Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc

(Unaudited)

1. Organization and Nature of Operations

On September 12, 2023, First Light Acquisition Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“FLAG”) consummated a series of transactions that resulted in the merger of FLAG Merger Sub Inc., a Nevada corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of FLAG and Calidi Biotherapeutics. Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Calidi”). Following the consummation of the Business Combination, FLAG was renamed “Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc.” and Calidi was renamed “Calidi Biotherapeutics (Nevada), Inc. and became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Calidi”). Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company” refers to Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a First Light Acquisition Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation) and its consolidated subsidiaries.

The Company was founded in 2014 and is a clinical stage immuno-oncology company that is developing proprietary allogeneic stem cell-based platforms to potentiate and deliver oncolytic viruses (vaccinia virus and adenovirus) and potentially other molecules to cancer patients. The Company is developing a pipeline of off-the-shelf allogeneic cell product candidates that are designed to: (i) protect oncolytic viruses from complement inactivation and innate immune cell inactivation by the body’s immune system; (ii) support oncolytic viral amplification in the allogeneic cells, and (iii) modify the tumor microenvironment to facilitate tumor cell targeting and viral amplification at the tumor sites for an extended period of time, potentially leading to an improved cancer therapy. The Company’s most advanced product candidates are discussed below.

CLD-101 (NeuroNova™ Platform) for newly diagnosed High Grade Glioma (“HGG”) (also referred to as “NNV1” as to the indication) is composed of an immortalized neural stem cell line loaded with an engineered oncolytic adeno virus for the treatment of HGG. NNV1 is a licensed program from Northwestern University (“Northwestern”) which the Company obtained the rights for commercialization in June 2021 (see Note 11). A phase I clinical trial for NNV1 in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas was completed by Northwestern in June 2021.

CLD-101 for recurrent HGG (also referred to as “NNV2” as to the recurrent HGG indication) is a licensed program under development for patents covering cancer therapies using the same CLD-101 (NeuroNova™ Platform) for recurrent HGG. The Company licensed this product candidate in July 2021 pursuant to an agreement with City of Hope for the commercial development of NNV2 (see Note 11).

CLD-201 (SuperNova™) for advanced solid tumors (also referred to as “SNV1”), composed of allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) loaded with the tumor selective oncolytic vaccinia virus the Company refers to as “CAL1”. SNV1 is an internally developed product candidate for which the Company’s primary indications are for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, including head and neck cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

The Company is also developing engineered oncolytic vaccinia virus constructs as well as allogeneic cell-based platforms with improved systemic anti-tumor immunity in the exploratory stages of development.

The Company’s operations to date have focused on organization and staffing, business planning, raising capital, licensing, acquiring and developing technology, establishing intellectual property portfolio, identifying potential product candidates and undertaking preclinical studies, process development and procuring manufacturing for preclinical and clinical trials. The Company’s product candidates are subject to long development cycles and the Company may be unsuccessful in its efforts to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or market its product candidates.

The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biotechnology industry, including, but not limited to, possible failure of preclinical studies or clinical trials, the need to obtain marketing approval for its product candidates, development by competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, compliance with government regulations, the need to successfully commercialize and gain market acceptance of any of the Company’s products that are approved and the ability to secure additional capital to fund operations. Product candidates currently under development will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing, and regulatory approval prior to commercialization. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel and infrastructure, and extensive compliance-reporting capabilities. Even if the Company’s drug development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will realize significant revenue from product sales.

Liquidity and Going Concern

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business, and do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

The Company has experienced recurring losses from operations and negative cash flows from operating activities, has a significant accumulated deficit and expects to continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future. The Company had an accumulated deficit of $106.8 million at March 31, 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company used $3.8 million for operating activities. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash of $1.2 million and restricted cash of $0.2 million. Management expects operating losses and negative cash flows to continue for the foreseeable future.

On December 10, 2023, the Company entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (the “SEPA”) with YA II PN, Ltd., a Cayman Island exempt limited partnership (“Yorkville”). Pursuant to the SEPA, the Company will have the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Yorkville up to $25.0 million of its shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at the Company’s request any time during the 36 months following the execution of the SEPA. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the SEPA, including payment of an additional commitment fee, the Company will have the right to increase the commitment amount under the SEPA by an additional $25.0 million. See Note 11 for more details.

Management estimates that based on the Company’s liquidity resources, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within 12 months from the date of issuance of the financial statements. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the Company continuing to operate in the normal course of business and does not reflect any adjustments to the assets and liabilities related to the substantial doubt of its ability to continue as a going concern.

Management’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to raise additional funding. Management’s plans to raise additional capital through public or private equity or debt financings to fulfill its operating and capital requirements for at least 12 months from the date of the issuance of the financial statements. However, the Company may not be able to secure such financing in a timely manner or on favorable terms, if at all. Furthermore, if the Company issues equity securities to raise additional funds, its existing stockholders may experience dilution, and the new equity securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of the Company’s existing stockholders.

Risks and Uncertainties

Changes in economic conditions, including rising interest rates, public health issues, lower consumer confidence, volatile equity capital markets, ongoing supply chain disruptions and the impacts of geopolitical conflicts, may affect the Company’s operations.

**2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies **

*Unaudited Interim Financial Information *

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary, all of which are of a normal and recurring nature, to state fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or future periods. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Calidi’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 in the Company’s Form 10-K, which was filed with the Commission on March 15, 2024.

Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative U.S. GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) of the FASB.

*Principles of Consolidation *

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, Calidi Biotherapeutics (Nevada), Inc., a company incorporated in the state of Nevada and Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc., StemVac GmbH (“StemVac”), a company organized under the laws of Germany, and Calidi Biotherapeutics Australia Pty Ltd (“Calidi Australia”), a wholly owned Australian subsidiary. StemVac’s primary operating activities include process development and other research and development activities for the SNV1 program performed for the Company under a cost-plus intercompany development agreement funded by the Company. Calidi Australia’s principal purpose is for conducting a part of the SNV1 clinical trials in Australia.

Variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are legal entities that either have an insufficient amount of equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, as a group, the holders of equity investment at risk lack the ability to direct the entity’s activities that most significantly impact economic performance through voting or similar rights, or do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses or the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity.

For all VIEs in which the Company is involved, it assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary on an ongoing basis. In circumstances where the Company has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive the benefits of the VIE that could be significant, the Company would conclude that it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and the Company consolidates the VIE. In situations where the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE, it does not consolidate the VIE and only recognizes the Company’s interests in the VIE.

Calidi Cure LLC (“Calidi Cure”), a Delaware limited liability company formed in June 2023, is a special purpose vehicle entity that is solely managed and operated by Allan J. Camaisa, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Calidi Cure was created for the sole purpose of supporting the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock financing arrangement for Calidi, has no other operations, and will be dissolved as soon as practicable following the closing of the business combination between the Company and FLAG . As such, the level of equity in Calidi Cure is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by other parties. Accordingly, it was determined that Calidi Cure is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary. As such, the Company has consolidated Calidi Cure into its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

*Use of Estimates *

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates estimates which are subject to significant judgment, including, but not limited to, valuation methods used, assumptions requiring the use of judgment to prepare financial projections, timing of potential commercialization of acquired in-process intangible assets, applicable discount rates, comparable companies or transactions, liquidity events, assumptions related to the going concern assessments, allocation of direct and indirect expenses, useful lives associated with long- lived assets, key assumptions in operating and financing leases including incremental borrowing rates, loss contingencies, valuation allowances related to deferred income taxes, assumptions used to value common stock, debt and debt-like instruments, warrants, and stock-based awards and other equity instruments. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates.

Reclassification

Certain prior year financial statement amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on our previously reported results of operations or accumulated deficit.

Cash and Restricted Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity date of ninety days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash in readily available checking, money market accounts and brokerage accounts.

The Company classifies cash that has contractual or legal restrictions imposed by third parties as restricted cash, which is restricted as to withdrawal or use except for the specified purpose under a contract. The Company classifies restricted cash as either part of prepaids and other current assets, or as part of other noncurrent assets, depending on the term and nature of the underlying contract with a financial institution, which requires the Company to hold a fixed amount of funds in a restricted money market account as collateral to the financial institution for the Company’s corporate credit card program with that financial institution.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the balance sheet dates that comprise the total of the same such amounts shown in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):

Machinery and Equipment

Machinery and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation, and includes assets purchased under financing leases. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally over a period of 3 to 5 years. For equipment purchased under financing leases, The Company depreciates the equipment based on the shorter of the useful life of the equipment or the term of the lease, ranging from 3 to 5 years, depending on the nature and classification of the financing lease. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred whereas significant renewals and betterments are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

*Leases *

The Company accounts for leases in accordance with ASC 842,Leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Leases are classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. When determining whether a lease is a finance lease or an operating lease, ASC 842 does not specifically define criteria to determine “major part of remaining economic life of the underlying asset” and “substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.” For lease classification determination, the Company continues to use: (i) greater than or equal to 75% to determine whether the lease term is a major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset; and (ii) greater than or equal to 90% to determine whether the present value of the sum of lease payments is substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset. The Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

For operating leases, the Company recognizes right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities for leases with terms greater than 12 months in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, while leases with terms of 12 months or less are not capitalized. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company uses the implicit rate when it is readily determinable. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company discloses the amortization of ROU assets and operating lease payments as a net amount, “Amortization of right-of-use assets and liabilities”, on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Finance leases are included in machinery and equipment, and in finance lease liabilities, current and noncurrent, in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

See Note 11 for the San Diego Office lease which commenced on March 1, 2023, and was accounted for as an operating lease in accordance with ASC 842.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets, which consist primarily of right-of-use assets for operating leases and machinery and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired and the carrying value may not be recoverable. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and the expected undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the assets carrying value over its fair value is recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Warrants

The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and ASC 815,Derivatives and Hedging. Warrants that meet the definition of a derivative financial instrument and the equity scope exception in ASC 815-10-15-74(a) are classified as equity and are not subject to remeasurement provided that the Company continues to meet the criteria for equity classification. Warrants that are classified as liabilities are accounted for at fair value and remeasured at each reporting date until exercise, expiration, or modification that results in equity classification. Any change in the fair value of the warrants is recognized as change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The classification of warrants, including whether warrants should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period. The fair value of liability-classified warrants is determined using the Black-Scholes options pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) which includes Level 3 inputs.

*Fair Value Measurements *

The Company follows ASC 820,Fair Value Measurement, which among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Accordingly, fair value is a market-based measurement determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value, which are as follows:

When quoted market prices are available in active markets, the fair value of assets and liabilities is estimated within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of assets and liabilities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows, within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. In cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, the fair values are estimated by using inputs within Level 3 of the hierarchy. See Note 3 for fair value measurements.

*Forward Purchase Agreement *

On August 28, 2023, and August 29, 2023, FLAG and the Company entered into forward purchase agreements (each a “Forward Purchase Agreement”, and together, the “Forward Purchase Agreement”) with each of Meteora Strategic Capital, LLC (“MSC”), Meteora Capital Partners, LP (“MCP”), Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP (“MSTO”), Great Point Capital LLC (“Great Point”), Funicular Funds, LP (“Funicular Funds”) and Marybeth Wootton (“Wootton”) (with each of MSC, MCP, MSTO, Great Point, Funicular, and Wootton, individually a “Seller”, and together, the “Sellers”) for an OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction. For purposes of the Forward Purchase Agreement, FLAG is referred to as the “Counterparty” prior to the consummation of the business combination), while the Company is referred to as the “Counterparty” after the consummation of the business combination. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Forward Purchase Agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Forward Purchase Agreements, each Sellers intends to purchase up to a number of shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of FLAG (“FLAG Class A Common Stock”) in the aggregate amount equal to up to 1,000,000, concurrently with the Closing pursuant to each Seller’s respective FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreement, less, the number of FLAG Class A Common Stock purchased by each Seller separately from third parties through a broker in the open market (“Recycled Shares”).

The Forward Purchase Agreements provide that Sellers will be paid directly an aggregate cash amount (the “Prepayment Amount”) equal to the product of (i) the Number of Shares as set forth in each Pricing Date Notice and (ii) the redemption price per share as defined in Section 9.2(a) of FLAG’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Initial Price”) less (iii) an amount in USD equal to 0.50% of the product of (i) the Recycled Shares multiplied by (ii) the Initial Price paid by Seller to Counterparty on the Prepayment Date (which amount shall be netted from the Prepayment Amount) (the “Prepayment Shortfall”).

The Counterparty will pay to Seller the Prepayment Amount required under the respective Forward Purchase Agreement directly from the Counterparty’s Trust Account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company holding the net proceeds of the sale of the units in the Counterparty’s initial public offering and the sale of private warrants (the “Trust Account”) no later than the earlier of (a) one business day after the Closing Date and (b) the date any assets from the Trust Account are disbursed in connection with the Business Combination, except that to the extent the Prepayment Amount payable to a Seller is to be paid from the purchase of Additional Shares by such Seller pursuant to the terms of its FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreement, such amount will be netted against such proceeds, with such Seller being able to reduce the purchase price for the Additional Shares by the Prepayment Amount.

Following the Closing, the reset price (the “Reset Price”) will initially be $10.00; provided, however, that the Reset Price may be reduced immediately to any lower price at which the Counterparty sells, issues or grants any FLAG Class A Common Stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into FLAG Class A Common Stock (excluding any secondary transfers) (a “Dilutive Offering”), then the Reset Price shall be modified to equal such reduced price as of such date.

From time to time and on any date following the Trade Date (any such date, an “OET Date”), Seller may, in its discretion, terminate its Forward Purchase Agreement in whole or in part by providing written notice to the Counterparty (the “OET Notice”), by the later of (a) the fifth Local Business Day following the OET Date and (b) no later than the next Payment Date following the OET Date (which shall specify the quantity by which the Number of Shares shall be reduced (such quantity, the “Terminated Shares”)); provided that “Terminated Shares” includes only such quantity of Shares by which the Number of Shares is to be reduced and included in an OET Notice and does not include any other Share sales, Shortfall Sale Shares or sales of Shares that are designated as Shortfall Sales (which designation can be made only up to the amount of Shortfall Sale Proceeds), any Share Consideration sales or any other Shares, whether or not sold, which shares will not be included in any OET Notice when calculating the number of Terminated Shares. The effect of an OET Notice shall be to reduce the Number of Shares by the number of Terminated Shares specified in such OET Notice with effect as of the related OET Date. As of each OET Date, the Counterparty shall be entitled to an amount from the Seller, and the Seller shall pay to the Counterparty an amount, equal to the product of (x) the number of Terminated Shares and (y) the Reset Price in respect of such OET Date, except that no such amount will be due to Counterparty upon any Shortfall Sale. The payment date may be changed within a quarter at the mutual agreement of the parties.

From time to time and on any date following the Trade Date (any such date, a “Shortfall Sale Date”) Seller may, in its absolute discretion, at any sales price, sell Shortfall Sale Shares, and in connection with such sales, Seller shall provide written notice to Counterparty (the “Shortfall Sale Notice”) no later than the later of (a) the fifth Local Business Day following the Shortfall Sales Date and (b) the first Payment Date after the Shortfall Sales Date, specifying the quantity of the Shortfall Sale Shares and the allocation of the Shortfall Sale Proceeds. Seller shall not have any Early Termination Obligation in connection with any Shortfall Sales. The Counterparty covenants and agrees for a period of at least sixty (60) Local Business Days (commencing on the Prepayment Date or if an earlier Registration Request is submitted by Seller on the Registration Statement Effective Date) not to issue, sell or offer or agree to sell any Shares, or securities or debt that is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into Shares, including under any existing or future equity line of credit, until the Shortfall Sales equal the Prepayment Shortfall.

Unless and until the proceeds from Shortfall Sales equal 100% of the Prepayment Shortfall, in the event that the product of (x) the difference between (i) the number of Shares as specified in the Pricing Date Notice(s), less (ii) any Shortfall Sale Shares as of such measurement time, multiplied by (y) the VWAP Price, is less than (z) the difference between (i) the Prepayment Shortfall, less (ii) the proceeds from Shortfall Sales as of such measurement time (the “Shortfall Variance”), then the Counterparty, as liquidated damages in respect of such Shortfall Variance, at its option shall within five (5) Local Business Days either:

(A) Pay in cash an amount equal to the Shortfall Variance; or

(B) Issue and deliver to Seller such number of additional Shares that are equal to (1) the Shortfall Variance, divided by (2)90% of the VWAP Price (the “Shortfall Variance Shares”).

The valuation date will be the earliest to occur of (a)36 months after of the Closing Date, (b) the date specified by a Seller in a written notice to be delivered to the Counterparty at a Seller’s discretion (which Valuation Date shall not be earlier than the day such notice is effective) after the occurrence of any of (v) a Shortfall Variance Registration Failure, (w) a VWAP Trigger Event (x) a Delisting Event, (y) a Registration Failure or (z) unless otherwise specified therein, upon any Additional Termination Event and (c) the date specified by Seller in a written notice to be delivered to Counterparty at Seller’s sole discretion (which Valuation Date shall not be earlier than the day such notice is effective) (the “Valuation Date”).

On the Cash Settlement Payment Date, which is thetenth business day following the last day of the valuation period commencing on the Valuation Date, a Seller shall pay the Counterparty a cash amount equal to either: (1) in the event that the Valuation Date is determined by clause (c) of the Valuation Date definition, a cash amount equal to (A) the Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date, multiplied by (2) the closing price of the Shares on the Exchange Business Day immediately preceding the Valuation Date, or (2) (A) the Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date less the number of Unregistered Shares, multiplied by (B) the volume-weighted daily VWAP Price over the Valuation Period less (3) if the Settlement Amount Adjustment is less than the cash amount to be paid, the Settlement Amount Adjustment. The Settlement Amount Adjustment is equal to (1) the Maximum Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date multiplied by (2) $2.00 per share, and the Settlement Amount Adjustment will be automatically netted from the Settlement Amount. If the Settlement Amount Adjustment exceeds the Settlement Amount, the Counterparty will pay the Seller in FLAG Class A Common Stock or, at the Counterparty’s election, in cash.

Seller has agreed to waive any redemption rights under FLAG’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, with respect to any FLAG Class A Common Stock purchased through the FPA Funding Amount PIPE Subscription Agreement and any Recycled Shares in connection with the Business Combination, that would require redemption by FLAG of the Class A Common Stock. The Forward Purchase Agreement has been structured, and all activity in connection with such agreement has been undertaken, to comply with the requirements of all tender offer regulations applicable to the Business Combination under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

During the 36-month term of the Forward Purchase Agreement, if the Sellers liquidate the 1,000,000 shares in the market above $10.00 per share, then the Company will be entitled to receive up to $10.0 million in cash from the Sellers pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement. If the Sellers liquidate the shares below $10.00 per share, then the Company will be entitled to the price sold less $2.00 per share, from the Sellers. No proceeds will be available to the Company if the Forward Purchase Agreement shares are sold below $2.00 per share. The Forward Purchase Agreement may be terminated earlier by the Sellers if certain default events occur, including the stock price trading below defined thresholds for a defined period. In no event will the Company be obligated to pay cash to the Sellers during the term of the Forward Purchase Agreement or at its expiration.

On March 8, 2024, the Company and one of the sellers mutually terminated and cancelled 340,000 shares per the Forward Purchase Agreement described above.

Convertible Instruments

The Company evaluates and accounts for conversion options embedded in convertible instruments in accordance with ASC 815 –Derivatives and Hedging. Applicable GAAP requires companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as freestanding derivative financial instruments according to certain criteria. The criteria include circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under other GAAP with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument.

The Company reviews the terms of convertible instruments issued to determine whether there are embedded derivative instruments, including embedded conversion options, which are required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately as derivative financial instruments. In circumstances where the host instrument contains more than one embedded derivative instrument, including the conversion option, that is required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument.

Bifurcated embedded derivatives are initially recorded at fair value and are then revalued at each reporting date with changes in the fair value reported as nonoperating income or expense. When the convertible instruments contain embedded derivative instruments that are to be bifurcated and accounted for as liabilities, the total proceeds received are first allocated to the fair value of all the bifurcated derivative instruments. The remaining proceeds, if any, are then allocated to the host instruments themselves, usually resulting in those instruments being recorded at a discount from their face value. The discount from the face value of the convertible debt, together with the stated interest on the instrument, is amortized over the life of the instrument through periodic charges to interest expense.

*Derivative Financial Instruments *

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC 815Derivatives and Hedging. The Company values its derivatives using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or other acceptable valuation models, as applicable, with the assistance of valuation specialists. Derivative instruments accounted for as liabilities are valued at inception and subsequent valuation dates for each reporting period the derivative instrument remains outstanding. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities, is reassessed at each reporting period.

The Company evaluates equity or liability classification for common stock warrants in accordance with ASC 480,Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and ASC 815 and accounts for common stock warrants as liabilities if the warrant requires net cash settlement or gives the holder the option of net cash settlement or it otherwise does not meet other equity classification criteria. The Company accounts for common stock warrants as equity if the contract requires physical settlement or net physical settlement or if the Company has the option of physical settlement or net physical settlement and the warrants meet the requirements to be classified as equity. Common stock warrants classified as liabilities are initially recorded at fair value and remeasured at fair value at each subsequent reporting period with the offset adjustments recorded in change in fair value of warrant liability within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Common stock warrants classified as equity are initially measured at fair value on the grant date and are not subsequently remeasured.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Forward Purchase Agreement discussed above was accounted for as a derivative asset under ASC 815 –Derivatives and Hedging. The fair value of the Forward Purchase Agreement at the closing of the Business Combination was estimated to be a $4.5 million asset with a corresponding amount recorded in equity at the closing of the FLAG Merger. As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the asset was revalued and estimated to have a fair value of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and was recorded as part of other noncurrent assets on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. There can be no assurance that any proceeds from the Sellers will be made to the Company under the Forward Purchase Agreement.

*Debt Issuance Costs *

Debt issuance costs incurred to obtain debt financings are deferred and are amortized over the term of the debt using the effective interest method for all debt financings in which the fair value option has not been elected. Debt issuance costs on debt financings in which the fair value option is not elected are recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the debt and are amortized to interest expense or interest expense — related party, as applicable, in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

For any debt financing in which the Company has elected the fair value option, any debt issuance costs associated with the debt financing are immediately recognized in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and are not deferred (see Note 7).

*Government Grants *

On October 27, 2022, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (“CIRM”) approved the Company’s application for a CIRM grant for the Company’s continued development of the SNV1 program. CIRM awarded the Company approximately $3.1 million of CIRM funding conditioned that the Company co-fund approximately $0.8 million under the requirements of the CIRM application. On December 28, 2022, the Company received the Notice of Award from CIRM for this grant and the Company expects to be able to draw the funds over the next 18 months based on the operational milestones defined in the grant.

Proceeds from the CIRM grant are recognized over the period necessary to match the related research and development expenses when it is probable that the Company has complied with the CIRM conditions and will receive the proceeds pursuant to the milestones defined in the grant as reimbursement of those expenditures. The CIRM grant proceeds, if any, received in advance of having incurred the related research and development expenses are recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and recognized as grant income included in other income and expenses, net, on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations when the related research and developments expenses are incurred.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized approximately $0 and $0.7 million in grant income in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, grant cash payments and receivables from CIRM of approximately $1.4 million and $0, respectively, were included in cash and prepaid expenses and other current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023, grant cash payments and receivables from CIRM of approximately $1.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively, were included in cash and prepaid expenses and other current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

*Research and Development Expenses *

Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred to discover, research and develop drug candidates, including compensation-related expenses for research and development personnel, including stock-based compensation expense, preclinical and clinical activities, costs of manufacturing, overhead expenses including facilities and laboratory expenses, materials and supplies, amounts paid to consultants and outside service providers, and depreciation and amortization.

Upfront and annual license payments related to acquired technologies or technology licenses which have not yet reached technological feasibility and have no alternative future use are also included in research and development expense in the period in which they are incurred.

*General and Administrative Expenses *

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs, including stock-based compensation expense, for personnel in executive, finance and accounting, business development, operations and administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include fees for legal, patent prosecution, legal settlements, consulting, charge off of deferred financing costs for aborted or terminated financing offerings, accounting and audit services as well as insurance, outside service providers, direct and allocated facility-related costs and depreciation and amortization.

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Other Comprehensive Income or Loss

StemVac, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, is located and operates in Germany and its functional currency is the Euro. Calidi Australia, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, is located and operates in Australia and its functional currency is the Australian Dollar (“AUD”). Accordingly, StemVac’s and Calidi Australia’s assets and liabilities are translated using respective published exchange rates in effect at the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet date. Expenses and cash flows are translated using respective approximate weighted average exchange rates for the reporting period. Resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax, in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income or loss and included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, comprehensive loss includes such foreign currency translation adjustments and was insignificant for all periods presented.

Foreign Currency Transaction Gains and Losses

For transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the Company recognizes foreign currency transaction gains and losses in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and classifies the gain or loss based on the nature of the item that generated it. The Company’s foreign currency transaction gains and losses are principally generated by intercompany transfers to StemVac denominated in Euros to pay for the research and development activities performed by StemVac under an intercompany development agreement with the Company. Furthermore, the Company’s foreign currency transaction gains and losses include intercompany transfers to Calidi Australia denominated in AUD to pay for the research and development activities performed by Calidi Australia. These foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses are included in other income and expenses, net, and were insignificant for all periods presented.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense related to employee option grants and restricted stock grants, if any, in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”).

The Company measures all stock options and other stock-based awards granted based on the fair value of the award on the date of the grant and recognizes compensation expense for those awards over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur. The reversal of compensation cost previously recognized for an award that is forfeited because of a failure to satisfy a service condition is recognized in the period of the forfeiture. Generally and unless otherwise specified, the Company’s grants stock options with service-based only vesting conditions and records the expense for these awards using the straight-line method over the requisite service period.

The Company classifies stock-based compensation expense in its consolidated statements of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipients’ service payments are classified.

The Company estimated the fair value of common stock through the date of the FLAG Merger using an appropriate valuation methodology, in accordance with the framework of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation. Each valuation methodology includes estimates and assumptions that require the Company’s judgment. These estimates and assumptions include a number of objective and subjective factors, including external market conditions, guideline public company information, the prices at which the Company sold convertible preferred stock and common stock to third parties in arms’ length transactions, the rights and preferences of securities senior to the Company’s common stock at the time, and the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event such as an initial public offering or sale. Significant changes to the assumptions used in the valuations could result in materially different fair values of stock options at each valuation date, as applicable. Following the FLAG Merger, the Company used the public price of its common stock.

The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company estimates its expected stock volatility based on the historical volatility of a publicly traded set of peer companies within the biotechnology industry with characteristics similar to the Company. The expected term of the Company’s stock options has been determined utilizing the “simplified” method for awards that qualify as “plain-vanilla” options provided under Staff Accounting Bulletin, Topic 14, or SAB Topic 14, as necessary. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the award for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the award. Expected dividend yield is zero, based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

*Net Loss per Common Share *

Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for the holders of the Company’s common shares and participating securities. Although the Company’s historical Convertible Preferred Stock contained participating rights in any dividend declared and paid by the Company and were therefore participating securities, the Convertible Preferred Stock had no stated dividends and the Company has never paid any cash dividends and does not plan to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Net loss attributable to common stockholders and participating securities is allocated to each share on an if-converted basis as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. However, the participating securities do not include a contractual obligation to share in the losses of the Company and are not included in the calculation of net loss per share in the periods that have a net loss. In addition, common stock equivalent shares (whether or not participating) are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect on net loss per common share.

Diluted net loss per share is computed using the more dilutive of (a) the two-class method or (b) the if-converted method and treasury stock method, as applicable. Contingently convertible instruments were not included for purposes of calculating the number of diluted shares outstanding as the number of dilutive shares is based on a conversion contingency associated with the completion of a future financing event that had not occurred, and the contingency was not resolved, in the reporting periods presented herein. In periods in which the Company reports a net loss attributable to common stockholders, diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is the same as basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders since dilutive common shares are not assumed to have been issued if their effect is anti-dilutive. Diluted net loss per share is equivalent to basic net loss per share for the periods presented herein because common stock equivalent shares from the Convertible Preferred Stock, convertible notes, stock option awards and outstanding warrants to purchase common stock (see Note 8) were antidilutive.

As a result of the Company reported net loss attributable to common stockholders for all periods presented herein, the following common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 because including them would have been antidilutive (in thousands):

*Segments *

The Company’s executive management team, as a group, represents the entity’s chief operating decision makers. To date, the Company’s executive management team has viewed the Company’s operations as one segment that includes the research, development and commercialization efforts of cell-based platforms to potentiate oncolytic virus therapies. As a result, the financial information disclosed materially represents all of the financial information related to the Company’s sole operating segment. Substantially all of the Company’s consolidated operating activities, including its long-lived assets, are located within the U.S. and considering the Company’s limited revenue operating stage, the Company currently has no concentration exposure to products or customers.

*Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements *

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-03,Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions(“ASU 2022-03”) which clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. ASU 2022-03 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023. On January 1, 2024, the Company adopted ASU 2022-03 and the standard did not have any impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures as the Company carries no such financial instruments.

*Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted *

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses and other segment items on an interim and annual basis. Public entities with a single reportable segment are required to apply the disclosure requirements in ASU 2023-07, as well as all existing segment disclosures and reconciliation requirements in ASC 280 on an interim and annual basis. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-07.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09,Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (Topic 740). The ASU requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as additional information on income taxes paid. The ASU is effective on a prospective basis for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is also permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-09.

3. Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, inclusive of related party components, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities. The carrying value of these financial instruments is generally considered to approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

The following table presents the changes in fair value of valued instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (in thousands):

The following table presents the changes in fair value of valued instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (in thousands):

**4. Selected Balance Sheet Components **

Deferred Financing Costs

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were approximately $0.3 million and $0, respectively, of deferred financing costs. These deferring financing costs consists of fees related to the SEPA financing (see Note 1 and Note 11), as well as estimated fees related to the April Public Offering (see Note 12), and are included in other noncurrent assets on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, accrued expenses and other current liabilities were comprised of the following (in thousands):

See Note 11 for additional commitments.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, prepaid expenses and other current assets were comprised of the following (in thousands):

**5. Machinery and Equipment, net **

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, machinery and equipment, net, was comprised of the following (in thousands):

Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $0.1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

**6. Related Party Transactions **

The Company has funded its operations to date primarily through private sales of convertible preferred stock, contingently convertible and convertible promissory notes, SAFEs and common stock. These investments have included various related parties, including from AJC Capital and certain directors as further discussed below.

The following table presents the various significant related party transactions and investments in the Company for the periods presented (in thousands):

**7. Debt **

The Company’s outstanding debt obligations as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, including related party components, are as follows (in thousands):

Scheduled maturities of outstanding debt, net of discounts as of March 31, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):

The following discussion includes a description of the Company’s outstanding debt as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The weighted average interest rate related to the Company’s outstanding debt was approximately 13.5% and 15.1% as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Interest expense related to the Company’s outstanding debt totaled approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is reported within other income and expense, net, in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest expense includes interest on outstanding borrowings and the amortization of discounts associated with debt issuance costs or from the allocation of proceeds to freestanding common stock or warrants as part of the relevant financing transactions.

Term Notes Payable

2021 Term Notes Payable

In January 2021, Calidi entered into a note agreement with a related party investor and director to borrow up to $0.5 million (“2021 Term Note”).

In connection with the closing of the FLAG Merger on September 12, 2023, the 2021 Term Note plus accrued interest was amended, with an extended maturity date of January 1, 2025. For this holder, a related party, Calidi agreed to accrue an interest rate of 24% per annum payable with principal at maturity, and offered certain incentives, including 500,000 warrants to purchase common stock, fair valued at approximately $0.1 million at the time of the amendment.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the interest rate of the 2021 Term Notes was 24% and the total carrying value, including accrued interest was approximately $0.6 million.

2022 Term Notes Payable

In November and December 2022, the Company issued $1.5 million of secured term notes payable (the “2022 Term Notes”) to investors, including to related parties (see Note 6).

On September 12, 2023, with regard to the 2022 Term Notes, approximately $0.5 million of principal plus accrued interest was amended, extending maturity of the notes to dates ranging from November 2023 to January 2025. Further, approximately $1.0 million of principal, excluding accrued interest, was settled with shares of common stock issued to the noteholders. For the term notes that were amended, all to related parties, $0.2 million of principal was extended to mature on November 1, 2023, $0.2 million of principal was extended to mature on March 1, 2024, and in February 2024 further extended to mature on May 1, 2024, and $0.2 million of principal was extended to mature on January 1, 2025. The debt amendments occurred close to or upon the stated maturity date and resulted in the application of extinguishment accounting in accordance with ASC 470-50. For the term loans that were settled with shares of common stock, the debt settlement occurred near or at the stated maturity and resulted in the application of extinguishment accounting in accordance with ASC 470-50.

On October 3, 2023, the Company settled in cash $0.1 million of principal of 2022 Term Notes plus accrued interest and said term notes payable were no longer outstanding as of that date.

On November 8, 2023, the Company settled in cash $0.2 million of principal of 2022 Term Notes plus accrued interest and said term notes payable were no longer outstanding as of that date.

On March 1, 2024, the maturity date of $0.2 million of the 2022 Term Note was extended to May 1, 2024. The amended 2022 Term Note will accrue interest at 16% per annum commencing on March 1, 2024. All other terms and conditions remained substantially unchanged. The debt amendment occurred close to or upon the stated maturity date and resulted in the application of extinguishment accounting in accordance with ASC 470-50. The carrying value of the original notes equals the fair value at extinguishment date, which resulted in no gain or loss recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the interest rate of the 2022 Term Notes was 24% per annum for a total principal of $0.2 million, and 16% and 15% per annum for a total principal of $0.2 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the total carrying value, including accrued interest, was $0.4 million.

On April 12, 2024, the maturity date of $0.2 million of the 2022 Term Note was extended to January 1, 2025. All other terms and conditions remained substantially unchanged. The debt amendment occurred close to or upon the stated maturity date and resulted in the application of extinguishment accounting in accordance with ASC 470-50. The carrying value of the original notes equals the fair value at extinguishment date, which resulted in no gain or loss recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. See Note 12 for further details over subsequent events.

2023 Term Notes Payable

From January through September 2023, the Company issued $3.3 million of secured term notes payable (the “2023 Term Notes”) to investors, including to related parties (see Note 6).

On September 12, 2023, approximately $1.2 million of principal plus accrued interest was amended, extending maturity of the notes to January 1, 2025. Further, approximately $1.0 million of principal, excluding accrued interest, was settled with shares of common stock issued to the noteholders. For the term notes that were amended, all which were extended to January 1, 2025 by the holder, a related party, the Company agreed to accrue an interest rate of 24% per annum payable with principal at maturity. The debt amendment occurred close to or upon the stated maturity date and resulted in the application of extinguishment accounting in accordance with ASC 470-50. For the term loans that were settled with shares of common stock, the settlement resulted in the issuance of 197,344 shares of common stock with a fair value of $1.1 million. The debt settlement occurred near or at the stated maturity and resulted in the application of extinguishment accounting in accordance with ASC 470-50.

On October 3, 2023, the Company settled in cash $0.6 million of principal of 2023 Term Notes plus accrued interest and said term notes payable were no longer outstanding as of that date.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the interest rate of the 2023 Term Notes was 24% per annum for a total principal of $1.1 million and 14% per annum for a total principal of $0.6 million. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the total carrying value, including accrued interest and net of debt discount, was $2.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

On April 12, 2024, the maturity date of $0.3 million of the 2023 Term Note was extended to January 1, 2025. Approximately $0.2 million of the amended 2023 Term Note will accrue interest at 18% per annum commencing on April 12, 2024, while the interest rate of the other $0.1 million of the amended 2023 Term Note will remain unchanged. All other terms and conditions remained substantially unchanged. The debt amendment occurred close to or upon the stated maturity date and resulted in the application of extinguishment accounting in accordance with ASC 470-50. The carrying value of the original notes equals the fair value at extinguishment date, which resulted in no gain or loss recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. See Note 12 for further details over subsequent events.

2024 Bridge Loan

On January 19, 2024, the Company received approximately $0.2 million in aggregate proceeds from the issuance of certain bridge loans (the “2024 Bridge Loan”), which matureone year from the issuance date and bear simple interest of 12% per annum. As consideration for the 2024 Term Loans, the Company agreed to issue an aggregate of 8,929 shares of restricted common stock to the Lender.

As of March 31, 2024, the total carrying value of the 2024 Bridge Loan, including accrued interest and net of debt discount, was $0.2 million.

Convertible Promissory Notes

On January 26, 2024, the Company entered into a convertible promissory note purchase agreement (the “2024 Purchase Agreement”) with an Accredited Investor (the “Investor”) for a loan in the principal amount of $1.0 million (the “2024 Convertible Note Loan”). In connection with the Convertible Note Loan, the Company issued a one-year convertible promissory note evidencing the aggregate principal amount of $1.0 million under the Loan, which accrues at a 12.0% simple interest rate per annum (the “2024 Convertible Note”).

The 2024 Convertible Note also provides the Investor a voluntary right to convert all, but not less than all, the Principal Amount and accrued interest into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to a 10% discount to the 10-day VWAP as determined immediately before January 26, 2024. In addition, upon such voluntary conversion by the Investor, the Investor will be entitled to a warrant for 50% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued upon the Note conversion at an exercise equal to 120% of the Conversion Price (the “2024 Note Warrant”). In the event the Company consummates a public offering prior to the maturity date of the 2024 Convertible Note, the 2024 Convertible Note and accrued interest will be subject to a mandatory conversion into the equity securities of the Company issued and sold to investors in such public offering, equal to the price per share of the equity security sold to other purchasers and subject to similar terms and conditions of such public offering, except that such equity securities received under a mandatory conversion will be restricted securities.

As of March 31, 2024, the total carrying value of the Convertible Note, including accrued interest and net of debt discount, was $1.0 million.

On April 18, 2024, pursuant to the April Public Offering (see Note 12), the Company’s $1.0 million convertible note, inclusive of outstanding principal and accrued interest, was automatically converted into restricted shares of common stock at a conversion rate of $0.40 per common stock unit. As of that date, the convertible note was no longer outstanding (see Note 12).

Convertible Promissory Notes and Unasserted Claim Settlement

On March 8, 2024, the Company entered into settlement agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) with an investor who previously enter into a series of related agreements including (i) an agreement with Calidi Cure to fund the purchase of Calidi Series B Preferred Stock; (ii) a Non-Redemption Agreement with the Company; (iii) an OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Purchase Agreement with the Company; and (iv) a Subscription Agreement with the Company (items (i) through (iv) collectively “the Supplemental Funding Agreements”) for the purpose of satisfying the “Minimum Cash Condition” required under the Business Combination agreement between First Light Acquisition Group, Inc., and Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc., a Nevada corporation among others. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, (i) the investor purchased a $2.0 million convertible note from the Company for cash and (ii) the Company issued to the investor a $1.5 million convertible note in consideration for the settlement of all claims related to the Supplemental Funding Agreements. The $2.0 million convertible note and $1.5 million convertible note are collectively herein referred to as the “Convertible Notes”. The Convertible Notes bear semiannual interest at 10.0% per annum and each mature on March 8, 2028, unless due earlier due to an event of a default. After the earlier of 180 days or the effective date of a registration statement registering the Company’s common stock underlying the Convertible Notes, the Company may prepay the Convertible Notes, including any interest earned thereon, without penalty. The Convertible Notes provide the Investor a right to convert in whole or in part , the Principal Amount (as defined in the Convertible Notes) and accrued interest earned thereon into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial note conversion price equal to 94.0% of the 10-day VWAP ending the business day preceding execution of the Convertible Notes, subject to a reset note conversion price equal to 94.0% of 10-day VWAP ending on the thirtieth (30th) day after the effective date of the registration statement registering the common stock underlying the Convertible Notes. In the event the Company completes a financing (i) of at least $8 million in an offering registered with the SEC; or (ii) of at least $2 million with a non-affiliated purchaser at an effective price of at least 150.0% of the initial note conversion price, then the Convertible Notes will be subject to mandatory conversion at the lower of the initial note conversion price and reset note conversion price.

As of March 31, 2024, the total carrying value of the Convertible Note, including accrued interest and net of debt discount, was $3.4 million.

On April 14, 2024, the $1.5 million convertible note agreement was amended to include a mandatory prepayment of the entire convertible note upon the closing of a public offering of the Company’s securities registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in which Holder participates in an amount equal to the principal amount of the convertible note. All other terms and conditions remained substantially unchanged. As no concession was granted as part of the amendment and the present value of the cash flows under the new debt instrument did not differ from the present value of the remaining cash flows under the terms of the original debt instrument, it was determined that the debt was not substantially different which resulted in modification accounting in accordance with ASC 470-50. The carrying value of the original notes equaled the fair value at modification date, which resulted in no adjustment to the debt’s carrying value. See Note 12 for further details over subsequent events.

On April 19, 2024, the $1.5 million convertible note was paid in full upon the closing of a public offering by the Company, in which the Holder participated in an amount equal to the principal amount of the convertible note. As of that date, the convertible note was no longer outstanding. See Note 12 for further details over subsequent events.

**8. Convertible Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit **

Preferred Stock

Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed on September 19, 2023 (“the Amended Articles”), the Company is authorized to issue a total of 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of March 31, 2024, there wereno shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Convertible Preferred Stock

In connection with the closing of the FLAG Merger on September 12, 2023, all Convertible Preferred Stock, including the Series B Convertible Preferred stock classified as a liability which were completed as to the Series B financing, were converted to common stock pursuant to the conversion provisions and are no longer outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

Common Stock

Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 330,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 312,000,000 shares are designated as Voting Common Stock (“Common Stock”) and 18,000,000 are designated as Non-Voting Common Stock (the “Non-Voting Common Stock”). As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 35,726,784 and 35,522,230 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, respectively, and 18,000,000 shares of non-voting common stock outstanding. Since inception to date, no dividends have been declared or paid. Issuance costs related to common stock issuances during all periods presented were immaterial.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock in lieu of cash for certain marketing services (see Note 11),138,750 shares of common stock in lieu of cash for payment of a commitment fee related to the Company’s SEPA agreement (see Note 11), and 15,804 shares of common stock issued to a stockholder as a result of the FLAG Merger (see Note 1).

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, The Company issued 156,089 shares of common stock from exercises of stock options (see Note 9), and 29,752 shares of common stock in lieu of cash interest in conjunction with certain term note agreements.

As of March 31, 2024, common stock reserved for future issuance consisted of the following:

There are 35,726,784 and 35,522,230 shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Warrants

As of March 31, 2024, there were 13,812,154 warrants to purchase Common Stock outstanding, consisting of 11,500,000 Public Warrants,1,912,154 Private Warrants and 400,000 warrants to purchase Restricted Shares.

Public Warrants

In connection with the closing of the FLAG Merger on September 12, 2023, the Company assumed 11,500,000 public warrants to purchase common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “Public Warrants”). The Public Warrants became exercisable 30 days after the closing of the FLAG Merger. Each whole share of the warrant is exercisable for one share of the Company’s common stock.

The Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants for $0.01 per warrant upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption given after the warrants become exercisable, if the reported last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock dividends, sub-divisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing after the warrants become exercisable and ending on the third trading day before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. Upon issuance of a redemption notice by the Company, the warrant holders may, at any time after the redemption notice, exercise the public warrants on a cashless basis.

The Company accounts for the Public Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability.

The accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815,Derivatives and Hedging, requires that the Company record a derivative liability upon the closing of the FLAG Merger. Accordingly, the Company classifies each warrant as a liability at its fair value and the warrants were allocated a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Units equal to its fair value. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liability will be adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s statement of operations. The Company will reassess the classification at each balance sheet date. If the classification changes as a result of events during the period, the warrants will be reclassified as of the date of the event that causes the reclassification.

As of March 31, 2024, all 11,500,000 Public Warrants remain outstanding.

Private Warrants

In connection with the closing of the FLAG Merger on September 12, 2023, the Company assumed 1,912,514 private warrants to purchase common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “Private Warrants”). The Private Warrants (and shares of common stock issued or issuable upon exercise of the Private Warrants) in general, will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the Closing (excluding permitted transferees) and they will not be redeemable under certain redemption scenarios by us so long as they are held by the Sponsor, Metric or their respective permitted transferees. Otherwise, the Private Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the Public Warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period. If the Private Warrants are held by holders other than the Company’s sponsor, Metric or their respective permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by the Company under all redemption scenarios and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

As of March 31, 2024, all 1,912,514 Private Warrants remain outstanding.

Warrants to Purchase Restricted Shares

On February 21, 2024, in connection with a settlement agreement (see Note 11), the Company issued an additional 400,000 warrants to purchase Restricted Shares which (i) has an exercise price equal to $1.32; and (ii) are exercisable for 5 years after the date of issuance of the warrants, subject to the terms set forth in such warrant.

As of March 31, 2024, all 400,000 warrants to purchase Restricted Shares remain outstanding.

The following table summarizes the Company’s aggregate warrant activity for the three months March 31, 2024.

**9. Stock-Based Compensation **

Equity Incentive Plans

Prior to January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the 2016 Stock Plan (the “2016 Plan”) under which the Company was authorized to grant stock options, restricted stock, a stock appreciation right, or a restricted stock unit award. In June 2019, the Company adopted the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) to replace the 2016 Plan. Other than the change of plan name and incorporation state, all the terms of the 2016 Plan were carried over into the 2019 Plan. In adopting the 2019 Plan, the Company terminated the 2016 Plan and may no longer grant any additional stock options or sell any stock under restricted stock purchase agreements under the 2016 Plan; however, stock options issued under the 2016 Plan will continue to be in effect in accordance with their terms and the terms of the 2019 Plan, which are substantially the same terms as the 2016 Plan, until the exercise or expiration of the individual options awards. In connection with the Business Combination, the Company assumed the options granted under the 2019 Plan. Upon completion of the Business Combination on September 12, 2023, the Company adopted the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”). Since the 2019 Plan was not assumed by the Company, the Company may no longer grant any additional stock options or sell any stock under restricted stock purchase agreements under the 2019 Plan; however, stock options issued under the 2019 Plan will continue to be in effect in accordance with their terms and the terms of the 2023 Plan until the exercise or expiration of the individual options awards.

The 2019 Plan reserved the right for the Board of Directors as the administrator of the plan (the “Administrator”) to issue up to shares pursuant to 20,000,000 (pre-Business Combination) equity awards, which was increased to up to 25,500,000 (pre-Business Combination) in May 2022, including stock options (“Options”), restricted stock awards (“Restricted Stock”), dividend equivalents awards, stock payment awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and/or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”, together with Options, Restricted Stock and RSUs, “Awards”), according to its discretion. Awards may be granted under the 2019 Plan to our employees, directors, and consultants. As of March 31, 2024, the Administrator has not issued any Restricted Stock, RSUs, dividend equivalents awards, stock payment awards or SARs. Stock options remain as the sole outstanding type of award under the 2019 Plans.

Under the 2019 Plan, awards may vest and thereby become exercisable or have restrictions on forfeiture lapse on the date of grant or in periodic installments or upon the attainment of performance goals, or upon the occurrence of specified events depending on the Administrator’s discretion. The Administrator has broad authority to determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the 2019 Plan including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any reload provision, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof as the Administrator, in its sole discretion may determine.

No Awards may be granted under the 2019 Plan with a term of more than ten years and no Awards granted may be exercised after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant.

The 2023 Plan reserved the right for the Compensation Committee or by the Board of Directors acting as the Compensation Committee, as the administrator of the plan (the “Administrator”) to issue up to 3,937,802 equity awards, including stock options (“Options”), restricted stock awards (“Restricted Stock”), dividend equivalents awards, stock payment awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and/or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”, together with Options, Restricted Stock and RSUs, “Awards”), according to its discretion. Awards may be granted under the 2023 Plan to our employees, directors, and consultants. As of March 31, 2024, the Administrator has issued RSUs and stock options under the 2023 Plan.

Under the 2023 Plan, Awards may vest and thereby become exercisable or have restrictions on forfeiture lapse on the date of grant or in periodic installments or upon the attainment of performance goals, or upon the occurrence of specified events depending on the Administrator’s discretion. The Administrator has broad authority to determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the 2023 Plan including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any reload provision, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof as the Administrator, in its sole discretion may determine.

No Awards may be granted under the 2023 Plan with a term of more than ten years and no Awards granted may be exercised after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant.

On September 12, 2023, upon closing of the FLAG Merger, the number of equity awards issued and available for grant were retrospectively adjusted pursuant to the conversion ratio of approximately 0.42. The mechanism of conversion resulted in the fair value of each option prior to the Closing equal to the fair value of each option after. All stock option activity presented in these statements has been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the conversion.

2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)

On August 28, 2023, the Company approved the 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, hereinafter the 2023 ESPP, which became effective on the consummation of the FLAG Merger. Under the 2023 ESPP, eligible employees may purchase a limited number of shares of common stock at a discount of up to 15% of the market value of such stock at pre-determined and plan-defined dates. There were no shares issued under the 2023 ESPP during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Stock Options

Options granted under the 2019 Plan and 2023 Plan may be either “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or “non-qualified” stock options that do not qualify incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted only to the Company’s employees and employees of domestic subsidiaries, as applicable. The exercise price of stock options shall be equal to or greater than the fair market value of common stock on the date the option is granted. In the case of an optionee who, at the time of grant, owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock, the exercise price of any incentive stock option must be at least 110% of the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, and the term of the option may be no longer than five years. The aggregate fair market value of common stock (determined as of the grant date of the option) with respect to which incentive stock options become exercisable for the first time by an optionee in any calendar year may not exceed $0.1 million, otherwise it will be classified as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

The exercise price of an option may be payable in cash or in common stock, or in a combination of cash and common stock, or other legal consideration for the issuance of stock as the Board or Administrator may approve.

Generally, options vest over four years and will be exercisable only while the optionee remains an employee, director or consultant, or during the three months thereafter, but in the case of the termination of an employee, director, or consultant’s services due to death or disability, the period for exercising a vested option shall be extended to the earlier of twelve months after termination or the expiration date of the option.

Option awards activity

A summary of the 2023 Plan option activity and related information follows (in thousands except weighted average exercise price):

Restricted stock units

A summary of the 2023 Plan restricted stock unit (RSU) activity and related information follows (in thousands except weighted average grant date fair value):

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense in the following categories on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented (in thousands):

On January 18, 2023, the Board approved a repricing of approximately 1.5 million stock options previously granted at an exercise price of $9.27 per share to the then current fair value of $7.11 per share pursuant to an updated valuation report. Thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 includes a noncash compensation charge of approximately $21,000 and $0.1 million, respectively, in connection with this repricing. The stock option repricing and the acceleration of vesting were accounted for as a modification under ASC 718.

As of March 31, 2024, the total unamortized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options was approximately $6.2 million expected to be amortized over an estimated weighted average life of 1.94 years. The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options with service-conditions granted during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1.12 and $5.36 per share, respectively, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

The Company does not recognize deferred income taxes for incentive stock option compensation expense and records a tax deduction only when a disqualified disposition has occurred.

In connection with the closing of the FLAG Merger on September 12, 2023, all stock options underlying of the 2019 Plan were assumed by New Calidi at the appropriate conversion ratio and the legacy Calidi 2019 Plan was terminated.

**10. Income Taxes **

The provision for income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate. The effective tax rate may be subject to fluctuations during the year as new information is obtained, which may affect the assumptions used to estimate the annual effective tax rate, including factors such as valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, the recognition or de-recognition of tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions, if any, and changes in or the interpretation of tax laws in jurisdictions where the Company conducts business.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not record any federal or state income tax provision or benefit due to net losses incurred for all periods presented. The Company’s net deferred tax assets generated mainly from net operating losses are fully offset by a valuation allowance as the Company believes it is not more likely than not that the benefit will be realized. StemVac’s income tax provision in Germany for all periods presented was insignificant.

**11. Commitments and Contingencies **

Operating and financing leases

On October 10, 2022, the Company entered into an Office Lease Agreement (the “San Diego Lease”) of a building containing 15,197 square feet of rentable space located in San Diego, California (the “Premises”) that will serve as the Company’s new principal executive and administrative offices and laboratory facility. The Company completed constructing tenant improvements at the Premises on February 27, 2023, and moved into the Premises by end of March 2023.

To secure and execute the San Diego Lease, Mr. Allan Camaisa provided a personal Guaranty of Lease of up to $900,000 (the “Guaranty”) to the lessor for the Company’s future performance under the San Diego Lease agreement. As consideration for the Guaranty, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Camaisa 10% of the Guaranty amount for the first year of the San Diego Lease, and 5% per annum of the Guaranty amount thereafter through the life of the lease, with all amounts accrued and payable at the termination of the San Diego Lease or release of Mr. Camaisa from the Guaranty by the lessor, whichever occurs first.

The San Diego Lease has an initial term of 48 calendar months, from the first day of the first full month following which the “Commencement Date” occurs (the “Term”), which was March 1, 2023.

Beginning on the Commencement Date, the Company pays base monthly rent in the amount of $0.1 million during the first 12 months of the Term, plus a management fee equal to 3.0% of base rent. Base monthly rent will increase annually, over the base monthly rent then in effect, by 3.0%.

In addition to base monthly rent and management fees, the Company will pay in monthly installments its share of (a) all costs and expenses, other than certain excluded expenses, incurred by the lessor in each calendar year in connection with operating, maintaining, repairing (including replacements if repairs are not feasible or would not be effective) and managing the Premises and the building in which the Premises are located (“Expenses”), and (b) all real estate taxes and assessments on the Premises and the building in which the Premises are located, all personal property taxes for property that is owned by Landlord and used in connection with the operation, maintenance and repair of the Premises (“Taxes”).

Upon execution of the San Diego Lease, the Company provided the lessor a payment of $0.1 million as first month base rent and prepaid operating expenses, and a letter of credit in the amount of $0.1 million issued by a bank in the name of the lessor. To obtain the letter of credit, the Company has provided the issuing bank with a restricted cash deposit that the bank will hold to cover its obligation to pay any draws on the letter of credit by the lessor. The restricted cash may not be used for any other purpose (see Note 2). The prepaid rent was included in the initial accounting of the San Diego Lease in accordance with operating leases under ASC 842, as presented in the tables below.

On April 1, 2022, StemVac entered into an office lease which includes laboratory space which expires on March 31, 2027, with monthly payments of 4,047 Euros per month.

Operating lease expense recognized in accordance with ASC 842 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was approximately $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

The Company is also party to certain financing leases for machinery and equipment (see Note 5).

The following table presents supplemental cash flow information related to operating and financing leases for the periods presented (in thousands):

The following table presents supplemental balance sheet information related to operating and financing leases as of March 31, 2024 (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):

The following table presents future minimum lease commitments as of March 31, 2024 (in thousands):

Litigation — General

The Company is subject to various claims and contingencies in the ordinary course of its business, including those related to litigation, business transactions, employee-related matters, and other matters. At each reporting date, The Company evaluates whether or not a potential loss amount or a potential range of loss is probable and reasonably estimable under the provisions of the authoritative guidance that addresses accounting for contingencies. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, The Company will record a liability for the loss. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, The Company discloses the claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible, and the amount involved could be material. The Company expenses the costs related to legal proceedings as incurred. See other legal matters discussed below. Other than the matters discussed below, The Company is not currently party to any material legal proceedings.

Legal proceedings

Terminated Physician Agreement Matter

On July 19, 2016, the Company entered into a Partnership Agreement between certain physicians (the “Physicians”, as one of the “partners”) and Calidi for the Physicians to provide certain services to Calidi. In connection with the Partnership Agreement, Calidi granted the Physicians stock options as consideration for those services pursuant to Calidi’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Partnership Agreement was deemed terminated on March 21, 2018. Pursuant to the terms of the stock option agreements and the Plan, the Physicians had three months from the termination date to exercise their vested stock options before those options would automatically expire and cancel unexercised, while all unvested stock options are forfeited immediately on the termination date. The Physicians did not elect to exercise any of their vested options thereby resulting in full cancellation of those options in accordance with the Plan.

On March 14, 2022, the Physicians filed a lawsuit against Calidi in San Diego Superior Court, seeking, among other claims, declaratory relief and claiming that the stock options granted to them pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, have not expired and remain exercisable by the Physicians. The Physicians are claiming 3,000,000 in vested stock options to be valid and exercisable, even though the Physicians have not provided any services to Calidi since the March 2018 termination date.

On December 6, 2022, Calidi and the Physicians participated in mediation in San Diego, California. In order to attempt to settle all claims and avoid a costly trial, Calidi offered the Physicians 50,000 shares of Calidi common stock valued at $3.86 per share and 100,000 options to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $3.86 per share in full settlement of the claims. As of December 31, 2022, the Company estimated this offer of settlement to be valued at approximately $0.2 million and all settleable in noncash consideration, which was rejected. At the mediation, the Physicians were demandingone million options to purchase common stock at 25 cents per share, one million options to purchase common stock at $3.86 per share, plus 250,000 shares of common stock, which amounts to an aggregate claims value of approximately $5.0 million as of December 31, 2022. The mediation was terminated without settlement and the Company is planning to go to trial with a preliminary trial date set for March 8, 2024 in San Diego Superior Court. On March 24, 2023, the Company initiated an arbitration proceeding with the American Health Lawyers Association seeking declaratory relief under Delaware law, specifically to determine that the Partnership Agreement was terminated in 2018, which is not a matter before the San Diego Superior Court. The arbitration was stayed by the Superior Court, pending the related civil action. Based on the stay, the Company has moved for a judgment on the pleadings to be heard in January 2024.

On February 5, 2024, the Company entered into a settlement agreement and mutual release (the “Settlement Agreement”) with Dr. Elliot Lander, Saralee Berman, as Trustee of the Mark Howard Berman and Saralee Turrell Berman Living Trust, successor in interest to the Estate of Dr. Mark Berman, and Cell Surgical Network, Inc. (the “physicians”) in connection with the dispute outlined above.

Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, as consideration for a full release and discharge of claims, and dismissal of claims by the parties, the Company agreed to provide to the physicians the following: (a) the issuance of 200,000 restricted shares of common stock (the “Restricted Shares”) and (b) the issuance of 400,000 warrants to purchase Restricted Shares, which (i) has an exercise price equal to $1.32; and (ii) are exercisable for 5 years after the date of issuance of the warrants, subject to the terms set forth in such warrant (the “Warrant”). In addition, the physicians were granted piggy-back rights with respect to the Restricted Shares and any shares issued pursuant to any Warrants (“Warrant Shares”) that were granted by the Settlement Agreement. However, the Company has the right to refuse to register the Restricted Shares and Warrant Shares if it determines, in their sole discretion based on commercially reasonable grounds, that the inclusion of the Restricted Shares and Warrant Shares pursuant to piggy-back rights will adversely affect our ability to raise capital from such registration statement. As of March 31, 2024, the Company included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets the outstanding amount of the settlement of approximately $0.1 million.

Former Chief Accounting Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer

On November 15, 2023, Tony Kalajian, the Company’s prior chief accounting officer and interim chief financial officer, filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California County of San Diego against the Company, Mr. Camaisa, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Pizarro, the Company’s Chief Administrative Office and Chief Legal Officer, alleging constructive discharge of Mr. Kalajian’s position of interim Chief Financial Officer and defamation by the Company, Mr. Camaisa and Ms. Pizarro in connection with Mr. Kalajian’s alleged discharge. Mr. Kalajian is seeking $0.6 million in damages under his employment contract, damages to be proven at trial, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself and will seek recovery of a $0.2 million bonus Mr. Kalajian approved to be paid to himself without first obtaining proper authorization by the Company’s board of directors.

On May 1, 2024, Mr. Kalajian filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Diego against the Company alleging intentional conversion and violation of Section 158 of the Delaware General Corporations Code due to the Company’s failure to remove a restrictive legend from 139,423 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Mr. Kalajian is seeking compensatory damages to be proven at trial, punitive damages and attorney’s fees, and an order requiring removal of the restrictive legend from his share certificates. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself.

Unasserted Claim Settlement

On March 8, 2024, the Company entered into a convertible promissory note purchase agreement with an accredited investor (the “Investor”) for a loan in the principal amount of $2.0 million (the “2024 Loan”), and settlement of $1.5 million of an unasserted claim. As of March 31, 2024, the Company included in other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets the resulting amount of the unasserted claim settlement of approximately $1.5 million. In connection with the 2024 Loan, the Company issued convertible notes due in 2028 evidencing the aggregate principal amount of $3.5 million (the “2024 Notes”). The 2024 Notes also provides the Investor a right to convert all, but not less than all, the Principal Amount (as defined in the 2024 Notes) and accrued interest into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to a 6% discount to the 10-day VWAP preceding execution of the 2024 Notes, convertible after the earlier of 180 days or the effective registration date with mandatory conversion for Investor in the event that the Company completes a registered financing of at least $8 million or of at least $2 million to a non-affiliated purchaser with an effective price of 150% of the Note conversion price with a conversion price reset to be completed 30 (thirty) days after the effective registration date.

On April 19, 2024, the $1.5 million convertible note was paid in full upon the closing of a public offering by the Company, in which the Holder participated in an amount equal to the principal amount of the convertible note (See Note 7 and Note 12).

Employment Contracts

The Company has entered into employment and severance benefit contracts with certain executive officers and other employees. Under the provisions of the contracts, the Company may be required to incur severance obligations for matters relating to changes in control, as defined, and certain terminations of those executives and employees. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had not accrued any such benefits except for the severance accrual for Mr. Ng discussed below.

Manufacturing and other supplier contracts

The Company has entered into certain manufacturing and other supplier agreements with vendors principally for manufacturing drug product for clinical trials and continued development of the CLD-101 and CLD-201 programs, amounting to approximately $6.9 million in aggregate commitments, of which 2.3 million are denominated in Australian dollars (approximately $1.6 million) and 0.8 million are denominated in Euros (approximately $0.9 million) as of March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had incurred approximately $6.5 million under these various agreements.

License Agreements with Northwestern University

On June 7, 2021, the Company entered into a License Agreement with Northwestern University (“Northwestern”) (the “Northwestern Agreement”) for the exclusive commercialization rights to the investigational new drug (“IND”) and data generated from Northwestern’s phase 1 clinical trial treating brain tumor patients with an engineered oncolytic adenovirus delivered by neural stem cells (“NSC-CRAd-S-pk7”). Under the Northwestern Agreement, among other rights, Northwestern granted to the Company a worldwide, twelve-year exclusivity for the commercial development of NSC-CRAd-S-pk7 or other oncolytic viruses for therapeutic and preventive uses in oncology and a right of reference to Northwestern’s IND application which relates to the treatment of newly diagnosed HGG.

Pursuant to the Northwestern Agreement, the Company agreed to a best-efforts commitment to fund up to $10 million towards a phase 2 clinical trial of NSC-CRAd-S-pk7 or other oncolytic viruses. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Northwestern Agreement, Northwestern may become entitled to receive contingent payments from the Company based on, if any (i) sublicense royalty payments of double-digit percentage for any sublicensing revenue that the Company earns and, (ii) in the event of an assignment or transfer of licensed data, with the consent of Northwestern, a small percentage of the fair market value of any consideration received.

On October 14, 2021, the Company entered into a Material License Agreement with Northwestern to license the NSC-CRAd-S-pk7 oncolytic virus materials which the Company intends to use to continue advancing its research, development and commercialization efforts of the NNV1 and NNV2 programs.

As of the date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, it is not probable that the Company will make these payments, if any at all. The Company will record the contingent payments if and when they become payable, in accordance with the applicable guidance.

License Agreement with City of Hope and the University of Chicago

On July 22, 2021, the Company entered into an Exclusive License Agreement with City of Hope (“COH”) and the University of Chicago (the “City of Hope Agreement”) for patents covering cancer therapies using an oncolytic adenovirus loaded into allogeneic neural stem cells for treatment of HGG. Pursuant to the City of Hope Agreement, COH transferred its IND to the Company for the commercial development of a licensed product, as defined in the City of Hope Agreement. This agreement grants to the Company commercial exclusivity in using neural stem cells with the adenovirus known as CRAd-S-pk7 for oncolytic virotherapy.

The City of Hope Agreement provides for the Company to pay royalties in low single digit percentage of net sales generated for any product of the licensed patents for specific periods, and to pay up to $18.7 million if certain milestones are achieved during the clinical trials and post commercialization of the licensed product.

As of the date of the issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, it is not probable that the Company will make these payments. The Company will record the contingent payments if and when they become payable, in accordance with the applicable guidance.

Indemnification

In the normal course of business, the Company may provide indemnification of varying scope under the Company’s agreements with other companies or consultants, typically the Company’s clinical research organizations, investigators, clinical sites, suppliers and others. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company will generally agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and reimburse the indemnified parties for losses and expenses suffered or incurred by the indemnified parties arising from claims of third parties. Indemnification provisions could also cover third party infringement claims with respect to patent rights, copyrights, or other intellectual property pertaining to the Company. The Company’s office and laboratory facility leases also will generally contain indemnification obligations, including obligations for indemnification of the lessor for environmental law matters and injuries to persons or property of others, arising from the Company’s use or occupancy of the leased property. The term of these indemnification agreements will generally continue in effect after the termination or expiration of the particular research, development, services, lease, or other agreement to which they relate. The potential future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements will generally not be subject to any specified maximum amounts. Historically, the Company has not been subject to any claims or demands for indemnification. The Company also maintains various liability insurance policies that limit the Company’s financial exposure. As a result, the Company’s management believes that the fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded any liabilities for these agreements as of March 31, 2024.

Separation Agreement with Chief Operating Officer and President

On June 23, 2023, the Company entered into a Separation and Release Agreement (“Separation Agreement”) with George Ng, Chief Operating Officer and President, effective on that date. In accordance with the provisions of the Separation Agreement, the Company will pay Mr. Ng in the amount of $0.5 million payable in a lump sum due one year after the effective date, and in the event that this amount is not paid when due, the unpaid amount will accrue interest at the rate of 8.0% per annum to be paid no later than thetwo year anniversary of the effective date. The Company also paid for certain benefits, including healthcare for six months following the effective date.

Mr. Ng will continue to serve as a director on the Company’s board and an advisor with continued vesting of Mr. Ng’s previously granted stock options pursuant to the terms of the Company’s equity incentive plan.

Settlement, deferral or payment of deferred compensation of certain executives and a director

On August 31, 2023, Mr. Camaisa and Mr. Leftwich entered into certain amendments with respect to their deferred compensation arrangements in connection with the FLAG Merger. Mr. Camaisa agreed to settle approximately $0.7 million of deferred compensation with 469,719 FLAG warrants which were issued at the closing of the FLAG Merger in September 2023, and Mr. Leftwich agreed to defer approximately $0.5 million of deferred compensation, combined with the deferral of certain term notes discussed above, to January 1, 2025, which will include accrued interest at 24% per annum payable at maturity. This deferred compensation is included in other long-term liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

On September 12, 2023, Mr. Kalajian was issued 46,826 shares of common stock in exchange for settlement of $0.3 million in deferred compensation.

Standby Equity Purchase Agreement

On December 10, 2023, the Company entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (the “SEPA”) with YA II PN, Ltd., a Cayman Island exempt limited partnership (“Yorkville”). Pursuant to the SEPA, the Company will have the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Yorkville up to $25.0 million of its shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at the Company’s request any time during the 36 months following the execution of the SEPA. The maximum advance under the SEPA is the lower of(i) an amount equal to 100% of the average of the daily traded amount during the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding an advance notice, or (ii) 5,000,000 shares. For the SEPA to be utilized, the shares underlying the agreement need to be registered on a Form S-1 filed with the SEC. As of March 31, 2024, the Company has not registered the shares underlying the SEPA and has not issued any shares under the SEPA.

As consideration for Yorkville’s commitment to purchase the Common Stock at the Company’s direction upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the SEPA, upon execution of the SEPA, the Company paid a structuring fee of $25,000 to an affiliate of Yorkville and issued 138,750 shares of Common Stock to Yorkville (the “Commitment Fee Shares”). The Commitment Fee Shares were determined by dividing $0.3 million by the lowest daily VWAP of the Common Stock during the 10 Trading Days immediately prior to the December 10, 2023.

Consulting Agreement

In February 2024, the Company entered into a consulting agreement whereby the consultant agreed to provide the Company with marketing and distribution services to communicate information. As compensation, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock to the consultant on March 25, 2024 (see Note 8), and the Company agreed to issue an additional 50,000 shares of common stock 6 months from the effective date of the consulting agreement.

**12. Subsequent Events **

Extension of Term Notes

On April 12, 2024, the maturity date of $0.3 million of the 2023 Term Note was extended to January 1, 2025. Approximately $0.2 million of the amended 2023 Term Note will accrue interest at 18% per annum commencing on April 12, 2024, while the interest rate of the other $0.1 million of the amended 2023 Term Note will remain unchanged. All other terms and conditions remained substantially unchanged.

Repayment of Convertible Promissory Note

On April 14, 2024, the $1.5 million convertible note agreement was amended to include a mandatory prepayment of the entire convertible note upon the closing of a public offering of the Company’s securities registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in which Holder participates in an amount equal to the principal amount of the convertible note. All other terms and conditions remained substantially unchanged.

On April 19, 2024, the $1.5 million convertible note was paid in full by the Company upon the closing of a public offering by the Company, in which the Holder participated in an amount equal to the principal amount of the convertible note. As of that date, the convertible note was no longer outstanding.

April Public Offering

On April 18, 2024, the Company closed on a public offering of the Company’s securities pursuant to that certain securities purchase agreement dated April 16, 2024 entered into by and among the Company and certain purchasers. In connection with the public offering, the Company sold an aggregate of 13,232,500 Common Stock Units and 1,965,000 PFW Units at an effective combined purchase price of $0.40 per Common Stock Unit or Pre-Funded Warrant (“PFW”) Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $6.1 million before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses payable by the Company. The securities offered and sold in the public offering were registered pursuant to registration statement on Form S-1, as amended, filed with the SEC and declared effective on April 15, 2024.

Reverse Stock Split

Pursuant to the April Public Offering, the Company agreed to hold an annual or special meeting of stockholders on or prior to the seventy-fifth (75th) calendar day following April 18, 2024 for the purpose of obtaining approval as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the NYSE American (or any successor entity) from the shareholders of the Company to consummate a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock (“Stockholder Approval”), with the recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors that such proposal is approved, and the Company shall solicit proxies from its stockholders in connection therewith in the same manner as all other management proposals in such proxy statement and all management-appointed proxyholders shall vote their proxies in favor of such proposal. If the Company does not obtain Stockholder Approval at the first meeting, the Company will be required to call a meeting within every forty-five (45) day period thereafter to seek Stockholder Approval until the earlier of the date on which Shareholder Approval is obtained or the Pre-Funded Warrants or the Series A Common Warrants, Series B Common Warrants, Series B-1 Common Warrants, Series C Common Warrants and Series C-1 Common Warrants (collectively “Common Warrants”) are no longer outstanding. The Board has set the record date of April 26, 2024 for the special meeting to be held on June 6, 2024 (the “Special Meeting”). The Special Meeting will held for purposes of seeking stockholder approval for an amendment to our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”),to effect a reverse stock split with respect to the Company’s issued and outstanding Voting Common Stock and Non-Voting Common Stock, at a ratio between 1-for-10 and 1-for-50 (the “Range”), with the ratio within such Range to be determined at the discretion of the Board (the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal”), and approval on other matters relating to potential issuances of securities of over 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of Voting Common Stock in compliance with NYSE American Rule 713(a), as more fully described in the preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024.

Conversion of Convertible Promissory Note

On April 18, 2024, pursuant to the April Public Offering, the Company’s $1.0 million convertible note, inclusive of outstanding principal and accrued interest, was automatically converted into restricted shares of common stock at a conversion rate of $0.40 per common stock unit. As of that date, the convertible note was no longer outstanding.