024. The purpose of the restructuring plan, including the reduction-in-force, was to reduce HSCT-TMA related operating costs, while supporting the execution of the Company’s long-term strategic plan. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company has incurred restructuring-related charges of less than $0.1 million and$1.7 million related to the May 2024 Plan, respectively. Of the $1.7 million incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, $1.4 million related to severance and other settlement payments to terminated executives and employees, and $0.3 million was non-cash expenses related to accelerated vesting of equity awards. The Company doesnot expect to incur additional restructuring-related expenses related to the May 2024 Plan.
As of September 30, 2024, of the$1.7 million total restructuring-related charges incurred, approximately $0.5 million wasunpaid and included in accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Note 5. The Company expects these costs to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Share-based compensation expense – The Company measures all share-based awards granted to employees, directors and non-employees based on the estimated fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense of those awards over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective awards. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. The Company classifies share-based compensation expense in its condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified.
The fair value of each restricted ordinary share award is determined on the date of grant based on the fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares on that same date. The fair value of each share option grant is determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires inputs based on certain assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, the expected term of the award, the risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends. See Note 7. The Company estimates stock price volatility based on the Company’s historical stock price performance over a period of time that matches the expected term of the stock options. The expected term of the Company’s options has been determined utilizing the “simplified” method for awards that qualify as “plain-vanilla” options. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the award for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the award. The expected dividend yield is based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends on ordinary shares and does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Leases – The Company accounts for its leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases. In accordance with ASC 842, the Company records a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any leases with a term longer than twelve months. Accordingly, no ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.
Income taxes – In accordance with ASC 270, Interim Reporting, and ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company is required at the end of each interim period to determine the best estimate of its annual effective tax rate and then apply that rate in providing for income taxes on a current year-to-date (interim period) basis. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded no tax expense or benefit due to the expected current year loss and its historical losses. The Company has not recorded its net deferred tax asset as of either September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023 because it maintained a full valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets as of these dates as management has determined that it is not more likely than not that the Company will realize these future tax benefits. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had no uncertain tax positions.
Net loss per share– Basic net loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, which includes ordinary shares underlying pre-funded warrants, as such warrant is exercisable, in whole or in part, for nominal cash consideration with no expiration date. Diluted net loss per ordinary share includes the effect, if any, from the potential exercise or conversion of securities, such as stock options, unvested restricted stock units, and warrants, which would result in the issuance of incremental ordinary shares, unless their effect would be anti-dilutive. For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, diluted net loss per ordinary share is the same as basic net loss per ordinary share as the effects of the Company’s potentially dilutive securities were anti-dilutive.
The following potential dilutive securities, presented based on amounts outstanding at the end of each reporting period, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because including them would have had an anti-dilutive impact:
| As of September 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Stock options | 507,014,688 | 680,112,400 |
| Restricted stock units | 251,823,915 | 418,580,700 |
| Warrants | 11,562,653,300 | 4,155,347,500 |
| Convertible notes | 1,257,860,000 | — |
| Total | 13,579,351,903 | 5,254,040,600 |
New Accounting Pronouncements– From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB and rules are issued by the SEC that the Company has or will adopt as of a specified date. Unless otherwise noted, management does not believe that any other recently issued accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB or guidance issued by the SEC had, or is expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued (Not Yet Adopted) Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU modified the disclosure and presentation requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures of significant segment expenses and clarified that single reportable segment entities must apply Topic 280 in its entirety. This guidance is effective for the Company for the year beginning January 1, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statement. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU improves the transparency of income tax disclosure by requiring consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation, and income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. This guidance is effective for the Company for the year beginning January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis, with retrospective application permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Note 3. Agreement and Plan of Merger
Agreement and Plan of Merger
On March 4, 2024, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Peak Bio and Pegasus Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Akari (“Pegasus Merger Sub”), as amended by that certain side letter dated August 15, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, on November 14, 2024, Pegasus Merger Sub merged with and into Peak Bio (the “Merger”), with Peak Bio surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Akari.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each issued and outstanding share of Peak Bio common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Peak Common Stock”) (other than (x) shares of Peak Common Stock held by Peak Bio as treasury stock, or shares of Peak Common Stock owned by Akari, Pegasus Merger Sub or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Akari and (y) Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement)), was converted into the right to receive the Company’s ADSs representing a number of Akari ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Akari Ordinary Shares”) equal to 0.2935 (the “Exchange Ratio”), each such share duly and validly issued against the deposit of the requisite number of Akari Ordinary Shares in accordance with the Deposit Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The Exchange Ratio was calculated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, such that the total number of shares of Akari ADSs issued in connection with the merger was approximately 48.4% of the outstanding shares of Akari ADSs on a fully diluted basis.
The board of directors of each of Akari and Peak has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. On November 14, 2024, the Company closed the business combination contemplated by the Merger Agreement, as more fully described in Note 10.
Note 4. Fair Value Measurements
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table presents information about the Company’s financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicates the level of the fair value hierarchy used to determine such values:
| (In thousands) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liabilities | ||||
| Warrant liability - Series B | $725 | $— | $— | $725 |
| Total liabilities | $725 | $— | $— | $725 |
| (In thousands) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liabilities | ||||
| Warrant liability - Series A | $15 | $— | $— | $15 |
| Warrant liability - Series B | 1,238 | — | — | 1,238 |
| Total liabilities | $1,253 | $— | $— | $1,253 |
The Company’s Level 3 liabilities consist of the Series B Warrants as of September 30, 2024 and the Series A and Series B Warrants as of December 31, 2023, which were determined to be liability-classified instruments. There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Changes in Level 3 Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table summarizes the activity in the warrant liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2024:
| Warrant Liability | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | Series A | Series B | Total |
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $15 | $1,238 | $1,253 |
| Change in the fair value of liability | (15) | (513) | (528) |
| Balance, September 30, 2024 | $— | $725 | $725 |
Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Liability-Classified Warrants
The fair value of the warrant liability is based on significant inputs, which represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of both the Series A Warrants and the Series B Warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, which uses various assumptions, including (i) fair value of the Company’s ADSs, (ii) exercise price of the warrant, (iii) expected term of the warrant, (iv) expected volatility and (v) expected risk-free interest rate.
Below are the assumptions used for the fair value calculations of the Series B Warrants as of September 30, 2024, and Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants as of December 31, 2023:
| September 30, 2024 · December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Series B | Series A | Series B | |
| Stock (ADS) price | $2.95 | $3.12 | $3.12 |
| Exercise price | $17.00 | $17.00 | $17.00 |
| Expected term (in years) | 5.0 | 0.7 | 5.7 |
| Expected volatility | 80.0% | 85.0% | 95.0% |
| Risk-free interest rate | 3.6% | 5.1% | 3.9% |
| Expected dividend yield | — | — | — |
Note 5. Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consisted of the following as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| September 30, | December 31, | |
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Employee compensation and benefits | $624 | $187 |
| External research and development expenses | 589 | 635 |
| Professional and consulting fees | 861 | 669 |
| Restructuring | 450 | — |
| Other | 81 | 75 |
| Total accrued expenses | $2,605 | $1,566 |
Accrued restructuring expenses of approximately $0.5 million as of September 30, 2024 relate to one-time termination benefits payable to former employees, including an executive, which are payable in the fourth quarter of 2024. See Note 2.
Note 6. Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity
Ordinary Shares
On September 30, 2023, the Company’s shareholders approved an increase to the number of authorized ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 (the “Ordinary Shares”), the Company can issue by 35,000,000,000 ordinary shares in addition to the number of shares outstanding on June 30, 2023. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company was authorized to issue up to 45,122,321,523 ordinary shares.
Currently, each ADS represents 2,000 Ordinary Shares (the “ADS Ratio”). All ADS and per ADS amounts in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the ADS Ratio.
May 2024 Private Placement
In May 2024, the Company entered into a definitive purchase agreement with certain investors, Dr. Prudo and Dr. Patel, pursuant to which the Company sold and issued in a private placement an aggregate of 4,029,754 ADSs, and Series C Warrants (the “Series C Warrants”) to purchase up to 4,029,754 ADS, at a per unit price of $1.885 per ADS and Series C Warrant for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7.6 million (the “May 2024 Private Placement”). The Series C Warrants have 3-year terms ranging from May 31, 2027 to June 21, 2027 and have cashless exercise provisions in limited circumstances. The Series C Warrants (other than those issued to Dr. Prudo and Dr. Patel) have an exercise price of $1.76 per ADS. The Series C Warrants issued to Dr. Prudo and Dr. Patel have an exercise price of $1.79 per ADS. Net proceeds from the May 2024 Private Placement were approximately $7.0 million after deducting placement agent fees and other expenses.
At close of the May 2024 Private Placement, the Company issued to Paulson Investment Company, LLC (“Paulson”), as placement agent for the May 2024 Private Placement, warrants to purchase 332,380 ADSs at an exercise price of $1.885 per ADS and a term expiring on May 31, 2029 (the “May 2024 Placement Agent Warrants”). The estimated fair value of the May 2024 Placement Agent Warrants on the issuance date was approximately $0.4 million.
The Company determined that the Series C Warrants and May 2024 Placement Agent Warrants met all of the criteria for equity classification. Accordingly, upon closing of the May 2024 Private Placement, each of the Series C Warrants and May 2024 Placement Agent Warrants were recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital.
March 2024 Private Placement
In March 2024, the Company entered into a definitive purchase agreement with certain existing investors, pursuant to which the Company sold and issued in a private placement an aggregate of 1,320,614 ADSs at $1.48 per ADS, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2.0 million (the “March 2024 Private Placement”). Net proceeds from the March 2024 Private Placement were approximately $1.7 million after deducting placement agent fees and other expenses.
At close of the March 2024 Private Placement, the Company issued to Paulson, as placement agent for the March 2024 Private Placement, warrants to purchase 132,061 ADSs at an exercise price of $1.85 per ADS (representing 125% of the purchase price per ADS sold in the March 2024 Private Placement) and a term expiring on March 27, 2029 (the “March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants”). The estimated fair value of the March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants on the issuance date was approximately $0.2 million.
The Company determined that the March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants met all of the criteria for equity classification. Accordingly, upon closing of the March 2024 Private Placement, each of the March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants were recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital.
December 2023 Private Placement
In December 2023, the Company entered into purchase agreements to sell, in a private placement, to existing investors, Dr. Ray Prudo and Dr. Patel, (the “December 2023 Private Placement”) an aggregate of 947,868 ADSs at $2.11 per ADS, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2.0 million. Net proceeds from the December 2023 Private Placement were approximately $1.8 million after deducting placement agent fees and other expenses.
September 2023 Private Placement
In September 2023, the Company entered into purchase agreements to sell in a private placement to existing investors and directors, including Dr. Prudo and Ms. Rachelle Jacques, the Company’s then President and Chief Executive Officer (the “September 2023 Private Placement”) an aggregate of 551,816 ADSs at $3.30 per ADS, and pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase up to 48,387 ADSs at a purchase price per Pre-Funded Warrant of $3.10, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2.0 million. The Pre-Funded Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.20 per ADS and will not expire until exercised in full. The September 2023 Private Placement closed in October 2023 resulting in net proceeds of approximately $1.7 million after deducting placement agent fees and other expenses.
At close of the September 2023 Private Placement, the Company issued to Paulson, as placement agent for the September 2023 Private Placement, warrants to purchase 42,550 ADSs at an exercise price of $4.13 per ADS (representing 125% of the purchase price per ADS sold in the September 2023 Private Placement) and a term expiring on October 6, 2028 (the “October 2023 Placement Agent Warrants”). The estimated fair value of the October 2023 Placement Agent Warrants on the issuance date was approximately $0.1 million.
The Company determined that the Pre-Funded Warrants and October 2023 Placement Agent Warrants met all of the criteria for equity classification. Accordingly, upon closing of the September 2023 Private Placement, each of the Pre-Funded Warrants and October 2023 Placement Agent Warrants were recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital.
March 2023 Registered Direct Offering
On March 31, 2023, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with certain accredited and institutional investors, including Dr. Prudo (the “March Registered Direct Offering”) providing for the issuance of an aggregate of 1,333,333 ADSs in a registered direct offering at $3.00 per ADS, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $4.0 million. Net proceeds from the March Registered Direct Offering were approximately $3.5 million after deducting placement agent fees and expenses.
Warrants
In connection with various financing transactions, the Company has issued warrants to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares represented by ADSs. The Company accounts for such warrants as equity instruments or liabilities, depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. See Note 2 for further details on accounting policies related to the Company’s warrants.
The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding warrants as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| Number of Warrant ADSs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, · December 31, · Weighted-Average | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Exercise Price | Expiration Date | |
| Equity-classified Warrants | ||||
| 2019 Investor Warrants | - | 59,211 | $60.00 | 7/1/2024 |
| 2019 Placement Warrants | - | 8,881 | $57.00 | 6/28/2024 |
| 2020 Investor Warrants | 139,882 | 139,882 | $44.00 | Feb-Mar 2025 |
| 2020 Placement Warrants | 22,481 | 22,481 | $51.00 | Feb-Mar 2025 |
| July 2021 Placement Agent Warrants | 19,919 | 19,919 | $46.40 | 7/7/2026 |
| December 2021 Investor Warrants | 107,775 | 107,775 | $33.00 | 1/4/2027 |
| December 2021 Placement Agent Warrants | 8,622 | 8,622 | $35.00 | 12/29/2026 |
| March 2022 Investor Warrants | 186,020 | 186,020 | $28.00 | 3/10/2027 |
| March 2022 Placement Agent Warrants | 14,882 | 14,882 | $30.00 | 3/10/2027 |
| October 2023 Investor Prefunded Warrants | 48,387 | 48,387 | $0.20 | None |
| October 2023 Placement Agent Warrants | 42,550 | 42,550 | $4.13 | 10/6/2028 |
| March 2024 Placement Agent Warrants | 132,061 | — | $1.85 | 3/27/2029 |
| May 2024 Investor Warrants | 4,029,754 | — | $1.77 | May-Jun 2027 |
| May 2024 Placement Agent Warrants | 322,380 | — | $1.89 | 5/31/2029 |
| 5,074,713 | 658,610 | |||
| Liability-classified Warrants | ||||
| September 2022 Series A Investor Warrants | - | 755,000 | $17.00 | 9/14/2024 |
| September 2022 Series B Investor Warrants | 755,000 | 755,000 | $17.00 | 9/14/2029 |
| 755,000 | 1,510,000 | |||
| Total outstanding | 5,829,713 | 2,168,610 | ||
The following table summarizes the Company’s warrants activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:
| Number of | Weighted-Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Warrant ADSs | Exercise Price | |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 2,168,610 | $21.97 |
| Issued | 4,484,195 | 1.78 |
| Exercised | — | — |
| Expired | (823,092) | 20.52 |
| Outstanding at September 30, 2024 | 5,829,713 | $6.65 |
Capital Redemption Reserve
In December 2020, for the purpose of changing the nominal value of the Company's ordinary shares from £0.01 to $0.0001 the Company issued 3,847,331,913 deferred shares (the "Deferred Shares") of $0.01315. The Deferred Shares were created for technical reasons of company law and did not increase the aggregate value of share capital. Also in December 2020, the Deferred Shares were purchased by the Company in accordance with their terms of issue for aggregate consideration of $0.01 and immediately cancelled. The aggregate nominal value at cancellation was $50.6 million.
Amounts transferred from share capital on the redemption of the Deferred Shares of $50.6 million, along with the resulting foreign currency effect of the redenomination of Company ordinary shares of $1.6 million, are classified as "capital redemption reserve" within the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed statements of shareholders' (deficit) equity.
Note 7. Share-Based Compensation
2023 Equity Incentive Plan
On June 30, 2023, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”), which provides for the grant of stock options, both incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, stock, with and without vesting restrictions, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and stock appreciation rights, to be granted to employees, directors and consultants. The Company is permitted to issue up to 980,000,000 ordinary shares under the 2023 Plan, plus such additional number of ordinary shares (up to 855,637,300 ordinary shares) subject to awards granted under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), to the extent such awards are forfeited, cancelled, or expire unexercised.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had 498,903,915 ordinary shares underlying outstanding equity awards under the 2023 Plan, consisting of stock options and RSUs, and 569,501,522 ordinary shares remained available for future grants under the 2023 Plan.
The 2023 and 2014 Plans provide that they be administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors. The exercise price for stock option awards may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s ordinary shares on the date of grant and the term of awards may not be greater thanten years. The Company determines the fair value of its ordinary shares based on the quoted market price of its ADSs. Vesting periods are determined at the discretion of the compensation committee. Awards granted to employees typically vest overtwo tofour years and directors overone year.
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
Under the 2014 Plan the Company was authorized to grant stock options, RSUs and other awards, to employees, members of the board of directors and consultants. Upon effectiveness of the 2023 Plan no further awards were available to be issued under the 2014 Plan. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had 259,934,688 ordinary shares underlying outstanding equity awards under the 2014 Plan, consisting of stock options.
Stock Options
The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity under the 2014 Plan and the 2023 Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:
| ($ in thousands, except share and per share data) | StockOptions | Weighted-AverageExercisePrice | Weighted-AverageRemainingContractual Life(in years) | AggregateIntrinsic Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 651,237,400 | $0.01 | 8.5 | $— |
| Granted | 205,080,000 | 0.00 | ||
| Exercised | — | — | ||
| Forfeited | (304,302,712) | 0.01 | ||
| Expired | (45,000,000) | 0.02 | ||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2024 (1) | 507,014,688 | $0.01 | 6.4 | $2 |
| Exercisable at September 30, 2024 | 425,181,355 | $0.01 | 6.0 | $— |
(1)
Includes both vested stock options as well as unvested stock options for which the requisite service period has not been rendered but that are expected to vest based on achievement of a service condition.
The aggregate intrinsic value of options is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the options and the fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares for those options that had exercise prices lower than the fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares.
The weighted-average grant-date fair value per ordinary share of options granted during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was less than $0.01.
Option Valuation
The weighted-average assumptions that the Company used to determine the fair value of share options granted were as follows, presented on a weighted average basis:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Expected volatility | 82.6% | 99.2% |
| Risk-free interest rate | 3.7% | 3.8% |
| Expected dividend yield | — | — |
| Expected term (in years) | 5.1 | 6.0 |
Restricted Stock Units
The 2014 Plan provided, and the 2023 Plan provides, for the award of RSUs. RSUs are granted to employees that are subject to time-based vesting conditions that lapse betweenone year and four years from date of grant, assuming continued employment. Compensation cost for time-based RSUs, which vest only on continued service, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period based on the grant date fair of the RSUs, which is derived from the closing price of the Company’s ADSs on the date of grant.
The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:
| Time-based Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | Number of Shares | Weighted-AverageGrant Date Fair Value |
| Nonvested shares at December 31, 2023 | 385,954,925 | $0.00 |
| Granted | 731,393,807 | 0.00 |
| Forfeited | (482,249,417) | 0.00 |
| Vested | (383,275,400) | 0.00 |
| Nonvested shares at September 30, 2024 | 251,823,915 | $0.00 |
The fair value of time-based RSUs that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was approximately $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation Expense
The Company classifies share-based compensation expense in the statement of operations in the same manner in which the award recipients’ payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipients’ service payments are classified. Total share-based compensation expense attributable to share-based payments made to employees, consultants and directors included in operating expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
| Three Months Ended · Nine Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, | September 30, | |||
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Research and development | $27 | $42 | $83 | $105 |
| General and administrative | 221 | 263 | 621 | 741 |
| Restructuring and other costs | - | — | 285 | — |
| Total share-based compensation expense | $248 | $305 | $989 | $846 |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024,276,000,000 ordinary shares underlying unvested time-based RSUs held by a former executive upon termination of employment were accelerated, resulting in additional stock-based compensation expense of $0.3 million.
As of September 30, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and time-based RSUs was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The Company expects total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options and RSUs to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 and 1.8 years, respectively.
Note 8. Related Party Transactions
The Doctors Laboratory
The Company leases office space for its U.K. headquarters in London from The Doctors Laboratory (“TDL”) and has incurred expenses of less than $0.1 million plus Value Added Tax (“VAT”) during each of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and approximately $0.1 million plus VAT during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2024. David Byrne, a former non-employee director of the Company, is the Chief Executive Officer of TDL and Dr. Prudo is the non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of TDL.
The Company received certain laboratory testing services for its clinical trials and other administrative services provided by TDL and incurred expenses of less than $0.1 million during each of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and less than $0.1 million and approximately $0.1 million during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company recorded payable balances owed to TDL of less than $0.1 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Interim CEO Agreement
On May 31, 2024, the Company and Dr. Patel entered into an Interim Chief Executive Officer Agreement, effective as of May 1, 2024 (the “Interim CEO Agreement”). Pursuant to the Interim CEO Agreement, Dr. Patel serves as the Company’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer as an independent contractor on an at-will basis. The Interim CEO Agreement can be terminated by the Company immediately for any reason. As the sole compensation for services provided under the Interim CEO Agreement, Dr. Patel was to be paid $50,000 per month in the form of fully vested ordinary shares. On September 16, 2024, the Company entered into an amendment to the Interim CEO Agreement (the “Amendment”), effective July 1, 2024, to revise Dr. Patel’s compensation in connection with the services as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the Amendment, in lieu of receiving the stated monthly compensation of $50,000 in the form of fully vested ordinary shares, Dr. Patel shall be paid in the form of fully vested non-qualified stock options to purchase ordinary shares (“NQSO”), with the number of ADSs underlying each such monthly NQSOs grant to be equal to two times the number determined by dividing (i) $50,000 by (ii) the closing price of the Company's ADSs on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the last day of each month (or partial month) Dr. Patel serves as the Company’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in non-cash share-based compensation costs pursuant to the Interim CEO Agreement, as amended, pertaining to (i) NQSOs granted to Dr. Patel to purchase 87,540,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of less than $0.01 per ordinary share with a grant date fair value of approximately $0.2 million, and (ii)91,396,000 fully vested ordinary shares granted to Dr. Patel.
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Companyis currently party to a short-term lease for its U.S headquarters, which currently expires in May 2025, and a short-term lease with TDL for its London offices, which currently expires in July 2025. The Company is not party to any material lease agreements.
For each of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred lease costs of less than $0.1 million. For each of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred leases costs of approximately $0.2 million.
Employee Benefit Plans
The Company adopted an employee benefit plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for its U.S.-based employees. The plan allows employees to make contributions up to a specified percentage of their compensation. Under the plan, the Company matches 100% of employees’ contributions up to 5% of the annual eligible compensation contributed by each employee, subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations.
The Company also adopted a defined contribution pension scheme which allows for U.K. employees to make contributions and provides U.K. employees with a Company contribution of 10% of compensation, subject to U.K. law.
During each of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company charged less than $0.1 million to operating expenses related to the Company's contributions to employee benefit plans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company charged $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, to operating expenses related to the Company's contributions to employee benefit plans.
Note 10. Subsequent Events
Conversion of May 2024 Notes
In October 2024, Drs. Prudo and Patel each elected to convert $125,000 of principal and all accrued interest into Company ADSs, resulting in the issuance of an aggregate of 406,236,000 ordinary shares represented by 203,118 ADSs. The remaining unconverted aggregate principal balance of the May 2024 Notes, or $750,000, was repaid in cash.
November Private Placement
On November 13, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain investors, including Akari’s Chairman, Dr. Ray Prudo, and a director and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Dr. Samir R. Patel, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and issue in a private placement (the “November Private Placement”) an aggregate of 1,713,402 unregistered Akari ADSs, each representing 2,000 of Akari Ordinary Shares, and Series D Warrants (the “Series D Warrants”) to purchase up to 1,713,402 ADSs, at a per unit price of (i) $1.70 per ADS and Series D Warrant for all investors other than Drs. Patel and Prudo, and (ii) $2.385, which is equal to the consolidated closing bid price of the ADSs on The Nasdaq Stock Market on November 12, 2024 plus $0.125 for Drs. Patel and Prudo, for aggregate gross proceeds of $3.2 million. The November Private Placement is expected to close shortly following the closing of the Merger, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
The Series D Warrants have a term ofthree years from the closing date of the November Private Placement and have cashless exercise provisions. The Series D Warrants have an exercise price of $2.26 per ADS, which is equal to the Nasdaq official closing price of Akari’s ADSs on the Nasdaq Capital Market on November 12, 2024. The Series D Warrants issued to Dr. Patel and Dr. Prudo are immediately exercisable and the warrants issued to each of the other investors will be exercisable six months after issuance.
Akari paid Paulson and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”) (i) with respect to Paulson, a cash fee equal to 7.0% (or 3.5% for any investor that is a director or affiliate of Akari), and (ii) with respect to Chardan, a cash fee equal to 3.5%, in each case of the aggregate purchase price for the ADSs and Warrants sold in the November Private Placement.
Merger with Peak Bio
On November 14, 2024, the Company completed the previously announced strategic combination contemplated by the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which, Merger Sub merged with and into Peak Bio, with Peak Bio surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Akari.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, at the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding share of Peak Common Stock (other than (x) shares of Peak Common Stock held by Peak Bio as treasury stock, or shares of Peak Common Stock owned by Akari, Merger Sub or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Akari and (y) Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), was converted into the right to receive Akari ADSs representing a number of Akari Ordinary Shares equal to 0.2935 (the “Exchange Ratio”), each such share duly and validly issued against the deposit of the requisite number of Akari Ordinary Shares in accordance with the Deposit Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The Exchange Ratio was calculated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement and is such that the total number of shares of Akari ADSs issued in connection with the Merger is approximately 48.4% of the outstanding shares of Akari on a fully diluted basis.
At the Effective Time, each warrant to purchase capital stock of Peak Bio (“Peak Warrant”) that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time was converted into and exchangeable for warrants to purchase a number of Akari Ordinary Shares or Akari ADSs, as determined by Akari (each, an “Adjusted Warrant”), on substantially similar terms and subject to substantially similar conditions as were applicable to such Peak Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time, except (i) for terms rendered inoperative by reason of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) as provided in the following sentence and (iii) such amendments to the terms of the Adjusted Warrants as are necessary to comply with applicable Law (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The number of Akari Ordinary Shares (or the number of Akari Ordinary Shares underlying Akari ADSs, as applicable) subject to each Adjusted Warrant is equal to the number of shares of Peak Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Peak Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, with any fractional Akari Ordinary Shares or Akari ADSs rounded down to the nearest whole Akari Ordinary Share or Akari ADS, as applicable, and the exercise price with respect to each Akari Ordinary Share (or each Akari Ordinary Share underlying Akari ADSs, as applicable) underlying such Adjusted Warrant equal to the exercise price of such Peak Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by the Exchange Ratio.
At the Effective Time, each option to acquire shares of Peak Common Stock (“Peak Option”) that was outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether or not vested, was assumed and converted into an option to purchase a number of Akari ordinary shares or Akari ADSs, as determined by Akari (each, an “Adjusted Option”). The number of Akari Ordinary Shares (or the number of Akari Ordinary Shares underlying Akari ADSs, as applicable) subject to the Adjusted Option is equal to the product of (i) the total number of shares of Peak Common Stock subject to such Peak Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the Exchange Ratio, with any fractional Akari Ordinary Shares or Akari ADSs rounded down to the nearest whole Akari Ordinary Share or Akari ADS, as applicable, and the exercise price per share of each Adjusted Option equal to the exercise price of such Peak Option immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by the Exchange Ratio.
The issuance of Akari Ordinary Shares, which are represented by Akari ADSs, in connection with the Merger were registered under the Securities Act, pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-282127) filed by Akari with the SEC and declared effective on October 11, 2024.
The parties to the Merger Agreement have agreed that the November Private Placement satisfies the conditions set forth in Sections 7.2(e) and 7.3(e) of the Merger Agreement.
Authorized Shares
On November 7, 2024, the Company’s shareholders approved certain proposals such that the Company’s directors or any duly authorized committee of the directors be generally and unconditionally authorized to (i) allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of $14,444,680 in connection with the Merger for a period expiring (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by resolution of Akari) at the conclusion of Akari’s annual general meeting in 2025, and (ii) allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount of $5,546,667 for a period expiring (unless otherwise renewed, varied or revoked by the Company at a general meeting) on November 6, 2029.
2023 Equity Incentive Plan
On November 7, 2024, the Company’s shareholders approved an increase in the number of shares available for the grant of awards under the 2023 Plan by 7,800,000,000 Ordinary Shares to an aggregate of 8,780,000,000 Ordinary Shares, plus such additional number of ordinary shares (up to 855,637,300 ordinary shares) subject to awards granted under the 2014 Plan, to the extent such awards are forfeited, cancelled, or expire unexercised.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.