Citius Pharmaceuticals Inc
For the period ended Jun 30, 2024. Filed Aug 12, 2024.
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Jun 30, 2024 · Filed Aug 12, 2024
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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 AND 2023
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business
Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Citius Pharma,” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we” or “us”) is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products with a focus on oncology, anti-infectives in adjunct cancer care, unique prescription products and stem cell therapies.
On March 30, 2016, Citius Pharma acquired Leonard-Meron Biosciences, Inc. (“LMB”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary by issuing shares of its common stock.
On September 11, 2020, we formed NoveCite, Inc. (“NoveCite”), a Delaware corporation, of which we own 75% (7,500,000 shares) of the issued and outstanding capital stock (see Note 3).
On August 23, 2021, we formed Citius Oncology, Inc. (formerly named Citius Acquisition Corp.) (“Citius Oncology”), as a wholly-owned subsidiary in conjunction with the acquisition of LYMPHIR, which began operations in April 2022. On October 23, 2023, Citius Pharma and Citius Oncology entered into an agreement and plan of merger and reorganization with TenX Keane Acquisition, and its wholly owned subsidiary, TenX Merger Sub Inc., whereby TenX Merger Sub Inc. will merge with and into Citius Oncology, with Citius Oncology surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of TenX Keane Acquisition. The newly combined publicly traded company is to be named “Citius Oncology, Inc.” (see Note 9).
An inactive subsidiary, Citius Pharmaceuticals, LLC, was dissolved on December 29, 2023.
In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) consists of (i) the $19,400,000 acquisition value of LMB’s drug candidate Mino-Lok®, which is an antibiotic solution used to treat catheter-related bloodstream infections and is expected to be amortized on a straight-line basis over a period ofeight years commencing upon revenue generation, and (ii) the $40,000,000 acquisition value of the exclusive license for LYMPHIR (denileukin diftitox), which is a late-stage oncology immunotherapy for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and is expected to be amortized on a straight-line basis over a period oftwelve years commencing upon revenue generation.
Goodwill of $9,346,796 represents the value of LMB’s industry relationships and its assembled workforce. Goodwill will not be amortized but will be tested at least annually for impairment.
Since our inception, we have devoted substantially all our efforts to business planning, research and development, recruiting management and technical staff, and raising capital. We are subject to a number of risks common to companies in the pharmaceutical industry including, but not limited to, risks related to the development by Citius Pharma or its competitors of research and development stage products, regulatory approval and market acceptance of its products, competition from larger companies, dependence on key personnel, dependence on key suppliers and strategic partners, the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing and the Company’s compliance with governmental and other regulations.
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation— The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, LMB and Citius Oncology, and its majority-owned subsidiary NoveCite. NoveCite began operations in October 2020 and Citius Oncology began operations in April 2022. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the condensed consolidated financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2024, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2024. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 29, 2023.
Use of Estimates— Our accounting principles require our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates having relatively higher significance include the accounting for in-process research and development and goodwill impairment, stock-based compensation, valuation of warrants, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and changes in estimates may occur.
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share — Basic and diluted net loss per common share applicable to common stockholders is computed by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders in each period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during such period. For the periods presented, common stock equivalents, consisting of stock options and warrants, were not included in the calculation of the diluted loss per share because they were anti-dilutive.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Other than as disclosed in our Form 10-K, we are not aware of any other recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted that may have a material impact on our financial statements.
2. GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTY AND MANAGEMENT’S PLAN
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company experienced negative cash flows from operations of $22,288,687 for the nine months ended June 30, 2024. The Company had working capital of approximately $23,850,000 at June 30, 2024. The Company estimates that its available cash resources will be sufficient to fund its operations through December 2024, which raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are issued.
The Company has generated no operating revenue to date and has principally raised capital through the issuance of equity instruments to finance its operations. However, the Company’s continued operations beyond December 2024, including its development plans for LYMPHIR (including after the proposed spin-off of Citius Oncology), Mino-Lok, Halo-Lido and NoveCite, will depend on its ability to obtain regulatory approval to market Mino-Lok, successfully commercialize LYMPHIR, Mino-Lok and any other approved products and generate substantial revenue from the sale of LYMPHIR and/or Mino-Lok and on its ability to raise additional capital through various potential sources, such as equity and/or debt financings, strategic relationships, or out-licensing of its product candidates. However, the Company can provide no assurances on regulatory approval, commercialization, or future sales of LYMPHIR and/or Mino-Lok or that financing or strategic relationships will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient capital, find strategic partners or generate substantial revenue from the sale of LYMPHIR and/or Mino-Lok, there would be a material adverse effect on its business. Further, the Company expects in the future to incur additional expenses as it continues to develop its product candidates, including seeking regulatory approval, and protecting its intellectual property.
3. PATENT AND TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AGREEMENTS
Patent and Technology License Agreement – Mino-Lok
LMB has a patent and technology license agreement with Novel Anti-Infective Therapeutics, Inc. (“NAT”) to develop and commercialize Mino-Lok on an exclusive, worldwide sub-licensable basis, as amended. LMB pays an annual maintenance fee each June until commercial sales of a product subject to the license commence. The Company recorded an annual maintenance fee expense of $90,000 in both 2024 and 2023 respectively.
LMB will also pay annual royalties on net sales of licensed products, with a low double digit royalty rate (within a range of 10% to 15%). In limited circumstances in which the licensed product is not subject to a valid patent claim and a competitor is selling a competing product, the royalty rate is in the low- to mid-single digits (within a range of 2% to 7%). After a commercial sale is obtained, LMB must pay minimum aggregate annual royalties of $100,000 in the first commercial year which is prorated for a less than 12-month period, increasing $25,000 per year to a maximum of $150,000 annually. LMB must also pay NAT up to $1,100,000 upon achieving specified regulatory and sales milestones. Finally, LMB must pay NAT a specified percentage of payments received from any sub-licensees.
Unless earlier terminated by NAT, based on the failure to achieve certain development and commercial milestones, the license agreement remains in effect until the date that all patents licensed under the agreement have expired and all patent applications within the licensed patent rights have been cancelled, withdrawn, or expressly abandoned.
Patent and Technology License Agreement – Mino-Wrap
On January 2, 2019, we entered into a patent and technology license agreement with the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System on behalf of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (“Licensor”), whereby we in-licensed exclusive worldwide rights to the patented technology for any and all uses relating to breast implants. We terminated the Mino-Wrap license agreement on December 11, 2023.
License Agreement with Eterna
On October 6, 2020, our subsidiary, NoveCite, signed an exclusive license agreement for a novel cellular therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with a subsidiary of Novellus, Inc. (“Novellus”). Upon execution of the agreement, we paid $5,000,000 to Novellus, which was charged to research and development expense during the year ended September 30, 2021, and issued Novellus shares of NoveCite’s common stock representing 25% of the outstanding equity. We own the other 75% of NoveCite’s outstanding equity. Pursuant to the terms of the original stock subscription agreement, if NoveCite issued additional equity, subject to certain exceptions, NoveCite had to maintain Novellus’s ownership at 25% by issuing additional shares to Novellus.
In July 2021, Novellus was acquired by Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics, Inc. (“Brooklyn”). In connection with that transaction, the stock subscription agreement was amended to assign to Brooklyn all of Novellus’s right, title, and interest in the stock subscription agreement and delete the anti-dilution protection and replace it with a right of first refusal whereby Brooklyn will have the right to purchase all or a portion of the securities that NoveCite intends to sell or in the alternative, at the option of NoveCite, Brooklyn may purchase that amount of the securities proposed to be sold by NoveCite to allow Brooklyn to maintain its then percentage ownership. In October 2022, Brooklyn changed its name to Eterna Therapeutics Inc. (“Eterna”).
Citius Pharma is responsible for the operational activities of NoveCite and bears all costs necessary to operate NoveCite. Citius Pharma’s officers are also the officers of NoveCite and oversee the business strategy and operations of NoveCite. As such, NoveCite is accounted for as a consolidated subsidiary with a noncontrolling interest.
Eterna has no contractual rights in the profits or obligations to share in the losses of NoveCite, and the Company has not allocated any losses to the noncontrolling interest.
NoveCite is obligated to pay Eterna up to $51,000,000 upon the achievement of various regulatory and developmental milestones. NoveCite also must pay a royalty equal to a mid-teens percentage of net sales, commencing upon the sale of a licensed product. This royalty is subject to downward adjustment to a mid-single digit percentage (within a range of 4% to 8%) of net sales in any country in the event of the expiration of the last valid patent claim or if no valid patent claim exists in that country. The royalty will end on the earlier of (i) date on which a biosimilar product is first marketed, sold, or distributed in the applicable country or (ii) the 10-year anniversary of the date of expiration of the last-to-expire valid patent claim in that country. In the case of a country where no licensed patent ever exists, the royalty will end on the later of (i) the date of expiry of such licensed product’s regulatory exclusivity and (ii) the 10-year anniversary of the date of the first commercial sale of the licensed product in the applicable country. In addition, NoveCite will pay to Eterna an amount equal to a mid-twenties percentage of any sublicensee fees it receives.
Under the terms of the license agreement, if Eterna receives any revenue involving the original cell line included in the licensed technology, then Eterna shall remit to NoveCite 50% of such revenue.
The term of the license agreement continues on a country-by-country and licensed product-by-licensed product basis until the expiration of the last-to-expire royalty term. Either party may terminate the license agreement upon written notice if the other party is in material default. NoveCite may terminate the license agreement at any time without cause upon 90 days prior written notice.
Eterna will be responsible for preparing, filing, prosecuting, and maintaining all patent applications and patents included in the licensed patents in the territory, provided however, that if Eterna decides that it is not interested in maintaining a particular licensed patent or in preparing, filing, or prosecuting a licensed patent, NoveCite will have the right, but not the obligation, to assume such responsibilities in the territory at NoveCite’s sole cost and expense.
License Agreement with Eisai
In September 2021, Citius Pharma entered into an asset purchase agreement with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories SA, a subsidiary of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. (collectively, “Dr. Reddy’s”) and a license agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd. (“Eisai”) to acquire an exclusive license for E7777 (denileukin diftitox), a late-stage oncology immunotherapy for the treatment of CTCL, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We renamed E7777 as I/ONTAK and also obtained the trade name LYMPHIR for the product. Citius Pharma assigned these agreements to Citius Oncology effective April 1, 2022.
Under the terms of the agreements, Citius Pharma acquired Dr. Reddy’s exclusive license for E7777 from Eisai and other related assets owned by Dr. Reddy’s. The exclusive license includes rights to develop and commercialize E7777 in all markets except for Japan and certain parts of Asia. Additionally, we retain an option on the right to develop and market the product in India. Eisai retains exclusive development and marketing rights for the agent in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, India (subject to the India option), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, and Papua New Guinea. Citius Pharma paid a $40 million upfront payment which represents the acquisition date fair value of the in-process research and development acquired from Dr. Reddy’s. Dr. Reddy’s is entitled to up to $40 million in development milestone payments related to CTCL approvals in the U.S. and other markets, up to $70 million in development milestones for additional indications, as well as commercial milestone payments and low double-digit tiered royalties on net product sales (within a range of 10% to 15%), and up to $300 million for commercial sales milestones. We also must pay on a fiscal quarter basis tiered royalties equal to low double-digit percentages of net product sales (within a range of 10% to 15%). The royalties will end on the earlier of (i) the 15-year anniversary of the first commercial sale of the latest indication that received regulatory approval in the applicable country and (ii) the date on which a biosimilar product results in the reduction of net sales in the applicable product by 50% in two consecutive quarters, as compared to the four quarters prior to the first commercial sale of the biosimilar product. We will also pay to Dr. Reddy’s an amount equal to a low-thirties percentage of any sublicense upfront consideration or milestone payments (or the like) received by us and the greater of (i) a low-thirties percentage of any sublicensee sales-based royalties or (ii) a mid-single digit percentage of such licensee’s net sales.
Under the license agreement, Eisai is to receive a $6.0 million development milestone payment upon initial approval and additional commercial milestone payments related to the achievement of net product sales thresholds (which increases to $7 million in the event we have exercised our option to add India to the licensed territory prior to FDA approval) and an aggregate of up to $22 million related to the achievement of net product sales thresholds. Citius Oncology was required to reimburse Eisai for up to $2.65 million of its costs to complete the Phase 3 pivotal clinical trial for LYMPHIR for the CTCL indication and reimburse Eisai for all reasonable costs associated with the preparation of a Biologics License Application (“BLA”) for LYMPHIR. Eisai was responsible for completing the CTCL clinical trial, and chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (“CMC”) activities through the filing of the BLA for LYMPHIR with the FDA. The BLA was filed with the FDA on September 27, 2022, refiled on February 13, 2024, and accepted by the FDA on March 18, 2024, which assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (“PDUFA”) goal date of August 13, 2024. Citius Oncology will also be responsible for development costs associated with potential additional indications.
The term of the license agreement will continue until (i) if there has not been a commercial sale of a licensed product in the territory, the 10-year anniversary of the original license effective date, March 30, 2016, or (ii) if there has been a first commercial sale of a licensed product in the territory within the 10-year anniversary of the original license effective date, the 10-year anniversary of the first commercial sale on a country-by-country basis. The term of the license may be extended for additional 10-year periods for all countries in the territory by notifying Eisai and paying an extension fee equal to $10 million. Either party may terminate the license agreement upon written notice if the other party is in material breach of the agreement, subject to cure within the designated time periods. Either party also may terminate the license agreement immediately upon written notice if the other party files for bankruptcy or takes related actions or is unable to pay its debts as they become due. Additionally, either party will have the right to terminate the agreement if the other party directly or indirectly challenges the patentability, enforceability or validity of any licensed patent.
Also under the purchase agreement with Dr. Reddy’s, we are required to (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to make commercially available products in the CTCL indication, peripheral T-cell lymphoma indication and immuno-oncology indication, (ii) initiate two investigator initiated immuno-oncology trials (both of which have been initiated), (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve each of the approval milestones, and (iv) complete each specified immuno-oncology investigator trial on or before the four-year anniversary of the effective date of the definitive agreement. Additionally, we are required to commercially launch a product in a territory within six months of receiving regulatory approval for such product in each such jurisdiction.
4. PREPAID EXPENSES
Prepaid expenses at June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 consist of $87,782 and $154,611 of prepaid insurance, respectively, and $10,006,815 and $7,734,895 of advance payments, respectively, made for the preparation of long-lead time drug substance and product costs, which will be utilized in the manufacturing of LYMPHIR for sales upon approval.
5. COMMON STOCK, STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
Common Stock Issued for Services
On October 10, 2023, the Company issued 108,778 shares of common stock for media, and public and investor relations services and expensed the $76,146 fair value of the common stock issued.
On January 17, 2024, the Company issued 128,205 shares of common stock for general and business development advisory services and expensed the $98,079 fair value of the common stock issued.
On April 25, 2024, the Company issued 150,000 shares of common stock for financial, general and business development advisory services and expensed the $109,950 fair value of the common stock issued.
Common Stock Offerings
On May 8, 2023, the Company closed a registered direct offering of 12,500,001 common shares and warrants to purchase up to 12,500,001 common shares, at a purchase price of $1.20 per share and accompanying warrant for gross proceeds of $15,000,001. The warrants have an exercise price of $1.50 per share, are exercisable six months from the date of issuance, and expire five years from the date of issuance. The estimated fair value of the warrants issued to the investors was approximately $11,000,000.
Net proceeds were $13,798,870 after deducting the placement agent fee of $1,050,000, placement agent expenses of $85,000, legal fees of $50,181, and other offering expenses of $15,950. The Company also issued 875,000 warrants to the placement agent at an exercise price of $1.50 per share, that are exercisable six months from the date of issuance, and expire five years from the date of issuance. The estimated fair value of the warrants issued to the placement agent was approximately $771,000.
On April 30, 2024, the Company closed a registered direct offering of 21,428,574 common shares and warrants to purchase up to 21,428,574 common shares, at a purchase price of $0.70 per share and accompanying warrant for gross proceeds of $15,000,002. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.75 per share, are exercisable six months from the date of issuance, and expire on October 30, 2029. The estimated fair value of the warrants issued to the investors was approximately $11,206,000.
Net proceeds were $13,718,951 after deducting the placement agent fee of $1,050,000, placement agent expenses of $135,000, legal fees of $80,101, and other offering expenses of $15,950. The Company also issued 1,500,000 warrants to the placement agent at an exercise price of $0.875 per share, that are exercisable six months from the date of issuance, and expire on April 25, 2029. The estimated fair value of the warrants issued to the placement agent was approximately $756,000.
Stock Option Plans
Pursuant to our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, we reserved 866,667 shares of common stock. As of June 30, 2024, there were options to purchase 705,441 shares outstanding, options to purchase 57,943 shares were exercised, options to purchase 103,283 shares expired or were forfeited, and no shares were available for future grants.
Pursuant to our 2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, we reserved 2,000,000 shares of common stock. As of June 30, 2024, there were options to purchase 1,720,000 shares outstanding, options to purchase 116,667 shares were exercised, options to purchase 53,333 shares expired or were forfeited, and the remaining 110,000 shares were transferred to the 2020 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (“2020 Plan”).
Pursuant to our 2020 Plan, we reserved 3,110,000 shares of common stock. As of June 30, 2024, there were options to purchase 1,735,000 shares outstanding, options to purchase 135,000 shares expired or were forfeited and the remaining 1,240,000 shares were transferred to the 2021 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (“2021 Stock Plan”).
Pursuant to our 2021 Stock Plan, we reserved 8,740,000 shares of common stock. As of June 30, 2024, options to purchase 8,398,333 shares were outstanding, options to purchase 306,667 shares expired or were forfeited and the remaining 35,000 shares were transferred to the 2023 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (“2023 Stock Plan”).
In November 2022, our Board approved the 2023 Stock Plan, subject to stockholder approval, which was received on February 7, 2023. The 2023 Stock Plan reserved 12,035,000 shares of common stock for issuance. As of June 30, 2024, options to purchase 4,360,000 shares were outstanding, options to purchase 100,000 shares expired or were forfeited and 7,575,000 shares remain available for future grants.
The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant commensurate with the expected term assumption. The expected term of stock options granted, all of which qualify as “plain vanilla,” is based on the average of the contractual term (generally 10 years) and the vesting period. For non-employee options, the expected term is the contractual term.
A summary of option activity under our stock option plans (excluding the NoveCite and Citius Oncology Stock Plans) is presented below:
| Option Shares | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding at September 30, 2023 | 13,305,171 | $1.79 | 7.41 years | $56,203 |
| Granted | 4,160,000 | 0.70 | ||
| Exercised | (53,114) | 0.02 | ||
| Forfeited or expired | (493,283) | 1.59 | ||
| Outstanding at June 30, 2024 | 16,918,774 | $1.54 | 7.32 years | $750 |
| Exercisable at June 30, 2024 | 9,192,107 | $1.91 | 6.21 years | $750 |
On October 10, 2023, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase 3,725,000 shares to employees,300,000 shares to directors and 60,000 shares to consultants at $0.70 per share. On March 14, 2024, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase 75,000 shares to a director at $0.69 per share. The weighted average grant date fair value of the options granted during the nine months ended June 30, 2024 was estimated at $0.53 per share. These options vest over terms of 12 to 36 months and have a term of 10 years.
On October 4, 2022, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase 3,375,000 shares to employees,375,000 shares to directors and 50,000 shares to a consultant at $1.25 per share. On November 8, 2022, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase 50,000 shares to a consultant at $1.04 per share. On February 7, 2023, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase 150,000 shares to an employee and 75,000 shares to a director at $1.42 per share. On April 10, 2023, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase 75,000 shares to an employee at $1.46 per share. The weighted average grant date fair value of the options granted during the nine months ended June 30, 2023 was estimated at $0.98 per share. These options vest over terms of 12 to 36 months and have a term of 10 years.
Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $3,061,763 (including $13,858 for the NoveCite plan and $1,957,000 for the Citius Oncology Plan) and $1,174,111 (including $31,858 for the NoveCite Stock Plan), respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $9,198,340 (including $47,574 for the NoveCite plan and $5,831,000 for the Citius Oncology Plan) and $3,540,787 (including $98,524 for the NoveCite Stock Plan), respectively.
At June 30, 2024, unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested awards under the Citius Pharma stock plans of $3,651,795 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.49 years.
NoveCite Stock Plan - Under the NoveCite Stock Plan, adopted November 5, 2020, we reserved 2,000,000 common shares of NoveCite for issuance. The NoveCite Stock Plan provides incentives to employees, directors, and consultants through grants of options, SARs, dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, or other rights.
As of June 30, 2024, NoveCite has options outstanding to purchase 1,911,500 common shares of NoveCite, all of which are exercisable, and 88,500 shares available for future grants. All of the options were issued during the year ended September 30, 2021. These options vested over 36 months and have a term of 10 years. The weighted average remaining contractual term of options outstanding under the NoveCite Stock Plan is 6.64 years and the weighted average exercise price is $0.24 per share. At June 30, 2024, there is no unrecognized compensation cost related to these awards.
Citius Oncology Stock Plan - Under the Citius Oncology Stock Plan, adopted on April 29, 2023, we reserved 15,000,000 common shares of Citius Oncology for issuance. The Citius Oncology Stock Plan provides incentives to employees, directors, and consultants through grants of options, SARs, dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, or other rights.
During the year ended September 30, 2023, Citius Oncology granted options to purchase 12,750,000 common shares at a weighted average exercise price of $2.15 per share, of which options to purchase 150,000 common shares were forfeited. The weighted average grant date fair value of the options granted during the year ended September 30, 2023 was estimated at $1.65 per share. These options vest over periods from 12 to 36 months and have a term of 10 years.
At June 30, 2024, Citius Oncology has options outstanding to purchase 12,600,000 shares, of which 3,605,556 common shares are exercisable, and 2,400,000 shares available for future grants. The weighted average remaining contractual term of options outstanding under the Citius Oncology Stock Plan is 9.02 years. At June 30, 2024, unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested awards under the Citius Oncology Stock Plan of $13,011,500 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.
Warrants
As of June 30, 2024, we have reserved shares of common stock for the exercise of outstanding warrants as follows:
| Exercise price | Number | Expiration Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2018 Offering Investors | $1.15 | 3,921,569 | August 14, 2024 |
| August 2018 Offering Agent | 1.59 | 189,412 | August 8, 2024 |
| April 2019 Registered Direct/Private Placement Investors | 1.42 | 1,294,498 | April 5, 2025 |
| April 2019 Registered Direct/Private Placement Agent | 1.93 | 240,130 | April 5, 2025 |
| September 2019 Offering Investors | 0.77 | 2,793,297 | September 27, 2024 |
| September 2019 Offering Underwriter | 1.12 | 194,358 | September 27, 2024 |
| February 2020 Exercise Agreement Agent | 1.28 | 138,886 | August 19, 2025 |
| May 2020 Registered Direct Offering Investors | 1.00 | 1,670,588 | November 18, 2025 |
| May 2020 Registered Direct Offering Agent | 1.33 | 155,647 | May 14, 2025 |
| August 2020 Underwriter | 1.31 | 201,967 | August 10, 2025 |
| January 2021 Private Placement Investors | 1.23 | 3,091,192 | July 27, 2026 |
| January 2021 Private Placement Agent | 1.62 | 351,623 | July 27, 2026 |
| February 2021 Offering Investors | 1.70 | 20,580,283 | February 19, 2026 |
| February 2021 Offering Agent | 1.88 | 2,506,396 | February 19, 2026 |
| May 2023 Registered Direct Offering Investors | 1.50 | 12,500,001 | May 8, 2028 |
| May 2023 Registered Direct Offering Agent | 1.50 | 875,000 | May 3, 2028 |
| April 2024 Registered Direct Offering Investors | 0.75 | 21,428,574 | October 30, 2029 |
| April 2024 Registered Direct Offering Agent | 0.88 | 1,500,000 | April 25, 2029 |
On April 3, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a one-year extension to April 5, 2025 for warrants to purchase 1,294,498 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $1.42 per share. The warrants are held by Leonard Mazur, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Myron Holubiak, the Company’s Executive Vice President and member of the Board of Directors, and were originally issued in April 2019 in a registered direct offering of common stock. Additionally,240,130 warrants with an exercise price of $1.9313 per share issued in connection with the registered direct offering were extended by one-year to April 5, 2025. These warrants are held by certain representatives of the registered direct offering placement agent. The terms of the warrants were previously extended in April 2021 to April 5, 2024. If these warrants are fully exercised, the Company would receive approximately $2.3 million in cash proceeds. We recorded a deemed dividend of $321,559 based on the excess of the fair value of the modified warrants over the fair value of the warrants before the modification, the effect of which was an increase in the net loss attributable to common shareholders in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024.
At June 30, 2024, the weighted average remaining life of the outstanding warrants is 3.0 years, all warrants are exercisable except for the April 2024 registered direct offering warrants for 22,928,574 shares which are exercisable commencing October 30, 2024, and there was no aggregate intrinsic value of the warrants outstanding.
Common Stock Reserved
A summary of common stock reserved for future issuances as of June 30, 2024 is as follows:
| Stock plan options outstanding | 16,918,774 |
|---|---|
| Stock plan shares available for future grants | 7,575,000 |
| Warrants outstanding | 73,633,421 |
| Total | 98,127,195 |
6. OPERATING LEASE
Effective July 1, 2019, Citius Pharma entered into a 76-month lease for office space in Cranford, NJ. Citius Pharma pays its proportionate share of real estate taxes and operating expenses in excess of the base year expenses. These costs are variable lease payments and are not included in the determination of the lease’s right-of-use asset or lease liability.
The Company identified and assessed the following significant assumptions in recognizing its right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities:
| ● | As the Company’s lease does not provide an implicit rate, the Company estimated the incremental borrowing rate in calculating the present value of the lease payments based on the remaining lease term as of the adoption date. |
| ● | Since the Company elected to account for each lease component and its associated non-lease components as a single combined component, all contract consideration was allocated to the combined lease component. |
| ● | The expected lease terms include noncancelable lease periods. |
The elements of lease expense are as follows:
| Lease cost | Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024 | Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating lease cost | $179,117 | $179,118 |
| Variable lease cost | 3,732 | 3,567 |
| Total lease cost | $182,849 | $182,685 |
| Other information | ||
| Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases | 1.3 Years | 2.3 Years |
| Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases | 8.0% | 8.0% |
Maturities of lease liabilities due under the Company’s non-cancellable leases are as follows:
| Year Ending September 30, | June 30, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 2024 (excluding the 9 months ended June 30, 2024) | $63,167 |
| 2025 | 253,883 |
| 2026 | 21,460 |
| Total lease payments | 338,510 |
| Less: interest | (18,499) |
| Present value of lease liabilities | $320,011 |
| Leases | Classification | June 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||
| Lease asset | Operating | $299,932 | $454,426 |
| Total lease assets | $299,932 | $454,426 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Current | Operating | $235,581 | $218,380 |
| Non-current | Operating | 84,430 | 262,865 |
| Total lease liabilities | $320,011 | $481,245 | |
Interest expense on the lease liability was $24,623 and $36,861 for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
7. GAIN ON SALE OF NEW JERSEY NET OPERATING LOSSES
The Company recognized a gain of $2,387,842 and $3,585,689 for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in connection with sales of certain New Jersey income tax net operating losses to third parties under the New Jersey Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program.
8. NASDAQ LISTING
On September 12, 2023, we received a notification letter from the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that we were not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) because the minimum bid price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market closed below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company had a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until March 11, 2024, to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule.
On March 12, 2024, Nasdaq granted our request for an extension through September 9, 2024 to evidence compliance with the $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq Capital Market. If at any time before September 9, 2024, the bid price of our common stock closes at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of ten consecutive business days, Nasdaq will provide us with written confirmation of compliance with the Bid Price Rule. If we do not regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule by September 9, 2024, Nasdaq will provide notice to us that our common stock is subject to delisting. At that time, we may appeal the determination to a Nasdaq hearings panel. The request for a hearing will stay any suspension or delisting action pending the issuance of the hearing panel’s decision. The Extension Notice has no effect at this time on the listing of our common stock, which will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market. We are currently evaluating our options for regaining compliance. There can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule, even if we maintain compliance with the other listing requirements.
9. MERGER AGREEMENT
On October 23, 2023, Citius Pharma and Citius Oncology entered into an agreement and plan of merger and reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”) with TenX Keane Acquisition, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“TenX”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, TenX Merger Sub Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a Delaware corporation. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, (i) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, that Merger Sub will merge with and into Citius Oncology, with Citius Oncology surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of TenX (the “Merger”), and (ii) that prior to the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), TenX will migrate to and domesticate as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Cayman Islands Companies Act (As Revised) (the “Domestication”). The newly combined publicly traded company is to be named “Citius Oncology, Inc.” (the “Combined Company”). The Domestication, Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are referred to as the “Business Combination.”
In the Merger, all shares of Citius Oncology would be converted into the right to receive common stock of the Combined Company. As a result, upon closing, Citius Pharma would receive 67.5 million shares of common stock of the Combined Company. As part of the transaction, Citius Pharma will contribute $10 million in cash to the Combined Company for transaction expenses and general operating expenses. The 12.6 million existing Citius Oncology common stock options will be assumed by the Combined Company. Citius Pharma and the Combined Company will also enter into an amended and restated shared services agreement, which, among other things, will govern certain management and scientific services that Citius Pharma will continue to provide to the Combined Company following the Effective Time.
The Merger Agreement, Business Combination and the transactions contemplated thereby were unanimously approved by the boards of directors of each of Citius Pharma, Citius Oncology and TenX. The transaction is expected to be completed in August 2024, subject to and the provisions of the Merger Agreement and other customary closing conditions, including final regulatory approvals and SEC filings. There can be no assurance regarding the ultimate timing of the proposed transaction or that the transaction will be completed at all.
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On August 8, 2024, the Company announced that the FDA had approved LYMPHIR.
On August 12, 2024, the Company completed the Merger, whereby its wholly owned subsidiary Citius Oncology, Inc. (now known as Citius Oncology Sub, Inc.), became a wholly owned subsidiary of TenX Keane Acquisition (now Citius Oncology, Inc.). In connection with Closing, Citius Pharma and Citius Oncology entered into an amended and restated shared services agreement, which, among other things, governs certain management and scientific services that Citius Pharma will continue to provide to Citius Oncology. After the closing of the Merger, Citius Pharma continues to control a majority of the voting power of Citius Oncology, owning approximately 92.6% of the outstanding shares of Citius Oncology.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.