ORAGENICS INC

In addition to the other information set forth in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, subsection “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results of operations. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and future results of operations. The following information updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A, subsection “Risk Factors” to Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed on March 29, 2024. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Risks Related to Our Business

We have incurred significant losses since our inception and expect to continue to experience losses for the foreseeable future.

We have incurred significant net losses and negative cash flow in each year since our inception, including net losses of approximately $7.2 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and approximately $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. As of September 30, 2024, our accumulated deficit was approximately $213 million. We have devoted a significant amount of our financial resources to research and development, including our nonclinical development activities and clinical trials. We expect that the costs associated with our plans to begin phase 2 clinical trials, contract manufacturing and file an IND for our concussion product candidate will continue and, to have successful results, likely will require an increase in the level of our overall expenses going forward. As a result, we expect to continue to incur substantial net losses and negative cash flow for the foreseeable future. These losses and negative cash flows have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our shareholders’ equity and working capital. Our current cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are not sufficient to fully implement our business strategy and sustain our operations. As a result of our limited resources, we have undertaken cost-saving initiatives, including reducing our efforts and staff focused on our COVID vaccine candidate and our lantibiotics program. Our actual costs may ultimately vary from our current expectation, which could materially impact our use of capital and our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development and commercialization, we are unable to accurately predict the timing or amount of substantial expenses or when, or if, we will be able to generate the revenue necessary to achieve or maintain profitability. Due to of our accumulated losses and substantial doubt that we can continue as a going concern beyond December 2024, the Company is evaluating various opportunities for its Lantibiotics Program and its N-CoV2-1 vaccine product candidate, as well as alternative assets that could be acquired or developed. These opportunities could include a wide range of options including, among other things, a potential sale, spin-off, fund raising, combination or other strategic transaction, which may also include the winding down of research and development activities. The result of this process may result in the liquidation of assets for significantly less than amounts that have been invested in them, the write-off of prior expenses incurred in connection with the development of such assets and may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and liquidity. Notwithstanding the above, the Company will seek to maximize the value of such assets to the extent possible. Until we can generate a sufficient amount of product revenue, if ever, we expect to finance future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or corporate or government collaboration and licensing arrangements. If we do not succeed in raising additional funds on acceptable terms, we may be unable to complete existing nonclinical and planned clinical trials or obtain approval of our product candidates from the FDA and other regulatory authorities. We believe our existing cash will allow us to fund our operating plan only through the fourth quarter of 2024.

We may have difficulty raising additional capital, which could deprive us of the resources necessary to implement our business plan, which would adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.

We need to raise additional capital to fund the development and commercialization of our product candidates and to operate our business. The need to raise additional capital is expected to increase as we continue our work research and development activities and preparation to start phase 2 clinical trials for ONP-002. In order to support the initiatives envisioned in our business plan, we will need to raise additional funds through the sale of assets, public or private debt or equity financing, collaborative relationships or other arrangements. If our operations expand faster or at a higher rate than currently anticipated, we may require additional capital sooner than we expect. We are unable to provide any assurance or guarantee that additional capital will be available when needed by our company or that such capital will be available under terms acceptable to our company or on a timely basis.

Our ability to raise additional financing depends on many factors beyond our control, including the state of capital markets, the market price of our common stock and the development or prospects for development of competitive products by others. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity, convertible debt or similar securities of our company, the percentage of ownership of our company by our company’s stockholders will be reduced, our company’s stockholders may experience additional dilution upon conversion, and such securities may have rights or preferences senior to those of our common stock. The preferential rights granted to the providers of such additional financing may include preferential rights to payments of dividends, super voting rights, a liquidation preference, protective provisions preventing certain corporate actions without the consent of the fund providers, or a combination thereof. We are unable to provide any assurance that additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us or at all.

If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, with limited capital, we expect to continue to hold research and development of our lantibiotics and Covid programs and may reduce or slow research and development activity of our ONP-002 lead asset. Thus, the unavailability of capital could substantially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

With limited resources we have paused our other product candidate research and development and now rely on the progress and success of ONP-002.

With limited capital, we have put the research and development of our COVID vaccine program and our lantibiotics program on hold and have chosen instead to focus the limited capital on the development of ONP-002. As such, our future success currently depends on the successful development of ONP-002, our concussion asset, of which there can be no assurances.

We are heavily dependent upon the ability and expertise of our management team and a very limited number of employees and consultants; the loss of such individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

We currently have a very small management team. Our success is dependent upon the ability, expertise and judgment of our senior management and consultants. While employment agreements are customarily used as a primary method of retaining the services of key employees, these agreements cannot assure the continued services of such employees. Any loss of the services of such individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. Mr. Redmond continues to serve as President and CEO of Odyssey, which may give rise to conflicts of interest.

We believe that our future success with regard to the Neurology Assets depends on the skills and efforts of our senior management and other key personnel, including Jacob VanLandingham, Ph.D., one of the Company’s independent contractors. The loss of the services of any of these individuals could harm our ability to successfully pursue the development of the Neurology Assets. If any of our executive officers or key personnel left or was otherwise unable to work and we were unable to find a qualified replacement and/or to obtain adequate compensation for such loss, we may be unable to manage our business, which could harm our operating results and financial condition.

On December 5, 2022, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (“MDHS”) filed an Amended Complaint in the Circuit Court of Hinds County, Mississippi First Judicial District against Mississippi Community Education Center, Inc., a non-profit corporation, Nancy New, its director, Prevacus, Dr. VanLandingham its founder, and several other defendants, alleging, among other things, a conspiracy to defraud the MDHS. Prevacus, Inc., is the Company from whom Odyssey purchased the Neurology Assets in 2021. The MDHS is designated by Mississippi law as the State agency exclusively responsible for administering the federally-authorized and federally-funded anti-poverty (or “welfare”) program known as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, or “TANF.” With regard to Prevacus and Dr. VanLandingham, the complaint alleges that $2.1 million was funneled through the Mississippi Community Education Center, a nonprofit run by Nancy New, to Prevacus and PresolMD, another company founded by Dr. VanLandingham. The MDHS, among other things, is seeking to recover $2.1 million it alleges went to Prevacus and PresolMD. Prevacus and Dr. VanLandingham have denied any wrongdoing and have denied being aware that the funds received from Community Education Center, Inc. were TANF funds. However, recently, Dr. VanLandingham plead guilty to one federal charge of wire fraud in connection with this case and is awaiting sentencing, the timing and results of which are uncertain. The Company does not believe it has any financial exposure related to the reimbursement of the funds paid to Prevacus and does not believe there are any grounds on which the Company could become embroiled in the foregoing legal proceedings. Dr. VanLandingham is not an Officer or Director of Oragenics but is instead an independent contractor. Nevertheless, any negative media related to foregoing legal proceedings, and in particular any negative media related to the Neurology Assets or Dr. VanLandingham, may negatively impact the Company’s ability to raise capital and otherwise continue the development of the Neurology Assets. Furthermore, while the Company has relationships with other experts in the field, including Frank Peacock, MD, the Company’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. VanLandingham’s ability to continue to assist in the development of the Neurology Assets may be negatively impacted by the foregoing legal proceedings which could negatively impact the Company’s ability to raise capital and otherwise continue the development of the Neurology Assets.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

We cannot assure you that we will continue to be listed on the NYSE American.

Our common stock commenced trading on the NYSE American (formerly the NYSE MKT) on April 10, 2013, and we are subject to certain NYSE American continued listing requirements and standards. On April 18, 2024 we received notification (the “Notice”) from the NYSE American that we were no longer in compliance with NYSE American’s continued standards, Specifically, the letter stated that the Company was in compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Sections 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the Company Guide”). Section 1003(a)(ii) requires a listed company to have stockholders’ equity of $4 million or more if the listed company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of its four most recent fiscal years. Section 1003(a)(iii) requires a listed company to have stockholders’ equity of $6 million or more if the listed company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years. On August 13, 2024, we received a second notice from the NYSE American LLC informing us that us that we also are not in compliance with subsection (i) of Section 1003(a), which requires stockholders’ equity of no less than $2,000,000 if the Company has sustained losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in two of its three most recent fiscal years. We reported stockholders’ equity of $3.2 million as of December 31, 2023, and $3 million as of September 30, 2024. Additionally, we have reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in our five most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2023. On May 17, 2024, we submitted a plan of compliance (the “Plan”) to the NYSE American. On June 18, 2024, the NYSE American accepted our Plan; the Company will be able to continue its listing during the Plan period and will be subject to continued periodic review by the NYSE American staff. If we are not in compliance with the continued listing standards by October 18, 2025, or if the Company does not make progress consistent with the Plan during the Plan period, the Company will be subject to delisting procedures as set forth in the NYSE American Company Guide. The Company is committed to undertaking a transaction or transactions in the future to achieve compliance with the NYSE American’s requirements. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve compliance with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards within the required timeframe. Further, the Company may fall out of compliance with other provisions of the NYSE American continued listing requirements and standards, including with regard to the Company’s stock price. If the Common Stock ultimately were to be delisted for any reason, it could negatively impact the Company by (i) reducing the liquidity and market price of the Company’s Common Stock; (ii) reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire the Common Stock, which could negatively impact the Company’s ability to raise equity financing; (iii) limiting the Company’s ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing the Company from accessing the public capital markets; and (iv) impairing the Company’s ability to provide equity incentives to its employees.

The issuance of additional equity securities by us in the future would result in dilution to our existing common shareholders.

Our Board of Directors has authority, without action or vote of our shareholders, to issue all or a part of our authorized but unissued shares, except where shareholder approval is required by law or the rules of any exchange on which our shares are listed. Any issuance of additional equity securities by us in the future could result in dilution to our existing common shareholders. Such issuances could be made at a price that reflects a discount or a premium to the then-current trading price of our common stock. In addition, our business strategy may include expansion through internal growth by acquiring complementary businesses, acquiring or licensing additional products or brands, or establishing strategic relationships with targeted customers and suppliers. In order to do so, or to finance the cost of our other activities, we may issue additional equity securities that could result in further dilution to our existing common shareholders. These issuances would dilute the percentage ownership interest of our existing common shareholders, which would have the effect of reducing their influence on matters on which our shareholders vote and might dilute the book value of our common stock. For example, our outstanding shares of common stock at December 31, 2023 was 3,080,693, due to additional common stock issuances related to capital raises, at September 30, 2024 our outstanding shares of common stock was 9,387,547. Furthermore, if Odyssey or the holders of Preferred Shares Series A and B convert their preferred shares into common stock an additional 7,511,220 shares of common stock could be issued resulting in dilution to our existing common shareholders. Additionally, as of November 13, 2024, 1,139,705 Pre-Funded Warrants remain unexercised.