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KIORA PHARMACEUTICALS INC

For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 10, 2024.

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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 10, 2024

KPRX$1.51+4.9%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

  1. Business, Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Overview

Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Kiora” or the “Company”) was formed as a Delaware corporation on December 28, 2004. Kiora is a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases.

Since its inception, Kiora has devoted substantially all its efforts to business planning, research and development, and raising capital.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Pursuant to these rules and regulations, they do not include all information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations have been included. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. We believe that the disclosures provided herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading when these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes previously distributed in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 25, 2024. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements of the Company but does not include all the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2024, the Company had unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of $31.3 million, and an Accumulated Deficit of $133.5 million. Kiora has incurred annual losses and negative cash flows since inception, and future losses are anticipated. However, Management believes that its capital resources as of March 31, 2024 will be sufficient to fund the Company's planned operations for at least 12 months after the date that these unaudited financial statements are issued.

Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition

In accordance with FASB’s ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of ASC 606, it performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The Company applies the five-step model to contracts when it determines that it is probable it will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations, and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

In a contract with multiple performance obligations, we must develop estimates and assumptions that require judgment to determine the underlying stand-alone selling price for each performance obligation which determines how the transaction price is allocated among the performance obligation. The estimation of the stand-alone selling price(s) may include estimates regarding forecasted revenues or costs, development timelines, discount rates, and probabilities of technical and regulatory success. We evaluate each performance obligation to determine if it can be satisfied at a point in time or over time. Any change made to estimated progress towards completion of a performance obligation and, therefore, revenue recognized will be recorded as a change in estimate. In addition, variable consideration must be evaluated to determine if it is constrained and, therefore, excluded from the transaction price.

Amounts received prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria are recognized as deferred revenue in the Company’s balance sheet. Amounts expected to be recognized as revenue within the twelve months following the balance sheet date are classified as Current portion of deferred revenue. Amounts not expected to be recognized as revenue within the twelve months following the balance sheet date are classified as Deferred revenue, net of current portion. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have a deferred revenue balance.

Collaboration Revenue

If a license to our intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in a contract, we recognize revenues from the transaction price allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the licensee and the licensee is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, we utilize judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue from the allocated transaction price. We evaluate the measure of progress at each reporting period and, if necessary, adjust the measure of performance and related revenue or expense recognition as a change in estimate.

At the inception of each arrangement that includes milestone payments, we evaluate whether the milestones are considered probable of being reached. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within our or a collaboration partner’s control, such as regulatory approvals, are generally not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received. At the end of each reporting period, we re-evaluate the probability of achievement of milestones that are within our or a collaboration partner’s control, such as operational development milestones and any related constraint, and, if necessary, adjust our estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which will affect collaboration revenues and earnings in the period of adjustment. Revisions to our estimate of the transaction price may also result in negative collaboration revenues and earnings in the period of adjustment.

For arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including commercial milestone payments based on the level of sales, and a license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties relate, we will recognize revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied, or partially satisfied.

In January 2024, we entered into a strategic development and commercialization agreement ("License Agreement") with Théa Open Innovation ("TOI"), a sister company of the global ophthalmic specialty company Laboratoires Théa ("Théa"). Under the agreement, Kiora granted TOI exclusive worldwide development and commercialization rights, excluding certain countries in Asia, to KIO-301 for the treatment of degenerative retinal diseases (the "License"). We concluded that the Licensing Agreement containsone material performance obligation, the License. The transaction price includes the upfront, non-refundable payment of $16.0 million (the "License Access Fee"). The Company did not include any development or regulatory milestones in the transaction price because it is not probable that changes in the estimate of receiving those milestones would not result in significant reversals of cumulative revenue in future periods, due to the inherent risks and uncertainties in the drug development process. The sales-based milestones and royalties are not included in the transaction price per ASC 606-10-32-11 and ASC 606-10-55-65. There is no financing component in the License Agreement.

The initial transaction price will be allocated to theone performance obligation identified (i.e., the License), which was transferred to TOI at the execution of the License Agreement and the entire $16.0 million transaction price was recognized in the first quarter of 2024 upon the satisfaction of the license performance obligations. The variable consideration for development and regulatory milestones, commercial milestones, and royalties will be allocated to each development license performance obligation, if and when it is included in the transaction price. When it is probable that including milestones in the transaction price will not result in significant reversals of cumulative revenue in future periods, the Company will recognize the revenue for the milestones immediately since the license performance obligation to which the milestones relate has already been fully satisfied when the change in estimate of the variable consideration occurs. Since the reimbursement for the development activities clearly relates to those activities and are accounted for under ASC 808, the Company will recognize those amounts that are due from TOI as contra-R&D expense.

The License Access Fee was earned at a point in time (first quarter of 2024), as a result, the associated contract costs specifically, sublicense fees, will be expensed at the same point in time (first quarter of 2024). Management notes, all further revenue sources that may lead to sublicense fee payments will not be recognized until earned. As such, sublicense fees will be expensed in the same period as the revenue of the respective milestone or royalties are earned.

See Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Collaboration Agreements

The Company has entered into a research agreement that falls under the scope of ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangements. Reimbursements from a collaboration partner are recorded as a reduction to research and development expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Similarly, amounts that are owed to a collaboration partner are recognized as research and development expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Refunds for Research and Development

Kiora, through its Kiora Pharmaceuticals GmbH and Kiora Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd subsidiaries, is entitled to receive certain refundable tax incentives associated with its research and development expenses in Austria and Australia, respectively. These refunds are realized in the form of a cash payment in the year following the incurred research and development expenses and the filing of required documents within the appropriate regulatory authorities. The Company records estimates of the refundable payment as a tax receivable and a reduction in expense in the period in which the research and development expenses are incurred.

Related-Party Transactions

During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company entered into certain related-party transactions making payments for services toone employee andseven consultants. These transactions generally involve a stockholder or option holder of the Company to whom the Company also makes payments during the year, typically as a consultant or a service provider. The Company made payments of $0.1 million to consultants for advisory services. The Company employs a family member of our Chief Development Officer and incurred approximately $21.3 thousand in employment related costs.

  1. Balance Sheet Information

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

A summary of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash is as follows:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Cash and Cash Equivalents$31,276,330$2,454,684
Restricted Cash, Non-current4,0844,267
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash$31,280,414$2,458,951

Non-current restricted cash consists of deposits with financial institutions for corporate credit cards, and such amounts are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Prepaid General and Administrative$109,395$73,109
Prepaid Insurance72,872123,807
Prepaid Research and Development24,40423,066
Other—13,400
Total Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets$206,671$233,382

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Payroll and Benefits$972,562$875,254
Professional Fees57,57543,387
Clinical Trials120,135397,465
Other71,80664,560
Total Accrued Expenses$1,222,078$1,380,666
  1. Fair Value Disclosures

Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability assuming an orderly transaction to a third party under current market conditions at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework that prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in measuring fair value. In connection with historical acquisitions, additional consideration may be paid related to the achievement of certain milestones and such contingent consideration is required by U.S. GAAP to be presented at fair value. The following table provides information for liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Contingent Consideration:
Non-current$5,116,765$5,128,959
Total Contingent Consideration$5,116,765$5,128,959

The Company initially values contingent consideration related to business combinations using a probability-weighted calculation of potential payment scenarios discounted at rates reflective of the risks associated with the expected future cash flows for certain milestones. Key assumptions used to estimate the fair value of contingent consideration include projected financial information, market data and the probability and timing of achieving the specific milestones. After the initial valuation, the Company generally uses its best estimate to measure contingent consideration at each subsequent reporting period using the following unobservable Level 3 inputs:

Valuation TechniqueUnobservable InputsMarch 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Discounted cash flowPayment discount rate14.5%13.1%
BayonPayment period2025 - 20272025 - 2027
PanoptesPayment period2026 - 20282026 - 2028
JadePayment period20272027
BayonProbability of success for payment42% - 71%42% - 71%
PanoptesProbability of success for payment30% - 33%30% - 33%
JadeProbability of success for payment56%56%

Significant changes in these assumptions could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value. The contingent consideration reported in the above table is adjusted quarterly based upon the passage of time or the anticipated success or failure of achieving certain milestones. The change in fair value of contingent consideration of $12.2 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was primarily driven by an increased discount rate. The change in fair value of contingent consideration of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily driven by a decreased discount rate. The change in fair value of contingent consideration is recorded within operating expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operation and comprehensive income (loss).

The Company records in-process R&D projects acquired in asset acquisitions that have not reached technological feasibility and which have no alternative future use at estimated fair value. For in-process R&D projects acquired in business combinations, the Company capitalizes the in-process R&D project as an indefinite-lived intangible asset and evaluates this asset annually for impairment until the R&D process has been completed. Once the R&D process is complete, the Company amortizes the R&D asset over its remaining useful life.

ASC 350 allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, the entity must calculate the fair value of the asset and record an impairment charge if the carrying amount exceeds fair value. If an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the asset is impaired, no further action is required. An indefinite-lived intangible asset should be tested for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. If such events or changes have occurred, a quantitative assessment is required.

If an entity bypasses the qualitative assessment or determines from its qualitative assessment that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is more likely than not impaired, a quantitative impairment test should be performed. The quantitative impairment test compares the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset with the asset’s carrying amount. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss should be recognized in an amount equal to the difference in accordance with ASC 350-30-35-19.

The Company values in-process R&D related to asset acquisitions using the Income Approach which measures the value of an asset by the present value of its future economic benefits. These benefits can include interest and principal payments, earnings, cost savings, tax deductions, or proceeds from its disposition. Value indications are developed by discounting expected cash flows at a rate of return that incorporates the risk-free rate for the use of funds, the expected rate of inflation, and risks associated with the particular investment. The selected discount rate is generally based on rates of return available from alternative investments of similar type and quality.

The Company engaged a third-party valuation firm to complete a quantitative assessment of in-process R&D as of August 31, 2023, which includes the following unobservable Level 3 inputs:

Valuation Technique · Unobservable Inputs · Discount Rate
KIO-101Relief from Royalty MethodProbability of success for next development phase17%30%
KIO-104Multi-Period Excess Earnings MethodProbability of success for next development phase17% to 18%25%
KIO-201Relief from Royalty MethodProbability of success for next development phase17% to 47%30%
KIO-301Multi-Period Excess Earnings MethodProbability of success for next development phase17% to 67%25%

As of March 31, 2024, the Company assessed qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances indicate impairment, and concluded that it is not more likely than not that any assets are impaired.

  1. Capital Stock

On February 3, 2023, the Company completed a private placement with Lincoln Park Capital, LLC ("Lincoln Park") for 52,798 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 105,596 shares of common stock. The total net proceeds from the private placement were approximately $0.1 million. The warrants have an exercise price of $3.538 per share, subject to adjustments as provided under the terms of the warrants, and became exercisable on thesix-month anniversary of the closing date. The warrants are exercisable forfive years from the issuance date.

On February 3, 2023, the Company also entered into a purchase agreement with Lincoln Park, pursuant to which Lincoln Park has agreed to purchase from the Company up to an aggregate of $10.0 million of common stock (subject to certain limitations), from time to time and at the Company's sole discretion over the term of the purchase agreement. On February 22, 2023, the Company completed its first issuance under this agreement for a total of 20,000 shares sold to Lincoln Park for proceeds of $0.1 million. In April 2023, the Company completed additional issuances for a total of 105,000 shares sold to Lincoln Park for proceeds of $0.3 million. On January 31, 2024, the Company terminated the purchase agreement with Lincoln Park.

During February 2023,50,000 shares were issued upon the exercise of inducement warrants issued in November 2022.

On March 30, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement to issue and sell stock and warrants in a public offering. On June 6, 2023, the public offering closed, and the Company issued and sold (i)2,197,628 shares of common stock (including 750,000 shares of common stock sold pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment option), (ii)3,908 shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock convertible into up to 3,552,372 shares of common stock, (iii)5,750,000 Class C Warrants (including 750,000 Class C Warrants sold pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment option), and (iv)5,750,000 Class D Warrants (including 750,000 Class D Warrants sold pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment option). The public offering price of $1.10 per share of common stock, Class C Warrant and Class D Warrant, and $999.90 per share of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock, 909 Class C Warrants and 909 Class D Warrants, resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $5.6 million net of underwriting discount and commissions of $0.5 million and other expenses of $0.2 million. On June 6, 2023, the underwriter fully exercised the over-allotment option granted by the Company to purchase stock and warrants.

Each Class C Warrant and Class D Warrant is exercisable at a price per share of common stock of $1.10. The Class C Warrants will expire on June 6, 2028 and the Class D Warrants will expire on June 6, 2024. The exercise prices of the warrants are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of recapitalization events, stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting the Company’s common stock. In addition, on August 7, 2023, the first business day after the 60 th calendar day immediately following the initial exercise day, the exercise price of the warrants was reduced to $0.5231 per share pursuant to the reset provision which stated that the warrants would be reduced to the lesser of (i) the exercise price then in effect and (ii)90% of the average of the volume weighted average price of the Company's common stock for the five (5) trading day period immediately prior to the reset date. In accordance with ASU 2021-04, the warrant reset of the exercise price was evaluated as a modification of equity-classified written call options. Modifications or exchanges that are not related to debt or equity financings, compensation for goods or services, or other exchange transactions within the scope of other guidance should be recognized as a dividend consistent with ASC 815-40-35-17(d). The dividend amount is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the modified or exchanged instrument over the fair value of that instrument immediately before it is modified or exchanged in accordance with ASC 815-40-35-16. The Company considered the guidance in paragraphs 815-40-35-14 through 35-17 and determined that the circumstances of the warrant modification indicate that the modification is executed separate from a new equity offering, debt origination or debt modification. As such, on August 7, 2023, the date on which the modification became effective, the incremental change in the fair value of the 11,500,000 outstanding warrants was recognized as a deemed dividend totaling $0.5 million that increases net loss attributable to common stockholders in accordance with paragraph 815-40-35-17(d) and ASC 260-10-45-15. During November 2023,8,200 shares of common stock were issued upon the exercise of Class C Warrants and 8,200 shares of common stock were issued upon the exercise of Class D Warrants for $8.6 thousand in aggregate exercise proceeds. In February 2024,915,155 shares of common stock were issued upon exercise of Class C Warrants at $0.5231 per share for aggregate proceeds of approximately $0.4 million. Additionally,1,835,402 shares of common stock were issued upon exercise of Class D Warrants at $0.5231 per share for aggregate proceeds of approximately $1.0 million.

During June 2023,2,958 shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 2,688,822 shares of common stock. During July and August 2023,530 shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 481,770 shares of common stock.

On January 31, 2024, the Company entered into a private placement with Maxim Group LLC serving as placement agent for 15,800,000 shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 11,354,237 shares of common stock, and accompanying Tranche A and Tranche B warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 49,374,590 shares of common stock. The total net proceeds from the private placement were approximately $13.8 million. The exercise of the accompanying warrants (excluding the pre-funded warrants) is subject to shareholder approval. See Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

The Tranche A warrants are exercisable for up to 24,687,295 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.6076 per share for an aggregate of up to approximately $15.0 million and will expire at the earlier of (i)30 days following the announcement of full data (expected in the second quarter of 2025) from the Company's Phase 2 clinical trial (ABACUS-2) of KIO-301 in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and the daily VWAP of the Company's common stock equaling or exceeding $1.1048 per share for 30 consecutive trading days following the announcement and (ii)five years from the date of shareholder approval of the warrants.

The Tranche B warrants are exercisable for up to 24,687,295 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.6076 per share for an aggregate of up to approximately $15.0 million and will expire at the earlier of (i)30 days following the announcement of topline data (expected in 2026) from the planned Phase 2 trial of KIO-104 in posterior non-infectious uveitis and the daily VWAP of the Company's common stock equaling or exceeding $1.3810 per share for 30 consecutive trading days following the announcement and (ii)five years from the date of shareholder approval of the warrants.

  1. Warrants

The following is a summary of warrant activity for the Company’s equity-classified warrants for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Number of Common SharesIssuable Upon Exerciseof Outstanding WarrantsWeighted AverageExercisePriceWeighted AverageRemainingTerm in Years
Outstanding at December 31, 202313,064,299$2.402.43
Issued60,728,829$0.495.93
Exercised(2,750,557)$0.52
Outstanding at March 31, 202471,042,571$—5.28
  1. Net Income (Loss) per Share - Basic and Diluted

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the time period, which for basic net income (loss) per share, does not include the weighted-average unvested restricted common stock that has been issued and is subject to forfeiture totaling 216,788 and 70,550 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of stock options, warrants, and preferred stock and are calculated using the treasury stock method, which assumes the repurchase of common shares at the average market price during the period. Under the treasury stock method, options and warrants will have a dilutive effect when the average price of common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of options or warrants. Common equivalent shares do not qualify as participating securities. In periods where the Company records a net loss, unvested restricted common stock and potential common stock equivalents are not included in the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive. The following is a summary of potentially dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share as of March 31:

20242023
Common Stock Warrants, Excluding Pre-funded Warrants50,955,2911,653,202
Employee Stock Options664,070211,578
Restricted Stock—70,550
Preferred Stock, as Converted into Common Stock381,83252
Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance492,25411,366
Total52,493,4471,946,748
  1. Stock-Based Compensation

Equity Incentive Plans

In 2005, the Company approved the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”). The 2005 Plan provides for the granting of stock options (incentive and nonqualified), restricted stock or other stock-based awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants, and advisors. During 2010, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the 2005 Plan was increased to 59,414 shares. The Board of

Directors (the “Board”) is responsible for administration of the 2005 Plan. The Company’s Board determines the term of each option, the option exercise price, the number of shares for which each option is granted and the rate at which each option is exercisable. Incentive stock options may be granted to any officer or employee at an exercise price per share of not less than the fair value per common share on the date of the grant (not less than 110% of fair value in the case of holders of more than 10% of the Company’s voting stock) and with a term not to exceedten years from the date of the grant (five years for incentive stock options granted to holders of more than 10% of the Company’s voting stock). Nonqualified stock options may be granted to any officer, employee, consultant, or director at an exercise price per share of not less than the par value per share. Following adoption of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), no further grants were made under the 2005 Plan. General terms of the 2014 Plan remain the same as that of the 2005 plan.

The Company’s Board adopted the 2014 Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), and the Company’s Stockholders approved the 2014 Plan and the ESPP Plan in February 2015. In January 2024, the number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2014 Plan automatically increased by 299,051 shares pursuant to the terms of the 2014 Plan. As of March 31, 2024, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the 2014 Plan was 1,597,899 of which 492,254 shares were available for awards.

Stock-based compensation expense is presented in the same expense line items as cash compensation paid and for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:

20242023
Research and Development$94,571$64,687
General and Administrative80,87271,254
Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense$175,443$135,941

Stock Options

The Company grants time-based stock options which generally vest one-third of the underlying shares on theone-year anniversary of the grant date and the remainder ratably over a 24-month period. The fair value of time-based stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, with such value recognized as expense over the service period, which is typically three years, net of actual forfeitures. A summary of the Company’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is shown in the following table. Note there were no options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Three months ended March 31
20242023
Risk-Free Interest RateN/A4.26%
Expected Life (years)N/A5.00
Expected Stock Price VolatilityN/A142%
Expected Dividend Yield—%—%

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $3.83. The expected term of the options granted is based on management's estimate. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s peers common stock. The risk-free interest rate is determined based upon a constant U.S. Treasury security rate with a contractual life that approximates the expected term of the option. Unamortized compensation expense related to the options amounted to $0.6 million as of March 31, 2024 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.99 years.

Following is a summary of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Number ofOptionsWeighted- AverageExercise PriceWeighted- AverageRemainingTerm in Years
Outstanding at December 31, 2023812,945$4.269.56
Expired(703)$374.50
Forfeited(8,672)$0.93
Outstanding at March 31, 2024803,570$3.979.28
Exercisable and vested at March 31, 2024238,121$10.269.02

The stock options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2024 had $0.1 million aggregate intrinsic value. The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the market price of the Company’s common stock for options that had exercise prices lower than $0.71, the closing price of the Company’s stock on March 31, 2024.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period, which is typically one-third of the underlying shares on theone-year anniversary of the grant date and the remainder ratably over a 24-month period. Unamortized compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards amounted to $0.3 million as of March 31, 2024 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.34 years. The following is a summary of restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Number ofUnitsWeighted- AverageGrant Date Fair ValueWeighted- AverageRemainingTerm in Years
Non-vested Outstanding at December 31, 2023229,373$1.642.57
Released(12,335)$3.83
Forfeited(250)$3.83
Non-vested Outstanding at March 31, 2024216,788$1.512.34

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has a non-qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), which provides for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock to eligible employees of the Company that elect to participate in the plan and purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions at a discounted price. Six month offering periods are made at the Board’s discretion. The ESPP provides for 284 aggregate shares of the Company’s common stock for participants to purchase. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, the remaining shares reserved for future offerings was 191.

  1. Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company is party tothree real property operating leases for the rental of office space. In February 2022, the Company entered into an 18-month lease for an office facility in Encinitas, California (the "Encinitas Lease"), which is now used for its corporate headquarters. The Encinitas Lease commenced in May 2022 and was amended to extend its lease term through April 30, 2025. The Company recorded a right-of use ("ROU") asset and lease liability upon lease commencement and lease amendment in May 2022 and November 2023, respectively. In May 2022, the Company entered into a 12-month lease for office space in Adelaide Australia (the "Adelaide Lease") which expired in May 2023. Following expiration, the landlord agreed to extend the Adelaide Lease on a month-month basis, whereby the Company must provide 90-day notice of termination. The

Adelaide Lease is a short-term lease which is exempt for ROU asset and lease liability reporting. The Company also entered into a lease for 910 square feet of office space in Vienna, Austria (the "Vienna Lease"). The Vienna Lease commenced on October 15, 2023 with a term of 5 years through October 14, 2028. The Company recorded a ROU asset and lease liability upon lease commencement in October 2023. The remaining lease terms range from less than 0.47 to 2.56 years.

Operating lease expense, consisting of the reduction of the right-of-use asset and the imputed interest on the lease liability totaled $20,231 and $30,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Future annual minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of March 31, 2024 are as follows:

Years Ending December 31,
2024 (remaining months)$40,238
202527,250
202614,050
202714,050
202811,123
Total Lease Liabilities106,711
Less Amounts Representing Interest(12,412)
Total94,299
Less Current Portion(47,851)
$46,448

License and Exclusive Rights Agreements

The Company is a party toseven license agreements as described below. These license agreements require the Company to pay or receive royalties or fees to or from the licensor based on revenue or milestones related to the licensed technology.

On July 2, 2013, the Company (through its subsidiary, Kiora Pharmaceuticals, GmbH) entered into a patent and know-how assignment agreement with 4SC Discovery GmbH (“4SC”) transferring to the Company all patent rights and know-how to the compound used in KIO-101 and KIO-104. The Company is responsible for paying royalties of 3.25% on net sales of KIO-101, KIO-104 or any other therapeutic product that uses the compound.

On July 2, 2013, the Company (through its subsidiary, Kiora Pharmaceuticals, GmbH) entered into an out-license agreement with 4SC granting 4SC the exclusive worldwide right to commercialize the compound used in KIO-101 and KIO-104 for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. The Company is eligible to receive milestone payments totaling up to €155 million, upon and subject to the achievement of certain specified developmental and commercial milestones. The Company has not received any milestones payments from 4SC. In addition, the Company is eligible to receive royalties of 3.25% on net sales of any product commercialized by 4SC using the compound in KIO-101 and KIO-104.

On September 12, 2013, the Company (through its subsidiary, Jade Therapeutics, Inc.) entered into an agreement with Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (“Lineage”), formerly known as BioTime, Inc. granting to the Company the exclusive worldwide right to commercialize cross-linked thiolated carboxymethyl hyaluronic acid (“modified HA”) for ophthalmic treatments in humans. The agreement requires the Company to pay an annual fee of $30,000 and a royalty of 6% on net sales of KIO-201 to Lineage based on revenue relating to any product incorporating the modified HA technology. The agreement expires when patent protection for the modified HA technology lapses in August 2027.

On November 17, 2014, the Company (through its subsidiary Kiora Pharmaceuticals GmbH) entered into an intellectual property and know-how licensing agreement with Laboratoires Leurquin Mediolanum S.A.S. (“Mediolanum”) for the commercialization of KIO-101, KIO-104 or any other therapeutic product that uses the compound (the “Mediolanum agreement”) in specific territories. Under the Mediolanum agreement, the Company out-licensed rights to commercialize KIO-101, KIO-104 or any other therapeutic product that uses the compound (the "KIO-100 family of products") for uveitis, dry eye and viral conjunctivitis in Italy, and France. This Agreement was amended on December 10, 2015 to also include Belgium and The Netherlands. Under the Mediolanum Agreement, Mediolanum is obligated to pay up to approximately €20 million in development and commercial milestones and a 7% royalty on net sales of (the KIO-100 family of products in the territories through the longer of the expiry of the valid patents covering the KIO-100 family of products or 10 years from the first commercial sale. The royalty is reduced to 5% after patent expiry. On September 7, 2023, the Company (through its subsidiary Kiora Pharmaceuticals GmbH) agreed to a settlement agreement with Mediolanum to terminate the existing out-licensing rights by Mediolanum to commercialize the KIO-100 family of products for uveitis, dry eye and viral conjunctivitis in Italy, France, Belgium and Netherlands including all related commercial milestone payments and royalty obligations. The Company agreed to pay a termination fee of $0.1 million, of which $50,000 was paid upon execution of the agreement, and $50,000 is payable on the one year anniversary of the termination and is accrued for in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

On September 26, 2018, the Company entered into an intellectual property licensing agreement (the “SentrX Agreement”) with SentrX, a veterinary medical device company that develops and manufactures veterinary wound care products. Under the SentrX Agreement, the Company in-licensed the rights to trade secrets and know-how related to the manufacturing of KIO-201. The SentrX Agreement enables the Company to pursue a different vendor with a larger capacity for manufacturing and an FDA-inspected facility for commercialization of a product for human use. Under the SentrX Agreement, SentrX is eligible to receive milestone payments totaling up to $4.75 million, upon and subject to the achievement of certain specified developmental and commercial milestones. The term of the agreement is until the product is no longer in the commercial marketplace. In addition, on June 7, 2023, the Company entered into a new exclusive license agreement (the "New SentrX Agreement") with SentrX, whereby the Company out-licensed certain KIO-201 patents for use in animal health and veterinary medicine. Under the New SentrX Agreement, SentrX is obligated to pay the Company a flat low single-digit royalty on net sales, and is effective until the last licensed patent terminates. In August 2023, SentrX was acquired by Dômes Pharma.

On May 1, 2020, the Company (through its subsidiary, Bayon Therapeutics, Inc.) entered into an agreement with the University of California (“UC”) granting to the Company the exclusive rights to its pipeline of photoswitch molecules. The agreement requires the Company to pay an annual fee to UC of $5,000, as well as payments to UC upon the achievement of certain development milestone and royalties based on revenue relating to any product incorporating KIO-301. The Company is obligated to pay royalties on net sales of two percent (2%) of the first $250 million of net sales, one and a quarter percent (1.25%) of net sales between $250 million and $500 million, and one half of one percent (0.5%) of net sales over $500 million. In addition, the agreement requires the Company to pay sublicense fees for the grant of rights under a sublicense agreement at 8% of sublicense revenue prior to enrolling the first patient in any Phase 1 or Phase II (if Phase I is not performed) clinical trial of a licensed product,6% of sublicense revenue prior to enrolling the first patient in any Phase III clinical trial of a licensed product, or 4% of sublicense revenue prior to any arms-length first commercial sale of a licensed product. On October 30, 2023, the Company, through its subsidiary, Bayon Therapeutics, Inc., entered into an agreement with UC to amend its licensing agreement dated May 1, 2020 effective November 5, 2023, granting the Company exclusive rights to a patent application covering specific formulations of KIO-301, which was previously jointly owned by UC and Bayon. Further, Bayon has the ability to assign or transfer the agreement providing written notice is given within at least 15 days prior to any such assignment, providing written assignment agreement by successor within 30 days, and by paying an assignment fee of $30,000 within 30 days of the assignment. Per the terms of the agreement, upon execution of the amendment the Company was required to pay UC $15,000. Per these terms, the Company made a payment to UC for $0.7 million related to the upfront payment received from TOI upon execution of the strategic development and commercialization agreement. The agreement expires on the date of the last-to-expire patent included in the licensed patent portfolio which is currently January 2030, however if patents that are currently pending approval are issued, the license expiration would extend into 2041.

On May 1, 2020, the Company (through our subsidiary, Bayon Therapeutics, Inc.) entered into an agreement with Photoswitch Therapeutics, Inc. (“Photoswitch”) granting to the Company access to certain patent applications and IP rights with last-to-expire patent terms of January 2030. The agreement calls for payments to Photoswitch upon the achievement of certain development milestones and upon first commercial sale of the product.

Strategic Development and Commercialization Agreements

On January 25, 2024, the Company entered into the License Agreement with TOI, a sister company of the global ophthalmic specialty company Théa. Under the agreement, Kiora granted TOI exclusive worldwide development and commercialization rights, excluding certain countries in Asia, to KIO-301 for the treatment of degenerative retinal diseases. In exchange, Kiora received an upfront payment of $16 million; will receive up to $285 million upon achievement of pre-specified clinical development, regulatory and commercial milestones; tiered royalties of up to low 20% on net sales; and reimbursement of certain KIO-301 research and development expenses. For the quarter ending March 31, 2024, the Company recorded offsetting expense credits of $0.2 million related to reimbursable KIO-301 expenses.

Contingent Consideration

The purchase price of various acquisitions in prior periods included contingent consideration, which consisted of various cash earn-out payments upon the achievement of certain milestones. Below are the maximum obligation payments per the respective agreements and estimated fair value of contingent consideration payments remaining as of March 31, 2024.

Maximum Obligationper AgreementsCurrent FairValue Estimated
Bayon$7,135,000$2,374,438
Panoptes9,500,0001,969,019
Jade2,164,451773,308
$18,799,451$5,116,765

Other

In the normal course of business, the Company periodically becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits, as well as governmental proceedings and investigations that are incidental to the business. The Company accrues a liability when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When a material loss contingency is reasonably possible but not probable, the Company does not record a liability, but instead discloses the nature and amount of the claim, and an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if such an estimate can be made. Legal fees are expensed as incurred. With respect to governmental proceedings and investigations, like other companies in the industry, the Company is subject to extensive regulation by national, state and local governmental agencies in the U.S. and in other jurisdictions in which the Company and its affiliates operate. As a result, interaction with governmental agencies is ongoing. The Company’s standard practice is to cooperate with regulators and investigators in responding to inquiries.

The Company currently maintains insurance for risks associated with the operation of its business, provision of professional services and ownership of property. These policies provide coverage for a variety of potential losses, including loss or damage to property, bodily injury, general commercial liability, professional errors and omissions and medical malpractice.

  1. Subsequent Events

In April 2024, the Company received grant funding of $20,000 from the Choroideremia Research Foundation ("CRF") in support of validating functional vision assessments for patients with profound blindness. This grant funding will aid in further validation of a suite of tests expected to be used in the upcoming ABACUS-2 Phase 2 clinical trial assessing KIO-301.

On May 1, 2024, the Company held its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") where the Company's stockholders voted to approve various proposals including (i) adoption of a new Equity Incentive Plan the "2024 Equity Incentive Plan", (ii) an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to 150,000,000, which the Company filed with the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware on May 1, 2024 and (iii) the approval, as contemplated by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635, of the issuance of up to 49,374,590 shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of Tranche A Warrants and Tranche B Warrants issued in the private placement completed in February 2024,

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